Chapter 13 - THE ENGAGEMENT RING
Celestine wanted the engagement ring back.
Technically, she had left it in my house.
State law treated engagement rings differently depending on circumstances.
Daniel suggested returning it through counsel.
I did.
No symbolism.
No auction.
No throwing it into a river.
It belonged where law said.
Poppy saw the box.
“Are you marrying her?”
“No.”
“Ever?”
“No.”
“Good.”
Fair.
Then she asked:
“Did you love her?”
I paused.
“Yes.”
She looked offended.
“Why?”
Children believe love should follow evidence.
Adults know it often precedes it.
“Because I thought she was someone different.”
“Was she pretending?”
“Sometimes.”
“Did Mommy like her?”
“Yes.”
That confused Poppy more.
Mara had loved Celestine as a friend.
Trusted her.
Then discovered betrayal.
I had loved her afterward.
That did not make us stupid.
It made Celestine’s deception more consequential.
The manslaughter trial approached.
Celestine rejected a plea offering:
Significant prison term.
Financial restitution.
Evidence-tampering plea.
Manslaughter admission.
She wanted trial.
Her right.
The defense theory became clear.
Yes, she participated in a scare tactic.
No, she did not intend injury.
Owen exceeded instructions by loosening the fitting too much.
Mara had the defect serviced, creating an intervening act.
The crash could not be attributed beyond reasonable doubt to the original tampering.
That argument was stronger than I wanted.
Prosecution expert:
Damage from initial tampering likely remained despite tightening.
Defense expert:
Photographs insufficient to establish leak source at crash.
Both credible.
This would not be easy.
The financial fraud count was stronger.
Evidence tampering strong.
Witness intimidation strong.
Manslaughter uncertain.
I prepared Poppy for the possibility Celestine would not be convicted of causing Mara’s death.
She looked furious.
“But she did bad thing.”
“Yes.”
“Then why?”
“Because court has to prove each specific charge.”
“Even if she’s mean?”
“Especially then.”
She groaned.
“I hate rules.”
“So did Celestine.”
Poppy considered.
“Okay. Maybe rules good.”
Progress.
Then the defense subpoenaed me.
Of course.
They would ask:
Mara’s anxiety.
Our marriage.
Car maintenance.
My relationship with Celestine.
Did I know Celestine and Mara argued?
No.
Did I fail to maintain the car?
No.
Was Mara distracted?
Maybe.
I would answer.
No performance.
No speeches.
Then Daniel gave me one piece of advice.
“If they ask whether you blame Celestine for Mara’s death, do not turn the witness stand into therapy.”
“What do I say?”
“The truth.”
The truth was:
I blamed her.
May you like
But blame and proof were not the same.
That distinction would define the trial.
