Chapter 24 - AUBERON TESTIFIES ABOUT THE MESSAGES
Auberon took the stand on Day Two.
He wore the same wedding ring from the rain.
The prosecutor asked:
“When did you first believe Clotilde was voluntarily away?”
“After receiving messages from her number.”
“Why?”
“Because the language sounded close to things she had said before.”
Then:
“Who knew those phrases?”
Auberon swallowed.
“My mother.”
“How?”
“I had shown her some private messages during previous marital arguments.”
There.
He owned it publicly.
Then:
“Did you call Fenella during the five days?”
“Yes.”
“What did she say?”
“That Clotilde had packed a bag and left.”
“Did she mention the shed?”
“No.”
“Did she say she had Clotilde’s phone?”
“No.”
“Did she say she moved the car?”
“No.”
Then his return.
Storm.
Early shutdown.
Rain.
Fabric under the door.
Scratching.
Police called before he cut anything because he saw the padlock and heard Clotilde but did not know what condition she was in or whether Fenella was nearby.
Good.
Then rescue.
Then slap.
The prosecutor asked:
“Did you strike Fenella after Clotilde was safe?”
“Yes.”
“Were you defending Clotilde at that moment?”
“No.”
“Why did you strike her?”
“I was furious.”
No heroic rewriting.
Defense used it.
“You are capable of violence when angry?”
Auberon answered:
“Yes.”
Then:
“Did you ever see Fenella physically strike Clotilde?”
“No.”
“Threaten her before this?”
“Verbally, yes.”
“What kind?”
“She said Clotilde would regret pushing family away.”
“Anything like five-day confinement?”
“No.”
Then:
“You did not believe your mother capable of this.”
“No.”
That helped defense emotionally.
Then Auberon added:
May you like
“I was wrong.”
Simple.
