Chapter 21 - Caroline
Caroline’s testimony hurt everyone.
She admitted the pictures.
The draft.
The messages.
Giving Mom access to the online form.
Watching submission.
“Why?”
“Because I was afraid of losing the house.”
“Did Clara owe you that house?”
“No.”
“Did Evelyn believe Lucy living there could force Clara to keep paying?”
“Yes.”
“Did you?”
“I told her that wasn’t how it worked.”
“Then why help?”
Caroline cried.
“Because if Mom lost the house, I lost where I lived too.”
There.
Self-interest.
Not pure manipulation by Mom.
Then Christmas.
“Did Evelyn lock Lucy?”
“Yes.”
“Did Lucy have dinner before?”
“She ate some potatoes. Refused ham.”
“Was she starving?”
“No.”
“Did Evelyn say no dinner?”
“Yes.”
“Exact?”
Caroline swallowed.
“No dinner until you learn your place.”
Silence.
“Did you stop her?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“I thought Mom would calm down.”
“Did she?”
“No.”
“Did Clara?”
“No.”
A few jurors almost smiled.
Then defense.
“You received reduced charge for cooperation.”
“Yes.”
“You lied before.”
“Yes.”
“You participated.”
“Yes.”
“You want Evelyn blamed more.”
Caroline looked at Mom.
“I want my part to stay mine.”
Good.
“Did Evelyn force your hand onto the phone?”
“No.”
“Did she force you to take pictures?”
“No.”
“Did Clara financially support you indirectly?”
“Yes.”
“So you benefited from Clara too.”
“Yes.”
“Were you resentful when she stopped?”
“Yes.”
“Could that resentment affect testimony now?”
“It affected what I did then. Now I’m trying to tell what happened.”
Not perfect.
Credible enough.
Then she looked at me before leaving stand.
I did not smile.
May you like
Not punishment.
Just no performance.
