Chapter 17 - Under Oath
Simone said Dad had become difficult after his knee surgery. She said she had tried to keep him safe, had been overwhelmed, and had taken the picture to show a doctor what she believed was a decline. Her voice was polished until Leah asked why Biscuit had been sitting at the table with a plate of chicken.
"It was a family dinner," Simone said. "I don't understand what the dog has to do with anything."
"Were you serving Mr. Mercer his dinner on the floor?"
"No."
Judith closed her eyes. Carina stared at her clasped hands.
The judge heard evidence from the responding officer, the care notes, the clinician's assessment, and the witnesses. Judith admitted she had supported Simone's account without personally seeing Dad fall. Carina acknowledged that she had witnessed his distress and had failed to intervene.
I described Dad's real limitations: a bad knee, slow steps, difficulty with unfamiliar technology. I also explained how he'd caught an error in our apprenticeship budget that morning.
"You want your father to remain in your care?" the judge asked.
"I want my father to decide where he lives. If he chooses my home, I'll make it accessible and hire the support he wants."
Dad squeezed the arm of his chair.
After the testimony, the judge denied Simone's request for emergency guardianship. The court noted that the current evidence did not justify removing Dad's decision-making authority and left further matters to the proper legal and investigative processes.
There was no cheering. No gavel-smashing speech. Dad simply closed his eyes and breathed.
Outside, Simone stepped into my path.
"Daniel. We can still fix our marriage. Nolan took things too far. I never meant for your father to be hurt."
"You put his plate on the floor."
"I was angry."
"You filmed him. Then you told our daughter he was dangerous."
"I was scared. Nolan had debts. He said he'd lose everything."
I looked at her carefully. For years I had mistaken her certainty for strength. Now she looked frightened, and I finally understood that fear could explain a decision without excusing it.
"Talk to your lawyer," I said. "And tell the truth."
May you like
She took a step after me.
"You don't understand," she whispered. "Nolan used our company's money to pay someone who knows what happened in that fire. If the investigators open the old case, he's going to take me down with him."
