AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Christine shook her head, her expression one of misery. “My mother had told me about the bonus she paid Jerome. I told the Gateses about it. I guess they had an idea that if the money was found at their property that it would make things look bad for the Washingtons. I don’t know how they found out where Jerome had put the money. And of course my mother wouldn’t be around to say that it had been a gift.”
“Do you know if they anonymously called the police about the money and the bayonet?”
“They told me they did. And they said they paid or threatened those people to say those things.”
“Objection, hearsay,” said Battle feebly.
Ambrose gave him a fierce look. “I’m going to allow her testimony, Mr. Battle. You just keep quiet.”
DuBose turned to look at Gates. “Mr. Gates also testified that your father was going to fire Mr. Washington.”
“That was a lie.” Christine stared directly at Gates. “Curtis said that he would take care of everything so long as when I inherited my parents’ estate, when my brother died, we would sell it to him and his son at a very favorable price.”
“Did he know of your brother’s illness?”
“Yes. He was Sam’s estate lawyer, too. I believe he knew that my brother didn’t have long to live. Before all this happened, when my father decided to change his will, I think Curtis came up with this tontine idea so that the property would, realistically, only come to me. He and Gordon were friends, so maybe he thought Gordon would sell it to him and his son because Walter had grand plans to turn it into a luxury neighborhood and make a fortune. Then, with my parents’ deaths, the Gateses saw a way to get the property for a fraction of its true value, and a lot sooner because now they just needed my brother to die.”
Battle started to rise, no doubt to object to all of Christine’s speculations, but Ambrose, seeing this, pointed his gavel at the man and barked, “Don’t. This fine woman has been through hell and back and she’s entitled to have her say. Sit down!”
Battle meekly retook his seat.
While Christine had been talking, Gates had slowly risen and was attempting to leave the courtroom. However, Jack spotted him and called out, “Hey!”
Ambrose saw this and called out to the bailiff, “Place Mr. Gates under arrest and take him away. And have deputies find his damn son and take him into custody, too.”
The bailiff did so, and Ambrose looked back at Christine. “Go on,” he said.
“Gordon and I hoped that the jury would acquit the Washingtons, but then when things seemed to turn against Mr. Battle, the Gateses made up all that evidence. I told them not to, but they wouldn’t listen.”
DuBose said, “Your husband testified, too, that your father was going to fire Mr. Washington because he had stolen from him. But that was not true, was it?”
“He didn’t want to lie, but Curtis threatened me with exposure if he didn’t. Gordon was just protecting me.”
“But why did Mr. Gates want the Washingtons to be convicted of these crimes? Why did it matter to him?”
“He said if they were acquitted the police might keep looking for the killer, and could find out the truth.” She closed her eyes for a moment. “It just got so out of control. I... I just couldn’t believe it. It was horrible enough what happened with my parents. It was like a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from. I’m just so sorry.”
“No further questions,” said DuBose.
Ambrose eyed Battle, who shook his head. The judge said, “You’re excused, Mrs. Hanover. But now I’m afraid that both you and your husband will be taken into custody. It truly saddens me to do this, considering all you have suffered.” He gestured at two deputies, who came forward with their handcuffs out.
After she was arrested, Christine turned to the Washingtons. “I’m so sorry. I... never meant for any of this to happen to you.”
Pearl looked down while Jerome dumbly nodded.
Christine and her husband were led out of the courtroom.
DuBose looked at Ambrose. “Defense moves to have all charges against the Washingtons dropped and that this case be dismissed with prejudice.”
Before Ambrose could even look at Battle, the latter said, “No objection.”
Ambrose fiddled with his gavel. “Well, Mr. Washington did assault the deputy who arrested him.”
“You mean the same deputy who tried to murder me and Miss DuBose?”
Ambrose gave Jack an angry glance and said in a curt tone, “All charges against Jerome and Pearl Washington are withdrawn and this case is dismissed with prejudice. You are both free to go.”
“Perhaps an apology from the commonwealth, Your Honor?” said DuBose.
