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"I'll allow it," the judge declared.
D.A. Whitman nodded and turned back to Benjamin. "Mr. Roth, the defense has spoken frequently to the level of strain and stress Jon Roth accepted when he agreed to accept a child he didn't father, especially considering the fact that this child was handicapped. I realize this may seem like a crass question, Mr. Roth, but are you the child the defense has referenced throughout this trial?"
"I am," he answered, snapping an angry glare in his father's direction.
Whitman turned her back on Benjamin, addressing the jury and his attention shifted fully to the translator. "Mr. Roth, the defense has tried to convince this jury that Jon Roth was practically a saint for taking on a handicapped child who could never be anything more than a burden and a challenge. A child who would have to be taken care of, unable to function on his own in society."
Jewell never looked away from Benjamin, watched as each word made him grind his teeth and press his lips together until they were practically white. He looked away from the translator to answer, and she felt the tug in her chest the second he saw her. His dark eyes widened for a moment, staring at her. Then he closed them, visibly swallowing. When he looked at her again, Jewell nodded, just a dip of her chin.
"I would argue to this jury that you seem far from incompetent, Mr. Roth. Could you please tell this court what you do?"
"I am a fund manager in the aggressive growth capital management division of Bulwark Mutual Funds," he stated, his voice flat.
The D.A. scoffed, turning back to him. "You are modest as well, Mr. Roth. Aren't you, in fact, hailed as one of the top ten fund managers in the country, and one of the top five fund managers for international and global funds?"
"Yes, I am."
"Objection, Your Honor. What is the relevance to this line of questioning?"
"Your Honor, the defense would like us to believe that Jon Roth is an honorable man who finally snapped under the burden of responsibility. I'm merely establishing that he holds no responsibility for Benjamin Prescott Roth."
The prosecution asked a handful more questions, and Benjamin provided short, succinct answers. It was obvious to Jewell that he didn't want to be there. She had no doubt that he would do nearly anything to insure his father was found guilty, even if it meant putting himself on the stand. The prosecution focused on Benjamin and his accomplishments, continuously repeating his name whenever she could. It was clearly a ploy, but having not been in the trail before then, Jewell didn't understand what the ploy hoped to accomplish. Eventually, Whitman ended her line of questioning, and opened Benjamin up to the defense.
Jewell sat up straighter, a steel coil of tension wrapping around her, as Attorney Pattinson for the defense stood and stepped toward Benjamin. "The prosecution has painted a very disturbing picture of Jon Roth as a man who lashed out against the boy he raised as his son, a boy who was conceived in betrayal but still benefitted from the wealth and status a man who was not his father could give him."
Benjamin's only response was a twist of his lips into a mocking smirk.
Pattinson didn't seem to notice, turning his focus to the jury. "If we're going to paint pictures, let's make sure it's authentic. In truth, Jon Roth is responsible for the success you are today. Isn't that true?"
Benjamin stared across the courtroom to Jewell. He drew in a long breath through his nose, pulling his shoulders back as he straightened in his chair. With slow, deliberate movements he raised his right leg and rested his ankle on his left knee, adopting a casual stance.
"Absolutely," he said with feigned sincerity.
The defense attorney twisted away from the jury, his momentary shock making his eyes pop. But he quickly regained his composure, shifting to lean on the edge of the defense table. "Based on the other line of evidence the prosecution has presented, your agreement surprised me, Mr. Roth."
"I am absolutely the man I am today because of Jon Roth."
"It's refreshing to hear your appreciation."
"Don't misunderstand me, Counselor." Benjamin's voice held the cold authority Jewell had recognized the first time she met him. "It's not appreciation you're hearing."
Before Pattinson could rebuff Benjamin's statement, he leaned forward in his chair and continued. "I don't know what it sounds like to be called names. I don't know what screaming sounds like. I don't know what hatred sounds like, Counselor, but I know what it looks like. That's what Jon Roth gave me."
The lawyer turned away and lowered his head, rubbing his hand across his mouth as he walked in front of the defense and prosecution tables, apparently engrossed with the wood grain of the floor. Jewell figured it was a ploy to set Benjamin on edge, to put him off balance, but this lawyer didn't know him. Not like Jewell did. Not like the business world did. Benjamin was unshakable, determined, and had stood unwavering against more intimidating men than this schmuck.
"Your father—" Pattinson began.
"Jon Roth isn't my father," Benjamin snapped before the translator managed to bring her hand down from her brow in the sign of 'father' and point toward the defense table.
Pattinson held up his hand in concession. "I understand you only recently discovered your actual paternity, Mr. Roth, so I'm sure the court will forgive any harsh words on your part in regards to the man you've known as your father your entire life. So, I'll reword. The defendant made sure you attended one of the best schools on the East Coast. You received a stellar education. Do you wish the jury to believe that this was an act of hatred toward you?"
"An act of revulsion, resentment, punishment…whatever you want to call it."
Pattinson chuckled and held his arms out away from his body, facing the jury. He consistently addressed the panel of men and women, and not Benjamin. "If that's punishment, what do you think he would have done as a reward?"
D.A. Whitman stood. "Your Honor, I object. Counsel is grandstanding."
"I agree. Counsel, please keep your statements relevant and to the facts."
