Betrayal - Fern Michaels [119]
“Can we get this show on the road instead of you two cooing over one another like two lost loves,” Debbie said to them.
“Mother, do you always have to be so crude? I haven’t seen Aunt Kate in almost eight years, or did you forget that, too?”
Kate felt the hostility between the two women.
Coleman stood up. “I think we’re ready to get started. This is a bit unorthodox, to say the least. Emily, I’m Coleman Fitzpatrick. I was Alex Rocket’s attorney.”
She held her hand out to him.
“What’s wrong, Mr. Attorney? You too good to shake my hand?” Sara Winter blurted.
“No, Ms. Winter, I’m not too good to shake your hand. I just find that the idea of doing so sickens me,” Coleman responded.
Sara looked at her mother and was about to start one of her tantrums, when Debbie told her to shut up.
“If we could get started. Kate.”
“Thanks, Coleman. Thank you, Emily, for coming here. I know you haven’t been home since your high school graduation, so I want you to know that I really appreciate the sacrifice.”
Debbie rolled her eyes.
“Sara, I swore I would never speak to you again after what you did. The current set of circumstances dictates that I have to speak to you.”
“I don’t care if you talk to me one way or the other. Do I have to hear this crap, Mommy?”
“Sara, sit your fat ass down and shut up!” Debbie shouted.
Kate stood behind Coleman’s large desk. “Before we bring in the court reporter and the videographer, I have some things to say. For the past five years I have done nothing but plot and plan the ruin of the Winter family.” Kate paused, wanting to see the expressions on their faces. Debbie continued to roll her eyes, while Sara chomped on a piece of gum. Don hung his head. Emily listened to every word Kate was saying.
“And I had almost reached that goal when, a few days ago, Coleman found me. He gave me a letter from Alex, a letter I was never to see unless Alex was dead. We all know what happened to Alex. First, he was accused of a crime so filthy and vile that I can’t bear to think about it. Then he was convicted. Finally, he was murdered a few months later—after he’d learned that his conviction had been overturned and he was getting a new trial. Is that justice?
“Alex was innocent of all the charges against him. I know it. There are at least two people in this room that know it as well.”
No one spoke. “In my quest for revenge, I learned a skill that I thought would help me. It did, but as things turned out, not quite the way I had planned. When I first learned of Alex’s murder, I wanted to kill you, Sara. I could think of nothing that would please me more than choking the life out of you! Then I remembered that you were a child, by and large a product of your environment. It was your mother at whom I needed to direct my anger. And that is what I did. Debbie, would you mind telling Sara why she is here today?”
“I know why I’m here, I’m not stupid!”
“You said those same words when you gave your testimony. I don’t think you’re stupid at all, Sara. I think you’re a pitiful, miserable excuse for a human being. Go on, Debbie, explain why you and your family are here today.”
Debbie looked at Kate. If ever there was murder in a woman’s eyes, it was in Debbie’s.
“A few days ago I got a call from my bank. They said I was overdrawn by forty-three thousand dollars. Then I received a certified letter from our mortgage holder. They were about to foreclose on our house. All my credit cards are on hold.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this?” Don asked.
“Oh, you’re too damned drunk to understand anything. When did you start caring anyway?” Debbie tossed at her husband.
“Please, all of you, let’s stop arguing. Aunt Kate, can you tell me why I’m here?” Emily asked.
“Just a moment, Emily. Coleman, would you please have your secretary show the videographer and the court reporter in.”
After the two newcomers entered and got themselves set up, Kate looked at Debbie. “You want to do the honors?”
“Emily, all those years ago”—Debbie looked at both of her daughters, but her eyes rested on Sara—“Alex did not molest