The Queen of Swords by R. S. Belcher

Author:R. S. Belcher
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates

19

The Four of Pentacles

Charleston, South Carolina

May 21, 1871

“Do you have any further witnesses you wish to call, Mrs. Mansfield?” Judge Davenkirk asked Arabella. Bella stood as she addressed the court.

“I do, your honor,” Bella said. “I’d like to call Gibson Hall to the stand.”

“Your honor, I object to this with the utmost vehemence!” Rutledge said, jumping to his feet. “Mr. Hall is a senior clerk at my legal firm! He’s my clerk, your honor!”

“Mrs. Mansfield,” the judge said with a weary tone, “I have endeavored to be as courteous to you as I can possibly be, and to humor your attempts here, but the courtroom is no place for silly theatrics, madame.”

Arabella remained nonplussed. “I was merely seeking to insert into the court record a chain of actions, your honor. I was also planning to call you to the stand and Mr. Rutledge as well.”

“And now you see, your honor, what comes of this mockery of a legal proceeding,” Rutledge said, turning to address the gallery. “This woman has nothing left to present so she will waste the court’s and my client’s valuable time playing at the law like it was a parlor game!”

“A house is built a brick at a time, your honor,” Arabella said calmly. “We can certainly forgo the questions I was going to ask you and Mr. Hall, but I will call Mr. Rutledge to the stand.”

“Madame, this behavior is highly improper,” Davenkirk said.

“Your honor, I’ll be happy to take the stand,” Rutledge said with a smile. He patted Martin on the shoulder. “Not to worry,” he said to his client.

“Very well,” Davenkirk said. “You’re under no obligation to do this, Andy. You understand that, correct?”

“I do, your honor,” Rutledge said. “If this gets us out of here by lunchtime, I’m delighted to play witness for the little lady. She needs the practice.” The gallery laughed. Grinning, Rutledge walked past Arabella, growling just loud enough for her to hear, “Welcome to the first day of real law school, bitch.” He took the witness stand and was sworn in on the Bible.

“Mr. Rutledge,” Arabella said. “Would you please repeat for the court what you said to me just now as you passed me on your way to the stand?”

“I beg your pardon,” Rutledge said. “I said nothing to you, madame. Perhaps you should see a physician about your hearing.”

“Your honor,” Arabella said, “may I assume that I am permitted the latitude to consider opposing council as an adverse witness?” Davenkirk nodded.

“Proceed,” the judge said. Bella walked over to her table and plucked a sheet of paper off of it. She presented it to Rutledge.

“Mr. Rutledge, is this the contract that is in dispute in this matter?” Rutledge scanned the document.

“Yes,” he said. “It is.”

“And would you agree with me that the crux of this matter deals with my client’s ability to alter or exit this agreement, which was brokered between her father and her late husband?”

“… and to which she was a willing party to, and a signatory thereof,” Rutledge said.

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