Chapter 44
Summer
“You’ve got this, Sunshine. Ignore whatever crap his lawyer is gonna say in there. He’s being paid to paint a pleasant picture of that dirtbag. We know the truth, and Mr. MacLeod will make the jury see that.”
“I know Hurry. It’s just hard,” I reply.
“Time to go inside, folks,” Mr. MacLeod tells us.
As we stand up, Zander touches my arm to stop me, so I look up at him in question. “Remember your mom’s advice, Summer. They are here with you today. I’ll be directly behind you and won’t leave you for a minute. You can do this.”
I step forward and give Zander a hug. “Thanks.”
We walk into the courtroom, and I take a seat up front beside Mr. MacLeod.
Turning around, Zander is sitting exactly where he said, with Nick and Seb flanking him.
Several people in various states of dress file into the other side of the courtroom, including Mr. Laurel.
Mrs. Laurel is with him, but I don’t see Jessica at least.
I turn back around and take out my water bottle to set on the table and recheck my phone is on silent. I also grab a pack of tissues. Despite not being cold, I’m shaking with nerves, and my palms are clammy. Mr. Donaldson, Mr. Bancroft’s lawyer, and Mr. Bancroft come in at the last second again.
Once the jury enters, we rise for the judge, and the lawyers give opening statements.
Mr. Donaldson is portraying a man who was abandoned by his family and had a rough upbringing.
A man who tries so hard in his life but just can’t catch a break and who always wanted a big family.
A man devastated that he wasn’t in his little girl’s life.
A young woman, me, who isn’t deserving of all the money and doesn’t need it, so I should share with my family.
I frankly want to puke at the crap he’s saying.
Mr. MacLeod takes his turn describing a man who is an addict, can’t hold a job because he doesn’t show up, and a neglectful father, who constantly needs to be bailed out by his family, explaining Mr. Bancroft is the reason his life is crappy.
I’m watching the jury, but they’re quiet and emotionless so far.
As the first witness is called, I take a sip of water.
The first few people are character witnesses who describe a man who’s simply had a lot of bad breaks in life through no fault of his own.
Mr. MacLeod cross examines each of them, getting them tongue-tied quickly.
When he asks the first witness why Mr. Bancroft was fired, the witness tries not to answer, but the judge intervenes and he admits he stopped showing up regularly and was fired after three warnings.
The same type of thing happens several times over.
The witnesses tell a sob story about Mr. Bancroft, then my lawyer pokes holes in their opinions.
When Mr. Laurel takes the stand, he gives me a dirty look. Yeah, buddy, your family being messed up and us being here today is my fault. Still, my nerves ratchet up being reminded of my bullying in Virginia again.
After the first few questions about his relationship to Mr. Bancroft, Mr. Donaldson asks about me.
Mr. MacLeod objects right away, asking why my character applies to the case.
Mr. Donaldson claims he needs to prove I’m irresponsible and don’t deserve or need the money from the settlement.
I feel myself flush with both anger and embarrassment.
Luckily, Mr. MacLeod stops the line of questioning, citing Mr. Laurel doesn’t know me at all, therefore cannot speak of my nature.
The judge agrees but is open to pursuing the line of questioning with competent and relevant witnesses. Just great.
Mr. Donaldson has Mr. Laurel describe a wonderful little brother who got involved with the wrong crowd and has been paying for it since. His wife got him hooked on alcohol and abused him, taking him away from his family.
Mr. MacLeod steps up for cross examination. “How many times have you bailed out your brother, Mr. Laurel?” Mr. MacLeod asks.
“I’m not sure,” Mr. Laurel replies.
“Well, I can remind you. I have confirmed 12 incidents of cash being transferred to Mr. Bancroft over the years, all from shell companies not easily connected to your family, to hide the transfers. Cash amounts ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 each time, followed by Mr. Bancroft and his son moving because someone fired him. How many times have you posted bail for him?”
“I don’t know,” Mr. Laurel grits out, a flush travelling up his face as he gets angry.
“Four times for bar fighting and drunk and disorderly. As I understand from your nephew, you cut off Mr. Bancroft after the last payment in December. Is that correct?”
Now, Mr. Laurel is glaring at my lawyer. Probably for airing his family’s dirty laundry to everyone. “Yes.”
“Why?”
Mr. Laurel says nothing.
“Why would you cut off your wonderful brother who, as you said, through no fault of his own, is an addict and in need of help? Why didn’t you take him in and get him the help he needs after his wife died many years ago?
If Mr. Bancroft is such an upstanding citizen who just had some bad luck, why has his family abandoned him? ”
“Because he is a useless alcoholic who refuses to get help and clean up. He’s an embarrassment to his family,” Mr. Laurel spits out.
It’s like watching the movie A Few Good Men in person. Mr. MacLeod rocks.
“So you are saying you’ve tried to get Mr. Bancroft’s help several times over the years, but he has refused? “
Mr. Laurel sighs. “Yes. I’ve paid for treatment centers and therapists, but he doesn’t last more than a day before he leaves or stops going. He’s a lost cause.”
“What do you believe he would do if given a large sum of money, Mr. Laurel?”
Mr. Laurel shakes his head, not speaking.
“What has he done with the money you gave him?”
“Moved. Drank and gambled it away.”
“Is it safe to assume that you think he would squander any money he receives, regardless of the amount?”
“Maybe, probably.”
“Objection,” comes from Mr. Donaldson.
“On what grounds?” The judge asks.
“These are opinions, not facts.”
“Opinions of your character witness. Sit down,” the judge responds.
“Let the record show this is the second attempt by this family to attain Miss Easton’s money. Mr. Bancroft’s son kidnapped Miss Easton a few months ago to force her to hand over her money through rape and sexual assault. Now, Mr. Bancroft is suing for the same money.”
Mr. Donaldson objects, but he has no grounds to protest again.
“Please also note that the person who knows Mr. Bancroft best believes he will drink and gamble away any money he gets, therefore not providing for himself in the long term.”
I give Mr. MacLeod a small smile as he retakes his seat.
A doctor is video conferenced in next as an expert witness on my type of injuries.
I have to sit through X-rays and descriptions of my injuries with Mr. Donaldson basically saying, “look she’s healthy and all healed up.
No issues here.” After reviewing my medical files, it’s the doctor’s opinion that I’m fully healed with no side effects, therefore, I don’t need the money for medical purposes.
Mr. Bancroft takes the stand next, and he’s listed as the last witness. Part of me is surprised there really isn’t a case, and part of me isn’t. He’s banking on sympathy from the jury to award him money.
Once Mr. Bancroft is sworn in, a well-rehearsed set of questions and answers are given. Mr. Donaldson emphasizes how much he loves being a father and how important family is to him. When he asks about Mom, I brace myself.
“I met Vanessa in a bar,” Mr. Bancroft starts. “She was beautiful, and we connected right away. I tried to get her to tell me her name, but she wouldn’t say. She was interested in a bit of fun and nothing more. We spent the night in a motel, and she was gone when I got up the next morning.
“That evening, I started a new job that was a long drive away, so I couldn’t stay and search for her. It’s my biggest regret,” he says. “I would have insisted on being in Lily’s life and would have treasured her.”
I grab a tissue as a few tears leak out. I’m missing my Lily bee, and I’m infuriated at Mr. Bancroft’s lies.
Mr. MacLeod gets up to cross-examine, and I silently hope he destroys this man. “Mr. Bancroft, do you remember what the date was when you met Vanessa Easton?”
“Well no. It was in January and a Friday night.”
“And you started a new job the next day, correct?”
“Yes.”
“You started a new job on a Saturday night? That’s unusual, isn’t it?”
Mr. Bancroft seems to splutter for a minute as Mr. Donaldson objects, since the DNA test has already proven paternity. The judge agrees, so Mr. MacLeod moves on. “Why did you not insist on exchanging names with Vanessa?”
“She didn’t want to tell me hers.”
“Did you tell her your name?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“First name only, or first and last name?”
“I don’t know.”
“I have here two birth certificates,” Mr. MacLeod says, holding them up for the court to see.
“One for Summer Easton and one for Lily Easton. Zander is listed on Summer’s birth certificate as the father, as he and Vanessa only exchanged first names.
The father is blank on Lily’s birth certificate.
Vanessa told her daughter that she didn’t know the name of the man she had become pregnant by.
Now, Mr. Bancroft, since you are unsure exactly what information you claim to have given Vanessa, how would she find you to inform you of her pregnancy? ”
“I don’t know, but she should have.”
“How? You were a one-night stand. Have you followed up with all your sexual partners to see if any resulted in pregnancy?”
“No, but she’s the woman. She should have found me.”
“So you believe it’s the woman’s sole responsibility to track down the father and you have no role to play?”
“Yes,” he says defiantly.