Chapter 6 - THE LIE UNDER OATH
Elena approached the witness stand.
"Mrs. Hamilton, you testified that you treated Clara like family."
Margaret smiled.
"Yes."
"Did you ever allow her to eat with your family?"
Margaret hesitated.
"She was an employee."
"Did you allow her to attend family celebrations as a guest?"
"She was working."
"Did you provide paid leave when her mother died?"
Margaret's expression hardened.
"That is irrelevant."
Elena looked at the judge.
"Your Honor, the witness has characterized her relationship with Ms. Williams. I'm testing that characterization."
The judge allowed the questioning to continue.
Elena turned back.
"Mrs. Hamilton, did you ever accuse Clara of stealing before the sapphire disappeared?"
"No."
"Did you ever report missing money?"
"No."
"Missing jewelry?"
"No."
"Missing household property?"
Margaret shook her head.
"No."
Elena paused.
"So for nine years, you trusted Clara with access to your home and valuables."
"Yes."
"And the moment the sapphire disappeared, you decided she was responsible."
"Because she was the only outsider."
Elena looked at the judge.
"Was she?"
Margaret frowned.
"What?"
"Was Clara the only person with access to the residence?"
"Of course not."
"Your son lived there."
"Obviously."
"You lived there."
"Yes."
"Your grandson."
"He's a child."
"Your security staff."
Margaret's jaw tightened.
"Yes."
"Your personal assistant."
"Yes."
"Your nanny."
"Yes."
Elena stepped closer.
"Then Clara was not the only person with access."
Margaret stared at her.
"No."
Elena nodded.
"Thank you."
The courtroom remained quiet.
Then Elena asked one final question.
"Mrs. Hamilton, was the security camera outside your dressing room operating on the day the sapphire disappeared?"
Margaret's expression changed.
Only slightly.
But Clara saw it.
"Yes," Margaret answered.
"Did you review the footage?"
"No."
"Did you request that anyone delete it?"
Margaret straightened.
"Absolutely not."
Elena nodded.
"No further questions."
But as she returned to her table, Maya leaned toward Clara.
"Did you see her face?"
Clara whispered:
"Yes."
May you like
Maya looked toward Margaret.
"She's scared."
