Chapter 6 - The Courtroom Trap
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The Ada County Courthouse was buzzing with local news reporters when Logan drove us to the front steps the next morning. Cameras flashed as Logan cleared a path through the crowd, shielding me and the double stroller.
Inside Courtroom 3B, Denise, Carla, and Mark sat at the petitioner’s table, flanked by two high-priced family law attorneys. My father, Richard, was absent, still held in county jail without bail.
Carla wore a conservative black dress, dabbing at fake tears with a tissue for the benefit of the gallery.
"All rise for Judge Margaret Miller," the bailiff announced.
Judge Miller was a stern woman in her sixties with a reputation for sharp decisions. She reviewed the emergency petition on her bench before looking down at our legal team.
"Mrs. Walker," Judge Miller began, her tone cold. "The petitioners have presented a signed medical affidavit alleging that your mental state poses an immediate danger to your newborn infants."
Carla’s lawyer stood up promptly. "Your Honor, my client, Carla Bell, is a responsible school administrator. She and her husband are simply trying to protect these motherless children from a woman overwhelmed by tragic grief."
"Motherless?" Thomas Sterling interjected, standing up smoothly. "Your Honor, Mrs. Walker is sitting right here, fully capable and verified mentally sound by three independent board-certified psychiatrists at St. Jude’s Hospital."
Thomas walked up to the bench, laying a thick file flat on the judge's desk.
"Furthermore, we submit evidence that the petitioner's doctor, Dr. Harold Vance, had his medical license suspended in Oregon three years ago for falsifying patient records for money," Thomas added.
Carla’s face drained of color. She looked back frantically at her lawyer.
"And finally, Your Honor," Thomas continued, turning on a portable projector. "We present the security footage from Room 412 of St. Jude’s Hospital four days ago."
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The high-definition video played across the courtroom wall. The gallery gasped aloud as the footage clearly showed my father slapping me across the face, while Mark snatched newborn Noah from the bassinet and Denise locked the door.
Judge Miller’s eyes turned to ice as she watched the video.
