Chapter 5 - The Forged Signature
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Cameron’s hesitation lasted less than a second, but in a courtroom, a second is a lifetime. Everyone felt it.
“My client, Mr. Sterling, is a managing member of that LLC, Your Honor,” Cameron admitted reluctantly.
Victoria stared at David, her eyes wide with shock. “You told me that was a joint family trust account!” she whispered aggressively.
David kept his eyes glued to the wooden table, refusing to look at his wife or his mother. Cameron leaned over and furiously whispered something into David's ear, likely asking why he had been kept in the dark about a massive felony wire transfer.
Judge Harrison continued sifting through my meticulously organized evidence.
“The second document appears to be a commercial loan application secured against your primary residence, Admiral.”
“That is correct, Your Honor,” I said.
“And you are stating for the record that you deny signing this document?”
“I absolutely did not sign it. It is a forgery.”
David finally looked up at me. There was sheer terror in his face now, but underneath it, I saw something that twisted my heart. Hurt. It wasn't the righteous hurt of an innocent man being falsely accused. It was the pathetic hurt of a man who had convinced himself that his selfish reasons justified his criminal actions, and was now shocked to discover the real world did not share his twisted arithmetic.
Judge Harrison set the pages down heavily.
“Admiral Sterling, before we proceed any further into what appears to be a criminal matter, I need to ask you a procedural question. Given your background and the severity of these allegations, why on earth did you come into my courtroom without legal representation?”
I looked at David. “Because, Your Honor, I wanted to hear exactly what my son would say about me when he thought no one with any power was listening to him.”
A collective gasp echoed from the gallery.
The judge watched me carefully, a faint expression crossing his face. It wasn't amusement. It was profound respect.
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“That is a highly unusual tactical strategy, Admiral.”
“I’ve employed a few unusual strategies in my life, Judge. They usually yield the truth.”
