Everyone filed out of the room but Jason held Vicky behind for just a second “You okay?”
She gazed deeply into his eyes and squeezed his hand, “I’m nervous and scared but I’m okay. You?”
“As long as you and Angel are okay…I’m good.” He kissed her temple and they walked out of the waiting room hand in hand into the courtroom.
Ryan was the first person that Vicky saw when she walked into the courtroom. How she could have thought she was ever in love with him was beyond her.
Jason saw the moment Ryan and Vicky made eye contact. He knew that he owned Vicky’s heart but there was a small part of him that hated she had this connection with him. He HATED Ryan Carter.
Franklin watched the entire exchange play out in front of him. He could see the rage in Jason’s demeanor and touched Jason’s shoulder.
“Keep it together my friend. The cameras are everywhere.”
Those simple words helped Jason pull it together. He wasn’t able to sit next to Vicky at the counsel’s table. He had to sit behind them with everyone else. She had to do this on her own. He could strangle Ryan for putting his family through all of this but Franklin was right. He had to keep it together.
Vicky sat down next to Mr. John Lucas and he gave her a warm smile.
“Okay Vicky. Remember what we discussed in my office. Take your time answering questions. Only answer what they ask and nothing more. I’ve got the rest.”
The bailiff gave the order “All rise the Honorable Judge Zimmerman is presiding.”
Everyone stood to their feet as the judge made her way to the bench.
“Please be seated.”
“Your Honor we’re calling case number A259871 - Carter vs Martin-Rutherford”
“Do I have all the paperwork in front of me?”
John Lucas answered yes and so did Ryan Carter’s attorney, Ms. Abernathy.
“Okay…Gentleman, I understand this is a high profile case. But, I’m letting you both know right now this is about Angel Martin. I won’t tolerate any shenanigans. Okay, Ms. Abernathy please call your first witness.”
“Thank you your Honor. I call Mr. Ryan Carter.”
Ryan walked over to the stand.
“Mr. Ryan Carter, do you promise to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth?”
He answered in the affirmative and took the stand.
“Mr. Carter please state your full name and where you reside.”
“My name is Mr. Ryan James Carter and I reside in Minneapolis, Minnesota.”
“What is your occupation?”
“I am a State Senator for Minnesota.”
“When did you meet Ms. Martin?”
John Lucas appeared to be taking notes and without even raising his eyes he called an objection. “The plaintiff’s name is Victoria Martin-Rutherford.”
“Sustained. Please address Mrs. Martin-Rutherford by her correct name. Proceed.”
“I met Mrs. Martin-Rutherford in Sept. or Oct. of 2010.”
“Where did you meet Ms. Martin? Excuse me…Mrs. Martin-Rutherford.”
“I met Mrs. Martin-Rutherford at a grocery store in Minneapolis. I was standing in line behind her as she was buying groceries. She didn’t have enough money to pay for them so I paid for them.”
Vicky leaned over to John Lucas, “That’s a lie.”
He nodded.
“From that encounter, did you develop a friendship?”
“Yes.”
“Were you married to Alicia Foxworthy-Carter at the time?”
“We were separated.”
“But, you reconciled?”
“Yes, we reconciled about three or four months later.”
“Mr. Carter Do you have a four year old daughter, a Ms. Angel Martin?”
“Yes.”
“Can you tell us when you learned you had a daughter?”
“I learned I had a daughter approximately five months ago.”
“How did you become aware?”
“I received a frantic call from Ms. Martin-Rutherford.”
“What was the call about?”
“Apparently, Angel Martin had been in an accident and needed blood from me.”
“What did you do?”
“Of course, I was shocked but I immediately flew to Atlanta and donated my blood.”
“No further questions at this time.”
John Lucas stood for cross. “Mr. Ryan James Carter, can you re-state when you said you met Mrs. Martin-Rutherford.”
“In September or October of 2010.”
“And can your confirm again when you reconciled?”
“December of 2010 or January of 2011.”
He nodded. “Can you also tell me approximately when you found out you had a daughter, Angel Martin?”
“As I stated, approximately, five months ago.”
“And prior to that you hadn’t had any other contact with Mrs. Martin-Rutherford?”
“None that I can recall.”
“Your honor may I present exhibit 1A to Mr. Carter?”
Ms. Abernathy stood, “Objection, I don’t have exhibit 1A in my possession.”
“Mr. Lucas, Ms. Abernathy, please approach the bench.”
They approached and had a lengthy discussion before the judge. It looked like Mr. Lucas got his way because Ms. Abernathy went back to her seat and was furiously taking notes.
“You can show Mr. Carter the document. Please make sure that Ms. Abernathy has a copy.”
“Of course your Honor.”
John Lucas handed the document to the bailiff who handed it to Ryan. “Does that document look familiar?”
“I…I…don’t remember this document.”
“Is that not your handwriting and signature?”
“It appears to be.”
“Then, we’ll accept this document as authentic for now. If not, we can get your bank records to verify. Can you explain to this court Mr. Carter, if you reconciled with your wife in December of 2010 or January of 2011 and had no contact with Mrs. Martin-Rutherford, how can you then explain a check that you wrote out to Ms. Martin-Rutherford in August of 2011?”
“I do not remember writing this check therefore I cannot explain it.”
“Could it be money that you’d given her to care for your daughter?”
“I object your Honor. Mr. Carter has already stated for the record that he doesn’t remember writing the check.”
“Sustained.”
“No further questions at this time.”
As soon as Mr. John Lucas took his seat, Ms. Abernathy stood.
“I’d like to call Mrs. Victoria Martin-Rutherford.”
Vicky’s palms were sweating like crazy. Mr. John Lucas gave her a re-assuring smile. Vicky stood and walked over to the bench.
“Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth,
