Chapter 11 - The Grand Jury
Julianne testified first.
She admitted the affair.
The money.
Helping David block my calls.
The prosecutor asked, “Did you know Lily was in intensive care?”
“Not at first.”
“Did you suspect something serious?”
Julianne looked down.
“I knew Maya was calling too much for it to be nothing.”
“Why block her?”
“Because I wanted him to pick me.”
Simple.
Ugly.
Human.
Then she added, “He told me Maya always lied.”
David had built stories around women and asked each woman to punish the other for fitting the story.
Nathan testified next.
Then Charles.
Then Luis.
The grand jury returned additional indictments.
Obstruction.
Conspiracy.
Attempted insurance fraud.
Public-corruption related counts tied to vendors.
David’s defense announced they would put our marriage on trial.
My anxiety.
My calls.
Our arguments.
Every imperfect thing.
Naomi asked if I could handle it.
Before testifying, Julianne asked whether she could mention Lily by name.
The prosecutor told her to answer only what was asked.
She nodded too fast.
I saw then how badly she wanted one clean act to make her less guilty.
There wasn't one.
There rarely is.
She could only tell the truth late and accept that late still had consequences.
“No.”
She waited.
I added, “I’ll do it anyway.”
May you like
That was as brave as I felt.
