“Did you prepare any of the documents?”
“Yes.”
“Did you tell Mrs. Hale that she was incapable of managing her affairs?”
“Yes.”
“Did you believe that was true?”
“No.”
“Why did you say it?”
Marissa looked toward Daniel.
“Because he told me to.”
The attorney paused.
“Did you have a choice?”
Marissa took a breath.
“Yes.”
Daniel’s head lifted.
“I was afraid,” she continued. “But I had a choice. I chose to stay silent because silence was easier for me than telling the truth.”
No one moved.
She turned toward me.
“I am sorry, Eleanor. I know sorry does not repair anything.”
I nodded once.
It did not repair anything.
But it was true.
The judge accepted the evidence for trial and continued the protective order. Daniel’s attorney requested bail. The prosecutor opposed it because Daniel had violated an earlier order by attempting to contact Marissa through another inmate.
The judge denied bail.
Daniel was taken away.
This time, he did not look back.
Outside the courthouse, reporters stood behind a barrier. I did not speak to them. Arthur guided me to the car, but before I reached it, Marissa came toward me.
“I am going to testify again if they need me,” she said.
“I know.”
“I have found a room to rent.”
“Where?”
