“Isabelle, David Miller just filed a motion. He’s calling Dr. Martin Strauss as a witness tomorrow. He’s going to argue that you’re mentally unfit to parent.”
My stomach dropped.
“But Strauss lost his license.”
“I know, and that’s exactly what I’m going to use to destroy him.”
I hung up and looked at my daughters.
Ruby was asleep in the hospital bed beside mine.
Sophie was reading a book in her room two doors down, her color finally returning.
Tomorrow we would finish this.
Tomorrow we would win.
Tuesday morning, the courtroom buzzed with anticipation.
Everyone expected Dr. Martin Strauss to take the stand, but they didn’t know Patricia was ready to destroy him.
At 9:00, David Miller stood.
“Your honor, the defense calls Dr. Martin Strauss.”
Strauss walked to the witness stand, tall, gay-haired, wearing a dark suit.
He raised his right hand and swore to tell the truth.
Before Miller could ask his first question, Patricia rose.
“Objection, your honor. Dr. Martin Strauss’s medical license was revoked in 2022. He is not qualified to testify as an expert witness.”
The courtroom erupted.
Judge Bennett banged his gavvel.
“Order. Mr. Miller, is this true?”
Miller looked genuinely shocked.
“Your honor, we were not aware—”
Patricia stepped forward.
“Your honor, I have documentation proving Dr. Strauss’s license was revoked in 2022, the year before he wrote this so-called evaluation. Furthermore, I have evidence that Graeme Pierce paid doctor Strauss $25,000 in June 2023 to fabricate a psychiatric evaluation declaring Isabelle Hayes unfit to parent.”
She handed a binder to the baiff.
“This includes the wire transfer, the fraudulent report, and correspondence between Mr. Pierce and Dr. Strauss.”
Judge Bennett flipped through the pages, his face darkening.
He looked at Strauss.
“Dr. Strauss, did you accept payment from Graham Pierce to write a false psychiatric report?”
Strauss shifted in his seat.
“Your honor—”
“Yes or no?”
Strauss’s voice was barely audible.
“Yes.”
Judge Bennett’s voice was cold.
“Mr. Miller, your client committed fraud upon this court. Dr. Strauss will not testify.”
Baleiff placed Dr. Strauss under arrest for perjury and fraud.
I’m referring this matter to the prosecutor’s office immediately.
Two officers approached Strauss.
He stood, hands shaking, and was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs.
The courtroom was silent.
Then murmurss erupted.
Judge Bennett banged his gavvel.
“Order. Mr. Miller, do you have any other witnesses?”
Miller looked rattled.
“Your honor, may we have a recess to confer with my client?”
“15 minutes.”
In the hallway, I watched through the glass as David Miller spoke urgently to Graham via video link.
Graham shook his head, his face set.
Patricia touched my arm.
“He’s going to testify. He thinks he can talk his way out of this.”
At 11:00, court reconvened.
David Miller stood.
“Your honor, my client wishes to testify on his own behalf.”
Judge Bennett nodded.
“Mr. Pierce, take the stand.”
Graham appeared on the courtroom screen via video from King County Jail.
He looked thinner than I remembered, his orange jumpsuit a stark contrast to the expensive suits he used to wear.
He raised his right hand and swore to tell the truth.
Miller began.
“Mr. Pierce, do you love your daughters?”
“Of course I do. They’re my children. I’ve made mistakes, but I’m their father.”
“Can you explain Ruby’s low weight?”
