Christmas Secrets. Barbara Dunlop

it doesn’t mean her wishes shouldn’t be respected.” Nothing Cole had heard so far would indicate mental incompetence on the part of Coco.

      Roth took the stand, and the gallery’s attention seemed to heighten. Cole guessed most people here knew the pivotal players in the drama.

      Roth’s own lawyer questioned him first.

      “Did you and Samuel Henderson ever discuss his future plans for Coast Eagle Airlines?” the lawyer asked.

      “Extensively and on many occasions,” Roth answered.

      “Did he ask your advice?”

      “Yes, he did.”

      “To your knowledge, did he ever ask his wife, Coco Henderson’s, advice on Coast Eagle Airlines?”

      Roth smirked. “Never.”

      “You’re certain?”

      “Positive.”

      “Objection,” said Destiny.

      “Sustained,” said the judge.

      “I’ll rephrase,” said the lawyer. “Did Samuel ever say anything directly to you regarding his opinion of his wife’s advice on Coast Eagle?”

      “He told me she knew nothing about business. He said he never discussed it with her.”

      The lawyer gave a satisfied nod. “Did Samuel Henderson indicate to you that he wanted his son to one day take over the business?”

      “Yes. Samuel loved his son deeply. I’ve never seen him so happy as when Zachary was born. He talked about keeping the airline in the family for another generation. It was his fondest wish that Coast Eagle be protected and preserved for his son.”

      Destiny rose again. “Objection. The witness is not in a position to know Samuel Henderson’s fondest wish.”

      “That’s what he said to me,” said Roth.

      “Overruled,” said the judge.

      “Did Samuel ever speak to you about his wife having any kind of a hand in running Coast Eagle Airlines in the event of his death?”

      “He did,” said Roth, and an odd expression flicked in his eyes.

      Cole found himself doubting Roth’s honesty on the question.

      Roth answered, “He said the only people he trusted with Coast Eagle and with his son were Dryden Dunsmore and me. He said someone needed to control Coco because she had the decision-making ability of a twelve-year-old.”

      “He said that directly to you? Those were his words?”

      “Yes. And they’re supported by his will, which included both Dryden and I in guardianship or controlling positions in Coast Eagle.”

      “A little too convenient,” Cole whispered to Luca.

      “I can’t tell if the judge is buying it or not.”

      Destiny cross-examined but wasn’t able to poke holes in Roth’s story. Cole and Luca slipped out at the lunch break, picking a restaurant several blocks away to avoid being seen by Amber or Destiny. By late afternoon, Amber was the only witness left.

      Roth’s lawyer started with Amber’s competence at Coast Eagle. It went as expected. There was no getting around her lack of experience, but Cole thought she held her own, particularly on yesterday’s decision to ground the Boonsome jets. Yes, it was a financial loss, but risking passenger lives was too dangerous.

      Unfortunately, it then came to light that their closest competitor had not grounded their Boonsomes, and Amber’s decision had, at least in the short term, put Coast Eagle at a competitive disadvantage. The lawyers successfully framed her decision as emotional and even brought Cole into the equation, accusing Amber of taking advice from a competitor on a confidential corporate matter.

      It wasn’t going well for Amber’s side.

      “You were ten years older than your stepsister?” the lawyer then asked her.

      The question obviously surprised Amber, and it seemed to take her a moment to regroup. “Yes.”

      “And you left home when she was eight years old?”

      “I did.”

      “How often did you see her after that?”

      “Not often.”

      “Once a week, once a month, once a year?”

      “Maybe once a year,” Amber admitted, causing a small flurry of whispers in the courtroom.

      “Until you introduced her to Samuel Henderson.”

      “Yes,” said Amber.

      “And why did you introduce them to each other?”

      “Coco was in town. When I mentioned the corporate Christmas party at Coast Eagle, she asked to go with me.”

      “She asked to go with you?”

      “Coco enjoyed parties.”

      “Yes, I think we’ve established that already.”

      “Objection,” said Destiny.

      “I withdraw the comment,” said the lawyer. “After she began dating Samuel Henderson, would you say you and your stepsister grew closer?”

      “We did.”

      “And you saw each other how often then?”

      “A couple of times a month. She was busy. And she was newly married. And she had a lot of obligations.”

      Cole wanted to tell Amber to stop talking. She was sounding defensive, as if she was embarrassed that they weren’t closer.

      “Tell me, Ms. Welsley, how did Coco feel about her baby?”

      “She loved Zachary very much.”

      “As mothers do.”

      Amber didn’t answer.

      Cole applauded that decision.

      “What about before he was born?”

      She went still, and her face paled a shade. “I don’t understand.”

      “I don’t like this,” Cole muttered beneath his breath. Something was clearly wrong.

      “Before Zachary was born. How did Coco feel about being pregnant?”

      “She was healthy. There were no particular problems, morning sickness or anything.”

      “I’m not talking about her physical health, Ms. Welsley. I’m talking about her emotional health.”

      Again, Amber stayed silent.

      “Was your stepsister happy to be pregnant with Zachary?”

      Cole got a cold feeling in the pit of his stomach.

      “She was surprised,” said Amber. “She hadn’t planned on it happening so soon.”

      “Surprised or upset?”

      Amber paused. “She was upset at first.”

      “Upset enough to get an abortion?”

      Amber’s hesitation said it all.

      “Damn it,” Cole ground out.

      “She didn’t get an abortion,” said Amber.

      “Did she want an abortion?”

      “Objection,” said Destiny.

      “I’ll rephrase,” said the lawyer. “Did she ever tell you she wanted an abortion?”

      The silence was unfortunately long.

      “Once,”