Chapter 6: The Name
The courtroom door remained closed.
Nobody moved toward it.
Judge Harris motioned to the bailiff.
“Secure the hallway.””
The bailiff nodded and stepped outside.
Marcus stood motionless.
Damon watched him.
“You said he found us.””
Marcus didn't answer.
“Who?””
Marcus rubbed his forehead.
“I need to know where Avery is going afterward.””
Judge Harris's expression hardened.
“You are not changing the subject.””
“I need to know.””
“Why?””
“Because if he knows Avery is here, she's in danger.””
Keisha pulled Avery closer.
Damon stepped toward Marcus.
“Give me a name.””
Marcus looked at him.
“You're not ready.””
“I've been ready for a year.””
“You don't understand.””
“I understand my daughter was threatened.””
“You understand the surface.””
Damon grabbed the edge of the table.
“Then tell me what's underneath.””
Monique suddenly spoke.
“His name is Raymond.””
Marcus closed his eyes.
Damon turned.
“Raymond who?””
Monique whispered the last name.
“Cole.””
The name meant nothing to Damon.
Then Avery spoke.
“It does.””
Everyone looked at her.
Damon crouched beside her.
“Who is Raymond Cole?””
Avery's eyes moved toward the recorder.
“He called Mom.””
Monique nodded.
“Several times.””
“Why?””
“He wanted money.””
Marcus shook his head.
“That's not the whole story.””
Monique glared at him.
“Don't.””
Damon stood.
“What's the whole story?””
Marcus finally answered.
“Raymond wasn't blackmailing Monique.””
“Then what was he doing?””
“He was blackmailing you.””
Damon stared.
“Me?””
Marcus nodded.
“You had discovered something about him.””
“What?””
Marcus looked at Avery.
“The recording.””
Damon's face tightened.
“You keep saying recording.””
“Because that's what started all of this.””
Judge Harris picked up Avery's recorder.
“What was on the original recording?””
Marcus hesitated.
“A conversation.””
“Between whom?””
“Raymond and Damon.””
Damon's heart slammed against his ribs.
“I've never met him.””
Marcus looked at him.
“Yes, you have.””
“No.””
“You met him before that night.””
Damon shook his head.
“I would remember.””
Marcus's voice softened.
“That is exactly what he was counting on.””
Keisha looked confused.
“What are you saying?””
Marcus turned toward her.
“Damon didn't lose his memory naturally.””
The room fell silent.
Damon stared at him.
“What?””
“Someone made sure you wouldn't remember.””
“How?””
Marcus looked at Monique.
She whispered, “Marcus, please.””
He ignored her.
“Your drink was drugged.””
Keisha covered her mouth.
Damon looked sick.
“By whom?””
Marcus didn't answer.
Judge Harris did.
“Ms. Carter?””
Monique shook her head.
“I didn't drug him.””
Damon looked at her.
“Did you know?””
Monique's silence answered before her words did.
“I knew something was wrong.””
Damon took a step backward.
“You let me believe I was losing my mind.””
“I was trying to protect you.””
“By letting me forget my daughter?””
“I thought forgetting would keep you alive.””
Avery began crying.
Damon turned toward her.
“I would never abandon you.””
She nodded through tears.
“I know.””
“But you thought I did.””
“You told me to believe it.””
Damon froze.
“What?””
Avery reached into her backpack and pulled out a folded photograph.
She handed it to Judge Harris.
The photograph showed Damon standing in Monique's old house.
His face was bruised.
His shirt was torn.
And behind him stood a man whose face was partially visible in the mirror.
Judge Harris studied it.
“Is this Raymond Cole?””
Marcus nodded.
“Yes.””
Damon stared at the photograph.
A memory struck him.
Not the whole night.
Just one sentence.
A man's voice.
If you tell anyone, your daughter disappears.
Damon staggered.
Keisha caught his arm.
“What did you remember?””
Damon looked at her.
“He threatened Avery.””
Monique began sobbing.
Judge Harris asked, “Did you confront him?””
Damon nodded slowly.
“Yes.””
“Then what happened?””
Damon's eyes remained fixed on the photograph.
“He made me sign something.””
Judge Harris looked down at the document on her desk.
The agreement.
The one with Damon's signature.
Damon whispered, “That isn't a custody agreement.””
Marcus shook his head.
“No.””
“What is it?””
“A confession.””
Damon's face went pale.
“A confession to what?””
Marcus looked toward the courtroom door.
Before he could answer, the bailiff rushed back inside.
“Judge Harris.””
Everyone turned.
The bailiff was breathing hard.
“There is nobody in the hallway.””
Judge Harris frowned.
“What do you mean?””
“The courthouse security cameras show no one entered that corridor.””
Damon stared at Marcus.
“But we heard his voice.””
The bailiff looked at the recorder.
Then at Avery.
“Your Honor…”
“What?””
“There is something else on the security feed.””
He held up a tablet.
“Someone has been watching this courtroom live.””
Damon stepped closer.
“Who?””
The bailiff turned the screen toward them.
A name appeared beneath the video connection.
*RAYMOND COLE.*
May you like
Avery screamed.
And the courtroom doors locked from the outside.
