Fallen Hearts (Casteel 3)

Fanny's resentment of me was clear enough for everyone to see. I was embarrassed and hurt by it.

"No further questions, Your Honor," Camden said.

Wendell Burton stood up, but this time, when he approached the witness stand, he held his hands behind his back. He stopped about midway between Fanny and our table and turned so he could look at both of us. Then he rocked once on his heels and I knew what was coming. My heart thumped to a stop and then started to pound.

"Mrs. Wilcox, this baby you're carryin'. Whose baby is it?"

"It's his," she said, pointing toward Logan. "He made me pregnant!"

I heard Logan's mother gasp. The crowd broke out into an uproar. I looked quickly at Randall and saw the look of astonishment on his face. What I had suspected was true. He started to get up, but Wendell Burton, who had quickly returned to the table, seized him by the arm and said something to him that made him sit down again. Perhaps he had told him that Fanny was lying, just so she could get Drake. The judge pounded his gavel again and again, his face reddening with fury.

"I warned everyone," he said. "If another outburst like this occurs, I will clear the courtroom. Proceed, Mr. Burton," he said. Wendell said something else to Randall and then returned to Fanny

"Mrs. Wilcox, ya pointed to Mr. Stonewall, your sista's husband?"

"Yes, I did. And you kin't deny it, Logan Stonewall!" she exclaimed. "Yer been paying me to take care of it and yer last payment's overdue."

Logan looked at me, but I didn't change expression even though I was crying inside I felt as if Fanny had jabbed her finger into my heart when she pointed at Logan. I didn't turn around or look down. I knew that everyone in the courtroom was staring at me, watching for my reaction. All of them must have thought this was the first time I had heard the information. Apparently, as Camden Lakewood had feared, Wendell Burton felt Fanny's moral credibility had been damaged so badly, he had to do something to damage us.

"Mrs. Wilcox, the point was made that you got married only two days ago. Did your husband, Randall Wilcox, know that Logan Stonewall made ya pregnant and was sendin' ya money ta help pay costs? Did Randall know this before he married ya?"

"Yes, he did. Randall's a real gentleman. He loves me and he's tired of me bein' abused by rich and powerful people," she said, reciting it so mechanically, it was clear to me that her lawyer had made her memorize the line. She looked as proud as a schoolgirl in a school play.

But it was also clear that they had left the innocent and naive Randall Wilcox out of their game plan. He looked totally bewildered.

"And so he wanted yer baby to have a father and ya all to have a proper home?" Wendell asked, making it sound more like a conclusion.

"Uh-huh."

Camden Lakewood leaned over to us. "I'll have to call Logan to the stand now," he whispered, "and have him give his side."

"I understand," Logan said. "I'm sorry, Heaven. I really am."

"I know. Let's just do what has to be done and get it over with," I said quickly.

"Now, Mrs. Wilcox," Wendell Burton continued, his syrupy smile growing wider, "ya've heard some mighty nasty accusations made about yer moral character here t'day. Ah think it's only fair and proper ya get yer side told. How did ya come to live with Reverend Wise?"

"Ma pa sold us, five hundred dollars a piece. Reverend Wise bought me."

"Like a slave or somethin', the reverend bought ya for five hundred dollars?" Wendell Burton asked, widening his eyes and looking out at the audience. "The man who accused ya of bein' a pawn of the Devil?"

"Yes, sir, he did."

"And would you tell the court briefly what it was like livin' in the reverend's house."

"It was nice in the beginnin'. They bought me things and the reverend talked about the Bible and stuff, but then he started gettin' funny "

"Gettin' funny? How do you mean, Mrs. Wilcox?"

"He'd come inta my room after his wife was asleep ta sit on ma bed and talk ta me and stroke ma hair,

and then he began strokin' other things." "Ah see. And how old were you then?" "Bout fourteen."

"Bout fourteen. And then, without gettin' into the grizzly details, ya became pregnant with his child, is that so?"

"Yes, sir. But I didn't go inta his room like he says and crawl naked beside him. He came inta ma room. I didn't wanna have a child. I was too young and I was scared, but I had no family, no one ta help me. No one to talk to. So when he told me he wanted to give me ten thousand dollars to keep the baby, I agreed. But then I wanted my baby back."

"Oh? You say ya wanted yer child back? Tell us about that," Wendell Burton said, once again rocking on his heels and turning toward the audience.