Fallen Hearts (Casteel 3)

"I knew she had been seeing Mr. Wilcox often."

"I see. Knowing this, you still began sending her money to cover her doctor bills and provide for the birth of the child?"

"Yes, we did."

"And without even being certain as to your responsibility, you did what was best for Fanny Wilcox and the child to be born?"

"Yes."

"No further questions, Your Honor."

"Mr. Burton?"

"Mr. Stonewall," he began, even before he rose from his seat. "Ya said ya knew for a fact Mrs. Wilcox had been seeing Mr. Wilcox at the time ya made love to her in yer cabin?"

"Yes."

"Do ya know for a fact whether or not Mrs. Wilcox slept with Mr. Wilcox at that time?"

"For a fact."

"Well, ya didn't go spyin' on Mrs. Wilcox. Or did ya?"

There was some laughter in the audience. Logan's face turned almost as red as a ripe apple.

"Of course not."

"Did Mrs. Wilcox tell ya she slept with Mr. Wilcox?"

"No."

"Did Mr. Wilcox tell ya he slept with Mrs. Wilcox at that time?"

"No."

"So, ya have no factual information not ta assume the child Mrs. Wilcox is now carryin' is yer child, isn't that correct?"

"I suppose not," Logan said.

"And so ya not sendin' Mrs. Wilcox money for the baby out a pure charity or a civic sense of responsibility only, then, are ya, Mr. Stonewall?"

"Objection, Your Honor," Camden said. "Mr. Stonewall has already testified as to why he and Mrs. Stonewall have sent Mrs. Wilcox money."

"Ah don't think the full sense of fault was established, Y'Honor," Wendell said.

"I think we get the point, Mr. Burton," the judge said. "Let's move on with the questioning. Objection sustained."

"No further questions necessary, Y'Honor," Burton said, smiling widely.

Logan looked around like someone who had been struck sharply in the head. Then he focused on me and I smiled and nodded. He rose from the seat and walked back to me. I reached up for him and he kissed me on the cheek. I didn't look at Fanny, but I knew she must be burning inside.

"Your Honor, we would like to call Randall Wilcox to the stand," Camden said quickly.

Randall looked up sharply, turned toward me, and then rose slowly. Fanny said something to him, but he didn't seem to hear her. He looked troubled and could barely be heard swearing in.

"Mr. Wilcox," Camden began after he was sworn in, "when did you learn that your wife was pregnant?"

"A few months ago," Randall said softly. The judge asked him to repeat it and he spoke up.