Free LOVE LIFE and VOWS by LaShawn Vasser Page B

Honor.”
    John Lucas handed the document to the bailiff who handed it to Ryan. “Does that document look familiar?”
    “I…I…don’t remember this document.”
    “Is that not your handwriting and signature?”
    “It appears to be.”
    “Then, we’ll accept this document as authentic for now. If not, we can get your bank records to verify. Can you explain to this court Mr. Carter, if you reconciled with your wife in December of 2010 or January of 2011 and had no contact with Mrs. Martin-Rutherford, how can you then explain a check that you wrote out to Ms. Martin-Rutherford in August of 2011?”
    “I do not remember writing this check therefore I cannot explain it.”
    “Could it be money that you’d given her to care for your daughter?”
    “I object your Honor. Mr. Carter has already stated for the record that he doesn’t remember writing the check.”
    “Sustained.”
    “No further questions at this time.”
    As soon as Mr. John Lucas took his seat, Ms. Abernathy stood.
    “I’d like to call Mrs. Victoria Martin-Rutherford.”
    Vicky’s palms were sweating like crazy. Mr. John Lucas gave her a re-assuring smile. Vicky stood and walked over to the bench.
    “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you god?”
    She clearly but firmly stated, “I do.”
    “Please state your name for the record.”
    “My name is Victoria Martin-Rutherford.”
    “Mrs. Martin-Rutherford, did you at any time threaten my client Senator Ryan Carter?”
    “No.”
    “So, you don’t think telling my client’s wife and I quote, “If Ryan is not here in three hours...that you would be forced to go to the newspapers and expose him?”
    “Yes, I remember.”
    “And you don’t think that was a threat?”
    “No.”
    “The courts might not agree with you.”
    “Mrs. Martin-Rutherford, is it true that Angel Martin was in a horrible accident while in your care?”
    Vicky took a deep breath before answering, “Yes.”
    “Please state for this court the nature of her injuries.”
    “She had a collapsed lung, a crushed kidney, some damage to her other kidney, and head trauma.”
    “How did all of this occur under your care?”
    “She was in a car accident.”
    “Were you driving?”
    “No.”
    “Please state who was driving?”
    “Jocelyn Baker.”
    “Is Jocelyn Baker in this courtroom today?”
    “No she is not.”
    “Where is she?”
    “She is deceased.”
    “From the same car accident Angel was involved in?”
    “Yes.”
    “How long had you known Jocelyn Baker before you allowed your child to go unsupervised with her?”
    “Not very long.”
    “What a month? Two months?”
    “I’d met her just a couple of times.”
    “So, you let your daughter go unsupervised with someone you barely knew for a joyride?”
    Vicky whispered, “Yes…I mean no.”
    “Which is it Mrs. Martin-Rutherford? Yes or No? It can’t be both.”
    “Yes.”
    “How long had you known Mr. Jason Rutherford before you got pregnant with his child?”
    Mr. John Lucas stood “Objection. That has no bearing on this case.”
    “Your honor I am trying to establish that Mrs. Vicky Martin-Rutherford seems to prey on rich men and uses her children as if she’s won the lottery. The court has already established that she’s gotten money from my client. It appears she got a marriage proposal from Mr. Rutherford.”
    “Over-ruled. Please answer the questions.”
    “Three or four months.”
    “How long had you known Mr. Ryan Carter before you got pregnant with his child?”
    “Three months.”
    “So, it seems to take three or four months to get pregnant by rich men, then you extort them, and you’d only met Mrs. Jocelyn Baker once or twice before you left Angel in her care. Does this sound like a stable person to you Ms. Martin? I’m sorry Mrs. Martin-Rutherford?”
    “Objection.”
    “Withdrawn.”
    Mr. John Lucas never looked rattled but he looked a little unsettled. “Your honor I’d like to