Consequences

“Could we break for lunch?”
    While Paul went to get sandwiches, Jane and Claire spoke privately. Claire had told them all the information before. She explained how Tony controlled her, she hadn’t been allowed to complain, she couldn’t leave her suite for the longest time, and she was never allowed to leave the property without his permission, even after they were married. But the way Mr. Evergreen was twisting it, it seemed like she was some kind of prostitute. He made it seem like she was after Anthony’s money from the beginning. Jane reassured her that the defense has an opportunity to ask more questions following the prosecution. That would be their time to explain things to the jury.
    Even Jane was concerned about the pictures showing Claire and Anthony out in public. Claire didn’t look like a woman being held against her will. Jane had photos on her laptop sent by Mr. Evergreen during the preexamination. She pulled up a picture of the two of them at an upscale Manhattan restaurant. Claire remembered that night. Tony had completed a big business deal and celebrated before dinner. She remembered hating him that night, but the person in the picture didn’t look like she hated him. The Claire in the picture was the perfect companion, exquisitely dressed, beautiful, contented, and attentive. The realization that she’d learned her lessons too well began to add to her pounding head.
    Feeling more nourished, they resumed the questioning. “Mrs. Rawlings, you stated that Anthony Rawlings was physically and mentally abusive, yet you decided to marry him. Isn’t that true?”
    “Yes.”
    “Now can you please tell us who took care of the wedding? And if it was nice?”
    “Tony paid for the wedding, he hired wedding planners, they did everything, and it was beautiful. You should know, you were there.”
    “Do you have any idea of the cost of your wedding?”
    “No.”
    “Well, for your information it came to over $350,000. Your dress alone was over $70,000.” Claire really had no idea. “And those figures do not include your rings or your honeymoon. Mrs. Rawlings, can you tell us where you went on your honeymoon?”
    “We went to Fiji, to a private island.”
    “The cost of this honeymoon, Mrs. Rawlings, do you know the cost?”
    “No. It was never discussed with me. I didn’t care about the money!” Claire suddenly felt tired.
    “When you were apprehended you were driving a very expensive car registered to you, wearing multiple pieces of fine jewelry and expensive clothes. Do you still claim you don’t care about money?”
    “I drove that car because I found the keys. The clothes and jewelry were all because Tony made me wear them. I didn’t even choose my own clothes that morning.”
    Mr. Evergreen went back to his laptop. “Now back to your wedding. Did you know that you and Mr. Rawlings don’t have a prenuptial agreement?”
    “Yes. He told me we didn’t need one. If I ever tried to leave him there would be unpleasant consequences.”
    “Mrs. Rawlings, I am asking the questions. Did you know that his legal consul wanted him to have a prenuptial agreement?”
    “Yes, he told me, that the decision was solely his.”
    “Did or do you understand that without a prenuptial agreement if you and Mr. Rawlings were to divorce you would have claim to half of his fortune?”
    “I hadn’t given it any thought.”
    “And I suppose you hadn’t given any thought to the fact that if Mr. Rawlings died you would have sole claim to his entire fortune.”
    “Honestly, no.”
    He then showed Claire a picture of an apartment house in Atlanta. “Do you recognize this building?”
    “Yes.”
    “I would assume you would. It is the apartment in which you lived prior to moving into Mr. Rawlings’s mansion. How big was your apartment?”
    Claire hadn’t thought about that apartment in almost two years. “It was a one-bedroom with an eat-in kitchen.”
    “Now, Mrs. Rawlings, do you recognize this residence?” It was an aerial photograph of the mansion. It showed the sprawling wings of the home, the pool, the long drive, the various patios, and the massive expenditure of land surrounding it all.
    “Yes.”
    “Yes, it is the home you and Mr. Rawlings shared. Is that correct?”
    Claire wanted to be done with this. “Yes, it is”
    “Mrs. Rawlings, how big is this house?”
    “I don’t know. Do you mean in square feet?” She was becoming irritated.
    “All right then. How many bedrooms?” Mr.