“We are getting ahead of ourselves,” Judge Temple interrupted. “I assume that we’ve all read the affidavit?” When his question was met with resounding affirmative responses, he continued, “The affidavit was filed on behalf of Mrs. Rawlings immediately following the incident at the Rawlings estate; however, that particular matter is not being heard by me. It’s my place to decide if the petition has warrant.”
“Yes, Your Honor,” Tony said, believing he sounded controlled.
“Mr. Rawlings, do you believe the affidavit has warrant? Do you believe your brother- and sister-in-law have reason to question your wife and daughter’s safety in your presence?”
Tony inhaled. That wasn’t the question he’d anticipated. “I love my wife and daughter unconditionally. There is no way I’d do anything to harm them. I believe Claire needs me during this difficult time.”
“That wasn’t the question,” Judge Temple replied. “I asked you if you believe Mr. and Mrs. Vandersol have grounds for questioning your volatile temper.”
“I object,” Brent replied.
“Mr. Simmons, we’re not in court. You do not need to object.”
“Judge, I believe that Mr. and Mrs. Vandersol are making assumptions.”
Jane replied, “Then I’d like to ask a few questions, if I may, Judge Temple?”
“Go ahead, Counselor.”
“Mr. Rawlings, have you ever lost control of your temper in the presence of your wife and daughter?”
“My wife and daughter? No.”
Brent interceded, “May I also ask a few questions, Judge?”
Judge Temple leaned back against the vinyl chair. “Please, I’m interested in the way this will play out.”
“Mr. or Mrs. Vandersol, have you personally witnessed any behavior by Mr. Rawlings that you deem violent?”
Emily’s chin rose indignantly. “Violent, no. Controlling and manipulative, yes.”
“Mr. Vandersol?” Brent continued.
“I’ve always had a gut feeling that something wasn’t right.”
Brent turned back to Judge Temple. “I don’t believe there’s a legal precedent for issuing orders on gut feelings, is there?”
“No, Counselor, but there is more at play here than a gut feeling. Mr. and Mrs. Vandersol claim that the incident at the Rawlings estate was evidence that Mrs. Rawlings was trying, once again, to free herself from Mr. Rawlings. Ms. Allyson, has that changed?”
“Yes, there has been new evidence regarding the incident. At the time of the filing, neither Mr. nor Mrs. Vandersol knew for sure that Claire and Mr. Rawlings were remarried. They also believed that Mrs. Rawlings was trying to free herself from him, as she’d done in the past.”
“Speculation,” Brent interjected. “As you so eloquently stated on a previous occasion, Ms. Allyson, Mrs. Rawlings did not plead guilty to attempted murder in 2012. She pled no contest. That wasn’t an admission of guilt. Mr. Rawlings filed for divorce from their first marriage. She did not free herself in the past, as you state. And the previous charges, as well as her plea, were expunged. They are not relevant.”
“Thank you, Mr. Simmons, for that clarification,” Jane replied. “As I was about to say, there has been new evidence. First, we now have reason to believe that Mr. Rawlings and Claire Nichols were legally married on October 27, 2013. We also have reason to believe that Mrs. Rawlings was not trying to harm Mr. Rawlings. That however, does not render this petition null and void. As court-appointed representatives of Mrs. Rawlings, necessitated by your client’s incarceration and based on their status as next-of-kin, the Vandersols still believe that Mr. Rawlings has been and continues to be a threat to their sister.”
“What evidence do you have? Other than sensationalized fiction?” Brent asked.
“Mr. Simmons, I warned you about insinuating that this court is taking anything other than the facts into consideration,” Judge Temple reprimanded.
“I apologize, Judge, but I’ve yet to hear anything except hearsay—”
Jane produced documents. “I have evidence.”
Tony took the papers that were passed. The first was a bound folder. He’d seen one very similar in the past. Of course, he hadn’t read it then, and he didn’t want to read it now. It was Claire’s non-sworn testimony from 2012. It was her account of their first marriage.
“This testimony was not given under oath…” Brent began. As he spoke, Tony watched Emily’s agitation rise. Her unusually quiet demeanor was no doubt at the prompting of her husband. She appeared as ready to spring as Tony felt.
Finally, she interrupted, obviously unable to contain her words any longer. “You almost killed her! Do you deny that?”
Brent’s hand quickly went to Tony’s arm, warning him to remain silent. Tony bit the inside of his cheek and pressed his lips together forming a slight grin as his unwavering stare remained fixed on his sister-in-law.
“Mrs. Vandersol, your attorneys will ask the questions,” the judge reminded Emily.
“To that point, Judge, we also have recently obtained medical data,” Jane said as she passed more documentation around the table. “This is a preliminary report regarding Mrs. Rawlings’ mental state. It has been noted through various tests that Mrs. Rawlings suffered a concussion approximately three years ago.”
Tony and Brent scanned the papers. Thanks to Phil Roach, they’d seen the report. It didn’t take long before Brent replied, “This is not conclusive.”