“No, Mrs. Rawlings has only been recently evaluated. These tests take time. However,” Jane continued, “her current state is theorized to be a psychotic break—a break with reality.” She turned toward the judge. “It was theorized to me, by the doctors, that such a break is brought on, in most cases, by one of two reasons. The first is traumatic brain injury. While we just received this report this morning, we haven’t been able to thoroughly research, but the idea is that Mrs. Rawlings was so violently injured in 2010, that her brain formed scar tissue. This is a very painful process as the gray matter around the brain shrinks. It can sometimes cause debilitating headaches.” Her eyes went to Tony.
He remembered Claire’s headaches. She’d been suffering with them for as long as he could remember, but he couldn’t recall if they’d occurred prior to her accident. Though she often tried to pretend that the headaches weren’t happening, Tony also knew that there were times when nothing but sleep would relieve the pain he had witnessed in her emerald eyes.
Jane continued, “Mrs. Rawlings was also attacked by a perpetrator in 2013, once again sustaining trauma to her head, though, according to medical documentation, not as severely as in 2010. There is ongoing research that verifies that, with time, the lingering results of the TBI (traumatic brain injury) can result in a psychotic break. Therefore, it’s the belief of my clients that Mr. Rawlings is the cause of Mrs. Rawlings’ current condition and is obviously a threat to her future wellbeing.”
“Ms. Allyson, let’s stick to the facts and dispense with the beliefs,” Judge Temple said.
Brent looked at his notes, things he’d scribbled as Jane spoke, as well as information from the medical experts on Rawlings’ legal team. “Ms. Allyson, you said there were two possible causes for a psychotic break. What is the second?”
“The evidence points to the TBI.”
“Psychotic breaks can also be brought on by a traumatic life event.” Brent handed documentation to Jane as well as Judge Temple. “I too have research. It cites many well-documented examples.”
“Judge,” Jane retorted, “I have seen some of this research. These people didn’t have brain injuries.”
Brent sat straighter. “Do you deny that the incident that occurred at the Rawlings estate could be defined as a traumatic life event?”
“I do not. However—”
“Sometimes the brain just cannot handle the stress. Mrs. Rawlings was undoubtedly undergoing excessive anxiety. According to witness testimony and the video surveillance, she’d just learned about the downed Rawlings Industries plane, she’d gone to the estate to assure her husband and family’s safety from Ms. London. The home was on fire, and she’d just had a gun pointed at her. Can you honestly say that it wasn’t this traumatic event that caused her psychotic break? Can you even say with one-hundred-percent certainty she has suffered a psychotic break? Come now, Ms. Allyson, do you have proof that a TBI caused her current condition?”
“It is too early to say definitively,” John admitted, as his wife shot silent daggers in his direction.
Judge Temple interjected, “Let me get this straight: it’s believed that Mrs. Rawlings’ current mental state was caused by previous injury or possibly a very stressful situation?”
“Yes,” Jane replied.
“Are both options viable?”
“Yes,” she said again.
Turning toward Tony, the judge asked, “Mr. Rawlings, in the best interest of your family, though you are not under oath, I’m expecting a truthful answer. Do you know how Mrs. Rawlings received the initial and most severe injury to her brain that is evident on the medical scans?”
“Judge, my client does not need to answer that question,” Brent interjected.
“Counselor, I need the facts to make my decision. Mr. Rawlings, I’m waiting.”
The rush of blood to his face made Tony feel faint. Maintaining the eye contact he’d demanded of Claire in the past, Tony gazed only at the judge. “Yes, I do.”
“There is a sensationalized bestselling book on the market right now that claims to have been narrated by your wife. Are you aware of this book?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Have you read the book?”
Tony stoically replied, “No, I have not.”
“Were you aware that you’re mentioned in this book?”
“Judge, where is this going?” Brent asked.
“Counselor, I want to hear your client’s answer. Mr. Rawlings, were you the cause of that brain injury? Did you harm your wife?”
Tony turned toward John and Emily. “I’m not proud of the things I’ve done in the past, and I would never do them again. I would do anything to have never behaved as I did. You need to know that this time things were different.”
“Mr. Rawlings…” Judge Temple’s voice deepened, “…while we’re not in a courtroom, I will still hold you in contempt if you avoid another of my direct questions. Did you cause your wife grievous bodily harm in 2010?”
“Tony, don’t answer this,” Brent urged.
“Grievous?” Tony asked.
“Did you wound her with intent?”
“I didn’t intend to harm her. It just…”
Tony’s words faded, tears descended Emily’s cheeks, as the small room buzzed with silence.
“Mr. Rawlings,” Judge Temple continued, “are the things in Ms. Banks’ book based on fact?”