Judge Mercer hid a smile behind his hand.
Hale’s face tightened.
I continued.
“If ordinary forgetfulness were legal incompetence, this courthouse would need guardians for half the attorneys in the building.”
Hale stopped smiling.
Then came his strongest evidence.
A physician’s letter.
Dr. Samuel Avery had examined me two months earlier.
The letter stated I displayed “possible early cognitive impairment” and recommended supervision.
Daniel visibly relaxed.
I had been waiting for that letter.
“May I see the original?” I asked.
Hale handed a copy to the clerk.
I studied it.
Then I looked at the judge.
“I never met Dr. Samuel Avery.”
Daniel’s head turned toward me.
Vanessa stared straight ahead.
Hale said quickly, “Mrs. Vance’s inability to remember the examination supports our case.”
I shook my head.
“I remember every physician I have seen in the last five years.”
“You just admitted memory issues.”
“For my glasses, Mr. Hale. Not doctors.”
I handed the letter back.
“Call him.”
The courtroom went silent.
Hale blinked.
“What?”
“Call Dr. Avery.”
“That isn’t how—”
Judge Mercer interrupted.
“Actually, I would like to hear from the physician.”
Hale’s face changed.
Only slightly.
But I saw it.
Fear.
