“I’ll rephrase your honor. You were part of a drug task force that dealt with very violent men. You said that your job was a dangerous one. So it comes to reason that you would become a violent man yourself.”
Maverick didn’t respond. The court didn’t expect him to. How could he deny what had become public record? Delilah read everything about his body language and his tone. His mannerism was as lethal as a cobra. He just sat there deadly, silent, ready to strike back. The research said Maverick used violence to solve problems. Delilah could not conceive how a man like him could be good for her son? Visitation, custody, none of it should be granted to him.
“Let’s talk about your disciplinary record with the department, shall we? What I have here is excessive force causing physical injuries including six deaths, illegal searches, intimidation complaints, violation of the civil rights of three different Latino men in your custody and—.”
“I was investigated on those charges and more. I was cleared,” Maverick said.
“Not exactly. The first task force you were removed from was the special victims unit. You were transferred out after the death of Miguel Hernandez. He was left in the back of your car in 90-degree weather for nearly an hour, causing him to suffer a heat stroke. The ethics review board said you did this as a scare tactic?”
“Miguel Hernandez raped and beat a thirteen-year-old boy so badly he is permanently in a wheelchair. That incident or scare tactic led to us finding that child and saving his life. My transfer was my request because of the negative publicity his civil complaint brought to the department. It was all part of his appeal to get out of the sentence he received. The ethics board cleared me. I rejoined another task force that received accommodations for saving several lives. I bet that’s not in your folder.”
“I see. So the ends justify the means? That’s how you view the law?” Jefferson countered.
“I think anyone who rapes a child and breaks his back for sport doesn’t deserve your pity or mine,” Maverick said.
“And Jose Garcia? That was a revenge kill too?”
“Objection, your honor. Mr. Lennon’s police record and the court rulings have all been submitted for review. We don’t contest any of it,” his attorney said.
“Move along, counselor,” the judge warned.
“You said you and your wife were very close? Best friends?” Jefferson asked.
“Yes?” Maverick replied.
“Was she best friends with Camille Blanco? Your deceased partner?”
Maverick didn’t answer. Delilah felt her stomach sour and a lump congeal in her throat. This was the part of the questioning she had doubts the most over pursuing. Maverick’s violent record on the police force and the six men he killed during his time as an officer should be enough to stop his custody claims. But she wouldn’t risk her son’s future on just that. So she went further. Dug into a space he didn’t think she could reach. Money paved the way. The moment she wrote checks, acquaintances of his gave up the goose. She wanted to provoke him. She needed to provoke him. Still, the story of his love for his wife and his loss gave her something she didn’t expect—empathy.
“Camille Blanco was your partner. She testified on your behalf during an Internal Affairs investigation. Ah, it was the one where a raid was botched, and two men were killed by your gun alone. You were shot. She said you followed procedures, but you jumped the gun and went in before the warrant could arrive, and you forced your team to support you.”
“I did that because of another hostage situation—” Mavericks stammered.
“This raid was a couple of weeks after the death of your wife; you had to have a psych eval, the department was concerned about your mental state.”
“And?” Maverick asked. “You can check my records with the doctors. I was cleared.”
“Well, you told the courts how your wife was the love of your life. That you were devastated and broken when she died.”
“And?” Maverick shouted.
“Objection, your honor? Is there a question here for Mr. Lennon?” Mr. Richards asked.
“I’ll get to it. Did you have a sexual affair with your partner? Did you cheat on your wife with Camille Blanco?”
“No. Hell, no!” Maverick shouted.
“Was she not your girlfriend at the time of her death?”
“Yes, but—”
“Isn’t it true two years before your wife became pregnant, she filed for separation?”
“That has nothing to do with Camille—”
“We’ve spoken to a Claudine Waters. Your honor, here is a deposition from Ms. Waters.” Jefferson presented the judge and the attorney with the documents. “Ms. Waters said your wife thought you were having an affair with your partner Camille Blanco and put you out of the house. She was very distressed over your violent temper and long disappearances.”
“What?” Maverick sat up. “That’s a lie. Melissa was concerned about my attitude, and she confided in her friend. I proved to her we weren’t having an affair. Camille and her became best friends.”
“Yet, only a short few months after your wife died, you two started a sexual relationship. I have sworn statements from an ex-officer from your unit that confirms it. And when Camille was killed in the line of fire, you took it upon yourself to kill Jose Garcia in retaliation!”
“Objection!” Attorney Richards should.
“That’s a lie!” Maverick stood, he pointed at Delilah. “Is this how you’re going to play it. Huh!”
“Mr. Lennon, take a seat!” The judge said and slammed the gavel down with striking hard bangs. The bailiff took a step forward. Delilah’s eyes stretched with alarm.
“You couldn’t buy me with your money, so you bought Claudine, and then you go and try to destroy my character? You bring in my dead wife! My marriage! What kind of fucking woman are you?”
“That’s enough!” The judge said, banging the gavel several times. “One more word, and I’ll dismiss!”
Maverick slowly sat down, but it was clear to everyone in the courtroom that it took restraint he barely had. She had unleashed his inner demon, and it was evidence for the court.
“Your honor, Mr. Lennon, is a violent, hot-tempered man who should not have visitation with a vulnerable two-year-old child—” Alvin Jefferson concluded.
“I want to see the attorneys in my chamber.” The judge slammed the gavel and got up from the bench in an angry huff. Maverick had his head in his hands. He didn’t look well. It was Jefferson who returned with a smile. “We got him,” he whispered and picked up his other folders. He followed the other attorney to the judge’s chamber. Maverick didn’t move. He continued to sit there with his face in his hands.
“Ms. Montgomery. Why don’t we go get something to drink,” her assistant said with a gentle touch to her shoulder. When she nodded and stood, Maverick looked up. He looked as if he were on the verge of another explosion of rage. His face was red, his eyes squinted at her, and his nostrils flared.
“Come on,” her assistant said and pulled her arm. She resisted the urge to look behind her. When they were out of the courtroom, she felt as if she could breathe again. They headed down the hall to a room her assistant must have found to be secured in. “I’ll be right back,” Adele said.