Chapter 4: The Mask Slips
Arthur walked to the stand with the same polished confidence.
But something had shifted.
Daniel approached slowly. “Mr. Hargrove, you’re known for your attention to detail, correct?”
“Of course.”
“And you claim you feared Clara?”
“Yes.”
Daniel nodded. “Then why,” he said, holding up a document, “did you schedule a private meeting with her the night of the incident?”
Arthur’s jaw tightened.
“To resolve matters,” he said smoothly.
Daniel took a step closer. “Alone?”
“Yes.”
“No security. No witnesses. Despite being ‘afraid’?”
A pause.
The jury leaned forward.
Arthur’s voice sharpened. “I didn’t think she would actually—”
“Attack you?” Daniel cut in. “Or expose you?”
Silence.
Daniel placed another file on the stand.
“Financial records. Offshore accounts. Payments to employees… including Ms. Marlene Hayes.”
Arthur’s composure cracked—just for a second.
But it was enough.
“You were being investigated, weren’t you?” Daniel pressed. “And Clara found out.”
Arthur said nothing.
The silence was louder than any confession.
The jury saw it.
May you like
The mask…
was slipping.
