Page 35 of Craving Venom
“She was an alcoholic. It didn’t start all at once, of course. But it became worse over time, especially with Christopher being gone so often.”
“Gone? What do you mean by that?”
Alfred sighs, his shoulders slumping slightly. “I relied on him too heavily, involving him in my business more than was fair. I needed someone I could trust to handle things, and Chris was dependable. But in hindsight, I see now how selfish I was.”
He pauses, glancing down at the polished wood of the witness stand before meeting Carrie’s gaze again. “I sent him on trips, had him managing deals, resolving conflicts. It kept him away from home for weeks, sometimes months at a time. It caused… strain. Isabella felt abandoned, and she wasn’t entirely wrong. She was trying to raise two boys while her husband was rarely there, and I,” his voice catches, but he powers through. “I facilitated that distance. I bear responsibility for it.”
“So you’re saying the lack of presence from her husband, in part due to your decisions, contributed to Isabella’s alcoholism?”
“Yes,” Alfred says firmly. “It wasn’t the only factor, but it didn’t help. When Chris was home, there were arguments. Resentment. Isabella felt unsupported, and that frustration built over the years. I should have seen it, stepped in somehow, but I didn’t. And when she started drinking…” He shakes his head. “It became her way of coping. And it cost her everything.”
“How did this impact her relationship with Zane?”
Yvette stands again, practically spitting her objection. “Your Honor, this line of questioning is leading!”
Carrie raises her hands defensively. “I’m establishing context.”
The judge sighs, motioning for her to continue.
Alfred hesitates, glancing down at his lap before meeting her gaze. “She wasn’t kind to him. Her anger… her pain… she took it out on him. He bore the brunt of her frustrations.”
“And Alex?” Carrie asks gently. “Zane’s younger brother?”
Alfred falters for the first time. “She… she ignored him, mostly. Alex was a sweet boy, but he didn’t demand her attention the way Zane did. In her eyes, Zane was the problem. Alex… was invisible.”
“Mr. VonKrauss,” Carrie begins again, “do you believe Zane’s actions were premeditated?”
Alfred’s gaze hardens. “Absolutely not.”
“And why do you say that?”
“Because I know my grandson,” he says firmly. “Zane is not a monster. He’s not a killer. He’s a boy who was pushed to his breaking point.”
Carrie steps back slightly, giving him room to speak. “Can you elaborate on what you mean by that?”
“Isabella… she wasn’t just an alcoholic. She was cruel. She belittled him. Hurt him. Zane grew up in a house where love was conditional and scarce. He did what he could to protect Alex,but…” He trails off, his voice cracking. “There’s only so much one person can take.”
Carrie lets the words hang in the air for a moment before speaking again. “Mr. VonKrauss, would you say that Zane acted in self-defense?”
“I would,” Alfred says without hesitation. “He acted to protect himself and his brother. If he hadn’t… I fear both boys would’ve suffered unspeakable consequences.”
Yvette slams her hand on the table as she rises again. “Objection, Your Honor! This testimony is speculative and biased!”
The judge raises a hand to calm the room. “Sustained. Jury, disregard that last statement.”
Carrie turns back to Alfred. “One last question, Mr. VonKrauss. Do you believe Zane regrets his actions?”
Alfred meets her gaze, his eyes glistening. “Every day of his life.”
The camera cuts to Zane and he rubs his thumb across his lower lip, trying to hide a smile. The fucker. I can’t tell if he’s entertained by the circus his grandfather’s putting on or if he’s just biding his time to tear it all down later. Either way, it’s infuriating.
Alfred’s practically breaking himself into pieces for Zane’s sake, and the bastard looks like he’s barely holding back a laugh.
If I’d so much as witnessed something like this growing up, my parents wouldn’t have hesitated for a second. They’d have handed me over to the cops themselves, probably with a lecture about morality and “facing the consequences of my actions.” But I guess things work differently in families like Zane’s. When you’re rich enough, even murder is something you can argue your way out of.
Carrie’s voice snaps me back to the courtroom. She’s circling Alfred now. “Mr. VonKrauss, you mentioned earlier that Zaneacted to protect himself and his brother. Is that also the belief of his father, Christopher Valehart?”
“Yes. Christopher believes the same.”
