Suddenly, the tension skyrocketed, especially when the judge studied me. He had a look that seemed to question how I dared to have shot his son.
I met his stare head-on, no matter how much my nerves were making me sweat.
“Thank you for meeting with us,” Kelton said, his voice steady and professional. “I’m sure all of us want to resolve this case without going to court. My client will cooperate fully regarding her actions.” He opened a folder with deliberate care, as if the papers inside held secrets. “If I may, Judge, I would like to ask your son a few questions.”
The judge gave Kelton a nod.
“Carl, did you add Rohypnol to Andie Baker’s drink?” Kelton’s question was sharp, as though his words could cut ice.
Carl kept his narrowed gaze on me. “No, I did not.”
I supposed that anyone at that party could’ve spiked Andie’s drink. Regardless, his answer didn’t absolve him of what had happened next.
“Did you know that Ms. Baker had been drugged?” Kelton pressed on.
“I thought she was drunk.” Carl’s casual tone made my blood boil.
“So you took advantage of a woman who wasn’t coherent?” The words burst out before I could stop them. “That’s just as bad as drugging her.”
Kelton held up his hand to me. “Grace.”
I forced myself to sit back in my chair and clasped my hands in my lap. Otherwise, I was tempted to give Carl two black eyes.
“Did Andrea Baker give her consent to have sex with you?” Kelton asked.
Andie should be here, although she wouldn’t be able to confirm anything other than Carl taking her into a bedroom. Not only that, I was the one in the hot seat for what I’d done. If Andie wanted to pursue charges against Carl, she would have to make that happen. As it stood, she didn’t have enough evidence.
Silence closed in, and I felt like I was about to be crushed between two stone walls.
“She was all over me,” Carl replied.
“It’s a yes-or-no question,” the judge tossed out.
“I’m not the one on trial here,” Carl complained to his dad.
Steam practically rolled off the judge. “If you’re innocent, then you shouldn’t be deflecting. Now answer Mr. Maxwell’s question.”
Kelton regarded Judge Dixon. “Do we need to have a court recorder in here?”
Judge Dixon fidgeted in his seat. “We agreed not to. But if my son doesn’t cooperate, then we?—”
“Fine,” Carl snapped. “No, Andie did not give me her consent.”
I slumped in my chair, the air whooshing out of my lungs. Finally, the truth would set him free, and maybe me as well.
“But I didn’t have sex with her,” Carl was quick to add.
“Thanks to me,” I said under my breath.
Memories of him on top of Andie made me want to puke.
The judge and Kelton both glared at me.
The judge opened a leather folio. “Ms. Hart, instead of shooting my son, why didn’t you go for help?”
I chewed on my bottom lip. “If I had left that room, he would’ve penetrated Andie. If I had screamed, no one would’ve heard me because the music was too loud.” I touched my face where the bruises were fading. “I tried to tackle him, and this is the result.”
Taking a deep breath, I continued, “Whether this helps my case or not, I was the one who called the ambulance. But in my experience, there is no stopping a man with alcohol or drugs in his system who is dead set on having sex.” Memories of my past bombarded me. “I’ve seen men like Carl before. The man who bought me put a bullet in a client’s head because he wouldn’t get off one of the girls.”
