Page 27 of Cause of Action

“Maybe she did that because she was afraid of you.”

“She wasn’t afraid of me! I never did a thing to her. I only loved her the best way I could, and she goes and betrays me.”

“Do you have any idea why she would cheat on you?”

“None at all. I was shocked when she told me. We had a good relationship. You have to believe me, Miss Ashley. I didn’t murder her. I’m being framed. My father disowned me, and I haven’t seen my brother since I was found guilty.”

“Were you and your brother close?”

“I thought we were. But maybe he never fully accepted me because I wasn’t blood.”

“What do you mean?” My brows furrowed.

“I was adopted because my parents were told they could never have children. A week after they adopted me and brought me home, my mother found out she was pregnant. Ever since he was forced to take the stand as a witness for the prosecution, I haven’t seen or heard from him. He won’t take any of my calls.”

I looked through the file at his brother’s testimony.

“They called him to the stand to validate your ongoing anger issues throughout the years?” I asked.

“Yes. But I know he didn’t have a choice. They subpoenaed him, and he couldn’t lie under oath.”

The wheels in my head started spinning. Roman was right about Theodore Williamson. Something in his pleading voice made me believe he was telling the truth.

After leaving the prison, I climbed into the back of the SUV.

“How did it go?” Ollie asked.

“Good. Can we stop at Starbucks for a coffee? And then I need you to take me to Williamson Development Corp.”

After grabbing a coffee, I stepped inside the Williamson Development Corp. building, looked at the directory, and found that Theodore’s brother had an office on the fourth floor.

“Can I help you?” A young woman sitting behind the desk asked.

“I need to speak with Mr. Williamson.”

“And you are?”

“Morgan Ashley. I’m a private investigator.”

“One moment.” She stood from her desk and opened Mr. Williamson’s office door. “You may go in,” she said.

I stepped inside the office. Mr. Williamson stood from his desk and extended his hand. “Miss Ashley, what can I do for you?”

I placed my hand in his and lightly shook it.

“I’m here to discuss your brother.”

“Unfortunately, my brother murdered his girlfriend. There’s nothing to discuss. He’s been convicted, and that’s the end of it. I don’t understand what’s going on here?”

“You were my last hope. Mr. Roman Hamilton is your brother’s new attorney. He was looking to see if there was any other evidence we could present that would possibly prove your brother wasn’t the one who murdered Grace. I’m at a dead end,” I lied to get him to talk.

“It’s a shame.” He shook his head. “I never believed my brother could do such a thing, but the evidence suggested otherwise.”

“Theodore told me he hasn’t seen or heard from you since his conviction. He said he didn’t understand because he thought the two of you were close. But then again, he felt you never really accepted him because he wasn’t blood-related.”

“Regardless of whether he was adopted or not, he’s still my brother. The truth is, Miss Ashley, that I can’t face my brother. Not only am I ashamed of what he did, but I’m ashamed of the things I said on the witness stand.

“You were legally obligated to tell the truth, Mr. Williamson.”

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