Page 46 of Scooter's Endgame
“Shortly before he broke the relationship off with Ms. Pierce, contrary to his testimony thatshelefthim, he removed both his son and Ms. Pierce from his medical insurance. He also removed all the money from their joint savings account as well as their credit card account, leaving her financially destitute.”
I look over at Kathleen as I say this, knowing it’s something that will hurt her – something I specifically didn’t mention in front of her during the meeting at the attorney’s offices. This situation is shitty enough without having the knowledge that this asshole cheated on her, pretty much the entire time they were together, then dumped her. Shifting my gaze back to Ms. Seymour, I continue.
“Ms. Bach currently works in Human Resources on the base where Mr. Grimes was serving – I say currently, because it would appear she won’t be there too much longer either. The reason being, all traces of Mr. Grimes’s dishonorable discharge have been removed from his personnel file, and replaced with a false claim of honorable discharge due to retiring from service. Ms. Bach is suspected of being the one who did so, having both the means and the personal motivation. At present, she is being investigated on charges of tampering with official documents, abuse of her position, and criminal misconduct.”
Before Ms. Seymour can utter a word, the judge speaks up. “So if your testimony is to be believed, Mr. Keegan, you’re telling this court that everything Mr. Grimes testified to, under oath, on this stand is a lie?”
“Yes, Your Honor, that is correct,” I reply.
“Do you have evidence to back up your claims, sir?” she continues.
“Yes, ma’am. Everything is documented and can be substantiated.”
The look on Gonzo’s face is priceless – something I wish I could capture for posterity. He’s so mad a vein stands out prominently on his forehead. His attorney is whispering furiously in his ear. And the judge, so smitten with the lying bastard prior to my testimony, is now looking at him with an expression of disgust.
“Mr. Grimes, I’m going to give you one opportunity to answer me honestly. Is any of what Mr. Keegan has told us this afternoon true?”
“Your Honor, I don’t –” Gonzo cuts the judge off, his tone clearly blustering.
“Mr. Grimes, please answer the question. I ask you again, is any of Mr. Keegan’s testimony true?”
Put so firmly on the spot, Gonzo gives the appearance of a fish out of water as he flaps his lips in an attempt to find the words to respond. Probably words to dig himself out of the hole I’ve dug for him, without making it any deeper.
“I’m waiting, Mr. Grimes.” Pointing at him, she continues, “You’ve brought strong allegations against Ms. Pierce before this court – allegations that could cause her to lose her son,andpotentially land her in some deep hot water. If any of what Mr. Keegan has told us today is accurate, and you have lied to me – under oath, no less — I will not be well pleased.”
The man looks like a deer caught in headlights as the judge glares over at him. He opens his mouth to speak, but no sound comes out.
“Your silence leads me to believe that you have, indeed, given false evidence. If Mr. Keegan is to be believed, you’re already in a world of trouble with the law. Perjury carries serious consequences of its own. So, I’m giving you one last chance to redeem yourself, somewhat, by being honest with me now.”
Once again, Gonzo’s attorney leans over to whisper in his ear. With obvious reluctance, he gets to his feet, panic clear on his face as it sinks in that the game is up. He’s been caught at his lies, and there’s no way out.
He hangs his head, shuffles his feet, and then proceeds to shock the hell out of me. “Yes, Your Honor.”
At his admission of guilt, the courtroom erupts into a cacophony of sound as the people in the gallery lose their minds.
The banging of the judge’s gavel adds to the chaos. “Silence. I will have silence in my court.”
As the gallery slowly quietens down, a voice from somewhere near the back can be heard. “The man clearly doesn’t understand the concept of honesty, or simple human decency. Throw the book at him.”
Through all the pandemonium and calls of agreement, I return my gaze to Kathleen, then wish I hadn’t. The woman looks absolutely devastated at not only the revelations she didn’t stick around to hear at the meeting with her attorney, but also Gonzo’s admission that he was willing to lie in a court of law to cheat her of her son. As if his infidelity during their relationship wasn’t enough cheating.
The judge, clearly giving up on trying to silence the gallery, impatiently waits them out. Finally, the courtroom quietens down, and she turns once again to Gonzo. “Mr. Grimes, I am deeply disappointed. In a time when we rejoice at more fathers wanting to be involved in their children’s lives, more fathers stepping up and no longer allowing mothers to rob them of their children, I was more than willing to entertain your case.
“I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt and support you in your endeavor. To hear that you’ve attempted to manipulate this court in order to hurt Ms. Pierce more than you already have – there are no words to adequately express how disgusted I am by your behavior.
“I will deal with you momentarily. However, I wish to address Ms. Pierce first.” The judge scans the crowd in the gallery. “Ms. Pierce, would you please stand.” Kathleen does as instructed, and my heart hurts for her. She looks positively ill.
“Ms. Pierce, could you please tell me what your current situation is? According to Mr. Grimes, you have taken to living with a man who supports you and your son in return for – special favors. However, in light of Mr. Keegan’s testimony, it is patently clear that Mr. Grimes is not to be believed.”
Kathleen raises a shaking hand to push her hair from her face. “Your Honor, I am not living with anyone other than my son. A friend of both Jeff’s – Mr. Grimes’s – and mine, offered me a job as his housekeeper after Mr. Grimes, um – evicted us. Luke and I live in the little cottage on his property, and he pays me a salary to take care of his home and property. That is how I am able to support my boy.”
“I see,” the judge responds, looking as if she’d sucked on a lemon. "Is there anything you wish to share with this court before I make my decision?”
I notice Scooter whisper something to Kathleen. She nods, then turns back to the judge. “Your Honor, there is one thing I’d like to clear up, if I may.”
“Yes, of course. Go ahead.”
“The day Luke was born, I did not fall down the stairs, as Mr. Grimes testified –” She takes a deep breath. “I was, in fact, pushed down the stairs. By Mr. Grimes. It caused me to go into premature labor and his poor health is a direct result of that.”
