Page 82 of Bit's Bliss
I shook my head. “Let’s go.”
Trevino was quiet on the drive into downtown Paso Robles, more like he used to be when I first started working for him. Before the auction. Before my life fell apart.
My uncle was waitingfor us when we walked into the courthouse. “Zin should be here shortly. He’s speaking with the bank’s counsel now.”
“What’s going to happen today?” I asked.
“They’ll present evidence in order to prove the loan documents are valid. Zin may put you on the stand to testify your signature was forged and that you were unaware the loan existed.”
“My word against theirs,” I muttered.
“Under oath,” my uncle reminded me.
“Let’s get this over with,” said Zin, walking up from behind us. “I think they’re bluffing.”
Within minutes of following him in and taking a seat, the judge arrived and the hearing began. I half listened until I heard the other lawyer say they were calling their first witness.
I gasped when I saw the woman I hadn’t noticed until now approach the witness box.
“What is she doing here?” I leaned into Trevino and whispered.
“Who?” he asked.
“State your name for the court,” said the clerk.
“Nancy Burke.”
“What the hell?” Trevino whispered.
“Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the testimony you are about to give will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?” the clerk asked.
“I do.”
When the clerk told her she could be seated, Nancy looked directly at me, then at the lawyer who approached.
My eyes were laser-focused on the woman on the stand as I half listened to the attorney verify she had witnessed the signing of the document that he’d presented as evidence. Before she could respond, Zin objected.
“On what grounds?” the judge asked.
“I wasn’t given a copy of whatever evidence is being presented now, nor was I informed of this witness.”
“I’ll allow it for now, counselor,” the judge responded before turning to the other attorney. “Do you have an additional copy?”
“Yes, your honor,” he said, walking it over to Zin.
When he reiterated his objection to the witness, the judge overruled him.
“Did you witness the signing of the loan document?” the other lawyer asked.
“I did.”
“Are the individuals whose signatures you witnessed in the courtroom today?”
“One is,” she responded.
“Can you point to that individual?”
Nancy raised her head and finger. “Her.”
