Page 4 of Marked for Danger

“What did the two of you discuss?”

“Mr. Shipman and I spoke of the events leading to his prior assault and battery arrest, his conviction, and subsequent incarceration. We also talked about the therapy sessions he attended while in prison, as well as his plans moving forward, should the court grant him partial or full custody of his minor child.”

“And did the plaintiff share with you any details regarding how he planned to care for his son?”

“He did.” Izzy nodded.

“Can you please share with the court what those plans include?”

A whole lot of bullshit, but I can’t exactly say that on the record now, can I?

“Mr. Shipman told me he’s been renting a small apartment across town, and he’s been working a part-time job at a local grocery store a few blocks from where he lives. He told me he recently purchased a used vehicle that, according to him, is reliable enough to get him back and forth to work, as well as driving his son to and from school.”

A.D.A. Roussos’s big blue eyes grew wide as she slid her surprised gaze from Izzy to the judge, and back again. “Sounds to me like Mr. Shipman is ready and willing to provide a stable home environment for both him and his son.”

“On paper, yes.” Izzy nodded. “I’d have to agree.”

The intelligent attorney frowned. “I apologize, Dr. Garcia, but…I’m a little confused. You just testified to the plaintiff having a good, solid plan on how he will care and provide for his young son, yet seconds before, you told this court it’s your professional opinion that custody shouldnotbe awarded to Mr. Shipman. Can you please explain why that is?”

Izzy didlook at the man in question, then. With his receding, nearly bald on top hairline, deep crows feet and cold demeanor, Todd Shipman appeared much older than his thirty-eight years. The man was a felon who’d been granted an early release from his five-year prison sentence for assault and battery against his now-deceased ex-wife.

From the information Izzy had been provided by the D.A.’s office, the former Mrs. Shipman had become a slave to pain killers and alcohol—a result of her endless search to escape the depression and anguish Shipman’s physical and mental abuse had created. Unfortunately, the poor woman died of an accidental overdose eight months ago, leaving Michael—the couple’s six-year-old son—in the hands of Child Protective Services.

Now that he’d been let out early due to prison overcrowding, Todd Shipman wanted full custody of Michael. Something Izzy desperately wanted to keep from happening.

“During my session with the plaintiff, Mr. Shipman exhibited numerous behavioral characteristics consistent with NPD, or narcissistic personality disorder. This disorder is comprised of a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, including but not limited to a constant need for attention and admiration, as well as an inflated sense of self-importance. In addition to this, Mr. Shipman also showed signs of having a grandiose sense of self-importance.”

“Meaning?”

“In layman’s terms, it basically means he thinks he’s smarter and more important than those around him.”

“Objection.” Shipman’s attorney stood from his seat and faced the judge. “Dr. Garcia can’t possibly know what my client thinks about himself or anyone else.”

“That’s quite literally her job, your honor,” A.D.A. Roussos was quick to rebut. “Dr. Garcia isn’t a friend or neighbor that’s been called to the stand as a character witness. She’s the state’s expert witness, and her professional opinion of Mr. Shipman’s personality and behavior are extremely relevant and must be taken into consideration before a judgement can be made on this case.”

“I agree with Ms. Roussos.” Judge Hamlin nodded. “Your objection is overruled, Mr. Browning. Ms. Roussos, you may continue.”

“Thank you, Your Honor.” To Izzy, Roussos added, “Please continue.”

Izzy gave her a slight nod. “As I was saying, during our session, Mr. Shipman’s main focus was himself, rather than his child. In the first few minutes he did go over the steps he’d taken these last few months to ensure Michael had a stable and safe environment to grow up in, however the focus quickly shifted back to Mr. Shipman’s belief that he was wrongfully convicted despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary. When asked about the four documented physical altercations he was directly involved in while in prison, Mr. Shipman put the blame for each of those incidents onto the other inmates involved.”

“He didn’t take any responsibility for being a part of those fist fights?”

“No.” Izzy shook her head. “Instead, he accused the guards on duty of setting him up.”

“Were the guards in question the same ones working during the different brawls?”

Another negative shake. “They were not. According to the prison’s employee logs, the guards were different during each of the altercations.”

I checked.

“What else makes you believe Mr. Shipman should not be awarded custody of Michael?”

Izzy glanced to the plaintiff’s table, the man’s cold angry stare presumably meant to intimidate. She refused to let it.

Over the next few minutes, those present listened as she gave several professionally detailed and medically sound explanations. Mr. Browning objected numerous times during her testimony, but thankfully Judge Hamlin saw through the man’s desperation and overruled every Hail Mary attempt Browning threw at her.

When A.D.A. Roussos had no further questions, Browning began his cross-examination. The slimy S.O.B. attempted to discredit Izzy’s claims, doing his damnedest to twist and turn her words into something they weren’t. Despite his efforts to make his client out to be the victim, Izzy kept her presence calm and professional, refusing to waver in her previous statements.

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