Cutler 03 - Twilight's Child

Honor, I don't know how the forgery was committed, but I have no doubt that it was," he said.
    "I see," Judge Powell replied. "Can you share your reasoning with us?"
    Mr. Updike turned to look my way. He saw in my face that I wanted him to go on and do and say whatever was necessary for me to get Christie back.
    "Your Honor, Mrs. Cutler recently passed away, at which time wills and other documents were unsealed. It was learned—painfully learned—that Dawn Cutler is not Mrs. Cutler's granddaughter."
    Patricia Compton, who had been staring down throughout all this, lifted her head sharply and looked across the office at me with new interest.
    "I see. Go on;" Judge Powell said.
    "Apparently Dawn Cutler was Lillian Cutler's husband's child."
    "You mean she is her daughter?"
    "No, Your Honor."
    "I see," Judge Powell said quickly. "You don't have to go into those details any further."
    "I don't understand," Sanford Compton said angrily. "What does this base behavior have to do with anything?"
    "Mr. Updike is suggesting another possible motive for the actions Mrs. Cutler took. There is a clear history of subterfuge and deception here. Miss Cutler," the judge said, turning to me. The moment he did, I felt my heart jump and the heat rise in my neck and face. "Do you deny signing this contract?"
    "Yes, sir."
    "What did you intend to do when your baby was born?" he asked softly.
    "I don't know, Your Honor. I wanted my baby very much and was shocked to discover she had been given away."
    "Mrs. Cutler didn't threaten you or advise you of the difficulties that lay ahead and as a result convince you to sign this document?"
    "No, sir. I never saw Grandmother Cutler after I left New York to go to The Meadows."
    "The Meadows?" He looked at Mr. Updike.
    "Mrs. Cutler's sister's home."
    "I see. So until you returned you had no knowledge of Mr. and Mrs. Compton?"
    "That's correct, Your Honor."
    "Why did you agree to have your baby in secret if you had no intention of giving her away?" the judge asked.
    "Your Honor, I wasn't in any position to disagree with anything Grandmother Cutler demanded or suggested at the time, but I never knew what her full intentions were. Of course, now I understand why she hated me and why she wouldn't have wanted any child of mine in her presence."
    "I see." Judge Powell turned away and sat back a moment. Then he lifted his eyes toward the Comptons.
    "Mr. and Mrs. Compton, the information Mr. Updike has presented does create some definite gray areas. While it is true you do have an apparently legal contract, there is some reason for it to be challenged. Any formal court hearing will obviously bring all this new information to bear, and I suspect that Mr. Updike has only scratched the surface of it here today.
    "In short, unfortunate as it might be for you, you should take into consideration the ugly atmosphere in which this case will be argued. It doesn't bode well for the future of the child even if your position should prevail." He leaned forward. "It could very well become a media circus."
    Mrs. Compton began to sob. Sanford Compton nodded and then embraced her.
    "We had no idea about all these other circumstances," he said angrily.
    "Of course not," the judge said in a soothing voice. He sat back. "Mr. Humbrick, I recommend—informally recommend—that you advise your clients to return the infant to its mother forthwith."
    "We will take your advice under serious consideration, Your Honor," Felix Humbrick replied. "Sanford," he said softly.
    "Thank you, Judge," Sanford Compton said. He helped his wife to her feet, and they started out of the judge's chambers, Mrs. Compton's sobbing growing harder. Felix Humbrick rose and turned to Mr. Updike.
    "Are you staying anywhere in town?"
    "I wasn't intending on it. Why don't I phone your office? How long do you want?"
    "Give me two hours," Mr. Humbrick replied. They shook hands, and he followed the Comptons out.
    The judge stood up and gazed down at Jimmy and me. My legs felt so weak and wobbly, I was afraid to stand.
    "Well," Judge Powell said, "something like this is very unpleasant. You have a great deal to overcome, young lady, some of it not your fault, but some of the blame rests with you."
    "I know, Your Honor."
    "Apparently you have found a champion to stand at your side," he said, his eyes twinkling at Jimmy. "I can only wish you good luck from now on."
    "Thank you," I said. Jimmy and I stood up.
    "I'll be right out," Mr. Updike said. We left him with