Page 37 of Grave Danger

“Ava,” said Farid. “Our rings matched. White-gold rope band. They were heirlooms from my grandparents. This is Ava’s ring.”

The judge directed Farid back to his seat. Then he addressed the lawyers.

“Counsel, I understand that each of you believes this ring is relevant to the question of whether Ava Bazzi is dead or alive, but you have polar-opposite views as to how it may be relevant. Mr. Swyteck, what is your position?”

“The ring needs to be considered together with the message on the pipe,” said Jack. “It’s all one threat, and the point is to stop us from proving the tragic truth. This threat came from ‘someone who knows’ Ava Bazzi is dead.”

“The exact opposite is true,” said Beech. “The ring and the message came from someone who knows she’s alive. The obvious point is to stop Mr. Swyteck from perpetrating a complete fraud on this court.”

“May I respond?” asked Jack.

“No,” the judge said. “The bottom line is that none of us knows who came into possession of Ava Bazzi’s ring after she disappeared, who wrote the message on the pipe, or who threw the pipe through Mr. Swyteck’s window.”

Jack tried another angle. “Judge, I would submit that, more likely than not, the ring came from whoever is responsible for Ava Bazzi’s death.”

“I can’t agree,” said the judge. “A woman who abandoned her family and fled the country has no more need for her wedding ring than a deceased woman. My ruling is that the ring has no probative value as to whether Ava Bazzi is alive or dead. I will not consider it as evidence in this proceeding.”

Neither lawyer showed any reaction other than to accept the ruling.

“At this time, I’d like to have a word with just counsel,” said the judge. “I would ask petitioner and respondent to wait outside my office with my judicial assistant.”

Jack noted the fear in his client’s eyes. “Judge, as we will prove later in this hearing, my client is in grave danger of physical and psychological harm. I would therefore request that she be allowed her own space in a separate room.”

“That’s fine,” said the judge.

The judicial assistant entered, and as she led Zahra and Farid out to their respective waiting rooms, Beech whispered so only Jack could hear:

“Well played, Swyteck.”

It spoke volumes about his opposition, who seemed to think this was all a game, and it made Jack’s skin crawl. The door closed, and the lawyers were alone with the judge.

“Counsel, we are all in agreement that if Ava Bazzi is alive, Zahra Bazzi’s adoption of Yasmin was invalid and the case is over. But, Ms. Beech, how many more witnesses do you intend to call to prove that Ava Bazzi is alive?”

“One, at most, Your Honor.”

“I’m going to hold you to that. We need to move this along. Am I clear?”

Beech looked unhappy, but her tone was respectful. “Yes, Judge.”

“I have one more thing to say,” said the judge. “Based on what I’ve heard so far, it’s impossible to know if that pipe was thrown through Mr. Swyteck’s window by ‘someone who knows’ Ava Bazzi is alive, ‘someone who knows’ she’s dead but wants the rest of the world to think she’s alive, or some nutjob who doesn’t know anything and simply wants his fifteen minutes of fame. I’m expressing no view on the matter. But I offer this advice to both of you.”

Judge Carlton paused to look at each of them as individuals, not as opposing counsel, his expression one of concern. “For the sake of your own families, please, be careful. Both of you.”

“Yes, Your Honor,” they said in unison.

“The hearing will resume at three o’clock,” said the judge. “I’ll see you in my courtroom then.”

Jack nodded with appreciation, and the lawyers stepped out to catch up with their clients.

Chapter 14

The courtroom came to order at 3:00 p.m., and Judge Carlton directed Farid’s lawyer to call her next witness.

“The petitioner calls Imam Hassan Reza,” she said.

Jack rose, addressing the court, though his question was for opposing counsel. “Your Honor, for the sake of clarity: Is this the same imam who was unavailable yesterday?”

“Judge, the answer to Mr. Swyteck’s question is yes,” said Beech. “Fortunately, the imam is available now via videoconference.”