Chapter 37
There are two more witnesses for the prosecution. The first one, Officer Briggs, hurries to the witness stand, back super stiff. With his right hand raised, he takes the oath like a soldier in the army. Someone needs to tell him to relax.
“At any time, did either girl claim to enter the cave willingly and without coercion?”
“No, sir.”
“And did either of them testify that the defendant cared for them or made any attempt to return them to their families?”
“No.”
I hang my head. He’s right; I never said any of that. Every crisp answer is like a finger pointed straight at me.
When Amelia is called, it takes a little while for her to make her way to the front. Her father helps her limp to the witness stand, awkwardly holding her arm.
“Please raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?”
Amelia speaks so quietly that none of us in the gallery can even hear her; the judge leans toward her as she speaks.
“I do.”
I grip the back of the first row bench and pull myself forward. Amelia stares at the floor somewhere near the prosecutor’s shoes, eyes dark and hollow. She bites her nails, then quickly jerks her hand away when a cough sounds from the gallery.
“Good afternoon, Amelia. How’s the leg?”
“Fine.”
“Can you look at me?”
She raises her eyes, but doesn’t really lift her head. I’ve never seen this version of Amelia, hugging her arms around herself.
The prosecutor rests his hand on the railing in front of her. “Do you recognize the defendant?”
She doesn’t look at Grover, just answers, “Yes, sir.”
“Is the defendant the man who held you and two others inside a cave?”
“Yes.” Her response is barely a whisper.
“Were you free to roam the cave, and could you have left at any time?”
She hesitates, swallows. “No.”
“Amelia, you received an injury prior to entering the cave, correct?”
“Yes.”
“And is it true that the injury you received while searching for a kidnapped Andrew resulted in a serious infection—one that was not treated by professional medical personnel?”
She blinks several times, pulling in her lips. “Yes.”
The prosecutor continues peppering her with questions. Each time she gives a yes or no answer, but she’s struggling to keep it together. By the time Grover’s lawyer gets up, Amelia has practically folded herself into the seat.
“Hi Amelia. You doing okay? Would you like some water?”
Amelia gives her a sideways smile, “No, thank you.”
“I know this is so difficult. I just have a few questions—some things I want to clear up. Let me know when you’re ready.” Ms. Smith smiles, and Amelia lifts her chin.
“I’m ready.”
“Do you remember the prosecutor asking you about the infection in your leg?”
Amelia nods.
“I bet that was painful. I once had a terrible infection from a bee sting. It throbbed day and night. My mother spent the night applying warm compresses to draw out the poison, as she called it.” She curves her fingers, making air quotes.
“Did you receive any treatment at all for the injury while you were in the cave?”
“I…” Amelia’s eyes flick to her grandmother, who hasn’t moved since Amelia stepped up there. “I…had a fever. So…I’m not sure.”
“That’s right. Those sometimes make you lose track of what’s happening around you, don’t they? And infections can cause very high spikes sometimes.” She places the tips of her fingers on the railing and slides them back and forth. “Can you remember anything about your leg?”
Amelia drops her head, “Not really, no.”
“What about getting to the cave? Do you remember any of that?”
“I think he carried us.”
Ms. Smith pivots to look back at Grover. “Mr. Daniels carried all three of you to the cave?”
“Yes. We were somehow strapped onto him.”
“So you and Darcie came across Mr. Daniels while you were searching for them? I’m having a bit of difficulty with the timeline. Can you clear it up for me?”
“Um, I’m not sure. A tree fell on me and—“
“A tree fell on you? How frightening! I imagine Darcie must have pulled it off.”
“No. We couldn’t even shift it, even a little.” Amelia turns her head to meet my gaze.
“Oh my goodness.” She holds fingers to her cheeks. “How did you get out from under it?”
Amelia swallows, and her eyes slide to Grover. She opens her mouth, then closes it again, her fingers twisting together. “I…” She blinks, glancing quickly at the people in the gallery. “Grover pulled it off me.”
“So Mr. Daniels pulled the tree off you, strapped you onto his body and carried you to the cave?”
“Yes, I guess so.”
And he held you there for two days, where you received no treatment for your injuries.
Amelia looks back at me. I tilt my head, willing her to be brave and tell the truth. There’s a loud shifting from the gallery, and her head jerks up suddenly.
Judge Maddison leans to the side. “Miss Davis, let me remind you that you are under oath. You must answer each question truthfully and to the best of your ability. Do you understand?”
“Yes ma’am. I understand.” Her gaze shifts back to me.
I meet her eyes and give the smallest nod I can manage.
“Grover and Darcie bandaged my leg and put a splint on it right away. He gave me some bark to chew, and it helped a little. After that, I fell asleep, so I really don’t remember how he got me on his back.”
Our eyes lock, and it’s like she’s pulling energy from me to answer the questions.
“And you don’t remember anything else that happened inside the cave?”
Amelia straightens her back, keeping her gaze on me. “I really don’t remember much, but I do remember him washing my leg, putting these soggy leaves on it, and packing snow around it. It made the fever and swelling go down.” She lets out a breath and leans back in her seat.
“Thank you, Amelia. I know that was difficult for you.” Ms. Smith nods to the judge. “I have no further questions, Your Honor.”
“You may step down, Miss Davis.”
Dr. Davis heads up the outside aisle to help his daughter, but before he can get to her, Amelia pivots in the opposite direction, heading down the middle aisle. Genevieve stretches out her neck as she approaches, but Amelia turns left instead, stopping next to Mom.
She leans forward. “May I sit here?”
“Of course,” Mom says, scooting over to make room.
Amelia lets out one shuddering breath. “I did it.”
“The defense calls Darcie Reynolds to the stand.”