Signed Away (SOON TO BE PUBLISHED ON AMAZON)

Chap. 20

THIRD POV

"And what about your relationship with your adopted mother, Rachel Timmons?" Jude finally dropped the bomb.

And that was when Eric Timmons s heart skipped a beat. His life and his sense of peace were flashing before his eyes. He was praying to God and any deity in existence to help him get through this.

"Excuse me?" Ashley said with attitude. She must have heard him wrong. Then she started to chuckle. Now, she knew what this was, Kathadoris and her family had informed her that the opposition counsel would come up with any and every crude method to try and intimidate her. This was just an intimidation method and she had to put her hat off to Jude.

"Really Mr. ...." waiting for him to supply the rest of the information.

"Oh Mr. Ichikawa. Jude Ichikawa" he replied with a smile.

"Yes. Mr. Ichikiwa that is quite low even for you" in a flowery voice.

"That may be so but would you kindly answer the question" he demanded quietly.

Ashley started to chuckle darkly. But glancing at Jude who was still giving her a pointed look. And he didn't seem to be relenting on the question. Looking across the room on her side she was met with horror from her family and friends. Her father looked frightened and a little green. And they weren't the only ones. Everyone in the courtroom had a look of shock and surprise and the Dwight's had fear bright as day on their faces.

Even Diane had a look of horror on hers. Horror and disbelief. She was looking at Nina then at George, then back to Nina with disbelief and shock written all over her face.

"You have got to be joking?" she whispered more to herself than to the court. Her breathing was coming out in rapid short, shallow breaths.

Kathadoris getting over his initial shock started to chuckle at the absurdity of the situation. Where was Jude plucking this idea from? The defense counsel really had nothing to argue and was just grasping at straws.

'Perhaps I should see how this plays out' still chuckling.

But once he glanced at Collins grief-stricken face he knew that there was a problem. A big, big problem.

"Please tell me that he is completely bsing?" he whispered frantically to Collins. If there was any truth in the matter why the hell didn't they let him know?! This was endangering the whole case! They had practically baby-fed the opposition the case. His entire case was resting on truth and honesty!

"Stop him!" Collins ordered, ignoring his question. His mind was racing on where and how that bastard had gotten that information. There was no way that Rachel would ever reveal it. He knew that for a fact. And if he didn't even know about it till Rachel told him, then it was safe to say that not many people did.

"Objection Your Honor!" Kathadoris yelled rising to his feet. He had to get Ashley off the stand.

"On what grounds?" the judge questioned. He was just as shocked but intrigued by this revelation. This case was really turning around. As always, Jude continued to astound him with his brilliance. There was a method to his and Nina's madness of relenting and staying silent so long. Who would have thought?

"Beyond being preposterous, proof. Where is the proof?"

"There doesn't need to be buddy old pal. This might be just a rumor. Or it could be true. I desire and determine to find out. Besides, if the world doesn't know that billionaire Collins Dwight has twins, then there might be truth to this. Either way your Honor, this is an avenue worth pursuing"