I left with Sandra. We’re not coming back. Don’t try to find us.
Patricia displayed the card statements next.
The hotel.
Restaurants.
Boutique purchases.
Private excursions.
She read the dates and amounts without adding commentary.
The silence grew heavier with every item.
Then came the transfers.
Apartment payments.
Vehicle deposits.
Furniture.
Insurance.
Utilities.
Groceries.
Sandra lowered her head.
“These transfers originated from accounts held solely by Mrs. Mercer,” Patricia said.
She displayed the electronic authorization records.
My copied signature appeared on each transaction.
Then the network information.
Every authorization came from Greg’s office.
Not our house.
Not my workplace.
His office.
The judge leaned forward.
Greg’s attorney adjusted his glasses.
“My client acknowledges making certain transfers, but we contend there was implied marital consent.”
Patricia’s expression did not change.
“I would like to question Mr. Mercer.”
Greg took the witness seat.
Patricia approached with one thin folder.
“Did your wife know that an apartment was being rented in Sandra Cole’s name?”
“No.”
“Did she authorize you to pay that rent?”
“No.”
“Did she know her account was being used?”
“No.”
“Were you in a personal relationship with Ms. Cole during that period?”
He swallowed.
“Yes.”
“And you used money from your wife’s separately owned account to support that relationship?”
He hesitated.
The judge looked at him.
“Answer the question.”
“Yes.”
A faint murmur moved through the room.
Patricia waited for silence.
“Did Mrs. Mercer approve any of these transfers in writing?”
“No.”
“Verbally?”
“No.”
“Did you inform the bank that she had approved them?”
Greg looked toward his attorney.
The judge spoke again.
“You will answer.”
“Yes.”
Patricia closed the folder.
“No further questions.”
Greg’s attorney declined to ask any.
Sandra was called next.
She walked to the witness seat without looking at me.
“Ms. Cole,” Patricia said, “did you know where the money came from?”
Sandra gripped the edge of the chair.
“At first, Greg said they shared everything.”
“And later?”
She closed her eyes briefly.
“About three months before the trip, I learned the accounts belonged to Diana.”
“You continued accepting payments?”
“Yes.”
Greg turned toward her.
“You said we weren’t discussing that.”
The judge stopped him immediately.
“Mr. Mercer, remain silent.”
Sandra’s voice dropped.
“I asked if he planned to tell Diana. He said there would always be enough money and she would never notice.”
Greg’s face changed.
For the first time, he appeared genuinely frightened.
Patricia introduced the last group of documents.
Loan applications.
Vendor agreements.
Business contracts.
Each carried an electronic version of my signature.