Evelyn rose slowly.
She buttoned her blazer and collected three documents from our table.
“The defense is ready to begin with Mr. Brooks.”
Jamal’s smile faded.
Caldwell turned.
“Your Honor, opposing counsel already waived cross-examination.”
“I reserved it,” Evelyn said.
Judge Harrison nodded.
“She did. Recall the witness.”
Jamal returned to the stand.
His stride remained confident, but he adjusted his cuffs twice before sitting.
Evelyn approached him without carrying the sealed folder.
She held only the financial records he had submitted.
“You stated that you specialize in leveraged portfolios,” she began.
“Yes.”
“You understand the difference between an individual retail account and a corporate account?”
“Of course.”
“You also understand margin requirements, institutional underwriting, and account-classification codes?”
“That is part of my profession.”
“Excellent.”
She lifted one of his exhibits.
“You testified that Cassidy personally borrowed two hundred thousand dollars against an investment portfolio valued at fifty thousand.”
“That is correct.”
“Four times the stated portfolio value.”
Jamal leaned back.
“She was using complex instruments she did not understand.”
“Which institution approved that ratio?”
“The statement identifies Wellington Park Financial.”
“Your employer?”
“Yes.”
“And your employer routinely lends individual clients four times the value of their collateral?”
Caldwell stood.
“Objection. The witness did not say routinely.”
“Sustained,” Judge Harrison said. “Rephrase.”
Evelyn nodded.
“Would that level of borrowing be permitted under your firm’s standard retail policy?”
Jamal hesitated.
“Not under ordinary conditions.”
“What conditions would allow it?”
“Certain sophisticated accounts may qualify for expanded credit.”
“Would Cassidy qualify based on the profile you described?”
“She may have misrepresented her assets.”
“You reviewed the account, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Did you find a sophisticated-investor designation?”
He looked down at the paper.
“I do not recall.”
Evelyn handed a copy to the clerk, who carried it to him.
“Please examine the classification code at the bottom.”
Jamal took the page.
“What does it say?”
He remained silent.
Judge Harrison looked over his glasses.
“Answer.”
“CORP-7.”
“What does CORP-7 designate?” Evelyn asked.
“A corporate entity account.”
“Not an individual account?”
“No.”
“Not an ordinary account held by a help desk employee?”
“No.”
The air in the courtroom shifted.
Brittany sat forward.
My father frowned at Jamal as though he had suddenly begun speaking another language.
Evelyn walked toward the judge.
“The document Mr. Brooks submitted to prove my client personally incurred this debt identifies the borrower as a corporate entity.”
Caldwell stood again.
“That may be a clerical coding issue.”
Evelyn turned toward him.
“Then perhaps the person who presented himself as an expert should explain it.”
Judge Harrison motioned for Caldwell to sit.
“Continue.”
Evelyn returned to Jamal.
“You stated the debt belonged to Cassidy.”
“Yes.”
“Yet the account is corporate.”
“It could have been linked to a company she created.”
“What company?”
“I don’t know.”
“You conducted a comprehensive financial review without identifying the legal borrower?”
Jamal’s jaw tightened.
“I reviewed what was available.”
“Where did you obtain the account number?”
“From financial mail.”
“Whose financial mail?”
“Cassidy’s.”
“Did she give it to you?”
“No.”
“Did she authorize you to review it?”
“I was helping the family.”
“That was not my question.”
Jamal looked toward Caldwell.
“No.”
Evelyn placed another page on the document camera. The display projected it onto a monitor near the judge.
I recognized the number immediately.
It belonged to an old checking account I had used for condominium utilities during the first year I lived there. The account remained open with a small balance, but I had not actively used it in more than a year.
“When did you first see this number?” Evelyn asked.
“I don’t remember.”
“You testified that you saw final notices during a family dinner.”
“Yes.”