Chapter 23 - THE TRIAL BEGINS WITH EIGHT MINUTES
The prosecution played the living-room video.
No sound.
That made it worse.
Sophie entering with photograph.
Celeste approaching.
Mason watching.
Sophie backing away.
Celeste pushing her into the suitcase.
Lid.
Lock.
Movement from inside.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Mason walking past.
Celeste upstairs.
Suitcase shaking.
Four minutes.
Five.
Six.
Then me entering.
Briefcase falling.
Tool.
Lock breaking.
Sophie coming out.
The prosecutor stopped the video.
No dramatic narration needed.
A paramedic testified.
No serious physical injury.
Mild back soreness.
Red marks.
No breathing compromise.
Defense emphasized.
Correct.
Then Dr. Morris described acute stress symptoms without claiming permanent damage.
Closed spaces.
Luggage.
Nightmares.
Improvement over months.
No theatrical diagnosis.
Then the tickets.
Three passengers.
London.
No returns.
Apartment reservation.
Then the old travel-consent form.
My original signature.
Valid for canceled France trip.
Then Mason’s updated document.
Copied signature.
Created on his laptop.
Mason testified:
“I changed the dates.”
“Did Daniel authorize?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Celeste said he had verbally agreed to travel generally.”
“Did you believe Daniel approved this London departure?”
Mason paused.
“No.”
There.
Then:
“Why help?”
“She’s my sister.”
Not enough.
Then:
“And the trust?”
“I thought Daniel was using it to keep Celeste financially insecure.”
May you like
There.
He had believed her story too.
