Chapter 128 First Trial Begins
CAITLYN'S POV
The morning of the trial I woke up feeling sick. My stomach was in knots. I could barely eat breakfast. Jason tried to get me to eat something but I could not.
"You need energy," he said. "It is going to be a long day."
"I cannot," I said. "I will throw up."
"Then just drink some water," Jason said. "Stay hydrated at least."
I drank water and got dressed. Put on the suit Jason and I had picked out together. Navy blue. Professional. Conservative. DA Walsh said it was important to look credible. Trustworthy.
Sarah arrived at seven thirty as she promised. She took Emma from me and I kissed my daughter's forehead.
"I love you baby girl," I whispered. "Mommy will be back soon. I promise."
Emma just looked at me with her big eyes. She had no idea I was leaving. No idea why I looked so scared.
"She is going to be fine," Sarah said. "Go. Do what you need to do. I have got her."
"Thank you," I said.
Jason and I drove to the courthouse in silence. I kept twisting my wedding ring around my finger. A nervous habit I had developed. Jason reached over and took my hand.
"You are going to be okay," he said. "I am right here with you."
"I know," I said. "I am just so nervous."
"That is normal," Jason said. "Anyone would be nervous."
We pulled up to the courthouse and there were news cameras everywhere. Reporters shouting questions. People holding signs. It was chaos.
"Oh god," I said. "I did not know there would be this many people."
"Just keep your head down," Jason said. "Do not answer any questions. Just walk straight to the entrance."
Detective Rourke was waiting at the entrance. He saw us and came over.
"Ready?" he asked.
"As ready as I will ever be," I said.
"Security is tight," Rourke said. "Everyone coming in is being screened. There are officers everywhere. You are safe."
"Okay," I said.
We walked through security and into the courthouse. It was huge. Marble floors. High ceilings. People everywhere. Lawyers. Court staff. Witnesses. All rushing around.
Rourke led us to a small waiting room. "You will stay here until they call you to testify," he said. "DA Walsh will come get you when it is time."
"When will that be?" I asked.
"Probably this afternoon," Rourke said. "They are doing opening statements this morning. Then they will start calling witnesses."
"This afternoon," I said. "Okay."
Rourke left and it was just Jason and me. We sat on the small couch and waited. Jason held my hand. Neither of us spoke. There was nothing left to say.
After what felt like forever DA Walsh knocked on the door and came in.
"They are ready for you," she said. "Are you ready?"
"Yes," I said. Even though I was not ready. Would never be ready.
"Remember everything we talked about," DA Walsh said. "Stay calm. Tell the truth. Look at the jury when you answer. You are going to do great."
"Okay," I said.
Jason squeezed my hand. "I will be right there," he said. "Front row. You will see me."
"Okay," I said.
I followed DA Walsh down the hallway. Through a set of doors. Into the courtroom.
It was packed. Every seat is filled. People standing in the back. The jury box on the left. The judge at the front. And the defendants. Collin's lieutenants. Five of them are sitting at the defense table in suits. In handcuffs.
I looked at them. Really looked at them. These were the men who had helped Collin. Who had known what he was doing? Who had enabled his abuse?
Viktor was there too. Not as a defendant but as a witness. He looked at me and nodded. A small acknowledgment. He had helped us. Had testified already. Had told the truth.
I found Jason in the front row. He smiled at me. Gave me a small nod. I could do this. I had to do this.
"All rise," someone said.
The judge came in and everyone stood. Then sat back down. The judge looked at me.
"Is the prosecution ready to call their next witness?" the judge asked.
"Yes your honor," DA Walsh said. "The prosecution calls Caitlyn Cross to the stand."
Cross. My married name. Not Harper anymore. I was Caitlyn Cross now. Jason's wife. Emma's mother. A survivor.
I walked to the witness stand. A court officer held out a Bible.
"Place your left hand on the Bible and raise your right hand," he said.
I did.
"Do you swear to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God?" he asked.
"I do," I said. My voice was shaking.
"Please be seated," the judge said.
I sat down. Looked at the courtroom. All the people are watching me. The defendants are glaring at me. Jason is smiling at me.
I could do this. For Emma. For myself. For justice.
"State your name for the record please," DA Walsh said.
"Caitlyn Rose Cross," I said.
"And you were previously married to Collin Hayes?" DA Walsh asked.
"Yes," I said.
"Can you tell the jury how you met Mr. Hayes?"
And just like that it began. The questions. The testimony. The reliving of every terrible moment.
But I stayed strong. I told the truth. And I did not look away.
DA Walsh walked me through the timeline of my relationship with Collin. I told the jury about meeting him. About the courtship. About thinking he was a legitimate businessman. About the wedding.
"When did Mr. Hayes's behavior change?" DA Walsh asked.
"After we got married," I said. "Almost immediately. He became controlling. Wanted to know where I was all the time. Who was I talking to? What I was doing."
"Can you give the jury a specific example?" DA Walsh asked.
"One time I went to lunch with an old friend from college," I said. "When I got home Collin was furious. He accused me of cheating on him. Of lying to him. He grabbed my phone and went through all my messages."
"What happened next?" DA Walsh asked.
"He threw my phone against the wall," I said. "Smashed it. Then he told me I was not allowed to see that friend anymore. Not allowed to talk to her."
"Did you obey his order?" DA Walsh asked.
"Yes," I said. "I was scared of what would happen if I did not."
"Did his controlling behavior escalate?" DA Walsh asked.
"Yes," I said. "It got worse and worse. He started tracking my car. Checking the mileage. Questioning me about every trip I made. I felt like I was in prison."
"Did Mr. Hayes ever physically hurt you?" DA Walsh asked.
"Yes," I said. My voice was quieter now. "Many times."
"Can you describe the first time?" DA Walsh asked.
I told them about the first time he hit me. About the accusations. About him apologizing after. About believing it would not happen again. But it did happen again. Over and over
ver.
I told them about the bruises I had to hide. About the lies I had to tell. About feeling trapped. About having nowhere to go. No one to turn to.