“What do you do there?” he prods.

“Concessions.”

“And is it true that one night you witnessed Spencer Carlin,” he points to me, “and Ms. Davies at the drive in together?”

“’Dunno,” he says aloofly.

The prosecutor growls. Yes, literally growls at Vance. “It is against the law to withhold information concerning a rape case. I command you to speak at once!”

Vance chuckles, speaking to himself. “This fool thinks he’s my daddy…” Then, he looks up at the prosecutor, addressing him in a normal voice. “First of all, you can’t “command” me to do a damn thing. Second, that whole thing about withholding information isn’t true, you liar. Third, I don’t know anything about anything that went on that day. It was dark and I couldn’t see. Lastly, you need to back out of my face because your breath is so hot it’s peeling away my skin.”

The entire audience roars with laughter. Even the judge is chuckling. Avery turns beet red, fuming at Vance.

“I have a report here that says you saw them and—“

“Report re-shmort. They took it out of context. I said if they would have been down they, I would have been them one to see them. I work there every night. But I didn’t see them,” he shrugs.

“You just said you weren’t sure,” he accuses.

Vance shrugs again. “Yeah, no. I’m sure now. Definitely didn’t seem them,” he smiles. “Is that it?”

He glares and dismisses calling Madison up, but she follows suit, refusing to give the prosecutor any information he wants. The other two boys continue the trend.

“This is absurd! I’m done with you… all of you,” he snaps. “I’m done with these useless witnesses, your honor. I’m done.”

“Defense?” the judge calls.

“The defense calls Paula Carlin to the stand,” Kristal booms, anxious to get her hands on Paula.

Paula takes her time sitting before snapping, “What do you want? I already answered your questions.”

“Well, I uncovered some information yesterday that I thought might be interesting to get you to share with us. For example, I do not believe that you were as present in your daughter’s life as you make it out to be,” she says, accusation in her voice.