Chapter 24 - ALLISON AND SIENNA
Allison testified before me.
She wore gray.
No jewelry except her wedding? We had divorced. No. A simple watch.
The prosecutor asked:
“Did Celeste know the severity of Grace’s allergy?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“I personally sent the emergency plan to her twice.”
“Did she respond?”
“Yes.”
Email displayed.
Enough to keep her breathing.
Celeste’s reply:
Dramatic as always.
The defense asked:
“Mrs. Pierce, you and Celeste disliked each other?”
“Yes.”
“Strongly?”
“Yes.”
“You believed she minimized Grace’s allergy?”
“Yes.”
“Could that influence how you interpret ambiguous conduct?”
“Yes.”
Excellent answer.
Then:
“Did you personally see Celeste swap the mousse?”
“No.”
“See her instruct Mark?”
“No.”
“Therefore your belief depends on others?”
“My belief about the swap does. My knowledge that she knew the allergy was severe does not.”
Clear.
Sienna testified.
Defense attacked employment resentment.
“Mr. Rosati damaged your career?”
“Yes.”
“You blame his family?”
“I blame decisions by specific people.”
“Celeste?”
“For interfering with the dessert.”
“Emiliano?”
“For demanding I be removed before reviewing facts.”
I sat behind counsel.
No comfort.
She was right.
Then:
“Would you benefit from Celeste being convicted?”
“No.”
“Vindication?”
Sienna thought.
“Maybe emotionally.”
The defense looked pleased.
Sienna continued:
“But that doesn’t change the ticket.”
May you like
Good.
Credibility does not require pretending humans have no feelings.
