Maya placed the record in front of Margaret.
“Is this your signature?”
Margaret stared at it.
Her attorney whispered something.
She did not answer.
“Mrs. Hamilton?”
“Yes.”
“And the item deposited under this inventory number matches the missing Hamilton necklace?”
Margaret’s voice was almost inaudible.
“Yes.”
Adam stared at his mother as though seeing her for the first time.
“Why?” he whispered.
Margaret did not look at him.
The judge instructed him to remain silent.
Maya continued.
“You knew the necklace was not in Ms. Mendoza’s possession.”
Margaret clenched her jaw.
“I intended to protect it.”
“By placing it in private storage?”
“Yes.”
“After accusing Ms. Mendoza of stealing it?”
Margaret’s face hardened again, desperation transforming into anger.
“She had become inappropriate.”
Clara looked up.
Maya frowned.
“In what way?”
“She had forgotten her position in that household.”
