“Yes,” he mumbled. “It’s the principle.”
“Is it also the principle that you are currently two point one million dollars in debt to various casinos in Atlantic City?”
“Objection!” Sterling yelled weakly. “Relevance?”
“It goes to motive, Your Honor,” I said without looking away from my father. “The plaintiffs claim I needed the money. I am establishing that they are the ones in financial desperation.”
“Overruled,” the Judge said. “Answer the question, Mr. Vance.”
My father sweated. “I… I have some debts. Everyone has debts.”
“Do you have a second mortgage on your home that is currently in default?” I asked.
“I… maybe.”
“And did Nana Rose know about this debt?”
“I don’t know.”
“She did,” I said. “Because I told her. After she received a call from a collection agency looking for you.”
I took a step closer. “Nana Rose didn’t leave the money to me because I tricked her, Dad. She left it to me to protect it from you. She knew if you got your hands on the estate, it would be gone in a month at the blackjack tables.”
