Page 86 of Client Privilege

“The artwork appeared to have been deliberately damaged—slashed with a knife or similar sharp implement. The cat was alive but severely malnourished.”

Tears filled my eyes. Marcus had been lying all along—keeping Buster, destroying my art, all while claiming in court that I was delusional.

“Did you find anything else of note during your search?”

“Yes. In Mr. Delaney’s home office, we discovered a notebook containing what appeared to be plans for locating and confronting Mr. Lajeunesse. It included addresses of several motels, including the Parkview where the assault occurred.”

Chang approached with an evidence bag. “Is this the notebook?”

“Yes.”

“Your Honour, I’d like to enter this as Exhibit 27.”

As Chang walked the jury through the damning contents of the notebook—detailed surveillance notes about my movements, a list of potential hiding places, even the fake name I’d used at the Parkview—I watched Marcus’s composure deteriorate further. His leg bounced nervously under the table, his jaw clenched tight.

After several more witnesses, Chang stood. “Your Honour, the Crown would like to play Exhibit 32, the enhanced audio from the motel recording.”

The judge nodded, and the technician pressed play.

Marcus’s voice filled the courtroom again, but clearer this time, every word distinct: “You know what today cost me? My reputation. My standing. Do you have any idea how much it cost me to buy those jurors? Fifty thousand dollars each to make sure they’d never vote your way, no matter what evidence they saw.”

I watched the jury as they listened, their expressions hardening with each damning word. One woman glanced at Marcus with undisguised disgust.

“And it’s all your fault,” Marcus’s voice continued, the rage palpable even through the recording. “Ten jurors. Ten people who believed your lies. Too many.”

The recording continued, capturing every threat, every admission. When it finished, the courtroom was deathly silent.

Chang stood. “Your Honour, the Crown rests its case.”

Judge Collins turned to Marcus’s lawyer. “Mr. Blackwood, you may present your defence.”

Blackwood rose, looking decidedly less confident than he had at the beginning of the day. “Your Honour, in light of… recent developments, we request a brief recess to confer with our client.”

“Granted. Court will recess for thirty minutes.”

As the jury filed out, I turned to Victoria. “What’s happening?”

“They’re considering a plea deal,” she said quietly. “Blackwood knows they’re sunk. That recording, combined with the physical evidence and the bribed jurors coming forward—it’s overwhelming.”

“Will you accept a plea?”

She considered. “Depends what they offer. But we have a strong case for attempted murder, sexual assault, jury tampering, obstruction of justice, and witness intimidation. He’s looking at serious time. I’m not inclined to budge on this one, we have him dead to rights as far as I’m concerned.”

When court resumed after the recess, Marcus no longer looked diminished. Instead, there was a dangerous rigidity to his posture, his jaw clenched in defiance. Blackwood approached him, leaning down to whisper something urgently, but Marcus shook his head sharply.

“Your Honour,” Blackwood began, looking distinctly uncomfortable, “after consulting with my client—”

“I’d like to address the court,” Marcus interrupted, rising to his feet.

Blackwood’s face paled. “Mr. Delaney, I strongly advise against—”

“You’re fired,” Marcus announced loudly, turning to face his lawyer. “I’ll not be bullied into pleading guilty to crimes I haven’t committed.”

The courtroom erupted in whispers. Judge Collins gaveled for order, her expression severe.

“Mr. Delaney, this is highly irregular. Do you understand the consequences of dismissing your counsel at this stage?”

“Perfectly, Your Honour.” Marcus straightened his tie, the gesture so familiar it sent a chill down my spine. “I’ve been the victim of a coordinated campaign to destroy my reputation. I am a respected member of Toronto society, a philanthropist, a patron of the arts. I will not plead guilty to these absurd charges.”

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