Judge Harrison: Speak clearly, Maya. Why was this woman trying to target me tonight?
Maya: Because tomorrow morning, you were scheduled to sign the final ruling on the late Arthur Sterling's fifty-million-dollar estate.
Evelyn: Shut your mouth, Maya! You don't know anything about my husband's estate!
Judge Harrison: Let her speak, Evelyn, or I will have you gagged right now!
Maya: Mr. Arthur Sterling left his entire trust fund and this mansion to his real biological daughter. But Evelyn forged his final will three weeks ago while he was sick in the hospital.
Evelyn: That will was verified by my private attorney! It is completely legal!
Maya: Your attorney is currently being investigated for bribery by the state bar association!
Judge Harrison: How do you know all of this, young woman?
Maya: Because I worked as Mr. Sterling's personal healthcare aide during his final months. He told me everything before he passed away.
Evelyn: She's a thief! She was fired for stealing silver spoons from the kitchen!
Maya: I wasn't fired! You threatened to throw me in prison if I didn't sign a non-disclosure agreement!
Judge Harrison: Is this true, Evelyn?
Evelyn: No! She is making up wild stories to cover up her own negligence!
Maya: Judge Harrison, three hours ago, I went into the pantry to get extra linens for the dinner party. I heard Evelyn speaking on her cell phone with her son, Richard.
Judge Harrison: What did she say?
Maya: She said that if Judge Harrison survived until tomorrow, he would order a forensic DNA test on the estate signatures. She said he had to be stopped before he reached the courthouse.
Evelyn: That is a complete fabrication! I was in my dressing room all afternoon!
Maya: Then check the security cameras in the hallway outside the pantry!
Evelyn: The cameras are off! They were turned off for private maintenance!
Judge Harrison: How conveniently timed, Evelyn.
Evelyn: Judge, please listen to reason! Why would I risk my life and my reputation to poison a federal judge at my own charity gala?
Judge Harrison: Because desperation makes foolish people do monstrous things.
Maya: She thought if you were rushed to the emergency room tonight with a sudden heart failure, the trial would be delayed for six months, giving her time to transfer the offshore accounts to Panama.
Judge Harrison: A heart failure? What was inside that syringe?
Maya: Concentrated potassium chloride. A dose high enough to cause immediate cardiac arrest without leaving an obvious mark on the skin.
Evelyn: You... you couldn't possibly know that unless you brought it here yourself!
Maya: I know it because I found the glass vial in your private trash can when I swept your office this afternoon!
The entire dining room burst into furious murmurs as guests looked at Evelyn in absolute horror. Evelyn's son, Richard, suddenly pushed his way through the crowd, his face pale and sweating.
Richard: Mother, what did you do?
Evelyn: Richard, stay out of this! I did everything for you and your inheritance!
Richard: Did you put that needle under the chair?
Evelyn: I said be quiet!
Judge Harrison: The truth is coming out, Evelyn. And you won't be able to buy your way out of this one.