Page 83 of Be More Capybara

Veronica turned to her. ‘You don’t have to answer that.’

Madison looked up and glared at Nigel. ‘I want to make sure you’re telling the truth.’ She folded her arms.

‘And why wouldn’t I tell the truth?’

‘You tell me.’

Veronica spoke up again. ‘We have a lot to get through. Let’s make a start.’

Nigel sat down in the chair opposite Madison. Chris sat next to him and opened his laptop.

The court reporter looked up from her stenotype machine. 'Please raise your right hand.'

Nigel did as he was told.

'Do you swear that the testimony you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?'

'I do.'

'Please state your full name for the record.'

'Nigel Alexander Farnham.’

Veronica took over. ‘Your current address, please, Mr Farnham?’

‘Dashford Grange, Dashford, Barnstaple, EX34 5XF.’

‘And that would be in England.’

‘The UK, yes.’

‘How long have you resided there?’

‘Since New Year’s Eve 2023.’

‘31st December?’

‘That’s usually when New Year’s Eve happens.’

Chris coughed. He’d told Nigel to avoid sarcasm, but it was proving difficult.

‘And prior to that?’

‘The same address as your client. 612 East 74th Street, New York, NY 10021’

Madison was making notes on her pad - or pretending to. Surely she didn’t need to write down her own address.

Veronica moved on. ‘Let’s talk about your current employment status, Mr Farnham.’

‘I’m unemployed.’

‘When did you last draw a salary?’

‘30th November 2023.’

‘Four months ago?’

‘If you say so.’