Russell confirmed his name and occupation without hesitation.
He described himself as an independent development consultant who helped property owners evaluate opportunities.
Mara asked whether he had an ownership interest in the company seeking access to the wooded lots behind my house.
Russell said he did not.
She asked whether he had any financial interest that depended on the acquisition of those lots.
He glanced toward his attorney.
His attorney reminded him to answer the question.
Russell admitted that he had a consulting agreement with the developer.
Mara asked what the agreement promised him.
Russell said the compensation depended on several project milestones.
Mara placed a copy of the agreement on the table.
The final milestone described successful acquisition of the Mercer parcel or the removal of obstacles preventing its development.
Russell studied the page as though he had never seen it before.
Mara asked what he understood the word obstacles to mean.
He said it referred to zoning and access issues.
She asked whether I was considered an obstacle.
Russell answered that I was a property owner who had declined an offer.
His lawyer objected when Mara asked whether he had tried to change my mind by making my home unsafe.
Mara rephrased the question and asked whether Russell had ever directed Karen to damage my property.
He said no.
She asked whether he had paid anyone to create a confrontation with me.
He said he had paid Owen Pike for documentary work.
Mara handed him the message in which he predicted that I would provide the drama myself.
Russell read the message and cleared his throat.
He claimed that he had been expressing a concern about neighborhood tensions.
Mara asked why a concern about neighborhood tensions required a paid camera operator.
Russell said he wanted an objective record.
She asked why he had not contacted a professional mediator instead.
Russell said he had considered several options.
His attorney requested a short break.
During the break, I stood near the window and watched water collect along the curb.
I could see Russell speaking quietly with his attorney through the glass wall.
Mara joined me and said the answers were narrower than the documents.
She warned me not to mistake an uncomfortable witness for a defeated one.
I told her that I understood.
The deposition resumed with questions about Karen’s access to Russell’s business accounts.
Russell acknowledged that his sister occasionally helped with scheduling and correspondence.
He denied that she had authority to make payments.
