Trial Courtship. Laura Abbot

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СКАЧАТЬ The prosecution will present evidence of motive and opportunity. In addition, we will furnish testimony that places the accused at the scene of the crime and links him to the murder weapon.

      “Undoubtedly the defense will attempt to prey upon your sympathies, citing the age and lack of criminal record of the accused. However, none of that matters now to Mr. Bartelli. It is he, his widow and children whom you must hold foremost.

      “After we present our case, I am confident that the bulk and nature of the evidence will remove any question of reasonable doubt and lead you to the only possible verdict—guilty as charged. Thank you.” He paused, making eye contact with several jurors, then returned to his seat.

      When the defense attorney rose, Tony watched Andrea flip to a new page in her notebook, then sit with her pencil poised.

      Dressed in a tailored navy suit, the petite flftyish brunette, using different words, also thanked the jurors before launching into her argument. “The prosecutor would have you believe this trial is a mere formality, that their evidence is so overwhelming you will have little, if anything, to deliberate. They will try to convince you my client is a troublemaker with a history of behavioral problems, instead of the bright, responsible young man he is.

      “They have told you my client had motive, opportunity and a weapon. They—” she glanced skeptically at the prosecutors “—would have you believe it’s all over but the shouting.

      “Now, ladies and gentlemen, if you permit them to plant such an image in your minds from the very outset of this trial, you will have done Darvin Ray and the judicial process a grave disservice.”

      She moved closer to the railing of the jury box. Tony liked her natural-looking, makeup-free face, the power of conviction burning in her eyes. He made a mental note. She wasn’t the defendant; the kid, with clasped hands and bowed head, was.

      “The defense will prove that Darvin Ray is not a criminal, that, in fact, he is himself a victim. We will show that the defendant was maliciously used by another person and framed for the unfortunate murder of Angelo Bartelli.

      “Look at him—” she gestured with her arm toward the defendant, then waited while the jurors studied the frightened teen. “How in God’s name can we incarcerate a young man whose future lies before him for a crime he did not plan and, most assuredly, did not commit?”

      She turned back to the jury, her hands folded in front of her. “In good conscience, we cannot. It is my job to convince you that in accusing my client of this crime, a terrible injustice has been done. It is my job to provide the evidence you need to acquit Darvin Ray and give him back his future. A job I take very seriously.” She stood for a moment, then uttered a quiet “Thank you.”

      Tony was used to the rhetoric of persuasion, and this lady was pretty dam good. But she’d have to be able to do more than talk.

      The state called its first witness, the homicide detective in charge of the case. He gave details about the police’s notification, the securing of the crime scene, the names and positions of other officials who were there and verified the identity of the deceased.

      At four-forty, the judge, after listening to Ms. Lamb stipulate some facts regarding the investigation, adjourned the court until nine o’clock the following morning.

      Tony leaped to his feet and buttonholed the bailiff, who, after what seemed an inordinately long time, returned his laptop and cellular phone with an admonition to leave them at home from now on.

      Hurrying out of the courtroom, Tony dialed the office on his cellular, reaching Barry Fuller after a few moments. He stopped in the corridor, leaned against the wall and reeled off a list of documents he wanted Barry to gather for them to look over tonight. After disconnecting, he lurched upright and strode toward the elevator, passing the pay phone where Andrea was engrossed in a conversation. Just as he stepped into the elevator, he heard “Hold it, please,” and spotted Andrea running toward him, her arms full of books. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her. She looked as good from the front as she did from the rear.

      She turned a dazzling smile on him. “Thanks.” The car started its descent. “Wasn’t today fascinating?” She seemed to have as much energy now as she’d had at lunch.

      “I don’t know that I’d go that far,” he murmured dryly.

      “I have to pay close attention to catch everything, but the process, I mean—it’s interesting.”

      “Interesting...and time-consuming.”

      “But,” her lips quirked coyly, “important.”

      “Important,” he agreed, while in his head he could almost hear the band playing “Yankee Doodle Dandy.”

      

      BACK AT THE OFFICE, while he looked over the papers in his In box and waited for Fuller, Tony checked his answering machine. Routine stuff, until he heard the whiskey-rough voice of his father. “Hey, big shot, it’s your old man. I need to talk with you. Soon. Spend your nickel.” Tony frowned in irritation. Rarely did a call from his father signal good news. Better just get the conversation over with. Reluctantly, he dialed the number. The phone rang five times before his father picked up. “Yeah?”

      “It’s Tony.”

      “’Bout time. I called this morning. Where ya been?”

      “Jury duty.”

      “That’s my kid. Always the model citizen, huh?”

      Tony felt the familiar tightening in his chest. Would the world end if the man gave him a compliment?

      His father continued. “What kinda case?”

      “Murder.”

      “Ooh, nothing but the best for my important son.”

      “What do you want, Pops?”

      “Can’t a father just chat with his son? Enjoy an...exchange of information?”

      “Such as?”

      “How’s that fancy job of yours comin’ along?”

      “Fine.”

      “That’s it?”

      “What else should I say?”

      “Aw, the hell with it.” He paused and Tony could hear him sipping and swallowing. “Your cousin Denny won the plant bowling tournament.”

      “Tell him congratulations for me.”

      “You got Thanksgiving plans?”

      Here it comes. The invitation to hole up in that double-wide and watch parades and ball games while dear old Dad gets wasted. As a kid, Tony had dreaded holidays. No family gathered for a loving, bountiful feast. No laughter. No hugs. Just his father’s descent into the bottle. Despite the help Tony had offered through the years, some things never changed. “I’m working.”

      “Big shot can’t even take a day off?”

      His father knew all about “sick” days. “Let’s get to it, Pops. What exactly is the purpose of СКАЧАТЬ