“Was that unusual?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
Danny shifted once in the witness chair.
“Because it was his weekend with Davie. Davie was only about a year old then, and David always stayed at my parents’ house when he had him.”
“Why?”
Danny glanced once toward the defense table.
“Because he was crazy about that little boy. But he felt better having my mom there. So they all stayed at my folks’ place.”
“And you saw him there before your shift began?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“What time?”
“A little after seven.”
“And when you left for work, he and Davie were still there?”
“Yes.”
“And after leaving your parents’ house, you reported to your patrol area?”
“Yes.”
“What area were you assigned that night?”
“Highway Seventy-Four westbound and adjoining roads.”
“Standard shift?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The courtroom door opened.
The sound was small, but Eleanor felt it anyway.
She looked up.
Deck O’Rourke had stepped inside.
He didn’t pause. Didn’t glance around. He came up the side aisle with the same hard, economical purpose that always made him look like he had no use for anybody’s wasted motion. In his hand was a folded slip of paper.
Eleanor’s stomach dropped.
He reached the defense table and bent just enough to hand it to her without fanfare.
She took it.
Across the aisle, Reid turned at the movement.
At the bench, Judge Harlan was already watching.
