Reid stilled.
She was not on the defense witness list.
Whatever stunt O’Rourke had just pulled, Reid intended to object the second Harper tried to spring a last-minute surprise witness on this courtroom.
Eleanor had not looked at either of them since she came back in.
She is going to call that woman, Reid thought. He could feel it in his bones.
Which meant whatever they had told her, she already knew exactly what she intended to do with it.
Terrific.
Some late-breaking witness. Some “forgotten” lead rediscovered in the middle of trial.
He was already halfway to his feet in his mind, objection ready.
Judge Harlan nodded once.
“Proceed, Ms. Harper. And Trooper Mercer, you are still under oath.”
Eleanor looked back at Danny.
“Trooper Mercer, before the recess, we were discussing your patrol assignment on the night Caroline Simms disappeared.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“You testified that you were patrolling Highway Seventy-Four westbound and adjoining roads.”
“That’s right.”
“During that shift, did you make any traffic stops?”
“Yes.”
“What did you stop?”
“A red Ford Mustang. Speeding.”
“Any other vehicle?”
“No, ma’am.”
“No other vehicle at all?”
“As far as I recall, no.”
Eleanor let the silence stretch.
“Do you know a woman named Valerie Putnam?”
Danny frowned.
“No, ma’am.”
“Nurse Valerie Putnam. She worked nights at Jackson County Memorial Hospital. She drove Highway Seventy-Four home every night.”
Reid was already on his feet.
