“Objection, Your Honor. Counsel is testifying.”
Judge Harlan looked over his glasses at Eleanor.
“Ms. Harper.”
“I’m getting to it, Your Honor.”
She took one step closer to the witness stand.
“Trooper Mercer, is your badge number 41726?”
Danny hesitated.
“Yes.”
“Did you pull over a silver Honda Accord that night?”
Silence.
Danny stared at her.
Eleanor’s voice stayed even.
“Trooper Mercer.”
“No.”
Eleanor was quiet a moment.
“So if I call Ms. Putnam to this stand and she testifies that she saw a North Carolina Highway Patrol cruiser behind a silver Honda Accord with its blue lights activated that night… that wasn’t you?”
Reid was on his feet again.
“Objection, Your Honor. Hearsay. Counsel is testifying.”
Judge Harlan looked at Eleanor.
“Ms. Harper.”
Eleanor never took her eyes off Danny.
“I’m asking whether Trooper Mercer is denying he stopped Caroline Simms that night.”
Judge Harlan held her gaze a beat.
“Overruled. Answer the question, Trooper. And Ms. Harper—move it along.”
Danny said nothing.
Eleanor took one step closer.
“What kind of car did Caroline Simms drive?”
“A Honda.”
“What color?”
His throat moved.
