He thought, suddenly and with awful clarity: She was right.
Not only about the stop. Not only about the rot in the investigation.
About the deeper thing, too.
The case they had built was standing on nothing.
Judge Harlan returned to the bench.
The court reporter adjusted her machine. The bailiff called the room back to order.
“All rise.”
Everyone stood.
When Harlan sat, the room followed.
His gaze moved over the courtroom, taking in the shaken gallery, the witness stand, the two tables, the Mercer family, the officers now stationed near every possible point of motion.
“The jury has been excused temporarily,” he said. “The record will reflect that during the testimony of Trooper Daniel Mercer, the witness made statements materially altering the factual posture of this case.”
Materially altering.
Reid almost admired the understatement.
Harlan looked to the witness stand.
“Trooper Mercer, you are excused as a witness at this time. You are to remain in the custody of law enforcement pending further proceedings.”
Danny lifted his head slowly, wrecked.
He did not speak.
Burke stepped closer. Luke moved in on the other side, quiet and ready.
At the defense table, David made a low sound and looked away.
Harlan turned to Harper.
“Ms. Harper.”
She rose carefully, her expression composed again by force.
“Your Honor, in light of the sworn testimony given by Trooper Mercer, the defense moves for immediate dismissal of all charges against David Mercer, with prejudice. The State’s theory has collapsed in open court. The witness has admitted under oath that he, not the defendant, caused Caroline Simms’s death and concealed his contact with her on the night in question. There is no legal or factual basis to continue holding Mr. Mercer under indictment.”
Her voice was level.
But Reid could hear the steel under it now.
Harlan turned to the prosecution table.
“Mr. Calloway?”
Reid stood.
“The State does not oppose the motion, Your Honor.”
Silence fell again.
