Page 110 of One of Us Is Guilty

‘The victim could have been shot in the head, stabbed in the head, or possibly even smothered to death. Isn’t that right?’

‘It’s possible, but like I said I am entitled to take into account extraneous evidence when forming my opinion.’

‘You’re referring to the jewelry box, so you think, in your professional opinion, that if the district attorney tells you they found the murder weapon you are entitled to change your entire opinion on cause of death?’

‘I am entitled to take that into account, yes.’

I was finishing up, just one more question to set up the final blow.

‘It is the district attorney’s case that Molly Green was murdered with that jewelry box, correct?’

‘Correct.’

‘The first question I asked you was if you’ve changed your opinion to suit the prosecution’s case, and you’ve just proven that this is exactly what you’ve done.’

Riley tensed, put his hands on the prosecution table, bent his elbows, ready to spring to his feet to object. The judge watched him. Waiting for him to give her a chance to knock me down again.

His lips tightened, his jaw flexed, and then he relaxed back into his chair, leaned back and covered his mouth with his hand. He didn’t know if I’d set him a trap, and the question was legit. Too risky.

Dr. Morrow looked at the judge, who stared back at him. No help there.

I didn’t mind the awkward pause. In fact, I stayed quiet. I didn’t push him. It was good to let the jury see him squirm.

‘Yes,’ he said, with some difficulty, ‘I changed my opinion.’

I looked at him for a few seconds, enjoying this moment. The jury met my eyes, and they were fully switched on now. This wasn’t an open-and-shut case.

‘Your Honor,’ I said, ‘I have no further questions at this time, but the defense may need to recall Dr. Morrow.’

She nodded curtly, and I muttered in her direction, under my breath, ‘And you owe me a grand.’

‘What was that, Mr. Flynn?’ she asked with a lot of heat in her tone. She’d probably heard me just fine.

‘Apologies, Your Honor, I was just muttering to myself. I said the prosecution’s case isn’t going to plan.’

Riley rubbed his forehead, sighed and Judge Tanner looked so embarrassed she actually hung her head, looking for the ground to swallow her up. She’d asked the question, after all, and I’d just answered it. Someone on the jury chuckled.

As I made my way back to the defense table, I had a feeling that I was making up some ground. But I knew all that work could fall apart at any moment. A successful defense is a long tightrope walk. A sudden gust of wind could be catastrophic.

That’s trial law.

Riley was about to hit back.

The wind was going to start blowing.

I just didn’t know how hard.

45

Bloch

Bloch waited.

Bloch watched.

The wind gathered speed.

The tree branches swayed. The foliage rustled.