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Foley asks his next question. “Do you know where that call was made from?”
“Yes,” I say. “The call was made from Charles Castille’s work number in his office.”
There are audible gasps across the gallery. Blaine looks almost gleeful, trying not to squirm in his seat.
Foley is now reading the question directly from his note. “Are you saying that you believe that Charles Castille was behind the attack on the courthouse?”
“No,” I say. I pause to watch Blaine’s face. His smirk freezes in place. “The phone call was made from Castille’s line, but he wasn’t in his office at the time of the call. Blaine Roycroft was in Castille’s office, waiting to meet with him at the exact time the call was made. It was Blaine Roycroft who set up the attack.”
Discussion breaks out across the gallery. Judge Korbel bangs his gavel attempting to bring the court back to order.
I continue, speaking louder, before anyone can stop me. “The only question I still have is whether Blaine Roycroft acted on his own or whether he collaborated with someone else.”
“No further questions, your honor!” Foley yells. He quickly walks back to his chair and sits down, trying to absolve himself of the turn this trial has taken.
“Order! Order!” Judge Korbel yells as he bangs his gavel. The gallery finally quiets.
“Your honor,” Mateo stands at his table. Judge Korbel looks astounded. “I would like to call my next witness. The defense would like to recall Blaine Roycroft to the stand.”
26
MATEO
Klein has done it.She’s given me an alibi. I’m tempted to let the judge end this case, to get my freedom back, and finally be be able to talk to Klein freely again.
But I think about Elio and Tony. It’s possible that what Klein revealed is enough to get Blaine arrested. But I won’t get to be a part of that. This might be the only chance I’ll get to make sure he pays for what he did in public.
Klein steps down from the witness box and returns to her seat in the gallery. She passes Roycroft as he walks up to take the stand. He eyes her like he wants to wrap his hands around her throat. I’m ready for him to make any move toward her. I’ll lunge on him and tear him apart right here if he so much as lifts a hand in her direction.
He keeps walking. He takes the stand for the second time today.
“Mr. Roycroft,” I say getting up from the table to question him. “Did you make the call from Charles Castille’s office the day before the attack on the courthouse?”
He’s plastered on a straight face. He leans forward toward the microphone. “I respectfully invoke my rights under the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and decline to answer your question.”
Even though I knew he wouldn’t answer, my fists still clench at his response.
“Who did you hire to attack the courthouse?” I ask.
He doesn’t answer, not even to plead the 5th. He turns his head toward Joseph Foley.
“Uhh,” Foley sounds like he’s almost checked out of the trial. “Objection, your honor. This is still speculation…”
“Sustained,” Judge Korbel nods.
I change my question.
“Did you hire the men to attack the courthouse?”
“I respectfully invoke my rights under the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and decline to answer your question.”
“Was it part of the plan for you get shot? Or was it just a convenient accident?” I ask.
“I respectfully invoke my rights under the Fifth Amendment of the U.S…”
I don’t bother waiting for him to finish his response.
“Were you instructing your men to hold the men they kidnapped? The men who were awaiting their fair trial?”
