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“Very nice, Mrs. Smith.” The District Attorney turned from her and walked toward the jury box. “Tell me ma’am, how long were you married to the deceased?”
“Three years.”
“And was yours a happy marriage?”
“Objection. The state of the witness’s marriage is irrelevant,” Jesse said.
The judge regarded him with raised brows. “Mr. Cochran, Mrs. Smith is the State’s witness, not the defense.”
“Hostile witness, Your Honor.”
The District Attorney moved to stand in front of the Judge. “Your Honor, the State’s case against Mr. Henderson stems from our belief that he killed Mr. Smith in order to free Mrs. Smith from an unhappy marriage.”
“Overruled. Proceed.”
“I repeat, was yours a happy marriage?”
“No,” she whispered.
Mr. Spencer leaned in. “Please repeat your answer, Mrs. Smith. I don’t think your voice carried to the jury.”
She raised her head and looked the jury members in the eye. “No.”
“Last spring you were absent from Galveston for several months. Can you tell the court where you were?”
“Guthrie, Oklahoma.”
“Really? Visiting family, I presume?”
“No.”
He waited as if he expected her to continue. She looked over at Jesse who gave her a slight nod.
Only answer yes or no. The words he’d told her earlier ran through her mind. She looked back at Mr. Spencer.
“Were you visiting friends?”
“No.”
“How odd for a married woman to travel so far from home with no particular destination in mind.” He stared at her, and the knots in her stomach tightened.
“Objection, Your Honor. There is no question here.”
“Sustained. Ask a question, Mr. Spencer.”
“What was the purpose of your trip to Guthrie?”
“I took a job at the Harvey House.”
“A job? And can you explain to the court what the Harvey House is?”
She started to relax a bit. All eyes were still riveted on her, but she no longer feared the district attorney. If anything, she loathed
the man. He was sneaky, and spittle spewed from his mouth every time he talked.
“The Harvey House is a chain of restaurants at train depots across the country.”
“Mrs. Smith, it turns out I am somewhat familiar with the Harvey House chain.” He returned to his table and picked up a piece of paper. “According to this ad in the Houston Chronicle, dated September ninth, nineteen hundred and seven, the Harvey House seeks to hire young single women to work at their restaurants.”
