CHAPTER 45
TRIAL PREP
It had been several days since Jodie had arranged her date with Rob Steakley, yet I hadn't heard a word from Paul Thayer about the result of his stakeout. Had they been able to follow Rob Steakley, and if so, what had they learned? Jodie got him on the line for me.
"Sorry, I haven't got back with you on that matter yet. You've been keeping us pretty busy."
"Well, the trial is next week. We're running out of time."
"My man in DC was able to follow Mr. Steakley. It turns out he works for Allied Security Company. It's a big outfit and they have lots of clients, including a few congressman, senators, and other important people around the DC area."
"Can he find out whom he was assigned to?"
"He's working on getting a client list and work assignment, but it's not easy being that it is a security firm."
"What about following him and finding out where he ends up?"
"Apparently he's on a new assignment now, so we don't know where he was last week."
"What about his divorce records?"
"I've looked through them. I don't think there is anything in there that will be useful."
"Send it to me anyway and call me the minute you find anything else out."
"I'll do that."
It annoyed me that Paul hadn't got me more information about our Virginia connection. I knew it must be important or Harris wouldn't have bothered to destroy the original phone bill. As I was thinking about what to do next, Jodie walked in with three notebooks.
"Here are your trial notebooks. I've organized them like I did the Sarah Winters case—trial, pleadings, evidence. They should have everything you'll need. I made another copy too, just in case."
"Good. I'll go through it tonight. It will be useful in working on my witness questions. Have you got everyone subpoenaed?"
"Yes, there is a witness list in there. If you need anyone else subpoenaed, just let me know."
I leaned back in my chair and took a deep breath. "God, I can't believe I've got to try this sucker in less than a week."
"I know. Should I get Dusty Thomas and his wife in to prep for trial."
"Yes, but wait a day or two. If they come in too early, they'll forget everything I tell them."
"What are you going to do for a second chair?"
"I don't know. I don't have time to get anyone up to speed on the case. How about you sitting with me?"
"Me? But—"
"You won't be able to say anything but you know the case as well as I do. It will be a big help having you there to keep me organized."
"Okay. That will be better than sitting around here wondering what's happening."
"Good. That's one less thing I have to worry about."
"Are you going to let Dusty testify?"
"I don't know yet. I guess it depends on how the trial is going and whether or not we are feeling desperate."
"Are you going to meet with the press prior to trial?"
"Do you think I should?"
"Yes, you need to set them straight about the CDA and your military record. I know you haven't had time to worry about it, but the press has been hammering you pretty hard."
"Put that on the list of things to talk to Paula about. I don't usually try my cases in the press but this isn't your typical murder case. It might be a good idea to set the record straight."
"So, how do you see Dusty's chances?"
"We've got a credible defense but we're a little short on evidence. It just depends on how the jury perceives it. It could go either way."
"I just hope they haven't made up their minds before the trial even starts," Jodie said.
Jodie was right. Picking a jury was going to be a big problem. I had thought about asking for a change of venue, but the case had received so much national attention I didn't think it would do much good. I started to make a list of the questions I would need to ask prospective jurors. Who had heard or read about the case? Had they formed any opinions based on the news coverage they'd heard? Did they have animosities toward Dusty because he hadn't paid his taxes? Would any of the publicity about me affect their ability to render a fair and impartial judgement? How did they feel about capital punishment?
The questions went on and on and before I knew it, I had five legal pages full of them. I needed Paula. She had so much more experience in picking juries and was so much better at reading people than I was. But I was on my own and Dusty's life depended on getting a fair and impartial jury. I prayed that would happen.