Second Chair, A Stan Turner Mystery, Vol.4

  Chapter 18

  Hypnotic Testimony

   

  That night I took the family out to dinner at Cheddars. I figured we all needed a break from the trauma of the murder trial. I hadn't seen much of Rebekah and the kids over the past few weeks and I wanted to have a little time alone together to reassure them that everything would soon be back to normal. We checked in with the hostess and then took a seat at the bar while we waited for a table.

  "How did the trial go today?" Rebekah asked.

  "Not so well."

  The six o'clock news came on the big TV over the bar. "As a matter of fact, in just a minute or two you can see just how bad it went," I said as I pointed to the TV. "Listen."

  "This is Mike Collins with the Channel 12 Metroplex News. Good evening. In the Sarah Winters trial up in Grayson County the prosecution closed their case today with a one two punch that may send Sarah Winters straight to prison. Two unexpected prosecution witnesses may have destroyed Sarah Winter's defense to charges she murdered her baby girl. We have a report from Paul Barnes."

  "This is Paul Barnes reporting from Sherman, Texas where prosecutor, Howard Hudson, produced two surprise witnesses that apparently decimated Sarah Winter's defense built around two other possible suspects in the murder of the Winters baby. Defense attorney, Stan Turner, had hoped to cast doubt about his client's guilt by showing that Sarah Winter's two boyfriends also had motive and opportunity to have committed the murder. Unfortunately for Sarah Winters, the prosecutors at the last minute found witnesses who provided alibis for both Greg Peterson and Richard Stein," Barnes reported.

  "So is it all over for Sarah Winters?" Collins asked.

  "It may well be unless Stan Turner and his co-counsel, Harry Hertel, come up with a miracle tomorrow when the court reconvenes at 10:00 a.m. Central Standard Time," Barnes said.

  "Thank you Paul. We'll check in on you again tomorrow night. In other news—"

  "Gee honey. I’m so sorry. It looks like Sarah is about out of luck," Rebekah said.

  "It kind of looks that way, doesn't it?"

  "Maybe she actually did it. I know you did the best job you could but if she's guilty, she's guilty."

  "If she's guilty then she's one hell of an actress, let me tell you. She certainly made me believe she was innocent," I said.

  "Well, if she's such a great actress, why don't you put her on the stand maybe she'll convince the jury she's innocent," Rebekah said.

  "That's very dangerous. It's almost a cardinal rule not to let a defendant testify whether or not she's innocent or guilty."

  "What does she have to lose?"

  "Even if we put her on, she doesn't remember anything except when she's under hypnosis," I said.

  "So, have her shrink put her under hypnosis on the stand," Rebekah replied.

  I laughed. "The judge would never go for that. Hudson would have a stroke if I even mentioned that."

  "So, you don't care what Hudson thinks, do you?"

  "No, obviously not."

  "So, if the judge will let you do it, maybe you should."

  A voice came over the intercom, "Turner, party of six, your table is ready."

  "Okay, guys. Lets eat," I said.

  After dinner I went back to the office to make final preparations to put on my case the following day. Jodie was there like a trooper to help anyway she could. I briefed her on what had happened that day at trial and what I needed to do to prepare for the following day. Before we got started, she said she wanted to talk about Bobby Wiggins.

  "I've been thinking about Bobby Wiggins like you asked me to."

  "Oh, good. I’ve been too busy with Sarah to give it much thought. So what do you think?"

  "I spent a lot of time with Rob Parker helping him get his schedules filled out and filed. I didn't tell you this but he came on to me. He wanted me to go out with him."

  "You're kidding? The scumball. He’s twice your age."

  "I know," Jodie said. “I told him to forget it. But I remember him mentioning something about some cash he had stashed away. He suggested I might want to help him spend it.”

  “What?”

  “I didn’t say anything to you because I thought he was just joking. You know how men are.”

  “Yeah, well that just confirms what Bobby’s records show. The man’s a crook. Unfortunately that doesn’t solve our little mystery.”

  "Well, I've got another theory about that."

  "Boy, you’ve become quite the PI."

  "Actually I’m thinking of changing careers. This PI stuff is much more fun than typing.”

  “Don’t quit on me yet, please—not in the middle of a murder trial.”

  “I won’t. Anyway, I think the reason Marleen was so pissed off was the fact that you referred Joanna Winburn to Bobby."

  "Joanna?"

  "Yes, you know how Joanna is always coming on to you even though you’re married and have made it clear you have no interest in her?"

  "That's her business."

  "I know, and I'm sure she did the same thing with Bobby. The difference is Bobby was in his late fifties. He would be very vulnerable to someone seductive like Joanna."

  "But what would Joanna want with Bobby?"

  "Easy money. Being an exotic dancer is hard work. I'm sure she's getting tired of it. She's been doing it for, what, ten years?"

  "I guess."

  "I think she wanted a sugar daddy. She knew a couple blow jobs a week would keep him happy, and once he was hooked she could get as much money as she wanted. He'd pay, he'd have to or she'd blow the whistle on him."

  "That's an interesting theory, but we don't have any proof."

  "Why don't you go see her tonight and ask her," Jodie said. "She likes you. Use that to your advantage. It should be fun."

  I laughed. "Yeah, it could be a lot of fun but it could also be dangerous."

  "Why? You think she killed Bobby?"

  "No, it's not her I'm worried about, it's me.”

  Jodie smiled. "Get weak around a pretty face, huh?"

  "Yeah, that's always been a problem with me. I can't tell you how much grief it's caused."

  "Well, you'll just have to be strong. Stay in control. You can do it. You're a professional."

  I laughed."Okay, but what do I tell Rebekah when I show up at midnight smelling like smoke, or worse yet, perfume."

  "I'll stay here and cover for you. If she calls, I'll tell her you're on another line or something. When you leave the club go to the men’s room and make sure you’re presentable to go home."

  I shook my head. "You're something else, you know it?"

  "Well, since Rodney's gone I don't have anything more exciting to do tonight."

  "Okay, This seems a little crazy, but I guess I don’t have anything to lose. I'll call you when I leave the club."

  "Okay."

  As I drove down Northwest Highway toward the Ruby Slipper where Joanna danced, I wondered if I had lost my mind. I looked at my watch and saw that it was about 9:30 p.m. Here I was in the middle of a murder trial and I was off on what would probably turn out to be a grunion hunt. I was tempted to turn around and head home, but Jodie had certainly got me thinking. Now I was curious. Had Joanna lied to me before about her relationship to Bobby and, if so, what did it mean? Obviously, I had to find out. As I neared the club, I felt that wonderful tingling sensation that I experienced around Joanna. I couldn't believe it. I hadn't even laid eyes on her and I was already getting a hard-on.

  The parking lot of the club was packed. I drove slowly around the lot and finally found an empty space around back. It was dark except for the blinking light emanating from the big red neon slipper on the roof of the club. I got out, locked the car and went inside.

  After paying my cover charge I made my way through the crowd until I had a good view of the stage. Joanna wasn't dancing so I walked around to see if I could find her. It didn't take long. She was in the midst of giving a young executive a lap dance. I stood and wa
tched her, mesmerized.

  When she was done he put a twenty in her panties, she kissed his cheek and turned to walk away. She spotted me, smiled wryly and came on over to where I was standing.

  "Stan, you're back. You just couldn't stay away, could you?"

  "No, I guess not. I decided to take you up on that lap dance."

  She smiled. "You little devil. I thought you were the faithful husband and father."

  "All I came for was a lap dance, nothing more. I've been a little stressed out lately. You know, with the trial and everything."

  "Oh, you poor baby. Come on, let's go in the back room where we can have a little privacy. I'll make everything better."

   As she sauntered toward the back room I took a deep breath. Be strong. Be strong. In the back room there were several private booths draped in red velvet. In each room there was a padded contour chair without arms and a small lamp on an end table. Joanna told me to sit down and lay back. I obeyed. She hit a button and music began to play.

  "Is this where you brought Bobby?" I asked.

  "What?"

  "Bobby Wiggins. Did he like lap dances?"

  Joanna gave me a disappointed look. "Bobby Wiggins? Not tonight. Tonight it's just you and me."

  She began to sway her body to the slow rhythm of the music, twisting her arms over her head erotically and smiling down at me. Then she reached behind her back and popped the snap on her bra. It fell to the ground exposing her magnificent breasts. She kept her eyes locked on mine obviously enjoying the control she knew she had over me. Then she leaned over and brushed my face with her breasts. It was all I could do to keep my hands still beside me.

  When she stuck her hand down my pants, I stopped her.

  I said. "You know there isn't going to be a you and me."

  She took a deep breath and pulled her hand away. She folded her arms over her naked breasts. "Then why in the hell did you come here!?"

  "I got a belligerent phone call from Marleen. She's really pissed with me because of something I did. The only thing I can figure it could be is you. I introduced you to Bobby."

  "I told you our relationship was strictly professional."

  "I know what you said but what I want to know is the truth."

  "The truth is Bobby Wiggins is a dirty old man like every other man I've ever known. He had one thing on his mind whenever we met and it wasn't Form 1040."

  I laughed. "So did he get what was on his mind?"

  "He did, but it cost him . . . plenty."

  Jodie was right. I couldn't believe it. I got up and looked Joanna in the eye. I took a deep breath wondering where to go from here. I asked her if Marleen ever found out about them. She said she didn't think so. So now where was I, I wondered? Before I left, I called Jodie and told her what I had found out. She said she'd call Rebekah and tell her I was on the way home.

  The next morning Rebekah was cool to me. I knew she was suspicious about the previous night. I wasn't about to fill her in on what I had been doing.

  "I've got to work today, honey, I'm sorry."

  "But it's Sunday."

  "I know, but I've still got a lot to do before tomorrow. I've got a couple leads to follow-up on."

  "Damn it. I'll be so happy when this trial is over. Promise me you won't ever take a murder case again. We don't need all this stress in our lives."

  "Okay, I promise. No more murder cases. No more criminal law."

  "Good."

  When I got to the office I decided to call Detective Delacroix and suggest to him that maybe Bobby Wiggins was murdered. I figured that would make his day. He wasn't on duty so I asked the dispatcher to find him and have him call me. I told her it was urgent. Several minutes later he called.

  "So what's so urgent?" he asked.

  "I don't have any solid evidence but I’m starting to believe Bobby Wiggins was murdered."

  "What? Not a chance."

  I told him about Marleen's phone call and Joanna's admission to the affair.

  "You're grasping at straws, Mr. Turner. You're just looking for a way out of your lawsuit."

  "Maybe so, but the only way to find out is to exhume the body and do an autopsy."

  "It's too late. The body was cremated."

  "What? Shit, she had this whole thing figured out. She is one smart lady."

  "Do yourself a favor, Mr. Turner. Just concentrate on one murder at a time."

  "Oh, so you think it was a murder?"

  "No, but I'll give the file another once over, just to see if we might have missed something. Don't hold your breath."

  "Thanks, Detective. You're a good man."

  After I hung up, I called information and got the number for Paula Walsh. It was early but I had no choice but to call her immediately since time was running out.

  "Listen there was some testimony Friday in court about you and Richard Stein."

  "Really?" Paula said.

  "Yes, apparently you and he dated for a while?"

  "Right."

  "You had his child?"

  "He told you that?"

  "Well, not exactly but he didn't deny it. Is it true?"

  "Well, . . . yes."

  "I understand you put the child up for adoption?"

  "That's correct."

  "Who handled it? Was there an attorney or an adoption agency?"

  "There was an attorney. His name was Mike Simpson."

  "Did you ever go to his office?"

  "No, I met him at Richard's apartment."

  "What hospital was the baby delivered at?"

  "It wasn't a hospital. It was a doctor's office."

  "What? You delivered your baby at a doctor's office?"

  "Yes, Richard said all private adoptions were handled that way.”

  "Didn't you think that was a little strange?" I asked.

  "No, it made sense because the adoptive parents wouldn't want me trying to find them later, you know, if I changed my mind."

  "Do you know the name of the doctor or where his office is located?"

  "No, I was blindfolded."

  "What?"

  "Richard said I couldn't know who the doctor was or I might come back later and try to find out who had my baby."

  "And you went along with that?"

  "Yeah. It made sense."

  I raised my eyebrows. "What made you decide to give your child up for adoption anyway?"

  "I wanted an abortion but Richard was against it. He said that was murder and he wouldn't have any part of it."

  "Are you serious? Do you think he was sincere?"

  "I was surprised. I thought he'd go for the abortion but he explained how many women there were who couldn't have children. He said having the baby and giving it away was the decent thing to do."

  "Did you get paid anything by the adoptive parents?" I asked.

  "Oh no, all I cared about was that my baby was put in a good home."

  "Do you know Sarah Winters?"

  "No, I've seen her a couple times around campus but I don't know her."

  "Did you know about any of the other girls Richard got pregnant?"

  "There were others?" Paula asked.

  "Apparently—several others."

  "No, I don't know anything about them."

  I didn't know what to make of the conversation with Paula except that Richard Stein had obviously been lying. Whether or not the truth would help Sarah, I didn't know, but I had to search for it. It was my duty. I called Jodie at home and told her to see if she could find any of the other girls who had been knocked up by Richard. She said she'd talk to Michelle and maybe check with the student health office to see if they knew anything.

  At 10:00 the next morning the Judge took the bench. Sarah and I were sitting alone at the defense table. Snake had not yet arrived. I called his office and his secretary told me he had called in and they were instructed to tell me that he was following up on a new lead and may not make it to court today. I was flabbergasted.

  "Mr. Turner, where is your
co-counsel?"

  "I don't know Your Honor. I got a message he might not be able to make it in today."

  "Really? Is he sick?"

  "No, apparently he's following up on a new lead."

  "Well, we can't wait for him."

  "I know, Your Honor, we can go ahead and get started."

  "Very well then, you may proceed."

  Hudson sat up, crossed his legs and scanned the courtroom. Then he whispered something to Miss Westcott. I figured he was wondering what Snake was up to, just as I was. Whatever he was doing, it better be important I thought to myself as I picked up my examination outline. I wanted to run the idea of putting Sarah on the stand by Snake, but obviously that wasn't going to happen. It was the moment of decision, what was I to do? Hudson looked at me and then laughed at something Margie told him. I took a deep breath and then made my decision.

  I said, “The defense calls Dr. Norman S. Gerhardt."

  The bailiff went out into the hall and brought in Dr. Gerhardt. He took the stand and was sworn in.

  "Dr. Gerhardt. State your occupation please," I said.

  "I am a clinical psychiatrist."

  "And how are you employed?"

  "I have a clinic in Dallas. I’m also a part time professor at ASU."

  "And what is your educational background?"

  "I graduated from Duke University with a BS degree in 1965. I received a Master's Degree in Psychology from Yale University in 1967 and graduated from medical school at Tulane University in 1971."

  "Are you licensed professionally?"

  "Yes, I have a license to practice medicine issued in 1973 and I'm certified in hypno-therapy."

  "Do you belong to any professional organizations?"

  "Yes, I belong to the AMA, the TMA, the National Society of Clinical Psychologist, the Dallas Chapter of the American Psychologist Union and I'm a fellow in the American Psychological Foundation."

  "Have you published any books or papers?"

  "Yes, I've published seven books, thirty-five articles in various trade publications and I often lecture at seminars and conventions."

  "Have you had an occasion to meet Sarah Winters?"

  "Yes, she was referred to me by your office several weeks ago for evaluation and treatment."

  "How often did you meet with her?"

  "I met with her three or four times."

  "And how would you characterize her mental condition?"

  "She is a shy, but highly intelligent young woman. Unfortunately she has endured a very unstable childhood which has left her angry, depressed and slightly paranoid. She lacks confidence and has low self esteem."

  "Did you undertake any treatment of Miss Winters, Dr. Gerhardt?"

  "Yes I conducted two sessions of hypnosis to help her restore her memory of the events of December 3, 1981."

  "She has no memory of those events?"

  "She didn't before I started the hypno-therapy. But now she can remember parts of it."

  "In your opinion what caused this memory loss?"

  "Normally post traumatic amnesia is caused by a concussion to the brain or the subconscious mind intentionally repressing events that the conscious mind cannot deal with. This type of memory loss is often the only buffer between sanity and insanity."

  "How did you conduct the two hypno-therapy sessions?"

  "I placed Sarah under hypnosis and asked her to go back to the events of the night in question."

  "And what was the result of that request?"

  "She began to relate the events of that evening."

  "Your Honor, I object to Mr. Gerhardt testifying for the Defendant. If Mr. Turner wants Sarah Winters to testify he should put her on the stand."

  "Your Honor, I was going to call Miss Winters as my next witness, but what I would actually like to do is have them testify together."

  "Excuse me," Hudson said.

  "Your Honor, Dr. Gerhardt has testified that Sarah's conscious mind cannot remember what happened on the night of the death of her child. However, he has testified that her subconscious mind is fully cognizant of what happened. Therefore, what I would propose to do is have Dr. Gerhardt stay on the stand, but have Sarah Winters join him so that she might be hypnotized. Then her subconscious mind can testify as to what happened on the night in question."

  "Objection! This would be highly irregular and potentially prejudicial to the prosecution."

  “Objection sustained. Mr. Turner. We are not turning this trial into a three-ring circus.”

  “But Your Honor, I think the doctor has provided sufficient medical evidence to establish that Sarah's subconscious mind has relevant testimony in this trial.”

  Hudson shook his head. “Your Honor, there is no legal precedent—”

  “I sustained the objection, Mr. Turner,” the Judge said. “Now lets move on.”

  The judge’s ruling didn’t surprise me and I wasn’t one to intentionally disobey the Court’s ruling. But Sarah’s life was at stake. I finished up with the Doctor and when Hudson was through cross examining him, I asked for a short recess before I called Sarah to the stand. Sarah and Dr. Gerhardt joined me in the library conference room.

  “Dr. Gerhard, can you hypnotize Sarah from the gallery?”

  “Well, I suppose but the Judge—”

  “Forget the judge. This is the only way we’re going to get to the truth.”

  “But I could get in serious trouble disobeying the Court’s ruling.”

  “I know, but—”

  Sarah said. “Why don’t you hypnotize me, Mr. Turner.”

  “What? Me. But I don’t—”

  “Wait,” Dr. Gerhardt said. “What we can do is hypnotize her now and I’ll tell her to answer your questions when she is on the stand and to wake up at your command.”

  “Great. That’s perfect,” I said. “And you don’t even have to be in the courtroom.”

  After the recess I called Sarah to testify. I had told her to dress like she was going to church and she had followed my advice. She stood up and walked mechanically to the stand. She took her seat and then closed her eyes. I looked around for a reaction but apparently no one noticed anything unusual.In the back of the courtroom I thought I saw a young cameraman filming. He leaned over and looked through the view finder. I squinted to see if I could see the green light that indicated the camera was rolling but he had his hand in the way. I figured he thought this was too good an opportunity to pass up. I looked at the judge to see if he had noticed, but he was focused on me.

  "Sarah, I want you to think back to the night of December 3, 1981. Tell us what’s happening."

  Sarah opened her eyes and gazed at me thoughtfully. Hudson stiffened in his chair. He looked over at me and frowned. Then he looked at Miss Westcott. She shrugged.

  "I'm holding my baby,” she said almost in a whisper. “It's so small. I can't believe it's mine."

  "Now what are you doing?"

  "I'm bleeding. I feel so weak. I just want to lie down and go to sleep but I know I can't," Sarah moaned and then put a hand in the air and froze. "Wait. There's someone knocking at the door. I'm in so much pain I can't get up to answer it. Oh God, it hurts!"

  Hudson stood up apparently to object but nothing came out of his mouth.

  Sarah began to roll her head around and around as she moaned in pain.

  "What's happening now?" I said.

  "No . . . no!," she screamed. " What are you doing? What are you doing to my baby? Don't take it."

  "Who is it Sarah?"

  "I don't know. It’s so dark. What are you doing with that pillow?! Don't kill my baby! No. No! Stop it. I'm going to call the police."

  Hudson finally said, “Objection, Your Honor. This is—”

  "Is he talking to you Sarah?" I asked.

  "He says it's the best thing for both of us. He says he will take care of everything."

  "Who is it Sarah? Who did this?"

  "I don't know, it's dark, I don't know. . . . Don't kill it," Sarah sobbed.
"You don't have to kill it! Please. No. . . . God. . . . Please, no! Ahh!"

  The judge said, “Mr. Turner, what is this? Is she—”

  Sarah cried out and began to convulse and gasp for air.

  "Sarah, wake up. It’s okay," I said.

  Sarah didn’t respond. Her whole body started shaking. I rushed over to her and put my arms around her.

  "Your Honor, I think we should call an ambulance."

  "Bailiff, get an ambulance up here now,” the Judge said.

  Sarah began to turn a pale blue as she slumped in the witness chair. Finally, two paramedics rolled in a stretcher through the front door. Tom ran up from the audience to help. The paramedics gave her oxygen. After a few seconds her eyes opened, she squirmed around a little and then began breathing again. Tom and a crowd of reporters followed them as they took her out of the courtroom and down to a waiting ambulance. The spectators in the courtroom were out of control. Judge Brooks pounded his gavel, but it was no use. Finally, he told the bailiff to clear the courtroom. Then he dealt with me.

  “Was your client under hypnosis, Mr. Turner?”

  “Ah . . . well, I’m afraid she was.”

  “You disobeyed the direct order of this Court?”

  “I had to, Your Honor. Otherwise, the truth would never have come out.”

  Hudson said, “Your Honor, I move for a mistrial.”

  “Motion denied. . . . You know, Mr. Turner. I have a mind to send you straight to jail for contempt.”

  “I understand, Your Honor.”

  “But I’m going to wait until the trial is over to do that. But trust me, you will be spending some time behind bars to think about how you’ve made a mockery of this Court. Do you understand?!”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Now, there better not be anymore theatrics in my courtroom or I’ll bar you from ever practicing in this Court again. Do you understand?!”

  “Yes, Sir,” I said. “I understand.”

  “Now, get out of my sight.”

  Despite getting chewed out by the judge, I felt better on my drive home that afternoon. Sarah's performance had been no less than spectacular. Surely the jury would have some doubts now after hearing her pleas to the unidentified assailant to spare her baby. Surely they would recognize the voice of a caring mother, incapable of committing the heinous crime for which she had been charged. Surely she would be acquitted.

  When I walked into my house, I was immediately met by Rebekah. It was early afternoon so she was surprised to see me.

  "That was something else, in court today," she said. "Sarah did good."

  "How did you hear about that?"

  "It was on the Five O'clock News. The whole thing was on TV! I didn't think the judge was allowing the trial to be filmed."

  "It was on TV? You've got to be kidding?"

  "No, I couldn't believe it."

  "Judge Brooks is going to have a stroke. The cameras were not supposed to be on during the trial," I said.

  "I don't think the cameraman is going to much care since he's sure to get a Pulitzer Prize for that piece of work."

  "Turn on the TV, it's almost time for the Six O'clock News. I want to see it."

  Rebekah went over to the TV and turned it on.

  "What station is it on?"

  "Channel 12, it's all anyone can talk about."

  The television lit up and a commentator was talking in front of the Grayson County Courthouse."

  "I've never seen anything like this Mike, the judge denied Stan Turner’s request to have his client put under hypnosis purportedly so her subconscious mind could testify. But Turner disobeyed the Judge and put his client on the stand already hypnotized. Once Sarah Winters got on the stand, the fireworks began. She described an unidentified assailant and pleaded with him not to kill her baby. It was very convincing."

  "Paul, is there any chance Miss Winters was faking this?"

  "If she was, this may be the beginning of a new career, Mike."

  I turned off the TV and shook my head. "Well, your idea worked out pretty well."

  "Pretty well?" she said. "A stroke of genius, if you ask me."

  "I wonder what Snake thinks of all this?"

  "Where was he?"

  "That's what I'd like to know. I can’t believe he didn’t show up without even a telephone call to explain his absence."

  “Well, you did pretty well without him,” Rebekah said with a proud smile.

  “Yeah, except I’ll be going to jail once the trial is over.”

  “What? . . . Jail?”

  I explained the judge’s reaction to our little ploy.

  “Oh, Stan. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have suggested the hypnosis. It’s all my fault. Now you’re going to have to go to jail. How long do you—”

  “It’s not your fault. Don’t worry about it. I’m sure it will be just a day or two.”

  Rebekah went back in the kitchen to work on supper. She was upset, so upset she could hardly concentrate on what she was doing. I decided it was time to locate Snake. His secretary told me she hadn't heard from him all day. I wondered what was going on, how could he disappear in the middle of a murder trial? Something was wrong.

  After a half dozen phone calls without even a hint at where he might be, I called Jodie at home to see if she had any luck in finding out any more about Richard Stein and his propensity for knocking up young college girls. Jodie answered on the first ring.

  "Stan, I'm glad you called," Jodie said.

  "What did you find out?"

  "You won't believe this. I called the State Bar and they don't have an attorney named Mike Simpson currently licensed. They said, however, there used to be an attorney named Mike Simpson but he was disbarred in 1979."

  "For what?" I asked.

  "He was convicted of money laundering. He served two years at Texarkana and got out on parole last year."

  "So I wonder what he and Richard Stein were up to?"

  "I don't know but I checked birth records for the last few years and Richard Stein's name came up."

  "Really, so have you located the mother?"

  "Yes, she's going to stop by the courthouse tomorrow about 8:30 a.m. to talk to you. Her name is Bonnie Waits. She wouldn't talk to me over the phone but she said what she had to tell you would be very interesting."

  "I bet. I can hardly wait," I said. "Thanks Jodie, you did a great job."

  "I get double time for PI work right?" Jodie said.

  "Yeah, I'll send Tom a bill."

  Jodie shook her head. "Oh, thanks."

  That night, after dinner, I went to my office to work on my closing argument. I didn't know what Judge Brooks was going to do after what had happened. I assessed the odds that he would declare a mistrial at fifty-fifty. But I had to be ready for anything so I started to outline my argument. After about an hour the telephone rang. It was my inside line so I figured it was Rebekah. It wasn’t, it was Snake.

  "Nice job today. You may have hit ole Hudson with a knock out punch," he said.

  "Where in hell were you?"

  "I've been doing some last minute investigation. I think I'm on to something."

  "What is it?"

  "Our little jock. He may be the key to all this. What I need you to do is stall tomorrow, try not to close until I get there."

  "When will that be?"

  "Just as quick as I can, but I don't know exactly when. Oh, and I need you to subpoena him. I'm going to need some questions answered."

  "What do think he knows?"

  "It's complicated and I don't have time to explain it. I'll see you tomorrow."

  "Snake, wait!" I said and then the phone when dead."Damn it!"

  On Tuesday the courthouse square was a mob scene. The drama of the previous day, which had been captured on film and shown to the nation, was the number one news story. I was scared. Never in my life had I been under so much pressure and the object of so much attention. I had associated Snake as a precaution in case I got over my head. Now wh
en I should have been feeling thankful for my foresight, Snake was out chasing windmills. Sarah's life was at stake for godsakes and I had virtually no defense. Sure, Sarah had performed well the day before but without corroborating evidence her testimony was worthless. I felt sick inside, I couldn't stand the thought of losing, even if Sarah were guilty. I prayed my 8:30 meeting with Bonnie Waits would be enlightening.

  When I reached the city limits of Sherman, my single police escort was joined by three Sherman Police patrol cars. Our small caravan made its way to the town square where the police had cordoned off an area away from the press and picketers to allow access and egress for participants in the trial. I parked my car and then made my way into the building and up to the courtroom.

  I was supposed to meet Bonnie in front so I sat on a bench in the hallway. I sat back, closed my eyes and tried to relax. Then I felt the bench move from the weight of someone sitting next to me. I opened my eyes and saw the smiling face of a young redhead.

  "Mr. Turner, hi," Bonnie said.

  "Good morning," I said.

  "Tough trial, huh?"

  I nodded. "Yes, it's been a nightmare."

  "Well, maybe I can turn it around for you."

  "I'm listening."