“Excuse me?” I cocked my head. “Who made you do what?”
“Mr. Roberts. He knew of my financial difficulties and told me that he could make all my problems disappear.”
“Are you referring to William Roberts, Vice President of Galactic Enterprises?” I asked.
“Yes.” She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “I’m sorry. I was in a bad financial position and needed the money. I’m so sorry.” She shook her head as tears streamed down her face.”
“One last question, Miss Maddox. Did you witness my client shoot Mr. Cavalier?”
“No.” Her head shook. “I wasn’t even at the office when it happened.”
“Your Honor,” I said. “The defense requests that the jury be excused from the courtroom.”
He studied me for a moment, looked at ADA Jacobs, and then nodded.
“Members of the jury, please step into the deliberation room.”
I walked back and placed the file I was holding on the table.
“Your Honor, at this time, the defense moves for a mistrial.”
“Objection, Your Honor!”
“This Court has just heard sworn testimony from the State’s primary eyewitness admitting she fabricated her account of Mr. Cavalier’s murder. She further admitted she was compensated to give false testimony. The State built its case based on Miss Maddox’s testimony as an eyewitness. She perjured herself on the stand, destroying any evidence the State has against my client.”
“ADA Jacobs?” The judge looked at him.
“Your Honor, what happened here today is deeply troubling. The State does not dispute that. But troubling testimony does not automatically justify a mistrial. The State’s case does not rise or fall based on one witness.”
“Your witness. The only person who claimed she saw the defendant pull the trigger and shoot Mr. Cavalier just told this courtroom that she lied and was compensated to lie. I would hope that the State will go after the perpetrator who orchestrated this setup. Based on Miss Maddox’s testimony and the other non-facts of this case, I have no choice but to declare a mistrial.” He banged his gavel. “Court is dismissed.”
A smile graced my face as I looked at Julian.
“This isn’t over, Hamilton,” ADA Jacobs said.
“Oh, but it is. How the hell do you sleep at night?”
“The same could be said about you,” he said.
“I sleep just fine. Maybe in the future, you should verify the credibility of your witnesses. But then again, I like making you look like a fool.” I grabbed my briefcase. “Julian, let’s go.”
Chapter Eighteen
Paige
I felt something inside me. A feeling I couldn’t explain. It was easier this way. It’s what I did. It was who I was.
The boat was waiting for me at the dock when I arrived.
“Paige.” Victor nodded.
“Victor.”
“How was your time in Los Angeles?” he asked.
“Eventful,” I smirked.
In the distance, as we headed toward the island, I could see Gabriel waiting for me.