10th Anniversary - James Patterson [70]
On the other hand, Yuki thought, if the judge didn’t dismiss, Yuki would have to do that high-wire act Len had talked about. Turn that abused child into a liar. The jury would hate her for it, and if they believed Caitlin’s story, Candace could walk free.
“Yuki. You want to say something?”
Yuki said, “Yes, I do, Your Honor. I certainly do. There is not a single shred of evidence to support Caitlin’s testimony, and if her story is true, why is it coming out only now?”
Phil turned toward her and said, “Let’s be logical, Yuki. There is more than enough reasonable doubt. We both know if the trial goes on, there’s an excellent chance Candace will walk.”
The judge said, “Let me make it easy for both of you. It comes down to this: Major new evidence has come in. I’ve decided to dismiss.”
If LaVan dismissed, it was all over — forever. Candace couldn’t even be tried again because it would be double jeopardy. Yuki suddenly saw an opening, a slim sliver of hope.
“I respectfully suggest that you not dismiss, Your Honor, but instead suspend the trial.”
LaVan swiveled in his chair, pulling at his lower lip. The moment lasted for so long, Yuki thought she might scream.
“Okay,” LaVan said. “I’ll suspend the trial for sixty days. During that time, the defendant is free on bail. Yuki, go back to the DA and discuss this … mess. Really look at the downside of going forward. If you want to cross-examine Caitlin Martin, I’ll go along with you.
“Otherwise, based on Caitlin’s testimony, I’m going to call a mistrial. Okay? That should work for all parties. The ball’s in your court until December tenth.”
“Okay, Your Honor,” Yuki said. “Thank you.”
“You’ve got a lot to think about.”
“I know.”
LaVan pressed down the intercom button.
“Denise, bring my calendar. And call the clerk. I want to see the jurors again.”
Chapter 95
I TRACKED YUKI DOWN and found her in her office, just where I’d seen her this morning, but she seemed smaller and paler now, like the air had been sucked out of her.
“Did you get my message?” I asked her.
“I just got out of the judge’s chambers,” she said. “I’m waiting for Red Dog to get back from lunch. How do I look?”
“You need some lipstick,” I said.
She rummaged in her handbag.
“I went to see Ellen Lafferty,” I said, and I waited for the explosion of anger that didn’t come. Yuki found a tube of lip gloss and a mirror in her purse. I ventured on.
“Ellen Lafferty said she went to see Guzman. That’s her in the picture. She admitted it. And we also matched the picture to her photo at the DMV.”
“She bleached her hair?” Yuki asked. Her hand was shaking as she applied the gloss.
“Candace Martin had a wig from when she was undergoing chemotherapy. Hey, Yuki, are you okay?”
“Go ahead,” she said. She ran a brush through her hair. Sparks crackled.
“Dennis sent Ellen disguised as Candace to meet with the hit man and set it up so his private eye took pictures of her. He was probably going to use those pictures to force his wife’s hand in the divorce — or maybe he was really going to set up a hit. We may never know. Look, I know you’re mad at me, so just say it, okay? I can take it,” I said.
Yuki said, “Caitlin Martin confessed to killing her father, and now either we take our chances with this jury or LaVan is calling a mistrial.”
“Caitlin? Caitlin said she did it?”
Len Parisi came down the hallway and stuck his large head into Yuki’s office.
“Hi, Lindsay. Yuki, I’ve got five minutes. Right now.”
“Be right there,” Yuki said.
She got to her feet and straightened her jacket. When she turned her eyes back on me, I saw that the fierce Yuki was back.
“Candace Martin killed her husband,” she said to me. “Not Ellen Lafferty. Not Caitlin Martin. I know you don’t think Candace did it, but I do, and I’m never going to have an opportunity to prove it. She’s going to get away with it.”
Was Yuki right?
Had I been chasing a flipping red herring?
I opened my mouth, but no words came out,