by Sims, R.
“Why couldn’t the manager send it to him?”
“Because Dexter really wanted me to meet Jenny there. It was a setup. He knew I would try to talk to her, and she was like a spy for him.”
“Spying on you?”
“Yeah. Since we were going to run a big investment scandal involving lots of money, I guess he wanted to keep tabs on me.”
“Once you’d become acquainted with Jenny, did you tell her anything that you didn’t want Dexter to know?”
Eric could not even glance at Dexter now. “I told her I was going to use him in the investment scam but keep all the money for myself.”
“And did that happen?”
“Not the way I had planned. Instead, he used me and kept all the money.”
Dexter sprang from his seat without warning. “Objection, Your Honor! Somebody obviously fabricated that story for the witness!”
Janet was shocked that Dexter would do such a non-professional thing in court. It was not consistent with his character.
Judge Garrison calmly looked at Dexter and said, “Mr. Parker, if you would like to take the stand and offer your version of the truth, you’ll have your chance later. Until then, try to remember Ms. Ingram’s role as your counsel.” Then, he looked at Janet and said, “Counsel, make sure your client understands how he is to conduct himself during trial and at all times in my courtroom.”
“Yes, Your Honor.” Janet began whispering something to Dexter as the prosecutor resumed direct examination of Eric.
Wesley said, “He used you and kept all the money from the investment scam?”
“A little more than $3.3 billion. We were best friends in prison but, really, he was just learning all about me. Studying me.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“He was learning what type of women I like, what my parents were like, the type of friends I had before coming to prison. When I first told him about my failed invention, the Herbyte unit, he began asking me a million questions about it.”
The prosecutor’s examination went on for two more hours. Janet only objected twice, and both objections were overruled. At 11:35, the court recessed for lunch.
CHAPTER 111
Janet and Dexter sat in a Mercedes in the parking lot of Morazzi’s. They shared a medium seafood pizza. Before Janet took her first bite she said, “Whatever happened to Geneva Lansing, Eric’s temp girlfriend?”
Dexter took a bite of his slice of pizza, stretching the cheese nearly eighteen inches, and said with a mouthful, “Her name is Lori Hartman. She now lives in Europe and is $25 million richer.”
Janet said nothing. She bit into her slice of pizza.
“The real reason I went to Italy was to help her set up a new life. That’s why I arrive a day ahead of you. Oh, and I also closed a deal for the yacht. It’ll stay in Carmen Wiley’s name; she’s a legitimate millionaire, but a contract gives one of my corporations full control and ownership. I can put it in another name at any time.”
As if she had been ignoring him, Janet said, “What got into you today? Why did you object like that in court this morning? That was so unlike you, so unprofessional.”
He said, “If the jurors never hear from me again, I want them to remember that objection. They should remember that Eric made all that up.”
“I don’t understand. They’ll need proof from you, not just an outburst.”
“They’ll get the necessary proof.”
“You can prove that Eric was lying?”
“Not exactly. The prosecutor is going to convince the jury that Eric is a liar. He’s going to convince the jury that everyone who takes the stand is a liar.”
Janet looked at him with disbelief. “I’m your lawyer. Is there a reason why you keep things complicated and confusing for me?”
“Yes, but it’s too complicated and confusing to explain.” He smiled then sipped at his tea.
“Okay,” Janet said. “One question. Just answer this: You’ve prepared me for an intense cross-examination of your brother, but how do we mitigate his testimony?”
“This trial is expected to last five more weeks; what makes you think my brother is more than a small fraction of the problem?”
“Obviously you know things about this case that I don’t. However, based on the statement I’ve read, I believe your brother’s testimony could be the deciding factor if the jury has doubts about everything else.” She bit into her pizza again.
“I have an idea. Disregard everything we’ve discussed about how to cross-examine my brother. I just want you to ask him two questions.”
Janet continued chewing her food. She looked at Dexter then turned away.
“What’s wrong?” he asked her.
She sipped lemonade then said, “That sounds almost incompetent. Dexter, listen, I’ve known you for only three months, but I absolutely love you. I don’t want anything to happen to you. When this is all over, I’ll love you if you run off with Dana and I never hear from you again.”
He didn’t respond.
“You have shown me how much you love me, which is worth much more than my words, so you don’t have to tell me. Having said that, you should know that I’m really scared of what your brother’s testimony may do to our case, and I actually hate your strategy for dealing with it.”
He smiled at her. “You’re a beautiful woman. How can I not love you? As for Dana, when this is all over she’s not going to want anything to do with me if her captors don’t kill me.”
“How do you know she won’t like you?”
“She’ll think I was wrong to leave her in the hands of those kidnappers for so long. She’ll always feel I should have taken steps to free her sooner. Dana loves her daughter, misses her, and will never understand or forgive me, even after I sacrifice my life for her freedom. She’ll always think I was hesitant about parting with the billions I stole.”
Janet had nothing to say.
“Whatever happens is supposed to happen. I’m a strong believer in that. Good or bad, I will get what I deserve, and that includes the consequences of my brother’s testimony. I had an affair with his wife.”
Janet said, “Baby, the only thing you deserve is me.”
“Maybe, but you deserve better.”
CHAPTER 112
Agent Laura Frey had been arrested for obstruction of justice. She’d been released on a personal recognizance bond. She would not spend the weekend in jail. Wesley would seek a formal indictment against her next week, with additional charges. He thought about that as he gathered his briefcase and laptop from the Prosecution’s table.
The courtroom was nearly empty now, but Dexter and Janet wanted to be the last ones to leave today. Janet was conducting an Internet search on her tablet while Dexter talked with 60/40.
It had been a long day for all involved. Eric had been questioned by Wesley until 4:22, leaving jurors with something to appreciate over the weekend. Cross-examination would begin Monday morning, but there would be no time for the resulting testimony to sink in.
Wesley left the courtroom and was headed down the hall with his assistant attorney and Special Agent Walters.
Dexter and his small team left the courtroom and moved in the opposite direction. When they exited the courthouse, a gaggle of reporters and news crews from various media outlets were waiting on the steps and beyond. Although news cameras were allowed in the courtroom, no interviews or questions by reporters were allowed anywhere inside the courthouse.
In the background, at least 325 supporters — mostly students — with signs began chanting and waving when they saw Dexter.
All week the reporters had shouted questions at Dexter after trial, but he had bypassed them all with no comment. Why would today be any different?
A young reporter from SunHot Lead.com said, “Mr. Parker, SunHot received a recording of Gerald Parker’s interview with a U.S. Attorney in Pennsylvania. Would you be willing to help us authenticate your brother’s voice?”
Dexter stopped
in his tracks, and this caused everyone else to stop and pay attention. The effect itself appeared to have been choreographed.
The young reporter extended his microphone toward Dexter.
Dexter said, “No such recording was included in the discovery materials turned over by the prosecution. I can’t imagine how you would have access to something like that. The recording’s a fake.”
“The recording is from an unnamed source inside the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.”
Dexter smiled at the reporter. “Give me your card. Call me desperate but I’ll play along for now. This may be one of the prosecutor’s tricks.”
***
News of the possible leaked recording had filled the airwaves by 7:20 pm. The SunHot Lead Web site had served nearly eight million visitors in search of the recording. Postings from an online executive, however, made it clear that no audio would be made public until SunHot could verify its authenticity.
Wesley, after having dinner with his wife, entered his home office and closed the door. He sat behind his desk and made a phone call. After three rings, a man answered. Wesley said, “Charles, tell me about the recording.”
CHAPTER 113
Charles Bosch, United States Attorney in Pennsylvania, had been communicating with Wesley ever since the day Gerald Parker was interviewed.
“It’s a bluff, Wesley. I recorded the interview so that I could prepare it as a statement for Gerald to sign, but I can assure you that absolutely no one had access to that recording.”
“Where is it now? And is it substantially different than the signed statement?” Wesley asked.
“I deleted it after transcribing it.”
Could Gerald have recorded the interview himself? I mean, could he have been wired or…”
“Gerald was thoroughly searched before entering my office, as is standard policy for anyone charged with or convicted of a violent felony.”
“So, you’re confident that SunHot does not have an authentic recording of your interview with Gerald?”
“I’d bet my career on it, not giving it a second thought. Have you considered motive? Who would benefit from the threat of a leaked recording?”
Wesley thought about that. Charles was still talking but Wesley was thinking about Dexter and yesterday’s meeting with him.
“…unless you can come up with a motive,” Charles said.
Wesley already knew the motive. “It’s clear to me that the defendant doesn’t want his brother on the stand. This is just a ploy to make me think twice about it.”
“Well, there’s no doubt that he’s bluffing about the recording. I’m looking at my digital recorder as we speak, and it’s always on me. Hell, I don’t even have access to the recording anymore. I erased it months ago.”
“Yeah. He’s determined to stop his brother from taking the stand against him. Sleeping with his brother’s wife will hurt him with the women on the jury, and his brother’s testimony about the Herbyte scam could be damaging to him.”
Charles said, “He may even dupe SunHot into releasing a fraudulent recording to the public, hoping the jurors will somehow learn about it, but he’ll never try to get it admitted as evidence.”
“I think you’re right.”
“I know I’m right. Let me ask you something, Wesley. Is the alleged recording supposed to have my voice on it?”
“That’s the assumption, a recording of your interview with Gerald Parker. Leaked by someone in your office.”
Charles laughed. “Whatever you do, make sure it includes putting Gerald on that stand. Don’t let Dexter control your presentation of witnesses and evidence.”
“There’s nothing Dexter can do to stop me from putting his brother on the stand,” Wesley said.
***
At Janet’s place in Santa Clarita, Dexter lay next to her in bed. He was on his back staring at the ceiling while Janet was sound asleep. Forty minutes of sex and a shower had them tired.
Suddenly, Janet turned toward him and saw that he was awake. She looked at her alarm clock — 12:10 am — then back to Dexter. “What’s wrong, baby? You know we have to catch an early flight to Atlanta.”
“I’m fine. Get some rest.”
She sat up now and could see him because the room was dimly lit by the moon. “You’re not fine. Something’s bothering you. Let’s talk about it.” She rubbed his chest then leaned over and kissed him on it.
Dexter was about to speak but hesitated when Janet moved toward his face and looked closer in his eyes. She said, “You’ve been crying. Baby, please tell me what’s wrong.”
He kept staring at the ceiling but said, “Dana’s pregnant.”
Janet was speechless. After a few seconds, she slid down beside him and rested her head on his chest. She didn’t know whether to congratulate him or offer sympathy.
Then, they heard a car pull into the driveway.
CHAPTER 114
Dexter slipped on his silk boxer shorts and a pair of sweatpants. His ears told him that the vehicle was a BMW, and he just as quickly realized that Danielle was paying him an unexpected visit. After midnight?
Danielle hurried past the black Mercedes and arrived at the front door. She saw the front room light produce a dim glow now.
Dexter opened the door before she could ring the bell. “Danielle, what happened?” If she had come at a decent hour, the question would have still been a sensible one because, although the house was leased in her name, she had agreed that she wouldn’t show up unless it was a life-and-death emergency.
“Can I come in?”
“Sure.” Dexter stepped aside. He was still shirtless but it was not an issue to him.
Danielle tried to ignore his well-sculpted chest, flat belly, and six-pack abs. He was nearly twice her age but was built better than any boyfriend she’d ever had. “Where the hell is my mom, and why can’t you get her home right now? Did you do something to her?”
“Danielle, I’ve already explained the situation to you. You think I was lying to you?” He closed the door. “Have a seat.”
“I don’t want to sit down; I want you to do whatever you have to do to get my mom home by noon. If you don’t, I’m calling the police and telling them everything you told me about her kidnapping.”
He sat in a reclining armchair and pushed back about 120° and elevated his feet. “Your mom is pregnant, Danielle. I’ve made my own demands and threats to the people who have her. I’m betting $3 billion that your mother is safe. If you do anything foolish, they will kill her. I know you’re upset, maybe even pissed off, but an act of desperation would be the worst mistake you ever make in your lifetime.”
Danielle was crying now. “Dexter, please get my mom back home! I don’t care about the car or the job; just get my mom back home and leave her alone! Please! This is all your fault!”
Dexter got up from the recliner and approached her. “Sit down and let me explain something to you.”
“No. I don’t wanna sit…”
“Danielle, sit the fuck down!” He found himself shouting louder than he had intended. The fact that her mother was pregnant by him was causing stress, and now this young girl was shouting at him as if he wanted her mother in danger.
She shrieked as fear set in. She cautiously stepped around him and sat on the sofa. Tears trickled and she was no longer brave enough to look at him.
Dexter returned to the recliner, but this time he sat on the arm of it. “I was straight up with you, Danielle. Saturday, February the sixth. That’s right. I have an excellent memory. I told you I had served ten years for killing man. I also admitted to you that I stole billions of dollars. You do remember that, don’t you?”
She wiped at her tears but did not respond.
“What the fuck did you expect? I’m an affable criminal, but that doesn’t mean everyone likes me. I stole money from 106 investors. Would you like me if I were to steal millions of dollars from you?”
No answer.
“What d
id you expect? Did you think your mom and I would get married, ride around in a bunch of BMWs, and just shit and giggle and spend money every day? No, you didn’t think that. You were old enough to know better. Somewhere in the back of your mind, you knew someone would try to kill me over $3.3 billion. You knew the cops would do everything they could to put me back in prison. You knew your mom and I would not marry and live happily ever after.”
CHAPTER 115
Danielle sniffled but still did not respond.
“But you hated Harold, so anybody would have been better for your mom than your stepfather. You didn’t properly assess the dangers you were approving for her. You were selfish for only wanting to improve your own life.”
Silence.
“This whole thing was put together to help the kids I talked about in the SunHot Seat. That was for real, Danielle. Your mom isn’t as important as millions of babies who will need the help that no one is willing to give them. I’m sorry, but she just isn’t.”
She finally got up the courage to look at him again.
“Look, I have to turn myself in to Doug Ramsey’s men in order for them to release your mom. I’ll give them what they want only when I know that your mom is free and safe. They’ll probably kill me after they get what they want, but at least you and your mom will be happy again and millions of children will have the chance that nobody was willing to give them previously.”
She sniffled again. “Why can’t you figure out how to get my mom back and keep yourself alive? You were smart enough to trick 106 rich people out of their money; I know you can trick Doug and his men.”
Dexter smiled at her. “I’ve already tricked Doug out of a billion dollars. It’s hard to trick the same person twice, but I most certainly want another shot at it.”
Danielle’s tears were running again.
Dexter stood and stepped closer to her. “Stand up.”
She stood and her face was only inches from his bare chest. “I’m sorry, Danielle.” He hugged her.