Redress of Grievances

by Brenda Adcock

  "I'm sorry," Harriett whispered, her voice catching.

  "It's too soon, Harriett," Jess said.

  "I..I'm going back to my place in the morning. I need some time alone to think," Harriett said, not meeting Jess's eyes.

  "About us?" Jess frowned.

  "And other things."

  Chapter Forty-Six

  "YOUR HONOR, THE people call Dr. Donald Stevenson to the stand," Lassiter announced as he rose from his chair at the prosecution table the following Monday morning.

  Harriett turned in her chair and watched as the bailiff escorted a tall dapper looking man in his late sixties to the witness stand. She had read the transcripts of a number of trials in which Stevenson had been called as an expert witness for the prosecution. After his interview with Sharon, his conclusion that she suffered from no mental defect had come as no surprise. Nick hadn't been successful in finding a chink in Stevenson's armor, leaving her left with the hope that he would say something she could attack in her cross-examination.

  "This guy's a fuckin' asshole," Sharon whispered as she leaned closer to Harriett. It only took a quick glance for Harriett to realize that Jan had been the voice in her ear.

  "But a credible asshole," Harriett whispered back with a smile.

  Lassiter led Stevenson through a serious of questions that easily established him as an expert in psychiatry. She listened intently to his testimony, throwing in a few objections mostly intended to interrupt Lassiter's flow of questioning. Occasionally, she had to pinch herself to stay awake and noticed that the psychiatrist's sonorous monotone was lulling the jurors to sleep as well. Lassiter was halfway through his direct questioning of the witness when Nick slid into the chair on Sharon's left and pushed a folder across the table toward Harriett. She looked at him and received a broad smile in return.

  Trying to keep half of her attention on what Stevenson was saying, she quickly flipped through the pages inside the folder and leaned forward to grin at Nick, mouthing a thank you. Leaning back in her chair again, she waited for Lassiter to conclude his questions. Stevenson testified, to no one's amazement, that Sharon showed no evidence of mental illness and that nothing in her background supported her claim of multiple personalities. He gave her credit for being an accomplished actress, even mentioning that she had won an award in college as the lead actress in the play The Three Faces of Eve. It was his belief that she was using that experience to perpetrate a fraud in her own defense. By the time Lassiter completed his questioning and passed Stevenson to Harriett for cross-examination, she was prepared to dispose of him as quickly as possible.

  "You have very impressive credentials, Dr. Stevenson," Harriett observed.

  "Thank you, Ms. Markham," Stevenson replied with a smile.

  "When you took your examinations for licensure were there any requirements pertaining to your personal history?"

  "I'm not sure what you mean."

  "Well, in order for me to be licensed as an attorney in this, or any other state, I have to show that I had never been convicted of a felony offense. Do either the American Medical Association or the American Psychiatric Association have similar stipulations before they grant a medical license?"

  "Of course."

  "Has Donald Stevenson always been your legal name, sir?"

  "Objection, relevance, your Honor," Lassiter said.

  Rising from her seat, Harriett responded, "You Honor, the defense would like to enter the police record of Donald Stefanofski into evidence for the purposes of impeaching this witness as an expert."

  "Side bar, your Honor," Lassiter said.

  Motioning both attorneys to the bench, Landers covered the microphone in front of him and leaned forward. "What is all this, Harriett?"

  "I have evidence that the witness changed his name and that prior to that he was indicted and convicted of a felony offense which would negate the prosecution's claim that he is an expert. He should never have been granted a license to practice and without said license he has been practicing psychiatry illegally."

  "That's crap and you know it! Your Honor, the prosecution would never offer up testimony from such a witness," Lassiter protested.

  "Maybe you should have done your homework better," Harriett snapped. "If I found it you should have as well."

  "Dr. Stevenson has testified in dozens of trials."

  "Maybe those should be revisited as well."

  "Enough," Landers said as he looked over the paperwork Harriett had given him. Looking at Harriett, an eyebrow slightly raised, he said, "He was nineteen years old when this happened, Harriett."

  "It still doesn't absolve him of the lie. He served eighteen months and changed his name immediately after his release in a deliberate attempt to hide his involvement in a crime," Harriett said.

  "What crime?!" Lassiter demanded.

  "The paperwork says sexual assault, counselor," Landers said, handing the papers to Lassiter.

  "This is teenage sex, for Christ's sake," Lassiter said. "It happened nearly fifty years ago. It in no way abrogates the validity of his testimony."

  "It does if he has been practicing without a valid license," Harriett said. "And if the license is invalid then his testimony should bear no more weight than my gardener's."

  Looking back at Lassiter, Landers shrugged. "She's right, Mr. Lassiter." Turning his eyes back toward Harriett, he frowned, "Step back, counselors."

  Lassiter and Harriett returned to their respective seats as Landers addressed the court. "You may step down, Dr. Stevenson." Waiting as the confused witness left the witness stand and was escorted from the courtroom, Landers smiled at the jurors.

  "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury. Dr. Stevenson has been disqualified as an expert witness. Anything he testified to as an expert will be stricken from the record and you are instructed to disregard it. Mr. Lassiter, do you have another expert you would like to call as a witness?"

  Rising, Lassiter said, "No, your Honor. The people were relying on the testimony of Dr. Stevenson."

  "Objection to the use of the title of doctor regarding the previous witness," Harriett said as a formality. "It unduly lends credence to his testimony regardless of your Honor's admonition to the jury."

  "So noted," Landers nodded.

  Harriett knew using the information Nick had found was a cheap trick, but it was the best she had to counter Stevenson's testimony. In all likelihood, he wouldn't lose his license considering the length of time since his felony conviction, and she knew Landers didn't like having stunts pulled in his courtroom. She would have to face those consequences when and if they arose.

  HARRIETT HADN'T HEARD from Jess since she and Lacey had moved back to the townhouse. She had slept off and on, alone in her own bed for the first time in nearly two weeks. It felt strange to roll over and not feel the warmth of Jess's body next to her. She wished Jess would call...just to hear her voice. She missed the laughter they had shared, the small touches, and the passion Jess had rekindled inside her. The bailiff's booming voice brought her back to the present.

  "All rise! The court is back in session. The Honorable Howard Landers presiding."

  "Be seated," Landers intoned as he adjusted his robe. "Mr. Lassiter, are you prepared to call your next witness?"

  "The people call Louise Harmon," Lassiter said.

  Glancing at the witness list in front of her, Harriett stood immediately. "Objection! This individual is not on the witness list, and the defense hasn't had an opportunity to prepare its cross-examination."

  Harriett felt Sharon's hand grab her arm. "You can't let her testify," she whispered. For the first time Harriett thought she saw fear in Sharon's eyes.

  "Ms. Harmon was only brought to the people's attention late last night, your Honor. The prosecution is willing to grant the defense sufficient time to consult with her client regarding the testimony of this witness," Lassiter offered.

  "Ms. Markham," Landers said. "I'll grant you a one hour recess to confer with your client."

 
"Thank you, your Honor," Harriett said, glancing down at Sharon.

  Harriett and Nick watched as Sharon paced back and forth in front of them.

  "Please sit down, Sharon," Harriett finally said.

  Shaking her head as she continued to pace, Sharon said, "You can't let her testify."

  "Why? What does she know that can hurt your case?"

  "She knows I did it."

  "We already know Jan did it, Sharon."

  Raising an eyebrow, Sharon smiled slightly. "No, counselor. Lou knows I did it," she said stabbing her chest with her index finger. "How the fuck did they find her anyway?" she said almost to herself as she resumed pacing. Glaring at Harriett, Sharon walked to the table and, placing her hands flat, leaned closer to Harriett. "Have you breached our attorney-client privilege?"

  "That's absurd," Harriett said. "If we knew Ms. Harmon was your friend, surely others did as well. If the woman knows about Jan, there's nothing she can say that will hurt your case. In fact, it could help."

  Turning her gaze to Nick, Sharon asked, "Could I have a moment alone with Ms. Markham, please?"

  "Of course," Nick nodded as he stood. Placing a hand on Harriett's shoulder, he said softly, "I'll let you know when they're ready to reconvene."

  As she watched her client, virtually seeing her mind working furiously, Harriett gave Nick a nod and settled back in the hard wooden chair. Obviously, Sharon was struggling with whatever it was she needed to say, but Harriett decided to let her client make the first move.

  "What do you know about Lou Harmon?" Sharon asked a few moments later.

  "Just what you and my investigator have told me. She is or was your best friend, your daughter's godmother, and a reporter for a Dallas newspaper. What else do I need to know?"

  Staring out the small window of the conference room, Sharon didn't turn to face Harriett as she spoke. "Lou is my best friend. I love her very much. I just didn't love her well enough, but I can't believe she would betray me."

  "Do you have any idea what she will say under direct questioning?"

  "The truth," Sharon shrugged. "It's not in her nature to lie, unlike most people I know."

  "What is the truth?"

  "I killed those people. I, Sharon Collins Taggart, did those things. I planned to do them, and I carried out my plan. I didn't plan for it to be so many." Finally turning toward her attorney, her lips hinted at a smile. "It became...I don't know...addictive. I wanted someone to suffer besides me, I suppose. For just those few seconds, I held all the cards. I was in control of something."

  "And Jan?"

  "Ah, yes. Well, Jan wasn't as strong as she thought she was after all. I had to kill her, too."

  "Did she ever really exist?"

  "When I needed her to. I don't need her any more now."

  "What can I do to help you, Sharon?"

  "Probably nothing. But I'm going to finally get the one thing I've always wanted. Perhaps the only thing I've ever wanted."

  As Harriett looked at her, the unasked question in her eyes, Sharon smiled contentedly. "Peace," she said so softly that Harriett could barely make out the word.

  Harriett sat quietly as Sharon returned her attention to the world outside the window. She didn't know any more about Louise Harmon than she did before, but she knew much more about Sharon Taggart. Or at least she thought she did. When Nick tapped at the conference room door a few minutes later, Harriett escorted her client back into the courtroom. She was still her defense attorney.

  Shortly afterward, Harriett settled in her chair and watched as Louise Harmon stepped into the witness box and swore to tell the truth. As Lou adjusted her body in the witness chair, seeking a comfortable position, Sean Lassiter rose from his chair.

  "Your Honor, this witness is here as a reluctant witness and was escorted to court by an officer from the Dallas Police Department to ensure her presence. I ask permission to treat her as a potentially hostile witness."

  "Granted," Landers said, glancing at the witness. He had never seen so many hostile witnesses in one trial in all his years on the bench.

  "Ms. Harmon, you are a friend of the defendant's, are you not?"

  "Yes."

  "How long have you known Sharon Taggart?"

  "Since before she was Sharon Taggart."

  "Since before her marriage?"

  "Yes."

  "How old was she when you met her for the first time?"

  "Mid-twenties."

  Harriett rested her head on her hand and stared down at her legal pad, suppressing a grin. Lou Harmon was planning to say nothing more than she had to as her way of protesting being forced to testify. Although she couldn't remember for sure, she seemed to remember from Wayne's preliminary report that Lou Harmon was about her own age, forty-five. Her hair was short and casual, as was her attire for court. She appeared to be relaxed, which Harriett took as a positive sign.

  "How did you meet Mrs. Taggart?" Lassiter continued.

  "She was a summer intern for the Dallas newspaper where I am employed. I oversaw her internship."

  "So you were her boss?"

  "More or less."

  Lassiter picked up a folder from the prosecution table and opened it, looking at the contents for a moment before proceeding. "Are you familiar with a manuscript entitled An Accidental Death?"

  "Relevance, your Honor?" Harriett asked.

  "To establish intent, your Honor."

  "Of what? The intent to read a book?" A smattering of laughter followed Harriett's retort.

  "If it pleases the court, the people request that this partial manuscript, the beginning of a novel written by Ms. Harmon, be marked as People's Exhibit Number Nineteen at this time. The relevance will become clear."

  "Objection overruled," Landers said as he motioned Lassiter forward. "I mark it People's Exhibit Nineteen," Landers said before handing the folder back to the prosecutor.

  "Did you write this manuscript, Ms. Harmon?"

  "Yes."

  "Have you submitted it for publication?"

  "It was never completed, so the answer would be no," Lou chafed at the direction of the questioning.

  "Have you allowed other people to read what you have written thus far?"

  "Yes."

  "And was one of those people the defendant, Sharon Taggart?"

  "Possibly," Lou answered as her eyes darted toward the defense table. Harriett felt a little sorry for Lou Harmon.

  Changing his tactic slightly, Lassiter continued. "How long have you and Mrs. Taggart been friends?"

  "Objection," Harriett interrupted. "Asked and answered."

  "Sustained."

  "Isn't it true, Ms. Harmon, that you and the defendant are more than just close friends? In fact, weren't you once lovers?"

  Lou's eyes shifted to where Sharon was sitting before she answered. Out of the corner of her eye Harriett saw her client nod almost imperceptibly.

  "Yes," Lou responded calmly.

  "And was it during the time that you and she were lovers that you began writing An Accidental Death?"

  "It might have been. I don't remember the date I started the piece."

  "Did you ever discuss the premise of this story with Mrs. Taggart?" Lassiter asked as he held out the folder for the jury to see.

  "We might have. It was a long time ago," Lou said.

  "Did you ever discuss ways to commit a perfect murder with Mrs. Taggart?"

  "I might have."

  "When the killings on the freeways in Dallas began, didn't you think it was a little strange that they mirrored what you had written?"

  "Those were reported as accidents, Mr. Lassiter, and there is nothing strange or unusual about traffic accidents on the Dallas freeways."

  "You know," Lassiter said, shaking his head slowly, "I've read this partial manuscript, and it is amazing how similar it is to both the freeway killings and the actions of the defendant."

  "Objection," Harriett said. "Is there a question somewhere in that book review?"

&n
bsp; "Sustained. Move along, Mr. Lassiter," Landers instructed.

  "What is the name of the main character in your manuscript, Ms. Harmon?"

  "Janet Rutherford."

  "And as is common practice, she is usually called by a shortened version of Janet, isn't she?"

  "Yes."

  "And what would that be?"

  Frowning slightly, Lou once again looked at Sharon, as if asking forgiveness in advance. "Jan," she finally answered in defeat.

  For the next half hour, Lassiter had Lou read portions of the manuscript he had marked aloud to the jury. No one could have missed the similarities with the case. When Lassiter completed his questions, he turned to Judge Landers. "Your Honor, the prosecution requests that People's Exhibit Number Nineteen be admitted into evidence."

  "So ordered," Landers intoned.

  "The prosecution has no further questions for this witness, your Honor."

  As Lassiter turned the witness over to Harriett, she wasn't sure there was anything she could do to rehabilitate the succinct testimony. As she cleared her throat to ask her first question, Sharon leaned closer and whispered, "Don't hurt her. I've already done that."

  Patting Sharon's hand, Harriett turned back toward the witness. "Ms. Harmon, how did you feel when Mrs. Taggart told you she was getting married?"

  "I was hurt, but I understood why Sharon did it," Lou answered, the hurt apparent in her eyes. She clearly still loved Sharon.

  "Did my client confide anything about her childhood to you?"

  Seeming to brighten somewhat, Lou leaned forward as she answered. "She told me she had been abused as a child by her brother. It was difficult for her to talk about."

  "Do you know Mrs. Taggart's parents and her husband?"

  "Unfortunately, I do."

  "Why unfortunately?"

  "I got along fine with Mr. Collins, but Sharon's mother is a real piece of work. There was no way in hell anyone could have lived up to her standards. I knew I couldn't and didn't even try, but Sharon...," she paused. "Sharon lived in fear all the time that she would disappoint Clarissa. Nothing she seemed to do was ever good enough for that bi...biddy."