“When did Nina tell you she was molested by her father?”
The defense objected. “Allegedly molested. My client hasn’t been convicted of a crime.”
“Sustained,” said the judge.
“I’ll rephrase the question. When did you learn there might have been an inappropriate relationship between Nina and her father?”
“Last year. I came to visit her after she lost her baby.”
“How did you take the news?”
“I thought I didn’t hear her correctly, but my daughter has never lied to me.”
“So you believed her?”
“Yes. Nina wouldn’t say something like that unless it happened. I wanted to die that day, because I did this to my daughter. I may as well have led her to his bed myself.” Daphne sniffed loudly as she tried to compose herself.
“Can you tell the court exactly what your daughter said to you on that visit?” McCloud asked softly.
“It took several days to get the whole story, but she said all those letters she sent me, describing an ideal childhood, were only partially true. She said she didn’t want me to worry so she omitted the bad stuff. She told me her father started in on her at age ten and didn’t let up until she moved to California to attend Stanford.”
Nina was uncomfortable. She wanted her mother off the stand. Conflicting emotions flittered across Daphne’s face as she strained to hold herself together and complete her testimony. Nina sent up a silent prayer on her mother’s behalf.
“Did she go into any detail? Did you ask questions?”
Her mother recounted the discussion she had with Nina in the kitchen that awful day when her mother made her favorite stew.
Daphne Lockwood broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. Between her meltdown and the nervous shuffling of papers, there was awkwardness in the air, as if no one knew what to say or do next. Nina looked at the jury. They wouldn’t meet her gaze. Her father was unfazed, scribbling notes like a maniac.
McCloud handed her mother a box of tissue to wipe her tears and blow her nose.
“I’m sorry, am I done now?” she asked him.
The defense declined to cross-examine. McCloud had no more questions.
The judge dismissed her mother from the witness stand. Nina was thankful that her mother’s ordeal was over. For now, anyway.
The next witness for the prosecution was Marc Kasai. He gave his wife a quick peck on the cheek, adjusted his tie and made his way to the stand. McCloud got the general questions out of the way first; how did Marc and Nina meet, how long they’d been married—the basics.
“How would you characterize your wife’s interactions with her family?”
“Her mother is a strong, positive influence on her. With Cassie, things were a little bit different.”
“Go on.”
“There was always an underlying tension between them, even though they got along.”
“What kind of tension?”
Marc looked at Nina nervously, as if in need of her approval. She nodded slightly, encouraging him.
“Whenever their father was mentioned, Nina would change the subject.”
“Did you ever ask her about her dad?”
“She said they had a falling out about her choice of college and he lived in another state and didn’t communicate with her.”
“Did you ever try to get her to discuss her childhood?”
“Many times. Just before our wedding, I tried to get her to open up.”
“What happened?”
“It was important to me that her dad attend our wedding, and my family wanted to meet him, too. She went berserk.”
“Did she offer an explanation?”
“She said if I ever brought that viper into our lives, I’d regret it.”
“Mr. Kasai, how did you find out your father-in-law was right here in Boston?”
Marc loosened his tie and glanced at his wife before he took a deep breath.
“I noticed suspicious phone calls and a change in my wife’s behavior, so I asked her what was going on. She said it was just work-related stress. At the time we were trying to conceive, and she was under enormous pressure. I didn’t think twice about that explanation. Later on, she and her best friend were no longer on speaking terms. I confronted Charlene and that’s when she confirmed that Phillip Copeland was my wife’s father.”
“What was your wife’s reaction when you revealed this to her?”
“She said she lied to me about the whereabouts of her father because he’s a monster who would have destroyed us had she allowed him access to our lives.”
“That’s a pretty serious statement.”
“I didn’t know what it meant until she explained her father molested her for years.”
“What was your reaction?”
“I was stunned. My heart broke for her. It took me a while to process what she was saying and what it meant.”
“Did you believe her?”
“I never doubted her for a minute. A lot of things started to make sense.”
“Such as?”
“She would change the channel whenever he was on TV.”
“Mr. Kasai, you testified that this all seems to make sense to you, but how can you be sure that what your wife told you actually happened?”
“It’s the reason we’re having trouble conceiving,” he said tersely, staring in Phillip’s direction.
“Please clarify that statement.”
“My wife is having trouble getting pregnant because her fallopian tubes are completely blocked by scar tissue. It’s from when her father gave her chlamydia when he was molesting her.”
The jurors looked at each other, confused, unsure if they heard right. Nina’s mother squeezed her hand, reflecting a misery only a mother could feel. The defense objected. The judge called for a recess.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
After a brief recess, the defense once again launched an objection.
“Your honor,” Bosch said anxiously, “I object on the grounds that this is pure speculation. There is no proof that the plaintiff’s condition has anything to do with my client, and therefore has no relevance in this case.”
“If you would allow my witness to finish his testimony,” McCloud said, you’ll see the relevance.”
“Objection overruled,” said the judge. “Don’t make me regret it, Mr. McCloud.”
“Thank you, Your Honor.”
“Mr. Kasai, that’s a rather inflammatory statement. Do you have any proof of this claim?”
“We went to see a reproductive specialist and found out about her condition, which was caused by an STD that went untreated when she was fourteen. It’s in her medical records.”
“How did she contract this STD?”
“From her father.”
Bosch was furious. “Your Honor, there is nothing in my client’s medical records to indicate he has ever been treated for chlamydia or any other STD.”
“Your Honor, the defendant is a man of significant means and influence,” McCloud said forcefully. “It’s not inconceivable he could have been treated without it being noted in his file. Furthermore, the prosecution will be happy to produce a witness who can testify to the plaintiff’s diagnosis and treatment for this particular disease.”
“The defense is not aware of such a witness, Your Honor. We reserve the right to call our own expert.”
Phillip remembered that incident. She was a freshman in high school when she came to him, complaining about a burning sensation. He thought it was some teenage girl ailment that would go away on its own. He had promised her he would go to the pharmacist, but he got busy and forgot. Next thing he knew, Constance had taken her to the doctor and he had to leave a business meeting to get to the doctor’s office. When the doctor gave the diagnosis, he was shocked. What the heck was going on behind his back? he wondered at the time. Now she couldn’t have children on her own because of it. Who the hell knew it would come to this?
The judge had had it with
the dueling attorneys. He called them to the bench for a side bar. When it was over, a subdued McCloud had no further questions for Marc. It was time for Bosch to have her turn.
“Mr. Kasai, could you describe the kind of marriage you and your wife share?”
Marc relaxed his posture. “We are very happy. We share everything. She’s my best friend.”
“You share everything, yet she didn’t tell you that her father was right here in Boston?”
“I already explained why.”
“Yes, yes you did,” Bosch said. “Mr. Kasai, isn’t it true that your wife lied to you for months, and in fact, she went to great lengths to cover up the fact that her father was back in her life?”
“Can you blame her?”
“Isn’t it true that your wife went behind your back and hired a private investigator to dig up dirt on my client and lied to you about it?”
““She was trying to—”
“Just answer the question, yes or no?”
“Yes.”
“So your wife, who you adore and with whom you share everything, made a fool out of you by deliberately deceiving you repeatedly?”
McCloud would have none of it and objected vigorously. “Your Honor, defense council is badgering the witness, who already admitted his wife lied to him.”
“Move it along, Ms. Bosch.”
“No more questions for this witness.”
Ronald Johnson, a friend of her father’s for over twenty years, took the stand next. He was one of the few of her father’s friends Nina truly liked. He was warm and caring and didn’t tolerate bullshit. McCloud’s questioning was brief, mostly focused on Johnson’s observations of the relationship between Nina and her father, and his impression of Nina.
“You mentioned that the defendant took his daughter everywhere with him. Did you notice anything odd or strange about their interaction?”
He said nothing.
“Mr. Johnson, I asked you a question,” McCloud pressed.
“No.”
“May I remind you that you’re under oath? I’ll ask you again, did you notice anything out of the ordinary about the defendant’s interaction with his daughter?”
Ronald took a deep breath and looked over at his friend at the defense table with a tinge of regret. Nina knew he wasn’t testifying willingly. The prosecution had subpoenaed him.
“We were at a barbecue at a friend’s house and I was teasing Nina about a crush she had on one of the boys at the party. She was about fifteen at the time. Her father overheard us and took her away. When I saw her about a half hour later, she looked like she had been crying.”
“Then what happened?”
“She asked me if I she could come live with me and my family because her daddy was not a nice man. I’ll never forget the look on her face,” Ronald said, shaking his head. “Those big green eyes pleading with me. It’s haunted me ever since.”
“Why is that, Mr. Johnson?”
“I had this feeling that something wasn’t right. It was the way she looked at me. I told myself I just felt sorry for her, but it wasn’t until…”
“Go on,” the DA urged.
“It wasn’t until a mutual acquaintance told me several months after the barbecue that there were rumors going around, that I started wondering if there was a connection.”
“What rumors?”
Bosch objected. “We’re here to deal in facts, not rumors and heresay.”
“Your Honor, this establishes the don’t ask, don’t tell attitude surrounding this case. Mr. Johnson has had a personal relationship with both the defendant and the plaintiff and he should be allowed to tell the court what he knows.”
“I’ll allow it, but get to the point quickly.”
“What rumors, Mr. Johnson?”
Ronald Johnson looked extremely uncomfortable. He began to sweat. He yanked a handkerchief from this jacket pocket and dabbed the sweat from his forehead. “She told me there was a rumor going around that Phillip was sleeping with his oldest daughter.” He seemed relieved after getting that out.
“What was your reaction to such a shocking claim?”
“I was angry. I told the lady that it was a disgusting thing to say. Phillip had been my friend for many years and I knew how much he loved his children.”
“Who is the woman who told you this disturbing story?”
“Charlotte Coleman.”
“Is Mrs. Coleman in the courtroom today?”
He nodded.
“Please point her out for the jury.”
Ronald did and McCloud concluded his questioning.
“Mr. Johnson, in all the time you’ve known Dr. Copeland, have you ever heard him speak ill of his daughter or say anything to indicate their relationship was rocky?” Bosch asked.
“No, not at all.”
“In fact, my client had nothing but praise for his daughter, isn’t that right?”
“Yes. Phillip bragged about both his girls, but he was always worried about Nina.”
“Why is that?”
“He said he had to protect her from inappropriate boys because she was beautiful and naïve, a dangerous combination.”
“You testified that Nina asked if she could live with you and your family, and it looked like she’d been crying. But couldn’t it be argued that most teenage girls at some point pretend to hate their parents because they can’t get their way?”
“Yes, I have three daughters, so I know.”
Bosch smiled. “Did Nina ever ask you again if she could live with you?”
“No, she didn’t.”
“So this whole incident could be chalked up to a teenage girl angry with her father over a boy. You said he was a protective father. Isn’t it possible that Dr. Copeland thought the boy she had a crush on was inappropriate or could bring harm to his ‘naïve daughter,’ to use your term?”
“Yes, it’s possible.”
After lunch, the prosecution called Charlotte Coleman to the stand. Charlotte was a short, round woman who looked like she was wearing every piece of jewelry she owned.
“Mrs. Coleman, were you and your family close to the defendant?”
“Yes, my husband and I have known Phillip for many years; he’s godfather to our son, Nathan.”
“In written testimony you stated that the defendant had a normal relationship with his daughter, but Mr. Johnson testified that you told him otherwise. Could you please explain the discrepancy?”
“At first they seemed normal, but then things got strange.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“The way he controlled her—what she wore, who her friends were… she couldn’t have a sleepover, go to the mall, wear makeup.”
“Where did you get this information?”
“My daughter, Zoe.”
“Did anything else happen that made you think things had gotten strange?”
“I ran into Constance Buckwell.”
“Constance Buckwell, the former caretaker of the defendant’s children, including Nina?”
“Yes.”
“What did Ms. Buckwell say to you?”
“She said it wasn’t right what Phillip was doing to his daughter and he needed to stop.”
“Did you ask her what she meant?”
“I did. She said he was sleeping with his own daughter and she caught him sneaking into her room at night many times.”
“No further questions for this witness.”
Bosch was anxious to start cross-examining Charlotte. “Is this the same Constance Buckwell who was dismissed by my client because she proved untrustworthy?”
“Yes.”
“So it’s fair to say that Ms. Buckwell has a history of being less than truthful?”
“I guess so.”
“Thank you,” a jubilant Bosch said as she walked back to the defense table.
* * *
IT WAS AN EXHAUSTING DAY of legal maneuvering and Nina was glad to see the inside of her bedroom. All she wanted to do wa
s to sink into the Jacuzzi and let the bubbles take her troubles away, albeit temporarily. She hit the play button on the answering machine as she undressed and stopped cold.
“Nina, this is Constance. You need to stop this foolishness and leave that man alone. You can’t prove nothing and you’re just going to look silly in front of a bunch of strangers, you stupid girl. Anyway, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Don’t say I didn’t warn you kept playing in Nina’s head over and over again. Something was odd about that message. Why would Constance call her now that the trial had started? She must have been told she was to have no contact with either side of the case, since she was a key witness; frankly, she was the key to the prosecution’s case.
Nina squashed the Jacuzzi idea and searched her purse for the piece of paper Constance had written her phone number on during their awkward encounter at Christabelle’s last year. Constance picked up on the third ring.
“Thank God you picked up,” Nina said anxiously. “What did you mean by that voice message you left me?”
“I can’t talk right now, I’m at work.”
“Don’t hang up,” Nina said sharply. She was already questioning the legality of calling Constance back, and she knew she’d lose her nerve if she had to call again. “Since the trial already started, you shouldn’t have called me. You know that. I’m not going to tell the DA because I figure whatever you have to say must be important. So out with it.”
“This trial won’t end well for you. You’re wasting your time.”
“And I’m sure you’re going to tell me why.”
“I’m your star witness. That’s what the prosecutor said.”
“You have my attention.”
“I don’t know nothing. I didn’t see nothing, didn’t hear nothing. That’s what I’m telling the court.”
“I see.”
“What happened was none of my business, anyway. You got what you deserved.”
Nina could feel her rage simmering but she had to show restraint. “You’re entitled to your feelings, even if they’re disturbing.”
“What did you expect? Always batting those big green eyes at him, Daddy can I have this, Daddy can I have that? You did whatever he asked. You were easy,” she taunted Nina.
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