TATIANA: Book Three; The Trouble Sisters Saga

by Lee Taylor

  When the drunken woman muttered something about having to pee, Zane waited until she stumbled toward the ladies’ room before he rose to his feet. Grasping the edge of the table, he fought through the red haze clouding his eyes and the freight train roaring in his ears. By the time he’d crossed the tavern and motioned for the three somber men watching his advance to follow him, his emotions had solidified. What elation he felt from knowing he’d confirmed who killed Loomis gave in to a much more powerful emotion: pure unadulterated rage. A rage so fierce that it would take every ounce of control he had to ensure that his outrageous ADA would meet an end worthy of her despicable, illegal actions.

  ****

  Pinning a hard stare on the stern bailiff, Lieutenant Gunnar Sorenson raised his hand and responded firmly, “I solemnly affirm that the evidence I give will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.”

  As he sat down in the witness chair, Chloe Richards rose to her feet. Teetering toward the solemn officer in her five-inch high heels and risqué miniskirt, she was silent for a moment, then blew out an audible sigh. Painting a sympathetic smile on her face, she said, “I know this is challenging for you, Lieutenant Sorenson.”

  Gunnar frowned, shrugged, and responded carefully to her provocative insinuation. “Not at all, ADA Richards. As a law enforcement official, I’m accustomed to testifying in court.”

  “Of course you are, Lieutenant. But unless I’m mistaken, this is the first time you’ve had to testify against your boss, Sheriff Titus Trouble, and your partner, Deputy Tanya Trouble.”

  Before Gunnar could respond, Rita Davidson rose from her chair and faced the judge. “I request permission to address the court, sir. It is clear that the young ADA hasn’t had sufficient time to prepare for this trial. If she had, she would know that Sheriff Trouble and the deputy sheriff are not on trial. I request a postponement until the ADA has a chance to prepare—at least to the point that she knows who the defendant is.”

  Before the judge could respond, Chloe Richards stormed to the front of the room and replied indignantly, “Please, Judge Fisher, I insist that you rebuke the defendant’s attorney. Rita knows that I am quite aware who the defendant is—”

  Rita interrupted her. “Apparently, you do not in that you’ve indicated that the witness is required to testify against the Cochise County sheriff and his deputy—”

  “Judge, Rita Davidson knows full well that I did not mean that the sheriff and his deputy are the defendants in this case, only that the lieutenant will need to testify against them.”

  “That is precisely my point, Judge Fisher. Once again, the young ADA apparently doesn’t understand the basic elements of a trial. I repeat, Sheriff Titus Trouble and Deputy Sheriff Tanya Trouble are not on trial—”

  At the sharp rap of the judge’s gavel, Rita raised her hands and stepped back, not attempting to hide the soft smile curving her lips.

  Judge Fisher’s voice was firm. “That’s enough. As you both are aware, neither the Cochise County sheriff nor his deputy sheriff is on trial. I understand, ADA Richards, that you are attempting to make a connection between the sheriff, his deputy, and the defendant. However, you do them an injustice by insinuating something that isn’t true.” He added with a glower, “I strongly recommend that you don’t do it again.”

  Rita stepped forward. “While we are helping the ADA grasp the basic elements of a trial, will you please indicate that referring to opposing counsel by her first name is not appropriate. I request that going forward, ADA Richards address me professionally.”

  The judge rapped his gavel sharply and barked, “So ordered.”

  Nodding politely to the red-faced, clearly annoyed jurist, Rita Davidson nodded respectfully and returned to her seat, not attempting to hide the twinkle in her eyes.

  Flushed and clearly angry, Chloe stepped forward and addressed the judge. “I am well aware, Your Honor, that the sheriff and deputy are not on trial. I merely wanted to make it clear that they are related to the defendant and that the witness is likely compromised—”

  Holding up his hand, Judge Fisher said sternly, “The court is well aware of what you are trying to do, ADA Richards. Again, I recommend that you choose a different tack. As it stands, you are dangerously trying my patience.”

  Blowing out an angry sigh, Chloe visibly tried to tamp down her obvious anger. Attempting a smile that was more than strained, she said to Gunnar, “To ensure that the jury understands your relationship to the defendant . . . ”

  Gunnar said crisply, “I’m not related to the defendant.”

  “I know you are not related to her, but you do have a relationship with her father and sister.” Apparently trying a different approach, Chloe smiled at the frowning officer. “Let me ask you this, Lieutenant, how often do you have lunch with Deputy Trouble?”

  Gunnar shrugged. “Frequently.”

  “Would you say more than once a week?”

  “Yes. Deputy Trouble and I often eat lunch together. We’re partners, after all.”

  “Ah yes, so you are. For that reason, it must have been challenging for you to arrest her sister on the charge of hideously murdering her husband.”

  “I presume you mean Tatiana’s ex-husband and, yes, it was difficult.”

  “On that point, to confirm, Sheriff Titus Trouble, while not your partner, is your boss, correct?”

  “Yes, he is.”

  “I would think that would make arresting his daughter even more difficult for you.”

  Rita rose to her feet. “I ask the court to instruct the ADA that her thoughts and personal suppositions are not relevant to the case and that she ask the witness to express his opinion, not merely confirm hers.”

  “So ordered.” Judge Fisher’s sharp response underscored his annoyance.

  Chloe flushed at the rebuke, then turned to the witness and asked, “Was it difficult for you to arrest the sister and daughter of your partner and your boss and, not incidentally, the apparent current lover of my boss, our esteemed district attorney?”

  Gunnar sucked in an audible breath and then blew it out. “In answer to your question, it was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to do. Not only because of my relationship with Sheriff Trouble and Deputy Trouble, and with District Attorney Wilder, but because I’ve known the defendant most of my life and consider her a close friend . . . and a woman I admire.”

  For the first time since she took the floor, a genuine smile flooded the ADA’s face. The triumph in her reply was obvious. “Thank you, Lieutenant Sorenson. I appreciate your honest and forthright response. I’m confident the jury will take it into consideration.”

  Rita Davidson waited until Chloe sat down, then stood and walked over to the witness stand. Her stony-eyed expression confirmed the seriousness of her questions. “Lieutenant Sorenson, did Deputy Trouble interfere in any way with your investigation of Arnold Loomis’s murder and the subsequent arrest of my client, Tatiana Trouble?”

  “No, ma’am, she did not.”

  “Did Sheriff Titus Trouble interfere in any way with your investigation of Arnold Loomis’s murder and the subsequent arrest of my client, Tatiana Trouble?”

  “No, ma’am, he most certainly did not.”

  “Finally, Lieutenant Sorenson, did District Attorney Wilder interfere in any way with your investigation of Arnold Loomis’s murder and the subsequent arrest of my client, Tatiana Trouble?”

  “Absolutely not. District Attorney Wilder was fierce about not interfering in any way. Rather like Sheriff Trouble and Deputy Trouble, he was fastidious in ensuring my independence and professional authority in the investigation of Loomis’s murder and the arrest of Tatiana Trouble.”

  “Thank you, Lieutenant Sorenson. That will be all.”

  Judge Fisher nodded. “Given that neither the people nor the defense has additional questions, you may step down, Lieutenant Sorenson.”

  Chapter 31

  After Gunnar Sorenson left the stand and resumed his seat
in the gallery next to Tanya, Titus, and Zane, Chloe said in a crisp voice, “I’d now like to call Savannah Jenkins to the stand.”

  Savannah rose to her feet and stumbled slightly as she wobbled to the witness stand. It was a toss-up in Zane’s mind who looked more inappropriate: the high-heeled, mini-skirted witness, her fulsome breasts surging over her low-cut sweater or his ADA, whose outlandish outfit rivaled her star witness’s, at least in its level of courtroom impropriety. Making the comparison in his mind, Zane had a familiar moment of chagrin and wondered how in God’s name he’d spent even as little time as he had with the ADA. He mused in dismay if, in his rampant days of bedding any woman with a decent pair of legs and a fulsome décolletage, he would have stooped so low as the shaky woman taking the stand. The woman he now knew had murdered Arnold Loomis.

  Forcing himself back to the testimony, Zane was surprised when Chloe said, “Please tell the court why you believe the defendant convinced Child Protective Services to take your children away from you.”

  Savannah glared at Tatiana. “Because I stole her husband from her.”

  Before Rita could interrupt, Chloe corrected her. “You mean Tatiana Trouble’s ex-husband, don’t you?”

  “Yes, but you need to understand. Even though they were divorced, she couldn’t stand the fact that Arnie was hot for me, not for her.”

  Zane acknowledged Titus’s frown and Tanya’s scowl when Rita didn’t object. Unlike them, Zane understood the attorney’s strategy and was filled with admiration at her canny reticence.

  Chloe continued. “Tell me about your relationship with the deceased and why you think the defendant was angry enough with you that she would report you to CPS?”

  “Why? That’s easy. Because I took Arnie away from her. He loved me, not her. She thought she could get even with me if she lied to the CPS creeps. And they believed her, not me.”

  “Tell me, how did Mr. Loomis feel about his ex-wife?”

  “He despised her and . . . and he was afraid of her.”

  “Really? How do you know that?”

  “Because he told me. In fact, he even managed to get her gun after she threatened to kill him.”

  “I see. So in your opinion, Ms. Trouble was still involved with her former husband or at least wanted to be to the point that Mr. Loomis was afraid of what she would do when he refused her advances. In fact, you believe he took her gun because he was afraid she would kill him. Is that correct?”

  “Yes. That’s what he told me.”

  Chloe nodded to the court. “Thank you, Ms. Jenkins. I appreciate your testimony.”

  The ADA marched back to her seat, not hiding her satisfied smile. Zane had to believe that she was also feeling relief. It was clear that the ADA had attempted to limit her witness’s time on the stand, obviously knowing what a loose cannon Savannah was. Unfortunately for the ADA and her witness, Zane had spent over three hours with Rita Davidson late into the night the evening before. After he had relayed his conversation with the drunken woman to Titus, Ryker, and Griffin, he made a decision. Informing his cohorts that he needed to speak with Attorney Davidson, he asked them to understand why it was important that he meet with her privately. For appearances, if for no other reason, it was particularly important that Titus not be involved in the debriefing and strategy session. However, given what was clearly malpractice on the part of his ADA, Zane no longer believed that he was required to step aside from the prosecution. Indeed, it was imperative that he oversee—if from a distance—the cross- examination of the prosecution’s star witness.

  “You clearly know Ms. Tatiana Trouble, the defendant.”

  “I should. I lived in her place for months.”

  “Her place? The Sanctuary?”

  Savannah smirked. “That’s what she called it. Most of us called it prison.”

  “I see.” Rita frowned. “I’m not sure I understand. I thought that staying at the Sanctuary was voluntary. Indeed, I understand there is a long waiting list for prospective residents.”

  “Yeah, sure there is, for people who don’t know what she makes you do to stay there.”

  “Can you give me an example of Ms. Trouble’s requirements for guests at the Sanctuary?”

  “To start with, she has all these rules. Plus, she makes you do chores. She made you watch your kids and take care of other people’s kids too. She acted like it was some kind of a privilege that we keep the place looking nice when it was obvious she just wanted to make more money.”

  “Hmm. I understood that you weren’t required to pay to stay at the Sanctuary.”

  “Uh, well, we weren’t, but she was always bringing people through, bragging about the place, trying to get them to give her more money.”

  “I see. Tell me about the rules.”

  Savannah snorted. “Where do I start? There were rules for everything. What time you had to get up, what time you were supposed to be in your room. How late you could stay out. If you could even go out! And lots of other things, like when you could eat. And you had to eat the stuff they made. And, oh yeah, we had to work in the kitchen too.”

  “I see. I understand there were also strict rules about drugs and alcohol. They weren’t permitted at the Sanctuary, is that correct?”

  For the first time, Savannah looked uncertain, less brazen. She glanced over at the ADA, who was pointedly looking down at her notes. After a moment, she shrugged and said dismissively, “Yeah, Ms. Hoity-toity Trouble had rules for everything.”

  Rita nodded thoughtfully, then took several steps closer to the witness. She lowered her voice. “How old are you, Savannah?”

  Chloe jumped to her feet and addressed the judge. “Sir, would you please remind the defense attorney that my witness is not on trial, that she is here voluntarily.”

  Before the judge could answer, Rita said, “Surely the ADA understands why I am interested in Ms. Jenkins’s responses to basic questions. After all, the witness has leveled serious charges against my client. It is important that I get a better understanding of who she is and how she knows both my client and the deceased.” After the judge ruled that she could continue, Rita threw a narrow-eyed glance at Chloe. “As for her being your witness, ADA Richards, do know that if you had not called her, I would have.”

  Turning back to Savannah, Rita asked again, “How old are you, Savannah?”

  Savannah flounced in the chair. “I’m twenty-two. And what’s it to you how old I am?”

  Rita merely smiled and looked down at her notes. “And you have two children, correct?”

  “Yeah. So what?”

  Ignoring her insolence, Rita said, “Your oldest daughter, Felicia, is six, correct?”

  When Savannah frowned and shrugged in response, Rita said empathetically, “That must be hard. My goodness, you were only sixteen when she was born. And you also have a four-year-old daughter?”

  “I don’t know why it matters how old they are. And yeah, having a kid in high school wasn’t exactly easy.”

  “Do you get child support from the girls’ father?”

  “Not that it is any of your business, but neither of those rotten baby daddies ever gave me a cent. I’ve had to take care of my kids all on my own.”

  “I see. Tell me how you supported your children when you weren’t living at the Sanctuary.”

  Chloe jumped to her feet, the anger in her voice apparent as was the heat reddening her cheeks. “Your Honor, I object! The witness is not on trial here. I insist that you prevent Rita—Attorney Daniels from harassing her.”

  Judge Fisher nodded. “While I don’t believe that Attorney Davidson is harassing the witness, I tend to agree with the ADA, Ms. Davidson. These questions are close to getting out of line.”

  Rita stepped toward the bench. “Sir, if you will allow me to proceed, I am confident that I can prove that my questions are not only legitimate but essential to my client’s defense.”

  “In that case, you may continue. But be careful.”

  Rita nodded and tu
rned back to Savannah. “I was asking you how you took care of your children when you were not at the Sanctuary.” She glanced at her notes. “For example, I see that you were arrested five times in the last three years for driving under the influence, and on two of those occasions you were remanded to a drug and alcohol facility for a minimum of thirty days for each offense.”

  Before Chloe could object, Savannah said with a sneer, “It’s not as if I don’t have lots of people who are happy to help me out if some stupid cop gets on my ass!”

  “I see. You have relatives, friends, who step in when you get in trouble?”

  “Let’s just say that while my girls’ baby daddies abandoned us, it hasn’t been a problem for me to find replacements.”

  “Baby daddy replacements? Such as Arnold Loomis?”

  Before Savannah could answer, Rita moved in on her, making it clear where she was going with her questions. “You indicated that the reason Child Protective Services placed your girls in their care was because Ms. Trouble lied about you. In fact, according to the CPS files, the county brought your girls into protective custody because your oldest daughter indicated that some of your male partners were assaulting them.”

  Before Chloe could finish her sharp objections, Savannah reared up in her chair and said loudly, “That’s a lie.” Pointing at Tatiana, she railed, “She made Felicity say that! She wanted to get me in trouble because Arnie loved me, not her!” Her eyes now flashing with fury, she added, “Besides, look at me! Why would any of the men who lived with us want a stupid six-year-old when they could have me?”

  After a lengthy back and forth between Chloe and Rita, each raising objections, counter-objections, and demands, Judge Fisher ruled. “I can understand why you object to having these unsavory facts on the record, ADA Richards. However, because your primary witness has made substantial charges against the defendant, I will allow Attorney Davidson to continue.” Nodding to Rita, he said firmly, “Please proceed.”

  Knowing what was coming, Zane sucked in a deep breath. All Rita had to do now was prove that the pitiful woman was not only a drugged-out alcoholic as well as an egregiously bad mother but she was also a murderer. And complete the primary task he given her, which was to take down his despicable ADA as viciously as she deserved.