Caleb brushed Graves aside and turned to the judge. “No, Your Honor. No additional grounds.”
“Then, Sheriff, you may answer the question.”
“Based on my review of the evidence and my personal observations, I do not believe Eliza Faraday killed Clay Griffin. I find the eyewitness statements to be inconclusive at best, more likely fraudulent. And based on my personal bias, I think Chief Graves has strung together theory and conjecture and looped it around the most convenient target.”
“No more questions, Your Honor.”
“Sheriff, you’re dismissed.”
Luke stepped down from the witness stand, hand in the pocket of his jacket. As he passed the defense table, he slid a folded sheet under a folder on the desk. Kell lifted her startled gaze, but he took no notice. Neither did Caleb, who’d been accosted by Graves, the older man purple with outrage.
“Mr. Matthews.” Impatience shimmered in the judge’s words. “Any more witnesses?”
Caleb jerked his elbow free of Graves’s anxious clasp. “I call Harold Francis Reed to the stand.”
While Doc strolled up the aisle to the witness stand, Kell unfolded the sheet of paper. The faxed heading read Hallden Police Department. In the center of the page, the words Arrest Log leapt out at her, with the date of Clay’s murder typed below. Further down, four columns lined the page, headed by the words Name, Charge, Time of Arrest, Arresting Officer. Puzzled, she skimmed the names. At 12:47 A.M. her eyes widened in astonishment.
After being sworn in, Caleb led Doc through the events at the Center. He bragged about Clay’s prowess with women, how Nina had been sniffing after him for weeks. Kell laid a restraining hand on Eliza when he suggested that rather than an attack, she’d interrupted a planned tryst.
Clearly offended by his star witness, Caleb hurried through the testimony. Doc repeated his claims about visiting Clay and seeing Eliza rush out at one A.M., knife in hand. He introduced the notarized statements given to Chief Graves and released Doc to Kell’s interrogation.
Standing behind the defense table, she began, “Mr. Reed, it is your assertion that you personally witnessed my client leaving Mr. Griffin’s motel, is it not?”
“Listen, bitch, I’ve already said this three times.”
Judge Majors whipped her head around and bit out, “You will watch your mouth in my courtroom, or you will find yourself spending several nights in a cell.”
A smart-assed comment rose in his throat, but he caught Graves’s malevolent look and subsided. “Fine. But she shouldn’t be asking the same stupid questions.”
“Indulge me.” Kell crossed the floor, fax in hand. “I simply want to be certain about your story.”
“It ain’t a story,” he corrected loudly. “I’m telling you what I saw.”
“At one A.M.”
“Are you deaf? Yeah, at one A.M.”
“Mr. Reed, are you capable of astral projection?”
“Ass-what?” Doc’s eyes bulged and he twisted to face the judge. “You gonna let her talk to me like that?”
Judge Majors smothered a laugh and shot Kell a stern look. “Please rephrase.”
“I apologize, Your Honor.” Kell tapped her nails on the witness stand. “Are you capable of being in two places at once?”
“Like a clone? Naw.”
“Then can you explain to the court how you managed to be on the street outside the Palace Motel at one A.M. while you were being booked into the Hallden City Jail at 12:47 A.M. on the charge of public drunkenness?”
Murmurs rolled through the crowd. Kell ignored them, continuing, “I have in my possession a copy of the intake log for the Hallden City Jail on the night Clay Griffin was murdered.”
“Objection.” Caleb rose to face the judge. “The log hasn’t been authenticated and is therefore hearsay.”
“What about it, Ms. Jameson?” Judge Majors inquired.
“Your Honor, I am not offering this log as evidence for the truth of the matter asserted. The log is presented simply to impeach the witness.”
Judge Majors nodded. “Objection overruled. You may proceed.”
Kell turned to Doc, who squirmed deeper into his seat. “According to the log, you were in the process of being strip searched, I believe, at the time you swear you saw my client leaving the building.”
“I didn’t—I don’t…” Doc stumbled over his excuse, trying to catch Graves’s attention. The liar told him that the record of his arrest had been destroyed, and that if he cooperated, Graves would make sure he didn’t have to worry about being arrested. Now Graves just sat there, pretending not to know him. He’d put a stop to that. “Chief Graves told me what to say. He made me write it down over and over again, made me practice.”
Kell shifted to block Doc’s view of the chief. “When did he ask you to lie to the court?”
“On Saturday, after Mrs. Faraday got out of jail. He came by my house and promised me he’d make the charges disappear if I just swore out the statement he gave me.”
A chorus of boos began in the rear of the courtroom, rolling over Kell like a benediction.
“That’s a goddamned lie,” Graves thundered from his seat. “The punk is lying.”
“Sit down, Chief Graves!” barked the judge, her equanimity ruffled by the outbursts in her typically serene courtroom. “If I don’t hear absolute silence in the next five seconds, I will clear this courtroom.”
Silence rushed in, and Kell waited for the judge’s next words. “Young man, do you realize that you have committed perjury in my court?”
Doc hunkered down, eyes downcast. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Which time? When you swore you saw Eliza Faraday or when you accused Chief Graves of falsifying statements and suborning perjury?”
Perplexed, Doc answered awkwardly, “The first one. The one about Mrs. Faraday.”
Judge Majors turned to Kell. “Any further questions for this witness before he is taken into custody?”
“One, Your Honor.” She watched Doc for pregnant seconds, then asked, “Did Clay Griffin attack Nina Moore?”
“Yeah. He had me distract Tony by getting him to take me home, then he caught Nina out by the gazebo. Told me he wanted to get a taste of whatever she was giving Tony. Tony figured something was up and drove us back. If Mrs. Faraday hadn’t come, he probably would have raped her for sure.”
“I’m done with this witness, Your Honor.”
“Bailiff, please take the witness into custody.” She shot a fulminating glare at a wheezing Graves. “I advise you to remain seated for the duration of this hearing, Chief Graves.”
Kell returned to the defense table, and stood, waiting for recognition by the court. The judge nodded. “Based on the evidence presented by the prosecution, I move that this court find no probable cause to hold my client on the charge of second-degree murder. They have failed to establish that she is the sole owner of the type of knife in question or that she had ever been seen in the vicinity of the victim’s apartment. Her threat against Mr. Griffin occurred when he posed imminent harm to her ward, and she did not take any physical action against him.”
“Mr. Matthews?”
Caleb gained his feet, his posture ramrod straight. “Based on the testimony currently before this court and the evidence in the possession of the State, we do not have adequate evidence to proceed with the charges at this time.”
“I appreciate the candor of the State, Mr. Matthews. The court hereby dismisses the charges against Eliza Faraday. Mrs. Faraday, you are free to go.”
Eliza embraced Kell, tears streaming. Friends and well-wishers swarmed them, including several former residents of the Center. Kell struggled to see above their heads, to find Luke. In the rear of the courtroom, Luke stood stiffly and pushed through the doors, never looking back. She gathered her papers quickly and helped guide Eliza out of the courtroom and into an empty conference room.
Finally alone, Eliza grabbed her hands, bringing them to her cheek. “Kell, I don’t how to
thank you. You saved my life.”
“No, I didn’t,” Kell demurred. “But if I did, I’m glad I could return the favor.” Her throat closed and tears pressed against her eyes. “I never thanked you, Mrs. F, for saving me. For helping me become a woman you could be proud of. I hope I’ve made you proud.”
The hands holding Kell’s tightened. “Every day, honey. My goodness, don’t you know that I’m proud of you every day?”
“Even after what, after what happened?” Kell sniffed. “After Clay hurt you because of me?” Freeing one hand, she knuckled away tears that streamed down her cheeks. “You weren’t supposed to get hurt, I swear. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”
Eliza dropped Kell’s hand to catch her chin in a firm grip. “I know that, Kell. Don’t you think I know that? Children make mistakes, baby. Even one of my daughters.”
“Daughter?”
“Of course you’re my daughter. I grew you as much as she did, and then I got to watch you grow yourself. I couldn’t be prouder, Kell. Not ever. Come here.” Eliza wrapped her eldest daughter in her arms and held her while she wept.
At the prosecution’s table, Chief Graves raged at Caleb, who methodically packed his briefcase, ignoring the invective showered over him. “How the hell did you lose this case?” Graves shrieked, his already flushed face growing ruddier by the second.
“The only reason I’m not having the bailiff place you under arrest,” Caleb snarled, “is that I want to give Sheriff Calder the pleasure. I strongly advise you to go home and put your affairs in order.”
Fury morphed into horror. “I can’t go home,” he shrilled. “Arrest me. Right now.” He clutched at Caleb’s arm, his eyes wide with a terror that dilated the pupils to saucers. “For the love of God, Matthews, place me under arrest.”
Caleb scowled at him, confused by the alarm. “What are you afraid of, Chief? Doc is already in custody. No one is going to attack you on his behalf.”
“You don’t understand. They’ll be angry about this. I failed, and I got caught. They don’t forgive mistakes.”
“Chief, if you are truly frightened, I can have you placed in protective custody. The sheriff’s deputies can escort you to your residence.”
Graves sagged against the table, horror giving way to resignation. “Won’t help. They’ve gotten inside already.”
“Who has?”
“Stark.” Graves stood up, ran unsteady fingers through gray hair damp with perspiration. “This isn’t over.” Before Caleb could react, he pushed through the crowd and out into the corridor.
Kell and Eliza stood surrounded by media and townsfolk, but she saw Graves emerge. He beckoned to her with frenzied motions. Elation demanded good sportsmanship, and she wove through the knots of people to join him.
“Yes?”
Graves huffed mightily, his breath a wheeze of stuttered air. “Don’t stay here. They know you’re back.”
The polite smile faded. “What are you talking about?”
“Stark. This.” He snatched at her wrist, prying her fingers open. Kell wrestled to free herself, but the thick fingers clamped tight. Smacking her palm, he forced her to make a fist and shoved her aside. “They know about you and the others. Be careful.”
It happened so quickly, she barely registered the act. One second, he charged to the exit, forcing his way outside. In the next, a shot rang through the courthouse. Screams filled the corridor, and Kell watched as Graves raced across the macadam. Another shot shattered the window of a car nearby, but Graves managed to peel away. No shots followed.
Caleb, who’d been steps behind in the courtroom, ran out, but Luke reached her first. Hands gripped Kell’s shoulders, turning her into Luke’s embrace. “Kell, come with me. It’s not safe here.”
“They shot at him.”
“The police are already looking for the gunmen,” Caleb said. “Get her in a room.”
“Kell, come on.” Without waiting, Luke pushed her toward the room she and Eliza had vacated earlier. He kicked the door shut and settled onto a chair, cradling her shuddering form.
In the safety of the room, he ran his hands across her body, searching for wounds. “Were you hurt, love? Kell, talk to me.”
“I’m fine. Fine.” Then she opened her palm. “Luke, look.”
“What is it?” Luke spoke to her, his voice an eerie echo. He gently lifted her hand. A gold band lay in the center, with an onyx stone.
And a triangle intersecting a circle.
CHAPTER 30
“He was afraid for me, Luke. He gave me this and warned me that they knew I was back.”
“They? Who was he talking about?” Luke knelt beside her, chafed hands gone cold as ice. “What did he say to you?”
She shook her head, as every nightmare chased away for sixteen years returned with a vengeance. “That they knew about me and Findley and Julia,” she replied, her head bowing in defeat. Against her palm, the ring bit deep into skin. “He called them Stark. Said they weren’t finished.”
“Finished with what?” Luke captured her chin and forced her eyes to meet to his. Discarding comfort, he chose the harsh reality she favored. “Talk to me, Kell. Don’t be a coward.”
“They know who I am. What I did.” She opened her hand, the ring in the center. Surging from the chair, she muttered, “I have to go.”
“No more running, damn you.” Luke pressed her back down, determinedly. He plucked the ring from her fist and dropped the circlet into his pocket. She followed the movement of his hands, fixated on the threat it represented. “Look at me,” he instructed softly.
After a moment, she managed to do as he asked and focused. “It’s too much, Luke.”
“You don’t have to tell me what’s going on.” He pressed his forehead to hers wearily, his hands unsteady on her shoulders. “But please, Kell, for once, let me help you.”
A shudder vibrated through her. Too many years of holding in the truth. But now, more than ever, she had to remember Fin and Julia. Her next steps would determine their futures. Again. “Listen to me,” she begged in a voice thin with fatigue and grief. “I will tell you everything, but not yet. Not now.”
Knowing that trust had to stretch both ways, he kissed her forehead tenderly. “What can I do?”
“My friends, my sisters, Findley Borders, and Julia Warner. They’re in danger. I need you to bring them here, where you can protect them.” She gripped his lapels suddenly, demandingly. “Only you, Luke. You can’t tell anyone else. It’s not safe.”
“Okay, I’ll get them. I’ll protect them.”
“And Eliza. She’s still in danger. I’m not sure how it all fits together, but it does.”
Questions gathered like a storm, but Luke held off. He’d promised her time, and he’d deliver. “Anything else?”
Kell shook her head once. The door behind them opened and Caleb entered, with a visibly shaken Eliza in tow. He shut the door firmly on the reporter that tried to squeeze her way inside. Without preamble, he confirmed, “They didn’t find the gunman. Graves also got away.”
Luke stood, Kell’s hand still in his. Eliza joined them, brushing at her damp brow. She asked briskly, “Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine,” Kell responded, voice steadier. She could see the panic beneath the stalwart expression, felt warmed by the gruff care. Like Luke, Eliza knew better than to coddle. Kell welcomed the lack of sentiment and assured her, “I wasn’t hurt.”
Luke took the opportunity to grill Caleb. “Did anyone see the shooter?”
“No. Shot came from outside. It looks like they were waiting for him.” Caleb gestured to Kell. “Other than Ms. Jameson, no one seems to have noticed anything out of the ordinary before it happened.”
Before Caleb could pursue his line of questions with Kell, Luke challenged, “You know what this means, don’t you? About the Griffin case.”
Caleb didn’t mince words. “Mrs. Faraday didn’t kill Clay Griffin. Yeah, I know.” He thought of his last moments with t
he police chief, the bizarre request. Hopefully, someone in this room would have some answers. “Graves was frenetic in the courtroom, too eager to have her convicted. When the judge dismissed the case, he all but confessed that some plan had fallen apart. He begged me to arrest him.”
Luke smiled, a feral turn of his mouth. “It would have been my pleasure.”
“Did he tell you why he was afraid?” Kell asked quietly. If Graves had been frightened enough, he may have allowed a clue to slip. Some indication of what or who Stark was. She insisted, “Did he say anything at all about who might be after him?”
Caleb grimaced. “I brushed him off, damn it. He told me that Stark would get him. I didn’t ask who or what Stark was. Hell, I dismissed it and him. But I am listening now.” He focused on Kell. “Do you know Stark?”
Kell didn’t blink. “No. I don’t know him.” Them.
Luke had learned her tones by now, knew the cadence of her voice. Taking his cue, he dropped her hand to approach Caleb. “I’d be grateful if you’d contact Chief Deputy Richardson in my office. We’ll need to have a team look for the sniper, but I have to assume he’s already fled. I’m putting out an APB on Graves.”
“Lancy said he was on point. They’ve already started setting up roadblocks.”
“Good, but Graves’s men aren’t equipped for this and they may be in on whatever is happening. Richardson isn’t. We can trust her.”
“They won’t like it.”
“They’ll get over it. She’s got more experience, and she’s not looking for her boss. Tell them they don’t have a choice. Never mind, I’ll do it.” Luke glanced at Eliza, who met his worried eyes over Kell’s bowed head. “You should take Kell home. I’ll be over as soon as I can.”
“Fine. For now. But I’m not Graves, Sheriff. I don’t play dirty, but I’m not going anywhere.” Caleb turned to the door. “I’m sorry, Ms. Jameson.” He reached for the knob, prepared to face the barrage of cameras, wondering if the verdict and the shooting were connected.
Reckless Page 27