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A lump came to Jack s throat, followed by second thoughts about opening the
door.
I m Cindy Paige, she said, standing behind Jack.
This is for you, the sheriff announced as he handed her an official-looking
document.
Jack intercepted the delivery.
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What is it? Cindy asked.
It s a subpoena.
A trial subpoena, the sheriff clarified.
What it s for? she asked.
Be at the courthouse, Monday, nineA.M. , the sheriff commanded. You re the
government s first witness inState versusSwyteck.
Thegovernment s first witness?
Don t say another word, Jack advised her. He quickly closed the door on the
sheriff.
I can t believe this, she said as her eyes welled with tears. Why me? Why
do they wantme to go first?
Maybe because you re honest, he said. The prosecutor probably thinks he
can get you to say something to hurt me.
She pulled back and looked into his eyes. Never.
I know you wouldn t, he said as he pulled her close. As he pulled her
close, he noticed that smoke and the smell of their burning dinner had begun
to seep in from the kitchen.At least not intentionally, he thought.
Chapter 35
"
The air seemed electric with possibility that Monday morning as the players
in the drama ofState v.Swyteck assembled for the opening act. The script
called for the prosecution to present its version of events first. After
Jack s character was thoroughly impugned and his actions given the most
sinister interpretation, the defense would come on and try to reverse the
brainwashing. It seemed almost amazing, really, that juries so often reached
the right result. But the lofty notion that this was the best system in the
world was little consolation for an innocent man who might well be put to
death.
Call your first witness, Mr. McCue, the judge ordered.
The State calls Cindy Paige, McCue announced.
Jack s heart sank. It was no bluff.
A sea of heads turned in unison toward the rear of the courtroom as Cindy
emerged through the twelve-foot swinging doors. She looked nervous, but only
Jack could detect just how nervous she truly was. He knew the little signs the
tightness in her lower lip, the stiffness in her walk, the way she pressed her
thumb against her forefinger.
She wore a beige skirt and matching jacket, with a powder-blue blouse. Look
soft and sympathetic, Manny had told her last night. And she did.
Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth . . . the bailiff said,
administering the familiar oath. Jack looked on from across the courtroom,
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watching Cindy s raised right hand tremble just slightly. It was ironic, he
thought, that she appeared so anxious. If ever there was a person who could be
counted on to tell the truth, it was her.
Wilson McCue allowed the witness to settle into the old Naugahyde chair, then
began innocuously enough. Please state your name, he requested.
Cindy shifted in her chair, as if even this easy question caused discomfort.
Cindy Paige, she replied in a soft voice.
Miss Paige, how long have you known the defendant?
A year and a half, she said.
How well do you know him?
She shrugged. Better than anyone, I suppose.
Is it fair to say you two are romantically involved?
Yes. We live together.
You re not married, though, said McCue, sounding more than a little
judgmental.
Cindy glanced at the jurors. She saw grandmotherly disapproval from a
blue-haired retired schoolteacher in the second row. No, we re not married.
And how long have you two lived together?
About a year. Except for a couple of weeks a while back.
Let s talk about that little hiatus, said the state attorney. When was
that?
She sighed, not because her memory failed her, but because it was a time in
her life she d rather have just forgotten. Almost three months ago.
It was right after the trial of Eddy Goss, wasn t it? he asked, sounding a
little less friendly now, more like an interrogator. Right after Mr. Swyteck
defended him and got him off.
Objection as to characterization, said Manny as he rose from his chair.
Sustained, groaned the judge. I won t tolerate cheap shots, Mr. McCue. The
jury is reminded that Mr. Swyteck is on trial for the alleged murder of Eddy
Goss, she instructed the jurors, and not because he represented Mr. Goss in
another trial.
A few jurors exchanged glances, as if they were torn as to which of the two
was the real crime.
The witness may answer the question, said the judge.
Jack and I split a couple of days after the Goss trial, Cindy responded.
But that trial had nothing to do with our breakup.
It was your decision to move out, wasn t it.
Yes, it was my decision.
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And Mr. Swyteck was pretty upset about that.
She hesitated, surprised at how personal the questions were, and suspicious
of where this was leading. She glanced at Jack, then looked the prosecutor in
the eye. It was hard on both of us.
Well, let me be a little more specific. The two of you had a nasty fight
before you left him, didn t you?
Objection, said Manny. Judge
Overruled.
Cindy shifted nervously in her chair. We had a disagreement, yes.
McCue smirked. And I suppose the battle of Gettysburg was also a
disagreement.
Objection! said Manny.
The judge frowned at McCue. Sustained. I m warning you for the last time
about the cheap shots, Mr. McCue.
McCue was unfazed. Isn t it true, Miss Paige, that the defendant literally
threw you out of his house?
He never laid a hand on me. We had an argument. Every couple I know has
arguments.
But this wasn t just like any other argument, McCue said, moving closer to
the witness. On the morning you left him, Mr. Swyteck really lost control,
he said in a low, serious voice. He was a different person. Wouldn t you
say?
Objection, said Manny. Your Honor, this line of questioning is getting
ridiculous.
The judge glared at the prosecutor. I d tend too agree.
If we could have a sidebar, said McCue, I think I can explain the
relevance.
Make it brief, the judge said as she waved them for ward.
The lawyers stepped quickly toward the bench and huddled beside the judge,
out of earshot of the jury. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl akte20.pev.pl
A lump came to Jack s throat, followed by second thoughts about opening the
door.
I m Cindy Paige, she said, standing behind Jack.
This is for you, the sheriff announced as he handed her an official-looking
document.
Jack intercepted the delivery.
Page 120
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
What is it? Cindy asked.
It s a subpoena.
A trial subpoena, the sheriff clarified.
What it s for? she asked.
Be at the courthouse, Monday, nineA.M. , the sheriff commanded. You re the
government s first witness inState versusSwyteck.
Thegovernment s first witness?
Don t say another word, Jack advised her. He quickly closed the door on the
sheriff.
I can t believe this, she said as her eyes welled with tears. Why me? Why
do they wantme to go first?
Maybe because you re honest, he said. The prosecutor probably thinks he
can get you to say something to hurt me.
She pulled back and looked into his eyes. Never.
I know you wouldn t, he said as he pulled her close. As he pulled her
close, he noticed that smoke and the smell of their burning dinner had begun
to seep in from the kitchen.At least not intentionally, he thought.
Chapter 35
"
The air seemed electric with possibility that Monday morning as the players
in the drama ofState v.Swyteck assembled for the opening act. The script
called for the prosecution to present its version of events first. After
Jack s character was thoroughly impugned and his actions given the most
sinister interpretation, the defense would come on and try to reverse the
brainwashing. It seemed almost amazing, really, that juries so often reached
the right result. But the lofty notion that this was the best system in the
world was little consolation for an innocent man who might well be put to
death.
Call your first witness, Mr. McCue, the judge ordered.
The State calls Cindy Paige, McCue announced.
Jack s heart sank. It was no bluff.
A sea of heads turned in unison toward the rear of the courtroom as Cindy
emerged through the twelve-foot swinging doors. She looked nervous, but only
Jack could detect just how nervous she truly was. He knew the little signs the
tightness in her lower lip, the stiffness in her walk, the way she pressed her
thumb against her forefinger.
She wore a beige skirt and matching jacket, with a powder-blue blouse. Look
soft and sympathetic, Manny had told her last night. And she did.
Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth . . . the bailiff said,
administering the familiar oath. Jack looked on from across the courtroom,
Page 121
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
watching Cindy s raised right hand tremble just slightly. It was ironic, he
thought, that she appeared so anxious. If ever there was a person who could be
counted on to tell the truth, it was her.
Wilson McCue allowed the witness to settle into the old Naugahyde chair, then
began innocuously enough. Please state your name, he requested.
Cindy shifted in her chair, as if even this easy question caused discomfort.
Cindy Paige, she replied in a soft voice.
Miss Paige, how long have you known the defendant?
A year and a half, she said.
How well do you know him?
She shrugged. Better than anyone, I suppose.
Is it fair to say you two are romantically involved?
Yes. We live together.
You re not married, though, said McCue, sounding more than a little
judgmental.
Cindy glanced at the jurors. She saw grandmotherly disapproval from a
blue-haired retired schoolteacher in the second row. No, we re not married.
And how long have you two lived together?
About a year. Except for a couple of weeks a while back.
Let s talk about that little hiatus, said the state attorney. When was
that?
She sighed, not because her memory failed her, but because it was a time in
her life she d rather have just forgotten. Almost three months ago.
It was right after the trial of Eddy Goss, wasn t it? he asked, sounding a
little less friendly now, more like an interrogator. Right after Mr. Swyteck
defended him and got him off.
Objection as to characterization, said Manny as he rose from his chair.
Sustained, groaned the judge. I won t tolerate cheap shots, Mr. McCue. The
jury is reminded that Mr. Swyteck is on trial for the alleged murder of Eddy
Goss, she instructed the jurors, and not because he represented Mr. Goss in
another trial.
A few jurors exchanged glances, as if they were torn as to which of the two
was the real crime.
The witness may answer the question, said the judge.
Jack and I split a couple of days after the Goss trial, Cindy responded.
But that trial had nothing to do with our breakup.
It was your decision to move out, wasn t it.
Yes, it was my decision.
Page 122
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
And Mr. Swyteck was pretty upset about that.
She hesitated, surprised at how personal the questions were, and suspicious
of where this was leading. She glanced at Jack, then looked the prosecutor in
the eye. It was hard on both of us.
Well, let me be a little more specific. The two of you had a nasty fight
before you left him, didn t you?
Objection, said Manny. Judge
Overruled.
Cindy shifted nervously in her chair. We had a disagreement, yes.
McCue smirked. And I suppose the battle of Gettysburg was also a
disagreement.
Objection! said Manny.
The judge frowned at McCue. Sustained. I m warning you for the last time
about the cheap shots, Mr. McCue.
McCue was unfazed. Isn t it true, Miss Paige, that the defendant literally
threw you out of his house?
He never laid a hand on me. We had an argument. Every couple I know has
arguments.
But this wasn t just like any other argument, McCue said, moving closer to
the witness. On the morning you left him, Mr. Swyteck really lost control,
he said in a low, serious voice. He was a different person. Wouldn t you
say?
Objection, said Manny. Your Honor, this line of questioning is getting
ridiculous.
The judge glared at the prosecutor. I d tend too agree.
If we could have a sidebar, said McCue, I think I can explain the
relevance.
Make it brief, the judge said as she waved them for ward.
The lawyers stepped quickly toward the bench and huddled beside the judge,
out of earshot of the jury. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]