Back in court
Chapter 10
Mike and Connie had entered the courthouse hallway together. As they approached the courtroom, they spotted a long figure sitting on the outside bench.
A very nervous Paige Regan sat with her head listlessly down, quite aware that today she would be testifying about the actual assault that took place at the beach house.
"Mike," Connie whispered as she leaned in, "Why don't you go on ahead...I think I'll go over and give Paige a last minute pep talk."
"Good idea, Connie," agreed Mike.
As he reached the courtroom double doors, Mike gave a nod of greeting to Paige as she returned the acknowledgement with one of her own before he disappeared inside.
Connie walked over and stood before Paige.
"Hello, Paige, "said Connie, pleasantly, "Mind if I sit next to you?"
"Hi, Miss Rubirosa.. " Paige scooted over, "sure... have a seat."
Connie sat down, adjusting her jacket as she placed her briefcase down on the floor. She put on a cheery expression for Paige.
"Nervous?" Connie opened the conversation.
"Yeah, I am," Paige replied, showing her unsteady hand, "Look at how my hand is shaking!"
"It's to be expected, of course," nodded Connie, "but Mr. Cutter did an excellent job of setting the groundwork for your testimony this morning. He'll try and make it as painless for you as possible."
Connie noted that it did not seem to assuage a anxious-looking Paige.
"I'm scared," Paige admitted.
"Paige," explained Connie, "just continue on the stand the same way you did yesterday. Mr. Cutter will guide you through your testimony. All you need to remember is to tell the truth."
"Pfft! It's not Mr. Cutter I'm worried about!" insisted Paige," It's when that defense lawyer questions me...he's going to make me look bad!"
"I'm not going to lie to you, Paige, " Connie said, "Stanford Bennett will attempt to muddy the waters. He is an excellent defense lawyer and he will try everything in his powers to show reasonable doubt."
"He'll remind them that I'm a stripper," Paige lowered her head again.
"That's why our strategy will be to show you as a real person "explained Connie gently, " Real is more important than pure. Attorneys forget that sometimes. They think they need to make their clients sweet and perfect. Not so. People are pretty good judges of character. They are more likely to believe you if you show your foibles."
That seemed to slightly calmed Paige down. She managed to peer over to Connie.
"I'm still scared," whispered Paige.
Connie smiled assuredly.
"Just know that you have Mike Cutter and me in your corner!"
Paige looked hopeful, "yeah, I guess I'm lucky that way!"
Connie reassuredly patted Paige's hand.
"and, Miss Rubirosa?" Paige asked, almost as an afterthought.
"Yes, Paige?"
"You know what? I think Mr. Cutter really likes you, ...I can tell by the way he looks at you every time you're in the room, " she commented, much to Connie's embarrassment.
"Paige, I don't..." denied Connie, but Paige rambled on.
"...and if you two ever got together, I think, it will be magical..."
Connie was speechless as she turned beet red.
Seeing her flustered reaction verified for Paige that whatever feelings there were between the two of them, it was mutual. And that made Paige happy.
Connie then looked at her watch.
"Oh, will you look at the time!"Connie stated, trying the change the subject, "I think the courtroom is probably filled to capacity by now! We should go inside, too!"
As Connie stood, Paige smiled gleefully. At least all that teasing momentarily distracted her from thinking about her testimony.
"Alright!" agreed Paige, as she also stood up, "And maybe afterwards, you can explain to me why you two insist I tell the truth while you two keepdenying the truth!"
Connie blushed again and tried to get Paige back on track, "Paige, another thing about your testimony..."
"That's okay, Miss Rubirosa, " she interjected, "I'm as ready as I'll ever be...I'm sure you're anxious to hurry inside so that you can sit next to he-who-must-not-be-named!"
She ended it with a wink.
Connie sighed.
Next time, she was going to let Mike give Paige the pep talk.
.
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Court was in session and Paige Regan was reminded that she had been sworn in earlier and took the stand.
Having Connie by Mike's side was just like how it had been in New York. Mike knew it would only took a turn of his head to see her lovely profile. When she turned to give him an encouraging smile he could only think how naturalall of this felt.
He pushed these thoughts aside, for now he had a job to do. Mike stood up and walked over to his client, who showered him with a confident smile.
"Good morning again, Miss Regan," began Mike as she nodded her greeting, "I would like to begin with you where we left off, discussing the two defendants, Patrick Wilson and Edward North. Were you personally interested in either of the defendants as a potential boyfriend?"
Bennett was on his feet, "Objection! Relevance?"
"Your honor, " stated Mike, "The defense is going to state that Miss Regan is making up these charges to shake down the defendants' financially. I am trying to establish her frame of mind on that night."
"I'll allow it," nodded the Judge.
Bennett had no choice but to sit back down. Mike repeated the question.
Paige fidgeted in her seat, "I-I…well…I kinda liked Edward North, you know? He was nice to me."
"Did the knowledge that Mr. North was relatively rich mean anything to you, Miss Regan?"
"Sure."
Mike looked at the jury, letting them see the honesty of his witness.
"So what were your thoughts that night at the wine party, Miss Regan?"
Paige looked slightly embarrassed, "I thought…he, Mr. North, liked me, too. I know I wasn't in his league or nothing, but…I mean, he was so sweet the whole time I was with him…it was…it was…"
She faltered and looked down at her hands.
Connie sat transfixed and leaned forward, willing Paige to complete her sentence.
Mike also stared intently at Paige.
"What were you going to say, Miss Regan?" Mike asked, "That night at the wine party with Mr. North...it was…what, exactly?"
Finally Paige looked up directly at Connie. It seemed to relax her. In fact, she almost looked giddy.
"What I was going to say was...that night with him...it seemed magical..."
(Cough!)
At Paige's mention of "magical", Connie choked and coughed, breaking up the quietude of the room.
Then she turned crimson when she realized half the courtroom was focused on her. Connie cleared her throat and nonchalantly began busily scribbling on her legal pad.
Soon everyone's attention was back on Paige, whose eyes were sparkling.
Mike was pleased. Paige's use of magical was the perfect word choice,although he didn't quite understand her carefree reaction.
Then Mike looked over at the defense table. Stanford Bennett rolled his eyes, while his client, Edward North, smirked at the testimony. A smirk? Mike was even more pleased, let the jurors see the guy's true colors.
Mike continued.
"Did Mr. North's behavior change later that night?"
"Yes, " nodded Paige, getting serious again, "He was so nice to me at the beginning, you know? He offered me some wine, but I refused. Instead we took a stroll along the beach...and then... he kissed me, real sweetlilke, and asked if I would like to come up to his room..."
Her lips thinned as her eyes turned dark.
She looked clearly despondent. All Paige wanted to do was to block that night from her mind forever. Instead, she would have to retell the horrid events of that night again. Every last sordid detail.
Mike leaned in, "Miss Regan," he whispered, "Will you be alright?"
Paige slowly turned and looked at Mike, her voice trembling a bit, "I'm fine...ask your question, Mr. Cutter...I'm ready..."
She brought her head up high to show she was in control of her emotions.
"Did you want to go up to Mr. North's room?" Mike asked gently.
She squared her shoulders, "No."
Mike feigned surprise, "Then why go to his room?"
Paige looked around uncomfortably and cleared her throat before responding.
"Like I said before…I liked him..and…I-I wanted him to like me, too. You know...someone like me...just don't get an opportunity like this everyday…"
She then turned to face the jury, willing them to understand. A couple of them actually gave a slight nod. One juror rewarded her with the beginnings of a smile.
Mike turned and walked back to his table, pretending to be looking at his notes, but he was really giving the jury the chance to digest everything. Paige Regan was doing much better than he had anticipated. She sat with her back straight, trying to look brave, and yet, everyone could see the vulnerability in her eyes.
"Now, Miss Regan, what happened when you got upstairs to Mr. North's room?"
So the dreaded moment had arrived.
Taking a very deep breath she explained in detail how when she was upstairs, the other defendant, Patrick Martin, was already in the room, but she had not realized it until it was too late.
During this part, Paige continually glanced over at Connie for encouragement.
As Mike glanced over at the jury box, it seemed that the jurors were mesmerized by Paige's every word.
Bennett knew better than to object to anything at this point. He could only hope that Paige Regan would hurry through this portion of her testimony.
Mike expertly guided Paige through the assault. The testimony was graphic. Her voice was monotone, as if she had disconnected herself to what had occurred. She described what they did to her, how they laughed, and how they would not stop.
The whole courtroom was silent, everyone felt numbed. Mike gave her an encouraging nod at the end.
"Now, Miss Regan," asked Mike, "In your earlier testimony you claimed your attackers used the names Jesse and Phoenix."
"Yes."
"When did they start using those names?"
Paige pursed her lips before she hesitantly answered.
"They used those names during, you know…"
Mike hated to push her, but the jurors needed to hear this answer.
"I'm sorry, Miss Regan," stated Mike ruefully, "but you have to be more specific. Please … when did Mr. North and Mr. Martin start using the names ofJesse and Phoenix?"
Paige didn't blink, "During their assault of me... like Mr. North - would say, 'Bend her over like that, Phoenix."
Some people in the courtroom winced.
She took another deep breath as she added, "and Mr. Martin..he would say, 'Yeah, do her like that, Jesse..."
Silence prevailed in the courtroom, but Paige never took her eyes off Mike.
"You are aware, "said Mike, "that neither of the defendants is named Jesse or Phoenix."
"Yes."
"Can you explain that?"
Paige shook her head, willing tears not to fall, "No. But that's what happened! I swear it's the truth!"
No one seemed to be breathing at the end of the testimony. Mike nodded at Paige.
"No further questions," Mike stated to the courtroom.
Connie breathed out with relief. Paige held up well, but the cross would occur immediately after lunch. Connie had no misconceptions that Bennett planned to fiercely attack Paige's account of that night.
The trial broke for lunch, court to resume in two hours.
.
.
Mike and Connie stopped at a taco stand next to the courthouse to grab a quick lunch before driving to Malibu to visit the beachhouse, the scene of the crime, so to speak.
Connie again commended Mike on his savvy in court. Mike mentioned that whatever pep talk Connie gave Paige just before court seemed to have worked. Connie hope Mike didn't notice the slight warmth in her cheeks. She needed to say something, anything.
"Yes, she held up great, didn't she?" Connie asked reaching for her taco.
But Mike had already taken a bite of his taco. He now closely observed the taco from all sides, turning it over in his hand while at the same time commenting, "Say, this taco is really good! Delicious, in fact!"
Connie smiled at the switch in subjects.
"I believe we were discussing Paige's testimony," she teased, "short attention span, counsellor?"
Mike grinned back.
"What's wrong with discussing tacos before we discuss the testimony in court?" Mike asked, "You do realize that the word 'taco' comes before 'testimony' in the dictionary, don't you?"
Connie once again found herself wondering how easy it was to have a nice time with Mike.
"Alright, we'll discuss the 'tacos' first, if you insist!" smiled Connie, feeling relaxed, "These are homemade tacos de carne asada, or tacos of grilled meat The ones here are most authentic, coming originally from the north of Mexico."
"You don't say!" exclaimed Mike, "They sure have traveled a long way! I'm surprise they still taste so fresh!"
Connie couldn't help but react with a short laugh. She was glad for the light bantering after such grim testimony.
Mike took a gulp of his soda, "Anyway, going back to your comment about Paige, she did fabulously. I'm so proud of her, too."
"I do think you are right about your original assumption, too." Connie said, wiping her hands on a napkin.
"Oh? You are admitting I am right about something without me having to argue why I feel I am right?" teased Mike.
Connie turned and watched him, mesmerized by the sight of him. She liked how his laidback humor as well as his tenacity that knew no bounds.
"As much as I hate to admit it, yes."
"…and so, Connie, what exactly are you referring when you said I was right?" he wanted to know, "so that later I may have the words "Mike was right" etched in stone?"
Her smile made it obvious that she was enjoying the exchange as much as him. Then she turned serious as she sought to answer his question.
"I was listening to the Paige's testimony," Connie explained, "and something struck me as odd with the way Martin and North were acting during the assault...their behavior seemed, oh, I don't know... off.,It didn't make sense to me."
Mike took another bite of his taco, "Really? Which part seemed off to you?"
"Hard to pinpoint…exactly" stated Connie thoughtfully, "It was just...the testimony of how they kept talking and moving her in certain positions seemed...I don't know...so purposely planned...And like you, I think those exact names is the key to understanding their peculiar behavior that night..."
Mike took his last bite.
It was a better lunch than either had anticipated, but they needed to find some answers, and fast.
"Well, after Paige's cross this afternoon," Mike suggested, "I thought perhaps we might drive over to the beach-house to talk with the third roommate, if you're not too tired, that is. Are you game for the beach later on?"
Connie had just finished her last bite. She somehow found herself happy just to be going along on the investigation with Mike.
"Surf's up!" exclaimed Connie, as she gave a teasing smile to Mike.
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Paige's cross is next! Fasten your seat belts!
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