A/N: Hey guys... okay I finally got back into this. It took me about 3 hours... because I am feeling the pressure to build these next few chapters up to the big reveal.
I could use motivation to write the next few chapters... because I feel it slipping! lol
On a serious note, there are so many fires burning over the world. I'm here in Australia and there are serious fires in two states and while the air quality is bad where I am, the closest fire is out west further. My family and best friend is in NSW and her home is in the path of expected fires tomorrow, which is predicated to be worse than Friday.
Any prayers to all those effected would be appreciated. Thank you x
Reasonable Doubt – Chapter Twenty-One
Erin POV
"Detective Harris, thanks for being here today." The detective nods in response.
"You were on the scene the morning Allie Johnson was found?"
"Yes, that's right. We were called to Lincoln Park at five am, an early morning dog walker stumbled across her body."
"What did you find?"
"She had bruised arms, and she had suffered blunt force trauma to her head."
"Did you locate the murder weapon?"
"We canvassed the park and found it in a trash can." The prosecution directs the jury's attention to the blown up photos of the crime scene.
"Objection, the murder weapon is inadmissible since the police department lost it sometime in the last decade." The prosecution turns to me knowingly.
"Yes evidence on the murder weapon is of course inadmissible, however I believe Miss Lindsay mentioned that the weapon wasn't glass when she questioned Brody Calahan. Therefore, opening the door for us to discuss the murder weapon."
"I'm inclined to agree. Objection overruled, however don't push it with this line of questioning." The judge sends a warning.
"What was the murder weapon?"
"A piece of wood."
"Could you ascertain where it came from?"
"There was some construction happening in the park, we suspect it was taken from there."
"What does that tell you?" I frown, waiting for the answer.
"That it wasn't premeditated. Most likely a crime of passion."
"Objection. Calls for speculation, not found in evidence."
"Sustained."
"How many years on the force do you have?" I narrow my eyes knowing where he's going.
"Thirty two sir."
"In your professional experience, if a murder weapon is pure opportunity, what would it usually indicate?"
"That it wasn't planned. It was a crime of opportunity or passion." I go to object when I realize it could work in my favor.
"After you canvassed the crime scene, where did you go next?"
"We made the notifications to Allie Johnsons parents. Where they let us know she attended a party the night before with her boyfriend Jay Halstead."
"Where did you go next?"
"We went to the Halstead residence to speak with Jay Halstead." The jury watch the Detective turn to look at Jay.
"What did you find?"
"He was still asleep, his father had to wake him. When he came down he was still in his close from the night before."
"What was his appearance like?"
"He had blood on his shirt, and cut on his hand. He seemed rattled and clearly had a lot on his mind."
"Objection. The witness cannot not my clients state of mind."
"Sustained."
"What happened next?"
"We asked him what time he got home. He answered he got home at two am."
"Did he give his whereabouts for the time of the murder?"
"He said he was at the party all night."
"He didn't mention leaving to follow Allie out?"
"No, he said he didn't see her again after she left the party."
"Did you ask him how he hurt his hand?"
"Yes, he said he got it cleaning up a broken window at the party."
"What happened next?"
"At this point his father insisted his son get checked out at the emergency room, and have an attorney present." I watch the jury set their mouths in a frown.
"Where did you go next?"
"We went to the Calahan residence to speak with the host of the party. We gathered a guest list so we could interview party go-ers."
"What did Mr Calahan tell you?"
"That Mr Halstead did disappear for over an hour, right around time of death."
"So he lied."
"Objection, not a question." My voice is firm.
"Sustained."
"What happened when you interviewed the others at the party?"
"They co-berated that Mr Halstead was seen leaving the party after Allie, and not returning for over an hour."
"Who was your prime suspect?"
"Mr Jay Halstead was." I raise an eyebrow, noting this will help with me questions.
"For how long?"
"Until the case went cold sir."
"Why were no charges filed?"
"At the time we didn't have enough evidence for the states attorney to pursue the case."
"What changed recently?" I'm perched ready and waiting for him to mention the DNA evidence.
"His high school room mate came forward, we found out his cut wasn't from the broken window. Also scientific advances have been made, so we wanted to test everything again to see if any other traces of blood could be picked up."
"Why aren't you objecting?" Jay whispers confused.
"They didn't mention what they tested, could be her clothes… I'm not walking into a trap for them to mention the DNA results." The prosecutor turns to look at me, pausing, I raise my eyebrows as I twirl the pen in my hand.
"As a seasoned detective, what is your impression on why he would lie about following her out, and how he injured himself?"
"Well the old lady story about the broken glass was a nice touch."
"Detective." The judge warns.
"Apologies, my impression would be that if he had nothing to hide he wouldn't lie."
"No further questions."
"Detective Harris, you noted my client had blood on his shirt the morning you question him?"
"I did."
"Did you have his clothes tested?"
"We did."
"What did you find?" I lean back in my chair, not having got up yet.
"That there was only his DNA on the clothes."
"When did you set your sights on Jay Halstead as a suspect?" I get up, walking towards the witness stand.
"From the first interview."
"Why?"
"He was rattled."
"So you mentioned, is it possible he was upset from the break up the night before?"
"Object-"
"Withdrawn."
"Did you question any other suspects in relation to the murder?"
"No." I turn to the jury, waiting for them to see my raised eyebrow.
"So you had video evidence from the crime scene?"
"No."
"DNA evidence on the clothes?"
"No."
"Witness?"
"No."
"Were there any finger prints belonging to Jay Halstead at the crime scene."
"None we could recover."
"Was there any hair or fiber evidence found on Miss Johnson?"
"Yes." I nod, feigning interest.
"You have it tested?"
"Yes."
"Did it match my client?" I watch him shift in his seat.
"No."
"It didn't match?"
"No." He sighs impatiently.
"And yet you were sold that it was my client?"
"Objection. Leading the witness."
"I'll rephrase. After reviewing this additional evidence, did you question anyone else in relation to the murder?"
"No."
"Huh. So the old, the boyfriend did it."
"Objec-"
"Withdrawn, no further questions."
"Redirect your honor." The judge nods.
"Can you tell the court why you were focused on Jay Halstead for the crime?"
"His story kept changing."
"What parts of his story?"
"He told us he never left the party, when we found out he did. He told us he cut his hand at the party with a broken window. He told us he didn't see the victim after she left the party, he later confessed he did see her again in the park."
"No further questions."
It takes all my strength to keep my expression masked, not letting the jury see any reaction other then calm and collected.
The next half hour drags by listening to the medical examiner walk us through the evidence, crime scene and marks and injuries catalogued on Allie's body.
The prosecution flies by the hair and fibers, focusing on the strength of the attacker to inflict her injuries.
I watch the jury grow tired and bored, imaging their minds wandering.
"I'll keep this brief, given the lack of forensic evidence actually pointing to my client." The jury chuckle and I smile knowing I've pulled their attention now the prosecutor has sat down.
"So it was a tall, strong individual who was the offender?"
"Yes. Likely male given the strength in which her skull was crushed."
"Great, so that narrows it down… the average height of a man is 5'9"." My sarcasm isn't lost on the court room.
"Is there a question there Miss Lindsay?" I smile at the prosecutor before moving on.
"You ran the hair found on Allie Johnson?"
"Yes."
"Did it match my client?"
"No."
"Given the crime scene and injuries on the victim, in your professional opinion- would it be possible to avoid getting DNA evidence on your clothes?"
"Highly unlikely."
"You tested Jay Hallstead's clothes?"
"Yes."
"How many sets of DNA did you find?"
"One. His."
"I'd like to add into evidence photos from the party showing Jay Halstead was wearing the clothes that were tested."
I walk to give a copy to everyone, waiting to deliver my final blow.
"Given the Detectives expert opinion that it wasn't premeditated, it's unlikely he thought ahead to have a spare set of clothes for a one hour window to commit the murder."
"Objection. Not found in evidence."
"Sustained." I shrug making my way back to my desk.
"Before calling it a day, I'd like to hear your arguments on the motion to add more witnesses to the list."
"We've reviewed the list your honor, and I don't see the relevance."
"The relevance your honor is for character witnesses for my client. His army buddies can speak to My Hallstead's character."
"They didn't know the accused at the time of the crimes." The prosecutor fights back.
"I'm inclined to agree. Motion declined."
"So you don't need to prep them?" Jay asks after the Judge brings down the hammer.
"No I still will, I'll get the prosecution to walk into a trap somehow."
"That wasn't good was it?" I'm rubbing my forehead as Jay places the chinese food in front of me.
"No, he left the jury with the knowledge you lied." I push the food aside, bringing my laptop closer running through my trial notes for tomorrow.
"You need to eat." I glare at him, his glare meeting mine. I huff in annoyance before scooping a mouthful in my mouth and pushing it away again.
"Put me on the stand."
"Ha. Not a chance in hell."
"Yes, I need to clear this up."
"Except you won't."
"You don't know that." He fires back, opening his food.
"But I do."
"How?"
"My extensive experience as a defense attorney. Clients have blinders on, they get up there set on proving their innocence. They walk into traps, they open themselves up to questions no other witness would be asked, they get worked up and they phrase things wrong. Just to name a few."
"And you don't have blinders on?" The bitter tone he uses pulls my attention.
"Are you saying I'm not giving you adequate defense?" I slam my laptop closed, getting up from the table.
"I'm going to work in my room."
"Erin." He calls as I slam the door in a moment of anger, cursing myself for causing a fight.
I don't look up from my laptop as Jay slowly enters the room, sitting by me on the bed facing me.
"I'm sorry." I sigh pushing my glasses up onto my head, nodding but not saying a word.
"I'm just going to sit here until you eat." He holds out the food, placing it under my nose.
"Fine." I snatch the food from him, digging in, returning his smile.
"Thank you." I rest the food on my lap.
"Don't stop eating. Don't apologize." He nudges my food and I take another bite.
"I'm sorry. You're the expert… and I can never thank you for everything you've done for me. You have given me the best defense I could have ever thought possible." He wipes my tear away.
"I'm sorry for snapping." I whisper and he leans forward to press a quick kiss to my lips.
"You're stressed. I can feel it… and you aren't sleeping babe."
"I know… I close my eyes and I can't shut my mind off." He brushes more of my tears away.
"Okay I need to make these tears disappear so you can actually eat." I chuckle reaching for his hand.
"I need to clear up the lies I told." I frown, the tears stopping.
"Tears have stopped, eating better start." I narrow my eyes at him.
"If you're eating you can't talk." He smirks at me in the way he knows makes my knees weak, I shovel more food in my mouth.
"They need to hear it from me. That I'm not lying."
"Damn it Jay."
"Eat." I roll my eyes.
"Guess I'm going to need my energy."
"To fight me on this?"
"I would if I thought I'd win."
"Then?"
"I'll need my energy to prep you."
"Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet. It's not going to be fun; I am not going to hold back on you. If you can't deal with it, then I will not risk it."
"I can do this."
A/N: Please let me know your thoughts because I hate this chapter lol
Also taking guesses about what you think the big reveal is going to be ;)