"Your Honor," Cole said, "the defense recalls Officer Morgan to the stand."
Everyone waited as Morgan reentered the courtroom and took his seat on the witness stand. The judge reminded him that was still under oath. Morgan turned and smiled at Cole.
"Officer Morgan," Cole said, removing a device from his briefcase and handing it to Morgan, "do you recognize this?"
"Yes," Morgan said. "It's the radar gun I use in patrol."
"For the record," said Cole, "the serial number matches the one issued to Officer Morgan."
Cole pulled a car battery off the floor and sat it on the table in front of him. He attached the radar gun to the battery.
"Mr. Turner," the judge said, "what are you doing?"
"Just a little demonstration, your Honor," Cole said.
He pointed the gun at the judge and pulled the trigger. All that was heard was a light click.
"Mr. Turner," the judge said, "I do not find your humor funny."
"My apologies, your Honor," Cole said, looking at the gun, "but according to this, you're moving at twenty-eight miles an hour. Officer Morgan, you testified that you calibrated this the morning you issued Ms. Halliwell her ticket."
"You must have messed with it," Morgan replied.
"Officer Morgan," Cole said, "I'm an officer of the court. Are you implying that I've tampered with evidence?"
"Uh, no, no," Morgan said. "I simply meant that, uh, well, it's a delicate piece of equipment. You probably knocked it out of whack bringing it in here."
"Fair enough," Cole said, putting the gun down. He pulled a photograph out of his briefcase. "Officer Morgan, can you identify the subject of this photograph?"
Morgan looked at the picture for a few moments.
"That's the city limit sign at the edge of town," Morgan said.
"The same sign where you clocked Ms. Halliwell speeding, is that correct?" Cole asked.
"Yes, that's correct," said Morgan.
"Did you happen to notice that the branches of the tree directly next to the sign have recently been cut back?" Cole asked.
"Maybe," Morgan said.
"Well," Cole said, "it would seem that the branches that were trimmed back would have directly covered the sign itself. Obscuring the speed limit sign. And it's possible that the branches were recently cut back to expose the sign more clearly.""
"I couldn't address that issue," Morgan said, smiling coyly, "I'm a cop. I'm not with the streets department."
"Of course," Cole said, pulling another picture out of his briefcase. "Now, can you identify the subject of this photograph?"
Morgan looked at the picture for a few moments.
"Yes," he said finally. "That's the area where Ms. Halliwell pulled over after entering town."
"That's where you issued the citation, is that correct?" Cole asked.
"Yes, it is," said Morgan.
"You're absolutely sure?" Cole asked. "There's no question in your mind that this is the exact location where you issued Ms. Halliwell her citation?"
"Your Honor," the DA said, standing up, "asked and answered. Can Mr. Turner please get on with it?"
"Mr. Turner," the judge said, "move along. You've already covered this testimony."
"Yes, your Honor," Cole said. "Officer Morgan, exactly where is the area where you issued Ms. Halliwell her citation?"
"Approximately three hundred yards inside town," Morgan said. "Just past the city limit sign."
"It's three hundred twelve yards to be exact," Cole said. "I measured it."
"Okay, fine," said Morgan.
Cole glanced over at the DA. Although somewhat perplexed at Cole's strategy, he didn't seem to be about to object.
Smiling, Cole walked back to the table where Piper sat. He pulled some folders out of his briefcase and began to shuffle through them. Everyone in the room sat patiently for several moments waiting to see what he would do.
"Mr. Turner," the judge said, "do you have anything else?"
"Yes, your Honor," Cole said, pulling a piece of paper out of one folder. "I move the case be dismissed and all charges dropped."
He stood smiling at the judge waiting for a ruling.