For the People Chapter 5
"We're on approach now, Mr. Castle," pilot Wilson Post reports. "We should be wheels down pretty soon. Some of the oil executives regularly use this field to fly in and out, so the facilities are first-rate. If there's anything you need, you shouldn't have any trouble getting it."
"I've already arranged transportation. Mostly what I'll need is a restroom," Rick responds. "But I was wondering, do any high-powered flyers besides the oil big shots use this field?"
"Senator Imus did for a long time. He piloted the plane himself. But some geese flew into his aircraft when he was on his way back from DC. Word was he was injured pretty badly in the crash. As far as I know, he hasn't flown out of here since."
"That's a shame. Do birds down that many planes?" Rick asks.
"It's actually pretty rare. Imus was very unlucky to crash like that. But I've heard he's still breathing fire in DC. So I guess he's OK. All right. Coming in now. Make sure you're buckled in, Mr. Castle. We should be on the tarmac in a minute."
Rick blinks in the morning sunlight. Most of the time he was in the air he'd kept the shade over his window so he could see the screen of his laptop. He really does need a men's room and goes in search of one. He's been at private fields utilized by the rich and powerful before, but the extreme luxury of the fixtures at this one still surprises him. Whoever designed them could give lessons to New York's more expensive hotels.
As with many places patronized by the highly privileged, the soaps, lotions, shaving accessories, and various other sundries are all free. It seems that the people charged for such things are the ones who are less able to afford them. Like the perks given to whales at casinos, it's the little guys that end up picking up the tab. Having spent at least the first 20 years of his life in that category, Rick understands the sting of the insult. Maybe that will be the direction of a future book. But for now, he has some intelligence gathering to do. Post gave him a start, but he wants to get to the Eats Sooner Diner ASAP. Aside from absorbing any tales of Senator Oral Imus, he's starved, and the diner has a reputation for great pancakes.
After taking her seat next to Shapiro, Kate glances around the courtroom. Since the press pool is determined by a daily lottery, many of the faces have changed. Still, the eyes and the demeanor are much the same. They're alert for any word or slip that could turn the tide of the trial, or at least spark an intriguing article. Kate and her boss discussed strategy, but the path they follow will depend on what Kaplowitz decides to do. Lennox isn't at the defense table today. Most likely that means the identification of the DNA won't be disputed further – just how it managed to find its way to Lauren's dress. The bailiff calls for all to rise. Kate will find out soon enough which direction Hiram Kaplowitz will be taking.
"I call Meredith Fallwell," Hiram announces.
A well-endowed woman in fashionable clothes walks with the practiced swing of the hips that keeps one well-balanced on high heels. She smiles agreeably as the clerk swears her in and asks her to state her name for the record. "Meredith Fallwell."
Hiram strides to the witness stand. "Ms. Fallwell, are you acquainted with Alfred Baird?"
Fallwell's smile expands almost to a grin. "Oh yes, Al and I have known each other for years."
"And by Al, you mean Mr. Baird?" Hiram clarifies.
"Yes."
"And how do you know Mr. Baird?"
"Well, we go to a lot of the same clubs and the same galas too. We know a lot of the same people. We run into each other all the time."
"And would you say you're friends?" Hiram asks.
Fallwell flutters her eyelashes. "I'd say we're very good friends."
"And has Albert Baird ever taken you shopping?" Hiram continues.
"Yes, one evening, when I got shrimp cocktail on my Prada. The sauce stained. I went to the ladies' room, but I couldn't get it out."
Hiram nods sympathetically. "I understand. Where did Mr. Baird take you?"
"Bloomfeld's. It was the only place open."
"And did Mr. Baird accompany you to the changing room?"
"Yes, he did. He was very helpful. He bought me a lovely cocktail dress. Cocktail, after shrimp cocktail! That's funny."
"And when you and Mr. Baird were in the changing room at Bloomfeld's, did anything else happen?" Hiram pushes ahead.
Meredith looks down as pink rises in her cheeks. "Well, Al was being so darling. I guess I got a little hot. We made love."
"In the changing room?" Hiram asks.
"Yes. There was no one around except the lady at the register, and she was far away. And there was just enough room in the stall. So we did it."
"Did you agree to the sex? Was it consensual?"
"Yes."
"And did Mr. Baird force you in any way?"
"Not at all. He was very sweet."
"I'm sure he was," Hiram responds. "Thank you Ms. Fallwell. That's all I have."
Shapiro pushes out of his seat. "Your Honor, before the People begin our cross, may we have a short recess?"
"Ten minutes," Judge Willis agrees.
Shapiro starts to exit the courtroom. Grabbing her briefcase, Kate follows him to an empty witness room. "You interviewed Meredith Fallwell didn't you?" Shapiro demands.
"I did," Kate confirms. "But she never said anything about going to Bloomfeld's or having sex with Baird. She just said she ran into him at clubs occasionally and found him very nice. She didn't offer anything damaging to our case."
"Do you have the transcript of your interview?" Shapiro queries.
"Of course," Kate replies, reaching into her case.
Shapiro rapidly scans the text. "You're right. Nothing damaging here at all. She was either lying then or lying now. I'll take the cross, and I want you to go dig up everything you can on any transactions between Baird and Fallwell. They might have flowed through the third party you've already been looking at. Pull in as many people as you need and do it yesterday, Beckett. What Fallwell said hurt us a lot. We need to be ready to completely discredit her testimony before Kaplowitz closes. And if he has any sense, he'll do that as quickly as he can without calling Baird. He doesn't need him now."
"All right," Kate agrees. "I'm on it."
Rick's considering whether to order a second stack when Kate's ringtone bursts from his cellphone. "Hey! I can't get ZNN where I am. But shouldn't you be in court?"
"I should, but something happened with the case. Look, I'm taking a wild swing here. But have you ever met or heard of a woman named Meredith Fallwell?"
"Ooh, another Meredith," Rick exclaims. "Sounds like bad luck already. But actually, I think they might be in the same category. When Meredith 1 was a struggling ingenue, there was another Meredith who went for some of the same roles. I believe she was surnamed Fallwell. Meredith 1 complained that Meredith 2 was sleeping with directors to get them. That was before she did it herself, at least I think it was."
"So Meredith Fallwell's an actress?"
"I'm not sure that Meredith 1 or Mother would agree, but if it's the same person, she put herself out as one, emphasis on the put-out. But I heard she fell on hard times. Those first little facial lines can be killer when younger competition comes along."
"So she might need money."
"Come on, Kate. At any given time, ninety percent of actors are unemployed. And you know how much I have to pay Meredith 1 in alimony and how long it took Mother to get back on her feet. For most members of the acting profession, needing money would be pretty much a given."
"Thanks, Babe. I needed that. How's your research going?"
"Just getting started. Still, if I wanted to write a book on finding amazing pancakes, I'd be doing great."
