For the People Chapter 8

"Your Honor, given that the testimony by the witness Meredith Fallwell, differs substantially from the statement she previously gave to the people, we request the opportunity to present a rebuttal witness," Shapiro announces.

Kaplowitz rises, sputtering indignation. "Your Honor, the defense only received notice of this witness last evening."

"Which was exactly when we became aware that he'd be testifying for us," Shapiro interjects. "But we believe he is essential to shedding light on the reasons for inconsistencies of Ms. Fallwell's testimony with her prior statements."

"All right, call your witness," Judge Willis agrees. "However, Mr. Kaplowitz, if you need extra time to prepare your cross, I'll be inclined to grant it."

Shapiro nods to Kate as Kyle Stratford is sworn in. She rapidly covers the distance to the witness stand. "Mr. Stratford, have we spoken before?"

"Yes, we have," Kyle acknowledges.

"And you informed me that you would accept an offer of immunity for the testimony you will give concerning Meredith Fallwell, did you not?"

"Yes."

"And are you aware that giving any untruthful testimony will nullify that agreement?"

"Yes."

"And furthermore that deliberately false testimony will open you to perjury charges?"

"Yes, Ms. Beckett. I understand all that," Kyle confirms.

Kate allows satisfaction to flicker on her lips. "Good. Then we can begin. Mr. Stratford, are you acquainted with Meredith Fallwell?"

"Yes."

"Please describe your interactions with Ms. Fallwell."

"I induced her to lie about having sex with Alfred Baird at Bloomfeld's."

"And why did you do that, Mr. Stratford?"

"I'm Alfred Baird's fixer. If he has a problem, it's my job to fix it."

"And exactly what problem were you fixing?" Kate probes.

"Lauren Amell's story that Baird raped her. He needed me to make her look like a liar."

"To clarify, by he, you mean Mr. Baird."

"Yes."

"So how did you decide on a strategy to fix this particular problem?"

"Maura Kingsley, Mr. Baird's secretary, told me he was talking to Herb Weinstock, that producer who got in trouble for flashing the girls. I guess they know each other because they both went to parties that pimp who hung himself in jail gave."

"Judson Birdstein?"

"Yes. So Maura says that Weinstock can't get more funding in Hollywood, but Baird's going to give it to him for access to the set – all of the set."

"Are you referring to the dressing rooms of the female actors?"

"That's right. Baird could just walk into the dressing rooms of the contestants in his beauty pageant. He liked it."

"Objection," Kaplowitz calls out. "Unless the witness can read minds, he has no way of knowing what Mr. Baird did or didn't like."

"Sustained," Judge Willis agrees. "Strike Mr. Stratford's last sentence."

Kate takes a breath. "All right, Mr. Stratford, after your conversation with Maura Kingsley, what did you decide to do regarding Meredith Fallwell?"

"I told her that if she testified that she had willing sex with Baird at Bloomfeld's she'd get a part in Weinstock's movie."

"Did Meredith Fallwell indicate to you at any time that she'd actually had sex with Mr. Baird?"

Stratford guffaws. "No! She has about 20 years on the kind of actresses he likes. And they make different kinds of movies."

"Adult films?" Kate clarifies.

"Very adult. But I saw Meredith hanging around places Baird went sometimes, trying to get an in. That's how I knew about her."

"To the best of your knowledge, did Ms. Fallwell ever meet Mr. Baird?"

"To the best of my knowledge, no."

"And she promised to testify that she had consensual sex with Mr. Baird in a Bloomfeld's dressing room in exchange for a part in a movie."

"Yes."

"And did you help her craft her testimony?" Kate inquires.

"I didn't have to help much. We just took what Lauren Amell said and changed it a little. Then Meredith added a few touches of her own. But I've got to give it to her. She can act. Somebody really ought to give her a part in a movie."

"Perhaps someone will after she's served time for perjury," Kate suggests.

"Objection!" Kaplowitz trumpets.

Kate turns with a smile. "Withdrawn."


"So did you like it?" Kate asks, resting against Rick's chest as they stretch out on the couch.

"I liked it so much that I didn't touch my popcorn the whole time you were questioning that dirtball. Kaplowitz's cross made Stratford sound like real slime, but I don't think it hurt you with the jury. If anything, it makes the idea that he bribed Meredith Fallwell more likely. But I was wondering why you brought up all the stuff about the immunity agreement. Wouldn't that just make Stratford sound less credible?"

"I had to. If I hadn't, Kaplowitz would have used it to impeach Stratford. By bringing it up myself, I pulled Hiram's teeth."

"He did look to be in some pain. So now what?"

"I don't know, but I think that Kaplowitz was counting on Meredith's testimony to keep him from having to put Baird on the stand. He may decide he has to now. And if he does, I can bring up some of the matters that landed Collier in jail. You remember when Stratford mentioned Judson Birdstein?"

"My ears did prick up a bit. That man was at the center of untold sordid affairs. I'm guessing that's not an association Baird would want explored."

"No, it isn't. And Baird's affairs were worse than sordid. If Kaplowitz puts him on the stand, the world will know just what was going on in the Birdstein Mansion. And it won't be pretty. But I have the feeling that I wasn't the only one who dug in the right spot. What did you find out in Oklahoma?"

"Not just Oklahoma, here too. Before I came home, I read Imus's book that the Living Creation Society so obligingly pointed me towards. I hadn't seen it before. Apparently, the senator gave them an exclusive, underwritten by Flipvol Oil. When I wasn't enjoying ZNN's gracious presentation of the Kate Beckett Show, I started looking into supposedly charitable causes where Flipvol's been pouring their oily lucre. The LCS is just the tip of the iceberg. Flipvol's been funding groups like that worldwide to fight restrictions on oil drilling, with claims of religious grounds. And the worst of it is, that a lot of those groups are in places most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The people there will find themselves burned out or underwater and be told it's God's will. And Imus getting his brains scrambled certainly put Flipvol ahead of the game in this country. But they're not getting away with it. Imus and the LCS are very big on the 'Let there Be Light,' theme. I'm going to shine it on Flipvol, as brightly as I can."

"Imus and Flipvol can make a lot of people unhappy with you, Babe."

"It won't be the first time. But this is what I was meant to do, Kate. When I came up with Rook, he was more of a role model than I knew. He and Nikki were both pursuing justice, but by very different methods. Now you and I are doing the same."

Kate snuggles into the warmth of her husband's body. "I'm proud of you."

"And I'm proud of you. Beckett and Castle back to back against the evils of the world."

Kate walks her fingers down his thigh. "I'd rather be front to front."

"Whatever the crusading prosecutor desires."