Chapter Forty-Six
Liv
“In light of yesterday’s proceedings, I’d like to call a new witness to the stand,” I present calmly, as soon as day two of the trial begins.
No one in this room would ever know that I’m running on two hours of sleep, or how I refused to step foot in my office this morning.
The barrier that existed between my stalker and me was crossed yesterday when he touched me, and I did not need the reminder of that violation before today’s proceedings.
“Objection. This is the first we’re hearing of this,” the defense lawyer states.
“My witness was unable to finish his testimony because of the injuries that your client subjected him to.”
“Allegedly.”
“I’ll allow this new witness, Miss Greenwood. The defense will have their chance to cross-examine,” Judge Fulton decides.
I nod. “I’d like to call Special Sergeant Nathan Wolfe to the stand.”
The room audibly reacts as the stern-faced man approaches from the gallery. Without saying a word, he elicits an imposing air of respect even without his uniform.
This isn’t an Army matter, so he’s only wearing a nice suit, but if I recall, it’s the one he wore to Thea’s wedding.
I’ve known Nathan for years, but I’ll admit this is the most conversation I’ve ever had with him. He keeps to himself, and his hard exterior only melts around Callie; he gives everyone else a cold shoulder.
He’s only “kind” to me because his sister treats me like family. If I were anyone else, he wouldn’t be taking the stand today.
I wait until Judge Fulton does his part, swearing Nathan in, before greeting him. “Sergeant Wolfe, thank you for being here today.”
He nods, stiffly.
“Before I get started. Can you tell the jurors a little bit about yourself?”
“I’m a resident of Whitewater. Moved here four years ago. I’ve served in the United States Army in some capacity for 15 years and currently serve in the Army Criminal Investigative Division.”
“You moved to this area four years ago and have held residence on the outer edge of Rollins County. You live deeper in the mountains than most folks. Do you hunt?”
“Yes.”
“Can you tell me about one of your most significant hunting trips?”
“It was early November, almost four years ago. I was sitting on top of a ridge waiting for game to appear when I saw a woman in distress.” His gaze slips to Callie in the audience, but he recovers quickly.
“Did you help her?”
“Yes, I was able to deter the hostiles and secure the package.” He shakes his head. “I deterred her attackers, and I got her to safety,” he clarifies in civilian words.
“What happened next?”
“I brought her into my home to bandage her injuries and to prevent hypothermia. She was able to tell me what happened to her, and the next day we set out to find her vehicle and personal belongings.”
“Why did you need to find her vehicle?”
“She was attacked on the side of the road after pulling over to fix a flat tire.”
“Did you find her car?”
“Yes. It was still sitting on the side of the highway where she was taken.”
“What do you mean by taken?”
“She was attacked by two men and kidnapped.” One of the jurors gasps, but Nathan’s face doesn’t budge. Only I’m close enough to see the twinge of pain in his eyes. “They tied her up and put her in their vehicle and drove into the mountains.”
“But she escaped?”
“She escaped.”
I nod, bringing the conversation back around. “Were you able to fix her flat?”
“I put on her spare tire.”
“Did she run over a nail?”
“No. Her tire was shredded by a handmade spike strip. The bits of scrap metal were still embedded in the rubber.”
“What happened next?”
“A tow truck pulled up, and the driver was prepared to tow the vehicle.”
“But you got the spare tire on?”
“Correct.”
“So you didn’t need a tow?”
“Correct.”
“Why was the tow truck there, Sergeant Wolfe?”
“The driver informed me that someone else had called on behalf of the vehicle to have it towed away.”
“Why would they do that?”
“I suspected to get rid of evidence.”
This is when Jeremiah’s lawyer should object… But he has no idea where my line of questioning is going. I’m trying not to let my cards show.
“Who was trying to get rid of evidence?”
“The former sheriff, Sheriff Chuck Donahue. He and his wife’s brothers were working together to abduct innocent people from their vehicles.”
“Why?”
“They were involved in human trafficking.”
“Jeremiah’s father and his uncles. Correct?”
“Yes.”
“Objection, your honor, this has nothing to do with my client.”
Judge Fulton dismisses his objection, and I turn to hide my smirk, raising my voice an octave to capture the attention of the room. “Sergeant Wolfe, can you tell me who was driving the tow truck that day?”
“Yes. Him.” He points to Jeremiah.
The audience gasps. “Did you know that it was Jeremiah Porter at the time?”
“No, I did not. I only knew the face I saw that day.”
“Nearly four years ago, Jeremiah Porter was driving the tow truck that was used to dispose of evidence in his family’s crimes,” I speak directly to the jury.
“Does this sound like a man who has just suddenly been tempted to commit a crime? No. Jeremiah comes from a crime family. He wasn’t in the wrong place at the wrong time.
He’s not a victim. He has been involved in their illegal dealings for at least four years, and I would bet longer. ”
“Objection!” The defense shouts, though they don’t have more to add. I know they’re halting my speculation. I hold my hand up in understanding.
“Fact: Jeremiah Porter owns three different towing vehicles. Fact: Jeremiah Porter owns a failing junk yard. Fact: He has the resources to tow vehicles and dispose of the parts. Fact: Jeremiah Porter has been a single father for six years.”
“Objection. Relevance?”
“Miss Greenwood.” Judge Fulton encourages my next response.
“This is relevant to Jeremiah’s motive and mental state, your honor.”
“Proceed.”
“Jeremiah has been a single father for six years, and there is no documentation of any received child support. He’s kept his business all these years despite making less revenue than the expenses to keep it running.
“Fact: Jeremiah needed money to support his family. And, he was desperate enough to steal, lie, and hurt people to get that money. He was complicit in his family’s human trafficking ring.
He willingly abducted JoAnna Montgomery, and he attacked a man when he got caught.
He was willing to kill for money,” I enunciate passionately, making sure to look each juror in their eyes as I speak.
“He left Curtis Debaugh for dead. Curtis is alive today because of his own strength. His own grit. Jeremiah should not get off easy because Curtis survived the terror inflicted upon him.”
I stroll calmly across the floor, listening to my heels clack in the deathly somber room. “I’m finished with this witness, your honor.”
“Defense, any questions for this witness?”
He stands up, stacking his papers together, pretending to have his life together. “Mr. Wolfe, this incident with a random tow truck took place four years ago. How can you be sure you are getting your identification correct?”
“I’m sure.”
“Eyewitnesses are wrong all the time. Nearly 69% of wrongful identifications happen every year.”
Nathan leans towards the microphone. “Those are civilian statistics. I’m not a civilian.”
“So you are more qualified to identify faces?” The defense lawyer scoffs.
He leans in again. “Yes.”
He responds so seriously that everyone in the room would be remiss to argue. Even the defense lawyer looks scared.
“No further questions, your honor.”
And that’s all I need.
* * *
“On the count of arson with malicious intent: We, the jury, find the defendant… Guilty.
“On the count of unlawful abduction: We, the jury, find the defendant… Guilty.
“On the count of second-degree attempted murder: We, the jury, find the defendant… Guilty.”
Judge Fulton knocks his gavel, signifying the end of the trial, and I let the wave of success wash over me. I did it.
I nailed Jeremiah Porter on all counts. He’s going to prison for a long ass time.
“Congratulations,” Hayes whispers in my ear as I’m packing my briefcase. I don’t look at him as I finish my task, but the smile glows on my face regardless.
I want to wrap my arms around his neck and plant a big kiss on his lips, but I’m forced to maintain my composure until we exit the courtroom.
“So do we all go out to celebrate now or what?” Thea asks, pulling me into a hug.
“I definitely want to celebrate, but please, let’s rain check. I’m exhausted,” I laugh, and she squeezes my arms.
“Fine, I’ll get my mom to babysit tomorrow night. Don’t argue.” She points at me before backing away. “I’m telling everyone. I need a good night out before the pregnancy sickness hits me like a freight train.”
“Yes, mother,” I tease her.
“Hayes, make sure she looks sexy,” she whispers through her hands, winking before she joins Jesse and the others outside the courtroom.
“I can only imagine you two were menaces in college.”
“Yes. Yes, we were.” My hand creeps down to his butt after I notice we’re the last few remaining in the room, and the others aren’t paying attention to us. “Take me home, baby,” I utter raspily, and his eyes darken.
“Liv, your stalker is out there. We shouldn’t go back to the cottage yet. We shouldn’t be going out tomorrow either.”
“Fuck my stalker. I won’t be alone. I’ll be with everyone. I’ll be with you,” I pout, batting my eyes.
“Yep, definitely a menace,” he whispers, leaning down to steal a firm, molten kiss.