Chapter 51
Chapter Fifty-One
Law And Order
Raf
Mia Damiano answers the door of her SoHo apartment wearing a tailored powder-blue suit, her light brown hair pulled back into a low bun.
She looks every bit the picture of sophistication.
I note her striking resemblance to Chiara, and there’s this odd sensation of familiarity.
Mia. The name rings a bell, but I push it aside. I have more pressing issues at hand.
That she is ready to go to court and not sitting here in her pajamas is somewhat reassuring.
We just need to get her confidently on board with coming with us.
Like, within the next fifteen minutes. It’s okay if she’s nervous; it’s normal.
But if we put her on the stand and her testimony lacks conviction to back the evidence, they’ll see her weakness and claw at it with every trick in the book. We can’t let that happen.
The apartment is decorated stylishly, minimalistic in that very expensive way that makes it evident no expense has been spared.
My guess is that she either comes from money or makes a decent amount herself.
Good. That will work in our favor, because it’s unlikely she’ll be swayed by settlement money.
“Mia, we understand this is overwhelming,” Sophia begins.
She’s dropped the formalities—a nice touch in the circumstances.
“That reliving the events of that night and every moment since will be raw and confronting. But our job is to protect you and hopefully get justice for what you’ve had to endure.
” Sophia covers Mia’s hands with hers and dips her head so she can look our client in the eye.
“Have we done anything to make you feel like we don’t have you or your best interest at heart? ” she asks.
“No, no. I feel completely supported,” she says, wringing her hands anxiously.
“You’ve both been professional, empathetic, and proactive.
” She’s polite but her voice is trembling.
“I was the one who came forward and agreed to testify. I want justice for myself and the other victims. It’s just…
” She hesitates, and I use it as my opportunity to test my theory that this about-face has something to do with the late evidence Victoria claims the defense has and wants to release.
“Mia, if you don’t want to testify today, we completely understand,” I say.
“We’re not here to strong-arm you into doing anything that will cause you additional pain or hurt.
You deserve peace. So if walking away from this trial right now is what feels right, we won’t stop you.
” I place a hand over my heart. “Hand on heart, there would be no disappointment. Just admiration that you had the courage to come forward in the first place. But if you have cold feet because you’re scared something from your past might be exposed and paint you in a negative light, let me remind you that anything you tell us is protected by attorney-client privilege.
” I purposely pause, allowing my words to sink in.
Mia worries her lip but says nothing, so I continue.
“If there’s something that you think could affect your testimony or the case, it’s better we know now so we can plan ahead and be ready if the defense tries to use it. ”
Mia stands from the couch and goes to the sideboard under the mirror across the room and opens the drawer. She pulls out a legal envelope and hands it to me.
Sophia moves closer, looking on as I open the seal and gently pull out the piece of paper contained within.
It’s a letter that’s been typed on a typewriter, or at least made to look like it has.
Sophia and I share a look, and I turn the paper face down. My hunch was right; whoever is behind this ransom note of sorts is working for or associated with Arty.
I’m not going to lie to this girl; it would make me no better than the coward who sent this note or Arty and his defense team, the monsters trying to scare us all into silence.
“Mia, I am going to be straight with you. Earlier today we had a partner from Bartholomew Jones Entertainment Lawyers come to us with a tip-off that the defense is going to submit late evidence at today’s trial.
I had a feeling it was part of a two-pronged approach, given you also had second thoughts about testifying,” I confess.
“If I had to take an educated guess, they’re trying to manipulate us into settling out of court so Arty Bartholomew Jones can avoid being found guilty and sent to jail.
I’m not going to tell you how to proceed; like I said earlier, if you don’t want to take the stand, we fully support you.
However, if you do get on the stand to testify and the defense asks to play a video entered as late evidence, we can object under the Rape Shield Law and demand an in-camera review. ”
“Okay…What does that mean?” she asks.
“It means we can request to stop the evidence from being used because it’s trying to use previous sexual history that has no bearing or relevance to this incident to bring your character into disrepute.
We can then demand an in-camera review. If the judge allows it, everyone will be escorted from the room, and the judge will review it with only us, your counsel, and the defense, privately.
The judge then makes his decision about whether it can be shown to the jury as evidence for this case or not. ”
Mia takes a deep breath. “I don’t know what to do.”
Sophia places a hand on her shoulder. “We’ll stand by you. Whatever you decide.”