The AAG was getting frustrated with her witness. “Nova, just start at the beginning. Tell us about the party. No need to be embarrassed. Please.”
CHAPTER
64
Nova Jones
BULLOCK COUNTY COURTHOUSE UNION SPRINGS, ALABAMA
There wasn’t no party.
Nova never been to a high school party.
The lawyer in the blue dress, Miss Eleanor, was bossing her again. “Nova, I’m directing your attention to the night you had sexual intercourse—in December of last year. Tell us what you recall—”
The white lawyer for Dr. Bria got out of his chair. “Your Honor, I object; this is direct examination, and the attorney for the State is leading her own witness.”
“Fine!” Miss Eleanor snapped at him. “I’ll rephrase. Nova, tell us what happened at the high school party you attended in December.”
“I can’t.” Nova whispered it. She was too scared to speak up.
“I know parts are fuzzy, Nova, because you were drinking. Start with that, explain to the jury. Tell them how you came to be intoxicated that night.”
“I can’t!” Louder that time, but her voice cracked. Nova was scared, afraid she was about to bust out crying, squall like a baby.
“Nova.” The woman lawyer looked stern. “You have to.”
Nova wanted to disappear. She wished the floor would open right under her and swallow her up. “I can’t. I swore to God. You asked me if I know the difference between the truth and a lie, remember? There wasn’t no party, that’s a lie. I won’t tell a lie when I swore. I don’t want to go to…”
Her voice died. She didn’t finish the sentence. Not because she was afraid to say “hell” in front of Judge Mary and the jury.
It was because she’d spotted him. He was sitting in there, right out in that courtroom with all those people. His blue eyes were burning into her. Like he was daring her.Just go ahead and say it. See who they gonna believe. Me? Or you?
She twisted her head away, so she wouldn’t be caught looking at him. But that felt wrong. Becausehewas the one who should’ve been ashamed. It was his fault.
Dr. Bria had to sit right up front. Because everybody in town, seemed like, wanted Dr. Bria to go to jail. That just wasn’t right.
He the one that needed to be locked up. He should go to jail, not Doctor.
CHAPTER
65
Mary Stone
BULLOCK COUNTY COURTHOUSE UNION SPRINGS, ALABAMA
Sometimes a witness will fall apart on the stand. Nova Jones was teetering on the brink. I could see it coming, like watching a train wreck in slow motion.
The lawyer said, “Let’s start with the party, Nova.”
“I didn’t go to no party!”
Ms. Lindquist said, “These were your words, Nova. The sneaking out, the party, the boy. And it was dark, and you didn’t remember? Your. Words.”
“Not my words! Someone told me to tell the story that way. And I went along, because everyone wanted me to. I didn’t want no trouble.”
Lindquist’s eyes had narrowed to slits. “You told the sheriff you went to a party and had sex—didn’t you?”
