Mick headed over. I followed right behind him.
The photographer pointed to the trunk of the tree.
At about eye level, I saw a marking in red spray paint.
It was a bigK.The color of blood.
“Looks fresh,” said Mick.
I looked down. Sure enough. Some excess spray had misted the leaves below.
I stared at the letter. Turned it over in my mind. What did it mean?
KforKiller? Maybe somebody blamed Cocheta for her part in the abortion.
Kas in short for the Greek wordkilo,meaningthousand? Did Cocheta owe somebody money?
Or maybeKforKlan? The group that’s been stringing up people of color down here for more than a hundred and fifty years.
CHAPTER
43
Back in court. A week had passed, and Sheriff Owens was still investigating the death of Cocheta Bass. He’d called a press conference, a rare event in Bullock County—though it was becoming more common. The sheriff said they still had no suspects, but that he wanted to reassure the community: There was no cause for alarm.
People were not comforted by his rhetoric. Plenty of folks in the county were alarmed. I was included in that number. Because I was well acquainted with the sheriff, had the opportunity to observe his investigative skills over the years.
Mick Owens wasn’t stupid. He did just fine handling a case that was open-and-shut. Where the suspect was caught red-handed or confessed during interrogation. But in a challenging case?
That man couldn’t find his ass with both hands.
I sat at the bench the following Tuesday, looking down at the counsel tables. The DA, Robert Reeves, sat in his customary spot. On that occasion, he had AAG Eleanor Lindquist seated beside him.
At the defense table, Benjamin Meyers sat with Dr. Bria Gaines. She appeared to be composed, listening and nodding as Meyers spoke softly to her. She was changing, though. I could see it. Like she was aging before my eyes. Her face had the haggard look that comes from stress and uncertainty and sleepless nights. Didn’t surprise me that she was suffering. If the doctorwasn’tscared, I’d be concerned. Might have to question her intelligence.
But Dr. Gaines was smart. She knew what the stakes were.
I cleared my throat to get their attention. After all parties raised their eyes to the bench, I said, “I see that counsel for defendant has filed a motion in the case ofState of Alabama v. Bria Gaines,Case No. CR194317. Defendant is here in person and with counsel, Benjamin Meyers. The State is represented by District Attorney Robert Reeves and Assistant Attorney General Eleanor Lindquist.”
They were quiet. Waiting.
I said, “Mr. Meyers, you have filed a motion in limine to exclude witnesses. For the record, please identify the witnesses you allege should not be permitted to testify at trial in the instant case.”
He stood. “Starla Jones and Nova Jones, Your Honor. For the reasons set forth in the motion.”
I was entirely familiar with the substance of his motion. A motion in limine is a request made prior to trial to exclude certain evidence or testimony. He wanted to keep Nova and her mother off the stand. A helluva ask, you understand. I needed to hear his justification, to have it on the record. “And what are the grounds?”
“Your Honor, I’ve uncovered information confirming that the prosecution witnesses are being compensated in exchange for their testimony.”
“Objection!” It was a female voice, ringing out in righteousindignation. The AAG, Lindquist, was on her feet, rather than Reeves. Which was interesting. Made me wonder who was in charge.
She spoke with the air of a person whose good name had been besmirched. “The defense is making grave allegations of misconduct, Judge. Allegations which are baseless. We’re putting the defense on notice that the State will not permit opposing counsel to abuse our witnesses. The claims in the motion are highly inflammatory. The State believes that these false statements constitute defamation.”
I focused on the defense table. Meyers appeared unaffected by Lindquist’s accusations. His client, though, was troubled. Bria’s mouth trembled, and she covered it with her hand.
The doctor was torn. And she was not alone. I had conflicting sympathies in this case, too.
I kept my manner brisk, all business. “Mr. Meyers, what evidence do you have to support the claim that the witnesses are being compensated for testimony?”
