“The court calls Keisha Crawford to the stand.”
She squeezed his hand before standing to make her way to the witness chair, her navy blazer sharp, eyes steady despite fatigue.Not that he’d slept much either.Today would determine if he faced a death sentence back home.
“Name for the record,” the stenographer said, keys poised.
“Keisha Crawford.”
The DA, wire-rimmed glasses, approached.“Ms.Crawford, your relationship with Sergei Lisowski?”
Her gaze flicked to Sergei.“I met him investigating foster placement scams.Thought he was part of it at first.”
Sergei’s hands twitched.
“Was Sergei Lisowski a part of the scams?”the DA asked.
“No,” Keisha said, “He’d made a clean break from Kryvaya Stal.”
Judge Ortega, silver-streaked, noted something.Sergei’s throat tightened.
“How did you and Mr.Lisowski come into contact with each other?”the DA asked.
“He found out that I was in danger because of my investigation and came to warn me.”
“Did Mr.Lisowski threaten you in any way?”
Keisha shook her head.“The exact opposite.He was concerned about my welfare because he knows how dangerous Kryvaya Stal is.Once he realized I wasn’t going to back down, he offered to help instead.He also helped to protect a teenager who was also in danger.”
“Did Mr.Lisowski help you with your investigation?”
“Yes.”
Sergei bit back a smile.His woman was smart.He knew her background as a social worker who’d had to testify in court cases meant she was prepared for today, but to see her in action made him proud...and hard.
The second thought made him shift in his seat.He needed to calm down.It wouldn’t do him any favors if he was called back to the witness chair and had to walk with a hard dick.
“How?”the DA asked.
“He gave me their structure, methods, record spots,” she said, hands folded.“All key to helping me know what to look for.It is the reason you have Pavel Orlov and Dmitri Kuznetsov in custody.”
“What about his past with Kryvaya Stal?”the DA asked.
“He told me he was an enforcer,” she said, no pause.“He’s been straight about it from the beginning.”
Judge Ortega looked up.“Why should I trust Mr.Lisowski’s change, Ms.Crawford?”
Keisha met the judge’s gaze head-on.“Sergei Lisowski risked his life for me and for a foster kid they targeted.He stayed when he could’ve run.His remorse shows in what he’s done, not said.”
Sergei’s chest burned, her belief too much.
“He found six additional kids set for illegal placement,” she said, stronger.“Gave drop points, safe houses, comms.Without him, kids would still be disappearing.”
The DA nodded.“No further questions, Your Honor.”
Ortega eyed Sergei.“Your cooperation’s noted, Mr.Lisowski, but your past is tainted.You can not afford to make any mistakes.Are we clear?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” he said, voice rough.
“Ms.Crawford,” Ortega said, “you claim redemption on his behalf.What assurances can you offer that he’ll stay on this path?”
