"I... I suppose."
"But instead of asking him directly, instead of respecting his privacy and his choices, you went to the FBI."
Alex looked miserable. "I was trying to help."
"By betraying his trust. By discussing his private life with federal agents. By assuming he was incapable of making his own decisions." Emilio's voice was cutting. "Does that sound like something a good friend would do?"
"Objection!" The prosecutor stood. "Counsel is badgering the witness."
"Withdrawn." Emilio turned to the judge. "No further questions."
Alex stepped down looking shaken. As he passed our table, he glanced at Valentino. I saw the regret in his face, the guilt. But it was too late. The damage was done on both sides.
Beside me, Valentino was breathing hard, hands clenched in his lap.
"You okay?" I whispered.
"No. But we'll get through it."
After the lunch recess, the prosecution shifted tactics.
"The People call Detective Maria Santos."
A woman in her forties took the stand. NYPD detective, by her uniform. I didn't recognize her but I felt dread settling in my stomach.
"Detective Santos, you've investigated Mr. Romano in the past?"
"Yes. Multiple times over the past decade."
"Can you describe those investigations?"
"Objection," Emilio said. "Prior investigations are not relevant to these charges."
"Your Honor, we're establishing Mr. Romano's pattern of criminal behavior."
"I'll allow it, within reason. Proceed."
The detective pulled out a file. "I first investigated Mr. Romano in connection with a RICO case eight years ago. Charges of racketeering, money laundering, and extortion related to the Vitale organization."
My past laid bare for the jury to judge.
"What was the outcome?"
"Case was dismissed due to lack of evidence. Witnesses recanted testimony." Her tone made it clear what she thought about those recantations.
"Have there been other investigations?"
"Several. Suspected involvement in loan sharking operations, illegal gambling, intimidation of business owners. Each time, witnesses disappeared or refused to cooperate."
"Would you say Mr. Romano has a history of intimidating people?"
"Objection!" Emilio was on his feet. "Speculation and prejudicial."
"Sustained. The jury will disregard that question."
But the jury had heard it. They were looking at me differently now. Not as a defendant, but as a criminal.
The detective continued, listing investigations, arrests that never led to convictions, witnesses who changed their stories. Painting a picture of someone who operated outside the law, who used fear and power to get what he wanted.
