“I told the truth,” she said. “I resent your accusing me otherwise.”
“You told the truth,” I said. “You’re saying you were never given alternate access. You’re saying you never knew about a hidden spare key behind a brick off the patio.”
“Objection!” Quick said. “Now counsel is testifying and offering facts not in evidence.”
“Sustained,” Judge Castor said, his temper rising.
“Ms. Rodney,” I said. “You’re in a romantic relationship with a man named Aaron Dover, isn’t that right?”
“Your Honor!”
“Approach,” Castor instructed. I expected this.
“Judge,” I started. “You granted me permission to explore whether this witness knows about a hidden key at the Loomis house. She stated that she didn’t. Her credibility is at issue. I believe she’s lying and I believe I can prove it.”
“She’s fishing,”Quick said.
Castor sighed. “She’s right; she can explore credibility issues. But get there, Ms. Leary.”
“Of course.” We stepped back. When I got back to the lectern, I thought I saw a subtle change in Jenna Rodney’s posture. She sat straighter.
“Aaron Dover,” I said. “Are you in a romantic relationship with him?”
“He is my boyfriend, yes. But he’s got nothing to do with any of this.”
“I didn’t ask if he did,” I said. “But thank you for clearing that up.” I could hear the second hand on the wall clock. Each tick felt like a doomsday countdown.
“Did you tell Aaron Dover about your employment with Tom Loomis? He knew you were working for him?”
“Sure,” she said.
“Jenna, did you tell Aaron Dover about a spare key hidden near the patio at the Loomis house?”
“No,” she said with conviction.
“How well do you know Aaron Dover?” I asked.
“What? I just told you.”
“Do you know his family?”
“His family? You mean his mom and dad? Yes. Of course I know them.”
“What’s his grandfather’s name?”
“Objection, relevance,” Quick said.
“Sustained.”
“Ms. Rodney, you testified that you saw the knife the defendant was holding, right?”
“Yes, I saw a knife in her hand.”
“This knife,” I said, walking to the evidence table. I picked up the buck knife and held it in the air.
“Yes,” she said.
“Do you remember what you told me when I asked you what was written on the handle of the knife?”
