Part 56 (1/2)
”Let's talk about the courier service. First of all, what's it called?”
”Wing Nuts Courier Services.”
”And is that a Los Angelesbased company?”
”Based here but with offices in seven cities. It operates all over this state and Nevada.”
”Exactly how much of Wing Nuts do you own?”
”I am a partial partic.i.p.ant. I believe I own forty percent of it.”
”And who are some of the other partic.i.p.ants?”
”Well, there are several. Some aren't people, they're other companies.”
”Like AA-Best Consultants of Brooklyn, New York, which is listed on corporate records in Sacramento as part owner of Wing Nuts?”
Opparizio was again slow to answer. This time he seemed lost in a dark thought until the judge prompted him.
”Yes, I believe that is one of the investors.”
”Now, corporation doc.u.ments held by the state of New York show that the majority owner of AA-Best is one Dominic Capelli. Are you familiar with him?”
”No, I am not.”
”You are saying that you are unfamiliar with one of your partners in Wing Nuts, sir?”
”AA-Best invested. I invested. I don't know all the individuals involved.”
Freeman stood. It was about time. I had been waiting for her to object for at least four questions. I was spinning my wheels waiting.
”Your Honor, is there a point to all of this?” she asked.
”I was beginning to wonder about that myself,” Perry said. ”You want to enlighten us, Mr. Haller?”
”Three more questions, Your Honor, and I think the relevance here will be crystal clear to everyone,” I said. ”I beg the court's indulgence for just three more questions.”
I had stared at Opparizio the whole time I'd said it. I was sending the message. Pull the plug now or your secrets will be put out there in the world. LeMure will know. Your stockholders will know. The U.S. Attorney's Office will know. Everyone will know.
”Very well, Mr. Haller.”
”Thank you, Your Honor.”
I looked down at my notes. Now was the time. If I had Opparizio right, now was the time. I looked back up at him.
”Mr. Opparizio, would it surprise you to learn that Dominic Capelli, the partner you claim not to know, is listed by the New York-”
”Your Honor?”
It was Opparizio. He had cut me off.
”On advice of counsel and pursuant to my Fifth Amendment rights and privileges granted by the Const.i.tution of the United States and the state of California, I respectfully decline to answer this or further questions.”
There.
I stood totally still but that was only on the outside. Energy flooded through me like a scream. I was barely aware of the rumble of whispers that went through the courtroom. Then from behind me a voice firmly addressed the court.
”Your Honor, may I address the court please?”
I turned and saw it was one of Opparizio's attorneys, Martin Zimmer.
Then I heard Freeman, her voice high and tight, calling an objection and asking for a sidebar.
But I knew a sidebar wasn't going to do it this time. And so did Perry.
”Mr. Zimmer, you may sit down. We are going to break now for lunch and I expect all parties to be back in court at one o'clock this afternoon. The jury is directed not to discuss the case with one another or to draw any conclusions from the testimony and request of this witness.”
Court broke loudly after that, with the members of the media talking among themselves. As the last juror was going through the door I stepped away from the lectern and leaned down to the defense table to whisper in Aronson's ear.
”You might want to come back to chambers this time.”
She was about to ask what I meant when Perry made it official.
”I want counsel to join me in chambers. Immediately. Mr. Opparizio, I want you to stay right there. You can consult with your counsel, but don't leave the courtroom.”
With that the judge got up and headed back.
I followed.
Fifty.
By now I was intimately getting to know the wall hangings and furnis.h.i.+ngs and everything else in the judge's chambers. But I expected that this would be my last visit, and probably the most difficult. As we entered, the judge stripped off his robe and threw it haphazardly over the hat rack in the corner rather than carefully put it on a hanger as he had for prior in camera in camera meetings. He then dropped into his seat and loudly exhaled. He leaned far back and looked up at the ceiling. He had a petulant look on his face, as though his concerns over what would be decided here were more about his own reputation as a jurist than about justice for a murder victim. meetings. He then dropped into his seat and loudly exhaled. He leaned far back and looked up at the ceiling. He had a petulant look on his face, as though his concerns over what would be decided here were more about his own reputation as a jurist than about justice for a murder victim.
”Mr. Haller,” he said as though he was releasing a great burden.
”Yes, Your Honor?”
The judge rubbed his face.
”Please tell me that it was not your plan all along, and from the beginning, to force Mr. Opparizio into taking the Fifth in front of the jury.”
”Judge,” I said, ”I had no idea he was going to take the Fifth. After the motion to quash hearing we had, I thought there was no way he would. I was pus.h.i.+ng him, sure, but I wanted the answers to my questions.”