Part 20 (1/2)
”That's right.”
Fleckstein held up his hand. ”Now then,” he said virtuously, ”don't tell us what Mr. Randolph told you, but after you talked to him, what did you do with the check?”
”I deposited it to Cora Felton's account.”
”Would you know that check if you saw it again?”
”Yes.”
”I hand you a check marked Plaintiff's Exhibit Number One and ask if you have seen it before.”
”Yes. That is the check I showed to Mr. Randolph. The one Cora Felton gave me to deposit.”
”Thank you. That's all.”
Judge Hobbs looked over at the defense table. ”Ms. Baldwin, if you have any questions of this witness, please ask them now.”
Cora Felton was tugging at Becky's sleeve.
”One moment, Your Honor,” Becky said. She leaned over, whispered, ”What?”
”Ask her about her relations.h.i.+p with Randolph.”
”Why?”
”Probably be interesting.”
”You're going to get me disbarred, you know it.” Becky stood up and said, ”Miss Clemson, what was your relations.h.i.+p with Mr. Randolph?”
”I beg your pardon?”
”Was he your boyfriend? Were you dating? He ever ask you out?”
”Objection, Your Honor!” Fleckstein said. ”Of all the improper questions.”
”It's always proper to show bias, Your Honor.”
”Bias?” Fleckstein said. ”How in the world does that establish bias?”
”Mr. Randolph was killed, Your Honor. If the witness was dating him, that would certainly have an effect on her testimony.”
”That's not what bias means, and you know it! Your Honor, she's trying to turn the courtroom into a circus.”
”I want to answer!”
Judge Hobbs looked at the witness in surprise. ”I beg your pardon?”
”I was not dating Mr. Randolph. I was never dating Mr. Randolph. He asked me out once, but I didn't go.”
”He asked you out?”
”Yes.”
”How long ago was that?”
”Oh, Your Honor,” Fleckstein said. ”How is that relevant?”
”It probably isn't. But since the witness volunteered the information, counsel can certainly ask her about it.”
”How long ago?”
”Six months ago.”
”He asked you out?”
”Yes.”
”And you said no?”
”Yes.”
”How did he take it?”
”He seemed disappointed.”
”Did his att.i.tude towards you change in the bank?”
”No. He was very professional.”
”Now, Ms. Baldwin,” Judge Hobbs said, ”I think we have exhausted the subject.”
Becky looked at Cora as if to say, ”Are you satisfied?”
Cora whispered, ”Good. Now you got her rattled. Get her to admit she doesn't remember the check.”
Becky looked exasperated. ”I thought you were upset that I was making a fuss about the check.”
”Yeah, but if you're gonna play the game, you might as well win.”
Becky took a breath. ”Miss Clemson, going back to the check you say you received from my client...”
”Well, it's about time,” Fleckstein said.
Judge Hobbs banged the gavel. ”If we could avoid these side comments.”
”Sorry, Your Honor.”
”You say my client presented you with a check.”
”That's right.”