Part 39 (1/2)
”Why?”
”I can't tell you why.”
”You're saying something's gonna happen in court?”
”That's right.”
”Aside from the alimony? You mean about the murder case?”
”That's what I mean.”
”Well, what is it?”
”I can't tell you that. But it's a good bet. You always were a gambler, Melvin. Whaddya say? Wanna take a shot?”
Melvin studied her face. It had matured since he'd known her, but there was a familiar light in her eyes.
”Okay. I'm in.”
”Fine,” Cora said. ”Now, there's just one more thing.”
”What's that?”
”There's something you need to know.”
CHAPTER.
52.
Judge Hobbs was in unusually good spirits. He surveyed the crowded courtroom and said wryly, ”I don't know why you're all here.” He glanced at the plaintiff's table, where Melvin Crabtree sat shackled under police guard. ”I plan to grant the plaintiff a reasonable continuance, adjourn the hearing, and go and play golf.”
Becky Baldwin rose to her feet. ”We object to a continuance, Your Honor.”
Judge Hobbs chuckled. ”Nothing to object to, yet. I just told you what I'm going to do. The plaintiff is yet to make a motion. When he does, you can object to it.”
Lennie Fleckstein got to his feet. He glanced at his client for rea.s.surance. Melvin looked at him in exasperation, nodded, and gestured for him to go on. The little lawyer turned back to the judge. ”Your Honor, we're not asking for a continuance. The plaintiff is prepared to proceed.”
Judge Hobbs was flabbergasted. ”But, but,” he stammered, ”you just lost another witness. One whose direct testimony was seriously undermined and which you will not have an opportunity to repair. The mere fact you can't conduct redirect examination seriously hamstrings your case.”
”I hope your remarks don't indicate you have a predetermined verdict. It's somewhat singular to have the judge comment on the evidence before it's all in. The plaintiff is ready to go. Unless the defense needs time to prepare.”
”The defense is ready, Your Honor.”
Judge Hobbs scowled. He motioned the bailiff over. ”Call Pine Ridge Golf Course, tell them to hold my tee time. It shouldn't be a problem for them. Half the golfers in town are here.”
The judge turned back to the lawyer. ”Fine. Call your next witness.”
”Call Shelby Whitherspoon.”
An angular gentleman with white hair and bifocals took the stand and was sworn in.
”Mr. Whitherspoon, what is your occupation?”
”I'm an examiner of questioned doc.u.ments.”
”Stipulate his qualifications subject to cross-examination,” Becky Baldwin said.
”Mr. Whitherspoon, I hand you a doc.u.ment marked for identification as Plaintiff's Exhibit Number One, and ask you if you recognize it.”
”Yes, I do.”
”What do you recognize it to be?”
”It is a check from the estate of Chester T. Markowitz made out to and endorsed by Cora Felton Markowitz.”
”Have you seen that check before?”
”Yes. I was given that check and asked to compare it with another check on the account of Cora Felton, made out to cash and signed by Cora Felton.”
”And what did you conclude?”
”Aside from the name Markowitz, the signatures are identical.”
”I ask that the check, Plaintiff's Exhibit Number One, be introduced into evidence.”
”Now just a minute,” Judge Hobbs said. ”That check was already stricken from the evidence when the witness, Lilly Clemson, was unable to identify it as the one having been given to her by the defendant, Cora Felton. The fact a handwriting expert says it's her signature doesn't prove it's the same check.”
”We're not introducing it as the same check, Your Honor. Merely as a check made out to Cora Felton Markowitz which she endorsed. After all, that's the only issue here. Whether the defendant acknowledged herself to be Mrs. Markowitz.”
”Thank you for educating me on the law,” Judge Hobbs said tartly. ”But that does not happen to be the only issue here. The check may be introduced as the one examined by Mr. Whitherspoon, but that's all.”
”Thank you, Your Honor. No further questions.”
Becky smiled. ”In the interest of expediting your golf date, Your Honor, I have no questions.”
”Call your next witness.”
”The plaintiff rests, Your Honor.”
”Very well,” Judge Hobbs said dryly. ”Tempting as it is to dismiss the suit and play golf, I must reluctantly conclude that granting every favorable inference to the plaintiff, there is sufficient grounds to proceed. Does the defense wish to call a witness?”
”We do, Your Honor.”
”I a.s.sume that would be the defendant. I should warn you, I am well aware of your client's penchant for flashy, unconventional, outrageous, theatrical courtroom behavior. I tell you in advance any such spectacle shall be grounds for contempt of court.”
”Thank you, Your Honor,” Cora said.