Chapter 64
ADA DEXTER LEWIS said, “Do you need a minute, Mr. Morgan?”
“No, thanks. I’m okay.” I blew my nose. Cleared my throat.
Lewis said, “Is there anything else you’d like to say about the defendant?”
“I’m sorry?”
“Does Mr. Del Rio stop traffic for ducklings? Send paychecks home to his mom?”
Caine was on his feet with an objection. “The prosecution is badgering the witness, Your Honor.”
“Sustained.” Judge Johnson looked at Lewis, said, “Don’t do that, Mr. Lewis. Treat the witness with respect. This is a warning.”
“Sorry, Your Honor.”
“Ask your next question, Mr. Lewis.”
“Mr. Morgan, did I understand you to say that you overheard Mr. Del Rio promise to be with Corporal Young’s wife when she gave birth to her child?”
“That’s right.”
“Did he? Go to Lubbock, Texas, to be with Mrs. Young?”
“I…don’t know.”
“Well, I know, Mr. Morgan. And I believe you do too. Sheila Young gave birth to a daughter on March twenty-ninth of 2003. Danielle. Do you remember where Mr. Del Rio was at that time?”
“Yes.”
“Speak up, Mr. Morgan.”
“Yes. I know where he was.”
“Please share that information with the jury.”
Caine was on his feet again. “Relevance, Your Honor?”
“Overruled, Mr. Caine. Your witness opened the door. Go ahead, Mr. Morgan. Answer the question.”
“Rick was at Chino.”
“Why was Mr. Del Rio in prison, if you can remember?”
“He robbed a liquor store.”
“Let’s see. Mr. Del Rio was convicted on three counts,” Lewis said, as if he were reading notes written on his palm. “Breaking and entering. Armed robbery. Larceny. Guilty, guilty, guilty.
“I believe you spoke for Mr. Del Rio at that trial too, didn’t you, Mr. Morgan? Played the hero card? Helped get him a break on his sentence?”
I didn’t answer.
“Please answer, Mr. Morgan. Did you give testimony as to Mr. Del Rio’s heroic acts in Afghanistan at his trial?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you. So, not to rub it in, Mr. Morgan, just to state the facts: Mr. Del Rio is an ex-con, isn’t he?”
“Objection,” Caine shouted.
“I withdraw the question. Are you and Mr. Del Rio still close friends?”
“Yes.”
“Did Mr. Del Rio ever say anything to you about wanting to get back at Victoria Carmody for dumping him?”
“No.”
“Did he spy on her, Mr. Morgan? Did he use any of Private’s famous space-age spyware on Ms. Carmody? Did he follow her around? Did he stalk her?”
“Objection,” Caine said. “Once again, Mr. Lewis is badgering the witness. I move to strike, Your Honor.”
Judge Johnson shoved papers aside, asked Dexter Lewis, “Is there any basis for this line of questioning? Do you have evidence to show that Mr. Del Rio was spying on Ms. Carmody?”
“Your Honor, Private Investigations is well known for unlawful activity. It’s what they do. If Mr. Del Rio was surveilling Ms. Carmody without a court order, then the jury needs to know—”
“Move on, please, Mr. Lewis.”
“That’s all I have for this witness.”
The judge said to me, “Thank you for your service, Captain Morgan. You may stand down.”
I stood up and walked across the well, meaning to put my hand on Rick’s shoulder as I passed him, but Rick wasn’t looking at me. He was whispering fiercely to Caine.
Caine stood and said, “I’d like to request a recess, Your Honor.”
Del Rio jumped to his feet and shouted, “We don’t need a recess, Judge. I want to testify and my lawyer doesn’t agree. But it’s my right to do it and I demand my rights.”
I shouted, “Rick. No.”
The judge banged the gavel, and the noise in the gallery sounded like a tornado rumbling down the interstate. There was more gavel banging, and I could hear the little dog go nuts under the bench.
Finally, a tense silence came over the room.
Judge Johnson sent the jury out, and when they were gone, she said, “Consult with your attorney, Mr. Del Rio. After that, if you want to testify, you will be heard.”