“I have an eyewitness who can link him to Rodriguez prior to the shooting.”
Her knees went weak. She leaned back against the wall and listened with mounting dismay as he explained what had taken place in the morgue that morning. “Otterman saw Rodriguez in conversation with Crawford outside the courthouse.”
When she was able to find her voice, she said, “That can’t be true.”
“He’s positive. He knew it in an instant but feared reprisal from Crawford, so he didn’t blurt it out. He called later and told me in secret.” He hesitated, then said, “I’ve wanted to ask you a question but hesitated because I felt it was inappropriate. Now I believe it’s relevant. Judge Spencer, were you going to grant or deny Crawford’s custody petition?”
“It is an inappropriate question. I can’t discuss that.”
“Well, I believe Crawford predicted that you would deny his custody. So he found a guy who nobody knew, who had fake IDs and little money. Someone desperate or easily duped, or both. He staged this attempt on your life. But his plan all along was to spring into action and take out the shooter. Whether you lived or died, he would have become a hero.”
She denied it with the first inconsistency that came to mind. “How was he to take out the shooter when he didn’t even have his service weapon in court?”
“He knew Chet would be down and could use his.”
“That’s even more outlandish. He would never have ordered the assassination of Chet Barker. He thought the world of him.”
“That’s true. But he loves his daughter more. He did all this for her, to get her. After his courtroom heroics, and all the accolades to follow, who would deny him custody?”
He was running with this hypothesis like a team of wild horses. Rather than be dragged along with him, she strived to remain rational and clear-headed. “Why would he cook up this elaborate scheme, then protect me with his own body?”
“To make it look good. But Rodriguez panicked and bolted before finishing you off and before Crawford could finish him. Crawford couldn’t let him be captured. He chased him and caught up with him on the roof. He confronted him one-on-one even after other officers cautioned him against it.”
“That seems more like courage than conspiracy.”
“No, he wanted to see Rodriguez downed one way or another. The video shows Rodriguez freaking out the instant Crawford stepped out onto the roof.”
Since she hadn’t seen the video, she couldn’t comment.
Neal pressed on. “For the sake of argument, judge, no one can substantiate the pierced ear thing, or that Crawford kicked the gunman. There’s absolutely nothing to support his suspicion of Otterman, who just happened to appear minutes after I had expressed my own suspicion of Crawford. He saw an opportunity to create a distraction with Otterman. It backfired on him.
“And he’s been unusually preoccupied with you. He told you first about the pierced ear, I believe to test your reaction to his claim that the gunman didn’t have one. Remember, he’s the one who insisted on putting you under guard.
“Initially, I mistakenly thought his obsession with you was sexual, but this development with Otterman casts it in a new light. He’s keeping close tabs on you for a reason. Am I right or not that he devises excuses to be alone with you?”
After a moment, she said quietly, “If he’s adapted a protective attitude I believe it’s because he has a vested interest in my welfare. That’s a common reaction from one who saves your life.”
“Is that what you really think?” Neal asked softly. “Or are you just saying it?”
“I wouldn’t say something I didn’t believe.”
“You would if you were frightened enough.” He let those words hover, then said, “Judge Spencer, you’ve gone out of your way to publicly exonerate Crawford of any wrongdoing or recklessness. You went to bat for him today in the park. I’m wondering, has that been all for show? Are you taking his side to appease him?
“But before you answer, I should tell you that I know he went to your chambers after hours last night. He was seen leaving in a temper, and I’m told that you looked extremely upset when you followed a few minutes later. Be straight with me now, because I can’t protect you otherwise. Has Crawford threatened you?”
The back of the house was in complete darkness. Holly climbed over the fence and then took a moment to catch her breath, although her heart continued to thud so hard it was painful. Cautiously she approached the back door. Through it, she could hear his voice. At her soft knock, he stopped speaking immediately.