Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 52699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
I shook my head. “I’m pretty sure some reporter would’ve—”
“Trust me,” he interrupted. “There were two.”
Before I could ask him how he knew that, he looked at me.
“The landlord set that fire on purpose because he needed the money,” he said. “He didn’t care about his low paying tenants, didn’t even care enough to set off a damn alarm to give them a chance to survive.”
I bit my tongue.
Over our stakeouts, I’d noticed that the landlord was the only person I saw walking and leaving the building. He was a sweet elderly man who’d offered me donuts and coffee on occasion.
He’d even offered to give me a tour.
“Are you sure, Damien?”
“One hundred percent.” His eyes glazed over. “He’s a mass murderer and the moment he slips up and he stops using the cane that he doesn’t need, that he swore he injured on that night, I’ll put him away.”
“What if it takes five or ten more years?”
“I’m willing to wait as long as it takes.”
“What happened to the newborn?”
“A nice family adopted her and gave her an amazing life.”
“Do you ever talk to her?”
“Yes and no. She’s close enough for me to see her every day.”
I decided not to pry any further.
“Elizabeth,” he said, saying my name softer than ever, “where do you go on alternate weekends?”
I’ve tried to tell you. “I’ll tell you someday.”
“Okay.” He pulled me against his side. “Make it someday soon.”
CREDIBILITY (N.)
WHETHER TESTIMONY IS WORTHY OF BELIEF, BASED ON COMPETENCE OF THE WITNESS AND LIKELIHOOD THAT IT IS TRUE
ELIZABETH
The closing argument was still the worst thing in my arsenal, and I had yet to craft one that was worth giving. Piecing together weeks of intensive testimony and evidence into one tight performance eluded me, and deep down, I knew why.
Onstage, I was reciting the lines that someone else had written, and the applause was guaranteed whether the performance was believable or not. In the courtroom, the jury remained stoic, and the “applause” was given in the form of a verdict that came long after the curtains closed.
Determined to finally get one right, I took the elevator to the mock courtroom and hit the lights. I set my notes on the defense table and took my time walking in front of the jury, just like I’d watched Damien do countless times before.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury.” I stared at the empty seats. “My client did not secretly record the sex tape of his former boss pissing on him. The evidence clearly shows that he’s far too cocky to ever let something like this get out, and that’s why you need to vote ‘not guilty.’ Not. Guilty.”
Onto draft number two.
“There are only two words that will finally bring this embarrassing saga to an end for my client,” I said. “Not guilty. The defense rests, Your Honor.”’
I sighed. At this rate, I’d need to write at least fifty drafts.
Returning to my notes, I flipped through the pages and scanned the best lines in my favorite legal films and shows. I was starting to believe that I would never get the opportunity to yell, “I want the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth!” during a trial, but I was still holding out hope for a chance for the others.
“My client may have wanted his boss to pee on him, ladies and gentlemen,” I read aloud, “but he did not record it or ever intend for it to be used for revenge.”
“You definitely won’t convince the jury with that.” Damien’s deep voice made me look up.
“I’m not trying to convince them of anything,” I said. “I’m telling the truth.”
“If the other side’s lies are even halfway compelling, you’re in huge trouble. Would you like some help?”
“From who?”
“Depends.” I crossed my arms. “Will you promise not to laugh like you usually do?”
“No.” He smiled and took my notes, throwing them to the floor.
“Don’t get offended,” he said, “but you look like you barely believe the words you’re saying, and the jury will pick up on that.”
“I can’t help that I despise this client.”
“What’s there to hate about him?”
“He’s a serial womanizer and he thinks he’s God’s gift to women.”
“So? That has nothing to do with his case.”
“Then why did the other side keep bringing it up?” I asked, walking to the jury box as if they were here with us. “There are seven women on the jury, and they rolled their eyes or sighed every time he answered a question.”
“That’s okay.” He placed his hands on my shoulders. “He doesn’t have to be their favorite person to be found ‘not guilty.’ For closing, you need to focus on the grey parts of him, the traits that make him a bit more likable.”
“He doesn’t have any of those.”
“He’s good to his friends, his business partners love him, and he actually didn’t do this, so technically, isn’t he the type of client you’ve been wanting?”