Page 82 of The One for Forever

“I was the driver for Thompson and Amber Hayworth.”

“Did you work on the day of Thompson’s murder?”

“Yes, I did.”

I guide him through the events of that morning. How he took Amber to the spa on Ocean Lane. “What did you do while Amber was having her appointment?”

“I stayed parked nearby. Then I got hungry and walked a block away for a sandwich.”

“What route did you use to return to the spa?”

“I cut through an alley.”

I nod. We’re on track. He’s giving all the answers I expect. “What did you see in the alley?”

“Nothing. I just went back to my car to wait. Listened to a couple of podcasts.”

I halt in my tracks when my brain echoes what he just said. It doesn’t make sense. “I’m sorry, could you repeat that?”

“I saw nothing.”

There are murmurs among the jury and the audience. Chills sheet my skin.What the hell is he doing?

“Did you see anythingunusualin the alley?” I prompt. “Anyone?”

“Objection,” Derek barks. “Leading the witness.”

“Sustained,” the judge says, squinting at me with concern.

But Pete answers my question anyway. “I didn’t see anything unusual. Like I said, I went back to the car. I waited. And after her appointments were all done, Amber came out the front of the spa. Just like she said she would. She was there the whole time.”

This can’t be happening.

Now, sweat is pouring down my sides in my suit. I go to the counsel table, where my colleague is staring at me withwide, panicked eyes, and I grab the transcript of Pete’s prior statement.

“Mr. Diamond, didn’t you tell the district attorney that you saw Amber sneak out a side entrance into the alley, get into a sedan, and leave during the time period she claimed to be inside the spa?”

A few people in the audience gasp. “Objection!” Derek cries. “Lack of foundation. Improper impeachment.”

“Bailiff, please escort the jury from the room,” the judge says. “Counsel, approach the bench.Now.”

The jury files out so they won’t overhear the conference. Defense counsel and I crowd in front of the judge, who crosses her arms over her robes. “Ms. Ainsley, explain yourself. What is going on?”

“Mr. Diamond changed his testimony,” I sputter. I point to the statement of what he told us before, which I’m holding in my hand.

Derek cuts me off. “I’d say that’s no surprise at all. Diamond has no credibility whatsoever. It’s not my client’s fault the prosecution decided to make a known liar its star witness. Not onlythat, Miss Ainsley needs to review the rules of evidence and how to properly question a witness.”

Another wave of nausea rocks me. But it’s not Derek’s smug little digs that are getting under my skin. I can’t understand what happened. Did Amber or one of her thugs get to Pete?

But he didn’t look frightened on the stand. He seemed shockingly calm.Satisfied, even.

“Mr. Diamond made a proffer of his new testimony last week. If I could have a few moments to get in touch with the district attorney?—”

“We strenuously object to any delays,” Derek says. “If the DA wants to suborn perjury, she needs to do it in a timely manner.”

“That’s quite enough, Mr. Keller. You’ve made your point.” The judge heaves a sigh. “Since Mr. Diamond now contradicts his prior statements, the People may impeach himifthey set the proper foundation. No more leading questions without moving to declare him as hostile. And of course, Mr. Keller may cross-examine the witness about his flip-flopping testimony as well, if he wishes. I urge you both to be careful. I won’t have any more outbursts in my courtroom.”

Before he can return to his table, I grab Derek’s arm. “Did you know about this?” I hiss. “Did you convince Pete to hide what he saw the day of the murder?”

---