Page 134 of The First Gentleman

CHAPTER

120

ATV camera is set up on the courthouse steps and a reporter is broadcasting live. “It’s not every day that the spouse of the president of the United States gets called to the witness stand to defend himself in a murder trial,” the reporter says. “In fact, it’s never happened before in American history.”

Courthouse security is the tightest it’s been yet.

Outside, demonstrators are acting out the conflict of the trial. A couple of state troopers are called in to break up a fight between members of the pro-Cole and anti-Cole camps.

As I pass through the security checkpoints, I’m thinking about what Daryna told me.Who authorized the removal of the case files?Why is the Mob involved?Could there really be a covert movement to use Cole Wright as a tool to oust his wife from the White House?

I don’t know when I’ll next hear from Daryna, but I hope it’s soon.

After Judge Dow calls the court to order, he turns to the defense table. “Ms. Hardy, is the defense ready to proceed?”

Hardy stands up. “Yes, Your Honor.”

It’s happening. I can feel the electricity crackle all around me.

“The defense calls Cole Wright.”

The defendant walks to the witness stand. The First Gentleman is wearing a navy-blue suit, well tailored to ensure that no bulge from his ankle monitor is visible.

Cole stands in front of the clerk, raises his right hand, and swears to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

Will he?

He takes his seat and smooths his tie.

Tess Hardy walks over to the lectern. She’s wearing a red skirt suit and a white blouse. Together, she and Cole present a unified vision in red, white, and blue.

Can’t be coincidental.

“Good morning, Mr. Wright.”

“Good morning.”

Confident. Polite.

Hardy has drawn the toughest legal assignment there is. A celebrity client and murder suspect testifying on his own behalf.

“Mr. Wright, twenty years ago, you became a professional football player, is that correct?”

“Yes. I played tight end for the New England Patriots.”

As if anybody in the room doesn’t know that. It’s like Paul McCartney saying he used to sing with the Beatles.

“And you considered yourself a competitive athlete?”

“Definitely. I played for three seasons. You don’t survive in the NFL without being competitive. If you’re not competitive, you don’t win.”

“Mr. Wright, were you an aggressive player?”

“Again, in football, you don’t succeed without being aggressive. It’s part of the culture. It’s part of the game. You hit people. You knock them down. You run over them. They do the same to you. It’s a contact sport.”

“A brutal sport.”

“It can be.”

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