Page 141 of Strays
“I tripped. It wasn’t on purpose.”
Renner steps closer. “And what happened after you tripped?”
Luc goes quiet. “I woke up in the hospital.”
Renner pauses, then turns slightly toward the jury. “You woke up in the hospital. Broken nose. Concussion. Swelling across the face. That’s what the photos show.”
Luc doesn’t respond.
“And how many times has your nose been broken before this?”
Luc hesitates. “I don’t know. Two... maybe three?”
“Three, to be exact,” Renner says. “According to your medical records, this is the third time your nose has been fractured. Not to mention the punctured lung and broken ribs from a bar fight in two thousand twenty-one. Do you remember that one?”
The DA stands. “Objection. Relevance.”
“Pattern of behavior, Your Honor,” Renner replies.
“Overruled.”
“You’ve been hospitalized four times for injuries sustained in violent encounters,” Renner continues. “You’ve never filed charges until now. Is that because this time the people involved were aegis?”
Luc’s eyes flick back and forth between Renner and the jury, like a tennis ball. “I didn’t think it needed charges before.”
“No, but this time you saw an opportunity.”
“Objection. Argumentative,” the DA says.
This time, Judge Conway agrees with him. “Sustained.”
“You’ve also been accused of domestic violence by two previous partners, correct?” Renner continues.
Luc stiffens. “Those were misunderstandings.”
“Police reports were filed. Neighbors called in complaints. In one case, ER staff documented deep scratch wounds across your arms and face, inflicted while your girlfriend tried to defend herself. That’s on the record.”
“Objection! Prior bad acts!” the DA shouts.
“Your Honor,” Renner says calmly, “the witness has placed his peaceful character at issue.”
“Overruled.”
Several jurors exchange glances. One crosses her arms tightly.
“And since May, police have responded twice to your current address for domestic disturbances. Screaming. Objects thrown. In one report, officers noted blood on the kitchen floor. You declined treatment. Isn’t that right?”
Luc’s jaw tightens. “Kacy and I fight. That doesn’t mean—”
“That you’re violent?”
Luc looks away.
Renner lets the silence stretch, then nods. “No further questions.”
“You may step down, Mr. Knolson,” Judge Conway says.
Luc adjusts his tie again and leaves the stand, eyes flicking toward the jury one last time.
