Page 130 of Resurrection Walk

“When you put out the word about resuming the hearing, can you make sure that Sergeant Sanger is on notice to return to court? She’ll most likely be my next witness.”

“I will order her return.”

Five minutes later I was sitting in the courtroom taking my phone out of a plastic property bag. The first call I made was to Bosch.

“Mick, you’re sprung?”

“Yeah, just now. What’s happening? Where are you?”

“We’re at Applied Forensics. We brought in a cigarette butt from Sanger, and fifteen minutes ago Shami said they need two more hours.”

“Okay. I can deal with that. As soon as you know something, text me.”

“You got it.”

I disconnected and then called Lorna Taylor.

“Oh my God, Mickey, are you all right?”

“I am now.”

“Where are you?”

“In the courtroom. I need you to get me a suit, shirt, and tie and bring them to me here.”

“Not a problem. Which suit?”

“I think the Hugo Boss. The gray with the light pinstripes. A light blue oxford, and just pick any tie. You know where the key is, right?”

“Same place?”

“Same place.”

My next words were spoken in a low whisper so Gian and Nate could not overhear.

“Lorna, listen, don’t hurry. Don’t get here with the suit until at least twelve thirty. Harry and Shami need the time.”

“Got it.”

I raised my voice to its normal pitch and said, “Okay, I’ll probably be back in holding, so just bring it to the courtroom marshal. His name is Nate.”

“Got it. I’m leaving now to go to your place.”

“Thanks.”

I disconnected and got up. I presented myself to Marshal Nate and said I’d like to wait in holding so I could visit with my client and then change when my fresh suit arrived.

I realized as I was taken back into holding that I had not eaten anything and should have asked Lorna to bring me a PowerBar. The emptiness in my stomach was accentuated by the anxiety I was feeling about what was happening at Applied Forensics. I knew I was taking my last shot with the gambit I had played over the last two days. It was going to be do-or-die time very soon.

45

THE HEARING ONthe habeas motion did not get back under way until almost two o’clock, thanks to Lorna’s delay in bringing my suit. The judge wasn’t too happy about the late start but I was pleased because I now had everything I needed to face Stephanie Sanger one more time on the witness stand. Bosch and Arslanian had come through. Arslanian was outside in the hallway and ready to testify, and Bosch sat in the first row of the gallery next to the Channel 5 courtroom sketch artist.

After Judge Coelho convened court and told me to proceed, I recalled Sergeant Stephanie Sanger to the witness stand. The judge reminded her that she was still under oath.

“Good to see you again, Sergeant Sanger,” I began. “I want to start today by asking you about some testimony and evidence that came in last week. Specifically, the cell phone data that was examined by my investigator.”

“Is there a question in there?” Sanger asked.

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