Despite Jesse’s well-honed ability to stop the district attorney when he’d stepped over the line, and his sharp questioning of the prosecution’s witnesses, Hunter didn’t feel secure in where the trial stood. Unless they could uncover a viable suspect—besides himself—it didn’t look good.
The captain sighed, giving the district attorney a look that clearly spoke of his annoyance at the stupid question about gun comfort. “Yes. Henderson was very skilled—and comfortable—with his gun. He was one of our best shots.”
“And Mr. Henderson is no longer with the Texas Rangers, is that correct?”
“That’s right. He was—”
“Thank you, Captain.” The district attorney glanced at the jury before walking to his table. “Your witness, Mr. Cochran.”
Jesse stood and sauntered toward the witness, his thumbs in his vest pockets. “Captain McNeil, would you say that during his career, Mr. Henderson had been a good Texas Ranger?”
“The best.” He glanced in Hunter’s direction and grinned.
“And would you consider him an honorable man?”
“Absolutely.”
“I’m sure you found having such a fine, honorable man like the defendant as part of the Texas Rangers reassuring in your quest to rid society of criminals. In the course of his duties as a Ranger, the defendant would have had reasons to shoot—and probably kill—criminals. Had he ever given you reason to believe he would murder someone in cold blood?”
“No.”
“Objection!”
They both spoke at once.
“Mr. Cochran is asking the witness to state an opinion,” the district attorney said.
“Sustained. You know better, Mr. Cochran.” The judge faced the jury. “Ignore the last question and answer.”
Jesse turned from the judge and winked at Hunter. “Tell me, Captain. Why is Mr. Henderson no longer a part of the Texas Rangers?”
“He was injured in the course of duty. He was busted up pretty bad.”
“Can you tell the court what happened?”
“Objection, Your Honor. Relevance.” The district attorney glowered at Jesse.
Jesse sighed as if having to explain himself to an annoying child. “Your Honor, I am trying to have the State’s own witness provide some background on the defendant’s career as a law enforcement officer which is relevant to my client’s character.”
“Overruled, Mr. Spencer. As counsellor has pointed out, Captain McNeil is your witness.”
The district attorney huffed and sat down.
“Thank you, Your Honor.” Jesse moved to the jury box, leaning against the railing. “How was the defendant injured?”
“We had been tracking a man who had raped and killed several women. Mr. Henderson cornered the man who was holed up in a house with a female hostage. At his own peril he rushed the building, shooting and killing the man before he was able to harm the victim. In the shootout Henderson took several bullets to the leg, shattering the bone and making it impossible to return to duty. A loss to the Rangers.”
Jesse waited a few moments, allowing the story to resonate with the jury. “And when he left the Rangers, did he turn in the weapon he’d been issued?”
“Yes, he did.”
“Thank you, Captain. No further questions.”
Once the Ranger had stepped down, the district attorney stood. “Your Honor, the State rests its case.”
Judge Stenger checked his timepiece and smacked the gavel. “The court will take a lunch recess and resume at two o’clock.”
“I’m going after Emily.” Hunter hopped up from his seat.