Body of Evidence (Marcus Douglas 2)
Page 51
“But you just said that you generally didn’t use cash in your business.”
“I said generally I don’t, but sometimes I need to.”
“Yes, that’s right you did say that,” Marcus said and began to walk slowly away from Scott. “Can you tell the court why, since that money was for business, why you didn’t withdraw the money from your business account? Why withdraw the money from your personal account?”
“I don’t know. I just did.”
“Right,” Marcus said and turned toward the jury trying to gauge their reaction to Scott’s testimony.
As he expected, there were juror’s who’s look said that they felt he was hiding something. He press forward, surprised that Paxson and the judge had let him get this far.
“Mr. Daniels, in the time you were involved with Abril Arrington did you—pay her mortgage?”
“Yes.”
“What about her car note? You pay that too?”
“Yes.”
“Buy her jewelry?”
“Yes.”
“You ever give her cash?”
“Sometimes.”
“What did Abril Arrington do for a living, Mr. Daniels?”
“She was a venture capitalist.”
“You mean she put investors with people looking for loans, is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“Did you ever invest in any of these businesses?”
“Objection, your honor,” Paxson said as he sprang to his feet. “May council approach?”
The judge motioned for the two men to come forward. “Mr. Douglas, you’ve been dancing around my ruling, which shows you have respect for it, and I appreciate that. But I warn you, Mr. Douglas, you’re on a very slippery slope here.”
“Your honor, I have not made any references to, nor have I attempted to introduce anything about the deceased alleged fraud. His personal bank records indicate that he withdrew large sums of money. I just want him to explain where the cash went.”
“I’ll allow the question,” the judge ruled.
“But, your honor?”
“I said I’ll allow the question, Mr. Paxson.”
“Sorry, your honor.”
Marcus waited until Paxson was back in his seat before going back at Scott. “I believe the question, Mr. Daniels, was did you ever invest in any of those businesses?”
“No.”
“What was the forty thousand dollars for, Mr. Daniels?”
“Business, I told you.”