10th Anniversary (Women's Murder Club 10)

“And when did this sexual relationship begin?”

Tears welled up in Ellen Lafferty’s eyes and spilled down her cheeks. “Two years ago last April.”

“So, more than a year before Mr. Martin was shot?”

“Uh-huh. Yes.”

“And were you still seeing Mr. Martin at the time of his death?”

“Yes.”

“You admit you were having a sexual relationship with a married man in the home where he lived with his wife and children. Isn’t that right?”

“Yes.”

“And when Ms. Castellano had you on the stand, you didn’t think it was important to tell us about this affair?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“And how did you feel about Dr. Candace Martin?”

“I think she’s cruel.”

“Were you jealous of Dr. Martin?”

There was a pause as Lafferty’s eyes went everywhere. To Yuki. To the jury. To Candace Martin.

“Answer the question, Ms. Lafferty,” Hoffman said. “Were you jealous of Dr. Martin’s marriage to your lover?”

“Your Honor, do I really have to answer that?”

“Yes, you certainly do, Ms. Lafferty.”

Lafferty sighed, clasped the cross at her neckline, and finally spoke, her words sounding loud in the hushed courtroom. “I wished that I had her life. But I would not have done anything to hurt her.”

“How about Mr. Martin? He wasn’t leaving his wife, was he? Would you have done something to hurt Mr. Martin?”

“No, no. Never. I loved him.”

“And how did Mr. Martin feel about you? Had he promised to divorce his wife and marry you?”

“Why are you doing this to me? You see what he’s trying to do, Judge?” Lafferty said. “He’s trying to make it look like I’m the murderer, when it’s her who did it.”

“Ms. Lafferty, please answer the question.”

Lafferty choked and began openly sobbing. It was as if she’d been saving up these tears for so long, the crack in the dam became a fissure and the lake just came barreling through.

Chapter 66

PHIL HOFFMAN jingled the keys and coins in his pants pockets. “Do you need a moment?” he asked Ellen Lafferty.

She nodded. Hoffman gave her a box of tissues and when his witness was more composed, he said, “Let me repeat my question. Did Mr. Martin tell you that he wanted to leave his wife and marry you?”

“Yes. He told me that a few times. Often, I would say.”

“Did he firm up those plans, Ms. Lafferty?”

“What do you mean? I don’t understand.”