The Diamond Syndicate

“What are you doing?” one of her partners whispered to her.

“I’m trying to win a case,” she whispered back.

“But you turned on our witness.”

Prosecutor Swartz looked at him like he had a lot of nerve to question her. “I’m the lead prosecutor for the state. I will win this case for the state the best way I know how. No witness is trustworthy, and I don’t trust Ms. Estelle Brown. She is in on it, and I intend to prove it. Her story was shaky from the beginning.” She turned to look back at Estelle.

“Counselors, your witness,” the judge said to the brothers.

Kyle stood and walked over to the witness stand. He could clearly see that Estelle was about to have a breakdown. So far she hadn’t said anything to incriminate his defendants. He decided to get on her good side and hopefully get some information out of her that would help his case. He smiled a warm smile at her. “Are you OK?”

She nodded.

“Would you like something to drink?”

“No, I’m OK,” she whispered, wiping away a tear on her cheek.

“Good. Ms. Brown, the prosecutor for the state had you read a statement that you now say someone allegedly fabricated. Correct?”

“Yes.”

“Why do you think someone would do that?”

“I don’t know. I know I didn’t say those things.”

“What about the signature?” Kyle walked over to the evidence table, picked up the statement, and brought it over to Estelle. “Would you say that this is your signature?” He handed her the paper.

She looked at it. “Yes, that’s it,” she said and then returned the papers.

“Do you think Prosecutor Swartz may have switched the wording around on the statement?”

“Objection!” Prosecutor Swartz yelled.

“Sustained.”

“OK, Ms Brown, were you involved in the death of Dr. Ricci?”

“No!” she yelled, clearly getting upset.

“I understand, Ms. Brown. I apologize for my line of questioning, but I am simply trying to make a point that the state is trying to falsely accuse not only you, but also my clients.”

Estelle wiped away the tears that had started to stream down her face again. She sniffled and continued to wipe her eyes. As God is her witness, she tried to live her life in a Christian manner. She didn’t approve of crime, nor did she like to lie. She was at a loss for words because her conscience was faithful. She didn’t know what to do.

She looked up into the eyes of Diamond, who was scowling at her, and suddenly she began to shake uncontrollably, bawling and having difficulty breathing.

Prosecutor Swartz was heated.

Attorney Kyle felt sorry for the older woman. “Your Honor, I’d like to ask for a recess so the witness can get herself together before I continue my questioning.”

“We will take a recess.” Judge Fritz looked at his watch. “We will meet back here in two hours.” He banged his gavel before standing and shuffling out of the courtroom.

TWENTY-TWO

Recess

“It don’t look like y’all doing much out there to me,” Diamond said to her two attorneys as they all sat in a conference room discussing the case.

“We’re just getting started, Ms. Reed. Give us a chance,” Kyle said.