Body of Evidence (Marcus Douglas 2)

“I think that’s fair,” Silver offered. “But even if that was the case, Mrs. Daniels still doesn’t have an alibi for the time of the murder,” he spit out quickly.

“Is that your professional opinion Detective Silver?” Marcus asked.

“Yes, it is.”

“How long have you been in law enforcement, Detective?”

“Seventeen years.”

“Now, Detective, you arrested Mrs. Daniels for the murder of Abril Arrington, is that right?”

“Yes, sir.”

“You did this after a thorough investigation of the facts?”

“Yes, sir, I did.”

“Did that investigation lead you to uncover any other facts about the deceased?”

“Objection, your honor,” Paxson said and got up from his chair. “May we approach?”

The judge gave his consent and the two combatants approached the bench. “Mr. Douglas is trying to use the detective to suggest that the deceased was involved in something less than legal in clear violation of your ruling.”

“Your honor, any information that the detective finds as a result of his investigation of the crime I believe is pertinent to these proceedings and was covered in direct examination when Mr. Paxson asked the detective if he investigated the matter and asked him to share his findings,” Marcus said.

“I’ll allow it,” the judges said.

“But your honor?”

“I said, I’ll allow it, Mr. Paxson.”

Paxson returned to the prosecution’s table and reclaimed his seat. Marcus gave him a smug look before returning his attention to Detective Silver. “Once again, Detective Silver, did your investigation of Abril Arrington lead you to any other facts about the deceased?”

“I was able to confirm that the deceased, Abril Arrington was also using the names Adina Banks and Aerona Carter. I was also recently informed that the deceased legal name is Aisha Kaufman, and she was wanted for bank fraud in Maryland as well as being sought as a person of interest in two other homicides. One in Chicago and the other in Houston.”

“Busy girl,” Marcus stated.

“Yes, sir, she was,” Silver agreed.

“Now, Detective, in your professional opinion, what would be the purpose of using so many names?” Marcus asked.

“Objection, your honor,” Paxson said immediately.

“Overruled,” the judge said without waiting for Paxson to explain his objection. “Answer the question, Detective.”

“The only purpose I can think of for her having so many aliases is some type of fraud.”

“Thank you, Detective, I believe that will be all. Your honor, at this time I would like to request that a subpoena be issued for Pascal Larrieux to explain his relationship with the deceased.”

“So ordered.”

Once the prosecution rested its case, Marcus wasted no time in calling Harrison Fuller to the stand.

“Mr. Fuller, thank you very much for coming.” Marcus handed him a picture. “Do you recognize this woman, sir?”

“Yes, sir I do. This is Aerona Carter,” Fuller said.

“Let the record show that the witness has identified the deceased, Abril Arrington, as a woman he was involved with named Aerona Carter.”