She opened her eyes. “I love you,” she murmured.
“I love you,” Ben replied. “Go back to sleep. I’ll call when I have a break.”
Jamie had been gone when Ben came back from the weight room. He seemed to be the only one of the Parkers who was a morning person. Ben went into the den and grabbed his brief case. He went into the garage and checked Lane’s SUV. All of the bags were gone from the cargo area. He’d have to call Joey later and find out what he could about the packages.
He and Uncle Sal were in the courtroom when it was called to order at nine o’clock. Ben called his next witness. An expert in fetal abductions who testified that since 1987, there had been 13 other fetal abduction cases in the United States. In every case, the abductor was a woman who wanted a child. In many cases, the abductor befriended the pregnant woman, and in the final weeks of her pregnancy, she killed the mother and abducted the baby. In all but three cases, the child lived and in one case the mother had also survived.
Ben called the Paramedic, who had been the first responder, to the stand. He confirmed that Senator Harold was holding the baby when he arrived, and that the only blood on the senator was from the baby.
Next, he called the coroner who explained that based on the angle, the cut to Amelia Harold’s abdomen had been made by someone using their left hand.
Then, he called Senator Harold’s assistant, Tiffany Algers, to the stand. Tiffany was 32 years old, and Ben’s investigator had discovered that she’d been having an affair with the good Senator. She was left handed.
“State your name, age and profession for the record.”
“Tiffany Elise Algers, 32. I am Senator Eric Harold’s executive assistant.”
“How long have you held that position, Miss Algers?”
“I’ve been with Eric for almost two years.”
“How would you characterize your relationship with Senator Harold?”
“I’m his assistant.”
“And does that position require you to travel with the Senator?”
“Yes.”
“Do you travel alone with the Senator?”
“Yes, on occasion.”
“How would you characterize your relationship with Amelia Harold?”
“We were close.”
“In fact, you were helping her decorate the nursery, isn’t that true?”
“Yes.”
“How long had you and Eric been lovers?
“For the last six months … I mean no we aren’t lovers.”
“Which is it, Miss Algers? Remember you’re under oath. Lying on the stand is a felony.”
The Senator put his head in his hands.
“Yes, we became lovers over the course of the past year. Amelia was so moody from the pregnancy hormones.”
Ben handed her a photo.
“Is this a photo of you, Miss Algers?”
“Yes.”
“It shows you signing something with your left hand. Are you left handed?”
“Yes.” Her eyes were darting back and forth, looking around the court room, looking for someone to save her.
“Remember you’re under oath. Did you kill Amelia Harold and attempt to steal her baby?”
Ben didn’t wait for her response. “Did you leave the baby on the bed and run out of the back of the house when you heard Senator Harold come into the house?”
Tiffany Algers was crying. “I loved you,” she said looking at the Senator. “You wouldn’t leave her because of the baby.”
Ben looked at the Judge. “May we approach Your Honor?”
He, Uncle Sal, and the Prosecutor approached the bench.
“In light of Miss Alger’s testimony, I move for a dismissal.”
“Granted. Bailiff, please take Miss Algers into custody. The Jury is dismissed with the State’s thanks. Senator, you’re free to go.”
Ben walked back to the defense table and looked at Eric Harold. He had been cleared, but his political career probably couldn’t be salvaged. Then again, who knew these days? After all, he’d been a victim in this; and with the right spin, maybe he’d come out just fine.
Ben looked at Uncle Sal as he packed his briefcase. “You heard the stalker was killed yesterday?”
Salvatore Luciano looked at his nephew. “Sì, ho sentito il crazy uomo è morto.” He raised his eyebrows. “E la bambina è sicuro. L'angelo e sicuri.”
“Yes, my family is safe.”
Kansas City had a reputation for being a mob town. Ben’s mother and uncles came from Sicily. He had heard the rumors for years that the Bellinis and the Lucianos were ‘mobbed up’. God, in some circles the name Luciano was enough proof. Charles “Lucky” Luciano had been one of the most infamous mob bosses in American history. This conversation was the closest thing he’d ever had that could indicate there was anything shady going on with his family. But, lawyers never ask a question they don’t already know the answer to, and they never ask if their client is guilty. Ben closed his briefcase and turned to leave.
He stopped and faced Sal. “We’re going to have a reception tomorrow night at Papa’s. We’d be honored if you and Uncle Vinnie would come.”
Chapter 23
Friday afternoon
Ben carefully avoided the press, taking the back stairs as he left the courthouse. One famous person in the family was enough. He pulled out his cell phone and called Lane’s cell phone.
“How do you do that,” she asked as she picked up the phone.
He laughed. “I keep telling you, I have ESP where you’re concerned. Why were you thinking about me?”
“I want you to talk to my Obstetrician. I thought that maybe we could have a conference call or something. I was trying to think of how we could do this since you’re in court.”
“The trial just finished. I’m on my way home, or wherever you need me to be.”
“Let me call Dr. Sennette’s office. I’ll see if we can get an appointment or if I can arrange a call. I’ll call you right back.”
Lane hung up and called the Obstetrician’s office. They had an appointment available at 4:00 that afternoon if she wanted it. She took the slot and called Ben. “We have an appointment at 4:00. Why don’t you come buy me lunch,” she said. They’d been married for less than two days, and it seemed like there had been so much going on that she’d barely seen him.
“I’d love to buy you lunch. I’ll see you in about half an hour.”
He hung up and dialed Joey’s cell phone. He still wanted to know what was in those boxes that were left for Jess yesterday.
*****
Pauli was pouting, there was no other word for it, because Jess had gone to the police station with Daniella. That left him with Joey who really wasn’t much company. He’d driven 250 miles from St. Louis and he hadn’t been able to spend any quality time with Jess. On top of that, Joey was just cranky. Sure, he’d been stabbed, had surgery, and was on crutches but none of that was Pauli’s fault.
He’d spent most of yesterday at the hospital, and last night Jess hadn’t even taken time to insult him. She’d yelled at Joey and then she’d just gone to bed. He was pretty sure there were things going on that no one had told him yet. He knew the stalker had followed Jess from L.A. to Kansas and that he’d been found murdered yesterday. He knew the police had questioned Jess, but that they hadn’t held her because she’d been with the family at the hospital. On top of that, no one had bothered to call him about Ben and Lane’s wedding.
Joey had gotten tired of Pauli’s pouting and gone to his bedroom. Which was where he was when Ben called. He answered it, “Hey, old man.”
Ben ignored the comment, “In all of the excitement yesterday, I forgot to ask about the packages. You still have them?”
“Yeah, they’re in my duffle. What do you want me to do with them?”