I think he laughs, but his face doesn’t change expression. The word us hangs in the air. “We’ve been friends a long time, T.J.”
He takes a step toward me. It’s all I can do not to run away. “Have we?”
I watch him walk off. And this time, nothing in me wants to run after him.
Finally, it’s the day we’ve been waiting for-Caroline Johnson is called to the witness stand. Reporters are on the edge of their chairs. Nobody on the jury looks the least bit sleepy.
The double doors open, and as if she’s been waiting her whole life for this grand entrance, Caroline Johnson is wheeled into the courtroom. It’s a thousand degrees in this room, but she’s wearing a tailored business suit, solid navy or maybe black, and she has a plaid blanket folded over her lap, topped off by a box of tissues.
Seeing her makes me think of T.J. He was trying so hard to help me find something against this woman. The morning after we searched the crime scene, T.J. texted me that he wished he could get a look at Mrs. Johnson’s shoes. He’d seen some TV show where they proved a guy was lying about being stuck in a wheelchair because the bottoms of his shoes were all scuffed up. I try to get a glimpse of Mrs. Johnson’s shoes as she’s wheeled in, but her feet rest on little footrests.
I want to wipe out my last conversations with T.J. I want to forget the way I felt the last time I saw him. I just want to hold on to how much he tried to help me, how much he’s always tried to help me.
Instead of making Caroline Johnson walk to the witness chair, which I totally believe she could do, they have a ramp in place so she can be wheeled right up and into the box. Raymond smiles at her, and she sort of smiles back, but it looks more like a wince. I can’t help analyzing every movement, wondering if she’s for real. On the one hand, she’s taken the time to paint her fingernails and put on lipstick. On the other hand, if she is faking, then she should get an Academy Award because even I’m starting to feel a little sorry for her.
I try to bring back the image of Caroline Johnson screaming at her husband in the ball field parking lot. How does that Caroline fit with the withered woman in front of me? I want the jury to see that Caroline Johnson, not this one.
R AYMOND: First of all, Mrs. Johnson, I’d like to express how sorry I am for your loss.
M RS. J.: Thank you. (She pops a tissue out of the box and dabs one eye.)
R AYMOND: And I’d like to say how grateful we are that you’ve made this effort to appear before the court. If there’s anything you need, please let us know.
M RS. J.: Thank you. I’m all right. (She takes a whiff of her asthma inhaler before going on.) I want to do all I can to make sure justice is served. That’s what John would have wanted.
I whisper to Chase, “Right. And it only took a court order to get her here.”
R AYMOND: Mrs. Johnson, did you and your husband ever argue?
M RS. J.: What couple do you know who don’t argue once in a while? We were married for fifteen years.
R AYMOND: I suppose you’re right about that. And they say that the number one reason for arguments in marriage is money. Did you and your husband argue about money?
M RS. J.: After I got sick, I left the finances up to John.
R AYMOND: At this time, I’d like to offer as exhibit G an acknowledged copy of a letter from First National Bank, denying Mr. and Mrs. Johnson’s loan application three months prior to the murder. (Turning to the witness) Mrs. Johnson, is this your signature on the application?
M RS. J.: Yes.
R AYMOND: Would it be fair to say that your illness and the decline of your stable business, which Mr. Johnson tried to maintain, put a strain on your finances?
M RS. J.: I suppose.
R AYMOND: And isn’t it true that you-or your husband-made several applications for loans, and that you were turned down by at least three banks?
K ELLER: Your Honor, I object to this whole line of questioning.
J UDGE: Overruled. The witness is directed to answer the question.
M RS. J.: We tried to get a loan, yes.
R AYMOND: Thank you. Now, Mrs. Johnson, can you explain why, especially in light of your financial constraints, your husband would pay out one thousand dollars a month to Rita Long?
M RS. J.: That’s absurd!
K ELLER: Your Honor! Objection! Facts not in evidence and prejudicial. I ask that the question be stricken from the record.
J UDGE: Sustained. The jury is instructed to disregard counsel’s question.
R AYMOND: Mrs. Johnson, are you familiar with Rita Long, the defendant’s mother?
M RS. J.: I know who she is. She and John went to high school together for a couple of years. Neither of us had anything to do with her after she moved back to town.
R AYMOND: So you’re saying that you knew nothing of a relationship between them?
K ELLER: Your Honor! I object!
J UDGE: Sustained. Move along, Mr. Munroe.
R AYMOND: Mrs. Johnson, did your husband have a life insurance policy on you?
M RS. J.: He had a small policy with his teachers insurance plan, I believe, although I can’t see what-
R AYMOND: Thank you. And do you have a life insurance policy on your husband?
M RS. J.: I… I suppose. John took care of those things.
R AYMOND: Perhaps this will refresh your memory. (He hands her a document, explains that it’s exhibit K, and opens to the last page.) That is your signature, is it not?
M RS. J.: Yes.
R AYMOND: Would you please read the death benefit on John Johnson’s life insurance policy, the amount that goes to you, his spouse, in the event of his death?
M RS. J.: Five… five hundred thousand dollars.
It’s all I can do to keep from shouting, “Go, Raymond!” I admit I wasn’t crazy about Raymond bringing up Rita like that, but it’s clear that I have seriously underestimated Raymond Munroe, Attorney for the Defense. He leads Caroline Johnson through a series of questions and answers about her husband and Jeremy. Even she has to admit how much they liked each other. I whisper to Chase, “I’m so glad Raymond got her on the stand. Everybody has to see that she did it, or at least that she could have done it.”
Chase isn’t bubbling over like I am. “Don’t be too sure. Keller will get another crack at her when Raymond’s done.”
This is something I hadn’t thought about, and it doesn’t seem fair. Keller already had his turn when she was his witness, even though she only testified on paper. Raymond finishes his questions, and I still think he nailed it. But Chase is right. Keller stands up the second Raymond announces that he’s out of questions.
K ELLER: Mrs. Johnson, on behalf of the court, I’d like to apologize for putting you through this today. You’ve been most gracious to come to court and help us finish up the trial. May I get you anything? I’m sure the judge would consider a short recess.
M RS. J.: No. Thank you. I’m here to help.
K ELLER: I’d like to revisit your husband’s relationship with the defendant. Can you describe it for us?
M RS. J.: Of course. John felt sorry for the boy. Well, I suppose one has to, doesn’t one?
K ELLER: So he spent time with the defendant and gave him a job?
M RS. J.: John was always generous to a fault. He taught the boy how to care for horses and taught him to ride, not that John had that kind of time. After the cancer made me an invalid, John had to do his own job and mine. He took over the stable. He let Jeremy muck the stalls, and he undoubtedly paid the boy much more than the task merited.
K ELLER: And what about Jeremy and the Panthers, your husband’s baseball team?
M RS. J.: Again, John’s heart was too big for his own good. Jeremy couldn’t play on the team, of course, so John let him carry the clipboard and equipment bag. John even gave him a uniform.
K ELLER: Forgive me for making you relive this one more time, but I need to talk about Jeremy’s bat. Do you know where the defendant got his bat?