Chapter 2 - THE MAN BEHIND THE DOOR
Rebecca did not order the door opened.
That surprised Walter.
Instead she said:
“Officer Torres, step away from it.”
The court officer stopped.
His name was Benjamin Torres.
He still had Walter's cane.
Rebecca looked at it.
“Return that.”
Torres hesitated.
“Your Honor—”
“Now.”
He handed it back.
Walter took it without thanking him.
Rebecca turned to the gallery.
“No one leaves.”
A defense attorney in the back immediately stood.
“Judge, I have a matter upstairs.”
“You may advise chambers you are delayed.”
Then Rebecca looked at Nina.
“Call courthouse security. No alarm. Tell them I want the witness corridor locked at both ends.”
Walter stared at the door.
“You knew someone was back there?”
“No.”
Rebecca's answer was immediate.
Then toward the door:
“Sir, state your name.”
This time the man answered.
“Calvin Reed.”
Walter closed his eyes.
He knew the name.
Rebecca noticed.
“You recognize him.”
Walter gave a short laugh.
“Recognize?”
He looked toward the door.
“He interrogated me.”
Fifteen years earlier.
Calvin Reed had been an investigator for the district attorney's office.
Rebecca knew the name too now.
Not personally.
From the old file.
His initials appeared on the interview summary.
C.R.
Rebecca looked toward Nina.
“Was Mr. Reed listed as a witness today?”
“No.”
“Did anyone authorize him into that corridor?”
Nina checked her tablet.
“He checked in downstairs as a records witness for Courtroom Six.”
“Courtroom Six is across the building.”
“Yes.”
Rebecca stared at the closed door.
Calvin spoke again.
“I told security the wrong courtroom number.”
Rebecca's voice sharpened.
“You deliberately gained access to a secure corridor?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I tried calling chambers twice.”
Nina looked up.
“I never received—”
“I didn't say I got through.”
Walter almost laughed.
Rebecca did not.
“Mr. Reed, if you have evidence concerning this case, you can submit it properly.”
“I tried that in 2011.”
Walter's head turned.
Rebecca's expression changed again.
“What happened in 2011?”
Silence.
Then Calvin:
“My affidavit was returned because the case was closed.”
Walter looked at Rebecca.
“I never saw an affidavit.”
“I know.”
Calvin's voice was closer to the door now.
“I wrote the statement they called Walter's confession.”
Nobody moved.
Rebecca asked:
“Did Mr. Hayes dictate it?”
“No.”
“Did he approve it?”
“No.”
“Did he sign it in your presence?”
“No.”
Walter's hand tightened around his cane.
Rebecca looked at the certified confession.
Then the empty drawer.
“What did you mean when you said you confessed?”
Calvin answered:
“I wrote it in first person.”
He paused.
“I was told to turn my interview notes into a statement that sounded like Hayes talking.”
Walter's face went hard.
Calvin continued.
“I did.”
Rebecca said:
“And?”
“He refused to sign it.”
Walter stared at the door.
“Say that again.”
“Walter refused.”
The courtroom felt smaller.
Rebecca sat slowly.
“If that's true, explain the signature on the certified exhibit.”
Calvin did not answer for several seconds.
Then:
“That is why I came.”
Rebecca leaned forward.
“Why?”
“My copy doesn't have his signature.”
Walter looked at her.
Rebecca looked at Nina.
Then toward the side door.
Calvin finished:
May you like
“And my copy has four pages.”
Rebecca's document had three.
