False Accusations by Jacobson, Alan (great novels of all time .txt) 📕

Madison and Leeza made immediate plans for a baby-sitter—and went to Mikuni, a well-known Sacramento sushi restaurant that never disappointed.

Madison was uncomfortable calling this a celebration. He felt he should try to temper his emotions until the charges were formally dropped. For now, they would relish the good news and try to view it in relation to what their lives had been like of late.

Together they toasted forensic science, the lab technicians, and even the very existence of DNA and God’s wisdom in creating it. They would wait to toast Chandler until the formal celebration: a party, they decided, at the house, with everyone there they could think of, if and when Harding was convicted.

CHAPTER 53

IN THE MORNING, Hellman scheduled a meeting with Denton, who immediately requested that the lab fax a copy of Gray’s DNA report over to him. As they both read the conclusion indicating that Madison’s DNA did not match that on the beer cans, Denton nodded. Hellman wished it said something about Harding’s DNA and the cigarette, but at least the report ripped significant holes in the prosecution’s case.

“You look disappointed,” Hellman said.

“I spend two months investigating and preparing a case against a defendant, we’re days away from trial, and then it turns out he may be innocent? You’re damn fucking right I’m disappointed.” He looked at Hellman, who took a breath to speak, but Denton held up a hand. “You’re going to tell me that I should be glad that justice is being done, that we’re not going to prosecute the wrong man.”

“That’s exactly what I’m about to tell you.”

“Spare me.”

“I strongly urge you to look at Brittany Harding. She’s got motive and I’ve got plenty of evidence that you’ll be interested in. If you take this information in good faith and investigate, you’ll be able to corroborate everything I’m going to give you. I can practically hand you a case complete with evidence, on a silver platter. I’ll make you look good.”

“I don’t need you to make me look good.”

“You know what I mean. We both know that for the next two or three weeks you’re going to have a little egg on your face.” He figured it was better not to sugarcoat it. “But I’m telling you: look into Harding and you’ll have your suspect—with a very reasonable chance of conviction.”

“Let’s hear this so-called ironclad evidence,” Denton said, loosening his blue tie and sitting down behind his desk. Although it was only nine in the morning, he looked exhausted...the lines in his face deeper, his complexion a bit pallid.

“I wouldn’t use the term ‘ironclad,’ but it’s damn good.” Hellman recounted the rape complaint Harding had filed, showed him a copy of the contract he wrote that bore the signatures of Movis Ehrhardt and Brittany Harding, and a copy of the forty-thousand-dollar check. He also showed him the picture Harding had staged and explained how it had been taken. Told him the complaint was withdrawn and the money returned by Ehrhardt. Produced a copy of the returned funds’ cashier’s check. His presentation was building up steam when Denton interrupted him.

“What the hell does all this—”

“Motive, motive, and motive. Shut up and listen.”

Hellman reached into his attaché case and pulled out a DVD. “Pop this into your PC.”

Hellman provided a brief introduction to Mark Stanton, and the information that Chandler had gleaned about his experience with Harding. Denton placed the disc onto the platter and the video began playing.

At the end of the recording, Denton arose. “Compelling, I’ll give you that.”

“Compelling? That’s it?”

Denton shrugged. “It goes to motive, and motive is still circumstantial.”

“But it’s the best case you have, circumstantial or not. Your case against my client was circumstantial and it was a damn shot weaker than what you have against Harding.”

Denton ejected the DVD and handed it back to Hellman. “I’d like a copy.”

“Keep that one,” Hellman said. “I already had one made for you.”

Denton was shaking his head, apparently absorbed in a conversation with himself. “I’d have to litigate the collateral matters as well...not only would I have to prove that Harding was the driver of the car, but I’d also have to prove that she extorted Stanton and Madison, and that Madison had not, in fact, raped her. I’ve got three separate trials in one. Not to mention the fact that this DVD is possibly inadmissible.”

“But Mark Stanton probably would not be. He’s in town and I could get him to testify.” Slight stretch of the truth, but he would worry about that later. “And...this video will help you establish motive, and get you a search warrant for a sample of Harding’s DNA.”

“You’re assuming that Harding’s DNA will match the DNA on the beer cans, which would then suggest she was driving the car.”

“Exactly.”

“Okay, but how’d she get Madison’s car? Does he leave it unlocked at night?”

Hellman explained about the missing key, then sat back and studied the prosecutor’s face.

Finally, Denton sighed and shook his head slightly. “Complicated. Too many places to trip up.”

“Complicated, but not impossible. You’ve handled tougher cases with less than you’ve got here.”

Denton rubbed his eyes. “Yeah, I guess I have.”

“And I’ve got one other piece of information that’ll be of use,” Hellman said.

Denton sat down again and leaned back in his swivel chair. “I’m listening.”

“How about an eyewitness who saw Harding with a six-pack of the same brand of beer in her shopping cart a few days prior to the murders. And how about that same witness hearing Harding screaming at Madison, ‘You’ll pay for this, I’ll get you for this!’? Would that make you feel better?”

“Do you have such a witness?”

“A supermarket checkout clerk at Food & More. He moved back east, but we can get him out here if needed.”

Denton raised an eyebrow. “Now that’s quite promising. But I’d have to interview the guy myself, get him on record.”

“How about a voice recording of him identifying Harding and describing what he saw in the market?” Hellman asked, removing a