Page 115 of In the Shadows
"I made copies of documents that showed evidence of fraud."
"Documents that you removed from the office and took home."
Sarah stood. "Objection. Relevance. Ms. Bennett is not on trial here."
"Goes to credibility, Your Honor."
"I'll allow it," Morrison said. "But move along, Mr. Price."
Price turned back to Lila. "Ms. Bennett, did your father ever tell you he suspected Warren Caldwell of criminal activity?"
"No."
"Did he ever mention Warren Caldwell's name in connection with his investigation?"
"Not directly. But his notes?—"
"A simple yes or no."
Ronan's hands tightened on his knees. He knew the technique—cut off the explanation, force the damaging admission, move on before the witness could recover. He'd used it himself in interrogations. Watching it deployed against Lila made something cold settle in his chest.
"No," Lila said.
"So everything you've testified to—the connection to Warren Caldwell, the conspiracy, the alleged motive for your father's death—all of that is your interpretation. Your theory."
"My interpretation of the evidence that exists. That other witnesses have corroborated."
"Evidence you gathered while pursuing what some might call a vendetta."
"I was pursuing the truth."
"The truth as you see it." Price walked closer to the witness stand. Ronan's weight shifted forward, an instinct he had to consciously suppress. "Ms. Bennett, your father died five years ago. The official cause of death was cardiac arrest. Natural causes."
"The official cause was falsified."
"According to a medical examiner who received immunity in exchange for his testimony."
"According to toxicology evidence that was suppressed at the time of death."
Price paused. That wasn't the answer he'd expected. Ronan saw him recalibrate, choosing his next angle.
"Let's talk about Ronan Cross."
The cold in Ronan's chest spread.
"You're in a relationship with Mr. Cross. Is that correct?"
"Yes."
"A romantic relationship. You live together."
"Yes."
"And Mr. Cross was working with Caleb Rourke—the man who provided the surveillance footage central to this case."
"Yes."
"And you're with him now. Despite knowing he was part of an operation that targeted your town."
