Page 95 of Matlock
“Multiple times,” Gunner said curtly. “We told Simon we’d handle it. We told him Sadie could stay with us. We even offered to talk to Alan.”
“And did Simon or Sadie accept your help?”
“No,” Gunner said, frustration evident in his voice. “Sadie refused our help, and Simon told us not to intervene. He said it was Sadie’s decision and until she was ready to leave, we were to back the fuck off.”
“Mr. Jefferson,” Judge Markham warned, his tone sharper now. “I will not tell you again. Watch your language, or I will hold you in contempt.”
Gunner nodded but didn’t apologize.
“Thank you, Mr. Jefferson. No further questions.”
I returned to my seat, and Simon leaned toward me, whispering, “What the hell was that?”
“Character witness,” I murmured. “And establishing that the community knew about the abuse.”
Rosalind stood, her expression tight. She approached Gunner with the kind of careful distance someone might use when approaching a dangerous animal.
“Mr. Jefferson, you are a member of the Silver Shadows Motorcycle Club, correct?”
“Yes,” Gunner said.
“And the Silver Shadows MC is what is known as an outlaw motorcycle club, is it not?”
“We’re a brotherhood,” Gunner said flatly.
Rosalind’s lips thinned. “Mr. Jefferson, isn’t it true that outlaw motorcycle clubs are often involved in illegal activities? Drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, extortion?”
“Objection,” I said, standing. “Relevance. Mr. Jefferson is not on trial here.”
“Your Honor, the witness’s credibility is at issue,” Rosalind argued. “If he’s involved in criminal activity, the jury has a right to know.”
Judge Markham considered for a moment. “I’ll allow it, but tread carefully, Ms. Winthrop.”
Rosalind turned back to Gunner. “Mr. Jefferson, have you ever been arrested?”
“Yes,” Gunner said.
“Have you ever done time in prison?” Rosalind asked.
Gunner looked at me, and I nodded. I’d told him this was a possibility and told him to answer as honestly as he could.
Gunner looked back at Rosalind and smiled. “I did three months in Little Rock for beating the shit out of a man who attacked a woman.”
My eyes cut to Judge Markham, who sighed and shook his head.
“Have you ever been involved in illegal activity as part of the Silver Shadows MC?”
Gunner leaned forward, his gaze locking onto Rosalind’s with the intensity of a predator. “I don’t answer questions about my club.”
“That’s not an answer, Mr. Jefferson.”
“It’s the only one you’re getting,” Gunner said, his voice dropping to something dangerous. “Get a warrant or move on.”
“I suggest you move on, Ms. Winthrop,” Judge Markham warned.
Rosalind’s jaw tightened. “Mr. Jefferson, when you testified that the club offered tohelpMs. Nelson, what exactly did you mean by that?”
“A conversation,” Gunner said. “Making it clear his behavior wasn’t acceptable.”
