Page 134 of Witness 8

The doctor looked at the page. Looked at the prosecutor. Looked at me.

‘Yes, that’s possible.’

‘This piece of art is signed at the bottom of the page. Would you read out the name for the jury?’

‘Tomas Jackson. Aged seven and a half.’

64

Eddie

Castro didn’t want to take the chance of any further damage with his witnesses.

He still looked confident. He had an ace up his sleeve.

His anonymous witness.

‘Your Honor, the People would like to call Witness Eight.’

I stood up, said, ‘Your Honor, there is no property in a witness. Any party to this case can speak to any witness at any time. There is no longer a requirement for this witness to have anonymity. The witness is willing to waive that right.’

Castro was about to object, but the doors of the court opened, and Ruby Johnson walked in, flanked by Detective Artie Chase.

‘Is this correct, Mr. Castro?’ asked the judge.

Before he could answer, Ruby said, ‘I want to tell the truth. I want to go on the record.’

Confused, Castro conferred with his ADAs. They were just as surprised as he was.

‘In that case,’ he said, with some trepidation, ‘the People call Ruby Johnson.’

I watched her take the oath, sit down. She had her arm in a sling, and the bags under her eyes spoke of a restless night.

‘Ms. Johnson, would you state your occupation for the record?’

‘I am a nanny, maid and housekeeper to families in West 74thStreet.’

‘And where were you on the night Margaret Blakemore was murdered?’

Ruby looked at Detective Chase. He nodded.

‘I was passing Margaret’s house on my way home when I saw Margaret through the window of her living room, and I watched Brett Bale shoot her three times . . .’

Castro began to interrupt, but the judge stopped him.

‘You asked the question, Mr. Castro. You deal with the answer,’ said the judge.

‘Permission to treat this witness as hostile?’

‘Proceed,’ said the judge.

‘Ms. Johnson, you told me, and the police, you saw John Jackson murder Margaret Blakemore.’

‘I did. I was lying.’

‘So you’re a liar. You admit that in front of this jury,’ said Castro, desperately trying to prevent his case from imploding.

‘I haven’t lied to this jury,’ said Ruby. ‘I’m here to tell the truth. I lied toyou, Mr. Castro.’