Page 11 of One of Us Is Guilty

‘I do. It’s in my memo book,’ said Gennaro, holding the leatherbound book aloft.

‘Just for the record, you didn’t record this in the digital app?’ asked Shilton.

‘There was no signal at my location. I keep a standard-issue police notebook in my patrol vehicle in case that happens, and I used that.’

‘And there was no bodycam footage of this conversation?’

‘Not usually, not when I am talking to witnesses. I turned on the bodycam when I arrested the plaintiff, Errol Jackson.’

‘With the court’s permission, please, take your time, and find the relevant entry in your notebook, then read it aloud.’

‘Of course, just a second, and I’ll find it.’

Gennaro opened his notebook.

The surprise and confusion registered on his face.

I knew what he was looking at. The first page. Something written there that he didn’t expect to find. In black marker. Capitals.

DON’T REACT.

I CAN GET YOU OUT OF THIS.

KEEP TURNING THE PAGES.

Gennaro flipped the page.

LOOK UP.

As his head came up, I gave him my best smile.

Then winked and nodded toward the book in front of him.

Gennaro flipped the page.

I’VE GOT YOUR ORIGINAL NOTEBOOK.

When he looked up at me again, he was just in time to see me holding my cell phone over his original notebook, right in front of me on the defense table. After I’d tripped Gennaro, then spilled a pile of books on the floor, I’d switched his notebook for the one he was now reading. I had his notebook open to the page of notes he’d later made. I noticed the tiny scraps of torn paper edges, at the center fold of the notebook. The pages of the book went from 57 to 59. The original description given by the nightwatchman was no doubt on that missing page. I snapped a photo with my cell phone.

Officer Gennaro’s rosy pallor suddenly began to fade into a fearful white as he flipped to the next page.

JURIES DON’T LIKE COINCIDENCES.

THE NYPD LIVE LOG APP WASN’T WORKING . . .

YOUR BODYCAM WASN’T ON . . .

Next page . . .

A PAGE HAS BEEN RIPPED OUT OF YOUR NOTEBOOK?

Gennaro flipped to the next page.

TELL SHILTON YOU’VE BROUGHT THE WRONG MEMO BOOK.

On the next page.

SETTLE AND LEAVE HIM AND HIS FAMILY ALONE.