Page 106 of The Accomplice
‘I’m aware of how these questions are being phrased,’ said Judge Stoker. ‘Mr. White, do you wish to have this witness declared hostile ?’
‘That was my last question, Your Honor.’
‘Well, ask it. But rephrase.’
‘Mr. Peltier,’ said White. ‘Did Carrie Miller keep information from you that implicated her in the murder of Stacy and Tobias Nielsen ?’
‘She didn’t tell me about the blood stains, or the black pearl necklace. And she never mentioned him giving her a brooch, but you have to understand, he gave her a lot of gifts, and the police never said that those items had been taken from the Sandman’s victims until after he was identified. Just because she was given some jewelry doesn’t mean she’s involved in any crimes carried out by her husband.’
White nodded, then walked back to the prosecution table with a swagger in his step and sat down.
‘No further questions.’
There are moments in a trial that are lever points. Moments when everything changes and starts to go in one direction. This was that point. And this was that moment.
I stood up, approached Peltier. His shoulders sagged a little, and he took another drink from the glass of water in front of him. For Otto, the tough part was over. Now, I would lob softballs at him and he could try and repair some of the damage he’d caused to Carrie. He was starting to relax. He felt safer.
‘Mr. Peltier, you said that Carrie Miller was never sure that her husband was the Sandman, is that right ?’
‘That’s right,’ he said.
I paused, took a second to look at the jury. Most were alert and following the testimony. Some looked a little distracted – they were staring at Carrie Miller. The next few seconds would grab their attention and keep it with me.
‘Mr. Peltier, I would remind you of your professional commitment as a lawyer and officer of the court, and to the oath you just took, to tell the truth, and with that in mind I will ask you again – prior to the FBI identifying Daniel Miller as the Sandman, did Carrie Miller have actual knowledge her husband really was this killer ?’
‘No, she did not.’
The jury expected this answer.
They weren’t expecting the next question.
‘Mr. Peltier, that’s a lie, isn’t it ?’
The air in the courtroom seemed to solidify.
‘I’m sorry ? I don’t understand ?’ he said.
‘Well, it’s simple. Carrie Miller knew her husband was the Sandman before the FBI found him, and she covered up that fact, isn’t that what really happened ?’
‘What ?’
‘Answer the question.’
I couldn’t resist glancing at White. He’d pushed his chair away from the table, stretched out his legs, put down his pen and folded his arms. A huge smile spread across his face. I was doing his job for him and as far as he was concerned, any hope of an acquittal for Carrie Miller just flew out the window.
‘That’s an outrageous accusation,’ said Peltier.
‘Really ? Your Honor, I’d like to submit this last journal entry from Carrie Miller as Defense Exhibit 1.’
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
Extract from the Journal of Carrie Miller
Undated
This is the rest of my story. The part that I hadn’t written down, until now. The part that matters.
After I left Otto’s office, I didn’t hear from him for a few days. Danny was away on business that week and I found myself ignoring his calls and texts. I didn’t want to talk to him. I couldn’t until I knew for sure what he was really doing when he said he was working or entertaining clients. Even though part of me felt guilty, I was glad he was away. I knew I shouldn’t be feeling like this, but I couldn’t get the thought out of my head – my husband might be a killer.
