Sinner Read Online Free PDF Page B

been called. Please take the stand.”
    Sacks did, trying his best to put on a good face, but it was red and hid none of his agitation. He stated his name and was sworn in.
    â€œProceed.”
    Billy lifted his eyes to the jury and fired off his first question to Sacks. “Anthony Sacks, I want you to state clearly for the court your true beliefs in this case. Are you guilty of murder as charged, or are you innocent?”
    A quick look at the man settled the matter for Billy. I cut the rat’s throat, and you know that, you fool.
    â€œInnocent. Totally, completely innocent.”
    But Billy was more interested in the jury’s reaction.
    Guilty.
    Guilty.
    This guy was born guilty.
    Only three had any doubts at all, that Billy could tell. So, as of now he had only one objective. He left the podium and casually approached the witness stand, hands still in his pockets.
    â€œInnocent,” he said, careful to prevent his eyes from making contact with anyone for the moment. “Mr. Sacks, do you consider yourself an upstanding citizen?”
    â€œYes.”
    But the man was fuming inside, spewing filth.
    â€œA family man?”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œOf course,” Billy repeated. “Do you find this charge of murder offensive?”
    â€œDeeply.”
    â€œHow many daughters do you have?”
    â€œThree.”
    â€œAnd sons?”
    Anthony hesitated. “None.”
    â€œNone? Did you ever want a son?”
    â€œYes. My . . . we lost one at childbirth.”
    â€œI’m sorry.”
    Billy ran through the questions staring at the man’s forehead rather than his eyes.
    â€œWhat do you know, the monster’s got a soft spot in his heart for the son he always wanted.”
    The prosecutor stood. “Objection, Your Honor. This grandstanding is a transparent attempt to illicit sympathy. It has no bearing on the facts of the case.”
    â€œI’m establishing character as allowed,” Billy said, withdrawing his hands from his pockets.
    The judge dipped her head.“Don’t belabor character that has no relation to the charges. Insults constitute contempt, Counselor. I suggest you weigh your words. Continue.”
    â€œThank you.” To the accused, looking at the wall over the man’s shoulder: “I’m going to run down a series of questions, and I want you to answer them as quickly and as frankly as you can, okay?”
    â€œOkay.”
    â€œWhat is your age?”
    â€œForty-nine.”
    â€œWhat is your height?”
    â€œSix foot.”
    â€œHow much do you weigh?”
    â€œTwo hundred ten.”
    â€œGood. Are you on a diet?”
    â€œDepends who you ask.”
    â€œI’m asking you.”
    â€œThen no. I always eat healthy.”
    â€œYou never indulge?”
    â€œNot lately, no.”
    Billy glanced at him. Evidently Sacks considered Double Stuf Oreo cookies healthy, because they were filling his mind at the moment.
    â€œWaist size?”
    â€œForty-two.”
    â€œShoe size?”
    â€œFourteen.”
    Another plea from the prosecution. “Please, Your Honor.”
    â€œHurry it up, Counselor,” the judge warned.
    â€œDo you ever cheat on your wife, Anthony?”
    â€œNo.”
    Billy didn’t bother looking.
    â€œCheat on your taxes?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œNever? Not even a little bit? Fail to report that tip money you receive at the tables now and then?”
    â€œNever.”
    Wrong answer , Billy thought. The man had just thrown out his credibility.
    â€œGood.” Billy looked at his client. “Tell the court how much money you reported on your return last year. Roughly.”
    Sacks looked at the judge.
    â€œAnswer the question.”
    â€œA hundred ninety thousand.”
    â€œAnd that was all the income that passed through your hands from all sources? No more cash?”
    Now the numbers started to come, streaming into Billy’s mind as if fired