Филипп Марголин - The Perfect Alibi

“Which gives you a lot of reasons to lie about what you did to Miss Stark in that bedroom, doesn’t it?”

Hastings’s face flushed with anger just as it had in the stairwell. “I’m not lying—she is. She’s made this whole thing up to get my money. She and her crowd always resented me, and now she wants to bring me down to her level.”

“What level is that?”

“Stark always ran with losers. I worked hard to get good grades. I want to make something of myself. She can’t stand that I’m rich. She wants my money. That’s why she’s lying.”

Rex Kellerman smiled at Hastings. “You just accused Miss Stark of being a liar. Is she also a magician?”

Hastings looked confused. “What do you mean?”

“If what you say is true, you never penetrated Miss Stark.”

“Yes.”

“Well, then, in addition to crying and screaming at you to get off her, did Miss Stark say ‘abracadabra’ and make your sperm magically appear inside her?”

Hastings’s mouth opened, and he stared at the DA. Then he stammered, “I… I didn’t rape her.”

“No further questions,” Kellerman said.

“Madam Foreperson, have you reached a verdict?” Multnomah County Circuit Court judge Mary Ann Redding asked after telling Blaine Hastings to stand.

“We have, Your Honor,” answered Juror Number Four, a fifty-year-old CPA.

“Is your verdict unanimous?”

“It is.”

“How do you find the defendant on count one in the indictment, which charges that Mr. Hastings raped Randi Stark?”

“We find the defendant guilty.”

Doug watched his client out of the corner of his eye as he learned that the jurors had found him guilty on all counts. He looked stunned. As soon as the verdicts were read, the judge dismissed the jury. When they were out of the room, Rex Kellerman asked the judge to revoke Blaine’s bail.

“Mr. Armstrong?” the judge said when the DA finished.

“Yes, Your Honor,” Armstrong said as he stood. “I would ask the Court to let Mr. Hastings remain on bail pending sentencing. Mr. Hastings has no criminal record and has always been a law-abiding citizen. He is an honor student studying to be a doctor. Mr. Hastings has surrendered his passport and has made all of his court appearances, and I have every reason to believe he will continue to do so.”

Judge Redding looked at the defendant. “Do you have anything you wish to say to me regarding the question of bail, Mr. Hastings?”

Blaine stood up and straightened his suit jacket. “I do, Your Honor. I am completely innocent. I did not rape Randi Stark. I’ve been set up. Stark accused me so she could sue me for money. Everything she said is a lie, and I suspect that the police pressured her to lie. If I wasn’t rich, this case would never have come to court. And if I’d had a decent lawyer, Stark’s lies would have been exposed to the jury. I shouldn’t go to prison for something I didn’t do.”

Hastings dropped into his seat and stared defiantly at the judge. Doug had to exercise great restraint to keep from edging away from his client.

Judge Redding tapped the pen she’d been holding on the dais for a moment before addressing Hastings. “I was uncertain about whether to let you continue on bail before you spoke. Then, in the space of a few minutes, you blamed your victim, the police, and your lawyer for your situation—never once accepting the blame for your actions. If you had shown one scintilla of remorse or one iota of compassion for your victim, I might have had some compassion for you. But you have convinced me to revoke your bail.” The judge turned to the courtroom deputies. “Please see that Mr. Hastings is booked into the jail.”

Randi Stark and her mother were sitting in the spectator section with Robin Lockwood.

Hastings leaped up and pointed at Randi. “You’ll regret this, you lying bitch.”

Maxine Stark leaped to her feet and balled her fist. “Don’t you dare threaten my Randi, you animal.”

The guards moved in. Robin took Randi’s hand and stared fearlessly at Hastings.

“What are you looking at, cunt?” Hastings screamed at Robin.

“Not much,” Robin replied evenly as the guards restrained Hastings.

“Take this piece of garbage out of here,” Kellerman ordered the guards, acting bravely now that the prisoner couldn’t hurt him.

“I’ll settle with you, too,” Hastings threatened as the guards led Blaine away.

Judge Redding shook her head. “It looks like I made the right decision. Court is adjourned.”

As soon as court recessed, Carrie Anders walked up to Randi. “I’m proud of you. It took a lot of guts to stand up to Hastings.”

“Thank you,” Randi said. “I never really believed Blaine would get convicted.”

“Well, he has been, and he’s going to pay for what he did to you for a long time.”

“You bet he’s going to pay,” Randi’s mother said.

“You’ve raised a very brave young lady, Mrs. Stark,” Carrie said.

While Carrie talked to Randi and her mother, Robin followed Rex Kellerman into the hall.

“Congratulations, Rex. You did a terrific job.”

“You’ve got the civil suit, right?”

“I do.”

“We should split the attorney fee,” Kellerman said with a smile. “After all, I did your work for you.”

Robin returned the smile. “Can I talk to you about the Henderson case when you’re through talking to the reporters?” she asked.

“Does he want to plead?”

“No. I wanted to talk to you about dismissing. My investigation shows he was acting in self-defense. Henderson should never have been indicted.”

“Hey, Robin, he killed a cop.”

“An off-duty, drunk cop in civilian clothes who attacked him from behind. You’ve seen our reports.”

“And you’ve seen ours. I don’t deal with cop killers. And now, if you’ll excuse me, the press awaits.”

Robin watched Kellerman walk away. She’d hoped he would be reasonable, but she knew she was being naïve. Robin sighed. It looked like Henderson was going to trial, and she wasn’t happy about that, even though she was certain she would win. Going to trial with Rex Kellerman was one of Robin’s least favorite things. He was obnoxious and unethical, and she’d have to watch her back every second she was in court with him.

As soon as Judge Redding left the bench, Doug pushed his papers into his attaché case and started to flee the courtroom, but Blaine Hastings Sr. barred his way.

“You were pathetic, Armstrong. A first-year law student could have done a more competent job.”

“I’m sorry you’re upset, but—”

“Upset! You bet I’m upset. That slut railroaded my boy, and you didn’t do a thing to stop her.”

“There are some good points for an appeal,” Armstrong said, anxious to get away.

“You think we’re going to let you handle Blaine’s appeal after the piss-poor job you just did? You’re fired.”

“You have to do what you think is best,” Armstrong said before hurrying out of the courtroom. Several reporters waylaid him, but he fended off their questions with a repeated “No comment.” Then he hurried down the steps to the lobby, too anxious to get away from the Hastings to wait for the elevator.

Frank Nylander, Armstrong’s partner, was talking to their receptionist when Doug walked into the waiting room. Nylander was a head taller than his partner. Though he was ten years older, his trim figure and full head of black hair made him look as if they were the same age. Nylander turned when he heard the door open. Doug looked disheveled and unhappy. His tie was askew and his white shirt was rumpled and sweat stained.