The concrete blonde - By Michael Connelly Page 0,22
Chandler, I read that story you are referring to and though Detective Bosch was mentioned because of this case, he was not quoted. And Mr. Belk has rather rudely pointed out that he knew nothing about this until after court yesterday. Frankly, I don't see a sanctionable offense here. Unless you've got a card you haven't played.”
She did.
“Your Honor, Detective Bosch was well aware of this development, whether quoted or not. He was at the scene during yesterday's lunch break.”
“Your Honor?” Belk tried timidly.
Judge Keyes turned but looked at Bosch, not Belk.
“That right, Detective Bosch, what she says?”
Bosch looked at Belk for a moment and then up at the judge. Fucking Belk, he thought. His lie had left Bosch holding the bag.
“I was there, Your Honor. When I got back here for the afternoon session, there was no time to tell Mr. Belk about the discovery. I told him after court last night. I didn't see the paper yet this morning and I don't know what it says, but nothing has been confirmed about this body in regard to the Dollmaker or anyone else. There isn't even an ID yet.”
“Your Honor,” Chandler said, “Detective Bosch has conveniently forgotten that we had a fifteen-minute break during the afternoon session. I should think that was ample time for the detective to fill in his attorney on such important information.”
The judge looked at Bosch.
“I wanted to tell him during the break but Mr. Belk said he needed the time to prepare his opening statement.”
The judge eyed him closely for several seconds without saying anything. Bosch could tell the judge knew he was pushing the edge of the envelope of truth. Judge Keyes seemed to be making some kind of decision.
“Well, Ms. Chandler,” he finally said. “I don't rightly see the conspiracy that you do here. I'm going to let this go with a warning to all parties; withholding evidence is the most heinous crime you can commit in my courtroom. If you do it and I catch ya, you're gonna wish you never took the LSAT. Now, do we want to talk about this new development?”
“Your Honor,” Belk said quickly. He moved to the lectern. “In light of this discovery less than twenty-four hours ago, I move for a continuance so that this situation can be thoroughly investigated so that it can be determined exactly what it means to this case.”
Now he finally asks, Bosch thought. He knew there was no way he'd get a delay now.
“Uh, huh,” Judge Keyes said. “What do you think about that, Ms. Chandler?”
“No delay, Your Honor. This family has waited four years for this trial. I think any further delay would be perpetuating the crime. Besides, who does Mr. Belk propose investigate this matter, Detective Bosch?”
“I am sure the defense counselor would be satisfied with the LAPD handling the investigation,” the judge said.
“But I wouldn't.”
“I know you wouldn't, Ms. Chandler, but that's not your concern. You said yourself yesterday that the wide majority of police in this city are good, competent people. You'll just have to live by your own words… . But I am going to deny the request for a continuation. We've started a trial and we're not going to stop. The police can and should investigate this matter and keep the court informed but I'm not going to stand by. This case will continue until such time that these events need to be addressed again. Anything else? I've got a jury waiting.”
“What about the story in the newspaper?” Belk asked.
“What about it?”
“Your Honor, I'd like the jury to be polled to see if anyone read it. Also, they should be warned again not to read the papers or watch the TV news tonight. All of the channels will likely follow the Times.”
“I instructed jurors yesterday not to read the paper or watch the news but I plan to poll them anyway about this very story. Let's see what they say and then, depending on what we hear, we can clear 'em out again if you want to talk about a mistrial.”
“I don't want a mistrial,” Chandler said. “That's what the defendant wants. That'll just delay this another two months. This family has already waited four years for justice. They—”
“Well, let's just see what the jury says. Sorry to interrupt, Ms. Chandler.”
“Your Honor, may I be heard on sanctions?” Belk said.
“I don't think you need to be, Mr. Belk. I denied her motion for sanctions. What more's to be said?”