If Timmerman were to die, Sykes might be able to walk in and take over without anyone knowing. Especially because Timmerman’s lab was in his house, and Sykes would have access through Diana.”
“So why blow up the house?” Laurie asks.
That’s a tough one, but I take a shot at it. “Maybe Sykes had already gotten what he needed, and he didn’t want anyone else to get it as well. And maybe this way he was able to get rid of Diana, who was the only witness to what he was doing.”
“Holy shit,” Laurie says, thereby exposing her delicate side. “I just had a thought; try this out. Maybe Sykes killed Timmerman for personal reasons, and then someone else blew up the house. Maybe with Timmerman dead, someone wanted to make sure no one had access to his work.”
“What are you basing that on?” I ask.
“Childs never told Marcus he killed Walter Timmerman, remember? All he told him was that he blew up the house and tried to kill Waggy. We just assumed he didn’t admit to killing Walter because Marcus didn’t ask the question, but maybe it was because it never happened.”
The three of us just look at one another for at least sixty seconds, as we all come to grips with the fact that, at the very least, we’ve come up with a very viable theory.
“Now, how are you possibly going to prove all this?” Laurie asks.
“We don’t have to prove it,” I say. “We all think this is possible, right? We just have to get the jury to think like us.”
We talk for another hour, and then Kevin heads for home. As Laurie and I are about to get into bed, I say, “You ready for a stakeout, and maybe a phone call?”
“Sure,” she says.
“Good. Go to Sykes’s office, and when he leaves, give him a call on the cell phone number we got from Sam’s records.”
“What do you want me to say?”
“Sorry, wrong number. I just need to make sure it’s his cell phone, and that he carries it with him.”
I explain what I’m talking about without taking too long, since it’s delaying my getting into bed with Laurie. But I do make the mistake of putting forth one more conversational gambit. “I know I’m not supposed to talk about this, but it’s great having you here and involved. It felt like old times tonight.”
She smiles. “I’m enjoying it. I feel like I’m back in the action.”
“You know, if multiple murder and depravity is your thing, there’s really nothing like New Jersey.”
I DON’T HAVE TO adjust our witness list to include Thomas Sykes. That’s important, and far more than a convenience. This way Sykes already understands the possibility that he will be called, and will not be surprised when he is. He will also not be unduly alerted, and will not feel he is a target. For us to have a chance, I’m going to have to take Sykes apart on the stand, and I want him unprepared for the onslaught.
I’m not a big fan of fair fights.
I call Sykes in his office before the start of court in the morning, and I am surprised and pleased that he is already there. “Mr. Sykes, I just want to alert you that you will be handed a subpoena today requiring your appearance in court tomorrow.”
“For what purpose?” he asks.
“You’ll be a witness for the defense. I had hoped to avoid calling you, but it doesn’t seem like I have a choice.”
“What do you hope to get from me?” he asks.
“I’m going to talk to you about the lifestyles of both victims, unfortunately including your relationship with Mrs. Timmerman.”
“You’re going to slime the victims?” he asks. “Is that your style? I had been told you were better than that.”
“I choose to call it defending my client,” I say. “See you tomorrow.”
I think the call went pretty well, and that Sykes will have no reason to think I have any agenda other than the one I just mentioned.
When Steven is brought into court, I consider whether to alert him to what is going on. I decide against it; it might raise false hopes, and we’re dealing with a very long shot. Besides, there are only a few minutes before Hatchet comes in, and Steven would have an hour’s worth of questions.
Kevin is not in court this morning; he is making sure that the subpoena is served, and getting some other information that we need. It’s nice for him; this way