"Why?"

"I can't tell you why."

"You're saying something's gonna happen in court?"

"That's right."

"Aside from the alimony? You mean about the murder case?"

"That's what I mean."

"Well, what is it?"

"I can't tell you that. But it's a good bet. You always were a gambler, Melvin. Whaddya say? Wanna take a shot?"

Melvin studied her face. It had matured since he'd known her, but there was a familiar light in her eyes.

"Okay. I'm in."

"Fine," Cora said. "Now, there's just one more thing."

"What's that?"

"There's something you need to know."

CHAPTER.

52.

Judge Hobbs was in unusually good spirits. He surveyed the crowded courtroom and said wryly, "I don't know why you're all here." He glanced at the plaintiff's table, where Melvin Crabtree sat shackled under police guard. "I plan to grant the plaintiff a reasonable continuance, adjourn the hearing, and go and play golf."

Becky Baldwin rose to her feet. "We object to a continuance, Your Honor."

Judge Hobbs chuckled. "Nothing to object to, yet. I just told you what I'm going to do. The plaintiff is yet to make a motion. When he does, you can object to it."

Lennie Fleckstein got to his feet. He glanced at his client for rea.s.surance. Melvin looked at him in exasperation, nodded, and gestured for him to go on. The little lawyer turned back to the judge. "Your Honor, we're not asking for a continuance. The plaintiff is prepared to proceed."

Judge Hobbs was flabbergasted. "But, but," he stammered, "you just lost another witness. One whose direct testimony was seriously undermined and which you will not have an opportunity to repair. The mere fact you can't conduct redirect examination seriously hamstrings your case."

"I hope your remarks don't indicate you have a predetermined verdict. It's somewhat singular to have the judge comment on the evidence before it's all in. The plaintiff is ready to go. Unless the defense needs time to prepare."

"The defense is ready, Your Honor."

Judge Hobbs scowled. He motioned the bailiff over. "Call Pine Ridge Golf Course, tell them to hold my tee time. It shouldn't be a problem for them. Half the golfers in town are here."

The judge turned back to the lawyer. "Fine. Call your next witness."

"Call Shelby Whitherspoon."

An angular gentleman with white hair and bifocals took the stand and was sworn in.

"Mr. Whitherspoon, what is your occupation?"

"I'm an examiner of questioned doc.u.ments."

"Stipulate his qualifications subject to cross-examination," Becky Baldwin said.

"Mr. Whitherspoon, I hand you a doc.u.ment marked for identification as Plaintiff's Exhibit Number One, and ask you if you recognize it."

"Yes, I do."

"What do you recognize it to be?"

"It is a check from the estate of Chester T. Markowitz made out to and endorsed by Cora Felton Markowitz."

"Have you seen that check before?"

"Yes. I was given that check and asked to compare it with another check on the account of Cora Felton, made out to cash and signed by Cora Felton."

"And what did you conclude?"

"Aside from the name Markowitz, the signatures are identical."

"I ask that the check, Plaintiff's Exhibit Number One, be introduced into evidence."

"Now just a minute," Judge Hobbs said. "That check was already stricken from the evidence when the witness, Lilly Clemson, was unable to identify it as the one having been given to her by the defendant, Cora Felton. The fact a handwriting expert says it's her signature doesn't prove it's the same check."

"We're not introducing it as the same check, Your Honor. Merely as a check made out to Cora Felton Markowitz which she endorsed. After all, that's the only issue here. Whether the defendant acknowledged herself to be Mrs. Markowitz."

"Thank you for educating me on the law," Judge Hobbs said tartly. "But that does not happen to be the only issue here. The check may be introduced as the one examined by Mr. Whitherspoon, but that's all."

"Thank you, Your Honor. No further questions."

Becky smiled. "In the interest of expediting your golf date, Your Honor, I have no questions."

"Call your next witness."

"The plaintiff rests, Your Honor."

"Very well," Judge Hobbs said dryly. "Tempting as it is to dismiss the suit and play golf, I must reluctantly conclude that granting every favorable inference to the plaintiff, there is sufficient grounds to proceed. Does the defense wish to call a witness?"

"We do, Your Honor."

"I a.s.sume that would be the defendant. I should warn you, I am well aware of your client's penchant for flashy, unconventional, outrageous, theatrical courtroom behavior. I tell you in advance any such spectacle shall be grounds for contempt of court."

"Thank you, Your Honor," Cora said.

Judge Hobbs blinked. "Thank you?"

"For the warning. I would hate to be thrown in jail without a warning. It wouldn't seem fair."

The judge opened his mouth, closed it again. "And I will thank you to speak through your attorney. Ms. Baldwin, would you instruct your client that any communications with the court should be made through you?"

"Absolutely, Your Honor. Cora, behave. Let me do the talking."

"Okay. I'll be good."

"Call your witness."

"Call Mrs. Evelyn Crabtree."

Melvin's wife, who had been sitting in the back of the court, got up and came down the aisle. Melvin took it in stride, but Bambi, seated behind him at the rail, was clearly surprised and outraged. She leaned over and jabbed Melvin in the arm. Cora could see her mouthing, "What the h.e.l.l?"

Mrs. Crabtree made quite a show marching to the stand, what with her flaming red hair and flashing green eyes. She was dressed in a black sheath dress that must have taken a good two weeks of dieting just to get into. She sat on the witness stand and smiled at Melvin, a mongoose hypnotizing a snake.

"What is your name?"

"Evelyn Crabtree."

"Are you related to the plaintiff?"

"He's my husband."

"Now, just a minute," Judge Hobbs said. "Mr. Crabtree, are you okay with the defendant calling your wife to testify against you?"

"Yes, Your Honor."

"Well, I like that," Cora said. "He gets to talk and I don't?"

Judge Hobbs banged the gavel. "Miss Felton, he was asked a direct question by the court. You were not. If you are asked a direct question by the court, you may speak. But if not, the next time you do it is going to cost you money." The judge, badly discomfited, turned back to the plaintiff. "Now then, you may have no problem with your wife's testifying, but I do. I fail to see the relevance it has on whether Miss Felton was married to Mr. Markowitz."

"Surely the marital status of the opposing parties is relevant to an alimony hearing," Becky said.

"I fail to see how."

"Nonetheless, there has been no objection."

Judge Hobbs scowled. "Very well. Proceed."

"Mrs. Crabtree?" Becky said.

"Yes."

"You are married to the plaintiff?"

"That's right."

"How long have you been married to the plaintiff?"

"About a year."

"When you met the plaintiff, was he married or single?"

"He was married."

"To the defendant, Cora Felton?"

"No. To another woman."

"He subsequently divorced her and married you?"

"Yes, he did."

"Now then, were you aware he was attempting to have his alimony reduced?"

"Yes, I was."

"And that he came here for that purpose?"

"That's right."

"And when he came here, did you follow him?"

"Just a moment," Judge Hobbs said. "Relevance?"

"It goes to bias, Your Honor."

"Bias? What bias? The witness seems to be giving her testimony frankly and freely."

"Appearances can be deceiving, Your Honor. I would rather prove a lack of bias than a.s.sume it. But I a.s.sure you the question is material."

"In what way?"

"In a way that will become immediately apparent as I continue. However, an explanation would be unwieldy, so let's just a.s.sume I'm showing bias."

Judge Hobbs pointed at Cora Felton. "Did she tell you to say that?"

"Naturally, I discussed the case with my client," Becky said suavely.

"Very well. Proceed. But please get to the point."

"Certainly. Perhaps if we could continue until there's an objection by the plaintiff...?"