Shred of Evidence

“Miss Weiss,” the judge said, “are you ready to proceed?”

Laura Weiss—youngest member and granddaughter of the founder of Weiss, Cashman, and Snow—stood and smoothed her gray business suit. “Yes, Your Honor. I call Mack Jacobs to the stand.”

Jacobs, 6′ 7″ with a twenty-inch neck, wore a brown polo shirt and black slacks. His shoes looked freshly polished and one size too small. A suit and tie would’ve suffocated him.

Hiding a smile, Laura said, “For the record, Mr. Jacobs, how are you employed?”

“Senior investigator for Weiss, Cashman, and Snow.”

Laura would’ve loved to see Billy Ray Dukes’ reaction, but she settled for hearing him blurt, “Oh, shit.”

Laura went on. “You’re currently working on the Dukes divorce case, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Doing what specifically?”

“Bodyguarding Jamie Dukes, helping enforce the restraining order she filed against Billy Ray Dukes.”

“Please tell the court what you witnessed this past weekend in performance of those duties.”

“I accompanied Ms. Dukes to her ranch in Gardnerville, Nevada. At approximately three-thirty Saturday morning, I saw Mr. Dukes enter the property in violation of the restraining order.”

“Did you believe Mr. Dukes intended to harm Ms. Dukes?”

“Yes.”

“What led you to believe this?”

“He was carrying two gasoline cans.”

“Did you take any action?”

“I photographed Mr. Dukes several times as he approached the house. Then, to distract him, I disabled his vehicle.”

Billy Ray pounded on the table. “Bastard shot up my truck!”

Laura entered Mack’s photos into evidence.

“No more questions, Your Honor.”

Red-faced, Billy Ray’s attorney stood and said, “No questions, Your Honor.”

Wrapping up her case by lunch, Laura treated Mack to the In-N-Out Burger across from the courthouse. After one bite, she said, “Okay, I have to know. How did you get photos that good?”

“Special lens,” Mack said.

“You know what I mean.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“So?”

Laura thought she’d be ready for Mack’s answer. She assigned him to Jamie partly playing matchmaker. She saw his expression soften when they met.

Laura was used to movie stars walking into her office, and still she spat her 7-Up when Mack said, “I slept with Jamie Dukes.”