White Roses Calling

by Hudson, Dakota

  Sydney knew this was likely going to be a grueling experience for the sergeant and had done her best to prepare the woman. They knew the defense needed only to plant a kernel of doubt in one juror’s mind regarding the case against Sinclair. The arguments made in the preliminary hearing, as well as a variety of motions to suppress the evidence found in the storage locker, made it very clear the defense intended to provide that reasonable doubt by attacking the police sergeant’s integrity and motives. Defending Chambers against the accusation was made more difficult by the fact that the officer steadfastly refused to provide the identification of her source. He was the only uninvolved witness who could put Sinclair going in and out of the facility with regularity and could validate the foundation of Chambers’s discovery. Sydney knew Chambers had faced pressure from her own chain of command, and even other members of the D.A.’s office, many of whom felt she should not hesitate to provide the identity of the source. Their paramount, and only, concern was solely a successful prosecution in the highly publicized trial.

  Moments later, after making a written notation on a paper in front of him, David Bristow began his questions.

  “Sergeant Chambers, Detective Chuck Severs, one of the primary investigators on this case, is a close personal friend of yours, isn’t he?”

  “I wouldn’t say that. We aren’t really social away from work or anything,” Alex responded.

  “But he was your training officer when you first came on the job?”

  “Yes.”

  “So you worked closely together early in your career?”

  “Yes.”

  “Would you say he’s been influential in your career?”

  “I would say he’s one of many competent officers who I deeply respect and who have been influential.”

  “Uh-huh. And he approached you some time ago and provided you with a wanted bulletin containing my client’s photograph, is that correct?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “And when was that?”

  “As I recall, it was two days prior to your client’s arrest.”

  “You’re sure the two of you had no discussions about Mr. Sinclair prior to that?”

  “I’m quite sure.”

  “You did not discuss with Detective Severs the fact that Mr. Sinclair had been accused, falsely, I might add, of a sexual assault while in college and that he would make a good suspect for this murder spree?”

  Sydney jumped to her feet before Alex could even begin to respond.

  “Objection, Your Honor. If counsel has some evidence of such a conversation he needs to bring it forth immediately. It is improper for him to launch blatantly unfounded allegations of some far-fetched conspiracy.”

  “Your Honor, I am merely presenting the defense theory of the case, which we believe will establish reasonable doubt.”

  “I’ll allow it. The objection is denied. But tread carefully here, Mr. Bristow,” the judge said.

  The defense attorney nodded as Sydney took her seat. She looked over at Alex and gave her a reassuring nod as Bristow resumed the questioning.

  “Detective Severs had to be under a lot of pressure to make an arrest in this case. There was significant political pressure, was there not?”

  “I don’t know if I would characterize it as political pressure. Twelve murdered women in a community is something that reaches beyond politics.”

  “So the public was pressuring for an arrest.”

  “No, sir. The public was hoping to feel safe. They were scared. Our job was to make them safe again.” Sydney gave the sergeant a slight smile as she listened to Alex give cogent answers to the questions. Alex wasn’t allowing herself to be backed into providing the wording Bristow was looking for. She had clearly clued in that the defense was looking for an admission, or an avenue to imply, that there was political pressure to make an arrest, any arrest, in the case.

  “The capture of a supposed murderer is quite the feather in your cap, isn’t it, Sergeant?”

  “I’m not quite sure what you mean, sir.”

  “I mean that you, a mere patrol sergeant, supposedly singlehandedly captured a wanted murder suspect. That’s going to reflect well for you, professionally. Perhaps, if it leads ultimately to a successful prosecution, it’ll result in commendations, accolades, maybe a promotion for you?”

  Sydney recognized the slight smile that curled the sergeant’s lips and was happy that Alex wasn’t responding to the degrading reference.

  “I like to think, as a mere patrol sergeant, I will simply be seen as having done my job. What the taxpayers of the city pay me for, sir. I also think you’ll find that mere patrol personnel in my department capture wanted violent predators on a fairly regular basis. What I did is not that unusual, sir.”

  Sydney had to look down at the notes on the table in front of her to hide her own smile now. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed the defense attorney again shuffling his paperwork. His first attempts at confusing and antagonizing the sergeant and trying to put her on the defensive having obviously failed. He looked back up at the uniformed sergeant.

  “So, you make reference to this all-knowing citizen who magically recalled seeing Mr. Sinclair coming and going from the storage facility. Who is this individual, Sergeant?”

  “As I stated previously, sir, that citizen spoke to me in confidence, on the condition of anonymity. They fear for their safety and the safety of their family, not to mention the viability of their business, if it becomes known they gave information to the police or cooperated with us in any way. This is an individual who has provided information in the past that led to significant arrests. I was ultimately able to independently corroborate the information they provided through my own observations.”

  “Yes, that’s all very convenient for you, isn’t it?”

  “Your Honor!” Sydney was once again on her feet contesting the antagonizing question.

  “I withdraw the question,” Bristow said with a wave of his hand as if he was implying the answer was obvious and therefore unimportant.

  “When Detective Severs approached you with the information on his suspect,” Bristow motioned with his fingers to imply quotes around the word. “Didn’t you two discuss the fact that the department needed a quick arrest in this case?”

  “No.”

  “Didn’t the detective tell you he had the evidence, but simply needed to tie it to my client somehow?” Bristow’s voice began to rise in an accusatory fashion.

  “No.”

  “Detective Severs focused on Mr. Sinclair as his suspect from the beginning and the two of you conspired to plant the evidence in his storage facility, didn’t you?”

  “Absolutely not,” Alex said calmly.

  “And didn’t you manufacture the existence of this anonymous citizen, creating the avenue that would lead you directly to my client, his locker and this overwhelming physical evidence? This citizen informant doesn’t even exist, does he, Sergeant?”

  “I assure you, sir, he exists.”

  “Objection, Your Honor, he’s badgering the witness.” Sydney leapt to her feet, trying to stem the verbal attack. But Bristow was on a roll and continued before the judge could intervene. He leveled an accusatory finger at Alex and practically screamed the accusation.

  “You and Detective Severs framed my client, an innocent man, didn’t you, Sergeant?” The courtroom went absolutely silent. Even the judge seemed shocked into inaction, failing to address Sydney’s objection before the officer’s strong and confident voice was heard.

  “If your client is innocent, Mr. Bristow,” Alex calmly responded. “Then why did the murders stop as soon as he was arrested?”

  Sydney glanced over at the jury and saw a couple of them give slight nods while several others raised their eyebrows. Every juror looked back at the defense attorney, clearly waiting for his response. Bristow stood frozen and Sydney recognized a fleeting look of panic pass across his eyes. Then he recovered and addressed the judge.

  “You
r Honor, I request the witness be instructed not to editorialize and to simply answer the question posed to her.”

  “First, I believe Ms. Rutledge has an objection on the record,” the judge said.

  “I withdraw my objection, Your Honor,” Sydney said, somewhat smugly. She gave Alex a quick wink and a small smile as she sat back down. Sydney had a feeling the defense line of questioning had possibly done more damage than good to Sinclair’s case. The sergeant was doing just fine on her own and her quick thinking had turned Bristow’s questions right back at him. Sydney was curious to see how much further the defense would try and take this line of questioning.

  “Very well,” the judge said, then he turned to Alex on the witness stand. “Sergeant Chambers, you’re advised to respond only to those questions posed to you.”

  “Yes, Your Honor, my apologies.” She turned back to the attorney. “In answer to your question, sir, no. I can assure I did not frame your client. There was absolutely no need.”

  Bristow initially looked as if he would continue his questioning, then gathered his notes and looked up at the judge. “I have no more questions at this time, Your Honor. But we may have need to recall this witness at a later time.”

  “That will be it for today, Sergeant Chambers. You are excused but are subject to recall.” He turned back to the District Attorney’s table. “Is the prosecution prepared to have your next witness ready first thing in the morning, Ms. Rutledge?”

  “Yes, Your Honor. Our forensic expert is prepared to take the stand in the morning and we estimate our direct examination will take us at least to the lunch break.” The judge nodded then raised his gavel.

  “Very well. This court stands in recess until nine tomorrow morning.” The gavel dropped and the occupants of the courtroom stood as the judge retreated to his chambers.

  As soon as the door to the judge’s chambers closed, Alex made her way down from the raised witness stand to the prosecution’s table. Sydney noted her approach as she gathered her notepads and references.

  “If you have a few minutes, Sergeant? I’d like to discuss your testimony.” Sydney’s statement was clipped and official sounding.

  “Um, yeah. Sure.”

  Sydney noted Alex’s concerned, almost uncertain tone and realized it was due to her very officious sounding approach. She glanced at Alex and then looked directly at the retreating jury, the last of whom were standing only a few feet away in the jury box gathering their own notepads, purses and jackets. Sydney was trying to send the signal that she needed to remain professional and reserved in front of them. She watched as Alex followed her look to the jury and recognition dawned. Alex turned back toward her.

  “Need any help with anything?” Alex asked, indicating the various folders Sydney was now placing in the file box attached to a small rolling dolly.

  “That’s okay. I’ll meet you outside.”

  Several minutes later, Sydney exited the courtroom to find Alex waiting in the hallway. “Walk with me, Sergeant,” she said and continued toward the elevators. She remained silent when she noticed the defense team and several jurors gathered outside the elevators. When the doors to the elevator opened, she gently grabbed Alex’s wrist to hold her back from entering with the others. When the doors closed the two were left alone in the hallway. Sydney immediately turned to Alex.

  “That, Sergeant Chambers, was fantastic. You completely turned that questioning around. No one could possibly have handled that any better.” She leaned into Alex as she laughed.

  “I’m glad it worked out,” Alex said, and smiled.

  Sydney suddenly realized she was leaning somewhat intimately into the sergeant, with one hand grasping Alex’s arm and the other her hand. She slowly straightened up and began to back away, but felt Alex’s fingers give hers a slight squeeze before letting go.

  “It better than worked out,” Sydney said as she reached once again for her rolling files. “Did you see Bristow’s face when you pointed out the murders had stopped? And the jury’s response? You can’t un-ring that bell.” The doors on a nearby elevator car opened with the arrow illuminated to indicate it was continuing up. Sydney moved toward the open doors. “Well done, Sergeant.” She turned in the car to face the still open doors. “Shall I keep you posted?”

  “Absolutely,” Alex said as she held her hand in the open doorway to keep it from closing. “Let me know how things go. Good luck with the rest of the trial.” She waved as she stepped back.

  “Stay safe,” Sydney said as the doors began to close and Alex disappeared from view. She leaned back against the wall as the car moved upwards and her mind went back to the feeling in her fingers when they had been held by Alex, and the look they had exchanged when Sydney had realized their closeness. She shook away the dreamy feeling when the doors opened again on the eighteenth floor and she made her way to her office. Allowing for pointless daydreaming was not going to get her prepared for the next day in the courtroom.

  Two weeks later...

  “THE DEFENDENT WILL rise,” the judge ordered. “The jury foreperson may read the verdict.”

  “We the jury, in the above entitled action, find the defendant, Matthew James Sinclair, guilty of the murder of Michelle Bethany Moore, a violation of section one-eight-seven, subsection A of the penal code of the state of California, as charged in count one of the information. We, the jury, further find that the murder of Michelle Bethany Moore was committed willfully, deliberately and with premeditation, within the meaning of penal code section one-eight-nine, and is a serious and violent felony pursuant to penal code sections oneone-nine-two-point-seven, subsection C, as charged in count one of the information.”

  The foreperson read on, twelve counts in all. He was found guilty on all twelve counts of first-degree murder. All of the counts included findings for the existence of special circumstances, which left the potential for a verdict involving either the death penalty or life imprisonment with no possibility of parole. The reading of the verdicts continued on for almost forty minutes during which time Alex noted Sinclair showed absolutely no emotion, except for a slight smile when the last name was read.

  At the conclusion the judge questioned the jury as to the unanimous nature of their findings, formally accepted the verdict for the record, then thanked the jury for their diligence. He then turned and looked at the prosecution and defense tables before looking down at his calendar.

  “Now as to the sentencing hearing, any particular time frame good or bad? Ms. Rutledge, will you have victim impact statements?”

  Sydney stood and turned a page on her legal pad. “Yes, Your Honor,” she glanced down quickly at her notes. “I have four written statements to include with the sentencing recommendation and five family members wish to address the court.” The judge nodded as he noted the request in his notes.

  “Anything else?” he asked. Both attorneys shook their head in the negative. “Very well. Sentencing recommendations to me by August tenth, hearing will be August twenty-fifth. See you all next month. This court is in recess.” With a bang of his gavel, he stood and exited the courtroom.

  Sydney began gathering her paperwork the moment the judge left his bench. She was vaguely aware of Alex as the sergeant rose from her seat in the first row of the gallery immediately behind her.

  As if she finally sensed the intense gaze, Sydney looked up from her files and her eyes met Sinclair’s. His sinister smile engendered a startlingly vivid sense of dread, his eyes seeming to trap and hold hers. Her breath caught and an irrepressible shiver ran through her body in response to the predator’s intense scrutiny.

  “I look forward to seeing you again very soon, Ms. Rutledge. I’d love to spend some time alone with you,” Sinclair said as the bailiffs pulled him away from the defense table and toward the door leading to the court detention cells.

  His eyes didn’t leave hers and Sydney couldn’t look away as he pursed his lips and sent a leering kiss in her direction. The terrifying connection was finally broken
when a broad uniformed figure stepped between them. The sergeant maintained her position, standing tall with her arms crossed, essentially facing down Sinclair as he was led from the room. He cackled an evil laugh and kept looking past Alex toward Sydney as the bailiffs forcibly pulled him from the courtroom.

  When the door finally closed behind him, Alex turned around to face Sydney with a concerned look, touching Sydney’s elbow gently.

  “Are you okay, Ms. Rutledge?”

  Sydney tried to shake off her fear and smiled weakly. “I’m okay,” she said, more in an effort to convince herself. After all, it wasn’t as if Sinclair would ever be able to follow through on his threats. Alex pulled her hand away and again assumed a look of courteous professionalism.

  “Well done, counselor,” Alex said. “Chalk one up for the good guys.”

  Sydney’s smile warmed slightly and become more genuine.

  “Yeah,” she replied. “Like you said, couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.” Sydney continued placing the paperwork into her soft-sided briefcase.

  “Your office still intends to pursue the death penalty?” Alex asked. She lifted Sydney’s additional file box of materials and led Sydney through the now empty courtroom.

  “Yep,” Sydney followed, smiling slightly yet internally puzzled by the butterflies in her stomach brought on by the officer’s gallant gesture.

  “Outstanding. Like we keep saying, couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.”

  Alex pushed open the heavy door leading out into the hallway, holding it open as Sydney passed through. As they walked down the hallway toward the elevators, Sydney’s cell phone vibrated in her hand.

  She looked down at the caller I.D. then put the phone to her ear as she moved against the wall out of foot traffic, looking up and apologizing to Alex with her eyes.

  “Hey, Stan,” she said. “That’s right...on all counts and all special circumstances...uh-huh...sentencing will be August twentyfifth...okay...I’m coming back to the office then I’m taking the rest of the day off...thanks, Stan. See you Monday.”