Chapter 87

“Withdrawn.”

“I thought she was planning to dump her husband,” she said smugly.

Charles said, “Your Honor, I ask that the witness’ remarks be stricken from the record.”

“I agree,” the judge said. “The jury will disregard the last remarks of the witness.”

Charles changed tactics and said, “Did you know that she was pregnant?”

“Not until I read it in the papers.”

Charles looked at her and said, “You know what I think? I think you told this preposterous story to the prosecutor because you were jealous. You’d been hoping that she would dump her husband because you wanted to take his place. Isn’t that true, Mrs. Toliver?”

Wetherbee objected, Charles withdrew the remark, and the witness sat there, clearly shaken at his having struck so close to home. Charles, obviously deciding to quit while he was ahead, said, “No further questions,” turned, and sat down at the table.