parking, which was usually a breeze, was impossible to find, as were accommodations at any motel within twenty miles. The combination of mass murder, black-market organ sales, torture and a handsome physician who had already been dubbed Dr. Death by the tabloids had lured reporters from all over the United States and several foreign countries to Cedar City.
While he waited for Fred Scofield to call his first witness, Frank glanced around the courtroom and spotted Art Prochaska watching the proceedings from a seat near the window at the back. Frank had represented several of Martin Breach's employees, but never Prochaska. Nonetheless, Frank recognized him instantly and wondered what he was doing at the hearing.
Judge Brody rapped his gavel, and Scofield called Sean McCarthy to lay out the case against Cardoni. Then the prosecutor put on several forensic experts before calling his final witness.
A woman crossed the courtroom and took the witness stand. She was beautifully dressed in a pale gray pantsuit, a green cashmere turtleneck and pearl earrings. The woman's caramel hair fell gently across her shoulders. Her jade-colored eyes flicked toward Cardoni for a second, then she ignored him. Frank had never seen her before, but his client obviously had, because he stiffened and stared angrily.
Could you please state your name for the record? the bailiff asked.
Dr. Justine Castle, she replied in a firm voice that carried easily to all corners of the courtroom.
How are you employed, Dr. Castle?
I' m a physician, and I' m currently in a residency program in general surgery at St. Francis Medical Center in Portland.
Where did you attend college and medical school?
I received a BS in chemistry at Dartmouth and a master's in biochemistry from Cornell, and I attended medical school at Jefferson in Philadelphia.
Did you work between college and medical school?
Yes. I spent two years working as a research chemist for a pharmaceutical firm in Denver, Colorado.
What is your relationship to the defendant, Vincent Cardoni?
He is my husband, Justine answered tersely.
Were you living together at the time of his arrest on the present charges?
Justine turned toward Cardoni and stared directly at him.
No. I moved out after he beat me.
There was a stir in the crowd, and Judge Brody called for order as Frank stood.
Objection, Your Honor. This is not relevant to the issue before the court, which is whether there is strong proof of my client's guilt of the murders in Milton County.
Overruled.
Can you tell Judge Brody the circumstances of this beating? Scofield continued.
Justine's voice did not waver and she did not flinch when she answered.
It occurred during a rape. Vincent wanted me to have sex with him. He was using cocaine and I refused. He pounded me with his fists until I submitted. Afterward he beat me some more for sport. I moved out that night.
And when was this?
Two months ago.
Judge Brody was old-fashioned. He had been married to the same woman for forty years, and his weekly attendance at church was not for show. His expression reflected the way he felt about men who abused women. Frank saw his chances of obtaining bail fading with each word Justine Castle spoke.
You mentioned drug use. Is the defendant addicted to drugs?
My husband is a cocaine addict.
Does this affect his judgment?
His behavior has become increasingly erratic during our marriage.
Did you recently witness erratic behavior on the part of your husband during an incident involving a nurse at St. Francis Medical Center named Mary Sandowski?
Yes, I did.
Please tell Judge Brody what you saw.
When Justine finished recounting Cardoni's assault on Sandowski, Scofield changed the subject.
Dr. Castle, do you have any reason to believe that the defendant would be a flight risk if he is released on bail?
Yes, I do.
Please explain to the judge why you believe the defendant might flee.
I have filed for divorce. My divorce attorney has been trying to locate my husband's assets. Almost immediately after I filed, my husband tried to withdraw large sums of money from our joint accounts and our investment accounts. We were able to anticipate some of these moves, but he still sent a lot of this money to offshore accounts. We also believe that he has accounts in Switzerland. These accounts would provide him with enough money to live in luxury if he was to flee the country.
The cords in Cardoni's neck were tight with anger. He leaned his head toward Frank without taking his eyes off Justine.
You asked me who would want to set me up, Cardoni whispered. You're looking at her. The bitch has access to my office at the hospital, and she has keys to my house. It would have been easy for Justine to steal the coffee mug, the scalpel and the videocassette. And Justine knew Grant.
You're suggesting that Justine was Grant's partner?
She's a surgeon, Frank. Harvesting those organs would be a piece of cake.
What about murder? Do you think she's capable of that?
As capable as she is of lying under oath. I never raped Justine and I don't have any offshore accounts. Her whole testimony is a lie.
What happened? Amanda asked as soon as Frank walked through the door to her office.
Bail denied, her father answered. He looked exhausted. I wasn't surprised. Cardoni couldn't come up with a single character witness, and Scofield's case is very strong.
How did Cardoni take the judge's decision?
Not well, Frank answered without elaborating. He had no desire to relive Cardoni's tirade, which was peppered with threats against Justine Castle and every member of every branch of government that was involved in his prosecution.
Where do you go from here?
I' m already working on a motion to suppress, but I don't have much hope that I'll win.
Let me take a crack at it, Amanda asked eagerly.
Frank hesitated. Amanda took a breath and plunged in.
Why did you ask me to come to work for you, Dad? Were you being charitable?
Frank was taken aback by the question. You know that's not it.
I know I don't need charity. I was law review at one of the top schools in the country, and I just finished clerking for a federal appeals court. I can get any job I want, and I' m going to start looking if you don't give me some responsibility.
Frank looked angry and started to say something, but Amanda pressed her case.
Look, Dad, I might be a neophyte in a trial court, but I' m a sixth-degree black belt when it comes to legal research. You tell me where you could get someone better to work on this motion.
Frank hesitated. Then he threw his head back and laughed.
You're damn lucky you're my daughter. If any other associate talked to me like that, I' d kick their ass into the center of Broadway.
Amanda grinned but held her tongue. One thing she knew from watching tons of appellate arguments was that you shut up when you' d won.
Come down to my office for the file, Frank said. An idea occurred to him. Since you're so anxious to get your hands dirty, why don't you keep Herb Cross company when he interviews Justine Castle, Cardoni's wife? She killed us at the bail hearing. Her testimony at a sentencing hearing could send Cardoni to death row.
Is Castle a doctor?
