“Do you remember the name of her attorney?”
Chandler asked, hoping he could solidify the pattern of behavior that appeared to be forming.
“Movis Ehrhardt. Can’t forget a name like that.”
Chandler smiled.
Stanton sat back, presumably waiting for Chandler’s next question, which did not materialize. He looked down at his watch. “Have I been of assistance, Mr. Chandler?”
“Definitely. Mind if I give you a buzz if I think of anything else?” Chandler asked.
“As long as you keep our conversations confidential.”
“Would you be willing to testify as to what you told me today?”
He folded his hands and gazed down at the desk in front of him. “I need to discuss that with my attorney,” he said, “but my inclination is no. I’m sorry, but the very reason for spending the money was to put this incident behind me, and to keep this garbage out of the papers.”
“Please talk to your attorney. You’ve been there, you know what Brittany Harding’s capable of. Your testimony could make a huge difference for my client.” He stood and they shook hands.
“I’ll be in touch,” Stanton said.
CHAPTER 38
FOLLOWING HIS CONVERSATION WITH Leeza, Madison felt that he should make the most of his time together with his family. With so few patients to be seen, on a forced vacation that could turn out to be permanent, he involved himself in every aspect of the children’s activities. Each time he would catch a phrase that Elliott would come up with, or observe the look of excitement in Jonah’s eyes with the discovery of something new, the horrifying thought that he might not get to see them grow up invaded his emotions and brought an instant choking sensation to his chest.
Fifteen to life, he kept hearing in his head. The stakes were high...higher than he had prepared himself for, worse than he had ever imagined. Two to six was bad enough. But life? A gulp of air would help relieve the pressure in his chest, but it would be only a temporary fix.
However, when Chandler informed him of the information he had obtained from Stanton this morning, all of their spirits appeared to be buoyed. As they sat around the table preparing to eat their Subway sandwiches, Chandler explained to them how this could fit into the trial and Hellman’s planned defense of “someone else did it.”
More importantly, they knew who that someone else was. The more they dug, Chandler was saying, the greater the likelihood that they would find something of use.
Having been given the day off from his factory job due to scheduled maintenance on the equipment, Ricky was invited over to the Madisons’ for lunch.
“Thanks for calling him,” Madison told Leeza.
“I just figured with all that’s been going on, you haven’t seen him in weeks.”
“I feel awful. I shouldn’t have let that happen. My parents said he was angry with me for neglecting him.”
“You had a lot of stuff on your plate, Phil. I explained that to him yesterday when I called. At least he’s here with us now. Look at him,” she said, motioning to Ricky running around the backyard with Scalpel and the boys. “He’s in heaven.”
Ricky’s thick-tongued speech was difficult to interpret at times. He often became frustrated when he could not adequately communicate, and due to the difficulty expressing his true feelings, he would yell, throw something against the wall, or cry, depending on how frustrated he became at the time.
After Leeza called everyone to the kitchen table, they unwrapped their sandwiches. Ricky took a swig of his soda, leaving a film of brown foam on his face. He wiped it away with his shirt sleeve. “Want th’ome?” he said, offering his drink to Chandler.
Elliott jumped out of his seat. “No, Uncle Ricky. Mom says you’re not supposed to share your drink. It’s got germs, right, Mom?”
“That’s right, Elliott.” Leeza turned to Ricky. “That was nice of you to offer, but I’ll get Ryan a can of his own.” As she brought a plate of pickles and Chandler’s soda over to the table, she asked, “Do you think we’ll have enough evidence to get Phil off?”
Chandler popped open his Coke Zero. “All we need is enough to create reasonable doubt. As long as there’s a hint of doubt in the jury’s minds, they’re not supposed to convict him.”
“What are our chances?” Leeza asked.
“That’s really a question best answered by Jeffrey. But I think we’re on the right track.” He picked up his sandwich and held it a couple of inches from his mouth, preparing to take a bite. “I just wish I had stronger evidence linking Harding to the crime. If I could only place her in the car somehow.” He took a huge bite of his pastrami hero.
“But there weren’t any fingerprints in the car except Phil’s, right?” Leeza asked.
Chandler nodded while his jaw swayed to and fro, trying to negotiate the enormous bite he had taken.
Leeza brought a few more napkins over to the table. “So if her fingerprints weren’t there, how else do we place her in the car?”
“Finding something belonging to her would certainly help,” Madison said.
“How about strands of hair,” Leeza asked. “Did they find any of her hair in the car?”
“Mm-mm,” Chandler managed, shaking his head “no.”
“Then what else would be there if she was driving the car?” she asked. “An article of clothing — ”
Chandler’s eyes became round and large, as if he were choking. He held up an index finger and gestured while he struggled to rapidly chew his food and swallow. He munched animatedly, while Leeza looked at Madison, who was staring
