Ben was grateful to have time to gear up for the prosecution’s first witness. “Nice job on opening,” Christina whispered in his ear as he reviewed his notes. “I think you made your points very effectively.” “But do they like me?” Ben asked. “It’s early yet. At any rate, you played it straight with them, and I think they’ll remember that.” After the break, the bailiff reassembled the jury, and Judge Pickens gave them a few more instructions. We are now entering the evidentiary phase of the trial, he told them, so pay close attention to everything you see and hear. You can’t take notes. You can’t ask questions. Just listen up. And so forth. “The State calls Deputy Kyle Wagner to the stand,” Granny announced. From the back of the courtroom, an extremely young-looking peace officer made his way to the front. He did not appear particularly anxious to testify, not that anyone ever did. Wagner seemed especially pale and sickly, though. Ben wondered if the bailiff should distribute barf bags at the same time as he administered the oath.
