Chapter 21 - The State of Arizona v. Lawrence VossThe courtroom was smaller than Robert expected.

Seventeen years of grief should have required a stadium.

Instead there were wooden benches, fluorescent lights, lawyers, folders, water pitchers, and a judge reminding everyone to silence phones.

Lawrence Voss looked old.

That surprised Robert.

Not because seventy made a man old.

Because power had kept Voss young in Robert's memory.

He had remained forty-something forever.

Confident.

Connected.

Untouchable.

Now he sat beside defense attorneys wearing a dark suit that could not disguise fatigue.

The prosecution had divided the case.

Financial crimes would be tried separately from homicide counts to avoid overwhelming the jury.

Robert testified about Jonah Pierce.

About Evelyn's call.

About the warehouse.

About his decision to go alone.

The defense attacked that decision.

"You violated protocol, Detective Callahan?"

"Yes."

"You entered without backup?"

"Yes."

"You allowed Evelyn Mercer to flee?"

"Yes."

"You lost control of the scene?"

"Yes."

Robert did not defend himself.

The truth required no polishing.

The attorney asked, "And for seventeen years you believed she died because of your failure."

Robert looked at Voss.

"I believed my failure contributed."

"But now you prefer to blame my client."

Robert answered calmly.

"I prefer evidence."

The prosecutor introduced Dane's payment records.

The ledger.

The audio.

Miriam's testimony.

Dane himself testified under a cooperation agreement.

He admitted killing Pierce.

He described bringing Evelyn to Voss after locating her in Flagstaff.

The defense called him a liar trying to save himself.

He was.

That did not automatically make every statement false.

Then Vanessa testified.

Daniel did not attend that day.

Robert did.

Vanessa looked different.

No expensive jewelry.

No polished waves.

Hair tied back.

Plain navy dress.

She described Voss entering her life after Evelyn's supposed death.

"He told me Robert Callahan trapped my mother in a warehouse."

"Did you believe him?"

"Yes."

"What did he show you?"

"Documents."

"Complete documents?"

"No."

"Did you know that then?"

"No."

She explained how Voss shaped her hatred.

Then how he directed her toward Daniel.

The prosecutor asked, "Why did you agree?"

Vanessa looked toward the jury.

"Because revenge felt like loyalty."

Robert felt the sentence land.

"Did Daniel Callahan know why you entered his life?"

"No."

"Did you manipulate him?"

"Yes."

"Did you monitor him?"

"Yes."

"Did you access his devices without permission?"

"Yes."

"Why admit conduct that may harm you in your own criminal case?"

Vanessa swallowed.

"Because it happened."

The defense attacked her credibility.

"You want a reduced sentence."

"Yes."

"You lied to Daniel for more than a year."

"Yes."

"You lied to Robert Callahan."

"Yes."

"You lied to police."

"Initially."

"So you're a practiced liar."

Vanessa nodded.

"Yes."

The defense attorney paused.

Vanessa added:

"That's why you should rely on the records, not my character."

Robert saw one juror glance at another.

The strongest witnesses knew where their weaknesses were.

Miriam testified next.

She admitted leaking sealed information.

Taking money.

Protecting Voss.

Preserving evidence only as insurance.

She did not ask forgiveness.

Carol attended.

Afterward she said, "Donna would've hated this."

"What?"

"All these people finally telling the truth only because they ran out of places to hide."

Robert smiled sadly.

"She would've said it louder."

The prosecution's last major evidence was Donna's microfilm.

The chipped mug itself was displayed.

Robert stared at it inside a clear evidence box.

Ordinary.

Small.

Ridiculous compared with murder.

Yet it contained the notation connecting Voss to Dane.

The defense argued Evelyn's handwritten note could not prove Voss ordered murder.

Then prosecutors played the restored audio.

Technology had improved the recording.

A previously obscured section became audible.

Voss's voice:

Pierce is done. Dane handled it. You want to be next?

Evelyn:

You killed him.

Voss:

I solved a problem you created.

Silence filled the courtroom.

Robert watched Voss.

For the first time, the old attorney's face lost control.

Only for a second.

But Robert recognized fear.

Weeks later, the jury returned.

Guilty on conspiracy to commit murder in Jonah Pierce's death.

Guilty on Evelyn Mercer's murder under accomplice liability and related counts.

Guilty on obstruction and evidence tampering.

Sentencing would come later.

Robert stepped outside the courthouse.

Daniel waited near the stairs.

"You didn't have to come."

"I know."

They stood together.

Reporters called Robert's name.

He ignored them.

Daniel asked, "Do you feel finished?"

Robert looked at the Arizona sky.

"No."

Daniel nodded.

"Me neither."

That was the truth.

A verdict could close a case.

May you like

92 The Girl They Called Broke Was a Billionaire’s Daughter—But Her Fathe...

91 A Cruel Hotel Manager Fired a Receptionist for Defending a Poor Old G...

90 On Christmas Eve, My Daughter-in-Law Stole $12,000 From My Card—Then...

It could not close a family.

And Vanessa's sentencing was next.