‘Is your current financial situation directly attributable to your dismissal from the Duluth Police?’

‘Yeah, I guess.’

‘So is it fair to say you hated Jay Ferris for what he did to you?’

‘I suppose so, but that was a long time ago.’

‘The economic consequences are still very real to you today, though, aren’t they?’

‘Yes.’

‘You testified that you got to know Dr. Snow because you were doing part-time security work at her hospital, is that right?’

‘Yes.’

‘Did you ask to be assigned to work at St. Anne’s?’

‘I – I don’t remember.’

‘Shall I call your boss and subpoena your employment records so we can confirm it?’ Gale asked.

‘Okay. Yes, I heard about an opening there, and I asked to get it.’

‘Why?’

Nathan was silent.

‘Mr. Skinner,’ Gale went on, ‘did you go after that position with the specific goal of seducing Dr. Snow into an affair?’

‘It may have crossed my mind,’ Nathan admitted.

The body language from Janine Snow at the counsel table was eloquent. She oozed scorn. It was easy to see similar reactions on the faces of the women on the jury. For all his attractiveness, there was a dark side to Nathan Skinner.

‘Mr. Skinner, were you interviewed by the police shortly after the murder of Jay Ferris?’

‘Yes.’ His voice was clipped. Impatient. He wanted to be done and off the stand.

‘Did you say anything to the police at that time about your affair with Dr. Snow?’

‘No.’

‘Did you believe the police would consider you to be a suspect in the murder of Jay Ferris if they found out that you’d been having an affair with the victim’s wife?’

‘I figured I was a suspect anyway,’ Nathan said, and then he winced.

‘Okay, and as a suspect, would it be in your interest to deflect police attention to someone else?’

‘I didn’t do that.’

‘When you were first interviewed, did you say anything to the police about Dr. Snow asking you how she could get a gun?’

‘No.’

‘You only told this story after Dr. Snow informed the police of your relationship, is that right?’

‘Yes, but it’s true.’

‘Did anyone else overhear this conversation?’ Gale asked.

‘No, but Janine knows what she said.’

‘Mr. Skinner, is there anyone who can verify your whereabouts after 9:45 p.m. on the night of January 28?’

‘No.’

‘Were you drinking that night?’

‘I – yeah, I guess.’

‘How much did you drink?’

‘I don’t remember.’

‘Do you own a revolver, Mr. Skinner?’

‘I gave my gun to the police. They tested it. It was clean.’

‘Is that the only handgun you own?’

‘They tested all of them. Clean as a whistle.’

‘How many handguns do you own, Mr. Ferris?’

‘Eight.’