“Then we’ve heard all we need to on that subject. Let me ask you about one other thing. It’s a small matter, but very important.”

Walt says nothing.

“When Tom Cage was apprehended outside Henry Sexton’s funeral, after jumping bail, he had been driven to that church by you, had he not?”

“He had.”

“In fact, you had been driving him around ever since he skipped bail. Aiding and abetting a fugitive, as it were.”

“You could call it that, if you had a mind.”

“Well, Mr. Garrity, you spent decades serving as a Texas Ranger. What did you call men who skipped bail?”

“Depended on the man. Some were outlaws, and some were good boys caught in a misunderstanding. That’s why Rangers were taught to use their judgment.”

Shad gives Walt a sidelong glance that lets him know he does not appreciate the sparring. “Were you in court during Sheriff Byrd’s testimony that the night after Dr. Cage turned himself in to the FBI, you threw a videotape from your RV into the Mississippi River?”

“Yes, sir, I was.”

“Was the sheriff’s account accurate?”

Walt leans back in the witness chair and folds his arms. Once more he sniffs, then gives the jury box an appraising glance.

“Captain Garrity?” Shad presses.

“Yessir?”

“Will you answer the question?”

“The sheriff’s account was accurate enough.”

“You threw that videotape from your RV into the river?”

“I threw a tape into the river, along with some other stuff.”

“Are you saying you didn’t know what was on the tape?”

“That’s right.”

“Had you visited Dr. Cage earlier that afternoon in FBI custody?”

“I had.”

“At that time, did you discuss the videotape in the van?”

“No, sir.”

Shad looks skeptical. “Dr. Cage did not tell you where to find that tape and ask you specifically to destroy it?”

“How could he, if we didn’t discuss the tape?”

“Yes or no, Captain.”

Walt is starting to lose patience with Shad. “The answer is no.”

Shad lets the jury see an exaggerated look of incredulity. “If you knew nothing about the tape, not even what was on it, then why would you get rid of it?”