Tess Hardy poked holes in Millett’s memories. Then she asked her why she’d never reported these threats to the police if she was so concerned. Stacey’s answers weren’t great. I turn up the sound as they show the same clip for the third time.

The camera is focused on the witness box. Poor Stacey looks a little bewildered and tired. Not used to this kind of pressure.

Tess Hardy’s voice comes from off-camera. “Ms. Millett, have you ever been angry at someone?”

“Yes, of course.”

“I mean really mad.”

“Sure.”

“In the heat of the moment, have you ever said anything like ‘I could kill you right now!’”

“Well, yeah,” says Millett, “but I didn’t really mean it. I was just letting off steam.”

“So you’ve never actually killed anybody?”

“Objection!” Bastinelli’s voice.

“Overruled,” says the judge. “Ms. Millett, you may answer the question.”

“No! Of course not!”

“I didn’t think so,” says Hardy.

Another point scored for the defense. But the game clock has just started.

CHAPTER
95

Cole Wright’s private cell phone buzzes on his nightstand.

He grabs it. Only two people in the world have this number. “Hello?”

“Hey there, it’s me. Did I wake you?”

Cole rubs his eyes with one hand. “Hey, Maddy. No problem. I’m up. Good to hear your voice.”

“Good to hear yours too.”

He jams a pillow behind his back and sits up against the headboard of his bed at the inn in Kingston, New Hampshire.

“I’m sorry I had to leave before court was adjourned today,” Maddy says. “Serbia’s threatening Kosovo again, and the Chinese are expanding their territorial waters.”

“So I heard,” says Cole. “You worried?”

“I just got off the phone with the new British PM. He thinks both situations could escalate. But we’ll see.” A pause. “How are you?”

“Holding up.”

“I saw some of the trial replay. Looks like Tess is doing a good job. You two getting along?”

“Better now,” says Cole.

“I’m sorry I’m not there at the inn with you.”

“Don’t be. Room service is terrible.”

“I’m serious. I miss you. And I want to support you. But I can’t run things from up there. Burton made me realize that.”

“Maddy, I understand.”

“I want you to know that we’re working on the announcement of the Grand Bargain.”

“I thought that was on the back burner.”

“We can’t hold this coalition together much longer, Cole. And if it collapses, we’ll lose the whole thing—forever.”

Cole grimaces. “I hate being a sideshow. I’m the reason things are being held up.”

“Not your fault. We’re planning to announce the day after you’re found not guilty. A one-two punch to set us up for the next term.”

“But what if—”