“The lie itself isn’t what I have a problem with. Mr. Pritcher knew about this alleged incident, didn’t inform us, and gathered the photograph without handing it over. Rule seven is clear that all material evidence must be handed over by the defense to the State when the defense intends to use that evidence in trial if a reverse discovery motion has been filed.”

“I didn’t intend to use it. If he had been honest, I would’ve just moved on.”

“You’re so full of shit, Russell.”

“Up yours.”

“Boys, calm down. Mr. Pritcher, you had an obligation to turn this over. I’m striking all of the testimony from the record and excluding the photograph.”

“Thank you, Judge,” I said.

I went back to the prosecution table while the judge informed the jury to disregard everything they’d just heard. We had about as much chance of them forgetting everything as Santa Claus landing on the roof and giving us all presents, but at least they wouldn’t hear more about Howard’s ex.

Pritcher continued pounding on Howard. After forty-five minutes, Howard was red faced and sweating. Pritcher brought up things I’m sure Howard had no idea people could find out about. Like a shoplifting charge he’d had at age eleven and the fact that his father, drunk, had once put him in the hospital with fractured ribs and a busted nose. Information I would’ve gotten if I’d been given my normal six months to a year to prepare a case, along with my team of investigators.

When Pritcher was done, the judge looked to me. I debated getting Howard off the stand, but I could tell the picture of his ex had lingered: Howard looked like a rapist up there, so I had to afford him the chance to explain. I rose and said, “Tell us about the rape allegation.”

“It’s untrue. Completely false. April and I only dated for like a month, and I called it off with her because she kept getting arrested. She had a severe alcohol and drug problem. I have personally arrested her over a dozen times, and she filed the report against me after the last arrest. Internal Affairs already looked into it and decided it was bogus. I wasn’t even in the city at the time she’s claiming it happened.” He looked at the jurors. “As a police officer, we get a lot of complaints filed against us by people that feel the system has treated them poorly. We’re the face of the system to them, so it’s always us that gets it. Almost all of the accusations end up being proven false by witnesses. It’s just part of having the job.”

“Thank you, Detective.”

The judge said, “Mr. Pritcher?”

“Nothing, Your Honor.”

Thank crap.

“You’re free to leave, Detective.”