A Hole In One, Paul Weininger [top novels to read txt] 📗

arrange that and that would make us square,” Andre spoke hopefully.

Jack gave it some thought and understood what Andre asked of him. It’s true that Andre didn’t witness anything and just heard shots and came out to see what was happening, and ended up saving his life.

Green frequently played golf with the judge and thought that maybe he could throw a few clues at him when out on the fairway, about the lack of necessity in having Andre testify. He would do this as a personal favor. “I’ll see what I can do, Andre, but don’t get your hopes up too much. After all, they haven’t even caught the guy who’s been shooting at us. However, when the time comes, maybe I can help.”

“Oh, thank you, Mr. Green, I mean Jack. Thank you so much. I’ll really appreciate it if you could.”

Twenty-Six

Ten minutes later, Jack entered the Courthouse and announced himself to the entry bailiff who sent him to the proper courtroom. When he came into the courtroom, he was noticed by D.A. Stanford, who stood up, faced the judge and said, “The people call Mr. Jack Green.” Green was sworn in and the D.A. began her questioning.

“Mr. Green, would you please tell the jury what happened to you?”

“I was at the synagogue to have lunch with my friend Rabbi Bloom, as I do two to three times per week. We ate in the back at his office’s conference table. When we were done, I walked out of the front of the synagogue to return to work. As I stepped outside, I heard what sounded like a firecracker, but then I felt a sharp pain on the lower side of my back. I blacked out and when I awoke I was in the hospital recovering from surgery. I learned my kidney had been hit, but I don’t remember the medical term of what was actually repaired.”

“Is that all you remember?”

“No, I remember after my surgery being told by the attending police officers, who had preceded the ambulance to the hospital, that a bullet had struck me, but another bullet had struck the side of the building. I was also informed that the synagogue’s wonderful custodian Andre saved my life by applying heavy pressure on my wound which was bleeding profusely, until the ambulance arrived.”

“Since the time you were shot, have you learned anything about who may have wanted to harm you?”

“Other than my three golfing partners, which might improve their game, I can’t think of anyone,” he replied. There was a chuckle in the gallery.

The judge was not amused. “Mr. Green, this is a criminal court so please stop the jokes and keep your answers serious.”

“I’m sorry, Your Honor, it won’t happen again.”

“No further questions currently, Your Honor, but I reserve time to recall this witness,” said Stanford.

“So noted. Mr. Jaxson, any questions for this witness?” asked Garnett.

“Just one, Your Honor.” He approached the podium and asked, “Mr. Green, would you please point to Rabbi Bloom, if you see him in the courtroom.”

Jack Green pointed at the defendant sitting in his chair. Bloom almost high-fived his lawyer for asking the witness to identify him, but held himself back from making a scene.

“No more questions, Your Honor,” said the defense.

“You are excused, Mr. Green. Remember that the prosecution has notified the court that she may need to call on you again. So, stay in town until the end of the trial.”

The district attorney moved on. “The people call officer Rob McCoy to the stand.” McCoy was sworn in and sat down in the witness chair. “Officer McCoy, would you please tell the jury which police department you work for.”

“The Sedona Police Department.”

“Were you involved at all in investigating any of the four shootings?”

“Yes, I was called by Detectives Sommerville and Pratt and ordered to check nearby residences close to the Rabbi’s home in Flagstaff, after his house had been shot at, to see if I could see footprints that the gunman may have left and to search for a weapon that may have been thrown away nearby.”

“And what if anything did you learn?”

“After the shots were fired at the Rabbi’s residence,” McCoy continued, “I was instructed to see if I could find an old greenish pickup truck on the road near the area. As I was cruising the neighborhood, I found a truck matching that description being driven on Millburn Rd. I stopped it, asked the driver to step out of the truck so we could speak to each other. There were other Flagstaff officers that also cruised around looking for such a truck.”

“Can you describe the driver?”

“He looked a little like an outlaw biker,” McCoy responded. “He had dirty fingernails, long hair and a goatee. His clothes were dirty too and I believe he was wearing a denim jacket and jeans.”

“Did you search the truck?”

“Since we had probable cause, I didn’t need a subpoena and he permitted me to search his truck. So yes, I searched his vehicle. All I found in the back of the truck was normal landscaping tools and gear.”

“Did you question the driver and get his name?”

“Yes, I asked him for his driver’s license and registration. I wrote down his name as he replied Dick and when I checked his driver’s license it identified him as Richard Straub.”

“Were there any identifying names or markings on the truck?”

“The side panels of the truck had magnetic signs attached that said Greenery Landscaping.”

“Did you find any weapons on the truck?”

“No, I didn’t. I then asked what he was doing in the area since his license had him residing in Sedona. He gave me the house addresses he had just worked at doing Greenery Landscaping work. I then notified Sommerville, then both Pratt and Sommerville directed me to check the residences I was given by the driver. I returned to those addresses and the owners confirmed that he had been there to work on their yards.”

“Did you search his cab and under the driver’s seat for a weapon?”

“No,