Many employees did. Yes, he was aware of the investigation timeline. He had cooperated fully with investigators. Every answer complete, every answer calm. Gerald sat down.
Emily leaned toward him. Can I cross-examine? Gerald glanced at her. This was slightly unorthodox. They had divided up witness duties before the session began, and Ryan had been Gerald's.
But Gerald had tried enough cases to know when something had been left on the table. "What do you have?" He murmured. Emily showed him one line on her legal pad. Gerald read it.
He sat back. Go ahead, he said. Emily stood. She buttoned her jacket with a single efficient motion and picked up her legal pad and walked to the center of the room with the calm and purposeful ease of someone who had been in courtrooms enough times to know that the space between the witness stand and the jury box was the most important real estate in the building. Ryan Mitchell watched her approach.
Something moved behind his eyes. Not fear, not yet. Something more like reccalibration. Mr. Mitchell, Emily said, you testified that you recommended Daniel Cho for the security supervisor position because you had worked with him before and found him qualified. That's correct.
Where did you work with him previously? A half-second pause. We were briefly involved in the same project management system. Different companies, professional overlap. Which companies?
I'd have to check my records to be specific. Were either of those companies affiliated with Vantage Group? Something shifted in the courtroom. Not loudly, not visibly if you were only watching Ryan Mitchell's face. But Marcus felt at the particular change in atmospheric pressure that comes when a question lands somewhere sensitive.
Ryan's expression remained steady. Vantage Group is a property management entity. I'm not in property management. Your family is, Emily said. Objection, Rain said.
Relevance, "Your honor," Emily said, turning toward the judge with the easy confidence of someone who had anticipated this moment. "The relevance will be established within three questions." Judge Watkins looked at her for a moment. "Proceed briefly." Emily turned back to Ryan.
"Vantage Group is a holding company that includes, among other entities, a security and facilities management subsidiary called Vantage Secure. Correct. I'm not familiar with the specific subsidiaries." Daniel Cho worked for Vantage Secure for 4 years before his hire at Meridian, Emily said. The same Vantage Secure that lists your father as a board member.
Ryan's jaw tightened very slightly. Probably not enough for the jury to see clearly. Marcus saw it. I don't manage my father's business activities, Ryan said. Of course not, Emily said pleasantly.
One more question, Mr. Mitchell. On March 9th, 5 days before the alleged theft, where were you between the hours of 2 and 4 in the afternoon? Reigns was on his feet. Objection outside the scope of direct calls for your honor. Emily said the prosecution has built its case on a precise accounting of one employees movements and access on a specific date.
I'm asking a parallel question about another employee with identical server room access and a documented personal connection to the individual who handled the physical evidence in this case. Judge Watkins looked from Emily Terrains. I'll allow it. Mr. Mitchell, please answer the question. Ryan was quiet for exactly 1 second too long.
I was at the office and he said, "Can you be more specific? I was working at my desk. Do you have anyone who can confirm that? I'm sure people saw me throughout the day. I'm asking about 2 to 4 specifically, Emily said.
A 2-hour window. Another pause. I'd have to check my calendar. Of course, Emily said. No further questions.
She walked back to the defense table and sat down. The courtroom had a particular quality of silence, the kind that meant people were thinking rather than reacting. Marcus looked at Emily. She was already writing on her legal pad. "Was that enough?"
He asked under his breath. "It planted a question," she said quietly. That's all I needed right now. What question? She looked up at him.
Why? She said, "Did Ryan Mitchell just hesitate when I asked him where he was on March 9th?" Court recessed at 5:15. Marcus was walking through the corridor toward the holding area when he heard rapid footsteps behind him and turned to find Emily catching up slightly out of breath holding her phone. "The vendor responded," she said.
He stopped. "The environmental monitoring company, the subpoena," she looked at the screen. They have the records. They're compiling them now. We'll have them by tomorrow morning.