That night Caleb barely slept. He ran through Linda's prep questions over and over in his head, trying to anticipate what Richardson would ask, how he twists things. Morning came too fast. Wrath made him eat breakfast even though his stomach was in knots. You're going to need energy.
Testifying's harder than you think. The courthouse was even more packed than before. Word had spread about the mechanic who'd saved the undercover agent, and people wanted to see him in person. The state calls Caleb Hayes. Caleb's legs felt like water walking to the stand.
He placed his hand on the Bible and swore to tell the truth, then sat down and faced the courtroom. The jury watched him with interest. Dalton watched him with murder in his eyes.
Linda started gently. Mr. Hayes, can you tell the jury what you were doing on the afternoon of August 14th? Working at my uncle's auto shop. It was a normal day until I heard the crash.
And what did you do when you heard it? I ran toward it. I saw a man on a motorcycle lying in the road bleeding. I tried to help him. Did you know who this man was?
Not at first. I saw his vest said Hells Angels, but I didn't know his name or anything about him. I just knew he was dying. Linda walked him through the whole story. The tourniquet, Arthur's warning about Dalton, the leather roll hiding the evidence.
Caleb kept his voice steady, his answers clear. Then Richardson stood up for cross-examination, and the temperature in the room seemed to drop.
Mr. Hayes, you testified that you tried to help Mr. Caldwell, but isn't it true you saw an opportunity? An opportunity for what? To ingratiate yourself with a notorious criminal organization.
The Hells Angels. Richardson's voice dripped condescension. You saw that patch and you saw a chance to join their ranks. No, I saw a man bleeding to death. Really?
Because within days of this incident, you were living at a Hells Angels compound, working for a Hells Angels affiliated business, riding with them. Richardson consulted his notes. Sounds less like a good Samaritan and more like someone who seized an opportunity. Caleb felt anger rising but forced it down. I went to the compound because people were trying to kill me.
The Hells Angels protected me when nobody else would. How convenient. And in exchange for this protection, you testified against my client. I testified because it's the truth. Dalton tried to kill Arthur.
He threatened to kill me. He's guilty. You're not here to determine guilt, Mr. Hayes. You're here to answer questions.
Richardson moved closer.