"Detective Branson, no leads were ever found in this case, isn't that correct?"

"That is correct."

"And isn't it also correct that, with regard to physical evidence, only one hair fiber was found on the scene?"

"Yes, that is correct."

"And there has never been a match found to that hair sample, isn't that correct?"

"No, that is not correct."

"Detective Branson, you just testified that no leads were ever found in the case, correct?"

"Yes, but that is the new evidence. A hair fiber was found in investigator Rick Penn's car after his disappearance and it matches the..."

"Objection Your Honor, we have already discussed this."

"Detective Branson, do you have any personal knowledge about this hair fiber that was found?" asked Judge Masters.

"No, it was found by Agent Wollard of the FBI."

"Objection, Your Honor and move to strike, hearsay and lack of foundation."

"Granted. The jury will disregard this witnesses' testimony regarding any hair fibers found in Mr. Penn's car."

Brent now had no choice. He had to call Angela. Stein continued to wreak havoc on Branson, turning him into more of a witness for the defense, with his acute cross examination skills.

"Detective, you never had the chance to interview the surviving victim, Mr. Marsh, isn't that correct?"

"No I didn't. He was in a coma after the incident."

"But even after he came out of the coma, you never had the chance to interview him, isn't that so?"

"Yes."

"In fact, you tried to interview him, didn't you?"

"Yes, several times."

"And he was unresponsive to your questions every time, isn't that correct?"

"Yes."

"He was uncommunicative?"

"Yes."

"In fact, he didn't seem at all coherent to you, did he?"

"No."

"And, in fact, you had the impression that he wasn't even aware that you were speaking to him, isn't that true?"

"Objection!" declared Brent, "Lack of foundation. Detective Branson is not qualified to diagnose Mr. Marsh's condition."

"Sustained."

"Was Mr. Marsh able to answer yes or no?"

"No."

"Did you notice any movement of his eyes, like he was trying to communicate with you?"

"Same objection, Your Honor," said Brent.

"I'll allow it. Please answer the question."

"No, he seemed completely out of it."

"Objection, lack of foundation and move to strike."

"Overruled."

For the first time since Brent had met her, Angela looked and spoke like a real G-man on the witness stand. She was dressed in an attractive, but conservative suit, with her hair pinned back in a bun.

"Agent Wollard," asked Brent, "Are you currently investigating the disappearance of my private investigator, Richard Penn?"

"I am."

"And during the course of your investigation, have you obtained any evidence that could be related to the Marsh murder case?"

"Yes. I found a hair fiber in an extensive search of Mr. Penn's car after his disappearance. The hair's DNA matches the hair fiber found at the Marsh murder scene."

"And have you had any progress determining the identity of the person from the hair sample?"

"Not yet. We are currently testing the hair that was uncovered in a private investigation to determine if there is a match."

"What private investigation is that?"

"Yours. The sample was brought in by Jack Ruder, your new investigator."

Stein and Black both objected. "Your Honor, I object to this continued line of questioning that seems to be not connected to anything in this case."

"I will connect it up with the next witness, Your Honor," said Brent.

The judge overruled the objection, and broke for the mid-morning break. Brent left the courtroom with Angela.

"Thanks, Angie."

"Angie? You never called me that before," she said, and smiled with her eyes.

"I guess not. Do you have anything back on the DNA test yet?"

"No, there's a rush on it. It's supposed to be any day now."

"Yeah, but I'm running out of days."

Brent had to think of an alternative strategy to propel this case to a win.

46.

It was the third day of the trial. Brent had one more day to present the remainder of his case, which was still based on thin air.

"Come on, Jack, I need a miracle here," said Brent during the lunch break.

"Sorry, Brent, so far we have no results on that DNA test."

"Any leads on George Marsh?"

"The Coroner is calling it death by natural consequences."

"Then we have to ask for an inquest. How about my case?"

"They're still planning to prosecute Banks for it."

"Great."

After a few bites of his lunch, Brent suddenly had an epiphany.

"Jack, can you serve that dirt bag Suskind with a subpoena to have him come to court to testify tomorrow?"

"Yeah, but I'm sure he won't testify. He'll claim the Fifth, most likely."

"Serve him, and make sure he gets to court, even if you have to get him arrested or something."

"Okay, I'll do it."

The rest of the day was uneventful, with Brent putting on less important witnesses, to make sure he got all the documents in so he could show the time line to the jury during his argument.

The timeline showed a pattern of fraud and cover-up from the moment that Prudent had taken over the loan; from its late assignment to the Trust, which was a robo-signed forgery, to the latest assignment to a new trustee who would carry out the foreclosure sale. That part of the case looked pretty solid and formed the basis of the first predicate act of the RICO case. What was not solid was the RICO case. Brent needed to prove one more predicate act: murder.

On the long drive home, Brent planned his next moves in his head. He concocted a surprise attack that Stein and Black could have never foreseen. Although he had no idea what the outcome would be, something had to shake up this case, and this idea definitely would.

It was getting dark when Brent pulled into his driveway on Harbor Hills Drive and parked alongside a government issued white Crown Victoria. Angela was still inside the car, smiling.

"I've got a surprise for you!" she exclaimed as she got out of the car, holding a manila envelope.

The sight of Angela made Brent feel stronger already. He jumped out of the car and gave her a hug.

"Where's my surprise?" he asked.

Angela handed him the manila envelope. "We got the DNA test back today. Kevin Suskind is definitely our man. We can place him at the murder scene and in Rick's car, plus he's one of the guys who followed you. We're going to pick him up in Rick's case tomorrow morning."

"It's fantastic news. Thank you. And Angela..."

"Yes?"

"Be careful."

"Brent, I'm a trained FBI agent. I'll have body armor on and a full team to take this guy down. He'll come without a fight, believe me."

"It's just that..."

"What?"

"I care about you."

"I care about you too Brent. You're the one who needs to be careful. Your job is much more dangerous than mine especially lately."

They kissed and Angela got in her car and drove off. Brent called Jack to make sure he was standing by. Now there was no doubt that Suskind would be in court tomorrow. And while he may not say a word, he was sure to be the most important witness that Brent would ever call in the case of Marsh v. Prudent Bank.

47.

Jack Ruder was dressed in the blue uniform of a FedEx driver when he knocked on Kevin Suskind's door. In his left hand was a FedEx overnight envelope, and the right hand rested on the handle of his concealed .38 snub nose revolver. He rang the doorbell and waited.

"Who is it?" an annoyed voice from inside the house asked, through the door.

"FedEx," said Jack, and smiled for the peephole.

"I ain't expecting no FedEx," said the voice.

"I have urgent business correspondence here addressed to a Kevin Suskind at this address."