Burns frowned. “If I phrased it that way, sir, I was wrong.”
“You filed the complaint, didn’t you?”
“Yes, I did.”
“And that was because your wife, Shandra, was having an affair with your best friend, Dr. Braxton Waters. Isn’t that correct?”
“You fucking prick,” Burns said. His face had flushed a deep red, almost purple. “After all I’ve done to help you.”
Conrad banged the gavel so hard it almost broke. “If the witness has another outburst like that, then he’ll spend the rest of the day in jail for contempt. Understand, Mr. Burns?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” he said, staring a hole through Jason.
“Do you remember the question?”
“I do.”
“Well, are you going to answer it, or are we going to have to bring Shandra here?”
“Your Honor, I obj—”
“I’ll answer it,” Burns interrupted the prosecutor’s objection. “Yes. They were having an affair.”
“And you divorced her because of it?”
“Yes.”
Jason walked over to the jury railing and leaned his hands on it. “Mr. Burns, why didn’t you tell the police that Waylon Pike had bragged to you and Trey Cowan about being offered fifteen grand to kill Dr. Braxton Waters?”
“Because I never heard him say that.”
“So you’re calling Trey Cowan a liar?”
“No.”
“Well, that’s what Trey said on this witness stand. That you were there and heard every word.”
“If he said that . . . then yes. He’s lying.”
Jason walked back to the table. “Mr. Burns, you didn’t tell anyone about what Pike said because you decided to pay him fifteen grand to murder Dr. Waters. Isn’t that correct?”
“That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”
“You’ve previously testified that, on the night of July 3, 2018, Jana told you herself that she’d taken out fifteen grand earlier that day from one of her and Braxton’s joint accounts. Correct?”
“Yes.”
“You knew she’d withdrawn the money, and you knew Pike had been offered that same amount to kill Dr. Waters.”
“I knew she’d made the withdrawal, but I didn’t know anything about any deal offered Pike. If Trey says that happened, then he’s lost his mind.”
Jason watched the jury, who all seemed engaged. He could see the questions in their eyes, and that gave him hope. “Mr. Burns, you decided to get revenge on your best friend, didn’t you?”
“That’s preposterous.” Burns had started to sweat and wiped his brow with one of his meaty palms.
“You paid Waylon Pike yourself to kill Braxton Waters and framed Jana to take the fall. Isn’t that true?”
“No.”
Jason kept his eyes on the jury. He’d done all he could do, and now it would be up to them. “No further questions.”
When Shay Lankford said she had no questions, Jason peered at Judge Conrad and spoke in a firm voice. “Your Honor, the defense rests.”
80
Jason splashed water on his face and looked at himself in the mirror as he stood in the men’s restroom of the courthouse. Judge Conrad had given the jury a fifteen-minute recess before closing arguments. Jason took in a deep breath. He was exhausted, but he’d almost reached the finish line.
As he ran more water in the sink, he found himself becoming emotional. We could win, he thought. We could really win. I’ve made mistakes. I bungled the Cowan cross. But we still have a chance.
He gaped at his reflection and did a full flex in front of the mirror and slapped himself in the face a couple times. “I can do this,” he said. “I can do it.”
The door swung open, and Harry stepped in. “Showtime, J. R.”
“I’m coming,” Jason said. As Harry left, Jason leaned over and grabbed his knees, taking in a deep breath. Then he straightened and exhaled slowly. “Showtime,” he whispered.
81
Jason entered the courtroom and sat down next to his sister. “You OK?” she asked.
“I’m about to throw up,” he admitted.
Jana squeezed his hand. “Quit being a pansy. You’ll do great,” she said.
“Aren’t you scared?” Jason asked.
“Yes. But I believe in you. You’re a fantastic attorney, and I’m proud that you’re my brother.”
Jason stared at her. It was perhaps the nicest thing she had ever said to him. “Bullshit,” he finally said, and she snickered.