Anderson is pissed. “The Defense had the chance to cross-examine her. This is merely an attempt to cast the accuser in a bad light.” Clearly out of options, he finishes with, “Let the record reflect my objection.”
“Objection noted. Does either side want to bring anything else up?”
They do not. The jury is called in and seated. Diana approaches the stand with apprehension. Today, she’s wearing a Kelly green dress and a lighter green scarf. Her cheeks and lips have a bit of color, which makes her look less washed out.
DeFiore stands up. “Your Honor, permission to show Exhibit A-21.”
Permission granted; he situates one of the State’s posters near the witness box. It’s a screenshot of the texts Billy sent to Diana after their breakup. DeFiore asks her to read each text aloud.
We’re not finished.
You can’t tell anyone.
Do not do this, Diana. I WILL NOT LET YOU.
You’ll ruin our lives.
It’s not true. Nothing you’re saying is true.
DeFiore turns to her. “Before I ask about these texts, I want to review statements you made under direct examination. Is that okay with you?”
Diana’s voice is shaky. “Yes, that’s fine.”
“Previously, you stated Billy has a secret. He is addicted to pornography. You also stated that during the party on March 24, he became angry, even enraged, because, quote, he was afraid I would tell people, unquote. Why was he angry?”
“He couldn’t maintain an erection.”
“So, he was angry at himself, correct? Not angry at you?”
“I have no idea. Both, probably.”
DeFiore points to the screenshot. “Does this text refer to Billy’s same fear?” Using a Sharpie, he circles you can’t tell anyone. “That you will tell people he’s addicted to porn and unable to maintain an erection during sexual activity?”
“Yes,” Diana says.
“Just to be clear, Cassie. On March 24, my client was enraged about his impotence, correct?” DeFiore’s eyes widen. “Excuse me. Cassie is Billy’s sister. I apologize for the mistake, Ms. Holly. Again, to be clear: my client was afraid you would reveal his secret, correct?”
I freeze. This was no mistake. DeFiore intentionally mixed up our names. But why? Suddenly, I’m terrified.
“Yes,” Diana says. But her eyes are wide; she’s terrified too.
“Okay, new topic, Ms. Holly.” DeFiore smiles sheepishly. But where someone else might see embarrassment, I see bloodlust. I remember when I pissed him off, how he bared his teeth then ripped into my throat. He’s about to rip into Diana, who’s aware it’s coming and yet leaving herself open.
“Ms. Holly, you testified that Billy’s sister, Cassie, made everyone in the Quinn family tense. Can you explain what you meant?”
Hearing my name again, I gasp. The air is too shallow; I can’t catch my breath.
“Cassie is moody,” Diana says. “She runs hot and cold.”
“You also stated that you believe Billy’s behavior was your fault. That he got angry because of you. What did you mean by this statement?”
“I meant he got angry because I knew his secret.”
“I don’t understand. You’re saying Billy got angry on March 24 because you knew he was addicted to porn? Or because he was impotent? Or because of something else entirely?”
“I don’t know . . .” Diana falters. “I don’t know why I said that.”
“Okay, no worries,” DeFiore tells her casually. “So, to restate: Billy got angry at you because he was impotent, and he was afraid you would tell people. Is this statement correct?”
Anderson objects. “Asked and answered!”
McKay sustains. “Get to the point, Counselor.”
“Sure.” DeFiore is keen to comply. “My client has a secret. But he is not addicted to pornographic videos, is he, Ms. Holly? Nor is he impotent. Nor does he need porn to perform sexually. Does he, Ms. Holly?”
Seeing Diana wince, I have to close my eyes.
“No,” I hear her say softly.
“Miss Holly, you deceived the court when you made these claims, didn’t you?”
Silence. The judge requests an answer. “Remember you are under oath.” His sharpness is jarring. I open my eyes. Diana is crumpled in her seat.
“Billy has several secrets,” she says, and it’s clear she’s starting to break.
“But which secret, specifically, made him angry? And which secret, specifically, was he afraid you might tell people?”
More silence.
“I’ll ask again. Billy Quinn does have a secret, correct? But it’s not porn, is it?”
Beaten, she looks up. “No, it’s not.”
“When did you discover Billy’s secret?”
“In November. At his family’s house. Before dinner.”
“And you told Billy what you discovered, correct? That’s why he broke up with you?”
“Yes.”
“Billy is referring to this secret here, correct?” DeFiore points: You can’t tell anyone.
“Yes.”
“Then, a few months later, on March 24, you brought up the secret again. This scared Billy, correct? It also made him angry, didn’t it? That’s why you said his anger was your fault, correct? So, I’ll ask you again, Ms. Holly: What is my client’s secret?”
Diana exhales. She studies her hands. “I knew Billy had issues with his sister. He talked about Nate, but rarely about Cassie, even in passing. He acted like he didn’t even have a sister. But the night we were at his parents’ house, she showed up unexpectedly—”
“This was in November?”
“Yes. In November. That night . . . I realized . . . I saw . . .” Her eyes fill with tears.
“What happened, Ms. Holly?” DeFiore’s voice is gentle. “What did you see?”
“It was before dinner.” Diana looks directly at me. “I saw Billy’s father with his sister. Lawrence had his hand . . .”
The courtroom is quiet. I feel like I’m standing on a ledge a thousand feet in the sky. Air rushes past my ears. I’m suffocating.
“His hand.” She turns to Billy, openly crying. “Lawrence’s hand.” Billy bows his head. I assume he’s crying too.
Lawrence’s hand is cupping my breast. We’re laughing. He’s such an idiot; a horny boy with a perpetual hard-on. He’s forever fondling me behind doors, as if my body isn’t mine but his to play with as he pleases. Boob-honk, we call it. Got one—honk. Got the other—honk, honk. I tell him to quit it. We’re about to eat. Walking out of the room, I’m still laughing when boom—there’s Diana Holly in the hall, holding a vase.
That she saw us never crossed my mind, not once. But now it hits me: the vase was a prop. She was just pretending to check the label.
Diana clears her throat. “Lawrence had his hand on Cassie’s breast.”
“Diana, stop!” Billy shouts. “Don’t, please. I’m begging you.”
“Counselor, silence your client.”
DeFiore keeps drilling. “What’s the secret, Ms. Holly? What made Billy so angry and afraid? What secret destroyed your relationship?”