Free The Trials (The Red Trilogy Book 2) by Linda Nagata Page A

conspiracy?”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    “And what did you tell him?”
    “I told him that . . . that Thelma Sheridan supplied the . . . the nuclear devices, but . . . I only said it because I was afraid. He said he would kill me. And I was afraid.”
    FaceValue reports that he’s telling the truth, and I know he was afraid. He was fucking terrified.
    Fong asks, “Were you telling the truth when you told Colonel Kendrick that Thelma Sheridan supplied the nuclear devices?”
    His mouth is open; his shoulders are visibly rising and falling as he draws in shallow, shuddering breaths. FaceValue redlines him as he says, “No, ma’am. I was not telling the truth.”
    “You lied to Colonel Kendrick about Thelma Sheridan’s involvement?”
    “Yes, ma’am. I did. Thelma Sheridan did not supply the nuclear devices. She was not involved.”
    He’s lying now.
    I look at the officers in the jury box. Most of them are looking at Blue like he’s a slug they’d love to step on, but none of them are wearing farsights, and by the terms of a negotiated agreement I know that none are equipped with an overlay. So they’ve got nothing but gut feeling to go on, in deciding if he’s lying now.
    “Mr. Parker, what company provided the mercenaries used by you for protection at Black Cross?”
    “Uther-Fen Protective Services, ma’am.”
    Fong returns to her table, picks up a paper document in a clear plastic sleeve, and returns with it to the bench. “Your Honor, the United States would move to enter prosecution exhibit forty-nine for identification into evidence.”
    Exhibit 49 is a document verifying that Uther-Fen is a subsidiary of Vanda-Sheridan. It’s as if Fong is trying tomake our case for us, except I know she’s not. “Mr. Parker, when you contracted Uther-Fen Protective Services to provide security at Black Cross, did you know the company was owned by Vanda-Sheridan?”
    Blue is calmer this time, but he still gets redlined when he says, “No, ma’am. I did not.”
    “Did you inform Uther-Fen that you intended to commit an act of terrorism?”
    “No, ma’am. I did not.”
    “Did you insinuate or otherwise imply to Uther-Fen that you intended to commit an illegal activity?”
    “No. No, I did not. It was in the contract. They would not commit or participate in any act that violated the law.”
    Fong enters yet another piece of evidence into the record: an electronic copy of the Uther-Fen contract, digitally signed by Blue Parker. “No further questions, Your Honor.”
    “Cross-examination,” the judge says.
    Major Ogawa is already on his feet. “Yes, ma’am. Mr. Parker, do you have any relatives who survived the assault on Black Cross?”
    Parker looks at Fong. If he’s hoping she’ll object, he’s disappointed. “Yes, sir. I do, sir.”
    “Could you tell us who those relatives are?”
    “My wife, sir, and my two children.”
    “How old are your children?”
    “Garrett is four. Josh is two.”
    “And where is their mother?”
    “In federal prison, sir.”
    “And your children? Where are they?”
    “They’re with my . . . my wife’s sister.” He turns to the judge. “Do I have to say where they are?”
    Monteiro tells him, “Please state what continent they’re on.”
    “They’re in Europe, but they’re anonymous. People want to kill them.”
    Ogawa nods. This is the testimony he was after. “Mr. Parker, did you agree to lie under oath regarding the confession you made to Colonel Kendrick, in order to protect your family from reprisals?”
    Parker’s mouth opens. He looks horrified. “No, sir. I did not .”
    Redline.
    But hey, the man’s already murdered ninety-three thousand people. A few more lies aren’t going to make his time in Hell any worse.
    “No more questions, Your Honor.”
    •   •   •   •
    “Okay,” Monteiro says. “It’s now seventeen seventeen, or five seventeen p.m. on the civilian clock. Is there anything else we need to address