Free Jack Daniels and Associates: Snake Wine by Bernard Schaffer

toothpaste. "They only have two witnesses, Jack. What the hell am I going to do when they rest?"
    "Don't let them rest," Jack said.
    "How do you propose I do that?"
    "Stall them."
    Roth shook his head bitterly. "This case is your baby. If it goes down in flames, don't blame me."
    "I won't blame you as long as you stall them, Joel," she said. Jack leaned next to him, letting her leg rest up against his, and whispered, "And who knows, if you make this work, I might need a celebratory drink after we win. And I might be looking for some company."
    Roth continued to stare straight forward, but his look wasn't quite so irritated anymore. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, whispering, "I'm going to hate myself for this. I just know it."
    Alan Davidson smiled confidently as he looked at his witness and said, "How many cases have you examined in your duties as a forensic scientist, Mr. Ford?"
    The man in the witness box was in his late-sixties. His white hair and beard grew together and were neatly trimmed. He raised the thick black arm of his eyeglasses and said, "It's hard to say, really. I suppose a better question would be how many I'd examined that were this particular caliber of firearm."
    "I like that question better, and thank you for helping me improve it," Davidson said. He was still smiling as he picked up the evidence sheet for the murder weapon and added, "How many cases have you had the opportunity to examine a Glock nine millimeter model nineteen?"
    "The Glock model nineteen is a fairly common firearm for us. I'd say, around five hundred over the years, give or take," Ford said.
    "Five hundred?" Davidson said. "That's impressive, sir, and in those five hundred cases, how many did you−"
    Joel Roth raised his hand and said, "Your honor, I object."
    The judge, witness, and Alan Davidson all turned and looked at the prosecutor in surprise. "You object to what?" Davidson snapped.
    "I believe that's my line, defense counsel," Judge Ceparullo said. He looked at Joel Roth and said, "But it is a very good question, considering. Where are you going with all this, Mr. Roth?"
    Roth cleared his throat and said, "The witness claims to have examined five hundred cases involving the same weapon as the one involved in this murder, sir. That is a patent falsehood in that there is only one weapon at issue – the one the prosecution has entered into evidence, exhibit B."
    "That is not what the witness meant, your honor," countered Davidson. "Obviously, we are speaking of a type of gun and not the gun now called exhibit B."
    "Overruled, Mr. Roth," the judge said, annoyed at the confusion Roth had caused.
    Roth then leapt back to his feet and said, "In that case, I'd like to see some proof."
    "Proof of what?" Davidson said. "His examinations?"
    "Yes, in fact. If he's going to make such a claim, I believe the jury has the right to know they can rely on his expertise."
    Alan Davidson looked outraged, "Did I make your expert haul in all his drug cases, Joel?"
    "No," Roth said. "Shame on you."
    "This is a complete waste of the court's time," Davidson said.
    The judge rubbed his cheek and chin, stroking them in long thought, until he shrugged and turned to look at the witness, "Well, Mr. Ford? Can you back up your claim?"
    "I'm certain I can," Ford said nervously. "It will take some phone calls. I'll need some time to get all the cases together. But, your honor, we're talking boxes and boxes of files. Do you want me to actually bring them all in here?"
    Judge Ceparullo looked at Joel Roth who nodded and swallowed and barely managed to utter the words, "Yes, sir, I do."
    Ceparullo picked up his gavel and tapped his podium, saying, "This court is in recess until Mr. Ford can satisfy the prosecution's request. The jury is dismissed. I'll be in my chambers if anyone needs me."
    Alan Davidson stared daggers at both Joel Roth and Jack as he walked past, slamming his notepad on the desk and collapsing in his seat. The sheriff's deputies lifted