the table, the defense was invited to present its case and witnesses. Feeling Captain Leigh had helped their case, Malloy did not call her for cross-examination. Halwood, however, was not so lucky.
“No one doubts your exemplary record, Dr. Halwood,” Malloy said.
Halwood nodded in acknowledgment.
“But the simple fact is that evidence transfer does happen sometimes, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, it does.”
“While there are many different procedures and evidence custodians to try and limit evidence contamination, it can still occur, is this correct?”
“Yes.”
“Using your best judgment, is this the most likely scenario in this case?”
“Yes.”
Malloy checked his notes. “Did you find any other definitive evidence on Rogers’s body or the surrounding crime scene pointing to Detective Raymond as the perpetrator?” he asked, looking up.
“No, I didn’t.”
“And Detective Raymond was at the windy, outdoor crime scene where the DNA was found?”
Halwood nodded. “Yes.”
“So one simple hair could be explained away?”
“Yes. In fact, the entire science of forensics is based on the fact that no one, criminal or investigator, can enter and leave a crime scene without leaving something behind and taking something with them. That is the core belief of our work,” Halwood replied.
Malloy smiled. “Thank you, Dr. Halwood.” Malloy called no more witnesses, and the board exited the room to deliberate.
“Well, I think that went very well,” Malloy whispered to Berg and Jay as he gathered up his papers. “Sounds to me like Consiglio has made a grave error.”
The trio fell quiet while they awaited the board’s decision. It was less than half an hour before the men and women filed back in, still looking somber.
“We can find no reason to terminate the employment of Detective Alicia Raymond at this time,” Reinhardt said. “However, while I am confident Detective Raymond did not perpetrate these crimes, there is DNA evidence on one victim to be accounted for. I understand the murder scene has not yet been found and Detective Raymond has no alibi?” She directed the question at Malloy.
Malloy cleared his throat before speaking, looking uncomfortable. “That’s right, Madam President.”
“Then, due to the DNA, I will impose a maximum thirty-day suspension on Detective Raymond. During that time, you will either clear her name, or the CPD will gather enough evidence to formally charge her with murder.”
Reinhardt and the other members of the board gathered up their papers and made to leave.
Malloy cleared his throat again loudly. “Ah, the media, Madam President? I’m sure I don’t need to explain to you the damage this could do to the reputation of both Detective Raymond and the CPD if this is leaked?”
“Very true. I am placing a gag order on this case.” Reinhardt glared over at the prosecution’s table and stared over her half-moon glasses for emphasis as she swept out of the courtroom before anyone had a chance to stand.
Later, Jay and Berg piled into the car, sitting for a moment on the cool, black leather and reflecting on the outcome.
Jay thought it had gone as well as could be expected. At least she wasn’t fired or charged with murder—yet. “How are you doing?” he asked as he started the car.
“Fine.”
“See? Nobody thinks you did this, not even the board. So stop feeling sorry for yourself. You’re not the first police officer to have to clear their name. Come on, I’ll take you out to lunch. You look like you need a proper meal. Just up the street, they have great pasta. You like Italian food?”
Berg sighed and nodded. “Okay, thanks.”
While Jay negotiated their way out of the parking garage, Berg looked out of the window.
“Actually, Jay, I’ve lost my appetite. Can you just take me home, please?”
“Why?”
“I just . . . please?”
Feeling disappointed, Jay just nodded and turned on the car
“No one doubts your exemplary record, Dr. Halwood,” Malloy said.
Halwood nodded in acknowledgment.
“But the simple fact is that evidence transfer does happen sometimes, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, it does.”
“While there are many different procedures and evidence custodians to try and limit evidence contamination, it can still occur, is this correct?”
“Yes.”
“Using your best judgment, is this the most likely scenario in this case?”
“Yes.”
Malloy checked his notes. “Did you find any other definitive evidence on Rogers’s body or the surrounding crime scene pointing to Detective Raymond as the perpetrator?” he asked, looking up.
“No, I didn’t.”
“And Detective Raymond was at the windy, outdoor crime scene where the DNA was found?”
Halwood nodded. “Yes.”
“So one simple hair could be explained away?”
“Yes. In fact, the entire science of forensics is based on the fact that no one, criminal or investigator, can enter and leave a crime scene without leaving something behind and taking something with them. That is the core belief of our work,” Halwood replied.
Malloy smiled. “Thank you, Dr. Halwood.” Malloy called no more witnesses, and the board exited the room to deliberate.
“Well, I think that went very well,” Malloy whispered to Berg and Jay as he gathered up his papers. “Sounds to me like Consiglio has made a grave error.”
The trio fell quiet while they awaited the board’s decision. It was less than half an hour before the men and women filed back in, still looking somber.
“We can find no reason to terminate the employment of Detective Alicia Raymond at this time,” Reinhardt said. “However, while I am confident Detective Raymond did not perpetrate these crimes, there is DNA evidence on one victim to be accounted for. I understand the murder scene has not yet been found and Detective Raymond has no alibi?” She directed the question at Malloy.
Malloy cleared his throat before speaking, looking uncomfortable. “That’s right, Madam President.”
“Then, due to the DNA, I will impose a maximum thirty-day suspension on Detective Raymond. During that time, you will either clear her name, or the CPD will gather enough evidence to formally charge her with murder.”
Reinhardt and the other members of the board gathered up their papers and made to leave.
Malloy cleared his throat again loudly. “Ah, the media, Madam President? I’m sure I don’t need to explain to you the damage this could do to the reputation of both Detective Raymond and the CPD if this is leaked?”
“Very true. I am placing a gag order on this case.” Reinhardt glared over at the prosecution’s table and stared over her half-moon glasses for emphasis as she swept out of the courtroom before anyone had a chance to stand.
Later, Jay and Berg piled into the car, sitting for a moment on the cool, black leather and reflecting on the outcome.
Jay thought it had gone as well as could be expected. At least she wasn’t fired or charged with murder—yet. “How are you doing?” he asked as he started the car.
“Fine.”
“See? Nobody thinks you did this, not even the board. So stop feeling sorry for yourself. You’re not the first police officer to have to clear their name. Come on, I’ll take you out to lunch. You look like you need a proper meal. Just up the street, they have great pasta. You like Italian food?”
Berg sighed and nodded. “Okay, thanks.”
While Jay negotiated their way out of the parking garage, Berg looked out of the window.
“Actually, Jay, I’ve lost my appetite. Can you just take me home, please?”
“Why?”
“I just . . . please?”
Feeling disappointed, Jay just nodded and turned on the car
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