Page 23 of Every Last One

“I was told that if I didn’t cooperate, I would be hurt. I’m just as much a victim here.”

Eric bristled at that claim. “How is that?”

“I was vulnerable. This person knew about my gambling debts.” Cross met Eric’s eyes.

“So this is about blackmail now?”

“Ah, yeah.”

“Andthis personbeing Brent Hartley?”

Cross rubbed his chin on his shoulder and looked at the lawyer.

“Because that’s what you told me. You let Brent Hartley into the server room, and he uploaded a virus. I have to say, I’vetalked with the guy, and he’s not scary to me. Not too smart either.”

Cross was refusing eye contact.

The telltale sign of an unskilled liar. “It wasn’t Brent Hartley, was it?”

“No.”

“Why tell me that then? To waste the taxpayers’ money? Drag things out for everyone?”

“I… I don’t like the guy.”

Eric licked his lips and leaned forward, shook his head. “That’s not why. You’re lying, Mr. Cross.”

“Not about how I feel about him.” The second the words left Cross’s lips, he snapped his mouth shut and remained still.

Eric resisted the urge to smile. Cross as good as admitted he’d lied about everything but his feelings toward Hartley. Eric turned to Pearson. “I’m not sure what your client told you, but there’s no denying that Cross got into the hospital’s server room. The scanner needed his eyes. The rest is up for debate.”

“My client is not disputing that part, but he was there under duress.”

“Honestly, I’m losing patience. Who threatened you? Made you do this?”

“I don’t have a name.”

“Fine. What did he look like?”

Cross turned to his lawyer.

“It’s best that you tell him all you know,” Pearson advised his client.

“He was in his fifties, scruffy, a white guy.”

“Seems rather vague. How did he find you?”

“He, ah, just came up to me at work last week.”

All the filler words Cross kept using didn’t bode well for his truthfulness. “Uh-huh. Let me be honest with you. I think you’re still lying to me. And Mr. Cross, there’s nothing much I hatemore than a liar. Either we start having honest communication or I’m out of here, and you’ll be facing decades, if not life in prison.” Eric paused for effect, then added, “If anyone dies today, you will go away for murder.”

“What? No, that’s not— I didn’t do it.”

“When you opened that server room, you became an accomplice to a felony. Have your lawyer explain that to you if you’re confused.” Eric got up and left the room. Cross might not be talking, but the search of his home might speak on his behalf. All Eric knew was Hartley had to be cut loose, and Cross warranted closer scrutiny.

THIRTEEN

12:20 PM