Page 49 of The Proving Ground

“He said if you sign a nondisclosure agreement you’d go home with a check today,” I said.

“Today,” Bruce repeated. He seemed stunned by the realization that he could walk out of the courthouse a millionaire several times over.

“Wow,” he said. “Like the lottery.”

“We’re not taking the money,” Trisha said pointedly. “This isn’t about the money.”

“Just hold on, Trish,” Bruce said. “You know what we could do with ten million dollars? First of all, we could get Aaron the best lawyer in the country. We could—”

“The best lawyer in the country is not going to be able to help him,” Trisha snapped. “Not with what he did.”

I saw Brenda put her hand on top of Trisha’s on the table. They were somehow bonding—the mothers of killer and victim. It was amazing where grief took people.

“There is another thing,” I said. “All three of you have to agree to take the money. It’s all or nothing.”

“That’s not happening,” Brenda said. “It’s not about money. I want the public to know what Tidalwaiv did. If they won’t admit it, the jury will tell the world. Screw them and their NDAs. They’re not getting away with this.”

Bruce raised his hands in a demonstration of frustration that he would not walk out of the building with a check.

“Okay, then,” I said. “The offer’s good till five today. You want to sit on it, or should I tell them no dice?”

“No dice,” Brenda said.

“Tell them,” Trisha said.

Bruce just shook his head.

“I can’t believe this,” he said. “We’re giving up millions. Why don’t we see how things go today and then tell them at five?”

“I’m not changing my mind,” Brenda said.

“I’ll tell them,” I said. “Bruce, you go back to the front row. Court’s going to start.”

I got up and went over to the defense table, where the Mason twins sat next to each other alongside a woman I knew was their high-priced jury consultant.

“No dice, fellas,” I said. “We’re going to trial.”

“Big mistake,” Marcus said.

“Maybe,” I said. “We’ll see.”

21

I WAS EXPECTINGto go toe to toe with Marcus Mason about my witness list, not with Judge Ruhlin. But right out of the gate she had me in her crosshairs.

“Before we start, I would like to ask you a question, Mr. Haller,” she said.

“Of course, Your Honor,” I said, moving to the lectern.

“How many civil cases have you brought in federal court before this one?”

I thought I heard one of the Masons quietly snicker. Before answering, I casually turned and glanced at the gallery to confirm that there were no recognizable members of the media in attendance. Jury selection was rarely a newsworthy part of a trial.

I returned my focus to the bench.

“Uh, that would be none, Judge,” I said. “But I have handled several criminal cases over the years. Here and in superior court.”

“I guessed as much, Mr. Haller,” Ruhlin said. “Because I see youare employing a trick that may work on the criminal side but does not have a place on the civil side and especially not in this courtroom.”