Page 78 of The Right to Remain

“More to the point, I see a trans man who so deeply regrets his decision that it led him to commit murder. That’s called ‘motive.’”

Helena shook her head slowly. “I got to know Elliott. He didn’t regret his decision. It’s inhuman to regretanythingthat much. Pardon me for saying this, but we are all human. Elliott as much as you. Which means we all have biases. I’m afraid your bias is showing in the way youhave made this case harder than it needs to be—by ascribing a motive to Elliott that makes him a little less human.”

Helena braced for an angry response, knowing she may have said too much.

“Ms. Pollard, I realize that the ballet world you live in fancies itself a model of inclusivity. But this so-called man murdered your husband. So, please, get off your high horse. I amnotbiased.”

“I didn’t mean conscious, mean-spirited bias. There are very intelligent women who feel it’s hard enough fighting for women’s rights and same-sex rights without taking on the added battle for trans rights. It makes us all easier targets for misogynists and bigots.”

Weller’s face reddened, then she took a deep breath. “Mrs. Pollard, I have nothing but respect and sympathy for the families of victims. But you are out of line.”

Helena didn’t know how to respond. “I’m sorry,” she said.

The prosecutor continued in a firm voice. “My only objective is to keep a murderer behind bars. It just so happens that this accused murderer has already proven to the world that he’s willing to undergo serious medical procedures to change his identity. If he gets bail, how far do you think he might go to change his identity again and disappear forever?”

It sounded like a scare tactic, but the prosecutor’s expression was deadly serious.

“Do you actually think that if Elliott Stafford gets bail, he’ll change back to a woman?” asked Helena.

“Hormone therapy can be reversed. He still has female parts below the waist. I’m saying there is a reasonable possibility that the rest of us will show up for trial, and he’ll be a woman with breast implants lying on a beach in Mexico. That’s why I can’t take any chances at this hearing. I need your son to testify today.”

Helena shrank even smaller in the large armchair. Worry was setting in. “What if I disagree and say you don’t need him?”

“I will add it to my list of troubling behavior you’ve engaged in today.”

“Your list?”

“I’m not just talking about your lawyer jumping up from her seat to protect your Fifth Amendment right. Some of your answers to Swyteck’s questions left me wondering if we’re still on the same side.”

“Of course we’re on the same side.”

“Are we? If you’re having second thoughts and starting to wonder if we indicted the wrong defendant, now is the time to tell me.”

“No. I have no doubts about that.”

“Good. That was an easy question. Now here’s the hard question.” The prosecutor leaned forward, looking Helena in the eye. “Tell me the truth, Ms. Pollard: How upsetareyou that Elliott murdered your husband?”

“That’s a horrible question to ask a widow.”

“Yes, it is. But it’s a prosecutor’s job to ask tough questions. So, let me ask it this way: Is there something you’re not telling me? Something I should know?”

Helena was the first to blink. “No,” she said. “Nothing I can think of.”

The prosecutor let the response hang in the air, then offered a tight smile that was all business. “Good. Let’s meet back at the courthouse in one hour. I’ll expect you to have Austen with you.”

“I’ll be tight on time.”

“Make it work,” said Weller. They rose, and the prosecutor escorted her to the door. “To be clear, if Austen is not with you when you get back, I will have him subpoenaed. That means a police officer showing up at his school. Do you understand me?”

Helena was momentarily at a loss for words, but there was little else to say.

“Yes, I understand,” she said, and then she quickly made her way to the elevator.

Chapter 28

Jack was just entering the courthouse when he got a call on his cell phone from Judge Garrison’s assistant.

“Mr. Swyteck, the afternoon session will be in the main courtroom.”