“Mr. Chambers, how much were you paid to testify for the defense today?”

He cleared his throat.

“Ten thousand terros. That isn’t unusual, by the way. I’ve been paid to testify in other criminal cases before this one.”

“I see. Does the fact that the defense is paying you affect your testimony in any way?”

“I’m not sure I understand the question.”

“Well, you are obviously saying what the defense wants you to say. But if I had hired you instead of Mr. Crawford, would your testimony be different? Would you be saying what I want to hear?”

“No, of course not.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear that. Tell me, Mr. Chambers…do you still beat your wife?”

The witness looked stunned. His face blanched white, then fused red.

“What! No, of course not!”

“When did you stop?”

He jerked upright in his chair, mouth open and eyes wide.

“Now wait a minute! I never said—”

Crawford leaped to his feet.

“Objection! Your Honor, what the hell is Miss Cross trying to pull here?”

Victoria turned and smiled at him.

“What took you so long, counselor? I expected you to object after the first question.”

Crawford ignored her.

“Your Honor…!”

Van Wert’s face was almost as red as the witness’s.

“Approach! Both of you!”

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