Chapter 17 - The Trial Begins
Commonwealth v. Harrington, Mercer, and Voss became the most watched trial in Pennsylvania that year.
Richard had pleaded guilty to several charges before trial.
His cooperation reduced his exposure but did not save him from prison.
Charles Voss and Stephen Mercer chose juries.
Vanessa testified first.
She described Voss's network.
The assignments.
The money.
The affair.
The forged trust.
The courthouse.
Voss's attorney attacked her mercilessly.
"You are a liar, correct?"
"I've lied."
"You seduced a married man for money."
"Yes."
"You stole."
"Yes."
"You pushed a pregnant woman."
Vanessa's voice cracked.
"Yes."
"And now we're expected to believe you because prosecutors offered you a deal?"
Vanessa looked toward the jury.
"No."
"Believe the emails."
"Believe the bank records."
"Believe the recordings."
"Don't believe me."
The answer landed harder than Harrison expected.
Samuel Grant testified next.
Then Diane Foster.
Then investigators.
Then Richard.
When Richard entered the courtroom in jail clothing, reporters leaned forward.
Khloe sat behind the prosecution table with Harrison.
Richard avoided looking at her.
He testified for almost six hours.
He admitted the affair.
The theft.
The forged incapacity plan.
The Mercer sale.
His conversations with Voss.
Then the prosecutor asked about the courthouse.
"Did you know Ms. Kensington planned to confront your wife?"
"Yes."
"Did you stop her?"
"No."
"Why not?"
Richard swallowed.
"Because I wanted Khloe afraid."
Khloe closed her eyes.
"Afraid of what?"
"Losing me."
"Losing the company."
"Being humiliated."
"Did you expect Vanessa to push her?"
"No."
"Did you help Khloe after she fell?"
Richard looked toward the defense table.
"No."
"Why?"
His voice became barely audible.
"I panicked."
The prosecutor did not move.
"Mr. Harrington."
"Your wife was eight months pregnant."
"She fell down thirty marble steps."
"And you did not go to her."
"No."
"Instead, what did you say to Vanessa?"
Richard began crying.
"I said if Khloe didn't make it, things would be easier."
A murmur moved through the courtroom.
The judge ordered silence.
Khloe opened her eyes.
For the first time, Richard looked at her.
She did not look away.
He seemed to search her face for something.
Forgiveness.
Recognition.
Anything.
Khloe gave him nothing.
Then Harrison noticed Voss watching her.
Not Richard.
Khloe.
Voss looked almost amused.
Harrison knew that expression.
It was the look powerful defendants wore when they believed they still had one hidden card.
At lunch recess, Harrison followed Khloe into a private room.
"Something's wrong."
"What?"
"Voss is too comfortable."
Khloe frowned.
"Maybe he's arrogant."
"He is."
"But this is different."
Harrison called Lena.
"Review everything from the last forty-eight hours."
"Already doing it."
"Focus on Khloe."
"Threats?"
"Anything."
An hour later Lena called back.
"We found a scheduled email."
"From who?"
"Charles Voss."
"To?"
"Several journalists."
"When does it send?"
"Tomorrow morning."
"Can you see the attachment?"
"Yes."
Harrison listened.
Then his face went blank.
Khloe noticed.
"What?"
Harrison ended the call.
"Voss has a video."
"What video?"
"He claims it shows you offering Richard money to take responsibility for the financial fraud."
Khloe stared at him.
"I never did that."
"I know."
"When was it recorded?"
"According to the timestamp."
He paused.
"Three days after you fell."
Khloe's face changed.
May you like
"I was unconscious."
"Exactly."
