Ellie, Henri Delacroix, Quinn, and Fletcher Falcone followed Judge Shue into his chambers. The judge still looked upset, angry even, and Ellie wondered why.
He settled in behind his polished oak desk stacked with long legal folders while everyone else sat in faded leather chairs, facing him. On the walls, Ellie saw his family pictures, a University of Kentucky football team photo, and pictures of the Judge with Colonel Sanders, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Roy Rogers.
Judge Shue cleared his throat. “Minutes ago in this chamber, Mr. Roy Klume, a DNA scientist at Southern Genetics Laboratory, signed an affidavit stating that a man named Huntoon Leroy Harris, an ex-felon, threatened Mr. Klume’s wife and daughters with grievous bodily harm unless Mr. Klume altered the DNA test of Ms. Ellie Stuart so that her DNA did not match Leland Radford’s DNA. Acting under that threat, Mr. Klume altered that DNA test and subsequent tests in that way.”
The judge picked up another paper.
“Huntoon Harris was also identified by a gardener at The Pines estate the same evening Ms. Irene Whitten was attacked and stabbed there. Mr. Harris was seen leaving in an plumbing van, even though no plumbing work was done there that day.”
The judge sipped some water.
“Also the court learned that Mr. Harris’s phone records indicate that he called you Mr. Falcone on a throwaway phone purchased by your firm, Falcone & Partners. He called several times during the days the DNA tests were falsified, immediately after he phoned your Radford financial manager, a Mr. Heinrich De Groot. However your secretary, Ms. Ramada Tomkins, said that neither Mr. De Groot, or you, or any of your offices has ever done any legal work for Huntoon Harris. This suggests that conversations between you and Mr. Harris were of a private nature, and in view of Mr. Harris’s extensive criminal record, one might even surmise, of a less than legal nature, perhaps even a felonious nature.”
“I can explain – ”
“ – explain later!”
Ellie noticed that the judge’s neck was bright red and a vein puffed up at his temple. He squeezed a football-shaped glass paperweight like he wanted to bounce it off Falcone’s head, which, she noticed, was dotted with perspiration.
“Huntoon Harris also phoned Mr. De Groot several times during the DNA-falsifying time frame. Mr. De Groot then phoned your office, Mr. Falcone. One might conclude he was updating you.”
“But your honor I –”
The Judge’s phone rang. He took the call, listened a minute and hung up.
“Police are now questioning Mr. De Groot who is most eager to cooperate and talk with authorities about everything.”
Falcone slumped down in his chair and stared at the floor, his face chalk white.
“And finally, Mr. Harris was arrested two hours ago. He also wants a plea deal. He affirms that you, Mr. Falcone, and only you, were behind all decisions with regard to Mr. Radford’s estate. In brief, it seems that everyone’s talking about you Mr. Falcone, except you.”
Ellie thought Falcone looked ill, his face dripped with perspiration and he sopped it up with a handkerchief.
“Do you have anything to say, Mr. Falcone?”
“I want legal counsel.”
“Wise decision in light of the prosecutor’s decision to charge you now with conspiracy to falsify the DNA tests, and far more serious crimes based on Mr. Harris’s and Mr. De Groot’s new affidavits.”
The judge pushed a button on his desk and a side door clicked open. Ellie recognized the county prosecutor and district attorney, and two detective types who walked over to Falcone.
Ellie listened with amazement as the tall gray-haired prosecutor read the long list of felony charges against Falcone, which seemed to include everything except parakeet abuse. A detective read Falcone his rights, cuffed his puffy wrists, and perp-walked him from the judge’s chambers.
Judge Emmett Vincent Shue stood and then smiled.
“Ellie, I’m absolutely delighted that you’ve identified your biological father and mother. Your dad and I were good friends and fellow Kentucky Colonels. He was one of the most decent and kind men I’ve known. You would have been proud of him, Ellie. And I know he would be very proud of you. When you get time, please call, or visit and I’ll give your some photos I have of him.”
Ellie felt tears forming. “I’d love that very much, your Honor.”