Read Online Something Wicked by Evelyn Vaughn - Free Book Online Page B

to strike,” said Prescott. “Argumentative.”

    “You’re making me sound like some crackpot,” Ben protested. “This shouldn’t even be about me.”

    It went downhill from there, too. On redirect, Jennings was able to establish that Ben had his own home on his grandparents’ property, that he was considered an expert in his field, and most important, that he’d never met Diana in his life. But it didn’t sound as powerful, after Prescott’s hatchet job.

    When Ben finished testifying, he left the courtroom. I thought he’d left the courthouse, too, and wouldn’t have blamed him. But when I excused myself to head to the restrooms, there he stood, brooding against the wall by the water fountain.

    I couldn’t just walk past him without saying, “Hey.”

    “It’s not the way he made it sound,” he told me, an edge to his tone as if I’d made accusations, too. “I live there so that I can keep an eye on them. It’s not like I live in their basement, or my old bedroom. Not that—”

    “Prescott’s evil,” I agreed.

    “And real education consists of more than degrees.” Prescott had also brought up Ben’s hit-and-miss college career. “I’ve got more hours than Vic does.”

    “He twists everything. Diana’s not some blood-drinking, orgy-having Satanist, either.”

    “Doesn’t he realize that even the U.S. Army recognizes Wicca as a legitimate religion?” Ben shook his head, frustrated. “But he just cares what will win the case for him. That’s his job.”

    “Because he’s evil,” I said again, wanting an amen.

    But Ben shook his head, still scowling. “No. Evil is something people do, not something they are. Otherwise, Vic….” He trailed off.

    Not soon enough. “Victor’s evil, too!”

    “I’m not saying he didn’t kill your sister!” Ben shoved a hand through his unruly hair. “Or that he should go free, or even that he didn’t do something evil. But how, Katie? How can someone become that, do that? We had the same parents, the same opportunities, almost identical DNA. Doesn’t it make more sense that he was influenced by something outside himself? That maybe he’s a victim here, too?”

    “The only thing that makes sense is for him to be put behind bars. Forever.”

    “Do you hear me arguing with that?” He spread his hands and, since he couldn’t take a step back, took a step sideways, as if to distance himself from me. “Look, I’m trying to get my own brother put into prison. Maybe for life. What you’ve been through is horrible, but—” Again, he shook his head. “He’s still my brother.”

    I didn’t like this conversation. I couldn’t hear Ben say anything kind about Victor, anything at all, without imagining that it would somehow lead to his brother’s release.

    Hadn’t we started out by agreeing on something?

    “The judge can see through Prescott’s lies,” I said, after a long moment. “Right?”

    “I hope,” said Ben, glum and tired.

    So at least we were on the same side there. Sort of.

    Maybe too much so.

    I was surprised to be called back on the stand that afternoon. For the defense.

    I was even more surprised by Prescott’s triumphant first question.

    “Just how well do you know Benjamin Fisher?”

Chapter 6

    P rescott murdered Diana all over again.
    “Did you not meet with Ben Fisher just last week? Before you answer, let me remind you that there are accident reports at a certain diner—”

    “I never said I didn’t meet him last week. But it wasn’t planned.”

    “And we should believe you why?”

    “Objection!” protested Jennings. Like that helped.

    “Is it not true that you and your sister were the joint recipients of a rather large inheritance?”

    What? “Mom and Dad left us the house and a life insurance policy.”

    “Both of which are now yours. And speaking of life insurance, how much do you receive from your sister’s murder?”

    “Objection!” yelled Jennings.

    I couldn’t believe