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the stand. The prosecution led him through a recounting of how he
discovered the money had been taken. Dani interrupted with an
objection.
Your honor, the defense doesn t contest that the money was
stolen, only that Ms. Keenan didn t take six million dollars. We
already know we re wasting time here persecuting an innocent
woman when the real thief is out there. We re willing to stipulate that
the money was taken. We also stipulate that William Dannaker was
hired to audit the firm and investigate to find out where the money
disappeared.
Very well, Judge Drew said. It is so stipulated. Counsel, move
on.
The prosecuting attorney, Mr. Antonio, smiled at the jury before
turning his attention back to Thomas. Mr. Dannaker, what kind of
employee was Leah Keenan?
Crimes of the Heart 179
She was talented. I promoted her to Teams Manager after only
two years. That s why it was so disappointing when I found out she
had been stealing from me.
You treated her well?
Exceedingly well. I trusted her with sensitive accounts. I invited
her to call me Tom on a number of occasions, but she refused. I
think she wanted to keep a distance between us. It was disappointing,
really, because she was like a daughter to me.
Leah raised her brow. Mr. Dannaker was laying it on a bit thick.
She scribbled a quick note on Dani s legal pad.
When Mr. Antonio finished with Mr. Dannaker, Dani stood up.
Mr. Dannaker, did William give you the results of his
investigation?
Thomas Dannaker lifted his chin haughtily. He did not.
How did you come by them?
I found them in his desk.
Was this desk at his home or at the Dannaker building?
Objection, Mr. Antonio said, lumbering to his feet. The
documents belonged to Thomas Dannaker. It doesn t matter where
they were located.
Sustained.
Dani changed the subject. Mr. Dannaker, you were aware that
Ms. Keenan s parents were killed in an automobile accident six years
ago, were you not?
Yes.
You were aware also the Ms. Keenan s sister was severely
incapacitated by the same accident?
Yes.
And you were aware that Ms. Keenan was awarded custody of
her sister? Dani swept her hand in a wide arc, coming to rest in such
a way that she was pointing at Cecelia.
Thomas adjusted his tie. I was.
180 Debora Ryan
You were also aware that Ms. Keenan s health care provider
denied coverage to Cecelia Keenan on the basis of having a
preexisting condition?
Thomas looked anywhere but at Leah. I was.
In fact, you had the power to override that decision and you
chose not to, right?
His face reddened in anger. Adding that kind of claim to the pool
would have made insurance costs rise faster than they already are. As
a corporation, we cannot afford to willingly assume that kind of
liability. It s irresponsible to our shareholders.
Leah wondered why the prosecutor didn t object. This didn t seem
to have anything to do with the trial.
So, to sum up what you ve said, Leah was like a daughter to you,
but you refused to provide necessary medical insurance for her
sister?
She took six million dollars from me!
Dani regarded him as a mischievous child. Mr. Dannaker, you
know that isn t true. Didn t you threaten Ms. Keenan s job the Friday
before you had her arrested?
Mr. Dannaker shrugged. I have no idea.
Let me help you. It was the day you found out your son was
dating her. Let me remind you that you re under oath.
Tom s face turned purple, passing red completely. I reminded her
that company guidelines strictly prohibit inter-office dating.
Dani shot him a doubtful look. You didn t approve of the
relationship, did you?
I did not.
Dani looked down at the ground, giving the jury time to absorb
Thomas Dannaker s words. I have nothing more, Your Honor.
Leah s heart skipped a beat as Mr. Antonio called Will to the
stand. Leah had not seen him since that day in the police station when
she told him she never wanted to see him again. She turned to face the
door. He entered with less bluster than his father. He seemed
Crimes of the Heart 181
confident but not cocky. Although he wasn t smiling, he was still
magnetically handsome. The color of his suit brought out the bronze
in his skin, which accented his eyes and his bow-shaped lips. A lock
of hair fell over his forehead. His eyes met Leah s briefly, and in that
second, she forgot how to breathe.
She looked away from him as he was sworn in. Her heart was
breaking all over again. Why did he have to use her the way he did?
Why couldn t she convince her heart that it was irrational to have
feelings for him? In the back of her mind, his drunken declarations
played themselves over and over.
Leah listened as Will answered the prosecutor s questions about
his research. Mr. Antonio carefully asked questions that led to factual
responses. By the time he rested, Leah shoulders slumped in defeat.
The case against her was strong. Leah knew she hadn t taken six
million dollars, but even she couldn t find the holes in the evidence
that might point a jury toward reasonable doubt, much less
exoneration.
Dani hesitated slightly, checking and rechecking her notes before
getting up. She smiled at the jury, then at Will. Do you mind if I call
you Will?
Not at all. There was a hint of amusement in Will s voice that
got Leah s attention.
We should point out for the sake of transparency that we ve
known each other for fifteen years. Would you stipulate to that?
Will smiled at Dani. Yes. The jury ate him up. They hung on
every word. Leah knew she was sunk.
Will, your father testified that he hired you to find out who was
taking money from his company. Is this true?
It is. I have successfully investigated cases of fraud and
embezzlement in more than thirty firms, and I ve recovered more than
thirty billion dollars.
Dani looked suitably impressed. You have quite a reputation in
this field.
182 Debora Ryan
She walked slowly toward the jury, directing her question over her
shoulder at Will. Your father testified that he found the report you
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