Page 128 of Winning Bid

“Did you kill Neil Johnson?”

He stares down at his hands. “No.”

“Do you know who did?”

Moss’ face goes paler than usual. “Da.”

Tanner stands up tall, readying for a coup de gras. “Who murdered Neil Johnson, Mr. Kravchenko?”

Moss looks up at him. “No one.”

Gasps all around, and my gut winds tight. What is he trying to pull?

Tanner looks pissed. “What did you say?”

“Murder means intent. No one intended to kill Mr. Johnson. It was accident.”

The prosecution asks the judge, “Permission to treat Mr. Kravchenko as a hostile witness?”

“Granted.”

“Mr. Kravchenko, who killed Mr. Johnson?”

He rasps out, “Anderson West.”

Something in me hollows out.

“Tell us what happened the night Anderson West murdered Neil Johnson?—"

“Objection!” Dana shouts over the din.

Judge Ackerman slams his gavel a few times. “Order! I will have order in my court!” After people quiet down, he says, “Sustained! Mr. Walsh, one more slip like that, and you will find yourself in contempt!”

“Apologies, your honor,” he lies. Tanner looks at Moss. “Tell us what happened the night in question.”

“Anderson call me, says he wants to go haddock fishing?—"

“Please stick to the relevant parts of the night, Mr. Kravchenko.”

“This is relevant. Fishing is when you hide body.”

Tanner nods. “I see. Please go on.”

“I meet him to pick up the haddock—the body—at June’s apartment building lobby.”

There are more murmurs, but people keep it quieter this time. No one wants to be kicked out.

“What did you see when you arrived?”

Moss sits back. His voice goes quiet. “June’s neck was bruised, like when you strangle someone?—"

“Objection!” Dana blasts. “How does this witness know what that looks like?”

He simply says, “Because I’ve strangled people to death.”

Without another word, she sits down.

Tanner sneers. “Go on, Mr. Kravchenko.”

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