Page 73 of Desert Loyalties
“I do,” she says, her voice soft, almost frail.
She’s introduced for the record as Serena Albright.
Cheng rises slowly, looking smug. “Ms. Albright, can you tell the court when you first became acquainted with the Horsemen Motorcycle Club?”
Serena blinks, folds her hands in her lap. “It was early 2021. I’d just lost my parents to COVID. I was lost... making a lot of bad decisions.”
I glance at Judge Benton. Her face softens. Shit. She likes her.
Cheng continues, “And what was your relationship to the defendant, Mr. Drake Lloyd?”
Serena hesitates, eyes flicking to me. “Not something I’m proud of... but we were sexually involved.”
Christina is already standing. “Objection, Your Honor. Irrelevant. This isn’t a character trial.”
Cheng doesn’t flinch. “Goes to motive, Your Honor. Establishes the nature of their connection before the alleged threat. Pattern of intimidation from someone in a position of power over the witness.”
Judge Benton nods, weary but focused. “Overruled. You may proceed, Mr. Cheng. But keep it tight.”
Cheng nods. “When did you leave the Horsemen?”
Serena’s lips press together. “I didn’t leave. I was kicked out by Drake’s girlfriend.”
Her eyes swing to Skye like she’s delivering a punch. I hate the way she says my name.
“And what happened after that?” Cheng prompts.
Serena swallows, posture tightening. “I tried to come back. The Horsemen were the only family I had. But he,” she points straight at me, hand shaking, “he threatened me.”
Now her whole body’s in performance mode. Crying. Shaking. Sniffling. The act is transparent, but I can tell the judge is buying every word.
Cheng’s voice softens. “Ms. Albright, do you need a break?”
She dabs her cheek with a tissue. “No… I’m alright.”
“And what exactly did Mr. Lloyd say to you?” Cheng asks.
Serena’s voice breaks. “He told me… that if I ever came near anything that belonged to him again, no one would ever see me. That no one would even miss me.”
The courtroom is silent. Every word hangs heavy.
Christina rises smoothly, voice firm but calm. “Your Honor, objection. Hearsay and highly prejudicial. This statement doesn’t speak to any fact in issue and is clearly designed to inflame.”
Cheng steps in before the judge can respond. “Rule 404(b), Your Honor. The testimony is not being offered to prove character, it’s being offered to show a pattern of behaviour. Consistent with the current charges of witness intimidation and obstruction.”
Judge Benton leans back in her chair, clearly not thrilled to be navigating evidentiary law before lunch.
Christina doesn’t sit. “Respectfully, this so-called pattern is unsupported. The government is reaching. They brought this witness in after failing to substantiate the presence of a body yesterday. This is a desperation move, not proper procedure.”
Cheng replies, “The government isn’t hiding that we’re developing the case as new evidence emerges. Ms. Albright’s sworn statement is consistent with our current charges. The alleged threat goes directly to Mr. Lloyd’s conduct as a means of silencing perceived threats to his authority.”
Judge Benton pinches the bridge of her nose, then exhales.
“I’ll allow it, provisionally,” she says finally. “But this court is not in the business of entertaining weak theatrics. Ms. Albright’s testimony will continue for the limited purpose of evaluating a potential pattern relevant to the intimidation charge. Nothing more.”
Christina sits, her eyes still on Cheng.
The judge levels a final warning. “And let’s be clear, Mr. Cheng: you’ve already spent the court’s patience on yesterday’s autopsy detour. If this witness doesn't deliver on relevance, the court will not hesitate to strike it from the record and revisit your conduct.”
