Page 108 of More Than Chemical
“I emailed him.”
“So you looked up his email address and emailed him the link?”
“Correct.”
“Did he ever email you back?”
“No, I don’t believe so.”
Gray paused again.
“Ms. Burch, when do you make this tryout packet and application available to the public?” he asked.
“February.” A piercing sound from the microphone filled the room. Her lips had come too close, and she leaned back. “In most cases, February for the following season.”
“And when are the applications due?”
“In March.”
“And when do the tryouts take place?”
“April.”
“So, Ms. Burch, let me get the course of events straight. A message was sent to you in February that we can’t verify was actually from Mr. Bianchini. In response, you sent Mr. Bianchini a link to the publicly available tryout packet and application with no confirmation of receipt. One week later, Achilles Incorporated offered you financial support if Coach Bianchini’s daughter was placed on the squad.”
“Correct.”
“Did Coach Bianchini’s daughter ever turn in an application?”
The woman sat silently in her chair, staring at Gray but not flinching. “I don’t know.”
“Did Coach Bianchini’s daughter ever come to tryouts?”
“I don’t believe so.”
“Have you ever spoken to Coach Bianchini’s daughter?”
“No.”
“Ms. Burch, do you know the date that the defendant was charged with his alleged crimes?”
“No.”
“Since you haven’t had the benefit of watching the entirety of this trial, I will tell you. It was May twenty-third. My client, Coach Bianchini, was relieved of his coaching duties two days later, on May twenty-fifth. So, my question to you is, do February and March come before May?”
“Objection,” the prosecutor said. “Harassing the witness.”
“Overruled.” The judge raised her head. “The witness is capable of answering the question.”
Gray repeated himself. “Ms. Burch, do February and March come before May?”
“Yes, they do.”
“So, we can safely assume that the reason Achilles never sent you any money is not because an investigation broke before they could send you the money?”
“Yes, that is probably true.”
“In fact, was there ever any indication from Coach Bianchini’s daughter that she wanted to be part of your hockey cheer squad?”
