Mickey Haller 4 - The Fifth Witness

binder there that you can read to us?”
    Kurlen took his time finding it and then read it to the jury. The briefcase contained six files, five pens, an iPad, a calculator, an address book and two blank notebooks.
    “When you conducted your tests in which you dropped the briefcase to the ground to see about the possibility of it popping open, did the case have the same contents?”
    “It had similar contents, yes.”
    “And on the times that the case popped open, how often did all the contents remain inside it?”
    “Not every time but most of the time. It definitely could have happened.”
    “Was that the scientific conclusion to your scientific experiment, Detective?”
    “It was done in the lab. It wasn’t my experiment.”
    With a pen and a noticeable wrist flourish, I made several check marks on my legal pad. I then moved on to the most important avenue of my cross-examination.
    “Detective,” I said, “you told us earlier today that you received a threat-assessment file from WestLand National and that it contained information about the defendant. Did you ever check out any of the other names in the file?”
    “We reviewed the file several times and did some limited follow-up. But as evidence came in against the defendant, we saw less and less of a need to.”
    “You weren’t going to go chasing rainbows when you had your suspect already in hand, is that it?”
    “I wouldn’t put it that way. Our investigation was thorough and exhaustive.”
    “Did this thorough and exhaustive investigation include pursuing any other leads at any time that did not involve Lisa Trammel as a suspect?”
    “Of course. That’s what the job involves.”
    “Did you review Mr. Bondurant’s work product and look for any leads unrelated to Lisa Trammel?”
    “Yes, we did.”
    “You have testified about investigating threats made against the victim in this case. Did you investigate any threats he might have made against others?”
    “Where the victim threatened someone else? Not that I recall.”
    I asked the court’s permission to approach the witness with Defense Exhibit 2. I handed copies to all parties. Freeman objected but she was simply going through the motions. The issue regarding Bondurant’s letter of complaint to Louis Opparizio had already been decided during pretrial arguments. Perry was allowing it, if only to even the score for allowing the state to enter the hammer and the DNA. He overruled Freeman’s objection and told me I could proceed.
    “Detective Kurlen, you hold a letter sent by certified mail from Mitchell Bondurant, the victim, to Louis Opparizio, president of ALOFT, a contracted vendor to WestLand National. Could you please read the letter to the jury?”
    Kurlen stared at the page I gave him for a long moment before reading.
    “ ‘Dear Louis, Attached you will find correspondence from an attorney named Michael Haller who is representing the home owner in one of the foreclosure cases you are handling for WestLand. Her name is Lisa Trammel and the loan number is oh-four-oh-nine-seven-one-nine. The mortgage is jointly held by Jeffrey and Lisa Trammel. In his letter Mr. Haller makes allegations that the file is replete with fraudulent actions perpetrated in the case. You will note that he gives specific instances, all of which were carried out by ALOFT. As you know and we have discussed, there have been other complaints. These new allegations against ALOFT, if true, have put WestLand in a vulnerable position, especially considering the government’s recent interest in this aspect of the mortgage business. Unless we come to some sort of arrangement and understanding in regard to this I will be recommending to the board that WestLand withdraw from its contract with your company for cause and any ongoing business be terminated. This action would also require the bank to file an SAR with appropriate authorities. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to further discuss these matters.’ ”
    Kurlen held the letter out to me as if he was finished with it. I ignored the gesture.
    “Thank you, Detective. Now the letter mentions the filing of an SAR. Do you know what that is?”
    “A suspicious activity report. All banks are required to file them with the Federal Trade Commission if such activity comes to their attention.”
    “Have you ever before seen the letter you hold, Detective?”
    “Yes, I have.”
    “When?”
    “While reviewing the victim’s work product. I noticed it