THE PEOPLE CALL Mr. Travis Cook,” Yuki said.
Heads swung toward the double doors at the back of the courtroom, and a young man about eighteen years old, wearing a gray prep school blazer with a crest over the breast pocket, walked up the aisle, came through the gate.
Cook’s bushy hair looked patted down rather than combed, and his shoes needed a polish. He looked uneasy as he swore to tell the whole truth and nothing but. Then he stepped up to the witness stand.
Yuki said good morning to her witness and then asked, “How did you know Michael Campion
We went to Newkirk Prep together.
And when did you meet Michael
I knew him in our freshman year, but, uh, we became better friends last year.
In your opinion, what caused this friendship to grow
Uh, Michael didn’t have many friends, really,” Travis Cook said, meeting Yuki’s eyes briefly, then looking down again at his hands. “People liked him, but they didn’t get too close to him ’cause he couldn’t play any sports or hang out or anything. Because of his heart condition.
But you didn’t have the same problem becoming friends with Michael
I have severe asthma.
And how did that affect your friendship
Travis Cook said, “What he had was worse, but I could relate. We talked about how bad it sucked living with these things hanging over us all the time.
Now, did there come a time when you told Michael about the defendant, Ms. Moon
Yeah.
Travis, I realize this may be a little uncomfortable, but you’ve sworn to tell the truth.
I know.
Good. And what did you tell Michael about Ms. Moon
That I’d been with her,” he mumbled.
Please speak up so the jury can hear you,” Yuki said.
The boy started again. “I told Michael that I’d been with her. A lot of us had. She’s a nice girl for someone who . . . anyway. She’s not crude or anything, and so . . .” Travis sighed. “And so she’s a good person to break you in.
Break you in?” Yuki asked, turning away from the witness, looking at the jurors. “I’m not sure what you mean.
Do it for the first time. You’re not worried about what the girl’s going to think of you or anything. I mean, you get to be yourself, have fun, pay her, and leave.
I see. And what did Michael Campion say when you told him about Ms. Moon
He said he didn’t want to die a virgin.
Travis, did you see Michael the day before he disappeared
I saw him on the lunch line.
And how did he appear to you
Happy. He said he had a date that night with Junie.
Thank you, Travis. Your witness,” Yuki said to L. Diana Davis.
Davis was wearing a blue double-breasted suit with two rows of four large white pearl buttons and a triple strand of pearls at her throat. Her silver hair was crisp, almost sharp.
She stood up and spoke from the defense table, saying, “I only have one question, Mr. Cook.
The boy looked at her earnestly.
Did you see Michael Campion go into Junie Moon’s house
No, ma’am.
That’s all we have, Your Honor,” Davis said, sitting down.
