Bob Kittering, struggling to keep his voice calm as he arose from his chair, said, “If we may have the indulgence of Your Honor, the prosecution would like to remove the fingerprint expert from the stand long enough to interrogate a new witness who knows important facts which were not entirely within the possession of our office yesterday.”
Judge Knox glanced at Perry Mason.
“No objection,” Mason said.
“Very well, so ordered,” Judge Knox observed.
Kittering said, “Call Harold Leeds to the stand.”
Harold Leeds moved forward from the rear of the courtroom. His steps lagged as though his legs recognized all too clearly the nature of the ordeal awaiting at the end of their journey.
“Step right up,” Kittering said. “... That’s better... Hold up your right hand and be sworn. Now give your name, address, and occupation to the clerk. Be seated on this witness chair... Now, Mr. Leeds, your name is Harold Leeds. You are a nephew of the Alden Leeds who is on trial here in this action as a defendant. Is that right?”
“That,” Harold Leeds said moodily, and with his eyes downcast, “is right.”
“Were you acquainted with John Milicant prior to his death?”
“I was.”