"Yes," Thompson said in a low voice.
"More than once?"
"Only once."
"Only once. You did find one device which didn't operate in any fashion you can explain. Is that right?"
"That's right."
"Can you tell me what this device was?"
Thompson took a deep breath. "It was People's Exhibit A—the device taken from the defendant at the time of his arrest."
There was a buzz in the courtroom.
"No more questions," I said, turning away. Then, before Thompson could leave the stand, I turned back to him. "Oh, just one moment, Mr. Thompson. Did you examine this device carefully? Did you take it apart?"
"I opened it and looked at it."