“I don’t think so.”
“Would it surprise you that the cigarette found on the landing outside Room 333 was a Newport Light?”
“Objection, discovery. I haven’t seen this report,” says Fox.
“It was provided to counsel back on August third. I have proof with Mr. Fox’s signature,” I say, holding up a discovery receipt.
“I’ll withdraw my objection,” says Fox.
“Answer the question, Mrs. Sanchez. Would it surprise you it was a Newport Light?” says Judge Hoffman.
“No, Your Honor. I was there,” Bess says quietly.
The courtroom turns to complete silence. There’re times when a witness or defendant will say something when they’re on the stand that everyone seems to know there’s been a major breakthrough. But I just need to make sure I heard right.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. Did you just say that you were at Motel Leafwood the morning Laura was killed?” I ask.
“I was there but I didn’t hurt Laura,” says Bess.
“Let me get this right. One hour ago, you told this jury that never in your life had you stepped foot at Motel Leafwood.”
“Yes, that’s what I said before.”
“But now you’re saying you were there?”
“I was there, I smoked that. But I didn’t hurt her.”
The worst thing a witness can do for their own credibility is to lie in front of the jury. When witnesses lie to police, the jury will give them a break, but when they do it in open court from the witness stand, that’s a whole different type of lie. It’s living proof that the person can’t be trusted.
“Thank you, Mrs. Sanchez, for telling the truth. Because I was flabbergasted at how a cigarette you smoked could have wound up somewhere you were claiming to never have been. I’m sure this jury was wondering the same thing,” I say.
“Objection, argumentative,” says Fox.
“Move on, counsel,” Hoffman says to me, following with what looks like a wink. It’s hard to tell if he’s winking or just blinking because of his black pirate-looking eye patch.
“So which is it, Mrs. Sanchez? Did you hurt Laura because she wanted to stop prostituting? Or, did you do it to stop Laura from testifying against Javier?”
“I just wanted all my problems to go away.”
“Why did you involve Deputy Cruz in all of this?” I ask.
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
“Ma’am, I know you were in involved with Deputy Cruz. You were sleeping with him and allowing him to sleep with your daughter. What did you have over him for him to do a drive-by shooting at
my
motorhome that I parked in
your
trailer park to help women like you and your daughter? That’s what I mean. You went that far, to get a Deputy involved, to make Javier’s case go away and cover up what you did to Laura,” I say aggressively.
The entire courtroom quiets as Bess glares at me. Her entire demeanor changes.
“You don’t belong in my trailer park. You don’t have the right to be involved with my daughter. I told you that from the beginning. You just don’t get it, do you?” Bess says dramatically.
“Ma’am, look at Laura out there. She sits in a wheelchair. The doctors don’t know if she’ll ever walk again.”
“Yes, I know.”
“Was
this
worth making all your problems go away?” I say, shoving a photo on the projector so it pops up on the big white screen behind her. Laura is lying in her hospital bed with her head shaved and thumb black from the gangrene.
“Objection, argumentative,” says Fox.
“Overruled,” says Hoffman.
Bess stays quiet.
I rip the photo off the projector as quickly as I shove another one on it.
“Or was this worth it?” I say, straightening the photo.
Dylan took this one with his phone when Laura was lying in the bed inside the motel. Her head was bloody and she was still blindfolded and bound with the belt. In the picture, I’m starting to loosen the sock around her eyes when we were waiting for paramedics to arrive.
Bess begins to sob on the witness stand, shaking her head back and forth. She reminds me of myself when Tanner showed me the picture of my dead mom on the stand. But this time is different. Bess
is
responsible for this. She is a Mamacita who murders. I’m not. I couldn’t save my mom.
“Objection, argumentative. The prosecutor is badgering the witness,” says Fox.
“Overruled,” says Judge Hoffman, turning to Bess.
“I’m going to order you to answer the question,” says Judge Hoffman.
“I wanted Javier’s case to go away. I resented her. I resented all of it. I allowed him to sleep with her. After she met you, she began moving away from my control. She threatened me that she was going to testify and tell everything. She wanted to stop prostituting. She was going to tell you.
“I’m her boss. I say where she can go and who she can sleep with. And that included Officer Cruz. He was her last client of the night. I knew Clown would be waiting downstairs and he’d be the first one you guys would go looking for. He wasn’t my concern. He would never snitch.
“When you came to my house looking for Clown, we left. He never kidnapped me, you fool. I told Cruz where to find us. And after Cruz pulled us over and arrested Clown, I took the Lincoln. I set fire to Cruz’ place. I planted the suicide note. I went to your house. I did the drive-by. I tried to kill you and Christina. I called and threatened her. I know she was the one who reported Javier. I left the notes. At least I gave you guys a choice. Bullet, blade or flamingo vase.
“I did it all. And Javier knew everything. You fool. Javier wanted you dead as much as I did. You don’t have a right to come into my life and take my daughter away from me. I don’t care anymore. I’m facing life. I’ve lost my family, my daughter, my world. All because of you,” says Bess.
“Why did you kill Deputy Cruz?” I ask.
“Because he saw everything. He came back to the room after he forgot his wallet. He grabbed the vase out of my hand. He stopped me from killing Laura. I couldn’t risk him telling,” she says.
The entire courtroom grows quiet.
I sit down, exhale and hope justice will keep working its magic.
Dear Señor Luis Santiago-Borges,
Since I met you in the Walled City, I’ve come closer to forgiving myself and finding closure over my mother’s death. Experiences we have, sometimes abroad, can bring the magic to give you a better focus in life. They can show you what is important and what is not. Like you said, allow my mother’s spirit to dwell in my mind and in my heart. Hug those you love a little tighter. Love those that are right in front of you, ready, willing, and available to love you. For me, those people are Dylan and all women of all ages who come through The Mamacita Club.
There’re times in your life when you’re not sure about what’s right or what’s wrong, especially when it comes to love. Sometimes it’s hard to know who the right person is for you or when to let go when they’re not. Someone once told me that when you’re in love, you can make magic happen. I’ve waited for a long time to see the magic when it comes to being in love. I see Dylan in a different light today than I ever have. I don’t stand here thinking that he’s the one or he’s not. I stand here knowing that I want him in my life right now and that he makes me feel cherished in a way I haven’t felt before. Sometimes it’s just enough to have those around you that love you. It doesn’t mean he has to put a ring on my finger, that I have to commit to him being my husband, or that we will marry in the Walled City.
If you live and let live, the Universe in time will answer all of your questions. The dots will connect someday. For all of these lessons about love, loss, hope, and forgiveness, you are one of the people I wanted to thank.
xo,
Gaby Ruiz
P.S. Please thank the Walled City Police for helping us achieve justice for Laura. Because of your help, the defendant was sentenced to life in state prison.
Thank you Papi,
One of my many heroes like R.I.P. Nicole T., Molly Huckabee, John Ruiz;
And others like Kathy E., Nadia C., Jennie, Nana, Dada, Lu and Auntie Coochie, who taught me about love, loss and how to let go;
Suzi G., who has been there along the way;
Big D. and Oli, who reminded me how to play;
Sean B., who taught me to keep looking to build my treehouse in the right tree;
Sissy, Christian P. and Aaron B., who have taught me about recovery;
Michael L. & Candice B., who have always supported my choice;
Martha F. & Gayle B., who helped me find my voice;
Anna & Terrie, who edited my words perfectly;
Gerry, Ms. G and Room 203 in the L.B.C.,
W.W.W. and its original posee, Tara & Nikki, Karyssa, Daisy & Andrea G., Socorro, Jessica & the Y.O.C.,
And the new posse, Zulma & Kacey, Plan-It Life & Rancho D.,
G.I.F.T., Dave G. and Cregor D., Z, R.C.D.D.A.A. feat M.A.H. & J. Aki,
And the rest of the gang in Rivertucky, who have inspired me to serve;
But most of all, thank you Rosa y Mamí, who have taught me how to find the key.