Danny Boy by Henry Hack

Author:Henry Hack
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Salvo Press
Published: 2013-11-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

It didn’t take long to find out Victor Reggio’s part in this case. He testified that I first started coming into his place on or about the same date thatNiki had mentioned in her testimony. How convenient! Jeff couldn’t shake him, but it was obvious to me he was lying his ass off. I hoped the jury got the same impression. Jeff asked if Niki paid him to testify on her behalf or promised him any other consideration.

“No.”

“Did you and Nicole Wells ever date? Ever have an affair?”

“No.”

“Ever have a drink with her at your bar?”

“Yes.”

“Ever have a few dances with her?”

“Yes, once in a while.”

“Ever kiss her?”

“No.”

“Are you aware of the penalties for perjury? For lying on the witness stand, Mr. Reggio?” Jeff asked, raising his voice.

Reggio shifted in his seat and quietly answered, “Yes.”

“You’re excused, subject to recall. You might use that time to re-read the perjury statutes.”

“Your honor,” said Valentine getting to his feet, “Mr. Levy is impugning and badgering my witness. I ask…”

“I agree, Mr. Valentine,” said Delaney, “Mr. Levy, please refrain from such behavior in the future.”

“Yes, your honor. I apologize.”

“Accepted. Call your next witness, Mr. Valentine.”

He called Ronald Millstein. Finally we would find out what he was all about. Victor Reggio had looked as I remembered him—a tall, handsome guy in his early 40s. He had curly black hair with a hint of gray beginning at the temples and projected confidence and strength, but Jeff had shaken him. Millstein, on the other hand, was anything but confident. He was also tall, about six feet, but lean with thinning brown hair. He wore steel rimmed glasses and had the bearing of a college professor. He stuttered and stumbled over Valentine’s first few questions and looked as if he’d rather be on a bed of hot coals than in this courtroom. I certainly agreed with him on that feeling.

“Now, Mr. Millstein, have you ever sold toluene in your pharmacy?”

“Yes, I have,” he replied.

“Why would people use this substance?”

“Experimenters use it for various processes.”

“Amateur chemists?”

“Yes, and also by those who build model airplanes and ships. It’s used as a solvent for the glue employed in the assembly of the parts.”

“Any other reasons for someone to purchase toluene?”

“Unfortunately, it’s occasionally abused for the purpose of getting a ‘high’ by inhaling it or sniffing it.”

“Do you need a license or permit to purchase it?”

“No. It’s not an illegal item, nor is it a controlled substance, but I am required to keep records of the purchase by the DEA.”

“The Drug Enforcement Administration? Why, Mr. Millstein?”

“Solvents such as toluene, acetone, chloroform, methylethylketone and others can be employed in the manufacture of illegal drugs.”

“Do you report all such sales to the DEA?”

“Only if the amounts are excessive, but I keep a record book subject to their inspection.”

Valentine walked over to the prosecution table and picked up a bound black ledger. He handed it to Millstein and asked, “Is this your record book for the current year wherein you record the sales of these substances?”

“Yes, it is.

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