Page 70 of Grave Danger

“Did Farid respond?”

“Yes. I wasn’t really asking him the question. But yes. He responded.”

“What did he say?”

“Farid told me that he was responsible.”

Jack paused to let the answer linger. Then he continued.

“To be clear,” said Jack. “Farid admitted to you thathewas the reason the military police kept Ava locked up in prison, even after other demonstrators were released. Do I have that right?”

“Yes.”

Jack was tempted to end his direct examination on that high note. But in their prep session, Zahra had filled Jack’s ear with examples of the waysin which Farid had abused her. He needed to give her one more chance to make it part of the record.

“Now, let’s go back to the question I asked earlier,” said Jack. “I know this is difficult, but can you please tell the court whether Farid was ever abusive toward you?”

There was a long silence. Zahra appeared frozen on the witness stand. Jack tried some verbal encouragement.

“Either before or after your marriage, Zahra: Was Farid ever abusive toward you?”

More silence. Zahra seemed to have gone almost catatonic.

Jack continued. “Zahra, all we need from you is a one-word answer. Was Farid ever abusive toward you?”

Her voice was barely audible, but the answer was clear enough: “Yes.”

Progress. “Can you give any examples of his abuse toward you?”

Zahra fell silent. Finally, she answered. “I don’t remember.”

Jack was at a loss. At some point, the court would force him to live with her answer.I don’t remember.It proved nothing.

“Your Honor, could I have a short recess?” asked Jack.

Farid’s lawyer sprang from her seat. “Judge, taking a break so that the lawyer can coach his witness and put words in her mouth is not proper grounds for a recess. If Mr. Swyteck is not getting the answers he wants, then it’s time to pass the witness to me for cross-examination.”

The judge addresses the witness. “Ms. Bazzi, do you want a recess?”

Zahra looked up at the judge. “Not really.”

“Then, Mr. Swyteck, let’s wrap this up.”

Jack had taken the direct examination as far as he could. If being in the courtroom with Farid was so traumatizing that Zahra suppressed all memories of abuse, things could only get worse if he pushed her for more. Any holes left in the case would have to be filled by other witnesses.

“I have nothing further at this time,” said Jack.

“Very well,” said the judge. “The witness may not need a break, but I do. We are in recess for five minutes and will then proceed with cross-examination.”

Farid’s lawyer rose. “Judge, I request that the witness be ordered not to speak to her counsel between direct and cross-examination.”

“My client has a right to speak to her lawyer,” said Jack.

“The witness testified several times that she couldn’t recall certain details,” said Beech. “If Mr. Swyteck intends to refresh her recollection, it should be done in open court, not during the break.”

Judge Carlton grumbled. “My bladder has no patience for these last-minute motions. But seeing how this is not a criminal case with a constitutional right to counsel, it is so ordered. Ms. Bazzi, please stay right there on the witness stand. I’ll be back in five.”

All rose on the crack of the gavel and the bailiff’s command. As Judge Carlton stepped down from the bench, Jack’s eyes met his client’s. She appeared frightened and confused, but she seemed to get the gist of it: