Wicked Burn (Realm Enforcers #3)(80)

Nick stood and buttoned his suit jacket. “Mr. Pine, do you know who ordered all of the transfers?”

Pine slightly turned his large bulk in the witness box. “Simone Brightston’s name is at the bottom of all the transfers.”

“Are you an expert in handwriting analysis?” Nick asked.

“No.”

“Is there a chance that somebody else could have forged Ms. Brightston’s signature on all the documents?”

Pine shrugged. “I’m not an expert, so I have no clue. My job was to trace the money and land transfers, which I’ve done.”

Nick paused. “Mr. Pine, do you know Simone Brightston?”

“Aye, I do. We’ve met at many functions and have served on different organizations together,” Pine said.

“Is she smart?”

“Excuse me?” Pine asked.

“Simone. In your opinion, do you think she’s an intelligent woman?” Nick asked.

Pine nodded, his gaze serious. “Yes. I do think she’s very bright.”

“Ah. How bright is it to sign your own name to a bunch of illegal land and money transfers?” Nick asked smoothly.

“That would actually be either arrogant or stupid,” Pine said.

“Thank you,” Nick said, keeping his face calm. He’d made the point, but Pine’s mention of “arrogance” didn’t help. Simone was more than confident, and Pine had just given the prosecution material to use that against her. “I tender this witness.”

Colman cleared his throat. “Next I call Orrin Forsent, who is a handwriting analysis expert.”

Nick sat down and watched Orrin take the stand. Tall and whipcord thin, the witch had thick red hair and more freckles than sand at the beach. Colman ran him through all the documents and had him compare the signatures on them to ones he’d had Simone submit right in chambers. He spent an inordinate amount of time on the shipping transfers that had brought the planekite from Russia to Seattle in the last couple of weeks. Orrin concluded, based on his expert opinion, that the signatures were authentic.

Nick stood when it was his turn to question. “You’re a witch, right?”

Orrin nodded. “I am.”

“Witches alter matter using quantum physics as well as a myriad of other sciences, right?”

“Yes.” Orrin shoved light-refracting glasses up his nose.

“Isn’t it possible that a very talented witch could easily copy another witch’s signature? I mean, with all the power witches hold?” Nick asked, his eyebrows rising.

Orrin’s nostrils flared. “I do not believe that’s what happened here.”

“Answer the question,” Nick returned evenly.

Orrin lifted a shoulder. “I guess it could happen.”

“Could you do it?” Nick challenged.

“I would not.” Orrin leaned forward in the box.

“That’s not what I asked you,” Nick said silkily. “Do you have the talent or skill to forge a signature well enough that it couldn’t be detected?”

Orrin cleared his throat. “I could.”

“Then it’s possible.” Nick turned away from the shithead. “This guy can go.” He eyed the Council. Peter and Sal remained stern, but Nessa had definitely mellowed. He figured she’d find Simone not guilty anyway, considering she was known to be not only fair but brilliant. She’d know Simone wouldn’t do such a thing. However, the other two men were both vying for political position, and he couldn’t read where they’d come down.

Colman gestured for the guard to escort Orrin out the side wall. “The prosecution calls Phillipe Sadler.”

Nick stood. “We object. Mr. Sadler offers nothing but his vendetta against Simone, her family, and the Coven Nine as a whole.”

“We’ll allow the testimony while keeping the past in mind,” Peter said.

The wall opened, and Phillipe Sadler strode in wearing Armani. He had vivid blue eyes and a shaggy mane of brown hair, but he strode like the fighter he was rumored to be. He took his seat, and his gaze landed on Simone, hardening instantly.

Nick fought the urge to step between her and the witness.

Colman reached for a notepad and read quickly. “Mr. Sadler, is it true you have a vendetta against the Nine?”

“Yes,” Sadler said.

Nick lifted his chin. Interesting strategy.

“Why?” Colman asked.

“They hurt my mother,” Sadler said simply.

Colman nodded. “I understand, but your mother was accused of treason based on her relationship with Trevan Demidov, right?”

“Aye, but my mother had been mated to my father, who died centuries ago, so she and Trevan obviously couldn’t have had a physical relationship. This was before the time of viruses and the ability to negate mating bonds.” Sadler snapped the words out. “On the other hand, Simone Brightston had a relationship with him that I do believe included all sorts of terribly kinky sex.”

Nick bit back a snarl, sorry that he couldn’t kill Trevan all over again. One of the Kayrs men had taken care of the rogue witch ages ago. Trevan had hidden his agenda to take down the Nine from Simone but had shared it with his partner in crime, Grace Sadler, Phillipe’s mother.

“Where is your brother?” Colman asked, as if right in tune with Nick’s thoughts.