Just call me on my cell, Kelly, when you arrive at your parents’ home; I will see to it that a car is sent to pick you up early on the morning of the day you’re due to testify; you will be brought directly to my office.  Ask to see identification and a note from me BEFORE you get into the car.   Do not – I repeat – DO NOT, speak to anyone other than me.  If anyone does call your parents’ home asking to speak to you, including me – if they identify themselves as  someone from my office calling on my behalf – ask them to tell you the name of my favorite childhood pet.  Her name was “DoPimo.”  No one knows that except meand now you.” 

Nancy looked at the clock and made a mental note to call Kelly in a couple hours to make sure she got the message.  She also wrote the ‘identifying’ note that she would have the driver of the car give to Kelly.

The next couple hours flew by as Nancy edited and put some final touches to her opening statement.   She also scanned yet again her nearly memorized notes of the first few witnesses. 

Glancing at the clock she saw it was 7:30 pm and flipped open her cell and dialed Kelly Barrett’s phone.

“Hello.”

“Hi Kelly, it’s Nancy Richardson.”

“Yes, I saw on the caller ID.  But can you tell me the name of your favorite childhood pet?”

Nancy smiledah, just the kind of witness I love.

“Yes, her name was DoPimo.”

“Hey, Nancy, it’s good to hear from you.  Just out of curiosity, does that name stand for anything?”

“Yes, it does, and she was true to her name and taught me a lot.   I’ll tell you its meaning when I see you in person.”

“I was able to get a flight tomorrow afternoon.  Without delays I should be at my parents’ early evening.”

“Great.  Just call my cell, whatever time, to let me know you arrived safely.  I’ll check in with you again on Wednesday evening just to confirm all is a definite go for Thursday’s testimony.”

“I’m not going to pretend I’m not nervous, Nancy.”

“Kelly, you’re going to do fine.  Granted, closing a chapter of your life in front of a courtroom full of people and in front of a jury is not an every day occurrence for most people, especially when it’s occurring in a trial involving someone known by the media.  It also takes a great deal of strength and courage to step up to the plate and do the right thing in the face of possible embarrassment and personal exposure.   Your colleagues, friends and family should be extremely proud of you.

“I’m know you’re quite familiar with all of this from law school and now as a Law Professor, but  when we’re involved personally in matters  we sometimes forget everything we’ve learned.  That is the only reason I’m giving you directions.   Right now I can’t tell you, Kelly, what the reaction to you will be from the people involved in this case.  Just remember to keep your eyes on me and answer my questions and any questions from defense counsel.  If there is an objection by either myself or defense counsel to a question asked, you know to wait until the Judge rules before answering.  I will go over everything with you before you testify.   Then it will be over and before you know it, you’ll be back at Yale molding the minds of those who will be my successor.”

Kelly smiled.  “You know, you should have become a professor.”

“Some days, Kelly, I feel that’s exactly what I’d like to be doing.  Talk to you soon.”

Nancy pressed End and closed her phone.

Faye Buckley.     

Bette Porter.   

Kelly Barrett.    

Three lives – one story.

* * *

Okay, ducks are in a row – Mama duck is in the leadtomorrow starts the This is Your Life, Faye Buckley show. 

If all goes as planned, Faye, your sisters Hate and Duplicity should be attending the trial.  And, my dear, they will be testifying against you.

TBC