12th of Never

Chapter 22

YUKI CALLED PATROLMAN Joseph Sorbera, the cop who responded to Maria Ortega’s call regarding Lily. Sorbera was a solid guy, had been on the job for fifteen years, and Yuki knew he would be a very credible witness.

Sorbera told the jury about his brief interview with Maria Ortega, who had told him about the bruises on Lily Herman’s arms and neck. He also verified that Sean Murphy, Ortega’s employer, did tell him that Ortega had what he referred to as post-traumatic stress disorder from an attack when she was a teen—and that she couldn’t be believed.

“And then what did you do, Officer?”

“I went to the home of Keith Herman.”

“Did you speak with Mr. Herman?”

“No. He wasn’t there. I spoke with Jennifer Herman, his wife.”

“And what did she tell you about the reported incident?”

“She said that her husband yelled at the child for breaking a glass, saying she could have hurt herself, but that he hadn’t touched her.”

“Did you ask to talk to Lily?”

“Yes. Mrs. Herman brought the little girl to the door. She said that she hadn’t been hurt and that she didn’t know what Ms. Ortega was referring to.”

“How did these two people seem to you, Officer Sorbera?”

“They both seemed scared out of their freaking minds.”

“What did you do next?” Yuki asked.

“I gave Mrs. Herman my card. And I told her that if she remembered anything, or wanted to talk to me for any reason, she should call me.”

“Did you report the incident to Family and Children Services?”

“Yes. But without corroboration from the child or the wife, they considered the incident closed.”

Yuki said, “Did you consider the incident closed?”

“Pretty much,” Sorbera said. “I didn’t hear from Mrs. Herman, but when the bags of human remains were identified as her body and the child was reported missing, I went to my captain and told him about the incident.”

“Thanks, Officer. I’m done, Your Honor.”

When Kinsela had no questions for Sorbera, Yuki called her next witness to the stand.