?You are under oath, Mr. Long.”
“Once.”
“Tell us about it, please.”
“I was at Victor’s apartment once and she called to speak with him. I answered the phone.”
“Do you know what she and Victor talked about?”
“No. He took the phone in the bathroom.”
“When did this happen?”
“The night before she died.”
“Did you and Victor have a conversation about Annabelle after he came out of the bathroom?”
“No. I went straight home.”
Keith looked at the jury and then back at Joe. “What if I told you that there is a witness who says you and Victor had a terrible argument that night?”
“I’d say this person is lying.”
Keith continued as though Joe had not spoken. “This witness overheard Mr. Bell arguing in his apartment with someone he called Joe on the night before Annabelle Murray died.”
“So what? I’m not the only Joe on earth. Maybe Victor had someone else over after I left.”
Keith rubbed his forehead. “Hmmmm. I guess it’s possible. What time did you leave Mr. Bell’s apartment?”
“About ten.”
“Did you walk out of the building alone?”
“Yes.”
“The neighborhood watch has a surveillance camera on that corner,” Keith said gently. “I’ll ask you one more time. Did you walk out of that building alone?”
Joe dropped his head. “No.”
“Who was with you?”
“Victor.”
Keith paused. “Did Victor take you home?”
“No.”
“Did you ask Victor to walk out with you?”
“I don’t remember.”
“Sure you do,” Keith yelled. “Isn’t it true that Victor Bell said that he was going to Annabelle’s house?”
“I don’t remember.”
Champ shouted, “Objection! The question has been asked and answered.”
The judge sustained her objection.