A Perfect Grave Part 24

His expertise was truth verification.

Over his sixteen years in detecting deception, he had pointed detectives in the right direction on countless major investigations. He also was involved in ongoing research to refine and improve his profession.

In court, Yamas.h.i.ta was a prosecutor's dream.

Before starting, he met privately with Garner and Perelli to be briefed on their case. Then he prepared Cooper, explaining the process of a polygraph examination.

"The results of the examination are not allowed as evidence in court in most jurisdictions. So, this is really just a tool, Mr. Cooper."

"I've explained that to my client, Detective," Barbara said.

Yamas.h.i.ta smiled, then tried to put Cooper at ease with his machine-a new standard five-pen a.n.a.log that he swore by. It would use instruments connected near Cooper's heart and fingertips to electronically measure breathing, perspiration, respiratory activity, galvanic skin reflex, and blood and pulse rate, recording the responses on a moving chart as he answered questions.

Yamas.h.i.ta would pose the questions, then he'd a.n.a.lyze the results and give Garner and Perelli one of three possible outcomes: Cooper was truthful, untruthful, or the results were inconclusive.

"Please understand that I am aware and expect you to be nervous. Everybody is and I account for that."

Then Yamas.h.i.ta asked Perelli to bring a more comfortable cushioned chair into the room. He seated Cooper in it and connected him to the machine. Yamas.h.i.ta started the examination with routine establishing questions, requesting that Cooper answer "yes" or "no."

"Is your name John Randolph Taylor Cooper?"

"Yes."

"Were you born in Kent, Washington?"

"Yes."

"Did you serve in the U.S. armed forces in Iraq?"

"Yes."

"Have you ever killed anyone?"

There was a long silence as the five ink needles scratched the graph paper.

"Have you ever killed anyone?"

"Yes, in combat."

"Answer yes or no, please."

"Yes."

"Do you reside under Interstate 5?"

"Yes."

"Do you have a job?"

"No."

"Do you often visit the Compa.s.sionate Heart of Mercy Shelter?"

"Yes."

"Have you ever killed anyone?"

"Yes."

The needles swept across the paper.

"Did you know Sister Anne Braxton, who worked at the shelter?"

"Yes."

"Are you involved in any way in her murder?"

"No."

"Do you possess knives?"

"Yes."

"Do any of them come from the shelter?"

"No."

"Do you possess tennis shoes?"

"You mean do I own-"

"Yes or no, please. Next question: Is today Sunday?"

"No."

"Did you know Sister Anne Braxton?"

"Yes."

"Did you harm her in any way?"

"No."

"Do you possess tennis shoes similar to the tennis shoes in the photographs shown to you today?"

"Yes."

"Did you wear them?"

"No."

"Did you kill Sister Anne Braxton?"

"No."

"Did you see a stranger at the shelter whom you saw argue with Sister Anne and cause her to be upset?"

"Yes."

"Did you witness this stranger take a knife?"

"Yes."

"Was it similar to the knife in the photograph shown to you today by the detectives?"

"Yes."

"Did you ever have any romantic feelings toward Sister Anne Braxton?"

"No."

"Did Sister Anne Braxton ever make you angry, upset?"

"No."

"Did you see Sister Anne in the hours before she was murdered?"

"Yes."

"Did she speak with you?"

"Yes."

"Have you ever had reason to be in her town house near Yesler Terrace?"

"Yes."

"Were you present in her building the night she was killed?"

"No."

"Were you present in the alley behind the town house the night she was killed?"

"No."

"Were you present in her neighborhood the night she was killed?"

"No."

"Are you being truthful?"

"Yes."

"Did you ever have s.e.xual fantasies about Sister Anne?"

"No."

"Do you feel remorse about the deaths of your crew during combat?"

"Yes."

"Do you blame yourself?"

"Yes."

Barbara noticed tears rolling down Cooper's face.

"Do you often hallucinate about that time?"

"Yes."

Yamas.h.i.ta adjusted his gla.s.ses as he made notes, then returned to many of the same questions, repeating them.

"Have you ever been violent toward anyone?"

"Yes."

"Have you ever wished to harm anyone?"

"Yes, during duty-"

"Yes or no, please," Yamas.h.i.ta made a note. "Did you ever wear the tennis shoes shown to you in the crime- scene photograph?"

"No."

"Are you angry that Sister Anne was murdered?"

"Yes."

"Do you know who killed her?"

Cooper hesitated for a moment.

"Do you know who killed her?"

"I think I know."

"Answer yes or no, please. Did you ever kill a woman in combat?"