Page 49 of The Best Lawyer
“Got it,” I said. “So you never asked to see Tom Loomis’s personnel file at WLAN or WDTN where he worked before comingto Delphi?”
“No.”
“You’re aware that Mr. Loomis was a public figure though. That he was a local, on-air celebrity, right?”
“I suppose that’s one way to put it.”
“I see,” I said. “Did it ever occur to you that Mr. Loomis might have an obsessive fan or two?”
“That wasn’t relevant to my investigation,” she said.
“But you searched Tom’s phone and computer. The digital forensics report is in your file, correct?”
“Yes. Of course.”
“Of course,” I said. “So you’re aware that Mr. Loomis received no less than a dozen disturbing emails from fans, correct?”
“Objection as to Ms. Leary’s characterization of any emails.”
“Sustained,” Judge Castor said.
“Detective,” I said. “I’d like to direct your attention to State’s Exhibit 7. Can you tell me what it is?”
I put the front page of her own report on screen.
“It’s my full report on this case.”
“Including appendix D?”
“Of course.”
“What is appendix D?”
“It is the digital forensics report on Mr. Loomis’s home computer.”
“He logged into his station emails from home, isn’t that right?”
“Yes. He had access to work emails on his home computer.”
“And you read them, didn’t you?”
“I didn’t personally read all of them, no.”
“Did you read an email he received in October of last year from a woman identifying herself as Sugar Bear?”
“I don’t have an independent recall of what emails were received and when.”
“Fine,” I said. “So let me try to refresh your recollection.” I pulled up the email in question.
“Detective, will you read this email into the record? It is referenced in the forensics report already.”
“Sure,” she said, sliding on her readers.
“Please note the date and the sender and recipient, if you would.”
“It’s from Sugar Bear addressed to Tom Loomis’s email at WLAN. Dated October 27th as you described. It says, Dear Tom, I like the way you cut your hair. But you looked better when Mr. Davis on Woodward Avenue was your barber. I’m so proud of you for finally getting the recognition you deserve at WLAN. They appreciate your talent. They’re going to see how you’re the most valuable on-air talent they have. I miss you though. I miss being able to drive by your house on Briar. I left flowers on the porch for you even though I know you don’t live there anymore. But I’ll see you soon. I promise. Love, Sugar Bear.”
“Thank you,” I said. “You didn’t make any attempt to locate or identify Sugar Bear, did you?”
