Against the Machine: A Single Mother's Desperate Fight for Justice and the Dashcam That Proved It All

Chapter 17: The Expert Witness

"They can object all they want, but the jury will hear it," Marcus assured Elena as they walked out of the corporate tower. But he knew Silas was good. If he could convince the judge the audio was manipulated, they were back to square one.

"We need a heavy hitter," Marcus said. "I'm calling Dr. Aris."

Dr. Aris was the nation’s leading expert in pneumatic braking systems. If anyone could look at the skid marks, the audio, and the "used parts" invoice and connect the dots, it was him. His testimony costs $500 an hour, but he was worth it.

Marcus made the call from the car. He explained the situation, the invoice, and the audio.

"It sounds like a classic case of brake fade compounded by substandard friction material," Dr. Aris said on the other end. "I can write a preliminary report by Monday. My retainer is five thousand."

"I'll wire it tonight," Marcus promised. He felt a weight lift off his chest. With Aris on the stand, Omni-Haul’s defense would crumble.

He dropped Elena off at her motel—she still couldn't go home because of the reporters—and headed to the bank to transfer the funds from his personal savings.

Two hours later, Marcus’s phone rang. It was Dr. Aris.

"Mr. Thorne, I'm afraid I have to return your retainer."

"What? Why?" Marcus demanded.

"I’ve just been informed of a conflict of interest," Aris said, his voice flat. "Omni-Haul Logistics has just retained my firm for a fleet-wide safety audit. I am legally unable to testify against a current client."

Marcus almost crushed the phone in his hand. Silas hadn't just objected; he had bought the only man who could prove he was lying.