“Veronica loved me,” Shawn said. “You must not convict her!”

The judge stared at Shawn. “Young man, this is a court of law. If you’re making some kind of joke, I will jail you for contempt.”

“Do not blame this young man,” Shawn said. “He is only a vessel for my spirit. I have taken over his body to speak through.”

The gavel hung in the air as the judge studied Shawn closely. “You’re a medium?”

“I used to be, but I think I’ve gained a few pounds,” Shawn said.

Gus shoved him. Shawn shoved back.

“Your Honor, this is ridiculous,” Coules said.

“It’s unorthodox-I grant that,” the judge said. “But many people believe that communication with the spirit world is possible.”

“Idiots,” Coules said.“The same brain-dead ex-hippies who believe that crystals cure cancer and-”

The judge pulled the leather thong out from under his robe, revealing the gleaming crystal hanging from it.

“-and if we’re going to take this ‘medium’ seriously, I demand some proof that he really is channeling Oliver Mason,” Coules said quickly. “Let him tell us something about his wife that only the deceased would know.”

“That’s fair,” the judge said, tucking his crystal pendant back under his robe and turning back to Shawn. “If you are channeling Oliver Mason, you must know all sorts of secrets.”

“Secrets,” Shawn said. “Yes, lots of them.”

“We only need one,” the judge said.

“One, right,” Shawn said. “You know, it’s amazing what being dead does to your short-term memory. Maybe if I had a couple of minutes to think…”

“Our client is about to be found guilty, and we’re parked in a red zone,” Gus whispered furiously. “Think of something now.”

“We’re waiting,” the judge said.

“I think we’ve waited long enough,” Coules said. “He’s obviously a phony.”

Shawn pressed his fingers to his forehead. “My wife has a small birthmark on her right breast, just above the nipple.”