Witness for the Defense (35 page)

The only bright side—dim at that—was it was finally over. Reineer’s hadn’t taken as long as most trials, but sitting next to him, I felt like I’d been there a lifetime. Everything I’d believed and fought for, including my duty to represent with indifference the guilty as well as the innocent, seemed a farce. Maybe I’d been on the wrong side my whole legal career. Maybe it was better that sometimes the innocent be convicted at the expense of the guilty going free. Maybe that was the price we all had to pay. At least that way the future Danny Bartons and Gary Cosgroves would stand a chance.

As soon as Priest discharged the jury, there was a race between Bragg and McBean to the back door. Bragg would likely devote the rest of the day preparing a statement for the media, while McBean would continue as before. He would gain nothing from the experience.

But I had. I wasn’t about to let Reineer add more trophies to his collection.

“It’s not over,” I said. We were waiting for the bailiffs to clear the courtroom so they could take him to lockup. He’d change, sign some paperwork, his personal belongings would be returned—then they’d cut him loose. He had been looking straight ahead, expressionless, ever since the verdict was read.

“Did you hear me?”

With a chilling leer Reineer’s eyes slowly shifted to mine. “It is over, Counselor, and I have you to thank for it.”

I rose from my chair and placed my hand firmly on his shoulder. “No, it’s not. Not by a long shot.”

Chapter 40

It was a little before five; the way I’d figured it, Reineer would be released in less than an hour and he’d have to come here to retrieve his necklace.

“I’m here for Reineer’s property,” I told the desk sergeant, who’d hung up the phone as soon as he saw me walk in. He stretched back in his swivel chair, glaring at me. He’d obviously heard about the verdict.

“The property room closes at five,” the sergeant said as he chewed on the mustache which had overgrown his upper lip. “You’ll have to wait until tomorrow.”

I tapped the face of my watch with my finger. “I’m his attorney and unless you’re operating by Central Mountain Time, there’s still ten minutes before it closes.”

He nodded at the door behind him. “Most everybody around here was at the trial. They went straight to Snooky’s from there. It’s just across the street.”

I cut him off. “I know where it is.”

“The property deputy is Carter, Jimmy Carter. He’ll be the one eating all the peanuts,” he joked.

I didn’t laugh.

“Of course, I’m not sure it’s wise for you to go there right now.” His face went blank. “You’re not the most popular guy in town, if you know what I mean.”

My patience was at an end. “Who’s in charge?”

The sergeant scowled. “Do yourself a favor and leave before I—” he said, but was interrupted when the security buzzer on the door sounded. It burst open and McBean appeared breathing fire. He slammed the door shut and charged straight at me. “What the hell do you want, Dobbs?”

“I’m here for my client’s things.”

“He’ll get them when he’s released.”

“Not according to him,” I said and nodded at the heavy-set cop. “He says the property room’s closed.”

Even though our eyes were locked, I could see McBean tightening his hand, forming a fist. “Are you calling the sergeant a liar, too?”

“Why don’t you just give me his stuff and I’ll be on my way?”

“Tomorrow.”

“If you give them to me now, he’ll be out of town before midnight and out of your hair forever.”

I paused to give him time to think about it before I continued. “So far I’ve been able to avoid the press. But I’m sure that will be impossible if we both have to come back.”

McBean silently pondered it. After a moment, he turned to the sergeant. “Go get it.”

“But, Lieutenant,” the lower-ranking cop said, “Carter’s gone for the day.”

“Now!” he shouted.

The sergeant took a deep breath, lifted the waist of his pants, and reluctantly walked off.

“Both of you,” McBean said.

I’d no idea what he meant, but was sure it had to be something with a bite to it. “What about the both of us?”

“I want you out of town by midnight, too.”

I had to smile. Our little confrontation had all the earmarks of a second-rate western. “Is that right?”

“Everything is a big joke to you, isn’t it?” McBean stepped closer. “I hope you burn in hell for getting that scumbag off.”

“I’ll probably burn in hell, but it won’t be for doing my job.”

“Job,” he scoffed. “You damn defense attorneys are a hoot. Always spouting the Constitution, pretending you’re its guardian. But I know all you care about is winning. No matter what the consequences.”

“You’re right about the Constitution,” I shot back. “Screw it! Screw the judges! Screw the juries! Who needs any of them? We’ll just leave everything to crooked cops like you.”

McBean’s face turned a brighter red. He glanced around the room to make sure no one was looking. Then he grabbed the lapels of my coat and slammed me against the wall. “You piece of shit,” he yelled as he lifted me.

The neck of my shirt was choking me. The tips of my shoes were the only things touching the floor. “You don’t understand.”

“What I do understand,” he said, pushing me farther up, “is that you’re not here to get any of Reineer’s personal shit. You won the big one, and now you’re here to rub it in.”

I grabbed McBean directly under his armpits. My right hand found the holster of his gun. He stiffened.

“Just try it,” he dared and slowly lowered me to the floor.

When he finally let go, McBean reached for the handcuffs which were hanging from his belt. I knew he was bluffing. He wasn’t about to arrest me. The media would be all over him, and with the beating they’d been giving him, I was sure he wanted to lay low for a while.

“I hope you understand that by planting that candy you guaranteed Reineer’s acquittal,” I said.

“Don’t put that guilt trip on me.” McBean stepped closer. Our noses were almost touching. “You’re the one who got that psycho off.”

“Tell it to someone who doesn’t know better.”

It was obvious I was getting nowhere going toe to toe with him, so I backed up a few steps to ease the tension.

“It’s just that I’m afraid,” I said.

McBean smirked as though he thought I was afraid of him.

“What I mean is, I’m afraid the next Danny Barton won’t live to tell about it.”

McBean looked confused. “What the hell are you saying, Dobbs?”

“Don’t let Reineer out of your sight until he’s out of the county.” I lowered my voice, conspiratorially. “He’s going after someone tonight.”

McBean’s interest was piqued. “What exactly did he tell you?”

I shrugged. “Attorney-client privilege.”

McBean smiled as though he thought I’d already told him more than I should have. “Do you really think he’d try something like that right after he’s released? It doesn’t make any sense.”

“Nothing about Reineer makes sense. He’s nuts.” I tapped my finger on McBean’s chest. “If anything should happen to some other innocent child tonight and you did nothing…”

McBean stared at me for a moment, then glanced at the sergeant, who’d returned with Reineer’s belongings. McBean grabbed the envelope.

I kept pushing. “Think what it will do for your public image,” I said. “Catch him in the act and everyone will forget about what happened today. What do you have to lose but a little time?”

“But if that scumbag knows I’m following him, he won’t try anything until he’s out of the county.” McBean was almost mumbling to himself. “If that happens…no one will be there to stop him….”

I was silent, letting him think it through. It had to be his idea or he’d never do it.

“But if he doesn’t know I’m watching…” he said and stopped. A few seconds passed and McBean’s eyes widened as if he could see clearly for the first time. “You don’t fool me, Dobbs. You’re sending me on some wild goose chase.”

“You’re wrong,” I said.

McBean shoved the envelope into my chest. “You have what you supposedly came for. Now get the hell out of here.”

“What’s the big deal?” I said. “If you follow him and I am wrong, at least you’ll know he’s left the county and is out of your life forever.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he said as he pushed me out the door. “You can bet if I do follow him, it’s because I planned it all along. It wouldn’t have anything to do with something you told me.”

I wanted to tell him he never would have thought of it on his own. But there was no reason to push it. I was sure McBean would follow Reineer. I had gotten what I was after.

Chapter 41

Avery was in the same chair that I’d left him in the night before. I gently placed my hand on his shoulder. “How is she?” I asked, but he didn’t move a muscle. He was asleep—out cold.

“Why don’t you ask her yourself?” a frail voice said from behind.

It was Sarah—her eyes barely open—trying to muster a smile. “Let him sleep.” She slowly raised her hand for me to hold. The weakness of life in her momentarily numbed me.

“My car?” she said and paused to catch her breath.

I softly placed my fingertips to her lips to hush her. “Please don’t talk.”

She tried to look at me, but her eyes seemed to wander—too weak to focus.

“Did I hit it?”

“Hit what?”

“The deer,” she said. “You must have seen it.”

“Of course I did,” I lied. “It’s fine.”

She gently squeezed my hand. “What about the trial?”

“It’s over… not guilty.”

Sarah slowly shook her head and her eyes closed. When she opened them, a tear ran down her temple, curling around her ear. Except for the rhythmic beat of her heart monitor and Avery’s heavy breathing, there was total silence.

I leaned over and gently kissed her lips. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” she said, our lips still touching.

I gently slid off the edge of the bed.

“Stay with me?’” she whispered.

“You need your rest.”

“Please,” she said, and her eyes widened. “Please don’t go.”

“I’m sorry,” I said and kissed her one last time. “There’s something I have to do.”

Chapter 42

In a dark corner of the guest house, I waited for Reineer to come through the front door. I was sure he wouldn’t be much longer. Once McBean informed him that I had his necklace, he’d get to me as soon as possible.

Avery’s gun was in my right hand.

My body tightened when I heard the sound of gravel crunching—someone was heading up the driveway. Within seconds a car door closed, followed by the sound of footsteps quickly approaching. The front door burst open, and Reineer appeared, looking around the darkened room like a nervous sparrow.

Slipping the gun into my back waistband, I stepped out of the shadows and flipped on the light so we could get a better look at one another.

“What took you so long?”

“I had something to take care of,” he said, then his eyes became fixed on his necklace; it hung down on my chest.

“Give me that!” he shouted.

“I don’t think so…It’s stolen property.”

“Stolen from me,” he said. “And I want it back.”

“Why don’t we take it down to the police station and you can tell the cops all about it?”

He looked at me for a while, figuring it all out before he spoke.

“How about it?” I said evenly.

Reineer’s concerned look changed to a wide grin. “You may be a hell of an attorney, Dobbs, but you’re a piss-poor bluffer.”

“Bluffer!” I paused to let the word rumble about in his head. “Just try me.”

Reineer reached over the dresser and pulled aside the curtain and looked outside. He had to be sure no one else was around.

“Enough of your bullshit!” he shouted as he let go of the curtain. “I only went along with you this long because I figure I owe you.”

“You don’t owe me shit. I wanted you to rot in that place for the rest of your life.”

Reineer took another step back, but came to an immediate halt when I clutched his necklace with both hands.

“You’ve made your point and I hope your conscience feels better for it,” he said. “But why don’t you just give it to me and I’ll be on my way?”

I dismissed him with a wave of my hand. “Go to hell.”

His face reddened. He lifted his hand over his head and slammed it on the top of the dresser. “You of all people should know what I’m capable of.”

“I’m well aware. But I’m a lot bigger than the fifty- or sixty-pound children you’re used to.”

Reineer turned abruptly to his left, opened the closet door, and pulled out the machete he’d used to trim Christmas trees.

“And the bigger they are, the more they bleed,” he said and lifted the huge blade over his head.

“If you really want it that bad.” I held the necklace out to him. “But first put the machete down.”

His eyes glued to the necklace, Reineer lowered the blade and rested it against the wall, sharp tip down. That way he had quick access in case I changed my mind.

I walked forward, but stopped when I was within a few feet of him. “Here,” I said and tossed him the necklace. “For whatever good it will do you.”

Reineer closed his eyes and took a deep breath, clutching the necklace tightly with both hands against his chest. It was as if he was receiving some kind of power from it. After a moment his eyes jerked open.

“Where the hell is it?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He grabbed the machete and advanced on me. “You’re a damn liar!”

I reached for the gun. “Drop it!”

Reineer stopped short. His gaze darted about the room as if he were unsure what to do next. Finally he let the machete fall to the floor with a loud clang.

“Kick it under the bed.”

Reineer slowly slid his foot to the side and with one swipe kicked the machete. It slid across the wooden floor under the bed. It clinked as it collided against the wall.

“Now tell me what you did with it,” he said.

I lowered the barrel and pointed it toward the head of the bed. “Is that what you’re referring to?”

Resting in the middle of a pillow, like an egg on a satin cushion, was the small agate marble I’d taken from his necklace. Gary Cosgrove’s marble.