Dan Decker's Blog, page 18
April 28, 2022
The Killer’s Club: Chapter 6
Audrey walked into the conference room while panting for breath. She was much later than she’d anticipated. She’d finally remembered the case her appointment was about on the drive over and had considered calling the other attorney until she recalled it was the mercurial Saul Boyle.
The man already got under her skin enough during their regularly scheduled interactions. There was no sense in giving him another opportunity. It was always tricky to work with Saul Boyle, and in this matter, in particular, she wasn’t looking forward to wrangling with him. People were often best served when represented by an attorney, but in this case, the client would have done better representing himself. Saul would just muddy the water to muddy the water, even if it accomplished nothing. He was a former prosecutor who had turned to defense work just a few years back. The man had a chip on his shoulder because he hadn’t left the DA’s office on good terms.
Her heart squirmed inside her chest as she looked across the conference room table and the people waiting for her. Saul Boyle didn’t stand when she entered, but the other two did, the boy—Billy Wilder—dragged to his feet by his mother. Saul scowled and looked at his watch.
“My apologies for running late,” Audrey said as she set a file folder on the table in front of her, pulled out the chair, and sat down. “It’s a busy day.”
Many years ago, Audrey had worked as a part-time juvenile defender. That’s why this case had landed on her desk when it technically should have gone elsewhere. She had the experience, and the Juvenile Division was currently behind due to staffing issues.
“Why’d you keep us waiting?” Saul demanded. He was a bulldog who didn’t care who he bit. Once he latched down, he didn’t let go easily.
“An urgent matter came up. I had to deal with it.”
“Sounds like an excuse.”
Audrey held Saul’s eyes. “I assure you it is not. It was quite an urgent matter, and unfortunately, I had to come late. My apologies. Again.”
“Why didn’t you call?”
“I didn’t. I’m sorry. Can we just move on?”
“I expect something for this.”
Audrey held Saul’s eyes. “You’re hardly in a bargaining position as it is.”
Once the words left her mouth, she immediately regretted them, not because of Saul, but because of the wide-eyed fifteen-year-old boy who was staring at her, watching these two adults bicker while his future hung in the balance.
“It’s okay you’re late,” Ms. Wilder said quickly. “We don’t mind waiting. We know you’re busy.”
Audrey gave her a tight smile and turned her attention to the pale youth as she straightened the papers in front of her.
“I understand you got caught trying to shoplift some beer, that accurate?”
“Before he says anything,” Saul said, “this is a negotiation conference. Nothing he says is admissible—”
“Save it,” Audrey said, “we’re not in court. There’s no judge. I understand how negotiation works.”
“Then,” Saul said, glancing over to his client, “you can answer the question.” He had a smug look as if he’d just proven his value.
“I went…” Billy trailed off. “I’m not sure what to say.”
Audrey smiled at him, the most genuine expression she’d given since walking into the room. She had some empathy for the mother and no empathy for Saul, but she could relate to the boy sitting scared in front of her.
“How about you tell me what happened beforehand?”
“Me and some friends decided we wanted to go get something from the convenience store.”
“Which friends?”
“I… I’m not sure I want to answer that.”
“Okay,” Audrey said as if it weren’t a problem, “tell me what happened.”
“We went into the store. I don’t know what I was thinking. I think I decided to—”
“Is this really necessary?” Saul said, breaking in. Audrey wasn’t surprised. “You don’t need to hear a confession from the kid. You’re not his priest. We all know what happened. I’m sure you saw the tape already.” His eyes narrowed. “You did, didn’t you?”
Audrey ignored the question. “I would like to hear it from the boy himself, if you don’t mind.” She had, in fact, watched the security camera footage, but she didn’t like Saul’s needling accusation. Answering it would result in more.
The mother was pale, and tears were forming in her eyes. She glanced at Audrey and then looked away.
“But I do mind!” Saul leaned forward, jamming a finger into the table. “You come late! You’re wasting our time rehashing—”
“If you want to talk turkey, I need to hear it from the boy’s mouth.” Audrey almost looked at the boy and told him he needed a better attorney but decided that would be inappropriate.
“We’re going—” Saul stood, but he was alone.
“I can tell her what happened,” Billy said in a small voice. “It’s okay.”
“You don’t have to!” Saul banged on the table as he sat back down. “You shouldn’t have to.”
Audrey refrained from rolling her eyes. The mother looked embarrassed.
“Please go on,” Audrey said after it was apparent Saul was done.
“I unzipped the backpack. I put the beer inside. I tried to walk out with it.”
“That’s when the shopkeeper confronted you?”
The boy nodded. He was pale now, with his arms folded in front of him.
“So, what happened next?”
“My friends were outside. They all ran.”
“And who are they?” Audrey asked, hoping the memory of their betrayal would loosen his tongue.
The boy said nothing.
“Fine. Just tell me why you did it?”
He shrugged. “Heard it tasted good.”
“You’ve tried it before?” The boy glanced at his mother. He started to shake his head, but then he stopped. “Yes, once.”
His mother gasped. “Where?”
“A friend’s house.”
“Which friend?” Ms. Wilder demanded.
“I’d rather not say.”
“Was it Kip’s place?”
He hesitated before finally nodding.
“Kip.” The mother muttered something, pulled out her phone, and acted like she would make a call but must have remembered where she was because she threw it back into her purse and turned her attention to Audrey.
“This is a serious matter,” Audrey said in an authoritative voice, wishing Saul wasn’t glaring at her. He was making it impossible to carry out this meeting in the way she’d planned.
“It’s hardly your place to lecture him,” Saul said. “You’re not the judge. Enough of this. If you have a deal, tell us, otherwise…” It looked like he was going to threaten that they’d walk again but had just remembered in time how well that had gone a moment ago.
Audrey gritted her teeth. As usual, Saul was making things worse for his clients while barely helping. It was not an unusual occurrence. She took a deep breath, let it out slowly, glanced at Saul, and then tried to avoid making eye contact with him further as she turned her focus to the boy.
“As I was saying, this is a serious thing. Shoplifting is a crime. Underage drinking is also—”
“You can’t prove that—”
“Mr. Boyle, please let me get a word out. You—”
“Save your sanctimony for the courtroom,” Saul said, venom practically dripping from his tongue.
Audrey would have asked to speak with Saul in private if he were anybody else. She knew from past experience this would do no good with Saul.
“Let’s talk about consequences,” Audrey said.
“Consequences?” Billy shuddered. “Am I going to prison?”
“Stop scaring him,” Saul interjected. “That beer wasn’t even $10.”
Audrey gritted her teeth. She gave Saul what she hoped was a pleasant smile and focused on the young boy. Chuck was now twenty-one. It wasn’t hard to remember him at this age. “If you were an adult, I would propose something different—”
“But he’s not an adult, is he?”
“Since you are still a minor, I will propose something more lenient.”
“Which is?” Saul demanded.
“I want to hear the story from you one more time,” Audrey said in a quiet voice. “Just once more, please, if you don’t mind.”
Saul held up his hand. “There’s no benefit to hearing it a second time.”
“Indulge me.”
Saul looked like he would argue the point further but then glanced at his watch. He must have realized he had another appointment he would be late for if he continued to drag this out.
There was a slight shift in Saul’s demeanor as he glanced over at Billy Wilder and gave a small nod. Audrey hid a smile. Perhaps it was to her benefit she’d arrived late. She’d have to remember it in the future when dealing with Saul Boyle.
“I just went into the store. I’m not sure what I was thinking. I just slipped the beer into the backpack and thought I could just walk out.”
“Was it your pack?”
Billy hesitated. “No.”
“Who else was with you?”
“I’m no tattletale.”
“What is this?” Saul demanded. “Are you trying to get him to testify against other boys in the neighborhood? Over $10.00? Is that what this is? You want him to turn state’s evidence?”
Audrey ignored Saul. “Underage drinking is a big problem. It could ruin your life before you even get started. I feel for the other boys who were in this with you.” She paused. “Those who left you holding their bag.”
“Come on, Spencer, is this necessary?” Saul shook his head. “There’s no need for my client to testify against 15-year-old boys. They’re just being kids.”
Audrey didn’t take her eyes off the boy.
“Answer me,” she gently prodded.
“He’ll do no such thing.”
“It’s not just for your own good. It’s for theirs, too.”
The boy swallowed. “I’m not gonna tell.”
“Was Kip one of the others?” Audrey asked, glancing at the boy’s mother, who seemed to be growing in anger. She, too, wanted an answer.
Billy hesitated before he finally gave a tiny nod. “Yes, he was there.”
“How many were there?”
“There were three others besides me.”
“What are the other names?”
“Jamie and Mark.”
The mother took careful note of each new name. Audrey hid another smile. She didn’t know if she would do anything about the other boys, but it looked like the mother certainly would.
“Who came up with the idea?”
“Kip. We went to his house because he promised us more beer, but he didn’t know they were out. He said it wasn’t a problem. We could just go get more.”
The mother took note of the word ‘more’ and did not look pleased. Whatever Audrey did would likely pale in comparison to the mother’s punishment.
“Who owned the backpack?”
“Kip.”
Audrey nodded. She felt like she was getting the truth out of him.
That’s what she’d wanted. She leaned back in her chair. She’d come in convinced that if this boy were her own son, she could get him to talk. If it wouldn’t have been for Saul looking at his watch and deciding he needed to be somewhere else, she doubted she could have gotten these final details out of the boy with the lawyer sitting beside him.
“Listen, Billy,” Audrey said, not looking at Saul. “It’s clear you were all in this together. Is that correct?”
“Where is this going?” Saul demanded.
She ignored the man. “It’s lucky for you you’re here today.” She leaned back in her chair.
“What is this?” Saul leaned forward. “We’re talking about a juvenile crime here. This is hardly—”
“How am I lucky?”
Audrey gave the boy a thin smile. “Because you’re going to learn a lesson the others won’t.”
“What lesson?”
“Community service. I have a list of several things you can choose from. You have to go every other Saturday for two months, just two hours each time. You’ll also need to pay a fine, but I’ll keep it small.”
Saul nodded as if he’d negotiated this. “Now we’re finally getting somewhere.”
“I wasn’t done. As part of the deal, you’re also going to meet with me once a month for the next six months.”
“This is highly unusual,” Saul said, frowning.
“I just want a report from the boy about how he is doing.”
“If I may—”
Audrey cut Saul off. “This is nonnegotiable.”
If I may? Look who’s suddenly polite now I’m handing him something he couldn’t negotiate if he tried.
Saul glanced at Billy. “It’s not a bad deal.”
Audrey’s phone rang. She took it out and was surprised to see Gregory Pope was calling. Her first instinct was to let it go to voice mail because she was in a meeting, but she couldn’t do that, not with everything Pope had going on.
She held up a finger. “I need to take this. I’ll be right back.”
She snapped the folder shut, slipping it under her arm as she walked out the door. She answered only after the door was closed behind her.
“Spencer, you there?” Pope asked.
“Yes.” She paused. “Any developments?”
“Several. They found the guy, and I’ve made a decision. You’re going to prosecute him.”
Audrey swallowed. She didn’t know what to say. She was flattered her boss had thought of her, but this could blow up in her face. Gregory Pope was a difficult man under the best of circumstances.
He didn’t ask, he told. That was another problem. Audrey hoped it wouldn’t set the tone for the case.
Pope grunted. “You there?”
“Are you sure I’m the right choice?” Audrey asked. “Don’t get me wrong, I want to make sure we get the guy, but wouldn’t it be better if an independent prosecutor were appointed?”
“I’ve already thought it through. You’re the one I want to do it. You’ll have free rein, and I won’t say anything to you.”
I don’t believe that for a second, Audrey thought, but how can I say no?
Pope had also dodged her question about an independent prosecutor. That wasn’t an accident.
She waited, weighing everything she knew.
“I’ll do it.”
“Excellent. The guy is here now. Come on down. I want you to watch while they interrogate him.”
“I’ll be right there.”
Audrey hesitated. She didn’t know what to make of this, but she needed to hurry.
She opened the door. “You guys have until tomorrow to think about this.”
“We’ve decided,” Ms. Wilder said, nodding at Billy.
“I’ll take it.”
“Perfect. The most important part is you’re here in my office on the first Thursday of every month at 3:00 PM. I’ll call to reschedule if I can’t make it.”
She shut the door just as Saul was commenting on how unusual of an arrangement it was, but she didn’t care. She would do everything she could to keep the boy from getting into trouble with the law again.
The Killer’s Club: Chapter 5
Audrey stayed as long as she could with Gregory Pope but eventually needed to get back to work. She had a 3:00 PM meeting for which she would already be late, even if she sped. She was surprised Pope came with her as far as the pedestrian bridge, quiet sobs occasionally escaping his otherwise stony demeanor.
“Thank you for coming, Spencer,” he said. “I won’t forget.”
Audrey nodded as she left without another word.
What was there to say?
She could still make out his figure as she walked away. The man stood resolute despite the heavy weight thrust upon him.
She was soon back in her car, keeping her foot on the gas pedal, rushing toward the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office.
Her phone rang, and she answered without looking to see who was calling by using the Bluetooth buttons on her steering wheel.
“Mom, is it true?” Chuck demanded.
The words brought Audrey back to reality. “Is what true?”
“Rachel Pope. Is she dead?”
Audrey hesitated. She didn’t know what to say, and she didn’t want to jeopardize her professional status by revealing confidential information.
The news would certainly get out.
“Where did you hear that?”
“Mom.”
Chuck had attended high school with Rachel. They had even dated briefly during that awkward stage when kids start going together.
He deserved the truth, not dissembling words.
“You can’t tell anybody, not until you read about it in the newspaper—”
“So it is true! This is horrible. How did it happen?”
“I can’t say more. Again, it’s very important—”
“Who did this?”
“It’s difficult to say at this point. There’s not much we know. I can’t comment on what we do know.”
“But—”
“I’m sorry. I wish I could say more, but I can’t. I also can’t talk long. I have a meeting I can’t change. I’m—”
“Thanks for nothing.” He hung up.
Audrey sighed but wasn’t offended or surprised. Of her two sons, Chuck was more likely to overreact, but he was always sweet afterward if he did something rude. This particular flaw had infuriated her over the years because she’d tried many times to help him, but it hadn’t gotten much better.
By the time she saw him, she knew he would apologize for hanging up. He would also shamelessly try to wheedle out any other information he could.
She hesitated for only a moment before pressing a button on the car’s dashboard screen, calling her husband.
He answered on the second ring.
“Well, isn’t this a surprise,” Jim said pleasantly. “The great Deputy District Attorney Audrey Spencer doesn’t usually have time to call her husband in the middle of the day.”
“Rachel Pope is dead.”
“What?”
“Chuck just called, apparently he heard a rumor about it somewhere, not sure where, but if you could reach out—”
“Of course, sorry to hear about this. How’s Pope doing?”
“Not well. I just came from the crime scene.”
“What can I do?” He paused. It appeared he was typing something on his computer. “My afternoon is free if you need anything.”
Jim was a lawyer, too. He practiced civil litigation. It was part of why Audrey had focused on practicing criminal law. There was already more friction than necessary with two argumentative lawyers in the family. They didn’t need to be looking over each other’s shoulders, too, trying to backseat drive each other’s cases. They both had a high-level understanding of the other’s practice area, and Jim had even started out as a prosecutor many years ago, but it was different from knowing the daily nitty-gritty.
“Unfortunately, I can’t think of anything right now. I have a meeting I can’t reschedule.” She paused and tried to remember who it was with but couldn’t summon the information. “I’m already late.”
“I understand. I’ll call Chuck. Let me know when you know more. Are you working late tonight?”
“I don’t think so. I won’t be assigned this case. I’m too new.”
Who will handle it?
She didn’t envy whoever Gregory chose to lead the case against his daughter’s murderer. She wouldn’t be selected for such a high-profile case so shortly after coming to work at the District Attorney’s Office.
“For some reason, I thought you were running the case.” He let out an obvious sigh of relief. “I can’t tell you how glad I am you aren’t.”
Audrey bristled.
Why can’t it be me?
The feeling didn’t last. Gregory Pope was already a difficult man to work for. She didn’t want to know what it would be like prosecuting his daughter’s murderer.
That was best left to somebody else.
“We’ll talk soon, honey,” she said before disconnecting.
April 27, 2022
The Killer’s Club: Chapter 4
It was always a mix of emotions for Audrey to perform her duties as a Deputy District Attorney, though she didn’t want it to be. This was something she’d expected on an intellectual level when she took the job but was not something she’d understood until she started digging into the nitty-gritty of the cases, sifting through all the horrid details that she’d prefer not to face but knew she must to properly execute her responsibilities.
This was not like TV, not even a little.
It wasn’t anywhere close to all those countless court cases on late-night television she’d watched as a child growing up and then while attending college.
This was real.
Real people’s lives were forever affected, both by the crime and the aftermath.
A real person had been murdered.
Rachel Pope is dead.
In the back of Audrey’s mind, there was some part of her that was elated to actually be at a crime scene like this for the first time, but that thought was fleeting and fled far and fast when she glanced over at the difficulty her boss, Gregory Pope, had while wading forward with each step. She was ashamed it ever entered her mind as she followed Pope up the stairs and onto the trail. It was a good hike, and they passed a stone bridge that went to the left before they ran into a line of police officers who waited twenty feet back from a small clearing on the right of the trail. More police tape had been put up across the dirt path, tied to trees on either side. She suspected this was because of Pope’s presence.
Rachel Pope’s body lay beneath a river hawthorn tree. She was covered with a white plastic sheet, which Audrey suspected was done because of Gregory Pope. Audrey was glad for it because it gave the man a way to deal with the situation without having to directly face all that had been done to his daughter.
Based on what little she saw poking out from underneath the plastic sheet, Audrey deduced Rachel had been jogging through the park when she was attacked.
A knife was five feet away in the dirt with the point down. The handle made her think of a medieval dagger. It was possible the perp had dropped it, but more likely, he’d stabbed it into the ground before fleeing.
Why?
Audrey’s eyes narrowed as she looked from the body to the knife’s position.
Accidental or intentional? She forced herself to remain open to both possibilities, even though she naturally gravitated toward one.
Did the perp want the knife to be found? Was he concerned it might be missed? She refrained from glancing at Gregory Pope. Or was it a message to the venerable District Attorney?
That was probably going too far, but she made a mental note of it still the same.
She took in a deep breath as she tried to soak it all in. It was now just after 2:45 PM. It was fifty-five, maybe sixty degrees. Jacket weather for some, but not coat. It had been half an hour since Walzer had found Audrey in the prison parking lot. She pegged the time of death between 12:30 PM and 1:45 PM.
But it’s the middle of the day, Audrey thought, looking around. It’s busy here. It was more likely from 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM. She doubted Rachel could have been here longer than forty-five minutes without being discovered.
There was blood on the trail, a smear on the ground to where Rachel lay. The river hawthorn tree itself looked unharmed.
Did the perp drag her body over there? If so, why? The tree was ten feet high and thick, but it didn’t hide the body, not even close.
Rachel was on her back with her hands at her side. She probably would have been on her belly if she’d moved herself.
Audrey was startled when somebody grabbed her hand. She looked down and saw Pope had taken hold of it. He was gripping so tight she feared he might break a bone. Audrey grasped back, and when their eyes met, gave him a firm nod as if to say everything would be fine even though it would never be okay again.
The Killer’s Club: Chapter 3
Audrey couldn’t stay away even though common sense told her she probably should. She’d known of Gregory Pope for the better part of two decades. She couldn’t say she liked the man, but she felt empathy for him. He’d also offered her the job over other qualified candidates. There weren’t many employers who looked at a mother’s employment history with breaks like hers and put them on the front lines.
She was more than grateful for the opportunity and couldn’t just turn her back in his time of need.
Stephen Walzer had told her which park—the Miller Bird Refuge and Nature Park—but little else before he dashed toward the prison because he was late for a meeting.
She quickly located the police cars upon her arrival at the park and soon identified a large crowd formed outside a line of yellow crime scene tape put up by the police.
Audrey parked off Bonneview Drive and took a deep breath before she got out, stood straight, and went to face the world.
She had no idea what to expect as she approached.
She couldn’t say whether it was because people recognized her or if it was her naturally confident walk and professional appearance that made them move out of the way, but she easily made her way through the crowd and up to the line of yellow tape tied across two metal handrails at the top of a set of stairs. She paused at the tape, wondering if she should push her way through.
“What’s this about?” Kennedy McClellan said as she sidled up to Audrey. She was a reporter from a local newspaper. “You know who this is?”
“No comment,” Audrey said as she pushed up the police tape, hesitated for only a moment, and stepped over to the other side before descending the stairs.
It technically wasn’t her job to come here today, but she went on because her instincts told her Gregory Pope would be somewhere on the other side, even though it would be best for him to keep away.
“What’s this about?” Kennedy called after her.
Audrey ignored the woman. She sometimes got the feeling Kennedy tried to play on their shared experience of mothers returning to the workforce to dig information out of the District Attorney’s Office. Audrey hadn’t yet given her anything and didn’t intend to start now.
She was about to show her identification to an officer who was waiting on a wooden pedestrian bridge, but he waved her through after writing down her name and having her sign the log.
Audrey felt a flush of pride that the man knew who she was and didn’t even hesitate, but she immediately quashed it because of the desperate circumstances she was walking into.
The next person she saw was Gregory Pope. He stood alone at the end of the bridge, looking up at a flight of concrete stairs embedded into the hill.
She stopped and studied the man. He was red in the face, clenching his fists, and fuming. He hadn’t yet noticed her, and an officer walking by stepped fast to get out of his presence.
Nobody headed toward him.
For a moment, she was back in her interview with Gregory Pope. The man had apparently come from a heated meeting before walking in to meet her. She’d already had other interviews with the HR department and other attorneys in the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office, but he would make the final decision. He sat down across from her after she’d been kept waiting for nearly ten minutes. He’d been red in the face back then, too. His thick jaw thrust out as he frowned. He opened the folder in front of them, reviewed her resume, and then stared at her like he was trying to discover every law she’d ever broken.
She wanted to run and hide but refused to be cowed by this mountain of a man who’d made himself a legend within the city.
Nobody of consequence had bothered to challenge him the last time he’d run for election. He didn’t even run on a party platform, never had, but the word ‘independent’ didn’t apply to him either.
He was a force unto himself.
“And why should I hire you?” Gregory Pope had asked with a sneer as if only considering it because he had a quota to fill.
Audrey took one look at the man, inhaled deeply, and then said, “Because you’re a pain, and I’m still applying.”
Gregory stared for a long moment before he snorted and then let out a full-bellied laugh. She couldn’t tell if he was laughing at her, the snarky statement, or her determination.
“You get the job. We’ll see how long you last.”
He didn’t ask another question or say another word as he left.
Audrey sat in stunned silence, surprised she’d just achieved a professional dream.
Gregory Pope turned to look at her as the wind rustled the leaves overhead, bringing her back to the present. She took a deep breath and walked up to the seasoned District Attorney. She wouldn’t be pulling out any snark today and might not for a long time whenever she was around the man.
“Pope, I’m so sorry.” It came naturally for her to put a hand on his arm in a comforting way, but how does one comfort a man who is as prickly as a cactus? She expected him to yank his arm back, but he didn’t.
He gave a solemn nod.
“Audrey.” He looked at her before staring through her. “I have no words.”
“Have you been…” Audrey couldn’t find the right words to ask if he’d been up the hill to see the body of his dead daughter.
“I can’t bring myself to go, but I can’t walk away either. I don’t know how long I’ve been standing here.” One single tear rolled down his cheek and dropped onto his shirt. This might not have been much expression for another man, but it was an avalanche for him. “My baby is up there. She needs me.” He shook his head, another tear coming. “I can’t fail her now.”
“You want me to go for you?” “No. I’ll go. But I’d appreciate it if you come, too.”
The Killer’s Club: Chapter 2
Audrey always felt a sense of relief when she walked out of the prison. That was momentary because then they headed toward the parking lot, where the dread was somehow worse. She and Thane McMurtry had talked pleasantly on their way through the security checkpoints and as they walked out to the lot.
Thane had no way of knowing just how much Audrey appreciated his presence. It helped distract her from the time she’d seen a mother pushing a little boy into a car as he called out for his daddy. The scene had torn at Audrey’s heart. What made it worse was when she’d realized it was the family of a man she’d prosecuted for armed robbery.
The memory still haunted her.
The accused had taken a plea bargain but still had four years to go before he’d be out on the street again.
What would happen to his boy in the meantime?
That was the question Audrey couldn’t answer. And even though she knew better, she still felt responsible.
“This is where I must leave you,” McMurtry said a moment later. “I’m up that way.” He turned. “Give my regards to Jim.”
“Will do.”
Audrey frowned as Thane disappeared. In her mind, the parking lot was worse than the prison because at least when she was inside, she didn’t risk seeing something like that.
Had the little boy’s mother known Audrey was the prosecutor on her husband’s case? Was that why she’d rushed to get her boy into the car?
She tried not to speed to her car but found herself slipping and increasing her speed. Whenever she did, she forced herself to slow down. She arched her back and looked straight ahead. Even at her diminutive height of five-foot-four-inches, she owned every last inch.
She was opening the door and trying to slip inside as quickly as possible when somebody called out her name.
“Audrey!”
She grimaced as she slipped her briefcase onto the driver’s seat, leaving the door open.
That was when she recognized the voice.
Stephen Walzer.
She hid another grimace as she turned to face him and put what she hoped was a pleasant smile on her face. It disappeared the moment she saw him.
“Audrey, do you have a second?” Stephen was pale. The cocky man who usually walked all over her actually looked like he’d been brought down a peg or two.
Had he recently lost a case?
She didn’t think he currently had an active trial.
“What is it?” Audrey didn’t like the breathlessness in her voice, but there was nothing she could do about it. She took a silent gulp as she studied the man.
Stephen didn’t appear to notice.
“Did you hear?”
“Hear what?”
“The boss’s daughter.”
“What?” Audrey asked, a sinking in her chest as she recognized the expression on Stephen’s face.
It could only mean one thing…
“She was just found. Murdered.”
The Killer’s Club: Chapter 1
Audrey Spencer folded her arms and leaned back in her chair as she regarded the two men sitting across the table from her. The air had gone cold, despite the stifling heat of the small room.
“Excuse me?” Audrey could barely keep the consternation from her voice. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been called such a word, if ever. She was no stranger to angry outbursts, but she hadn’t tolerated such behavior from her boys, and she certainly wouldn’t put up with it here.
Not without severe consequences.
“You heard me,” Lyle Bennett said.
Lyle wore an orange jumpsuit, and his hands were shackled to the table. He gave her an unpleasant smile. His teeth were stained yellow and seemed to have something growing on them. She could smell his breath from three feet away, and his odor had entered the room ahead of him when escorted in by the prison guards. He was in prison for a different crime and had recently been charged with the new crime that had brought Audrey here today.
She and Thane McMurtry, Lyle Bennett’s defense attorney, had exchanged pleasantries before Lyle was shown into the room. McMurtry was a talented lawyer. Audrey had worked with him on several matters before joining the District Attorney’s Office and had worked opposite him multiple times since.
McMurtry was a straight shooter who didn’t take advantage of his opponent’s mistakes, something Audrey was grateful for as she pushed back into the daily grind of a demanding full-time job. He also zealously represented his clients, even when they didn’t deserve it.
Thane had requested this conference, so it surprised her when he didn’t immediately start off talking about a plea bargain while they waited for Lyle.
Audrey could tell he wanted his client present before they spoke of anything substantive.
Now Lyle was in the room and she had a better take on him—there was only so much she could glean from a photograph—she better understood McMurtry’s reason for requesting this meeting.
McMurtry had a hard time keeping a neutral face as he studied Audrey to gauge her reaction to Lyle Bennett’s insult.
At first, Audrey wondered if perhaps McMurtry had put Bennett up to this, but as she continued to watch Bennett and analyze McMurtry’s face, she recognized this was an inaccurate assessment.
McMurtry didn’t look surprised, but he also didn’t look complicit.
What’s going on? Audrey wondered as she stared at Lyle, who continued to grin with his fuzzy yellow teeth.
“If you say something like that to me again, Mr. Bennett,” Audrey finally said after she’d considered how to respond appropriately, “I will walk out right now, and I will do everything I can to seek the death penalty.”
Lyle Bennett smiled as if he enjoyed taunting her and opened his mouth, but his attorney cleared his throat and spoke over him.
“Mrs. Spencer, please excuse my client’s lack of respect. I fear he knows no better.”
Lyle gave a ferocious roar and made as if to jump across the table at Audrey. His chains restrained him only so much, but she didn’t move, though he came within several inches of her before the guards burst into the room and restrained him, forcing him back into his chair.
“Down!” she said. “Down right now, or this is over.”
Audrey tilted her head to the side and gave McMurtry a frown that seemed to suggest he had a hand in this, even though the implication probably wasn’t fair. Thane returned to his chair—Audrey hadn’t noticed him standing—but scooted it away from his client as if afraid the man might lash out at him too.
Thane looked pained when his client jumped and was forced into the chair again. One guard warned Lyle that any more bad behavior would cause immediate termination of Lyle’s presence at the meeting.
“I got to talk to the lawyer!”
“Even one more outburst, and you won’t be allowed in the same room with this woman until trial.” The guard was massive and had a scar on his neck that bulged as he spoke. “That includes any more names. Last chance.”
Unhinged, Audrey thought.
If she had to describe Lyle Bennett with one word, that is the word she’d choose. From his wispy hair, to his sickening teeth, to his unkempt presence, to his detestable smell, everything about this man made her think something was seriously wrong with him.
But is that what Bennett wants me to think?
“We certainly have an interesting situation,” Audrey said slowly. “I came prepared to talk about a plea bargain, Mr. Bennett, but I’m now convinced that’s the wrong approach.” She watched Lyle’s face closely for what came next. “I’m going to request a psych eval—”
“I’m not crazy!” Lyle jumped up and lunged for her, but the guards were faster. They slammed Lyle down into his chair, held him down, radioed for help, and within minutes, the guards plus two more dragged Lyle Bennett from the room.
“I apologize for that,” McMurtry said once Lyle had gone. “On the psychological evaluation, I don’t think I’ll oppose it.”
Audrey stared at Thane McMurtry for several moments. She got the idea Thane had requested this meeting because he wanted her to see his client specifically, so she would make this recommendation.
“I didn’t hear anything unusual about his arraignment.” Audrey had only recently been assigned to this case, so she was coming in after the fact. “Are we sure he hasn’t developed a condition since?”
“No comment.”
Audrey gave McMurtry a pleasant smile as she packed her briefcase and stood. “Are you representing this guy pro bono?”
The question did more than an accusation would have.
“Unfortunately, yes. I’m afraid this will require more work than I initially expected.”
Audrey nodded, her suspicions confirmed. McMurtry was trying to save on expenses by having her use state funds to request a psych evaluation. He probably wouldn’t involve his own expert if he was happy with what came back.
Audrey couldn’t blame him. She’d faced similar circumstances in private practice where she needed to get something done but couldn’t find the funds.
“Good seeing you, Thane.”
“Likewise. I just wish it were under different circumstances.” He nodded at the door. “Can I walk you out?”
April 26, 2022
The Killer’s Club is now out!
Audrey Spencer has landed her dream job as a Deputy District Attorney and is settling into the career change when the daughter of District Attorney Gregory Pope is found stabbed to death in a nearby park.
THE NEWEST DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY IS ASSIGNED TO THE CASE.
Nobody could have been more surprised than Audrey when Pope assigns her to handle the case. Uncertain about Pope’s motivation and assuming he hopes to influence how the case proceeds, Audrey jumps in with both feet to the most high-profile case of her career.
It isn’t long before Audrey realizes this case comes with more obstacles than she initially realized. The list of potential suspects is pages long. She must deal with office politics, something she hates. Her boss Gregory Pope–good intentions notwithstanding–is doing more harm than good.
CAN SHE BRING THE KILLER TO JUSTICE?
Armed with only her wits, experience, and determination to find justice, Audrey will see this through to the end, whatever the cost.
Just when she thinks she has the case figured out, the murderer strikes again, throwing cold water on her theory.
Can she catch the killer before he murders a third time?
April 25, 2022
April 12, 2022
Mitch Turner Like You’ve Never Heard him before!
The Good Client Audiobook is now out and available at Amazon, Audible, and Itunes. Mitch Turner has been brought to life by Eric G. Dove, who did an awesome job with the narration. You can check out the audible version here.
April 6, 2022
Kindle Daily Deal: The Good Client
Amazon is featuring The Good Client as a Kindle Daily Deal today, 4/6/2022 for just $0.99. You can pick it up here!
