By reason of insanity

34

Cat proceeded like a zombie through processing and booking for the second time in less than two weeks. This time, she was a murder suspect. She still couldn't wrap her mind around this new reality. She was in shock, too stunned to feel even the tiniest sliver of emotion. She tried to clear her mind and think logically.

They took her into the interview room to meet with Jamarcus and another detective, and Cat just wanted to pour out her heart. This is a huge mistake-can't you see that? How can you think for a second that I would do something like this? Hook me up to a lie detector right now, right here, and I'll show you how ridiculous this all is.

Instead, she calmly asked for her lawyer.

"Okay," said Jamarcus, his voice registering disappointment. "But we can't help you if you don't talk to us."

"I want to talk with my lawyer first," Cat insisted.

Two hours later, Cat found herself sitting in a small cubicle on the opposite side of thick, bulletproof glass from Marc Boland. Just the sight of Bo, with his imposing presence and self-assured manner, began to calm Cat's raging nerves.

"It's gonna be all right" were the first words out of his mouth. He opened his briefcase and removed a yellow legal pad and pen. "You okay?" he asked.

Cat shrugged. "Not really. I just can't believe this…" Her lip trembled as she fought to keep the tears at bay.

"Boyd Gates made a huge mistake," Bo said calmly. "He rushed the arrest. Cracked under the media pressure."

The words were like balm to Cat. She knew it had to be a mistake. But to hear her lawyer say almost those precise words…

"Assuming nothing changes, we'll demand our right to a speedy trial," Bo continued.

Trial?

"They don't have squat on you. We may waive the preliminary hearing and go straight to trial." Bo labeled the top of his first page. Catherine read his writing upside down. Client conference. Commonwealth v. O'Rourke.

"I've already talked to Gates," Bo explained. "He's determined to see this through despite the weaknesses in his case. Here's the way this works. I start by telling you what I know about the commonwealth's evidence. You think it over for a few minutes and then tell me everything, from the beginning."

Cat nodded. She had regained a razor-thin semblance of control. "Okay."

"Including the name of your source, though I'm pretty sure I already know."

Cat wondered how Bo could possibly know. "Okay," she said tentatively.

"Good. Now, I need to warn you," Bo said, "this might sound pretty devastating. But trust me, it's not going to get you convicted."

Cat tensed, her stomach flipping again. What could they possibly have?

"They did a preliminary mitochondrial DNA analysis on a piece of hair found on the flap of the envelope that the Avenger sent to the Richmond Times."

Bo hesitated and Cat knew what was coming. The thought of it squeezed her head and caused the room to spin.

"The DNA results indicate that your hair was on that envelope. They matched it to DNA from saliva on a water glass you drank from earlier last week. Detective Jamarcus Webb is prepared to testify about the chain of custody for the glass."

Cat gasped. Betrayed by Jamarcus?

"After the arraignment tomorrow, they're going to ask for another swab sample to confirm those tests," Bo continued. "We'll need to come up with an explanation for that DNA evidence. But apart from that, they've got no body and no motive. Just one piece of hair on an envelope, coupled with your visions about the two kidnappings."

DNA evidence. Psychotic visions. To Cat, it felt like the jury had already pronounced her guilt.