Lassiter

69 Breaking the Conspiracy

Judge Duckworth’s chambers were a quiet place with the scent of leather furniture and old books. A pair of sheriff’s deputies guarded the door, one on the inside, one on the outside.

Her Honor wasted no time. As soon as the court stenographer had set up her little machine, the judge started in. “Mr. Castiel, do you have anything to say about the accusations made against you under oath in my courtroom?”

Stone-faced, the State Attorney said, “Not until I speak to my lawyer.”

“Fine. You are hereby removed from this case. I’m declaring a mistrial on my own motion. I expect the Governor will suspend you, instanter, pending an investigation. I’m ordering the defendant released from custody and strongly recommending to your replacement that charges be dismissed with prejudice.”

Yes! That’s what I wanted to hear. The case was won, or nearly so.

“In the meantime, I am instructing the county sheriff that you be barred from the State Attorney’s Office. All files of this case will be sealed until an acting State Attorney is appointed. Do you have any questions?”

“May I be excused to call my lawyer?”

“Not yet.” The judge turned to me and left her smile at home. “Mr. Lassiter, I have never been a fan of your courtroom methods.”

Ouch.

“But today, you really showed something in there.”

Oh.

“Thank you, Your Honor.”

“You’ve come a long way. Since that time you scored a touchdown for the wrong team, I mean.”

“Safety,” I corrected her.

“That’s it, then. We’re in adjournment.” She rose and flew out of her chambers, robes trailing, looking like a nun on her way to Mass.

Castiel and I got to our feet at the same time. He seemed to stumble a bit. I didn’t know if his knees buckled, if he tripped on the chair leg, or if he was having a stroke. I caught him by the elbow, and he yanked away from me. We stood there a moment, eyeing each other. His complexion had gone all sallow under his tan, and his eyes were blank and bottomless.

“Go ahead, Jake. Say it.”

“Okay. You turn my stomach. You want me to go on? Because that’s just the tip of the iceberg.”

“I didn’t kill Max.”

“Like they say, tell it to the judge.”

“Max Perlow did everything for me that Meyer couldn’t do. To think that I’d kill him because I was afraid he’d flip on me, it’s crazy. I loved the man.”

“It’s a good argument. I’ll try to be in the gallery when your lawyer makes it.”

“Goddammit, Jake. I’m being framed, can’t you see that?”

“I doubt Charlie Ziegler is smart enough or tough enough to do it.”

“He had help from Krista. I figure her for the shooter.”

“You’re pissing upwind, Alex.”

I started to leave, and this time, he grabbed my arm. “Ziegler’s the way in, Jake. He’s the weak link.”

“In where? Link to what? What the hell are you talking about?”

“Breaking the conspiracy. Proving they used you and framed me.”

“Good luck with that, Alex. Let me know how it turns out.”

“A long time ago, you had a dirtbag client and you did the right thing.”

“A wire? That’s what you want me to do?”

“Your brethren hated you for it, but you didn’t care. You wear your cynicism on your sleeve, but deep down, you believe in the system. You believe in justice.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “I’ve always admired that about you, because I don’t believe in anything.”

“So you admit you’re corrupt?”

“Maybe it’s in the Lansky genes, but yeah, I’m dirty.”

“You can’t blame your old man for this. It’s you, Alex.”

“Okay, I’m corrupt. Through and through. Happy now?”

“And you admit you beat Krista within an inch of her life?”

“I was strung out on meth and coke.”

“So now you’re blaming the drugs?”

“I nearly killed her. It’s on me, I admit it, okay?”

“So why would I help you?”

He spoke through gritted teeth. “Because they used you, Jake. Krista’s grand entrance into the courtroom. Charlie all shocked. The phony alibi. You think that wasn’t planned?”

“No idea. All I know is that you’re a worthless piece of scum.”

“But I didn’t kill Max, Jake. I swear to God I didn’t.”