Let Me Call You Sweetheart

47

Kerry was barely settled in her office Wednesday morning when her secretary told her that Frank Green wanted to see her.

He did not waste words. “What happened, Kerry? I understand that. the governor has postponed presenting the nominations for judgeship. The indication was that he was having a problem with your inclusion. Is something wrong? Is there anything I can do?”

Well, yes, as a matter of fact there is, Frank, Kerry thought. You can tell the governor that you welcome any inquiry that might reveal a gross miscarriage of justice, even if you’re left with egg on your face. You could be a stand-up guy, Frank.

Instead she said, “Oh, I’m sure it will all go through soon.”

“You’re not on the outs with Senator Hoover, are you?”

“He’s one of my closest friends.”

As she turned to go, the prosecutor said, “Kerry, it stinks to be twisting in the wind, waiting for these appointments. Hey, I’ve got my own nomination coming up. Right? I get nightmares hoping it doesn’t get screwed up somewhere.”

She nodded and left him.

Back in her office, she tried desperately to keep her mind on the trial schedule. The grand jury had just indicted a suspect in a bungled gas station holdup. The charge was attempted murder and armed robbery. The attendant had been shot and was still in intensive care. If he didn’t make it, the charge would be upgraded to murder.

Yesterday the appeals court had overturned the guilty verdict of a woman convicted of manslaughter. That had been another high-profile case, but the appeals court decision that the defense had been incompetent at least did not reflect badly on the prosecutor.

They had planned that Robin would hold the Bible when she was sworn in. Jonathan and Grace had insisted that they would buy her judicial robes, a couple of everyday ones and a special one for ceremonial occasions. Margaret kept reminding her that, as her best friend, she would be allowed to hold the robe Kerry would wear that day and assist her in putting it on. “I, Kerry McGrath, do solemnly swear that I will…

Tears stung her eyes as she heard Jonathan’s impatient voice again. Kerry, five appeals courts have found Reardon guilty. What’s the matter with you? Well, he was right. Later this morning, she would call him and tell him that she had dropped the whole matter.

She became aware that someone had knocked on her door several times. Impatiently she brushed the backs of her hands across her eyes and called, “Come in.”

It was Joe Palumbo. “You’re one smart lady, Kerry.”

“I’m not so sure. What’s up?”

“You said it occurred to you to wonder if Dr. Smith ever did any work on his daughter.”

“He all but denied it, Joe. I told you that.”

“I know you did, and you also had me check on Suzanne’s background. Well, listen to this.”

With a flourish, Joe laid a tape recorder on the desk. “This is most of my call to Mr. Wayne Stevens, Suzanne Reardon’s stepfather.” He pressed the button.

As Kerry listened, she felt a new wave of confusion and conflicting emotions sweep over her. Smith’s a liar, she thought as she remembered his outrage at even the suggestion that he had performed any surgical procedure on his daughter. He’s a liar and he’s a good actor.

When the recorded conversation was finished, Palumbo smiled in anticipation. “What next, Kerry?”

“I don’t know,” she said slowly.

“You don’t know? Smith’s lying.”

“We don’t know that yet. Let’s wait for those pictures from Stevens before we get too excited. Lots of teenagers suddenly blossom after they get a good haircut and a makeover at a salon.”

Palumbo looked at her in disbelief. “Sure they do. And pigs have wings.”