The Verdict, page 5
I thought again about the warning that some in the police department had it out for me. I didn’t know what this meant, but I’d spent countless hours worrying about it.
I doubted they’d try to come at me through Barbara, but it wasn’t outside the realm of possibility, so I didn’t immediately discount the thought, as outlandish as it seemed.
Winston nodded. “Any theories on who could have done this?” He paused and stared at me, lowering his voice to a barely audible whisper. “Assuming Barbara didn’t.”
I gave him such a disdainful look that Winston held his hands to either side. “I’m just saying it’s a possibility, and you should remain open to it.”
I took a breath to calm the storm within.
I’d asked Barbara to stay fifteen feet back, but she had exceptional hearing. I needed to respond to Winston, but I couldn’t undercut the confidence I’d shown in her innocence. She was hanging on by a thread. I refused to do anything that might send her over the edge.
“I will,” I whispered back so quietly Winston might not have actually heard me. It was a good thing he could read lips. He didn’t ask me to repeat it.
I hadn’t explained to Winston that I wasn’t planning to represent this case all the way to trial, and I didn’t feel inclined to do so now because I wanted him to treat this as if it would be an active case we’d run to ground.
I wanted him to give it his full focus.
“This undoubtedly has something to do with Thomas Guyton’s chosen profession.” I leaned in, mostly to emphasize that I wanted him to keep this close to the chest, not because there was anybody nearby who could overhear. “Barbara has either been set up by them, or she’s collateral damage. Either way, the most reasonable explanation is that this has something to do with Guyton’s business dealings. That’s our top priority. We must look into them.”
“I suppose that theory could hold some water, considering what we know about his cousin.”
I nodded down the hall. “Stephanie Gray was investigating Thomas Guyton before any of this happened, even before I told her about Marc Guyton. It appears it’s a family business, at least to some extent. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn Thomas Guyton was working for Marc Guyton. It might even be the other way around. Who knows?”
“You want me to focus on the victim’s family?”
“Start there and work your way out, seeing if you can figure out his professional associations.”
“Will do.” Winston started to walk away and then pulled back, waiting until he had my full attention. “I shouldn’t have to say this, but you should ditch this case. There’s plenty of talented attorneys in this city. You just have to find another.”
I nodded as he walked away.
“What was that about?” Barbara asked.
I turned, not realizing she’d come over.
I immediately felt a stab of panic. How much had she heard? Judging by her face, it didn’t appear she’d overheard us talking about the possibility she could have done it or how the police were investigating Thomas.
I’d asked her to wait down the hall while I’d spoken with Winston because she’d looked overwhelmed. I was concerned the strain would soon be too much, and she’d crack from the pressure.
She didn’t do well when she got stressed. I didn’t want to predict what might come of it. I just wanted to alleviate anything I could, hoping to keep everything even keel.
Before I could answer, Stephanie popped out of the apartment and headed toward us.
“Is your client willing to answer a few more questions? I want to know more about how she got his blood on her.”
“You do recall Barbara told you about how she tried to save Guyton’s life when she found him on the floor, right?”
Stephanie nodded, but the skepticism on her face was plain. “Obviously.”
I didn’t want to subject Barbara to more questioning but couldn’t see a way around it. I wanted the next attorney on the case to point out how Barbara willingly participated in their investigation to negate how she’d cleaned up after trying to save Guyton’s life.
It was always my inclination to fight tooth and nail with the police, but I wanted to get Barbara out of this as quickly and efficiently as possible. That would be most easily done if Stephanie and the others got it into their minds that she had nothing to hide.
I’m sure she didn’t do it, I thought. I took in a deep breath and looked over at Barbara.
“You okay with this, Barb?” I asked.
“I can answer more questions.”
9
Barbara and I entered the elevator several hours later. After Stephanie finished her last round of questions, she asked us to wait until they gave us permission to leave.
Technically speaking, we could have left at any time. That’s the beauty of being an American citizen with constitutional rights. The only way they could detain Barbara was to arrest her.
But I was trying hard not to rile them up, so we stuck around until Stephanie gave us the green light.
I wanted Stephanie to recognize Barbara had fully cooperated with everything she’d wanted, except for the one question we’d told her we’d get back to her on.
If things went the way I wanted, Barbara might never need to answer that question, particularly if they homed in on the actual killer.
Stephanie had been investigating Thomas Guyton before this had happened, but she’d refused to tell me much about the investigation. Even so, it was easy to believe this murder was related to drugs because of Marc Guyton’s business. Stephanie was likely frustrated that the target of her investigation had been murdered. She hadn’t told me that, but I knew her well enough to guess.
Stephanie didn’t like it when things got in the way of her plans. There was every reason to believe Stephanie had been assembling a case against Thomas Guyton and had planned to arrest him shortly after they’d gotten everything squared away with the Marc Guyton case.
I should’ve earned some goodwill with Stephanie since I’d served Marc Guyton up on a silver platter, complete with a witness who had intimate knowledge of his business dealings and would testify against him, but I wouldn’t count on it.
In her mind, the two things might not be connected, even though there was obviously a connection.
I just hoped Stephanie didn’t let her frustration bleed into her analysis.
I was certain once Stephanie had adequate time to think through everything we’d told her, she’d realize there was no way Barbara could have had anything to do with Thomas Guyton’s death.
“Can you take me to the downtown Marriott, Mitch?” Barbara asked as we stepped off the elevator into the lobby.
I nodded. I’d been planning to offer. “Is it okay if you leave your car here?”
“Thomas gave me a parking pass—”
A silent warning bell went off in my head.
What were the chances the killer knew Barbara had a permit for the underground parking lot?
If they wanted to ensure she went down for Guyton’s death, they’d place incriminating evidence in her car.
“We need to look at your car,” I said. “And then we’re gonna move it.”
Barbara frowned. “Why? Do you think that—”
“Let’s just look.”
Several minutes later, we walked out into the parking garage. Barbara led me to her car. When she clicked the key fob button to unlock it, I kept her from opening the door.
“We’ll look through the windows first. Make sure there isn’t anything there.”
Barbara gave me a strange look. “I’m sure it’s fine.”
“Humor me.”
I first examined the driver’s door handle, looking for any signs it had been marked with blood or something like that. I was relieved when I saw nothing of the sort. I went around to all the other handles and the trunk but found nothing.
“I think you’re being too cautious, Mitch,” Barbara said.
“Step away from the car!”
We both turned to see Stephanie approaching with two uniformed police officers in tow.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“Did you really think I’d just let you drive outta here with Thomas Guyton’s car?”
I shook my head. “This isn’t Guyton’s car. It’s Barbara’s.”
“It’s parked in his spot.”
“Thomas has—” Barbara paused. “Thomas had two parking spots. He let me use one.” She tapped the rear window, pointing to a decal that showed she had parking privileges.
“We have to search the car,” Stephanie said.
“Now, look here,” I said, standing in Stephanie’s way. “This is private property. You can’t search this without a warrant.”
Stephanie frowned. “I wasn’t certain Barbara had something to do with this until I saw that look on your face, Mitch.”
“What are you talking about?”
“There is something in that car you don’t want us to see, isn’t there?”
“That’s not it at all.” My hands naturally clenched into fists. I forced them open and put them at my side. “Detective Gray, we’ve been most accommodating. We waited around, so Barbara was on hand to answer questions because you asked us to do so.”
“Why are you giving me so much resistance on this, Mitch? I want to see the inside of the car right now.”
“Get a warrant.”
“The way you two are acting makes me think I have probable cause.”
“Since when is it suspicious to demand her rights?”
“If you want to talk about accommodating, think about how I didn’t arrest your ex-girlfriend right there on the spot. When we showed up, we found the victim’s blood all over her and bloody paper towels tossed into a corner.”
“He was shot. She tried to save his life until she realized it was too late.”
I took a breath and a step back.
What was I doing?
The only thing I was accomplishing was stoking Stephanie’s fire, and that was the last thing she needed.
She’d just been denied a major arrest and was now trying to make up for it by bringing Barbara in for a crime she hadn’t committed.
“Mitch,” Barbara said cautiously, putting a hand on my arm. “I’m happy to let them search the car. It doesn’t make much difference. I know they’ll obtain a search warrant anyway. We’ll prove I’m innocent even if the killer knew about my car and put evidence in there to frame me. Letting her access the car now just means we get out of here sooner instead of waiting around for them to get a warrant.”
I turned to Barbara. “You have rights, Barb. They’re walking all over them. They’re treating you like you’re guilty until proven innocent.” I stared at Stephanie. “That’s not the way our justice system is designed to work. My client has been nothing but forthcoming with you, Detective Gray.”
“So, we have your permission then, Ms. Sampson, to search the car?” Stephanie asked, without glancing over at me.
“Yes.” She practically threw the keys at Stephanie. “I want those back when you’re done. Just leave the car parked there. I’ll get it later.”
She headed for the exit until she realized I wasn’t following her. She stopped and waited.
My feet were frozen to the spot as I tried to walk back my rage. I knew it would be bad to let loose on Stephanie, but I wanted to do it.
“Are you coming, Mitch?” Barbara stamped her foot impatiently.
I didn’t like how Stephanie had manipulated Barbara into giving up her keys so they could search the car without a warrant. Stephanie’s entire attitude about this case was getting to me.
Maybe I would keep this case just so I could get this evidence excluded.
I wanted to see the look on Stephanie’s face when Barbara walked. I took in a deep breath and exhaled.
I then stepped toward Stephanie, glancing at the cops behind her.
“Can you fellas give us a moment?”
“Mitch, they—” Stephanie started to say.
“Sure thing,” the nearest cop said, cutting her off.
I could tell he thought this was some sort of personal beef between Stephanie and me that was bleeding over into our work. Nothing could have been further from the truth, but I was willing to play on it to get a private moment with Stephanie before I walked out of here with Barbara.
“Do you realize what this looks like?” Stephanie asked, her eyes blazing.
“I don’t care how it looks. I’m worried about Barbara. I’m afraid you’re biased right now and unable to tell the trees from the forest.”
“Said the kettle to the pot!” Stephanie stepped closer. “Look, I’ve given you and Barbara a lot of latitude. I haven’t exactly been doing things by the book because I was doing you a favor. I probably should’ve arrested Barbara first thing when we showed up and saw she’d gotten his blood all over her, but I didn’t do that because I gave her the benefit of the doubt. I gave her that because of you. You’re just lucky it was me responding and not another cop. It might’ve gone differently.”
That’s why I called you, I thought.
I took another deep breath, nodding. “I can see that,” I said through clenched teeth.
“I don’t like doing things like this, but I did it for you because I recognized she’s in a bad spot.” Stephanie paused. “I also know there’s a strong possibility this is related to Thomas Guyton’s work. It could also be Marc Guyton’s drug business is somehow connected, though I don’t see evidence of that in front of me. All I see is a woman covered in blood with a weapon right next to her.”
This gave me pause. I wasn’t surprised she was still being circumspect about Thomas Guyton. She’d just confirmed that Thomas Guyton was into something illegal but still hadn’t told me what. This was likely a slip she might later recognize and be upset about. I wouldn’t call attention to the mess up, fearing I might unintentionally confirm something she suspected but didn’t know.
I was happy to hear she recognized the strong likelihood that Marc Guyton’s business dealings were connected.
“I’m glad to hear you say that. I do fear something else is driving you and that it’s coloring your judgment.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’ve been denied your chance to arrest Thomas Guyton. Please don’t take that out on Barbara. That’s all I’m asking.”
Stephanie had a sharp intake of breath. “What?”
She’d obviously expected me to say something else.
“I just gave you Marc Guyton. You’ve just busted one of the biggest crime bosses in the city.”
The only problem was that she hadn’t even known who he was until I’d brought his name to her, complete with evidence to put him away for a long time. She’d get credit for the arrest but wouldn’t get much beyond that because my team had done the investigation.
“I think it’s time you go, Mitch,” Stephanie said quietly. “I promise I’ll do my best to keep my disappointment of not getting to arrest Thomas Guyton from affecting my handling of this case.”
10
“How long before they charge me?” Barbara asked as I opened the door to my car. We’d rode up to the main floor in silence, where we’d exited the building and found my car in guest parking.
I didn’t know what to say to Barbara.
Before everything that had happened in the parking garage, I’d felt there was a chance they might look at other options before homing in on Barbara.
But I didn’t think that would be the case after I’d argued with Stephanie. I feared I’d just made things worse now that I’d calmed down.
Something about the way Stephanie had approached with those cops in tow had just rubbed me the wrong way.
It was the look on her face, I realized. I could tell she thought Barbara had done this.
That’s what was bothering me.
Now that I’d recognized the reason, I suddenly knew why my instincts had kicked in, and I’d immediately resisted what Stephanie had wanted.
I hadn’t made things worse after all.
I’d just been a zealous advocate for my client.
Or so I told myself.
Stephanie was taking the inevitable path in front of her. I hoped Winston could find evidence we could use to point her down a different path.
“I have no way of knowing,” I said. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. Let’s hope they believe everything you’ve told them.”
I shut the passenger door and walked to the driver’s side, looking back up at the building before getting inside. I’d never imagined I’d be walking into a situation like this. I didn’t know what else I could do about it other than to get Barbara out of here and pray Winston found something.
A pit in my stomach told me it wouldn’t be so easy.
I’d soon have to step away from this case. Barbara would employ a different attorney, and I’d watch from the stands as this whole thing played out.
Sure, a part of me wanted to take this case to trial if Barbara were charged, just to stick it to Stephanie and the police department, but that would be doing it for the wrong reason. My motive wouldn’t be focused on Barbara as much as on punishing the police for putting her through this.
“How long do you think it will be before I know?”
“It’s hard to say,” I said. “It depends on the situation. It isn’t uncommon for days or even weeks to go by before they finally make an arrest on a murder charge. The cops like to have everything in order. They might think they have enough just by knowing what little they already know. Then again, they might not.”
“Meaning they found his blood all over me with a gun right next to him.”
I nodded. “Logically, they should look at how he was killed with a gun. That implies the killer didn’t want to get messy. If you were intent on killing Guyton, you’d have just shot him from a safe distance and left the apartment while getting nothing on you. It would take a sick person indeed to shoot somebody and then pretend they’d tried to resuscitate them, all while getting their victim’s blood all over them. Unfortunately, they’re probably not going to see it that way.” I looked her in the eye. “Stephanie is more logical than most, but right now, she’s emotional. I hope she calms down and sees it.”
