Unsympathetic Victims: A Legal Thriller (Ashley Montgomery Book 1)

by Laura Snider

  39

  Katie

  December 17th – 10:00 a.m.

  “What do you mean I can’t see her?” Katie said. “I’ve been allowed to visit Ashley every day since her arrest. Why is that different now?”

  Officer Jackie smirked. “The jail is under new management.”

  Katie fought the urge to spit in his face. She knew men like him. He was on a power trip. He had never treated her with such blatant disrespect before, but now that he knew he had something she wanted, he would use it to torture her. But she had already known that he wasn’t above abusing his power.

  “Fine. If I can’t see her now, when can I?”

  “After you go on a date with me.”

  Katie took a step back. No. Freaking. Way. Another form of blackmail. She should have guessed. “That is never going to happen.”

  “Fine, then,” he said, his lip curling. “How about never? You won’t ever see Ashley.” He nodded as though coming to a monumental conclusion. “That sounds about right.”

  Katie narrowed her eyes. “You think this is a game. There are real lives at stake here.” Katie nodded toward the jail. “You can’t treat people like animals. You’re going to get bit.”

  Officer Jackie chuckled. “I’m not worried. I’d be more afraid of a frog than I am of Ashley Montgomery.”

  “Then be afraid of me,” Katie said through clenched teeth. She turned and began to march away.

  “What is that supposed to mean?” Officer Jackie called after her.

  Katie didn’t stop. She shouted her response without turning around. “It means that you should watch your back, Jackie.”

  “Oh, yeah!” His words rose to a shriek. “You watch your back, too!”

  Katie stormed out of the jail and toward the Public Defender’s Office. She opened and slammed the front door. “Jacob! Are you here?”

  Jacob slowly lumbered around the corner. “Yes.” His breathing was heavy. He leaned against the wall, trying to catch his breath. “Is everything okay?”

  “No. We have to do something about Ashley, and we have to do it now. Something is happening in that jail. Ashley isn’t safe. I know it.” Katie began to pace. “This isn’t right.”

  “I don’t think there is anything we can do about it,” Jacob said, dabbing his forehead with his handkerchief.

  “This isn’t how the system is supposed to work,” Katie said. “I feel like I’m in the twilight zone. Everything is upside down. The good guys are bad. The bad guys are good. The prosecutor threatened me. The new jail administrator is a psychopath. And you’re telling me there is nothing I can do about it. That can’t be possible.”

  Jacob straightened, drawing up to his full height. “Maybe there’s something.”

  Katie froze and looked up at him, her eyes wide and hopeful. “There is?”

  “I’ll file a writ of habeas corpus.” His words came naturally, confident. Like a real lawyer.

  A tear slid down Katie’s cheek. She quickly wiped it away. “A what?”

  “It’s a motion asking for immediate release.”

  Hope surged into Katie’s chest. “Will that work?”

  “Probably not. It rarely does.”

  Katie sank into a chair. A wayward spring dug into her back. Clearly, the Public Defender’s Office was working on a shoestring budget. “Then what do we do?”

  “We turn this into a media circus,” Tom said, stepping out of the back.

  Katie’s eyes lit up. “Oh, Tom! I’m so happy to see you.” She rushed toward him and threw her arms around him. “How are you?”

  Tom stiffened, then relaxed, patting her back awkwardly. “I’m fine. Better than Ashley.”

  Katie pulled away, meeting Tom’s wary gaze for the first time. “What do you mean?”

  Tom sighed and ran a hand through his sandy blond hair. “I’ve logged in to the jail security system. I’m keeping records of everything that’s going on in there.”

  “Wait,” Katie looked from Tom to Jacob, then back to Tom. “You can do that? Even though you were suspended?”

  Tom shrugged. “Nobody told me I couldn’t. Until they do, I suppose I can.”

  “Okay,” Katie said. “It feels wrong, but I guess you’re still technically employed by the sheriff’s department, so it’s fine.”

  “Seriously, Katie. Don’t get all bent out of shape about this. You’ll understand why I’m doing it once you see the recording of Officer Jackie pulling Ashley out of bed by her hair.”

  “He did what?”

  Katie slammed a fist against the wall. She wanted the pain. For her hand to shatter. To go straight through the wall. “Give me a copy of that. I’m taking it to the chief.”

  Tom shook his head. “I don’t know if that’s the wisest move here, Katie. We don’t know who is on our side right now.”

  Katie bit her lip, then nodded. Elizabeth would side with Officer Jackie. If not for any other reason than because she hated Ashley and Katie both. Not for the first time, Katie wondered at Officer Jackie’s history. Who he was before Brine. Everyone had a past that they wanted to bury, including her, but she knew nothing about John Jackie’s. Nobody did.

  “Will Ashley be okay if we wait?”

  Katie did not like the idea of leaving Ashley at Officer Jackie’s disposal. Not even for a second. (1) Von Reich, (2) You, (3) Petrovsky. Would John Jackie cross off the last name on that list? Was he capable of such a thing?

  Tom nodded. “For a bit. Kylie is there at the jail. I called her cell and told her what happened. She said that she would stay at Ashley’s side. At least until she’s off the clock at four this afternoon. She said she doesn’t think Jackie will let her stay after that.”

  Katie glanced at her watch. They had six hours before John Jackie had Ashley all to himself. “Okay. Let’s figure out a way to take care of John Jackie without Elizabeth’s help. Do you have any ideas?”

  40

  Katie

  December 17th – 10:30 a.m.

  Tom placed a copy of the jail footage into a yellow manila envelope. He had already written Channel 8 News on the back along with the address for the Des Moines news station. There was no return address.

  “I typed up a short statement about the recording,” Tom said. “A synopsis of what is on it. I’ll print that off now.”

  Katie nodded. She knew why he was printing it instead of writing it by hand. It was for the same reason that Tom wouldn’t sign it. He wanted to remain anonymous. The ancient printer whirred and spun, wheels screaming as they turned. A few minutes passed before it spat out a piece of paper.

  Tom picked it up, reviewed the document, then handed it to Katie. She placed it in the envelope without reading it. She had already seen the video. She didn’t need to re-experience Ashley’s ordeal in black and white.

  “I’ll hand-deliver it to the station,” Tom said as he sealed the envelope. “That’s what I did last time.”

  Katie paused, considering his words. “What do you mean by ‘the last time’?”

  A shy smile danced at the corners of Tom’s lips. “I was the one who leaked the footage from the riot.”

  Katie’s jaw dropped. Elizabeth Clement was pissed about that footage. She’d been ranting and raving about it since it aired. She was hell-bent on finding the leak. Tom would lose his job for sure if she found out. Katie hoped she never would.

  “What?” Tom asked. “Why are you so surprised? You know how I feel about Ashley.”

  Katie shook her head. “I never would have guessed it was you.”

  Tom shrugged. “Nobody did. That’s why I got away with it.”

  They headed toward the door. “We are leaving, Jacob,” Tom called over his shoulder.

  Jacob mumbled a response, but Katie couldn’t make out his words. Jacob was engrossed in legal research, putting together his writ for habeas corpus.

  “I’m going to meet George at the station to talk to Chief Carmichael,” Katie said. “You’ll head here when you get back fr
om delivering the package?” She gestured toward the Public Defender’s Office.

  Tom nodded and hopped into his truck. “Be back in a flash.”

  “Don’t speed,” Katie warned.

  “You’re such a rule-follower.”

  “I mean it.” Katie eyed him with her best don’t you dare do it look. “The roads are icy. You could get in an accident and kill yourself. That wouldn’t do anyone any good.”

  “All right, Mom. I won’t speed.”

  Katie opened her mouth to respond, but Tom had already shut the door. He pulled out of the parking lot and onto the road, driving at a speed far faster than the speed limit. Katie shook her head and jogged back to the station.

  George met her at the door. They went straight to the chief’s office, walking side-by-side. They entered, and Katie shut the door behind them.

  “Katie, George,” Chief Carmichael removed his reading glasses and set them on his desk. “What’s going on?” He did not need to ask if something was wrong. Their expressions said it all.

  “Listen, Chief,” George said, taking a seat. “We need you to talk to the attorney general’s office.” It was time to bring in the big guns.

  Chief Carmichael shook his head. “I thought we were going to wait on the blackmailing stuff. At least until we had more evidence.”

  Katie slid three several-paged documents across the desk. “Three additional affidavits. All claiming that Officer Jackie has blackmailed them or is in the process of blackmailing them.”

  Chief Carmichael put his reading glasses back on and began reading the documents. “And you are sure that all three of these people will see the prosecution through?”

  “Yes,” Katie said. “They gave recorded statements as well. They each listed at least two other independent witnesses who have seen Officer Jackie hustling them for money.”

  “Okay,” Chief Carmichael said, setting the documents aside. “I’ll make the call.”

  “Will you tell Elizabeth?” Katie asked with more than a little trepidation. She had lost all confidence in the prosecutor, and she didn’t want her brought into the loop.

  “No. Let’s keep this between us for now.” Chief Carmichael began flipping through his Rolodex, looking for the attorney general’s number.

  “There is one other thing,” George said.

  Chief Carmichael looked up. “What?”

  “Officer Jackie assaulted Ashley Montgomery in the jail. You might want to tell the attorney general about that, too.”

  Tom hadn’t wanted Katie to tell Chief Carmichael about the jail assault. He didn’t trust him. But Tom didn’t know about the ongoing blackmail investigation. Chief Carmichael had supported Katie and George in that investigation, and Katie trusted him completely.

  Chief Carmichael nodded.

  “And soon,” Katie added. “It was all on camera. Channel 8 will have that footage within the hour.”

  Chief Carmichael cocked an eyebrow. “That’s not because you sent it to them, is it?”

  Katie shook her head. It was an honest response. Tom had copied the disk, addressed the envelope, and wrote the letter to the station. She had not participated. She merely watched. “No. But I know who did.”

  “Okay,” Chief Carmichael said, satisfied.

  Katie relaxed her shoulders, relieved that he was not going to press for a name. She couldn’t lie to the chief, but she also didn’t want to rat on Tom.

  Chief Carmichael picked up the receiver to his landline. “We better get the ball rolling. This town is going to turn into a media circus once that footage airs.”

  41

  Katie

  December 17th – 11:00 a.m.

  Katie needed to try to get back into the jail. She was going to make sure Officer Jackie didn’t hurt Ashley again. She would break the door down if she had to. She made a beeline for the front door of the police station, George hot on her heels, but the door opened before she reached it, and in came Erica Elsberry.

  “Erica,” Katie said, coming to a halt so fast that George nearly ran her over.

  “Officer Mickey,” Erica said, looking down at her hands. “I need to talk to you.”

  “I’m kinda in a hurry,” Katie said. “Can you talk to Officer Thomanson here instead?”

  Erica shook her head. “It’s about the Von Reich and Petrovsky investigations.” She paused. “It’s important. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t.”

  There was something different about Erica. It was in her posture, the way her shoulders slouched forward as though in defeat. Was she going to admit to the murders? Katie’s eyes flicked momentarily to the front door, then back to Erica. Ashley would probably be all right for the next thirty minutes. Kylie was with Ashley. She would keep Ashley safe enough. Or so Katie hoped.

  “Okay,” Katie said, “let’s get you into an interview room.”

  George guided the way back to the primary interview room. “Ladies first,” he said, motioning toward the conference table.

  Katie dropped into her seat. “So, what do you need to tell us?” She hadn’t given Erica time to settle in.

  “I know that I am a primary suspect in Von Reich’s and Petrovsky’s murders,” Erica said. She tapped her fingers on the table. Her nail polish was chipped, and her nails were bitten to the quick. “Everyone is talking about it down at Genie’s Diner. But I didn’t do it. You have to believe me.”

  Katie stared at Erica through cold eyes. She was not convinced. “Why are you coming to us now? You had plenty of time to tell your story, but you refused.”

  “It wasn’t my business.”

  Katie rolled her eyes. She hadn’t known Erica all her life like Ashley had, but she knew Erica made everything her business.

  “And part of me liked the idea that Ashley was in jail for the crimes. I had no reason to believe that she didn’t do it. At least not until you came to me and told me that I was the witness in the complaints. I knew I hadn’t said those things, so…” She shrugged.

  “Okay,” Katie said, crossing her arms, “is that all you have to tell us? Because I already know all that. It still doesn’t explain why you visited Petrovsky in jail on December ninth, got his fingerprints on a lighter, then left the lighter near Von Reich’s body. Do you care to explain any of that, or are you pleading the fifth?”

  Erica swallowed hard and shook her head. “No. I know that looks bad, but it doesn’t mean I killed either of them. I was mad that Petrovsky was going to get out after what he did to my son. So I was going to frame him. I had heard about Mikey’s after-hours business at his tavern. I was going to buy some drugs and plant them somewhere next to the lighter with Petrovsky’s fingerprints. I wanted him in prison where he belonged. I wanted to make sure he didn’t hurt any other child. That’s all.”

  “So how did the lighter end up beside Von Reich’s body?”

  “I was going to Mikey’s Tavern to buy the drugs to frame Petrovsky. I carried the lighter with me. I don’t know why I brought it with me. I guess I wasn’t thinking clearly. Then I found Von Reich’s body in the alley, and I freaked out. I must have dropped the lighter accidentally.”

  Katie nodded. That all fit with what she knew. “So why were you meeting Christopher Mason at Mikey’s Tavern the week before Von Reich was murdered?”

  “I wasn’t meeting him. I was going to check out the lay of the land. I wanted to find out where all the cameras were and who might be around to catch me. I wanted to frame Petrovsky, but I didn’t want to get jammed up in the process. Christopher just started showing up. He sat at my table because we knew each other from high school, but we hadn’t planned to meet.”

  “Do you know why Christopher was there?”

  “He was watching Von Reich pretty closely. It seemed like he was counting his drinks. It was a little strange, but I didn’t ask. Christopher isn’t the same person he was back in high school. He makes me nervous now. I wasn’t going to call him out on it.”

  Katie wondered if Christopher was scoping ou
t the place, just like Erica, but his plans were far more sinister than hers had been.

  “Do you know if Christopher was working with anyone?”

  Erica shook his head. “He kept talking about coming into a lot of money and having friends in high places, but I didn’t pay a lot of attention to all that. I thought he was all talk.”

  Friends in high places.

  That did not sound good for Christopher. It meant he was the low man on the totem pole. Which meant he was disposable. Katie needed to track him down for an interview. If he was the killer and there were others involved, he was her only lead to the co-conspirators. If they killed him first, whoever they were, her case would come to a screeching halt. Another death and a dead end. That, she could not allow.

  42

  Katie

  December 17th – 1:00 p.m.

  The call had come in over the radio at noon. Katie and George were just finishing up their interview with Erica. There was another body. It was Christopher Mason.

  “Shit. Shit. Double shit,” Katie said as she and George piled into his police cruiser and drove to the scene. The body had been found in Ashley Montgomery’s driveway by the mailman.

  “Triple shit,” George grumbled. He drove with a lead foot and sirens blaring. They stopped at the end of Ashley’s drive and hopped out.

  “Why Ashley’s house?” Katie wondered.

  George shrugged. “I guess it brings things full circle.”

  Katie crouched by the body. Christopher’s eyes were open, staring up toward the sun, his mouth agape, one last protest frozen on his lips. It was a dreadful way to go. So much like Von Reich and Petrovsky, but worse. Christopher’s wound was not clean. He had suffered. Was it intentional? Maybe. But there was no way to know for sure.