Chasing Suspect Three

by Rod Hoisington

  She gave him a mild in-public kiss on the lips. “I came from seeing Mel Shapiro. I just talked my client out of jail.” She couldn’t hold back the broad grin. “No applause please.”

  “The victim’s wife? You’re joking.”

  “Long story. The victim was involved in international drug running, we think the guy who shot at me—.”

  “Yeah, I heard about that part.”

  “We think he was from a Salvadoran drug mob and—.”

  “What did you say to Mel?”

  “You keep interrupting. I told him I wanted a new hearing in court...that I was going for a reduction to manslaughter. There’s a lot of reasonable doubt, she’s a first-time offender—.”

  “Oh, for chrissake, Sandy—.”

  She took a step back. “Will you shut up and let me finish?”

  “Manslaughter, come on. She popped her husband. They caught her at the scene. I know you want to win your first case, but manslaughter is the same as a walk. I can’t believe you’d let that happen.”

  “You didn’t let me finish. Demanding manslaughter was merely a tactic. I knew Shapiro wouldn’t go for it. I wanted second degree, and my client freed on bond. And that’s what I got.” She wasn’t connecting with him as she had hoped. “I don’t appreciate you raining on my parade like you’re doing.” Her hands were now down on her hips. “Can’t you tell I’m floating three feet off this floor? My little victory is important to me. How can you bring me down like this? You should be happy for me now and save your lecture for later.”

  He said he was sorry and he looked it.

  “I can’t believe you’d even touch a woman like that.”

  “What? Are you still hung up on Claudia? Who said I touched her?” He glanced around. They were drawing some attention.

  “You can go to hell.” She hurried out of the courthouse.

  She had settled down by the time she got back to the office—at least on the outside. She was eager to tell Martin the news. He’d be thrilled. However, the office was locked. She went in and sat at her desk. He should be back shortly. She started rehearsing in her mind how she’d tell him the good news. She couldn’t wait, she phoned him. “Oh, I forgot, you’re over at the Coral Palms interviewing witnesses. You know I went to see Shapiro about reducing the charge. I threatened to go to court for a hearing to reduce the charge to manslaughter. Do you believe I said that? Manslaughter. Oh, I’m sorry...can you talk?”

  “Yes, go ahead. It’s fun to hear you so happy.”

  “I laid the whole deal on him. He capitulated and offered me second-degree. It floored me. I never dreamed he’d go for it.”

  “He knew the judge would see it your way. That’s great, Sandy. You have the death penalty and life imprisonment off the table. Nice going.”

  “Wait, there’s more. I told him okay, I’ll take second degree, but I want my client released on bond pending trial.”

  “Get out! He agreed?”

  “Sometimes my audacity surprises even me. Fifty thousand bond and she’s released. Now I can run around with her and get this defense nailed down. We can meet with Richie. She can go to the bank, or to friends, or whatever she has to do to come up with my fee. Now you get busy and dig up some more exculpatory evidence.”

  “You’re going to be a great criminal defense lawyer. I’m not saying that just because you’re my favorite...one of my favorite people. See you.”

  She tried to picture Margo out of jail, running around free, getting into trouble. She liked it better when she knew where Margo was at all times. She did want to be a good criminal defense lawyer, but not if it meant getting guilty clients off. Perhaps it wasn’t up to her to decide. Maybe she should just do her best and let the criminal justice system decide who’s guilty. No, that was a cop-out. She wasn’t going to let other people resolve her own ethical dilemma of defending guilty clients. She would use no tricks to find Margo innocent. If she was the one who shot John, there had to be a penalty.

  She now understood how naïve she had been, when she entered the field of law, all the people she’d fight for would be innocent and unjustly accused. She hadn’t considered defending clients who lied and insisted on their innocence, while she was certain of their guilt.

  She put in a call for Margo at the jail and was at her desk preparing the motion for the bond hearing, when Martin arrived back at the office. He congratulated her again, and then started explaining, “You asked me to check out the witnesses over at the victim’s condo—their story doesn’t match the police version. For starters, only one person heard a shot, and the man didn’t report it, because it sounded more like a loud pop.”

  “Which, by the way, is how a real gun sounds.”

  “Yes, and he has no idea about the time. He was up until midnight. A neighbor told me she had just turned off her favorite TV show at ten that night and was locking up when she heard a car start up and saw Margo’s car leaving. She knew the car, because she recognized Margo, but couldn’t swear who was driving. Neither witness called 911.”

  “So, who did call the police? How was the body discovered?”

  “As you know, the victim’s condo is on the second floor. He was shot while taking a shower, and the water kept running. Bloody water dripped into the unit directly below soaking the ceiling. But that took all night to happen. The next morning, the first floor owner went upstairs to complain, no answer. He and a maintenance man discovered the body.”

  “Sounds logical, the shooter left without turning off the shower. Wait a minute. If the man doesn’t remember what time he heard the shot, it could have been after the witness saw Margo’s car leaving. That might be part of our defense—the victim was still alive when she drove away.”

  “That’s possible. I found nothing that would disprove that theory.”

  Margo called back from the jail, and Sandy gave her the wonderful news. Margo was both excited to hear she was getting out and confused about the bail bond. “The hearing isn’t until tomorrow morning, but ASA Shapiro has already agreed to bail at fifty thousand dollars. We’ll find you a bail bondsman. You’ll need to put up ten-percent—five thousand.”

  “You going to lend me the five?” Margo wanted to know.

  “You pay me the fifty you already owe me, and I’ll lend you five.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “It’s a joke...I’m still waiting to be paid, remember?”

  “I paid you ten thousand cash!”

  “We’ve been over this. I’m not going to appear shady by accepting drug money. The ten thousand cash you had delivered is in my office safe. When you get out, we’re going to take that cash straight to your bank where you are buying me a ten thousand dollar bank check. You hand the teller cash. I get a check. You told me the cash was legitimate and that’s fine with me. In any case, I want a check, so my hands are clean.”

  “Seems like just a technicality to me.”

  “It is a technicality. That’s exactly why I’m doing it.”

  “I need another five thousand to get out of jail? Where am I supposed to get that?”

  “There are signs advertising bondsmen all over the jail. Pick one. He’ll tell you what to do. He’ll take the title to your car. Or put it on your credit card. He’ll figure it out. You’ll be out in a day or so. I’ll pick you up, and we’ll get your car out of the police pound. I’ll be in touch.” Oh my, she thought as she hung up. Isn’t the world a beautiful place?

  Chapter Eighteen

  The following morning, Sandy was bursting with enthusiasm and pacing outside the courtroom far ahead of time for the scheduled hearing. At last, in court before the judge, she moved that the charge against her client be reduced to second-degree, because of the lack of prima facie premeditation. Shapiro said the state had no objection. She then requested release of the accused on fifty-thousand dollars bail pending trial. The judge looked at ASA Shapiro, who again nodded the state had no objection. The judge rapped his gavel. “So ordered.”

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nbsp; Twenty-four hours later, they released Margo Larena from the county jail. Sandy was at her side as personal items were returned—except for her cell phone, which the crime lab was still holding.

  As they walked out to the parking lot, Sandy asked, “How did you arrange the five thousand for bail?”

  “Sonny, the bail guy, came to the jail. He put it on my credit card.”

  “I told you it was easy. Here take this. It's a disposable cell phone. You have sixty prepaid minutes on there. Keep it on. I need to keep in touch. You have your keys back. Now we’ll get your car released. Then we’ll go my office, get the cash, and go to your bank for my check. Which bank do you use?”

  “I can’t go to the bank looking like this. Why don’t we do it tomorrow?”

  “No, we are definitely doing it today. I’ve waited too long for my money as it is.” She didn’t add that her car payment was due.

  “C’mon, I just got out of a jumpsuit.” She looked at Sandy pleading.

  She did look scruffy. “Okay, I’ll follow you over to your apartment. You can freshen up. I’ll wait for you. Then we’re off to the bank.”

  Margo threw her arms open and looked up at the sky. “I’m never going back into that place again.” Pointing back at the jail. “I don’t care what happens. I’m not going back.”

  “That’s my hope for you also, but you’re still under arrest for murder. I’m going to need a great deal of help from you to keep you from going back.” She noticed Margo seemed to be ignoring her and listening to some bird. “Hello! There’s a lot for us to talk about. I need you and Richie to come over to my office tomorrow. I don’t care if he’s an illegal. I’m working for you not immigration. Just find him. Also, I’d like to go over to the condo with you and look around.”

  They settled into the front seat of the Miata.

  “Don’t slam the door!”

  Margo said, “Wow, what a cute little car. I’m giving you the fifty thousand, so you can pay for this baby. Right?”

  “I’ve done pretty well for you. You’re sitting under a clear blue sky listening to birds chirping with no bars around you.” The moment would have been a suitable time for Margo to offer some thanks to Sandy for getting her released, but it didn’t happen.

  “Do I have to pay anything to get my car back?”

  “No, I’ve already phoned. The crime unit has finished going over it.”

  “I hope they didn’t strip anything. Why do you want to go to John’s condo?”

  “It’s the crime scene. I’ll be talking about it during your trial.” While driving to the police pound, she explained about the sheriff’s deputy shooting the unidentified intruder who had shot at her.

  It was all news to Margo. “My condo was damaged? Someone is going to pay me for that. I intend to move in there as soon as I can.”

  Without a doubt, the condo was going to Claudia. Sandy didn’t want to get into that just yet.

  She drove up to the vehicle pound gate and waited while Margo went in and signed for her car. Margo pulled through the gate and stopped beside Sandy with the window down.

  “You don’t have to follow me, Sandy. Go on to your office. I’ll be over there soon.”

  “You know the banks are going to close soon, and we can’t pass ten grand through the drive-up. I’d rather follow you home and wait.”

  “Okay, but I’m going to take a shower and all. I’ll be awhile.”

  “You don’t’ have much time. You’ll need to hurry. Let’s go.” She wanted that money in her hand before something else happened.

  “Can I be honest with you? To tell the truth, I phoned Richie this morning and told him I was getting out. He’s waiting for me at my apartment. And you know Richie.”

  “I don’t, but I can guess.”

  “He’s not going to want to hurry.”

  Sandy didn’t answer. She thought about how nice people suddenly murder someone out of frustration. She doubted any jury would convict her of strangling Margo.

  Margo smiled. “You’re not going to be mad at me are you?”

  Sandy put her face down in her hands.

  And Margo continued, “There is something else.”

  Sandy’s started shaking her head very slowly, her eyes tightly closed.

  “I don’t think I want to walk into my bank with ten thousand cash.”

  “Margo, you’re pushing all my buttons. I want you at my office in the morning at nine on the dot. If you don’t show, I’m going in front of the judge and vacate my motion for your release. I’ll inform the court that I’m resigning as your attorney. By noon, you’ll be on your own. You’ll be the subject of an arrest warrant placing you back behind bars.”

  “You don’t have to do all that.”

  “I’ve no choice. You’ve forced me.”

  “No, I mean you don’t have to do that. I think I can get the ten thousand together. I’ll bring you a check in the morning. I promise.”

  “Would you be surprised to learn I don’t believe a word of what you just said? You heard me, Margo. My patience is gone.” She looked into the woman's eyes uncertain if anyone in there was in control.

  Driving back to her office, she wondered if she’d actually go through with her threat to drop Margo. Of course, she would. Then again, of course she wouldn’t. The smart thing wouldn’t be to walk away with nothing. The smart thing would be to scrounge around with Margo and scrape up every dime she has anywhere. Maybe she can write a check on her credit card to get a cash advance, sell jewelry, or her car. Even getting a couple thousand would be good and help pay for some of the time and expense she had incurred so far. Then, if the situation hadn’t changed, she’d drop Margo. Because if Margo can’t come up with the first ten thousand, she’d never be able to pay off the remaining forty.

  The chance Margo would show up in the morning with a check for ten thousand dollars was somewhere between zero and zilch. She was through worrying about it for that day.

  Yet, in spite of the money thing, it had been a fantastic day. She had stood before the judge and successfully talked her client out of jail. One of those exciting days, she normally would share with Chip. Why not? This nonsense had been going on too long. She pulled her car to the curb and took out her phone.

  This was ridiculous. Her mind had processed too many episodes of Chip getting it on with that woman. She had to get this out of her head. Also, she had neglected her own needs. She was beyond ready. And she couldn’t see herself having sex with any man other than Chip. More than enough to pick up her phone. Any excuse to see Chip would do. She touched Speed Dial. While waiting for him to answer, she thought, were I with Thee wild nights would be our luxury.

  “Yeah, it’s me,” she said. “Hey, there’s a foreign film festival at the Superior tonight. Why don’t we go.”

  “You mean Fellini and Bergman and those guys? What a coincidence, I’ve been thinking about them all day. May I hold your hand?”

  ****

  Once inside of the theatre, they walked down one of the wide thickly carpeted halls. The number of their screen was at the far end. She started to lead the way from the hallway into the darkened theatre when he took her arm and held her back just inside the door. There in the dark, he pulled her to him and softly kissed her.

  She moved in closer.

  They heard the opening fanfare of the previews. He started to break, but she held the kiss for an additional tantalizing minute. Then whispered, “Do you know what’s happening to my body right now?”

  “It's so great to be close to you again, sweetheart. I feel I’ve just crossed a long hot desert and you are a refreshing drink of water.”

  “You didn’t have to stay thirsty. There are refreshment stands all along in every block. Some have large flashy signs sticking out front. Most offer free samples. Wouldn’t a little sip now and then have kept you going?”

  “I’ve visited some of them in the past. They didn’t satisfy my thirst. Do you want me to tell you about my thirst?”
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br />   “I can find out for myself.” She pushed him back against the wall. She took a quick glance around. They were alone in the darkness of the entryway. She moved her hand down and pressed against him. “Geez, wouldn’t that just make my day.”

  His look was slightly pained.

  Her hand grazed in a circle against his crotch and she gave him another kiss ending with a slight flick of her tongue. “I’m going to take care of it.”

  “Right here!”

  “No, you idiot, not here.” She took her hand away and grabbed his arm. “We didn’t want to see this film anyway, did we?”

  “I’m not certain I even like Fellini and Bergman.”

  “Who?”

  Chapter Nineteen

  The next morning would have been one of the most beautiful Sandy had ever seen, except she had to leave the comfort of Chip’s bed and return to the real world. That morning she felt exceptionally optimistic about the real world. She’d meet with Margo at the office, although she doubted Richie would come along. She’d squeeze at least a couple thousand out of Margo somehow to start the day and begin living like a normal person. Then she and Margo would put in some serious time putting together their defense.

  Richie would be a no show, of course, and Margo would come up with some incredible excuse. Sandy needed him as Margo’s alibi; he was driving her car when it was seen at the condo, and was with her at her apartment most of the time the night of the murder. She wondered if Margo was clever enough to engineer all this Richie hide and seek. Or was it all an accident that he seemed to be involved yet always just out of reach.

  Margo showed up at the office at nine. After a shower, clean clothes, and make up, she looked better even though it seemed she hadn’t exerted much effort on her appearance.

  The next minute was a dreamlike sequence for Sandy. Through a delicate fog a hand reached out and anointed her with the incredible piece of paper, and she floated upward an immense distance from the earth, where she was wrapped in a warm scented cloud of the unreal and could feel the heavy pulsation of her heart. The cloud rapidly dissipated as though sucked out by a giant vacuum, and she glided lower and lower until she felt her feet solidly on the office floor. She heard a sluggish drawl of syllables strung out too slowly to be recognizable. Then faster and faster until at last familiar words took form.