“Your Honor, the road. Please watch where you’re driving. I’m not sure exactly how much you want me to share. I know I’m on thin ice here. I’ll probably lose my job if anyone finds out that I came to see you on my own. But I’ve never been confronted with a situation like this. I honestly wasn’t sure what to do. You are only minutes away from starting a trial I think may be the subject of some kind of external manipulation or undue influence. I am struggling with how to deal with this. And just how much you want me to tell you. So that you don’t make any mistakes.”
“Alright, Detective. Calm down. Catch your breath. Let’s both slow down a bit. I’m still short on time. But I do want you to tell me something more. Although I’m not yet sure exactly what. Or how much. Let’s carefully peel this onion back. One layer at a time. Tell me just a little. I’ll then decide whether I want you to tell me more.
“You’re not the only one on thin ice here. You could be putting me in a position where I will have to disqualify myself from conducting this trial. Because of knowledge I may have. That I shouldn’t. Having to start over with a new judge would be extremely unfair to the parties. And to the judicial system. I don’t want that to happen. If that’s still avoidable at this point. However, I also don’t want the trial to proceed under any kind of false pretenses. And I don’t want to inadvertently be a party to any possible improprieties. So please proceed with the utmost caution.”
“I think I understand, Your Honor. Let me start this way. A few days ago, I came into some information that caused me to believe, or at least suspect, that someone other than Norman murdered or arranged for the murder of the three victims Norman is accused of killing. In part due to my suspicions, I also became concerned that Abrams’s death might not be from natural causes. I think the person who actually may have committed or arranged the first three murders also may have wanted Abrams out of the picture. And triggered his death as well.”
“What makes you think that?”
“If my suspicions are correct, the real killer or killers want Norman to take the fall. To the extent Abrams was Klein’s boss and ultimately in charge of Norman’s defense, they may have wanted to eliminate Abrams. Believing that would hamper Norman’s defense.”
“Detective, that’s quite a stretch. You certainly have an active imagination. Do you have anything at all to back that up?”
“Because of my concerns, I arranged to interview Melinda Raines, Abrams’s longtime assistant. I met with her last night. She shared with me what she referred to as a quote loose end in Mr. Abrams’s recent affairs that may lend credence to my concerns. It was enough for me to seek this meeting with you.”
“Okay, Detective. Again, I want you to proceed very carefully. So far, I have intentionally not asked you to identify who you suspect of what. For the time being, I want to keep it that way. That said, can you tell me a little more about this so-called loose end? Without going too far.”
“I’m not sure what you might consider too far, Your Honor. As for who I suspect, it is a specific individual. I won’t identify that person to you unless you ask me to. As for the loose end, that involves still a different person. These two different persons may or may not be connected.”
“Clear as mud, Detective. You’re not helping me.”
“I understand, Judge. It’s difficult. You can’t have it both ways. What do you want me to say? I’m only at the beginning of this exercise. You’re the one who has a trial about to begin.”
“Okay. Again, let’s start with the loose end. What is it?”
“When I was with Ms. Raines, I asked her if she was aware of anything out of the ordinary in Mr. Abrams’s recent dealings. At first, she said no. Then she added that, in cleaning up Mr. Abrams’s office, she came across an item she’d not seen before and could not explain. It was an unfamiliar Post-it note she found on Mr. Abrams’s desk. Bearing his handwriting. On the Post-it note were the words ‘Tom Thomas, CRP, 7/18, 2p.’”
“CRP? Do those letters mean anything to you?”
“I believe they stand for the Committee to Reelect the President. Of course, they could stand for other things. However, I did some quick online checking and there is a Tom Thomas who works for the Committee to Reelect the President.”
“Detective, let’s be very clear. I gather Thomas is not the man you suspect may be involved in the earlier killings. But who you do think may have something to do with the death of Mr. Abrams?”
“Precisely.”
“I’ve never heard of this Thomas. Do you know anything about him?”
“I don’t know much, Your Honor. I did Google him last night after my meeting with Ms. Raines. Thomas has worked for the government most of his life. He seems to be pretty dark. Remaining very much in the shadows. In street language, he might be what some would refer to as a government spook. His job description at the CRP is chief intelligence and security officer.”
“Whoa, this is a little too much for me to take in, Detective. Are you saying that people associated with the CRP may have something to do with Mr. Abrams’s death? And maybe even some of the earlier deaths in the Norman case as well? Do you have anything that connects Thomas with your other suspect?”
“Judge, I haven’t known about this very long. I’ve no idea yet whether Thomas and my other suspect are connected. Or whether Thomas had any connection to Abrams. I’m only saying that all of this causes me to be concerned about the Norman trial getting underway before I can investigate further. I felt I had to bring this to your attention.”
“Okay, Lotello. Against all norms—and there are a pile of them, governing both you and me—I do believe you’ve done the right thing bringing this to me. Let me ask you one more question. Your suspect—not Thomas, but the other fellow—do you have any tangible reason why you believe he may be involved in any of the earlier murders?”
“I do, Your Honor. I think this individual is very angry with our political representatives, if not our government itself. And wants to upset our present political culture. In a very profound way.”
“That’s exactly what I didn’t want to hear, Detective. But precisely what I thought you were going to say. If you’re right, how would this suspect come to be working with a career government person like Thomas?”
“I don’t know that they are, Your Honor. I could imagine any number of scenarios regarding this guy Thomas that might or might not put him together with my other suspect.”
“Very well, Detective. What is it you want to do with what you have so far?”
“I need to follow up, both with my suspect and with Thomas. I need to find out what each of them has to do with all of this. And whether there’s any connection between the two of them.”
“How long is that going to take?”
“I think it will take at least a few days. Possibly a week or two.”
“Okay, Detective. Here’s what we’re going to do. You carry on with your investigation. As you normally would. But as quickly as you possibly can. Report to me in similar fashion any developments as they occur for the next week. Strictly in confidence. Don’t disclose to anyone our meetings and discussions. Understood?”
“I understand.”
“In the meantime, I’m going to delay the start of the Norman trial for one week. Mr. Norman has a constitutional right to a speedy trial. His counsel, Deputy PD Leah Klein, has wanted this trial to proceed without delay. But I don’t think that’s where the real problem’s going to be. It’s the media that’s going to have a field day with this last-minute continuance. I’ll take the heat on that and deal with it. I don’t have any choice.
“Speaking of the trial, we may have another problem if the prosecution wants to call you as a witness in its case since you were a member of the investigating homicide team. There’s no way I could allow you to testify in this case without having to reveal our little visit here this morning.”
“That won’t be a problem, Your Honor. At least not for you. As the senior member of our homicide
team, you are right that I would typically be expected to testify for the prosecution. However, knowing the historical doubts I have had about Norman’s guilt, the prosecution’s instead going to call my homicide partner, Jeremy Barnet, to testify. He’s not as experienced as I am, but he will make a stronger prosecution witness in this instance because he believes Norman’s guilty. My superiors won’t be happy with me. But this won’t be the first time we haven’t seen eye to eye. It happens.”
“Okay, then. I think we’re done for now. Remember to keep me informed.”
“I will, Your Honor. However, I do have one other quick point.”
“There’s more we need to discuss? I may have to stop and fill up my tank.”
“You mentioned Ms. Klein a moment ago. It occurs to me that I should disclose to you that Ms. Klein and I have had some discussions in the course of her representation of Mr. Norman. In fact, it was Ms. Klein who recently arranged for me to get in touch with Ms. Raines when I wanted to learn about Mr. Abrams’s health prior to his death.”
“Is there anything more than business as usual between you and Ms. Klein?”
“Not at all. I just wanted to mention this to you in the spirit of full disclosure.”
“Okay, then, I think we are finally done for now.” Brooks steered his car back into his courtroom parking space. “I’ll expect your further findings. But please continue to be very guarded about what you do and do not think you need to further tell me.”
“Understood. Thank you, Your Honor.”
* * *
BROOKS LOOKED AT HIS watch. It was barely an hour until he was supposed to take the bench in what had already become one of the most publicized criminal cases in the country in several years. The case was now certainly going to start off with a bang, or … more precisely, not start off with a bang. After getting through the initial fireworks this morning, Brooks decided he would have to begin keeping a detailed contemporaneous written journal of his meetings with one Detective Frank Lotello. I hope he knows what he’s doing. For his sake and mine.
CHAPTER 72
Monday, July 27, 9:30 a.m.
BROOKS ENTERED THE COURTROOM from his chambers and took the bench. As he did so, the court bailiff bellowed, “All rise! Court is now in session. The Honorable Cyrus Brooks presiding. Be seated.”
“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen,” Brooks said. More softly than the bailiff. “In the case of People versus Norman, counsel please make your appearances for the record.”
“Good morning, Your Honor. Vincent Reilly for the people.”
“Good morning, Judge Brooks. If it pleases the court, Leah Klein for the defendant, Cliff Norman.”
“For the record,” Brooks continued, “Mr. Norman is in the courtroom this morning. Good morning, counsel. Depending on your respective states of preparation, you’re either going to be very pleased or very disappointed with what I am about to say. We are going to have to continue the start of this trial for one week. Trial will commence next Monday morning, August third, same place, same time.” The packed courtroom exploded. A noticeable frown on his face, Brooks ignored the anticipated reaction to his announcement.
Klein immediately stood and addressed the court. “Your Honor, might I inquire as to the reason for this unannounced delay?”
Brooks left no doubt as to who was calling the shots. “Ms. Klein, it is certainly your right to inquire. It is not, however, my duty to respond. We will reconvene in exactly one week. Court stands adjourned.” With that, Brooks rose, stepped down from the bench, and returned to his chambers, leaving in his wake a courtroom in complete chaos.
* * *
CANDACE JONES QUICKLY FOLLOWED after Brooks. She was no less caught off guard than anyone else in the courtroom. Even though she thought she knew Brooks pretty well.
Jones knocked on the door to Brooks’s chambers only seconds after he had closed it behind him. To her surprise, Brooks immediately opened the door. “Candace, before you even ask, I really can’t discuss this with you. Obviously, something has come to my attention that caused me to continue the trial. Thank you. That will be all for now.”
CHAPTER 73
Monday, July 27, 10:15 a.m.
AP Online News
Rachel Santana
NORMAN TRIAL
IN BREAKING NEWS ONLY minutes AGO, it’s the trial that wasn’t. In an unexpected—and unexplained—development this morning, what was supposed to be the opening day of the spectacular Cliff Norman triple-murder trial stopped before it started. Literally without explanation, Senior Judge Cyrus Brooks continued the trial for one week.
Both sides expressed complete surprise at this stunning turn of events. District Attorney Vincent Reilly, who is personally representing the people and prosecuting the case, was baffled. “I have no idea what’s going on, not a clue,” he commented. Deputy Public Defender Leah Klein, in what will be the biggest trial to date in her young but highly successful career, also was not happy. Said Ms. Klein, “Mr. Norman is entitled to better than this. I consider this last-minute delay highly irregular.”
The only person who apparently knows the reason for this delay is Judge Brooks. And he isn’t talking. At least not for now.
The Norman case has spawned an unprecedented grassroots movement across the country condemning government officials for abandoning their public trust in favor of their own personal agendas. And allowing unabated Wall Street greed to cause the current worldwide economic collapse. Whether Ms. Klein intends to incorporate this theory into her defense of Norman remains to be seen. But rallies and marches across the country are certainly doing so, including the vigil outside the Norman courtroom itself, where news of the delay was met with cries of outrage.
* * *
WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF Staff Manny Reyes heard his cell phone news alert beep. He tapped it open and saw the AP “Breaking News” dialog box on the screen. Tapping on the icon, he opened the Santana byline story. Wonder what’s behind the delay. No way to know.
While he was still pondering this unexpected turn of events, Reyes’s cell phone rang, reminding him that the device in fact is occasionally also a phone. “Manny, the president is asking that you join him in the Oval Office.”
That didn’t take very long. “On the way.”
* * *
HAVING PREVIOUSLY ASKED HER staff to keep her apprised of events in the Norman trial, House Speaker Nancy Jamison was immediately on the phone to NAIB Executive Director Peter Foster. “Pete, what do you make of this morning’s developments in the Norman trial?”
“Madam Speaker. Good morning. I am already trying to find out. So far no one seems to know anything. If they do, they’re not talking. I’ll let you know as soon as I get any word.”
“As we’ve discussed before, Pete, this growing national groundswell movement against our governmental officials has everyone in a state of agitation. The sooner this trial is over and things return to normal, the better everyone’s going to feel.” By everyone, Jamison was of course referring only to her colleagues on the Hill. And certainly not to her constituents.
“I agree, Madam Speaker. I’ll be in touch with whatever I learn.”
“Please do, Pete. Thank you.”
* * *
HOLLISTER READ THE SANTANA byline on his desktop screen. What the hell is this all about? Could that asshole Lotello be behind this? He sure is poking his nose under my tent. Where it doesn’t belong. If he keeps it up, he may find he’s taken on more than he can handle!
* * *
THOMAS READ THE SANTANA story with a complete outward calm. I don’t see how this could have anything to do with us. I don’t think they can touch us. But that doesn’t change the fact that I failed to carry out my mission. I’ve let the president down.
* * *
THANKS IN LARGE MEASURE to the Norman coverage by Santana and others, a new grassroots organization was beginning to focus and report on the Norman story. The National Organization for Political Integrity, commonly known as N
oPoli, was a nonprofit, nonpartisan citizens’ lobbying organization for open, honest, and accountable government. NoPoli had decided that Norman represented a real poster-boy opportunity for their cause. He would become a prominent part of their website, www.thenationalorganizationforpoliticalintegrity.org. NoPoli’s first blog on Norman appeared the day the trial was originally scheduled to commence.
CHAPTER 74
Monday, July 27, 10:30 a.m.
“GOOD MORNING AGAIN, MR. PRESIDENT.”
“Manny, what’s going on? Do you know anything about Abrams’s death or why the trial was delayed this morning? Speaker Jamison has been trying to talk to me about this. I have no intention of talking to that woman. But I do want to know what’s going on.”
“I’m not sure, Mr. President. Abrams’s death was of course unfortunate. I think the less we talk about the matter, the better. You should also definitely steer clear of the speaker concerning any of these matters. You need to preserve your plausible deniability. Should it ever become necessary, you want to be able to say, under oath, that you have no knowledge about any of this.”
“I don’t intend to speak with Jamison. She and I are joined together at the hip in terms of party politics. I’ll do whatever I have to do in that regard. However, I absolutely detest that bitch, and certainly won’t discuss anything about the Norman case, or Abrams, with her. As you know, we never discuss pending court cases. I have to tell you, Manny, I do not have a good feeling about any of this. I hope you’re on top of it.”
“I am, Mr. President.”
CHAPTER 75
Monday, July 27, 1:15 p.m.
LOTELLO TRACKED DOWN THE D.C. headquarters of CRP. Given that the president was only recently inaugurated, the mere existence of the organization, if not its true purpose, struck Lotello as uncertain. President Tuttle apparently believed that one could not start preparing too soon. The organization already maintained a skeletal staff making ready to reelect the president for a second term.
Brooks-Lotello Collection Page 50