Read Online Death Penalty by William J. Coughlin - Free Book Online

jury would bounce her without blinking an eye, and you know it.”
    â€œHow about dropping the rape business and go for assault.”
    â€œSame story, same defense. He might plead to it, but I doubt it. Trembly wouldn’t let him. Not under these circumstances.”
    â€œSue, he damn near killed the woman. You can’t let him just walk away.”
    â€œCharley, if he was your client you’d be howling to have the charge dropped.”
    She did have a point. “So, what do I tell her?”
    â€œThe truth. We’re digging into the secret life of Howard Wordley, as you can imagine. If this is part of a dangerous pattern, that could change things. We’ll let her know what the prosecutor finally decides.”
    â€œAnd when will that be?”
    â€œA week, maybe less. I want to check the motel records and a few other things before we go to the prosecutor.”
    â€œSo, what’s your position going to be?”
    She sighed. “I can’t get the sight of that woman’s throat out of my mind. I’ll recommend prosecution, even if I don’t think we can really nail him. I’m fair, but not that fair. A few more pounds of pressure and this would have been a murder.”
    â€œKeep me advised, okay?”
    â€œIt’s odd to find you on our side, Charley. It’s disorienting. I’ll let you know what I can.”
    â€œThanks, Sue.”
    I hung up.
    We had had a change in prosecuting attorneys for Kerry County. Mark Evola, the former prosecutor, had jumped at the chance for appointment as a circuit judge. He believed, because I had beaten him in the Harwell murder trial, that I had ruined all his chances for other political offices. He’ was now one of the county’s three circuit judges. However, he was up for election in the fall, so he always made it a point to smile at me. But only with his teeth, his eyes never smiled. He would eventually try to stick it to me. I knew that. He knew I knew.
    It was now only a matter of time.
    The new prosecutor, named to Evola’s old job, would also have to run for election in the fall. Until then he was playing everything so safe that nothing even slightly controversial was being considered for official action. The charge of rape against the town’s leading auto dealer would be controversial.
    Becky didn’t have a chance.
    MICKEY MONK CALLED a few minutes after three. He sounded drunk.
    â€œWe got a court date. Jesus! I didn’t expect it so soon.” His voice was so strained it sounded like he was about to scream. I wondered if he was tipsy or just plain terrified.
    â€œWhat’s the date, Mickey?”
    â€œThe twenty-fifth of May. Too fucking soon.”
    â€œWe have three weeks before we argue. That’s plenty. All the pleadings are in. What are you worried about?”
    â€œCharley, you know what I got riding on this thing. If you don’t win this, my ass is grass. My creditors are getting edgy as it is.”
    â€œRelax, Mickey. We’ll give it our best shot.”
    â€œYou know those guys you read about on death row, the ones waiting for the date with the executioner?”
    â€œYeah?”
    â€œI know exactly how they feel.”
    â€œThis is a hell of a lot different, Mickey.”
    â€œMaybe for you, but not for me. I think maybe a quick death would be preferable to what will happen to me if you lose it.”
    He paused and then spoke, this time in a calmer voice. “I think you should meet my client.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œI think it’s important that you see the poor son of a bitch for yourself. It might help when you argue the thing.”
    â€œCan you bring him up here to my office?”
    â€œI can’t, Charley. He’s a fucking vegetable, damn near. Look, you set the day and we’ll drive out to his place.”
    â€œI don’t think it’s necessary.”
    â€œMaybe not for you, but it is for him. His future