Keeping Counsel by Rebecca Forster

Author:Rebecca Forster [Forster, Rebecca]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rebecca Forster

“Mr. Weber. It’s nice to see you again.”

A mild-looking middle-aged man stood as Tara and Woodrow entered his well-turned-out office. Wood desk, leather chairs, real paintings on the wall. The Bar obviously thought more of its employees than did the state. Woodrow said his hellos then passed the man’s hand on to Tara.

“Nice of you to see us. This is Tara Linley.” Woodrow stepped back, his arm out as if to usher her into the inner circle. She didn’t give him a glance as she passed.

“Nice to meet you,” Tara said and she meant it.

“Nice to meet you. I was privileged to hear you speak to the bar association last year. Excellent speech. Well delivered. Please, sit down.” His smile was kind and Tara did as he suggested, noting that he had gracefully managed not to refer to the content of her speech, the title of which even she couldn’t remember.

Frank Sepada laughed. “I’m delighted you called. I’m afraid I don’t see many people as the Bar’s ethics liaison. I field phone calls, write letters, answer complaints. To see living, breathing human beings is truly nice. However, I’m aware that your presence here can mean only that your situation is serious. Compromised, if I might make that assumption.”

They both nodded.

“Mr. Sepada,” Tara said, eager to be heard first, “I’ve been retained by a person who confessed to me that he committed a horrible crime.”

Tara told the story again. Personal involvement, heinous cold-blooded murder, odd behavior, psychiatric history. When she was done, Frank Sepada turned to Woodrow.

“Mr. Weber?”

“I’d like to at least talk to the man before I take a step regarding state commitment.” Woodrow leaned forward in his chair, his posture that of a concerned public servant. “I have already agreed to make a decision based on the evaluation of her client by a qualified psychiatrist. I simply can’t take her word for a psychological diagnosis. She is a lawyer, and, with all due respect, this might be a rather unique ploy by her in preparation for a defense. She hasn’t given me the evaluation I’ve requested. I’ll have to refuse any action, unless you can provide us with another solution. We have agreed to abide by your decision.”

“This is refreshing. Seldom do I have adversaries willing to work even this closely together.” He cleared his throat and tapped the side of his cheek. “Ms. Linley, has your client threatened anyone or exhibited such odd behavior as to put himself in danger?”

“No,” Tara said, a flush coloring her neck as she remembered the night before, his head on her thigh, crucifying himself to Shinin’. She shook off the tremors that caught hold where the two men would never see. “No, but the potential is there. I’m sure of that. He’s unpredictable. Smart. Frightening. But there have been no overt threats.”

“You’ve corroborated his medical history?”

“Yes, with his psychiatrist.”

“And what did he tell you?”

“Nothing specific. He confirmed the man’s violent tendencies, but he wouldn’t do so on record, citing privilege.”

“I see. Well, Ms.

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