The Fens by Pamela Wechsler

Author:Pamela Wechsler
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Chapter Thirty

As soon as I’m done with the grand jury, I give a full confession to Kevin. He’s not surprised to learn Emma pulled a fast one on us, but he spares me an I told you so. Kevin, not one to waste time, goes out to hit the street again and look for new witnesses. I tuck my tail between my legs and skulk across Pemberton Square, to Bulfinch Place.

I step onto the elevator and swipe my badge on the sensor; a text from Stan’s assistant summons me to his office.

“I got the indictment.”

“Great. Emma Phelps gave you probable cause?” Stan says.

“Not exactly, but Kevin did.” I tell him what happened.

He doesn’t take the news well. “Most people with your level of intelligence learn from their mistakes, but not you. First, you arrest him prematurely. Then, you indict him with no evidence. You’ve backed yourself, and the whole office, into a corner.”

“Paul Tagala killed two men. Who knows, he could have been targeting someone else. What if he had gone after a third person, then where would we be? You should be thanking me. I got a dangerous guy off the street.”

“The goal is to imprison the murderer for life. As soon as this guy’s lawyer takes one look at our case, he’ll get the charges dismissed, and Paul Tagala will be back home in time for dinner.”

“Nothing is going to be dismissed. I can get a conviction.” I sound confident even though I don’t feel that way.

Stan’s assistant taps on the door. “Paul Tagala’s lawyer is on the phone.”

“Tell her I’ll call her later.”

“She is not looking for you, Abby.”

Tracey Miller is a fighter, but I didn’t expect her to do an end run around me and go directly to the boss. If Stan takes the call, it’ll weaken my bargaining power.

Stan, picks up the phone. “Hello?”

As soon as Tracey brags about her chat with Stan, my standing in the legal community will take a nosedive.

“Stan, please don’t,” I say. “Let me handle Tracey.”

Stan puts his hand in the air and waves at me to shut up. As soon as he starts speaking, I appreciate him a little more.

“Tracey, I don’t negotiate with defense attorneys. This is Abby’s case. You’ll have to deal with her.” He hangs up and turns to me. “My number one rule of law enforcement: present a united front—even when I want to toss my skipper overboard.”

Maybe he’s not such a bad guy after all. Surprised, and impressed by his attitude, I try a new tack: I ask him his thoughts and actually listen to his answer.

“Immunize Emma Phelps. That will take away her Fifth Amendment claim on the trespassing.”

“That will only solve half the problem. Emma can still hide behind her First Amendment freedom-of-the-press argument.”

“Then, maybe it’s time to offer Tagala a plea.”

“We just got the indictment, I don’t want to throw in the towel yet. Besides, Tracey has been around the block—she’ll smell the desperation.”

He stands, unable to meet my eyes. “I’m thinking about putting another prosecutor on the case.

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