Dead Ends by Don Easton

Author:Don Easton [Easton, Don]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery, cookie429, Kat, Extratorrents
ISBN: 9781554888931
Publisher: Dundurn
Published: 2011-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Three

Jack walked into the Victoria courtroom and immediately saw a look of disappointment cross McCall’s face, followed by anger as he whispered to his lawyer, who glanced at Jack, before turning back to McCall.

Jack quickly surveyed the courtroom. His four bodyguards moved past him and took up strategic positions. Jack smiled to himself. He was pleased for two reasons. The first was that McCall actually showed up. The second was the sight of the young lawyer with McCall.

Jack guessed it was the lawyer’s first year of practice. Jack was a seasoned veteran in the courtroom and knew he would come out on top with any comments the young lawyer would throw at him while testifying. The truth will prevail!

Perhaps the lawyer sensed so, as well. He changed the plea to guilty. Jack listened as the prosecutor read in the circumstances of the drug sale, McCall’s lengthy record, his only being out of jail two weeks before the crime and — what Jack thought was a nice touch — the fact that McCall had remained legally unemployed ever since his arrest. Someone did their homework ... Jack glanced at Dave Valentine who grinned and gave him the thumbs-up.

Jack listened as the fresh-faced lawyer stood to address the judge. He explained that the reason his client had not been able to obtain employment was because of the severe psychological stress that his client had been subjected to by the RCMP.

Jack glanced at the members of the Victoria PD who were in the courtroom. He could tell by the puzzled look on their faces that they were also confused.

“You see, your Honour,” said the lawyer, “Corporal Taggart, the RCMP officer who purchased the drug from my client —” The lawyer paused to point at Jack who returned the judge’s gaze. The lawyer continued, “— did not tell my client that he was an undercover operative prior to the sale. As a result, my client has been left emotionally scarred and has a strong distrust for people, leaving him unable to obtain employment.”

Jack did his best to suppress a chuckle. Being a new lawyer is one thing, but to say something as ridiculous as this … the judge is going to eat him alive.

The judge reflected on what he had been told. His brow furrowed and he glowered at Jack.

Jack’s mouth dropped open in shock. Something is terribly wrong! The judge is looking at me with utter disdain; like I’m a piece of dog shit stuck to his shoe … he can’t be going along with this!

Jack stood in a trance as the judge handed down his sentence. McCall was given four months of house arrest.*

“What does this mean?” a bewildered Jack asked the prosecutor.

“It means McCall will have to be home by nine o’clock at night if he isn’t out working or seeking employment.”

“You’ll appeal?”

The prosecutor shook his head and said, “It wouldn’t do any good.”

Jack stumbled out of the courtroom like a blind man with a lobotomy. He felt like he was in another world.

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