Till Murder Do Us Part by James Patterson
Author:James Patterson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2021-01-19T00:00:00+00:00
Chapter 38
June 3, 2003
Kathi waits in a conference room inside the district attorneyâs office. With her is Lieutenant John Lucas. They both have paper coffee cups sitting in front of them, but theyâve long since drained the contents.
Theyâve been waiting longer than they expected.
Kathi arrived in San Joaquin County today for the start of Ericâs trial, only to find out that the DA and Ericâs defense lawyer were in a meeting.
Itâs been almost a year since the judge agreed to bind the case over for trial, but, as Kathi has learned time and again, the wheels of justice move slowly. Sheâs had to wait for her opportunity to testify in front of the actual jury that will decide Ericâs fate.
She felt good after her testimony at the preliminary hearing. She was able to lay out everything that happened and everything she did to investigate the real Eric Wright. Her former husbandâs mood changed as she spoke. The glint in his eye changed to a glower as he realized just how responsible she was for his arrest.
She was glad she could finally wipe that smirk off his face.
When she was told to wait in the conference room with Lucas, Kathi assumed the DA, Thomas McGowan, wanted to chat with her about her testimony. But now, as she waits for the DA to return, doubt begins to consume her. It might be that Eric Wrightâs luck hasnât run out after all.
The longer she waits, the more worried she becomes, and the more certain she is that heâs going to cut a deal.
When McGowan enters the room, he is apologetic for making them wait.
âFirst of all,â he says, âI just want to say that youâve both done a phenomenal job. This case is two decades old, and Eric Wright wouldnât be in custody today if not for you.â He looks at Lucas and says, âTop-notch police work, John.â Then he turns his attention to Kathi. âYou should be very proud, Ms. Spiars. This man would have gotten away with this crime if not for your tenacity and perseverance. You never gave up. As far as Iâm concerned, youâre a hero.â
âI sense a but coming,â Kathi says.
The DA takes a deep breath. âBut,â he says, âthe case isnât strong. The preliminary hearing last year exposed the holes in it, and thereâs nothing weâve been able to do in the last year to patch those holes. Iâm going to let Mr. Wright plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter in lieu of a trial.â
Kathi doesnât think that sounds so bad. âHeâll still go to jail, wonât he?â
âYes, but the maximum sentence is six years. He could be out in two with good behavior.â
Now Kathi feels sick. Only two years? For killing a person? For all the pain heâs caused so many people?
Two measly years behind bars before he gets to go free again?
McGowan explains the problems with the case. Thereâs no doubt that Eric Wright is a bad person: a compulsive liar, a deadbeat who ran out on his children, a fraud who fooled people into believing he was someone he wasnât.
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