David was listening, puzzled.
The judge turned to Brennan. “I’ve read the preliminary hearing transcript, and I see no reason for this case to go to trial. I’d like the state to waive the death penalty and accept a guilty plea with no chance of parole.”
David said, “Wait a minute. That’s out of the question!”
They both turned to look at him.
“Mr. Singer—”
“My client is not guilty. Ashley Patterson passed a lie detector test that proves—”
“That doesn’t prove anything, and as you well know it’s not admissible in court. Because of all the publicity, this is going to be a long and messy trial.”
“I’m sure that—”
“I’ve been practicing law a long time, Mr. Singer. I’ve heard the whole basket of legal pleas. I’ve heard pleas of self-defense—that’s an acceptable plea; murder by reason of temporary insanity—that’s a reasonable plea; diminished capacity… But I’ll tell you what I don’t believe in, Counselor. ’Not guilty because I didn’t commit the crime, my alter ego did it.’ To use a term you might not find in Blackstone, that’s ’bullshit.’ Your client either committed the crimes or she didn’t. If you change your plea to guilty, we can save a lot of—”
“No, Your Honor, I won’t.”
Judge Williams studied David a moment. “You’re very stubborn. A lot of people find that an admirable quality.” She leaned forward in her chair. “I don’t.”
“Your Honor—”
“You’re forcing us into a trial that’s going to last at least three months—maybe longer.”
Brennan nodded. “I agree.”
“I’m sorry that you feel—”
“Mr. Singer, I’m here to do you a favor. If we try your client, she’s going to die.”
“Hold on! You’re prejudging this case without—”
“Prejudging it? Have you seen the evidence?”
“Yes, I—”
“For God’s sake, Counselor, Ashley Patterson’s DNA and fingerprints are at every crime scene. I’ve never seen a more clear-cut case of guilt. If you insist on going ahead with this, it could turn into a circus. Well, I’m not going to let that happen. I don’t like circuses in my court. Let’s dispose of this case here and now. I’m going to ask you once more, will you plead your client to life without parole?”
David said stubbornly, “No.”
She was glaring at him. “Right. I’ll see you next week.”
He had made an enemy.
Chapter Fifteen
SAN Jose had quickly taken on the atmosphere of a carnival town. Media from all over the world were pouring in. Every hotel was booked, and some of the members of the press were forced to take rooms in the outlying towns of Santa Clara, Sunnyvale and Palo Alto. David was besieged by reporters.
“Mr. Singer, tell us about the case. Are you pleading your client not guilty…?”
“Are you going to put Ashley Patterson on the stand…?”
“Is it true that the district attorney was willing to plea-bargain?”
“Is Dr. Patterson going to testify for his daughter…?”
“My magazine will pay fifty thousand dollars for an interview with your client.…”
Mickey Brennan was also pursued by the media.
“Mr. Brennan, would you say a few words about the trial?”
Brennan turned and smiled at the television cameras. “Yes. I can sum up the trial in five words. ’We’re going to win it.’ No further comment.”
“Wait! Do you think she’s insane…?”
“Is the state going to ask for the death penalty…?”
“Did you call it an open-and-shut case…?”
David rented an office in San Jose close to the courthouse, where he could interview his witnesses and prepare them for the trial. He had decided that Sandra would work out of Quiller’s office in San Francisco until the trial started. Dr. Salem had arrived in San Jose.
“I want you to hypnotize Ashley again,” David said. “Let’s get all the information we can from her and the alters before the trial starts.”
They met Ashley in a holding room at the county detention center. She was trying hard to conceal her nervousness. To David, she looked like a deer trapped in the headlights of a juggernaut.
“Morning, Ashley. You remember Dr. Salem?”
Ashley nodded.
“He’s going to hypnotize you again. Will that be all right?”
Ashley said, “He’s going to talk to the…the others?”