There was a gasp in the courtroom. Ashley shut her eyes tightly.
“In the case of The People of the State of California Versus Ashley Patterson, we, the jury, in the above entitled action, find the defendant, Ashley Patterson, guilty of the murder of Deputy Samuel Blake, a violation of Penal Code Section 187.
“In the case of The People of the State of California Versus Ashley Patterson, we, the jury, in the above entitled action, find the defendant, Ashley Patterson, guilty of the murder of Richard Melton, a violation of Penal Code Section 187. We, the jury, in all the verdicts, further fix the degree at first degree.”
David was finding it difficult to breathe. He turned to Ashley, but he had no words. He leaned over and put his arms around her.
Judge Williams said, “I would like to have the jury polled.”
One by one, each juror stood up.
“Was the verdict read, your verdict?”
And when each one had affirmed it, Judge Williams said, “The verdict will be recorded and entered into the minutes.” She went on. “I want to thank the jury for their time and service in this case. You’re dismissed. Tomorrow the court will take up the issue of sanity.”
David sat there, numb, watching Ashley being led away.
Judge Williams got up and walked to her chambers without looking at David. Her attitude told David more clearly than words what her decision was going to be in the morning. Ashley was going to be sentenced to die.
Sandra called from San Francisco. “Are you all right, David?”
He tried to sound cheerful. “Yes, I’m great. How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine. I’ve been watching the news on television. The judge wasn’t fair to you. She can’t have you disbarred. You were only trying to help your client.”
He had no answer.
“I’m so sorry, David. I wish I were with you. I could drive down and—”
“No,” David said. “We can’t take any chances. Did you see the doctor today?”
“Yes.”
“What did he say?”
“Very soon now. Any day.”
Happy birthday, Jeffrey.
Jesse Quiller called.
“I bungled it,” David said.
“Like hell you did. You got the wrong judge. What did you ever do to get her so down on you?”
David said, “She wanted me to plea-bargain. She didn’t want this to go to trial. Maybe I should have listened to her.”
All the television channels were full of the news of his disgrace. He watched one of the network’s legal experts discussing the case.
“I’ve never heard of a defending attorney screaming at his own client before. I must tell you, the courtroom was stunned. It was one of the most outrageous—”
David switched off the station. Where did it all go wrong? Life is supposed to have a happy ending. Because I’ve bungled everything, Ashley’s going to die, I’m going to he disbarred, the baby’s going to be born any minute and I don’t even have a job.
He sat in his hotel room in the middle of the night, staring into the darkness. It was the lowest moment of his life. Playing over and over again in his mind was the final courtroom scene. “You can’t hypnotize her in my courtroom. The answer is no.”
If only she had let me hypnotize Ashley on the stand, I know she would have convinced the jury. Too late. It’s all over now.
And a small, nagging voice in his mind said, Who says it’s over? I don’t hear the fat lady singing.
There’s nothing more I can do.
Your client is innocent. Are you going to let her die?
Leave me alone.
Judge Williams’s words kept echoing in his mind. “You can’t hypnotize her in my courtroom.”
And three words kept repeating themselves—in my courtroom.”
At five o’clock in the morning, David made two excited, urgent phone calls. As he finished, the sun was just beginning to appear over the horizon. It’s an omen, David thought. We’re going to win.
A little later, David hurried into an antiques store.
The clerk approached him. “May I help you, sir?” He recognized David. “Mr. Singer.”
“I’m looking for a folding Chinese screen. Do you have something like that?”