Page 31 of The Best Lawyer
“Your Honor, as I indicated in my motion and brief in support, the defendant is willing to waive her rights in relation to the lab draw only. We have no problem stipulating to the admission of Mrs. Loomis’s toxicology report.”
Quick fumed. Before Castor finished his ruling and dismissed us, Quick started gathering up his files and stuffing them into his briefcase. Castor wasn’t amused, but didn’t pick the battle. But I knew Quick was eroding valuable goodwill with the judge. It could work to my advantage.
We were adjourned. I had a few minutes to speak with Katy before she was taken back to her cell.
“This is good news. It’s great news, actually,” I said.
I felt a tap on my arm. “Sorry to interrupt,” Quick said. “Can we have a few minutes?”
I knew what this meant. I expected it. “One minute.” I motioned to one of the female deputies assigned to Katy today. “I need ten minutes to speak with the prosecutor. Then I’m going to need to confer with my client. Are you okay sitting tight with her that long?”
“Sure,” the deputy said. “You have the courtroom. We’ll be next door.”
She took Katy with her, leaving Quick and me alone.
“You got lucky,” he said. “You know I’ll be filing an interlocutory appeal by the end of the day.”
“I’d expect no less.” I smiled. “You’ll lose, but I’d do the same in your shoes.”
“Will she plead to second degree? She could be out in twenty years, Cass. Maybe even less.”
“Addison, you have a problem now. A big one. We both know how much of your case depended on Katy’s disoriented statements.”
“She contradicted herself three times in the span of an hour,” he said. “She’s guilty. You have to know that.”
I gave him a look, signaling I wouldn’t dignify that with an answer.
“Jenna Rodney, the housekeeper, is a credible witness,” he said.
“Maybe,” I said. “But she’s only a witness to Katy Loomis holding a knife. She didn’t see her murder anyone. I think if that had been your entire case from the start, your office might not have charged.”
“Are you kidding? I have an eyewitness. Nobody broke into that house. Your client is on record repeatedly threatening harm to her husband. You want me to go on?”
“She won’t plead to second. No way.”
Quick heaved out a breath. He wiped his hand across his mouth, then put both hands on his hips. He turned away from me, shaking his head. I stood my ground, arms crossed in front of me. After maybe thirty seconds, Quick turned back.
“Involuntary manslaughter and obstruction. That is agift. And it might even cost me reelection.”
I smiled. “Who are you kidding? Everyone knows you’re eyeing the AG’s office if the governor wins reelection.”
“She’ll do ten. Tops.”
“Because you know her toxicology report helps her more than it does you.”
“Take it to her,” Quick said, grabbing his briefcase. “Trial starts in two weeks. My offer’s good for forty-eight hours.”
He didn’t wait for me to respond further. He brushed past me and slammed the courtroom doors behind him.
I finally exhaled. I honestly didn’t know what to advise Katy. Quick was right. Involuntary manslaughter might be a gift under the circumstances.
I crossed the hall and found Katy in the empty jury room. The deputy quietly exited. I knew she’d keep her post outside the door. Katy was already back in cuffs.
“He’s offering involuntary manslaughter. You could be out in a decade.”
Katy’s bottom lip quivered. “Ten years?”
“Probably less with good behavior and based on current overcrowding. It’s something to consider.”
