Mountain Top(232)
“Is that right?” I asked.
The detective closed his file. “Any conversation with Mr. Jones is difficult. Your client has a tendency to talk about what he wants to.”
“Thanks for taking time to meet with me. I’m just learning what to do and really appreciate it.”
“I’ll walk you out. Give my regards to Mr. Carpenter.”
When we reached the entrance area, I remembered the woman with the two children.
“Oh, a woman in handcuffs was brought in a few minutes ago,” I said to the detective. “She had two little girls with her. Can you tell me what she did wrong?”
“Running a meth lab in her kitchen. One of the other detectives is talking to her now.”
“What will happen to the children?”
“Probably stay with a family member if someone is suitable.
Otherwise, they’ll be placed in foster care.”
“It’s a sad situation.”
“Would you like to represent her too?”
“No,” I said quickly. “I don’t think I’m going to be a criminal defense lawyer.”
DURING THE RETURN TRIP to the office, my mind went back and forth between Moses Jones and the woman with the little girls. My first encounters with people in jail had left me thinking more about their tragic circumstances than the punishment they deserved.
Back at the office I returned the keys to the receptionist.
“Did you fill it up with gas?” she asked.
“I didn’t think about it. Should I—”
“I’m kidding,” she interrupted. “Did you have trouble finding the jail?”
“No ma’am.”
I went to the library. It was empty, and everything looked the same as when I’d left for the jail. I worked alone on the Folsom case for over an hour before taking a break. It was quiet in the library, which helped me concentrate, but I had to admit that I missed Julie. The door opened, and I looked up, expecting to see her. Instead, it was Zach Mays. He’d changed clothes and shaved.
“Gerry told me you were working in here,” he said. “Can I interrupt?”
“Sure.”
He sat across the table from me. “I feel better after sleeping for a few hours. Do you ever stay up all night studying?”
“Never, I always plan ahead. Not that I’m saying you don’t organize your time,” I added quickly. “In law school there aren’t negotiations with businessmen in Norway. All our classes are on eastern standard time.”
Zach’s long hair still looked slightly damp.
“I shouldn’t have told you that I was too busy to help you,” he said. “I was tired.”
“That’s okay. I understand.”
“And I want to apologize.”
My attitude toward the young lawyer rotated 180 degrees. Confession was one of the most trustworthy signs of genuine faith.
“Thank you,” I said as sincerely as I could.
Zach smiled. “And to prove my repentance, I’ll take you to the jail so we can talk to our mutual client. What’s his name? Mr. James?”
“Moses Jones, and it’s too late. I’ve already interviewed him, along with the detective who questioned him about the charges.”
Zach sat up straighter in his chair. “What did you find out?”
I gave him a detailed account of my initial investigation. He listened without comment until I finished.
“I’ll do a conflict of interest check on the homeowners association,” he said. “We may represent it. Ned Danforth does a lot of that type of work for Mr. Braddock’s clients.”
“Would that disqualify us from the case?”
“No, but it might give us an advantage in talking to the homeowners. What about Jones’ prior criminal record? If he’s had multiple convictions, it would impact a plea agreement.”
“I didn’t ask.”
“And the detective didn’t mention it?”
“No.”
“Search the state and county websites.”
“Do you know the links?”
“No, you track them down. Also, contact the administrator at the district attorney’s office and find out the prosecutor assigned to the case. We can meet with that person together.” Zach pointed to my folder. “Make a copy of everything in the file for me.”
“Okay.”
“Jones sounds like an alcoholic who’s pickled his brain and sees dead people floating around in the jar with him. Did you ask him if he recognized the faces in the water?”
“No, it was weird, something that should be explored by a mental health worker, not me.”
Zach rubbed his chin. “You’re probably right, but I’m curious. Next time, I’ll ask him.”