Even if he was the first man to do so in years.
CHAPTER THREE
TWO DAYS LATER, ROBYN WAS getting antsy. After that first wave of urgency, Ford had become ominously silent. But when she got out of the shower that morning, the answering machine by her bed was flashing.
She pushed the button. I have an appointment in Huntsville at two oclock this afternoon, came Fords no-nonsense voice. Ill pick you up at eleven. Wear something conservative.
That was it. He didnt identify himself, didnt begin or end the message with pleasantries. Well, hell, it wasnt as if they were going on a date, was it? They were visiting her ex-husband in prison. Hardly a romantic outing.
Just the same, she dressed with care. She didnt have a lot of nice clothes. As an artist and art teacher, she tended to destroy clothes as fast as she could buy them, so jeans and T-shirts were the norm. But she did have a couple of outfits shed worn to court. She chose her long, slim black skirt and a plain blue silk T-shirt, about as conservative as she could get.
In deference to the heat, she twisted her hair into a knot at the back of her head, holding it in place with a tortoiseshell comb. She refused to do stockings, but she wore high-heeled sandals.
She even wore makeup, something she didnt bother with most days. Halfway through her mascara, she wondered whom she was trying to impress. But Ford had told her to be prepared for the media, and that was what she told herselfthat she wanted to look good on camera.
She was absolutely, positively not primping for Ford. That would be ludicrous and kind of sick, as well. She was trying to save a mans life.
Ford arrived promptly at eleven. Unfortunately, so did a TV van from Houstons Channel 6. It pulled right behind Fords car, blocking him in.
Robyn hated reporters. She knew they werent all scumbags, but the ones who lurked around corners and tailed unsuspecting crime victims rated no better than hyenas in her book. At the time of Eldons trial, all theyd wanted from her was a sensational sound bite to crank up ratings.
Ford exited his car and faced the eager reporter and cameraman whod leaped out of the van almost before it had stopped. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her purse and went to join him. Hed said they needed publicity to shake information out of the bushes. But she knew from experience how damaging the wrong sort of publicity could be. If public sentiment got whipped up against Eldon, the governor was far less likely to stay the execution.
The reportersmore than onespotted her the moment she emerged from her upstairs apartment and were on her before she reached the bottom of the steps.
Mrs. Jasperson, do you have any new leads as to the whereabouts of your son?
Has a body been found?
Why would you try to free your sons murderer?
Are you still in love with your ex-husband?
She thought shed been prepared, but the barrage of rapid-fire questions overloaded her brain. I believe my ex-husband is innocent, she said. As I have from the beginning.
How do you feel about Eldons current wife?
Do you know anything about Justins murder?
Did you kidnap your son? Is that why you know Eldon is innocent?
Is your conscience bothering you?
She wanted to tell them all what to do with their disgusting insinuations, but Ford had said not to antagonize the press. I really dont have any more to add
How do you explain Justins blood found in Eldons car?
They moved in close, sticking microphones in her face, crowding her so that she could not escape. Shed never liked crowds, and panic rose in her throat.
Just then Ford pushed through the crowd and put a protective arm around Robyns shoulders. No more questions. Well issue a statement soon, but right now were on a tight schedule. He managed to sound cordial but firm, and the reporters immediately backed off. Ford escorted Robyn to his car, whispering in her ear, You look like a scared rabbit. Straighten up and act serene and confident.
She tried. But all she could think about was reaching the haven of Fords car and getting away from the insistent voices, wanting to rip her apart like carrion.
Mr. Hyatt, arent you afraid of putting another murderer back on the street? one bold reporter asked after the others had fallen silent.
If I were afraid I wouldnt pursue this case, Ford said with a tight smile.
He opened the passenger door and helped Robyn to climb in, acting the chivalrous gentleman for the press. Once the door was closed and locked, she took her first easy breath since Ford had arrived. She watched as Ford had words with a couple of men, and the van blocking their path moved out of the way as he joined her in the car.
You okay?
Yeah. She took another cleansing breath. Youd think Id be used to it by now.
You did fine. He started the engine, threw the car in gear and backed out all in one seamless motion. She liked the way he drove, all smooth confidence.
Fine if you like scared rabbits. She still shook.
Have you eaten today?
Yes. Shed had some toast for breakfast. Is there some reason youre so fascinated by my diet?
You dont eat when youre under stress, and thats when you really should eat well.
How in the hell did he know that? But it was true. When she was worried about something, she either forgot to eat, or she nibbled because food didnt sit well in her nervous stomach.
Theres a white bag by your feet. I bought you a vanilla milk shake. Maybe not the healthiest thing in the world, but at least you wont pass out. Drink it.
She didnt like his imperious attitude. No one had ordered her around since shed been in juvenile detention. Certainly not her mother, who had taken off with her third husband shortly after Robyns high school graduation, apparently happy to be free of her daughter. But he was right; she did need something more in her stomach. She gave him a curt thanks and retrieved the milk shake from the bag. It was smooth and creamy and cool in her throatexactly what she needed.
What did that reporter mean? she asked after a minute or so.
Which one?
That last one, who asked you if you were afraid of letting another murderer back on the street.
He was just trying to get a reaction out of me. But Fords hands gripped the steering wheel more tightly.
Have you ever made a mistake?
Who hasnt? he tossed off.
No, I mean, have you ever believed someone was innocent, and then you were wrong? Did you ever free a guilty man?
There was a long, pregnant pause. You must not read the papers.
Not too often, no. Robyn sensed the tension rolling off him and debated whether to press him or let it ride.
Drew Copelson. I got his conviction overturned. Two weeks after he got out of jail, he attacked and beat an elderly woman.
Oh, my God. Did youI mean, did you suspect
No. I am, to this day, utterly convinced he did not commit the murder he was convicted of. He became a suspect because he had priors of violent crime, and he couldnt come up with an alibi. Forensics proved the police planted evidence to clinch their case. He didnt do it but I wish to God Id left him in prison to rot. Katherine Hannigan wouldnt be lying in a hospital room right now.
I didnt realize it was so recent, she said, wishing she hadnt brought up what was obviously a painful subject. Im sorry it turned out that way. But we cant just go around locking up people because they might commit a crime. You did the right thing.
You wouldnt say that if you met Katherine. Or her family.
She hated the desolation she heard in his voice. She couldnt imagine what it must feel like to be blamed for the brutal attack of a woman. And clearly some people had blamed Ford.
Thats why I resigned from Project Justice. I was getting out of the guilt-and-innocence business. I would not be working this case if you hadnt pressured me. His hands gripped the steering wheel more tightly. Clearly I should have gotten out a long time ago.
I dont believe thats true. Ive read about your other casesthe man in Atlanta who was accused of murdering his wife. The woman in Illinois who went to jail for supposedly killing her elderly father. I believe in our justice system, but its only as good as the people involved. And when the system breaks down, someone needs to step in and fix it.
I used to think that. Maybe I still do. But that person wont be me. Not after I finish this case. An SUV whipped in front of their car, cutting them off. Ford rammed his hand into the horn. Damn, look at this traffic. Hey, have you talked to Trina?
Robyn recognized a desperate ploy to change the subject. She let him. Im giving her a chance to cool down, but Ill check on her later. Shes probably feeling betrayed by everyone right now, but once she thinks about it shell see were right.
How did you two end up being friends, anyway?
Robyn sucked up the last sip of her milk shake, amazed shed finished it. I wouldnt exactly say were friends. She did steal my husband, after all.
In my experience, husbands dont get stolen unless they want to be stolen.
Yeah, I know. She blotted her mouth with a paper napkin shed found in the milk shake sack. I was being flip. Shes not someone I would choose as a friend. But when Eldon went to trial, his lawyer thought it would play well with the jury if both Mrs. Jaspersons presented a united front.
Sitting next to Trina in the courtroom day after day, I got to know her. Id always thought of her as the conniving other woman, but I realized she truly did love Eldon. Shes not a bad person. People condemn her because she was poor and married money, but they said the same thing about me.
At least Eldon wasnt married when you met him. You were already making a better life, working your way through college, when you met Eldon. You werent on the prowl for a rich husband.
How did Ford know so much about her and Trina?
I didnt say I admired Trina. But I understand why she wanted Eldon. And I understand why he wanted her. Eldon has a pattern of taking on projectsyoung, unsophisticated, impoverished girls he could mold and improve. Once I was improved, at least enough that his mother quit badgering him to divorce me, he lost interest.
Do you still love him?
The question hung between them longer than it should have. Her answer should have been immediateno. But she wanted to answer Ford just right.
Ill always be grateful for the things Eldon did for me. He paid for my last two years of college. He encouraged me to get my teaching certificate. And he gave me Justin. Those two and a half years I spent as a mother were the best of my life.
But I no longer love my ex-husband in a romantic way. He hurt me too deeply for that.
On that note, Ford ended his questions. Hed been nosy, and hed gotten more than he bargained fora glimpse of the raw pain Robyn had until now kept carefully hidden.
Not for the first time, he wondered if he was doing the right thing in pursuing Eldon Jaspersons freedom. He wouldnt take this case to the governor unless he was damn surea hundred percent sureJasperson was innocent. That was a pretty high standard. There was no way he would be responsible for putting another murderera child killerout on the street.
If he bailed on the case, which was a definite possibility, he would dash Robyns hopes and prove to her once again that she couldnt count on anyone. Getting involved in this was a mistake, but it was too late now to back out.
They arrived at Huntsville State Prison in plenty of time for the appointment Ford had arranged. Of course, they had to go through the usual security rigmarole. They were searched and scanned more thoroughly than a suspected terrorist at an airport, and then they were given a list of rules, verbally and in writing, detailing everything they couldnt do during the visit.
This was old hat to Ford. Hed visited more than one death row inmate since starting with Project Justice. But Robyn had probably not gone through this before. An inmate on death row was seldom allowed visitors, usually only with a compelling reason. Robyn was clearly nervousshed already chewed off her carefully applied lipstick and hadnt bothered to put on more.
When the guards were positive Ford and Robyn werent packing a stun gun or bolt cutters, they were walked down one depressing corridor after another until they reached Cell Block H. There was no sign declaring it to be death row, but everyone knew what Cell Block H was.
They were shown to a room with a large table and four chairs bolted to the floor.
Jasperson will be brought in shortly, one of the guards said.
When they were alone again, Robyn jumped out of her chair and paced. I thought we would visit him through one of those windows with telephonesyou know, kind of like in the movies.
Are you nervous about seeing him face-to-face?
She flashed a guilty, nervous smile. Terrified. I havent seen him in years. Trina says he isnt holding up well.
Sit down, Ford said. You heard the rules. We have to stay in our chairs.
Sorry. She slid back into her seat, then clenched her hands in front of her on the scarred metal table.
A few moments later, a guard escorted Eldon Jasperson into the room wearing shackles on both hands and feet, and Ford got his first good look at the man since the trial, when he was more familiar to Houstonians than the hottest Hollywood celebrity. Though Ford knew prison was hard on the inmates, he wasnt prepared to see a gaunt man with thinning gray hair and sallow skin. In the eight years of incarceration, hed aged twenty.
The guard seated his prisoner in a chair across the table from them and chained him to it. Jaspersons gaze was on Robynand it was hungry. A surge of protectiveness welled up in Ford, so strong it stole the air out of his lungs.
Robyn. Jaspersons voice was low, cultured. This is a surprise.
Hi, Eldon. She sounded soft, comforting, full of emotion. Ive brought someone to see yousomeone who might be able to help.
Eldon spared a quick, dismissive glance for Ford. Another lawyer?
Im an investigator with Project Justice. Ford Hyatt. Ford nodded, since they werent allowed to shake hands. Are you familiar with Project Justice?
Eldons interest ratcheted up a notch. Youre the folks who get innocent people out of jail.
Sometimes. Ford spent a couple of minutes telling him the basics of how the foundation worked and his role there. Robyn brought your case to my attention. Id heard of it, of course. But I hadnt realized how many unanswered questions remained. The information she provided was compelling enough for me to want to look into it.