so you see, he couldnt possibly do anything like that, Mom was saying, leaning toward Jessica with the look of an earnest child. Why, Thomas helped me plant all those roses along the back fence, and he even brought a load of chicken manure to use on the rhubarb bed. Besides, hes Amish, and the Amish simply dont commit violent acts. A more law-abiding people youd never want to meet, and-
But about the crime. The lawyer sounded a little desperate, and he noticed that she hadnt written anything on her yellow pad. I need to know-
Thomas Esch is accused of the beating death of a young woman named Cherry Wilson, he said bluntly. He might consider that Thomas was guilty as sin, but the boy deserved a defense attorney whose mind wasnt muddled by roses and rhubarb. Thomas was found near her body, unconscious, in a remote barn where theyd apparently been partying. The hammer that was used to kill her was in his hand.
Trey, dear, you dont need to be so graphic. His mothers face crinkled in distress. Im sure Thomas didnt-
Impelled by the probably futile need to protect her, he crossed the room, bending over to take his mothers hands. I know you dont want to believe it, Mom. But you have to face the truth. Hes guilty, and if you become involved in trying to get him off, your friends and neighbors wont thank you. Please, just drop this.
His fingers tightened on hers, and he felt the wedding ring shed never removed since the day his father put it on her finger forty years ago. A spasm of pain shot through him. Dad ought to be here now. Hed always protected her.
It had been over a year, and Trey still hadnt stopped wanting to talk things over with his father. Maybe he never would.
I cant forget about doing whats right just because the neighbors might disapprove, his mother said, with that odd little dignity that could crop up now and then when she felt strongly about something.
This isnt a matter of belief, he said, sure it was useless and hating that they were having this conversation under Jessica Langdons cool, critical eyes. Its a matter of facts. Evidence.
Mom freed her hand so that she could pat his cheek. Dear Trey. Youre just like your father. Always acting on reason, never on instinct.
He stiffened. Dad had very good judgment. And acting on reason wasnt a fault.
Im not criticizing him, Trey. Im just saying that sometimes you have to listen to your heart, not your head.
He straightened, trying not to give an exasperated sigh. Arguing with his mother was likelike boxing with a bumblebee, and about as effective.
The Langdon woman slid the cap back on her pen, apparently giving up on getting any useful information out of them. Three small lines appeared between her eyebrows.
I really need to talk to the client before I make any recommendations. But if the physical evidence is very strong, we may need to think about a plea bargain. Will the district attorney
Oh, no, his mother said. You mustnt do that. Why, thats what Bobby wanted to do right away when I talked to him, and I just wont hear of any such thing.
Bobby? Jessicas frown deepened.
Robert Stephens. Hes our financial manager, Trey explained, his gaze fixed on his mother. Are you telling me you talked to Bobby about this and not to me?
Well, I knew you wouldnt approve. His mother looked as guileless as a kitten. So I just thought Id talk to Bobby first. Hes always so accommodating, but this time I had to practically force him to do as I asked. I finally threatened to call Eva Henderson myself if he didnt take care of it, so he did.
Did that mean that she had gone to Bobby Stephens on other occasions, instead of turning to him? Treys temples began to throb. His father had expected him to take care of his mother-that was a given. But maybe it would have been helpful if hed left behind some written instructions.
Anyway, Bobby finally did what I wanted and hired a topflight Philadelphia lawyer to look after poor Thomas, his mother said. She clasped Jessicas hand suddenly, looking at her with that melting, elusive charm which had all sorts of people lining up to do as Geneva wanted. You will handle this for us, wont you, Jessica? I just know youll be brilliant.
The woman was succumbing. He could see it in her face. Then she sat up a little straighter, clutching her legal pad as if it were a shield.
Id better speak to the young man before doing anything else. She rose. If youll just give me directions-
Of course, of course. His mother glanced at him. But theres no need for directions. Trey will be delighted to take you.
JESSICA SUCKED IN a breath, trying to think of a polite way to say shed rather walk. But she wouldnt need to say anything, surely. Trey Morgan had made his feelings only too clear. He wouldnt touch this situation with a ten-foot pole.
Mom, he began, looking harassed.
Geneva swung on him. Blake Winston Morgan, dont you dare argue.
He lifted both hands. Im not. He turned to her. If youre ready now, wed better get into Lancaster before the traffic gets bad.
She doubted Lancaster traffic would bother her. Theres no need for you to accompany me. Im sure I can find the county jail without help.
He took her elbow and piloted her toward the door. Trust me, if you want to see Thomas and get back to the city today, dont start an argument with my mother.
She waited until they were out on the porch and presumably out of earshot before she spoke. I know you dont want to be involved in this-
If my mothers involved, I am. His tone was curt. He nodded toward a dark green pickup. Ill drive you. Itll be easier than giving directions. You can pick up your car afterward and head back. Its not out of your way.
Obviously the sooner she left Lancaster County, the happier he was going to be. Still, what he said made a certain amount of sense, and maybe she could get some information about the case from him on the way. She hated going into a situation blind.
She climbed into the high seat, trying to pull her skirt down at the same time. This suit was definitely not made for riding in pickup trucks. Come to think of it, shed never been in a pickup before in her life.
She eyed Blake as he swung easily into the seat and started the vehicle. So, do you prefer that I call you Mr. Morgan, or Blake or Trey?
His jaw tightened. Trey. He bit off the word.
I take it you dont agree with your mother that Thomas Esch is innocent. She knew the answer to that, but she wanted to hear him articulate his reasons.
I think hes guilty as sin.
Why?
The tight jaw was very much in evidence. Do you know anything about the Amish?
She scoured her memory. I think I saw that movie with Harrison Ford once.
Great. It was almost a snarl. Well, to condense a lot of culture into a brief summation, Counselor, the Amish believe in living apart from the world. That means no electricity, no television, no movies or video games or all the other things kids take for granted. They dont believe in going to the law. They settle problems with the help of the church, not the courts. They even have their own language, a Low German dialect, although the kids learn English in school.
She thought briefly of the accented English of the young couple in the buggy. Fascinating, but what does it have to do with the case?
Everything. You cant possibly defend Thomas if you dont understand what he comes from. Amish kids live a sheltered life, but in their late teens, theyre allowed more freedom. Theyre supposed to be socializing with each other with a view to finding a mate, but plenty of them want a taste of the outside world before making the decision to be baptized into the Amish church and give it up forever. That period of running around is called rumspringa. Thats what Thomas was doing when he got involved with Cherry Wilson.
She pondered that explanation, trying to fit it into a possible defense. How old is Thomas?
Nineteen. But a young nineteen in the ways of the world.
And the woman-Cherry Wilson, you said?
His lips moved in an expression of distaste. Cherry was in her mid-twenties. Had a reputation of liking to party. She worked as a waitress at the inn in Springville. You probably passed it on your way to the house.
And the woman-Cherry Wilson, you said?
His lips moved in an expression of distaste. Cherry was in her mid-twenties. Had a reputation of liking to party. She worked as a waitress at the inn in Springville. You probably passed it on your way to the house.
She hadnt, since shed gotten lost instead. What was she doing alone in a barn with a nineteen-year-old? She sounds a bit old for teen parties.
Rumor has it she got a kick out of partying with younger kids. I dont know how she hooked up with Thomas. He frowned a little, as if getting past his initial distaste to actually think about the case. That is odd. The Esch family has a farm not far from our place. A close family, Id say. Thomas always seemed a bit shy, but maybe that made his reaction all the worse.
What do you mean? She didnt like the idea that he was taking it for granted that her client was guilty. He seemed a reasonably intelligent man, behind the slightly tyrannical attitude of his. If he thought the boy guilty
Well, her job was to provide the best defense she could, regardless. Since shed taken the position with Henderson, Dawes and Henderson, shed certainly defended clients whod have been the better for a guilty plea. Things had been a lot clearer, in a way, when shed been a prosecutor.
Treys forehead knotted, and his hands moved restlessly on the steering wheel. Take a kid like that-inexperienced, shy-and put him in a situation where hed been drinking with a woman who led him on. He might, I guess, get carried away, not knowing what he was doing.
Carried away enough to batter her with a hammer? It still seems out of character for the person your mother described.
His frown lingered. Maybe. Its hard to say what happened. All we have are the facts, and they dont look good for Thomas.
No, they didnt. If she ended up trying to plea-bargain the case, Geneva would be disappointed in her. Shed be disappointed in herself, for that matter, but shed do what was best for the client.