Gun Games - Faye Kellerman [127]
Wynona looked at Decker who nodded. “What do you have in mind?”
“She’s a minor, you know.”
“She’s seventeen, Counselor. We’d have no trouble trying her as an adult for kidnapping and attempted mur—”
“What!” Darla shouted out.
“Calm down, Darla!” Quiller said. “What can you recommend to the D.A.?”
“What do you want?”
Quiller said, “Before she does anything, she needs to undergo immediate rehabilitation for substance abuse. Substitute time in a rehab facility for time in a juvenile facility.”
“I don’t know if I can make that happen, Counselor.”
“Well, that’s a prerequisite for her cooperation. Also, if she agrees to turn state’s witness, I want all the charges against her dropped. As I said, she’ll undergo immediate rehabilitation for substance abuse and then afterward, her church will impose on her five hundred hours of community service.”
Wynona said, “I was thinking probation plus two thousand hours of community service might cut it.”
“No probation. I don’t want her having any record. All charges must be dropped.”
Wynona said, “I don’t know if I can do that. The charges are serious.”
“How about five thousand hours of community service. Mandated by the church.”
“I can’t answer for the D.A. Plus, the court must have proof that she’s actually fulfilling her community obligations.”
“How long is five thousand hours in days?” Marie asked.
“It’s about three to four years working full-time,” Wynona told her.
“That would be fine,” Marie said. “The church is involved with several charitable programs in Africa. I will send her there immediately after rehab.”
“What about the class trip and graduation?” Darla asked.
Her mother sneered. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“I’d like to attend commencement. Say good-bye to everyone.”
“Are you out of your mind? You can’t step foot inside that place. You’ll be lucky if Bell and Wakefield agrees to graduate you! When this all comes out, you’ll be dirt!”
“If she’s a state’s witness,” Wynona said, “it’ll mean that the D.A. is going to want to know where she is at all times. Also, she’ll have to come back from Africa if any of the other parties involved go to trial.”
“Agreed.” Quiller looked at Wynona. “And nothing is guaranteed from our side until it’s in writing.”
“I think we’re okay with that.” Decker stifled a smile. “But you know that a guarantee in writing thing works both ways.”
Chapter Thirty-six
This is what Dylan Lashay’s school locker did not contain: porno, crumpled papers, pens or pencils, broken rulers, old protractors, random scraps of paper, junk food wrappers or rotting fruit, smelly gym socks, or old T-shirts.
This is what the locker did contain: schoolbooks and notepaper, two revolvers, two semiautomatics, including an old Raven arms MP-25 commonly known as a Saturday night special, and a Taser. There were also several rocks of crystal methamphetamines, two used crack pipes, four boxes of ammo, two boxes of condoms, a roll of duct tape, fishing twine, two black ski masks, a box of latex gloves, and a box of blue trash can liners.
Marge had brought along a video camera to tape whatever they found, and how well did that work out. She videoed and narrated as Martin Punsche cut the padlock off. She videoed and narrated as Martin Punsche opened the locker door. Then she videoed and narrated as Oliver, slowly and carefully, took out the locker’s contents one piece at a time. When Scott was done, an arsenal had been neatly set out on a series of white towels. Then the two of them began the arduous process of bagging the evidence.
Marge said, “The co-eds of Yale don’t know how lucky they are.”
Martin Punsche had turned wan during the process, sweating as they pulled out one firearm after another, mumbling as often as not. “I . . . don’t know what to say.”
“No comment necessary.” Marge picked up the SNS and unloaded the chamber.
Oliver said, “This is really scary.”
The hallway had been cordoned off. Despite the best efforts of the faculty to keep the students away, there was a crowd of onlookers.
The boys’ VP adjusted his tie. “I’m