Just Take My Heart - Mary Higgins Clark [67]
Emily ordered a turkey sandwich and a diet soda. Back in her of?fice, she nibbled at the sandwich, then put it down. Though she had felt hungry a few minutes ago, seeing Katie Aldrich had taken away any semblance of an appetite.
Alice Mills. Emily's thoughts turned back to her. If she had been convinced of his innocence back in April when I first met her here, would I have done anything different? she asked herself.
It was a possibility that frightened her. Billy and Jake did n the investigation on the case, including interviewing Jimmy Eastern and checking out the details of his story. There was no question that Gregg Aldrich had placed a phone call to him and there was question that he had accurately described Aldrich's living room.
But so much of the rest of his story could not be corroborated. Gregg Aldrich completely denied ever getting a letter from Eason backing out of the deal to kill Natalie.
Easton just doesn't seem like the type to write a letter, Emily thought. It would be so much more like him to leave a cryptic message on Aldrich's cell phone saying he was leaving town and was no longer available to provide services.
But maybe Easton didn't want to get involved in any conversa?tion if Gregg had answered the call, Emily rationalized. He couldn't count on just getting Gregg's voice mail. So he wrote a letter.
I'm finished trying this case, she reminded herself. Let it go. There is a ton of evidence against Gregg Aldrich. Whatever the jury does, I can live with.
At four thirty that afternoon, Judge Stevens sent the jury home, re?minding them again not to discuss the deliberations, either amour themselves or with anyone else.
They've been deliberating for about twelve hours now, 1 thought as she watched the somber-faced jury file out. That doesn’t surprise me. I just hope we get a verdict by Friday afternoon. She smiled ruefully. After watching Courtside last night and hearing the poll results, she didn't want the jurors exposed over the weekend to family and friends dying to offer helpful comments.
Richard Moore lingered in the courtroom after Cole escorted Gregg and Katie out, with Alice Mills a few steps behind them. He came over to Emily. “The jurors are making both of us sweat, Emily,” he remarked cordially.
“I guess they are, Richard,” Emily agreed. “But I always thought this would take a few days.”
“I understand that Alice Mills came to see you yesterday.”
“She certainly did,” Emily replied. “She's a lovely lady and she's been through hell, but I'm sure glad she's not on the jury.”
Richard Moore chuckled. “I guess you are.” The momentary hint of humor then disappeared. “Emily, I swear to you. You've got the wrong guy. You may get a conviction, but if you do we're going to keep looking for how Easton got his information, especially about that damn squeaky drawer. There's got to be another explanation.”
“Richard, you've done a great job for him. I have prosecuted him in good conscience. If any legitimate new evidence ever came up, I would be the first to want to see it.”
They walked out of the courtroom together. “See you in the morning,” Richard said.
“Take care,” Emily replied.
When she got to her office, there was a note on her desk. “Em,” it read, “come to Solari's at 6:30 for dinner. It's Billy Tryon's birthday and we're taking him out. Ted Wesley is going to stop by.” The note was signed “Trish,” an investigator in the office.
Trish had added a good-natured RS. “You'll be home in time to watch your favorite show — Courtside!!!!”
The thought of sharing in a birthday celebration for Billy Tryon was singularly unappealing, but there was no way she could decline, particularly since Ted Wesley, Tryon's cousin, was going to be there.
It's almost five o'clock, she realized. Since I'm stuck with this, I'd better get going so that I can feed Bess and let her out. And I'll get out of this suit and these heels and put on something more comfortable.