Murder at Ford's Theatre - Margaret Truman [62]
“Our concern,” said Becker, “is that today’s Presentment hearing will confuse the issue, as Mr. LeCour has just done. We want to be sure that the murder plays no part in the proceedings, or in your decisions, Judge.”
If Millander was offended at the suggestion that his decisions might be based upon anything but hard fact and judicial propriety, he didn’t demonstrate it. He said to LeCour, “They’re right. Let’s not mix apples and oranges.”
“The detectives went out to the Millennium Arts Center, Judge, to question the defendant about the murder,” LeCour said. “That should be brought into the equation.”
“They went out there to question him,” said Smith, “not to arrest him. He couldn’t have resisted arrest if the officers weren’t there to arrest him in the first place. As for assaulting the detective, they both ended up with bruises. Sounds like a wash to me. The kid was scared. He saw two strange guys in suits looking for him. He swung on them and bolted. The preponderance of evidence just isn’t there.”
“Save that for the Presentment, Mr. Smith,” Millander said. “By the way, Senator Lerner is here in the building. He’s asked that the hearing be closed. I can’t accommodate him with that, but we have arranged for him, and any others involved, to enter and exit the building through a door not available to the public. He’s also asked that I impose a gag order on all participants. I choose not to do that, but ask that all of you exercise restraint, particularly with the press. They’re here in force.”
“I don’t wonder,” Smith said.
“See you downstairs in an hour,” Millander said, dismissing them.
Smith and Becker went to the cafeteria, where they carried coffee to a small table far removed from others.
“What do you think, Mac?” Becker asked.
“Like the judge says, apples and oranges. I think he’s committed to separating the charges from their interest in Jeremiah as a potential suspect in the Zarinski murder. I’m sure we can plead out the charges. What concerns me, Yale, is what LeCour said: that the police have two confirmations that Jeremiah knew the deceased, and possibly even had some sort of a relationship with her.”
“If he did, he’s not doing himself any favor denying it.”
“They got him to deny it before I arrived last night. I told him, of course, to say nothing. But he’s an arrogant kid.”
“We’ll ask for no bail. You know Senator Lerner. I suggest we get him to accept responsibility for his son and agree to have the boy live with him while this gets sorted out. The judge’ll certainly waive bail if that’s the case.”
Smith nodded.
“That still leaves the kid subject to investigation for the murder. What’s your read on him, Mac? Capable of it?”
Smith agreed, but added, “Capable of it the way almost everyone is, given provoking circumstances. You’ll represent him through to the end?”
Becker smiled. “On two conditions. One, that the defendant and the family request that I represent him. And two, that you’re in for the duration.”
“I can’t promise that, Yale.”
“Then I can’t promise I’ll take the case. Look, Mac, this goes beyond my simply wanting you on the team because, frankly, I enjoy your company. It also has to do with your connections with the family. We’re dealing with two highly visible parents, the senator, and his ex-wife. And you well know that in that situation, the attorney ends up with three clients, none of whom will see eye to eye on anything.”
Smith smiled. “That was one of many reasons I got out of the business, Yale. Criminal law is easy, provided you don’t have to deal with people. Like most everything else in life.”
“Like most everything else in life,” Becker repeated. “Well?”
“Annie wants me to.”
“Smart lady. You won’t go against her wishes. Right?”
“Not a prudent thing to do. Yes, I’ll assist. Of course, that assumes he ends up charged in the murder. Failing that, you don’t need me to plead out the assault and resisting charges.”
“Fair enough. Introduce me to the senator when we get there. Is he as