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Jessie sighed as she tried to figure out how to explain everything. Then she stopped, allowing herself a moment to recover. Charlotte Stevenson might be confused and afraid, but at least she was alive.
As far as Jessie was concerned, today was a win.
CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE
Hank Costabile stood on the steps of California State Prison in Lancaster, letting the late afternoon sun hit his face. He rubbed his bald head happily.
He didn’t mind the cold or the biting wind, though it was causing goosebumps all over his thick, muscled biceps and forearms. Likewise, the hair on his massive chest, which seemed to jut forward independent of the rest of his body, prickled against his shirt in protest of the chill in the air. He ignored it. It had been almost a year and a half since he’d experienced even bitter weather as a free man, and he wasn’t about to complain.
His lawyer, Garth Catchings, a sweaty, heavyset man in his fifties, joined him on the steps and handed him a zip-up sweatshirt.
“I brought this for you,” Catchings said. “I figured the prison wouldn’t provide complimentary coats for inmates, even in this weather.”
“Thanks,” Hank said, grabbing the sweatshirt but not putting it on just yet.
“How does it feel to be free?” Catchings asked.
Hank pondered the question for a moment before responding. After all, “free” was in the eye of the beholder. Was he truly free if his good name had been sullied? Was he truly liberated if his future was in such limbo? Of course, he had a plan for that.
He stretched his arms to the sky, feeling the strength in his shredded body. He’d used the time inside to eliminate any remnants of his old paunch. He felt healthier than at any time since he left the Academy.
“It feels like the world was out of sync for a while, but now everything is right again.”
Or at least it will be soon.
“I’m glad,” Catchings said. “And I’m excited for you to get a chance to start over.”
“Me too,” Hank said. “And I know I have you to thank for that, Garth. I won’t forget it.”
“I was just doing my job,” Catchings said. “Besides, we’ve got to stick together, right? Remember, I was a cop too before I became an attorney.”
“I haven’t forgotten,” Hank told him.
Catchings sighed. Suddenly, he looked nervous.
“I hate to bring this up, but there’s another thing you shouldn’t forget,” he said. “You got out on a technicality. If the appeals court hadn’t ruled that the trial judge erred in admitting that evidence, you’d still be locked up in that place behind you. This won’t be viewed as exoneration. Most folks will think you got out on a legal loophole.”
“What’s your point?” Hank demanded, getting annoyed.
“My point is that people are going to be watching,” Catchings said. “The media, the public, and lots of cops too—they’ll be scrutinizing you closely. You have some supporters, but I’d say they’re in the minority. After all, you were convicted of covering up an underage prostitution ring involving your supervisor and of attempted murder. People aren’t just going to forget that.”
“I understand,” Hank said through gritted teeth.
“I know you do,” Catchings replied. “And I know you’re also aware that while you were inside, everybody associated with this case has moved up in the world. Roy Decker went from Central Station captain to the chief of the LAPD. Ryan Hernandez was promoted to take his place at Central and only recently stepped down to focus on Homicide Special Section. And Jessie Hunt isn’t just a consultant for the department anymore. She’s a full-time LAPD criminal profiler now, with all the benefits that entails.”
“I thought she was on medical leave,” Hank said.
“She was,” Catchings confirmed, “until this week. I hear she solved a case just today.”
“Another feather in her cap,” Hank noted, unable to keep the malice out of his voice. His fists opened and closed involuntarily.
“That’s right,” Catchings said. “And even without that, remember that she’s Chief Decker’s personal pet. He loves the woman. She’s as close to law enforcement royalty as this city’s got these days.”
The thought made Hank want to throw up.
“Funny, I thought cops who put their lives on the line like I used to do were the real heroes.”
“She’s done that too, Hank,” Catchings reminded him gently, “as has her husband. Don’t forget, she and Hernandez are married now. They’re beloved in this town, especially her. And when they learn you’ve been released, they aren’t going to react well. So watch yourself. Try to stick to the straight and narrow from now on, okay?”
