“You’re going to ask me to drop the charges. That’s my answer. No. Austin has spent the better part of a year doing everything he can to ruin my life. That man will get zerosympathy from me. I hope they throw the fucking book at him. He deserves to rot in a cell for what he did.”
When I finish, my chest is heaving. Anger simmers beneath the surface of my skin. Jaymin is quiet for several seconds, and it’s obvious she’s mulling over her response.
“Have you gone to trial before, Ms. Russo? Have you witnessed court proceedings beyond what you’ve seen on television?”
Shaking my head, I keep my eyes cast out the window.
“Allow me to walk you through what comes next.” There’s a haughtiness to her voice, one that says she’s about to teach me a lesson. “Austin may have been arrested, but there will still be an investigation. This can take anywhere from three to four months. After which, the charges will be reevaluated and either confirmed or modified. There will be an initial hearing and plea followed by any pre-trial motions and discovery. This can take another six to nine months.”
The blood drains from my face. Nine months? On top of another three to four?
“Then we will conduct jury selection. This will be another month. The trial itself will take two to three months where you will be expected to testify.”
Nausea rolls in the pit of my stomach.
“It will not be pleasant. For the victims, it never is.
Once the trial is complete, you’ll wait through jury deliberation until a verdict can be met. The decision must be unanimous, and Ms. Russo, I don’t believe you’ll receive the verdict you’re after.”
My breath hitches.
“My son is a very charismatic boy with a bright future ahead of him. Juries don’t like convicting people like him, but,” she shrugs as if to say she doesn’t have a care in the world, “it can happen. This adds another week after which if he is found guilty,he will be sentenced approximately one month later. All of that is to say that you will not see my son behind bars for at least a year, though it can take up to two. And I assure you as both his mother and legal counsel, I will do everything in my power to prevent and delay that fate. If convicted, there will be appeals. You will go through the trial process all over again if necessary.”
No. I?—
Grinding my teeth together, I manage to force out my question. “What’s the point in telling me all of this?” I knew this wouldn’t be easy. Nothing with Austin is ever easy. But … I didn’t expect all of this.A year? Maybe two?
Hasn’t Austin taken enough of my life as it is?
“The point is to ensure you have a full understanding of what you are entering into. Despite the evidence, this case will not be swift. It will be time-consuming and exhaustive. You will be forced to relive your trauma for public consumption. There will be media. Your father is a prominent member of the community, and my family is well known and well respected. Every news outlet will want an exclusive and we will give it to them because in the court of public opinion, perception matters. You will be hounded relentlessly. Every mistake you’ve made, every skeleton in your, or your family’s, closet, they will all be brought to light.
The trial will put a strain on both your relationships and your studies, and in the end, it still may not result in a conviction.”
Nausea churns in my gut. I knew all this, but hearing it said out loud … “Wonderful. Thank you for this enlightening conversation.”
“I’d like to save you that experience, Ms. Russo,” Jaymin says. “If you’ll let me.”
I bark out a laugh. “Oh, really? And how is it that you’ll manage that? Because you don’t strike me as the type to just walk away and let your son rot for his crimes.”
She purses her lips. “I’d like for us to discuss a plea deal. One that is mutually beneficial.”
My eyes widen in disbelief. “You want to negotiate his freedom?”
There’s a flicker of something in her eyes, but it’s gone before I can really register what it is. Anger? Concern? I don’t know.
“There are no winners in a case like this,” she tells me. “Only compromises. If we can come to an agreement, we can both save ourselves months, if not years, of emotional turmoil and stress. I mean this to be a collaboration, Ms. Russo. We can both walk away from today’s conversation with some level of satisfaction.”
I highly doubt that.
“What are you proposing?” I already know whatever it is, I won’t like it.
“Three years probation and a settlement in the amount of two-hundred and fifty thousand dollars to cover any pain and suffering you’ve endured.”
My mouth drops open. Is she for real?
“You want to bribe me?”
Jaymin tuts. “Don’t think of it as a bribe.” She taps one finger against her chin. “Think of it as restitution for everything you’ve been through. A sum in this amount has the potential to significantly alter the course of your life. It could cover tuition. You can purchase your first home?—”
