A. Apparently.
Q. Could you please answer yes or no?
A. Yes.
Q. What did you do once you had established that the body did not belong to Frankie Callahan?
A. We alerted the prosecution’s office, and they began reevaluating the evidence.
After
Gretchen
September 18
Mikey and Gretchen were seated in the living room. He’d asked to speak to Gretchen alone, without Elizabeth, who’d complied with surprisingly little fuss. Becks wasn’t home, hadn’t been home for hours, even though Gretchen had texted several times. She needed to speak with him.
“First off, I’m here as Richard’s attorney,” Mikey began. “But also as yours.”
“Why would I need a lawyer?”
The men.Oh, she had a bad feeling now. Yes, that man had claimed he’d had nothing to do with what happened. But who knew what was true?
Mikey pulled a document from his briefcase. “This is just a precaution. For confidentiality purposes. Don’t want anyone trying to argue that something you tell me isn’t privileged because I’m not your lawyer.” He placed the paper on her Cézanne coffee-table book and handed her a pen. “It’s a retainer agreement.”
“Yes. I understand,” she said, panic rising in her throat as she quickly signed. She returned the pen to him. “Now can you tell me what this is about?”
“Okay. I need you to listen carefully,” he said. He seemed to be steeling himself. “The DNA on Richard’s pants is not back yet. But when it does come back, which will be soon, it’s going to match Frankie Callahan’s. It’s her DNA, Gretchen.”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”Bang, bang, bangwent her heart. “Did—did Richard say he was there?”
“Yes. He was there, but he didnotkill her.” Mikey held eye contact with Gretchen. There was something careful about it—gentle and firm—like he was holding her upright with the force of his gaze. “He was in her apartment that night.”
“Oh my God.” Gretchen clamped a hand over her mouth.
Mikey held up a palm like a stop sign. “It’s not what it sounds like. When he arrived, she was already dead.”
“That’s what he told you?”
“Yes, and I believe him. And to be honest, I don’t always believe my clients,” he said. “Anyway, that’s why her blood is on his pants. It’s extremely damaging evidence, obviously. Regardless of how it got there.”
Gretchen felt like she might retch. “This is not happening.”
“It’s going to be okay,” Mikey said, though even he didn’t sound convinced. “The important thing is that he didn’t do it, Gretchen.”
“Stop saying my name!” she shouted, regretting it immediately. “I’m sorry. It’s just making me feel…worse.”
“It’s okay,” Mikey said. He was quiet then, leaving Gretchen at a loss. But at least he didn’t tell her to breathe or stay calm or make any of the usual infuriating suggestions.
“I’m sorry, but this is…” Facts. That was what mattered now. “What does this…mean?”
“We need to use whatever you know to help Richard while still keeping you out of harm’s way. I promise.”
What did he mean? Keepherout of harm’s way?
***
Richard and Gretchen had been married for ten years when Richard finally tried to put his foot down. He wanted to celebrate Christmas intheirhome, with their own Christmas tree. He wanted to start building their own traditions. After all, they had two children now.
