“What about the bloody clothes in our apartment?” Elizabeth asked. “What the hell was that about?”
“Let’s see what they come back with when they’re sharing actual evidence,” Mikey said. “You can hear some alarming things at an arraignment that magically vanish once more lab work comes in and it doesn’t go the way the prosecution was hoping. They don’t have a DNA match on that blood, or the body yet. Apparently, there are some issues slowing down a visual ID.”
“They found her body?” Cassandra asked.
“Yes, in the Hudson, near Battery Park, two days ago,” Scotty said. “As you can imagine, they’re not being very forthcoming with details, except that the condition of the body is making a visual ID difficult. Facial injuries. Also, her mother has competency issues, so I don’t think she could travel here or do a visual ID, even if one were possible.”
“Maybe they won’t be able to go to trial if they don’t have an official ID,” Becks offered.
“They’ll get an ID,” Mikey Pearce said. “At arraignment it’s not unusual for them to proceed without one. I know it feels like this has been going on for an eternity, but in investigative terms it’s only been a number of hours since the crime took place. State-run labs take more time than you’d think for things like fingerprints and DNA.”
“Their theory, we gather, is that Richard moved her body to Battery Park afterward because it’s near his office,” Scotty said.
“Well, that would be stupid,” Elizabeth said. “Doesn’t she live in the East Village?”
“I agree that would be a very stupid thing for Richard to do. And Richard is not stupid,” Mikey Pearce said. “We’ll need to wait until they give us all the medical examiner’s findings, including a specific cause of death, before we more fully consider how best to rebut this. I’m sure their theory includes something like Richard getting interrupted when he was moving her body, panicking, anddumping her there. That he never intended to leave her near his office. Prosecutors are not stupid people, either—they can find an explanation for even the most inane theories.” He paused. “Anyway, while we wait for more details, my associates will get started on the paperwork for an appeal of the denial of bail. Don’t get your hopes up just yet, but bail appeals can sometimes succeed.”
“Can we see him?” Cassandra asked.
“He’s being transferred to Rikers,” Mikey Pearce said. “It can take a day or two until visitors are allowed. But we’ll let you know as soon as we get word that he’s been processed.”
“And as soon as you know anything more.Anything at all.Even bad news,” Gretchen confirmed. “We want to be updated no matter what.”
“You’ll know anything the minute we do,” Mikey said. “I promise.”
“Is it still possible they don’t even have a case?” Becks asked.
“Of course!” Scotty said. “More than possible—I think it’s likely. This has snap judgment written all over it. And judges do dismiss criminal cases.”
Everyone looked at Scotty doubtfully. It was one thing to push unhelpful facts from the forefront of your mind; it was another to be actively delusional.
Gretchen stood a little taller. They needed to focus on solutions. “What about other suspects? Shouldn’t you be investigating the kind of person she was? Maybe there are other people in her life who wanted to hurt her.”
Like the many men she was probably having sex with. Gretchen couldn’t say that, but those paintings…they were just so available. It suggested that Frankie might have been, too. That was simply a fact.
“Exactly,” Cassandra added. “For all we know, she had all sorts of enemies.”
Elizabeth nodded vigorously in agreement.
“The best defense is a good offense,” Becks added quietly, staring toward the door now. Gretchen didn’t love the far-off look on his face.
“I have a whole team of investigators,” Mikey said. “They’re on it, but it will take a little time.”
Gretchen’s mouth felt dry. “Can one of you tell me something encouraging now,please?” Her voice was trembling in a way she hated but was powerless to control. “Because this entire situation is”—she glanced at her children—“it’s unsettling.”
When Scotty looked up at her, his gaze was unflinching. “He didn’t kill anyone, Gretchen,” he said resolutely. “That’sall that matters.”
There was something so terribly deliberate about his tone, his choice of words. Oh, God, Scotty knew or at least suspected that Richard and Frankie had been having an affair. It was like he was casually drawing a razor down the center of Gretchen’s forehead. She could feel the blood running into her eyes.
“But there must be something we cando,” Cassandra said. “Something more than just sitting here and waiting.”
“We’re not going to let our dad get railroaded. This is what the governmentdoes.” Elizabeth glanced at Gretchen, a flicker of compassion in her eyes. “Whatever else he is, he definitely isn’t a killer.”
“Agreed,” Scotty said. “We all agree on that.”
Mikey Pearce cleared his throat. “The most important thing is for all of you to support Richard while he is in custody—visit, call, have friends visit and call. Make him feel cared for.” He paused. “Also, make arrangements with someone you trust in Richard’s office who can cover for him in the short term. As Richard’s attorneys, we’ll reach out to Goldman in a more formal way as soon as possible to be sure he’s protected.”
“Yes, of course,” Gretchen said smoothly. “That’s already taken care of.”
