Page 132 of The Devil's Advocate

CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE

EDDIE

Two court bailiffs stepped toward me.

‘Your Honor, may I be allowed a moment. I think there’s been a misunderstanding here,’ I said.

‘In what possible way has there been a misunderstanding?’ asked Chandler.

‘Your Honor,’ interrupted Korn, taking an envelope from his pocket and opening it, ‘I have here photographs of Mr. Flynn speaking with the juror in a chop house outside of town. These were taken by my assistant district attorney, Mr. Wingfield. To remove any possible doubt about the situation, here is a photograph of a leather bag, filled with money in this juror’s apartment. Fifty thousand dollars in cash. Deputy Leonard took that photograph.’

Chandler was passed the photographs from the clerk. He examined them one by one.

Kate handed me a phone. I gave it to the clerk, told her the judge should look at the photos and the video. He took it from her, started swiping his finger across the screen. Then as he stared at the phone, and I heard the muffled audio from the phone’s speakers.

‘What is the meaning of this?’ he asked.

‘Your Honor, ask the juror,’ I said.

‘I can tell you exactly what happened,’ said Sandy. ‘Mr. Korn approached me privately and said he wanted to discuss the trial. He said we could help each other. I was scared and I didn’t know what to do, so I spoke to Mr. Flynn, told him about it, and he said I should protect myself and be careful if anyone offered me money. His investigator gave me a pair of Minnie Mouse pajamas with a small video camera on one of the buttons. She also took the photo you have there on that phone. It shows Mr. Korn walking into my apartment with that bag inhishand. Deputy Leonard was in on it too. Your Honor, I didn’t want any money. I just wanted to do my duty. I took the video of my conversation with Mr. Korn in my apartment and I showed it to Mr. Flynn. He said I should ignore everything and just give an honest verdict and if I was asked about it, I should tell the court and agree to testify against Mr. Korn.’

Chandler studied the photograph I’d given to him. And it was clear as day. Bloch had taken the picture herself. There was Korn, outside Sandy’s apartment, holding the leather bag full of money. And the video was perfect. There was Korn, in Sandy’s apartment, giving her his speech, laying the trap for me. In Kate’s divorce practice, Bloch’s Minnie Mouse pajama cam gave them more incriminating evidence than they ever needed.

We’d flipped the script.

‘Mr. Korn—’ said Judge Chandler, but the DA was scrambling now.

‘Your Honor, my assistant Tom Wingfield will affirm my version of events.’

Beside Korn, Wingfield stood and addressed the court.

‘Your Honor, I’m afraid I have no idea what Mr. Korn is referring to. This is the first I’ve heard of this.’

Korn looked like he’d been stabbed. His mouth opened. Wingfield wasn’t on video in Sandy’s apartment, and he was distancing himself from Korn because he knew what was coming down the pike.

‘Your Honor, I …’ But Korn’s words died in his throat.

Sandy was perfect. We’d suckered Korn into trying to frame me. I almost felt sorry for him.

‘I don’t want to hear any more from you, Mr. Korn. Bailiffs, arrest Mr. Korn and Deputy Leonard.’

Korn backed away at first, but then relented. Leonard fought the bailiffs at first, and then a shot to the ribs with an elbow took all the fight out of him.

‘Before you go, Mr. Korn,’ said Judge Chandler. ‘I want you to hear this. I am dismissing this case against Andy Dubois, for clear prosecutorial misconduct. Mr. Dubois, you are free to leave. And please go with my apologies. You have faced an unfair trial, and for that I am truly sorry.’

The bailiffs escorted Korn, in handcuffs, through the courtroom to the side door, leading to the cells. He limped along, and as he passed me I saw his real face.

His slash of a mouth was twisted in anger, and his eyes were blazing. I caught his scent again. The smell of rotten flesh.

I turned away in disgust, and watched with Kate and Harry as Andy and Patricia disappeared into one another in an embrace that would last a lifetime.

CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR

BLOCH

Mr. Anderson pulled up outside 224 Calabasas Road. It was a rundown stucco house with paint peeling off the walls and rotten window frames. The lawn was high, and there were children’s toys in the long grass, faded with the sun, as if they hadn’t been used in a long time. If there was a poster for a home where the husband got the house and the wife got the kids after the divorce, it was this one.

The local radio was all about the attempted bombing carried out last night by Francis Edwards. The news confirmed he had been shot and killed on scene, and that local law enforcement were investigating. There was one other major news story, but it was getting buried under the attempted bombing lead. Last night, Hogg’s Bar was robbed and the owner, Ryan Hogg, was shot and killed by the perpetrator who is said to have been seen leaving the bar carrying an automatic weapon.