her attache case and took out several legal documents.
“I have a substitution of counsel for you to sign,” Ami said, sliding the papers and a pen across the table.
“You’re not going to represent me?”
“I can’t. Remember, we talked about this the first time we met. First off, I have no experience as a criminal defense attorney. Second, it’s unethical for a lawyer to represent two people in the same case. It’s a clear conflict of interest. One of the ways a lawyer helps a client is by negotiating a deal for her with the district attorney. If there are two defendants, it’s normal for the lawyer for one of the defendants to tell the DA that her client will testify against the other defendant in exchange for a lighter sentence. I can’t do that for you or Carl if I represent both of you.
“And there’s another problem. I helped you hide out. Do you know how much trouble I’d be in if that came out? I aided and abetted your escape. If I become a codefendant, it’s obvious that I’d have to drop off the case.
“Not to mention that I’m a witness to Carl’s attack on Barney Lutz and the police officer at Ryan’s game.”
Ami smiled ruefully. “I’ve got so many conflicts of interest that I feel like a human law school exam question. But don’t worry. Ray Armitage is still willing to represent Carl and I’ve lined up Janet Massengill to represent you. She’s excellent. She thinks there’s a good chance that she can get you released at a bail hearing.”
“No, no,” Vanessa said as she shook her head back and forth. “I wouldn’t be safe out of jail. I’m in solitary here. Unless he bribes a guard, my father won’t be able to get to me.”
Ami held her tongue. It was sad to see such a strong woman reduced to this state of terror.
“That’s something you can talk over with your new lawyer. You don’t have to ask for bail if you don’t want it. As soon as you sign this substitution, Janet will take over. She’s tied up today, but she can visit you tomorrow.”
Vanessa reached across the table and placed her hand on top of Ami’s.
“Don’t desert me, Ami.”
“Haven’t you been listening? I have no choice.”
“You have to stay on as my attorney. It’s my only chance.”
“To do what?”
“Expose my father and save Carl.”
“How can you possibly do that, Vanessa?” Ami asked, finally exasperated by her client’s refusal to face reality.
“I can demand a hearing in open court with the press and the public present. I can call witnesses. I can subpoena my father, and you can cross-examine him under oath with the whole world watching.”
“It won’t work. He’ll just deny everything, and the prosecutor will trot out your mental history. Your lawyer won’t have any evidence to contradict anything the General says.”
“Carl will contradict him.”
“No one is going to believe Carl without corroboration. Think of how he’d look after Brendan Kirkpatrick got through with him on cross. There is overwhelming evidence that he has killed a congressman, a general, several of your father’s guards, and my friend George French.”
Vanessa looked Ami in the eye. “Carl swears that he wasn’t even in the United States when General Rivera was murdered, and he didn’t kill George French. I was with him from the time I helped him escape until I was kidnapped.”
Ami shook her head. “That’s going to be a hard sell, Vanessa. I saw the photographs of the crime scene at Lost Lake. George was killed the same way that Carl killed Congressman Glass. If you’re the only alibi he has…” Ami held out her hands, palms up. “You see the problem?”
“I do have a way to defeat my father that doesn’t depend on Carl, but you have to stay with me. I don’t trust anyone else to pull this off.”
“Pull what off?”
“There may be a way to prove that the Unit existed and that my father was involved, but it’s a long shot.” Vanessa looked down at the tabletop. “If this doesn’t work…”
She looked so defeated that Ami could not help feeling sorry for her.
“I can’t, Vanessa. I just explained why I have to step down from your case and Carl’s case. Tell Janet Massengill your plan. She can do anything I can do, and better.”
Vanessa looked up. Her features looked set in stone, and her eyes blazed with insane determination.
“You are my only hope, Ami, and you are not going to desert Carl or me.”
“Vanessa…”
“I’ll tell the police that you helped us escape.”
Ami’s jaw dropped, and she flushed with anger. “I’d be ruined,” she said. “I’d be arrested and disbarred.”
“I didn’t want it to come to this, but I have no choice. I must stop my father. I can’t let him become the president of the United States. He has to pay for what he’s done to me and Carl.”
“Please, don’t do this, Vanessa. I’ve only tried to help you. I’ve never done anything to hurt you. Why would you want to hurt me and my son?”
“I don’t want to hurt you or Ryan, but I will if I have to. Remember one thing, Ami. I am my father’s child, and I can be just as ruthless as he is if I have to.”
“What do you want me to do?” Ami asked, hoping that she would find a flaw in Vanessa’s plan that would persuade Vanessa to drop it and let her go.
“Write down this number. It’s for Victor Hobson’s cell phone. Arrange a meeting. If I’m right, there is proof that the Unit existed and he can help me prove it.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
The guard ushered Ami, Brendan Kirkpatrick, and Victor Hobson into the visiting room and closed the door behind them. Vanessa was already seated at a table with three extra chairs.
“You know Mr. Hobson,” Ami said. “This is Brendan Kirkpatrick. He’s prosecuting you. I want to make sure you understand that.”
“I have no illusions about Mr. Kirkpatrick’s interest in me.”
“Good,” the prosecutor said as he placed a tape recorder on the table. “I’m going to insist on recording everything that goes on here.”
“I expected that,” Vanessa answered.
While the prosecutor played with the tape recorder, Victor Hobson sat across from the prisoner.
“It’s been a long time,” he said.
“Almost twenty years.”
“Sorry we have to meet again under these circumstances.”
“You and me both,” Vanessa answered with a wry smile. “But you’re going to help me change my circumstances.”
Brendan spoke into the tape recorder, stating the date, explaining where the recording was taking place, and giving the name of everyone present.
“Look, Vanessa, I’ve got to say this before we go any further,” Victor Hobson said as soon as Kirkpatrick’s introductory remarks were finished. “I’m with the FBI, which means that I’m a law enforcement officer. So is Brendan. Our job is to put you in prison.”
“No, Victor, your job is to get the bad guys. That’s not Carl or me. My father is the bad guy here and I’m going to help you get him.”
Brendan Kirkpatrick shook his head. “I don’t like this. I’m here only because of Mrs. Vergano, who should not be representing you.”
“I’ve waived any conflict in writing.”
