'It's the exact MO down to the bloody references on the backs of their heads. Harvey's getting the quotes from Rushman's books, which are now in the Newberry.'
'How about Stampler?' was her first question.
'Still in max security Daisyland. As far as we know, he hasn't had any contact with the outside world for ten years.'
'Is it a copycat killer?'
Vail shrugged. 'Could be. A copycat killer could've discovered some of the quotes marked in those books. But
'Of course not. I erased it the day after the trial. How about you?'
'No. But the details
'And where are they?'
'Probably in evidence storage at the warehouse.'
'After all these years…' Jane said.
'Yeah.' Vail nodded. 'After all these years.'
His face got very serious. 'Listen, there's something I need to get off my chest. I've never told anybody this before. It's in the nature of client-lawyer confidentiality.'
'What is it?' she asked, obviously concerned.
'Look, I spent a couple of months setting up the perfect defence for Stampler. Multiple personality disorder. Aaron was the innocent genius-boy, Roy was the evil twin doing the bad stuff. It worked. But that day, on the way out of the courtroom, Aaron -
'Oh, come on, it was probably his sick way of joking,' she said with a shrug.
'Maybe. But what if he wasn't kidding? What if it was all a con job?'
'Come on, Martin, you were just lecturing me about having an attack of conscience. Did you think he was faking?'
'No. Nor did the psychiatrist, Molly Arrington.'
'Then why worry about it? Besides, you can't tell anyone that. It
'What if he is directing these killings in some way?'
'That's pure hunch, Counsellor. Based on incredibly circumstantial evidence. You need a lot more to go on than a chance remark, some circumstance, and an attack of conscience. Besides, you just told me he's in maximum security at Daisyland. Hasn't had any contact with the outside world in all these years. How could he do it?'
Vail shook his head. 'I have no idea,' he said.
'I just remembered something sweet, old Jack Yancey told me once. He said when he was a young lawyer he found out during the course of a murder trial that his client was guilty. He went to the judge and wanted to quit and the judge said no way, it would cause a mistrial and make a retrial impossible. Besides, it was confidential between Jack and his client. He was told to do the best he could and he did. He won the case, for a change, and his client took a hike.'
'What did Yancey think about that?'
'All he said was 'Justice can't win every time.' So forget it, Counsellor.' She smiled and stroked his cheek.
Flaherty, St Claire, and Stenner arrived a minute or so later, ending the conversation. They were properly apologetic.
'Good to see you again, Abel.' Jane smiled and offered her hand. 'It's been a long time.'
'Read about you a lot,' he said.
'This is Harve St Claire and Dermott Flaherty,' Vail said, completing the introductions. They moved the dishes off the dining room table and shoved the flowers back to make room for Flaherty's package.
'Nice flowers,' Flaherty said, taking the reports and photographs from his shoulder bag. 'Your birthday?'
Jane smiled. 'Nope' was all she said.
'Have you filled Ms Venable in, Marty?' Stenner asked.