“And when … if … she gets better?” Brent asked.
“We’ll cross that bridge, but if I’m paying, it should be my decision.” Everything about her had been his decision, even before she knew his name. He wasn’t losing that control now.
“Tony, I’ll investigate and get back to you. Evergreen said there’s a preexamination scheduled for the day after tomorrow.”
“I should be there.”
“That isn’t the customary practice.”
“I don’t give a shit what’s customary. You investigate the insanity plea and I’ll call Evergreen.”
Tony didn’t wait for Brent’s answer before he hit: DISCONNECT.
Tony had Judge Reynolds’ written decision in the breast pocket of his jacket. He didn’t care if Evergreen didn’t want him at this preexamination. Tony wanted Claire to plead insanity, and he needed to tell her. Honestly, he didn’t expect any resistance from her or her counsel. Evergreen had said she received court-appointed attorneys, and apparently her draw hadn’t been the best. Paul Task was fresh out of law school, had recently passed the bar, and was still wet behind the ears. His co-counsel was Jane Allyson. She’d spent a few years in the defender’s office before and during law school. Evergreen said she was tenacious, but unestablished and unknown.
As Tony entered the hallway of conference rooms in the courthouse complex attached to the Iowa City jail, he was met by multiple law-enforcement officers. No one questioned his presence or commented about his wife’s behavior. Everyone greeted him as if he were a long-lost friend. “Hello, Mr. Rawlings.” “It’s nice to see you, Mr. Rawlings.” “Can I help you, Mr. Rawlings?”
It didn’t take him long to find the conference room occupied by Evergreen and his team, as well as Claire and her legal team. There was a small window in the door. As soon as he looked in, he saw her. She looked so small and frail sitting at the cluttered table flanked by her incompetent counsel. Taking a deep breath, and remembering the pain of his broken ribs, he opened the door. The room, which had been full of murmuring, went silent. It was Marcus who finally stood and approached. “Mr. Rawlings, I thought we discussed this, and you weren’t to attend this conference.”
“Mr. Evergreen.” Tony forced himself to look at the prosecutor as they shook hands. Every instinct in his body wanted to look at his wife. Feeling the green of her eyes penetrating his facade, he pushed on. “I appreciate everyone’s concern for my safety. I’ll repeat what I told Judge Reynolds. I don’t believe my wife is a threat to my well-being. I believe if we can have a few moments alone, we can save the taxpayers of Iowa the cost of a lengthy trial, and this court, some time. Judge Reynolds has agreed to my request.”
Marcus nodded and turned toward his team. Immediately, they began to move their chairs and stand. Claire’s counsel whispered to one another and then to Claire. Next, Paul Task stood to meet Tony chest to chest. It was almost comical. Tony tried not to smile as Mr. Task stuttered, “M-Mr. Rawlings, I-I’ll need to confirm that Judge Reynolds has indeed approved this visit. In situations such as this—”
Grinning, Tony reached into his jacket and passed a paper to Claire’s frightened attorney. “Of course, Mr. Task. I would have expected no less. Here’s the good judge’s written approval.”
Tony tried not to notice Paul Task’s shaking hands as he took the paper and began to read. Once he was done, Tony smugly nodded as Claire’s attorney turned toward her and confirmed, “Mrs. Rawlings, it appears to be in order.”
As most of the room’s occupants began to leave, Claire’s co-counsel sat unmoving. Tony’s gaze centered on the woman to Claire’s right. Finally, Jane rose and met Tony’s eyes. “Mr. Rawlings.”
“Ms. Allyson.” They nodded.
“Mr. Rawlings, this is unexpected. I’d like to speak to our client for a few moments and determine her desire regarding this meeting. If you’d please step into the hall with Mr. Evergreen and his team, Mr. Task and I will discuss this new situation with Mrs. Rawlings.” Who the hell did this woman think she was? Tony started to respond, but Jane continued, “And then if Mrs. Rawlings agrees to your meeting, it may proceed under her conditions.”
Before Tony could speak, Marcus placed his hand on Tony’s arm and nodded. Tony turned toward Claire. This woman thought that she could stop him? He didn’t need words, not with Claire. He wanted Claire to know that soon they’d be speaking, it wasn’t open for debate. When he saw her expression, Tony’s cheeks rose and his grin grew. She understood his unspoken promise. He turned back to her co-counsel. Accommodatingly, he said, “Why of course, Ms. Allyson,” and stepped from the small room.
Once in the hallway, Marcus looked him in the eye and took a step backward. “I’m sorry, Mr. Rawlings, this is highly unusual. Ms. Allyson is—”
Tony squared his shoulders and smiled affirmatively. “—doing her job. I respect that, but as I’ve stated, I’m not frightened of my wife. I believe she was merely overwhelmed.”
Marcus looked at his colleagues and then back to Tony.
Tony had everyone’s attention. “You see, I’ve given this a lot of thought. Despite the evidence, I don’t believe my wife wanted to kill me. The doctor said that the dose was wrong, and she’s too intelligent for that. I’m a busy man. Perhaps it was nothing more than a cry for help.”
“Mr. Rawlings, the state of Iowa—”
Tony put his hand on Marcus’s shoulder. “The state of Iowa has done a remarkable job building a case. You’ve said that she’s remained mostly silent. Is that still the case?”
Marcus nodded.
“Very well, I’ve had my attorneys working on this case day and night.”
“But … it isn’t up to your attorneys.” Marcus answered, somewhat puzzled.
“No, it isn’t. However, if …” Tony turned to address the entire group, “… if my wife pleads insanity—we can call it temporary. If my wife pleads temporary insanity and the state accepts that plea, I believe she’ll receive the treatment she needs and deserves. Mrs. Rawlings isn’t a criminal: she’s ill. I want her to get the best care possible.”
Marcus looked confused. “But, we have a solid case.”
“I’m sure you do. I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt your career, or any of your careers, to add this gem to your résumé. I can assure you though, that supporting the insanity defense, keeping this out of court, and allowing my wife to enter a private treatment facility, will also benefit your careers. You have my word.”
Tony glanced toward the small window and saw Jane Allyson talking as Claire nodded. He wanted in that damn room.
“You realize,” Marcus said, “it isn’t enough for her to plead insanity. It must be clinically verified.”
Tony grinned. “Yes, Marcus, I realize that. I have a plethora of psychiatrists ready to evaluate her.”
“We have state-appointed—”
Before he could finish, Tony said, “I have their names, and I can assure you, they’re on my list.”