An Imperfect Process by Mary Jo Putney Read Free Book Online Page B

can help with the investigation."
    "Why would you want to do that?" she asked, startled.
    "I don't like capital punishment," he said flatly. "How do you feel about it?"
    "Ambivalent." She frowned. "I don't clamor for blood, but some people have done such ghastly things that it's hard to be upset if they meet their maker prematurely."
    "By killing, society reduces itself to the level of a murderer. Not to mention the fact that innocent men die. Did you know that for every seven men executed, one is released from death row as completely innocent? A lot of prisoners have been freed when DNA evidence proved they didn't commit the crime. What does that imply about cases where there's no DNA to give absolute proof of guilt or innocence?"
    She stared at him. "One in eight? Really?"
    "So I've read. The figures aren't exact. Plenty of agencies keep track of crime and punishment, but not many track wrongful convictions."
    "Twelve percent. That's appalling ." She swung from the window seat and began pacing the room. "If the percentage of wrong convictions holds across the board, that means tens of thousands of innocent people are in prison."
    He smiled without humor. "You wanted to do justice. The field is wide open."
    "I promised to look into this case for Kendra's sake, but if the problem of wrongful conviction is so widespread, there's even more reason to take it on." She gave a quick, impatient shake of her head. "Any thinking person recognizes that the system must occasionally fail and send an innocent man to jail, or worse, to the death chamber. But if mistakes are made on such a scale, it's... it's horrific."
    "You'll probably go home this afternoon and research to find if my figures are accurate," he predicted.
    She looked startled. "I'm that transparent?"
    "Lawyers believe in facts. Before you start a crusade, you're going to make sure that you're carrying the right banner."
    "Damn straight." She stopped pacing and studied his face with alarming intensity. "Rob, your desire to help an innocent man is obviously for real, but I have to ask if you have any experience as an investigator. Do you think you can handle an investigation with so much riding on it? There won't be time for second chances. If this kind of work is outside your experience, I can hire a professional investigator."
    Though he preferred not to discuss his past, it couldn't be avoided this time. "I was a military policeman in the Marines, and I was damned good at it. I had a knack for thinking sideways, so I was given the oddball cases. It's been a few years, but the basic cop skills of investigation, interviewing, and deduction were drummed into me pretty thoroughly. Maybe I can find some angles that no one else has."
    "You're hired. Not that there's any money in this." She smiled a little. "Between now and the time I leave my job, I'm going to be swamped, so it will be a godsend if you have skill and interest in this."
    "Thanks for letting me help." The words were inadequate for what he felt. Even to himself, he couldn't fully explain this urgent need to try to save a stranger. Changing the subject, he said, "You were interested in some remodeling before you move in?"
    "Bookcases, closet shelving, that sort of thing. One of the back rooms needs to be set up for equipment like copiers and printers." Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she shifted mental gears from justice to office space. "It might be good to install double doors between this office and the one behind. I can use the extra space as a library and conference room."
    "No problem. Do you want to think about what changes you'd like over the weekend, then give me a list so I can do an estimate?"
    "Will do. I want to move in as soon as I wind things up at Crouse, Resnick." Her gaze flicked upward. "Your apartment can't be very large. If you want to keep your office here or in the basement for the time being, feel free. There's plenty of space."
    He shook his head, both amused and bemused. "And you say I'm