Fangs Out by David Freed Read Free Book Online Page A

Washington. I’m back the day after tomorrow. Can it hold ’til then?”
    I said it could and gave him my number.
    My last call was to Munz’s defense lawyer, Charles Dowd. He sounded inner-city African-American and harried.
    “My client has passed,” Dowd said. “The case was adjudicated. There’s nothing more to be said beyond that.”
    “All I need is a half-hour of your time, Mr. Dowd. Just to clarify a few points.”
    “You say you’re who again?”
    “Cordell Logan. Hub Walker, the father of the young woman your client was convicted of killing, hired me to look into the case.”
    “What exactly is it you’re looking for, Mr. Logan?”
    “Your client, Mr. Munz, made certain allegations against Ruth Walker’s boss, Greg Castle, shortly before Munz was executed.”
    “I’m well aware of those allegations. I believe I was there. You still haven’t answered my question.”
    I explained how Hub Walker and Greg Castle were friends—something I was certain the attorney already knew—and that Walker hoped to help repair the damage done to Castle’s reputation by Munz’s spurious allegations.
    “Mr. Walker would like me to gather a few statements from knowledgeable people who can affirm your client’s guilt in Ruth Walker’s murder. Mr. Walker would like to then pass those statements on to the news media in defense of Mr. Castle.”
    “The jury,” Dowd said, “found the evidence against my client overwhelming. All of that evidence was introduced during proceedings in open court. All of those proceedings are available for your inspection in the office of the clerk of the court. Beyond that, again, there’s nothing more I can say. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Mr. Logan, I have a preliminary hearing to prepare for.”
    “I’m told Mr. Munz’s execution was televised.”
    “All federal executions air on a closed video loop and are taped. No doubt so that the Justice Department can look back in perpetuity and enjoy their splendid handiwork.” The contempt in Dowd’s words was prima facie.
    I asked him if he had retained a copy of the tape in his files. He said he did. I asked if I could see it.
    “Why do you want to see it?”
    “To determine the specific allegations Munz made against Mr. Castle before he was put to death.”
    “Go talk to the prosecution,” Dowd said. “I’m sure they’d be more than happy to help you.”
    “I have a call in to Stephen Tassio.”
    “Steve Tassio’s a world-class prick. He won’t call you back. You can petition the court for a copy of the tape if you want.”
    “Mr. Dowd, you and I both know that could take months. I’m trying to salvage an innocent man’s reputation. Your cooperation would mean the world to the victim’s father and to the memory of his daughter. Please.”
    The lawyer was silent for a long moment. Then he sighed. “I got two girls of my own. Youngest just graduated Howard.”
    “You must be very proud.”
    “I would be if she wasn’t living back home, driving my wife and me nuts. I’m trying to get her off my payroll and onto someone else’s. No easy task, Mr. Logan.”
    I told him I could be at his office that afternoon.
    “I’ll give you ten minutes,” Dowd said, and gave me the address. “Be here at two thirty.”
    My next call was to Savannah.
    “I’ll pick you up at the Santa Monica Airport in an hour, assuming that works for you. We’ll fly down to San Diego from there.”
    “I’ve been having second thoughts,” she said.
    “About . . . ?”
    “Quite frankly, you.”
    “Oh, here we go.”
    “You seem conflicted about wanting to get back together, Logan. You say you want to give it another shot, but that’s not the vibe I’m getting.”
    “Is this about Shamu?”
    “Shamu?”
    “You want to go to SeaWorld. I didn’t start doing cart-wheels over the idea, and now you’re punishing me.”
    “If you’re suggesting that I’m exhibiting passive-aggressive behavior, or that I’m somehow being obstructionist