The Accused and the Damned: Book Three, the Eddie McCloskey Series (The Unearthed 3) by Evan Ronan Read Free Book Online Page A

medical opinion: is Anson cracked?”
    Ross squinted. “He’s lucid. He believes what he’s saying, or he’s a better actor than Daniel Day-Lewis.”
    “Fuck.” Spencer fished out a cigarette. “And that fits with no premeditation. Sounds like the guy just had a break from reality and killed his wife. Or, killed his wife and checked out. I don’t like either scenario.”
    Ross squirmed in his chair, decided to sit on his words.
    Spencer indulged the cop. He was a good guy after all. “Councilman Towson is out for blood. You and I are in the same boat here. If we don’t deliver Anson’s head on a fucking platter, it won’t bode well for us. And believe me, Towson won’t be happy unless we get a life sentence.”
    “He doesn’t want the death penalty?”
    “Of course he does. But he’s on shaky ground and it’s an election year. He won’t come out and say that.”
    “Okay, then.” Ross stood. “The report’s filed. Our guy has lawyered up. What are you going to do?”
    Spencer took a long drag on his cigarette, felt the delicious poison enter his lungs. “Charge him now. Not much on the docket and I can get this expedited. Not even Green will buy this line of defense. He’ll push Anson to take a deal. Problem is we can’t offer anything less than life with the Councilman involved. So we’re looking at a trial. He’d plead Monday, get a month of discovery at most, then the big show. Trial could start three weeks from Monday. Anson Ketcher will be convicted before Labor Day. Everybody can drink to his life sentence on the long weekend, the son of a bitch.”
    Before eight AM, Anson was booked and processed. They took his watch, wallet, belt, and cell phone. Asked for his keys but Anson didn’t have them. They checked his pockets to make sure. He had nothing else on his person. Then he was given the standard-issue jumpsuit and moved to a holding cell.             
    * * * *
    Councilman Bennett Towson wore a charcoal grey sweater over black chinos and stood in front of his three-story house. It was unusually cold for an August morning. His breath came out in foggy gasps.
    “We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss.” For once, he didn’t have to work up his emotions to play to the crowd of reporters on his lawn. “There are no words to describe a father’s feelings under these circumstances. My little girl is…gone. The District Attorney and local law enforcement are hard at work, and I commend them for their professionalism. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to be with my family and I’d appreciate it if you could respect our privacy during this awful time.”
    The politician turned and was halfway in his door when a reporter in the front of the crowd raised her voice above the others. “Councilman, do you think your son-in-law was responsible or involved in the death of your daughter?”
    Towson hesitated the required political second before answering, so his true feelings didn’t surface. “I myself don’t have all the information that the police and the DA have, so I can’t comment yet. But I applaud the tireless efforts of the prosecutor and local law enforcement. These people are the glue that holds our community together.”
    The politician went back inside and shut the door. His wife stood, teary-eyed and hugging herself, in the foyer next to the double staircase. He wrapped her in a hug.
    “Spencer better fucking nail this guy, or I’ll find a way to kill him myself,” the Councilman said.

Twelve
     
    Eddie turned the shower off and heard the phone ringing. He wrapped a towel around his waist and left wet footprints on the carpet as he hurried to answer it.
    He didn’t recognize the number. “Eddie McCloskey.”
    “Edward, old friend. I need your help.”
    The voice was familiar but it took Eddie a moment to place it. “…Giles Tyson… how the hell are you?”
    “Not good, Edward.”
    “I gathered that, since you’re calling me.”
    “How soon can you