Chapter 8
“The Avery Case”
Gale Fears
“The Avery case.” My father walked into my office unannounced, throwing the newspaper in front of me.
I picked it up, glancing at the first page. I was too distracted to pay attention to what was written. My mind was still full of Hillary, and the conversation we had with the commissioner. The story had shattered me in a way I didn’t think possible. I thought of Hillary and my heart swelled with anger at the very thought of what she had endured. At the same time, I admired her bravery. I admired the way she had eventually taken a step for herself and gotten herself out of the situation. The fact that someone so young ended up in the hands of such a monster made my blood boil. As a criminal lawyer, I understood the psychology of such men, and I knew he wasn’t going to give up any time soon. Such men were egotistical, and they enjoyed and reveled in the pain they inflicted on their victims. She was the one that got away, and that fact would make him insane with fury. He would want her back at any cost so he could teach her a lesson.
The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. I felt furious. I knew I had to help her out. I couldn’t leave her to the mercy of a man like that. My hand clenched involuntarily at the very thought of it.He needs to rot in jail!
“Gale?” my father called out. “Anything the matter?”
He was looking at me with narrowed eyes and I sighed.
“Just tired,” I said. “Had a lot on my shoulders lately.”
“Well, what do you think about the Avery case?” he asked.
“It’s a very high-profile case,” I said, leaning against my chair. “And it’s very twisted. I am not sure I want to step into this mess.”
Everyone knew about the Avery case. It was the latest news. A poor, young eighteen-year-old girl was assaulted and abused before being brutally killed. Her body was found in the woods after a farmer’s dog accidentally dug her up. The girl’s parents were servants at the Merrick estate, and they claimed that Dean Merrick, the youngest son of the house, was responsible for it. Apparently, he had been making unwanted advances towards her, which the girl turned down multiple times. He threatened to kill her if she didn’t cave, and it seemed that he eventually carried out his threat.
The evidence that the police had was weak, and considering how rich the Merricks were, there was little doubt in my mind that Dean Merrick would soon be a free man.
“The Merricks don’t need our help,” I said. “The case is weak and they have a lot of influence. They will win this without any trouble.”
“I know,” my father said. “It’s an easy case.”
I raised an eyebrow. Surely my father wasn’t suggesting I take this case because it was a sure win. I had no intention of defending an ass like Merrick, even if it was an easy case.
“That’s why,” Dad said, leaning over. “I want you to defend the Averys. They need the best lawyers on their side if they have any hope of winning this. And they can’t afford them. But if you agree to do this, pro bono...”
“I appreciate your sentiments, Father,” I said. “But I have no intentions of taking up this case at all. This is too messed up. The Merricks are too powerful and too strong. They have half of the judges on their friend list. They party with them every weekend. There is nothing that can be done.”
“If anyone can win this, it’s you—” Father said, but I cut him off.
“The case is too weak,” I said. “I can’t prosecute him with so little evidence. It’s foolish. They have no case. I have very little doubt that the bastard did it, but there is not enough proof. I can’t get a conviction out of this.”
Father stared at me, a disappointed look in his eye. He sighed and pulled the newspaper back to him. I shook my head and returned to work.
“Can I ask why you haven’t fired the secretary yet?” he asked, his eyes narrowed.
“I have no reason to fire her,” I said, not meeting his eyes.
“Gale, you are my son,” he said, his eyes softening. “I love you, and I just want what is best for you. I know these kinds of women. She is just sleeping with you for her own means. You have done a wonderful job of containing the news, but the damage is done. The fact that you are sleeping with your secretary ruins our reputation! I don’t want my son to be known as some playboy who sleeps around.”
“We are not sleeping around,” I said, wondering if my parents were ever going to get off my back. “We went on a few dates, and that was it, and please dad, don’t judge her before getting to know her.”
“I am just worried about you, Gale,” he said softly.
“Thank you for your concern,” I said stiffly, exhausted by their pestering. “But I can handle my own life. Your advice is not necessary.”
My father was known among the lawyers as a poker-faced genius. When he fought cases in court, you could never tell what he was thinking. His entire case could fall apart in front of his eyes, and he wouldn’t even wince. And yet, as I said these words his jaw clenched, and I could see the pain I had inflicted reflected in his eyes.
“I see,” he said softly and got up.
“Dad—” I said, feeling guilty. He just walked out without glancing back, and I sighed and wondered how trouble always managed to find me.
