What the hell?
Charles’s eyes popped open wider when he unfolded that day’s Dallas Morning News. The lead article in the Metropolitan News section read:
North Dallas Woman Arrested on Suspicion of Murder
Jamie Simon was arrested this morning without incident in her North Dallas home and charged with first-degree murder in the death of Johnny Ross, an employee of The Adolphus Hotel.
Mrs. Simon was an employee of Ronda Graves, DVM, for several years at the Preston Tree Animal Clinic. As an employee, she had access to the lab at Ms. Graves’s clinic, from which she allegedly stole several vials of ketamine. When administered in small doses, the drug is used to calm animals while they are undergoing certain medical procedures. Ketamine can be fatal to animals or humans if they ingest large doses of it.
According to police department spokesman Randel Scott, when Mrs. Simon was taken into custody for the theft of the ketamine, she surprised the arresting officers by confessing not only to the theft but also to the murder of Mr. Ross.
Charles tossed the newspaper aside and closed his eyes.
Oh my God. What if Jamie Simon told the police she was really trying to poison me? I thought this whole nightmare was over! Will I have to testify in court?
Charles’s cell phone buzzed on the coffee table. He picked it up. “Hello?”
“Is this Charles Pierce?”
“Yes.”
“This is Detective Gonzales, Dallas Police Department.”
“I would like to think you’re calling me to just see how I’m doing. More likely, though, I assume you want to talk about Jamie Simon. I read the article in the newspaper.”
“That’s correct, Pierce. I have some questions I need to ask you—like why didn’t you tell me about Jamie Simon being on your cruise last year?”
Charles swallowed. “Detective, did she tell you about our conversation on the last day of the cruise?”
“You mean how she had confessed to you that she had been trying to kill you?”
“Yes. I told her I was remorseful for the pain I had caused her in the trial last year, resulting in the denial of her husband’s experimental treatment for cancer.” Charles ran a hand over the top of his head. “I didn’t want to pursue the matter any further.”
“I assume you remember the conversation you and I had before you left for the cruise?”
Charles hesitated. “Y-y-es, Detective. You told me the ketamine poisoning case was closed.”
“Do you recall me asking you if you’d thought of anything, you’d forgotten to tell the police about the case?”
“Yes.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me about her confession to you?”
“Detective, to be honest, I hadn’t forgotten to tell you about anything. Her confession happened on the cruise. I had no knowledge that she was the culprit when you and I talked before my trip.” He sat up straight[C1] . “Listen, I just want this whole matter to be behind me. I thought she had suffered enough.”
“Pierce, you’re a lawyer, right?”
“You know I am.”
“Well, as a lawyer, I assume you’re aware that under Texas law, you can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor for failing to report an offense that resulted in serious bodily injury or death.” His voice was tight as he enunciated each word.
“No, Detective. I haven’t studied criminal law since my first year in law school.” He stood up and faced the back windows. “Are you going to charge me with a crime?”
“You obviously had knowledge that a serious crime had been committed, but you didn’t disclose that fact to me or, as far as I know, any other authority.”
Charles sucked in a quick breath, and then his attorney skills kicked in and he decided not to say anything.
After waiting several seconds, Detective Gonzales said, “I haven’t decided yet if I’m going to charge you with anything. My reason for calling is that I want you to cooperate fully with the police if this case should go to trial. I can’t emphasize it enough when I say ‘fully.’”
Charles rubbed his forehead. “I thought Jamie had already confessed to all the crimes involving ketamine.” His tone turned to a whine “Why would you possibly need me to testify at a trial?”
“She has, Pierce. Nonetheless, you know how sometimes people change their stories. Their defense attorneys look for ways to invalidate the confession on some technical ground. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people confess, only to end up in court having a full-blown trial.”
“I see. It sounds like you’re implying that maybe someone in your department didn’t follow proper procedure and botched the confession.” His tone became calm, with a hint of guarded haughtiness.
“I’m not implying a damn thing,” the detective snapped. “I just don’t want to blow this case. That’s why we may need you to be all-in on securing her conviction. I don’t want to have to charge you with a crime, Pierce, but I sure as hell will if you don’t play ball.”
“Play ball?” He smirked. “Detective, that sounds like a threat.”
“You interpret it any way you wish.”
Charles took a deep breath and exhaled loud enough so Gonzales could hear it. “Anything else, Detective?”
“You don’t have any plans to leave the country anytime soon, do you?”
“No. I plan on being in Dallas for the foreseeable future.”
“Okay, Pierce. I will be in touch.”
“Yes, Detective[C2] .”
Charles tossed his phone on the table.
God, I hope I don’t have to testify in this case. What did he mean by “play ball?” Are they going to ask me to testify under oath to something other than the truth? No way will I do that!
