Читать книгу Mercy - David Kessler - Страница 10

Alex sat there in stunned silence. Whatever he had expected, it had not been this. Clemency? Before he had even put his well-rehearsed arguments? And the mother of the victim had specifically requested it.

Then reality kicked in.

‘She’s asked me to offer your client clemency.’

The words had been chosen very carefully.

‘When you say “asked you,”’ Alex said cautiously, ‘does that mean you haven’t decided yet?’

‘You know my views on the death penalty.’

‘Yes, sir, I do. And I’ve always respected your courage in taking that position.’

He regretted saying this as soon as the words were out of his mouth. It sounded sycophantic, and the governor was too shrewd a politician not to see right through it.

‘And you also know that I’m pretty much my own man, especially now that I’m quitting politics.’

Alex nodded. Like many others, he wasn’t quite sure if he believed this, but now was hardly the time to give voice to his skepticism.

‘Nevertheless, it would be inappropriate for me to set myself up against the will of the legislature and the courts.’

Alex panicked at the thought of this opportunity already slipping away.

‘But you said—’

‘Unless…there was some compelling reason. You see, son, even though I have the luxury of being able to ignore public opinion, I believe that I have a duty at least to respect it. Remember the words of Thomas Jefferson: “a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them.” The people who elected me may not agree with my decision. But I owe it to them at least to explain it to them. History will judge me harshly if I fail in my duty to put my reasons on record—and those reasons had better be good.’

Alex took a deep breath and regained his composure, trying to read the governor. He wasn’t sure if the governor was really thinking about his place in history. But now was not the time to get diverted down a blind alley of speculation over his motives. Dusenbury was throwing him a lifeline—or at least waving it in his face. That was all that mattered.

‘So you need reasons,’ Alex edged forward hesitantly, ‘and as yet you haven’t got them.’

‘That’s right.’

‘And you want me to supply them.’

‘No, I want your client to supply them.’

Alex was beginning to understand.

‘Is that why you said “offer” my client clemency…rather than “give”?’

Dusenbury smiled.

‘You picked up on that real quick. That’s just what it is, son: an offer.’

‘So presumably,’ Alex pressed on, ‘there’s a quid pro quo?’