Читать книгу One Last Kiss - Mary Wilbon - Страница 11

As always, the night beckoned to Hamilton Baker. He loved his late-night jogs. He jogged every night, barring inclement weather, year-round. He wasn’t ready for summer to end, but despite his wishes, the days were growing shorter.

The mix of streetlight spilling onto the ground and the moon above had a tranquilizing effect on him. He savored the quiet time. He looked up at the silver sickle of moon against a dark sky that seemed to envelop him.

This Friday had been particularly stressful. He had to prepare for his closing argument before a jury. He had rehearsed it in his head, over and over. Being a workaholic, he had worked obsessively for more than a year in preparation. He arrived at the office at 7:00 A.M., and he worked weekends. The hard work paid off, because now Hamilton was a rising star in the DA’s office.

He knew exactly what to expect on Monday morning. The courtroom would be in total silence, waiting for him to begin. He would push his chair away dramatically from the prosecution table, slowly approach the jury box, and give his stunning summation.

The mixed-race jury of nine men and three women would adjourn to the jury room, then deliver a guilty verdict for the murdering bitch. Kimberly Shaw murdered her husband, New Jersey real estate tycoon Michael Shaw, by shattering his skull with a heavy bronze sculpture. There was no evidence of a break-in, and Mr. Shaw had not been entertaining or expecting a visitor that evening.

Hamilton was certain he had convinced them of the woman’s guilt. And, more important, the jury liked Hamilton. He could feel it. But you never really knew for sure. Juries could be unpredictable.

His office needed to win this case. The homicide rate was on the rise. His bosses at the prosecutor’s office let him know that every chance they got, and they had been in his office practically every ten minutes this Friday before his Monday summation to remind him.

In particular, his boss, DA Jeffrey Barnes, was always leaving messages for how Hamilton should behave in front of the cameras and microphones that were always waiting for him outside the courtroom. And that’s why Hamilton was stressed out and in need of this quiet time.

He checked his cell phone for messages. He kept his office informed of his every move during a case. There were no messages. No one was looking for him.

He inhaled deeply, feeling the pressure of the workday falling away, and started to relax. Starting slowly, he picked up a comfortable speed, letting the autumn wind blow through his hair, and enjoyed the freedom of the night. He felt completely alive. Orson, his black Lab, trotted at his side. Dry leaves cartwheeled and crackled as they moved.

He headed toward his favorite spot in Mountainside, Echo Lake Park. Once he entered the park, there was only the sound of his own breathing, his footfalls, the crickets, and the rest of the insect chorus. An owl stirred in the trees and asked his name as he went by.

A deer raised her head, trembling and listening as she picked up the sound of a twig snapping. She turned her head. Usually the park animals didn’t trouble themselves to avoid the late joggers, almost as if they sensed the runners meant them no harm. If they were nibbling on some leaves, they’d continue doing so.

Something else was approaching. It was a car, far up the path. It sped past Hamilton, then swerved left, angling down the park’s central road, and was swallowed by the shadows.

Hamilton’s cell phone started to vibrate. He stumbled off the running trail and checked the readout. He smiled and decided to take the call.

Orson continued to trot ahead, picking up a scent.

“Hello, Sarah,” he said. Sarah Donner was his fiancée.

“Am I interrupting?” she asked.

“Not at all. Just out for a run with Orson.”

“How do you think it went today?”

“My closing argument is done. I’m happy with it. I’m pretty confident they’ll convict.”

“I know they will. You’re the best prosecutor in that office.”

“You’re just saying that because you’re going to marry me.”

“I’m saying that because I’m going to marry the best prosecutor in that office. Don’t let Orson keep you out too late. Get some rest.”

“Will you have dinner with me tomorrow?”

“Of course. Call me in the morning.”

“You know, you could come over tonight and help me relieve some of the stress and tension.”

“I’d love to, but I don’t want to be a distraction. You do need to sleep.”

“I’ll sleep better if you’re next to me.”

“Are you sure?”

“Very.”

“Then I’ll be at your place in an hour.”

“Okay, Sarah. Love you.” He ended the call.

There came an outburst of Orson barking. At first Hamilton thought he was barking at another big dog, because Orson was really making a racket. The dog was alternately crouching and running circles around someone in the park.

Orson’s behavior looked anything but playful.

Hamilton broke into a run. The last thing he needed right now, at the end of his big case, was to get involved in a nasty dog-bite incident.

He ran faster.

Ahead, Orson continued barking. Now he could see what was upsetting him. A man was lunging with both arms at Orson.

The man looked around and seemed to reach for something in his pocket.

“Hey!” Hamilton called out as he drew closer.

The man straightened up quickly and withdrew his hand from his pocket.

He looked around quickly, nervously.

“Orson, come.”

But Orson was in manic mode and barely acknowledged Hamilton. The dog was lowered on his haunches, growling and panting as if readying to launch at the stranger.

Hamilton prepared for trouble.

“He bite you?” he asked.

The man shook his head, trying to keep his head low.

But Hamilton didn’t want to take any chances. He was the lead attorney in a high-profile case, and he didn’t want any bad press.

Hamilton keyed up the cell phone’s menu and engaged the camera function. He started to videotape the scene. The man looked up, startled.

“I just want proof, buddy. I don’t want to be sued later.”

He saw the man clearly. Tall with dark clothes, a cowboy hat.

The man seemed to panic. “I said I’m all right.”

Then he ran away. Hamilton could hear him breathing fast, could feel his determination.

Orson began barking again and started to chase him. For a moment, Hamilton thought the dog might catch him. “Orson, stop.”

Orson slowed down and stopped running eventually, and the man disappeared into the night.

Orson ceased barking, and the park returned to silence.

Hamilton checked the phone and the image of the man that was there. He was happy he got the man on tape, proof positive that the dog had not injured him.

What Hamilton didn’t see was that the car the man had driven was now partially submerged in Echo Lake.

Hamilton continued with his nightly jog while the lake water gently lapped against the car.