Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 108709 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108709 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
“It’s always a pleasure, Mr. Blackthorne,” he says dryly before pausing a minute and holding my stare as though he could somehow intimidate me, but if that’s the outcome he’s looking for, he’s got the wrong guy. “Are you aware that you are the greatest mistake of my career? Representing you has been a nightmare. Every day, your name comes up, reporters looking for an inside scoop, lawyers representing other inmates, and the families of the victims you murdered, who are pushing for the death penalty. I get death threats. My children are harassed at school. My wife—”
Charles pauses, needing a moment to compose himself as he continues staring, the hatred in his eyes burning brighter by the second.
“You have been a thorn in my side since the moment I took on your case, and I won’t put myself or my team through it any longer. Now, I believe I might have an edge. There were too many discrepancies in your case, enough that I believe we can have it re-tried. However, I am going to need your complete cooperation. Then, the moment you walk free, I will wipe my hands clean of you. I don’t ever want to hear your name again.”
“There’s no fucking way the courts will reopen my case. You’re wasting your time.”
“Perhaps,” he says. “But it’s worth giving it a crack, and if it means I can get rid of you with a clean conscience, then I am willing to take that bet.”
I let out a sigh as I drag my hands down my face. “Fuck.”
Reopening this case is going to be a waste of time, but what the hell do I know about the legal system? If Charles thinks it’s worth trying, then I’d be an idiot to deny him. One way or another, I’m getting out of this prison. Fuck the other hundred and eighty-five years left on my sentence. I have shit to deal with out in the real world, shit that has been eating at me since the moment the cops had me in cuffs. These fucking bars won’t stop me.
I have been waiting for the right time to plan my escape from this hellhole, and I am fully prepared to do it as one of America’s most wanted fugitives, but if Charles wants to get me out of here as a free man . . . That’s not an opportunity I can afford to pass up.
Even if reopening my case goes to hell, escaping out of a courthouse or during transportation is going to be a shitload easier than trying to break out of these walls, but I’m willing to give it a crack.
“I have already filed the motion to get the ball rolling. However, these things take time.”
“How much time?”
“There’s no telling. Could be months, could be years. It depends on whatever evidence we can produce to argue our case, but ultimately, it comes down to the court’s discretion. If they believe there’s enough new evidence to warrant opening the case, then it shall be.”
I almost laugh. New evidence? There is no fucking new evidence. I did it. I slaughtered every last one of those assholes. The only new evidence they’ll find will probably add another hundred years to my sentence. But sure, what the fuck do I have to lose?
“What kind of discrepancies are you talking about?”
“Just holes in the prosecution’s case. Some claims they made have never quite made sense. However, there was never enough information to argue.”
“And you think there is now?”
“Potentially. I need to look further into it. It would help if you actually cared to cooperate. There are still so many questions left unanswered. Why were you there? Who were the victims in relation to you and the girl? If I could prove self-defense, then perhaps you’ll have a chance. However, without your cooperation or input during the case, the victims were painted as innocent bystanders, and you were the vicious murderer acting on impulse and opportunity. Anybody with a brain could see that large parts of the story were intentionally left out. It’s time the truth was exposed, Stone. Your time for silence is up. I need to know what really went down that night.”
I clench my jaw, anger bubbling to the surface. “Find another way,” I grit through my teeth, not prepared to go into the ins and outs of that night. It’s nobody’s business, certainly not Charles Wentworth’s. It’s mine and mine alone, and I won’t allow them to exploit that in order to walk free. Like I said, I’ll be getting out of here with or without his help, and it won’t be by exploiting the one thing that has ever mattered to me.
“There is no other way, Stone. This is your shot. Don’t be such a fool,” Charles spits, slamming his hand against the metal table. “Why do you insist on making this so much harder than it needs to be? Do you not understand what’s at stake here?”