Now You See Me Read Free

of Brad Jericho had Ramsey’s heart racing. It wasn’t possible to hate a man as much as he hated the warden. “And I quite enjoyed talking to the press. Have you seen Kate Elliott?” He rubbed his stomach with his shackled hands. “I don’t remember the last time I saw anything so pretty.”
    Salli’s mouth gaped open. “This isn’t about her looks, John. You are five days away from execution. We need to be more focused on your final appeal.”
    “Let’s be honest, Counselor.” He offered the address with just enough sarcasm in his voice to let his attorney know the title meant nothing to him. “You don’t want to be here, and you don’t want me to win an appeal. Right now you’re just going through the motions so the state bar won’t go crawling down your shorts.”
    “I always take my job very seriously, and I’ve given my best to your case, just as I would for any other client.”
    Ramsey smiled, enjoying the lawyer’s self-righteousness. The guy was exactly what he needed, someone who wouldn’t be able to keep his mouth shut when provided the right information. “So what if I told you there are other bodies out there?”
    Salli coughed, took a sip of water from the small plastic cup and coughed again. “Are you telling me that?”
    “What could happen if there are?”
    Visibly trying to regain control of the conversation and himself, Salli tugged at his neatly knotted tie. “That depends. If those victims do exist, and you’re willing to disclose the location of their bodies, a judge might consider a stay in order to bring closure to those families. I’ll need to talk to the district attorney, see what we can work out.”
    Ramsey grinned but felt no humor. His goal was so close he could smell it, along with the fresh, ripe air outside. It wouldn’t be long now and he’d be a free man. His eyes nearly glazed at the thought.
    “Ramsey?” Salli’s voice squeaked.
    “You tell the DA I’m bringing a whole lot to the table, and I ain’t gonna say a word until I get something in writing saying I’m not gonna be executed.”
    “She’s going to want you to give her something as a gesture of good faith.”
    “Then set up a meeting. I’ll tell her myself.” He pushed away from the table, grinned when his attorney cowered in fear. With his legs chained, he duck-walked to the door and banged on the metal. “We’re done.” Another glance over his shoulder brought a swell of satisfaction. Salli was wiping the sweat off his brow with the back of his hand.
    “One more thing, Counselor. Be sure to invite that reporter to the meeting. There are still a few more things about me she needs to know.”

Chapter Two
     
    “Guy didn’t give you any indication what he meant about this whole death thing?” Aaron Kendrick, a cigar clenched between his teeth, stared down at the transcribed report, his face darkening to a deep purple. His wrinkled clothes and stained tie testified to far too many hours without sleep or a foot outside his office.
    The editor of The South Carolina Chronicle , Aaron carried too much weight around his waist and on his shoulders. By outward appearances he was a gruff man whose stare intimidated the interns and sent them cowering in fear, but Kate knew him to be much softer on the inside. Many times he’d offered a listening ear and a spot on his sofa to one of those same interns in crisis.
    “No. He kept talking about how everything would be revealed in time. Then he complimented my taste in clothing.” The thought still made her shiver.
    “Bastard.” Aaron chomped harder on the cigar. “Every killer denies their crimes. Not too many of them act like death is afraid of them.”
    Kate had gotten that same impression. “There was something in his eyes, Aaron. They weren’t just cold. It was like looking into an empty grave.” She ran her hands up and down her arms for warmth.
    “He’s got to be screwing with you.” Aaron scratched his head, dislodging his comb-over.