Before Amanda could visit Justine Castle she had to check in with a guard on the second floor of the Justice Center and go through the metal detector. The guard led Amanda to the jail elevator and keyed her up to the floor where Justine Castle was being held. When the elevator stopped, Amanda found herself in a narrow, brightly lit hallway. At one end a telephone without a dial was attached to the wall next to a massive steel door. Above the door was a surveillance camera. Amanda used the telephone to summon a guard. A few minutes later a corrections officer opened the door and let Amanda into another narrow corridor. On one side of this hall were three visiting rooms. Amanda could see into each room through a plate of thick glass. The guard opened the heavy metal door of the room nearest the elevators. On the other side of the room was another steel door that opened onto a hall that led to the cells. A black button stuck out from the bottom of an intercom that was recessed into the yellow concrete wall. The guard pointed to it.
Press that if you need assistance, he said as he closed the door behind him.
Amanda sat on an orange molded plastic chair. She took a legal pad and a pen out of her attachT case and placed them in front of her on a small, round table that was secured to the floor by iron bolts. From experience Amanda knew that it would take a while for the guard to bring Justine to her. While she waited Amanda thought about the last time she' d seen Justine Castle.
Four years ago, finding Justine with Tony Fiori had been a shock, but the incident was ancient history. There hadn't been anything between her and Tony, anyway. She was honest enough to admit that she wished that there had been but realistic enough to know that they had just been friends.
The locks snapped, and a uniformed jail matron led Dr. Castle into the visiting room. Amanda studied her for the changes that time might have wrought. Justine was exhausted, and no one looks chic in an orange jailhouse jumpsuit at three in the morning. Justine's hair, ruined by the rain, was unkempt, but Justine was still beautiful, even under these trying circumstances, and the strength was there, even if it was being sorely tested.
Thank you for coming, Justine said.
Dr. Castle
Justine, please.
My father's in California. He won't be back for a week. If you want another lawyer to represent you, I can give you a list of several excellent attorneys.
But you're a criminal lawyer, too, aren't you? Amanda sensed a hint of desperation in the question. The district attorney told me that you just beat him in a murder case. He thinks you're very good.
Mr. Greene was being kind. I didn't win the case. My client was found guilty. I just convinced the jury to give him a life sentence instead of a death sentence.
I read about what your client did to that girl. It can't be easy to convince a jury to save the life of someone like that.
No, it's not.
So Mr. Greene wasn't being charitable when he said you were good.
Amanda shrugged, uneasy with the compliment. I work very hard for my clients.
Then you're the lawyer I want. And I want you to get me out of here as soon as possible.
That might not be easy.
You don't understand. I can't be charged with murder. My reputation will be ruined, my career would be ...
Justine stopped. Amanda could see that she hated to sound needy and desperate.
This has nothing to do with my ability as a lawyer. It has to do with the way that the law is written. In Oregon every crime except murder has automatic bail. Remember your husband's case? My father had to ask for a bail hearing when the DA objected to release. We'll have to hold a similar hearing for you unless the DA agrees to release you.
Then get him to agree.
I'll try. We're meeting as soon as I finish talking to you. But I can't guarantee anything.
Justine leaned forward and focused all of her energy on Amanda. It made Amanda feel uncomfortable, but Justine's stare was so intense that she could not look away.
Let me make two things clear to you. First, I did not kill anyone. Second, I have been set up.
By whom?
I don't know, Justine answered with obvious frustration, but I do know that I was lured to that farm, and the police turning up when they did was no coincidence.
Justine told Amanda about the phone call that convinced her to rush to the farmhouse and what happened after she arrived.
Do you know the victim?
I don't think so, but I can't say for sure. I only had a brief look, and his face was so disfigured.
Amanda noticed that Justine's hands were folded in front of her on the table and she was clasping them so tightly that the knuckles were white. If the mental image of the dead man could freak out a surgeon, Amanda was not looking forward to viewing the autopsy pictures and crime scene photos.
Besides finding you at the scene, can you think of anything that would make the police believe that you killed the man in the basement?
No.
Did you say anything that could be interpreted as a confession?
Justine looked annoyed. I told you I didn't kill anyone. The man was dead when I got there.
Were you arrested at the crime scene?
No. The two officers who found me were very polite. Everyone was, Mr. Greene and the detective, too, after I arrived at the Justice Center. They brought me coffee, got me a sandwich. They were very sympathetic. Then they got a call from the crime lab and everything changed. DeVore and the DA went into the hall and talked. When they came back DeVore read me my rights.
Did they say what had happened?
They said that they knew I' d killed that man. They insisted I was lying when I denied it. That's when I called you.
Amanda made a few notes.
When did you get the call about Dr. Rossiter?
Around nine on Sunday night.
Where were you?
At my house.
Were you alone?
Yes.
Were you with anyone earlier in the day? Someone who can give you an alibi?
No. I was away for the weekend. I have a cabin on the coast. It's been hectic at the hospital, and I drove out Friday evening to get away from everyone and watch the storm. I got home shortly before the call.
You said that was about nine.
Justine nodded.
Where is the farmhouse located?
Out in the country on a two-lane road in the middle of nowhere. I got really concerned when I drove into the front yard. The place looked like it hadn't been lived in for years.
Justine looked unsettled again.
Go on, Amanda urged.
You were involved in Vincent's defense, weren't you?
I assisted my father.
And you've been to that cabin in Milton County? You're the one who found Vincent's hand?
Yes, Amanda answered softly.
Justine took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment.
It wasn't seeing the body that made me run.
Justine exhaled slowly and gathered herself while Amanda waited patiently.
The farmhouse basement is divided in two by a cement wall. There is a room on the other side of the wall. When I walked into the room I saw the table.
What table? Amanda asked as a sick feeling formed in her stomach.
An operating table.
Amanda's mouth gaped open. This sounds like ...
Justine nodded. It was the first thing I thought of. That's why I ran, and that's why I called your father.
Amanda stood up.
I've got to talk to Mike Greene. He was a DA in Los Angeles when Cardoni was arrested. He wouldn't know about the case.