Free Capitol Offense by William Bernhardt Page A

using you to get ratings and they’ll turn on you in a heartbeat if that’s where the money lies.”
    Dennis buttoned his lips. The reporters did not. As they made their way to the courtroom, Ben heard a dozen questions tossed out at once.
    “Is it true your client shot Detective Sentz seven times—one for each day his wife suffered?”
    “How about these rumors that your client drove his wife off the side of the road?”
    “Was he angry because his wife made more money?”
    “Was she having an affair with his psychiatrist?”
    “Is this a vendetta against the police department?”
    “Is it true you’ve accepted a plea from the prosecutor?”
    Ben tried not to smile as he opened the courtroom doors. “Is it true” in this case was a cheesy way of suggesting they’d heard something they obviously hadn’t, to persuade him to tell them what they wanted to know. It was almost as good as “Some people say,” another catchphrase they used to introduce an ugly rumor or innuendo while simultaneously suggesting someone else was to blame.
    Ben took his seat at the defendant’s table, placing Dennis just beside him. Christina sat on the other side. Ben slowly scanned the room. The courtroom gallery was already packed, mostly by the press. He was not used to seeing this kind of attendance at a mere bail hearing. This case was hot.
    Across the aisle, Ben spotted the prosecutors. David Guillerman, the DA himself, was taking the lead. His presence was probably mandated by the enormous press interest. He was being assisted by Greg Patterson, who Ben knew to be hardworking and capable. He would be doing most of the hard stuff, while Guillerman took the limelight. But Ben did not discount Guillerman. He knew Guillerman had started as a trial attorney who somehow managed to make a solo practice not only successful but successful enough to launch a campaign for the district attorney’s office. He had graduated from TU law school top of his class and a moot court champion as well. He was single, handsome, and often topped the “Sexiest” and “Most Eligible” lists in local publications like
Oklahoma Magazine
. He would be a formidable opponent and Ben knew it.
    Just for the sake of courtesy, Ben crossed the aisle and greeted his opponents. He shook hands with both attorneys. He could tell Patterson was staring at his face.
    “Does it show?” Ben asked.
    Patterson almost jumped. “Oh—well—I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to stare.”
    “It’s all right. A scar is a scar.”
    “That was a horrible day for Oklahoma,” Patterson said. “And the nation. But I admired the way you handled yourself afterward.”
    “Well … thank you.” Ben turned his attention to the boss. “David. How have you been? Haven’t seen you for ages.”
    “’Cause you’ve been hiding out in Washington. Glad you’re back home where you belong. Saw your press conference, by the way.” He was a handsome man, dark-haired with just enough gray at the temples, telegenic—which was essential when the district attorney was an elected official. “Very dynamic.”
    “Saw yours, too,” Ben replied. “Guess you’re hoping for an all-redneck jury?”
    “And you’re hoping for the liberal bleeding hearts. The result will be somewhere in the middle.” He pulled Ben a little closer. “I may have a plea offer for you later today.”
    “I’m glad,” Ben said, “but I doubt my client will accept anything.”
    “Ten to twenty on a cop killing. It’s like a Christmas present.”
    “Not if you’re innocent.”
    “Don’t you mean not if you’re insane?” Guillerman smiled, a broad, toothy smile. It was hard not to like him. “And you would have to be to turn this down. Honestly, I’m just trying to save us both a lot of trouble and heartache. You don’t know this, Ben, but I’ve tracked your career for many years. I’m actually a big fan. And I know how surprisingly effective you can be in the courtroom.”
    Ben maintained a straight