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Angel’s face lit up when she saw Luann seated at the table across from the overweight older man.
“Miss Walters, take a seat,” Mark Kemper brightly greeted her. She nodded as she sat next to Luann, who instantly curled up next to her.
“I understand that my presence has been requested.” Angel wrapped an arm around Luann.
“I was hoping that you could help me explain some of what is going on to Luann.” Kemper waved his hand over the stacks of files that were laid out on the table.
“Luann is a bright girl.” Angel couldn’t help getting defensive.
“True but a little hesitant when it comes to talking,” he said, the frustration evident. “I’ve heard that you have a way with her. She seems resistant to helping with her defense.”
“Whatever I can do to help. Let me just ask, why is this taking so long? According to Marcel, Luann’s case was a slam dunk. I’ve never filed an appeal. Basically, I’d get caught and went with the flow.”
“The appeals process consists of a great deal of paperwork,” he wearily explained. “First thing I needed to do was recollect the information you gave to Janet.”
“What was wrong with the stuff I gave to Marcel?”
“Nothing, except you obtained it illegally,” he said. “I had to find out the same things you did but through legal avenues before I could file.”
“Pesky thing the law,” she noted whimsically.
“At times it can be,” he agreed. “Let me bring you up to speed. I have filed an appeal on Luann’s behalf. We’re going to court. A judge will decide if the appeal has merit.”
“I get it. The judge can throw it out if you don’t have a legal argument that could overturn her conviction.”
“Good news is that we do. Based on everything you and my former associate uncovered, we have a very compelling argument. I wouldn’t be surprised if her conviction is vacated fairly quickly.”
“All of this sounds great.”
“No.” Luann whimpered.
“It is great. The higher court has agreed to hear the case next week. I have no doubt that with the evidence I’ve collected above and beyond your findings, Luann’s conviction will be overturned.”
“That’s amazing. I hadn’t realized that you had accomplished so much. When can she start packing her bags?” Angel eagerly asked. As much as she would miss Luann, the girl was going to die if she stayed locked up. Angel could not allow that to happen.
“Not so fast,” Mark cautioned. “Are you in a hurry to get rid of her?” he teased as Luann’s face grew troubled.
“Yes, she snores,” Angel dryly retorted. Luann grimaced as she swatted her playfully across her midsection. “Okay, Mr. Kemper, a judge overturns her conviction and then she can walk out of prison?”
“Not exactly. A judge can determine whether there were judicial errors and vacate her conviction. Unfortunately, to save face, the DA will file a motion to stop our motion,” he explained. “Or they’ll allow it to go through and refile charges against her.”
“Wait,” Angel asked in a panic. “The conviction is overturned, and the moment she’s free, the cops are just going to arrest her again? Can’t they see that she didn’t do it? You’d think they’d get over being embarrassed and try to find the real killer.”
“Some of them are. However, the DA’s office isn’t on Luann’s side. This whole situation does not make them look good. Throw in the original investigating officers who are hellbent on keeping her locked up. Then you have Luann’s original attorney, who is now working for one of the most prestigious law firms in the city, as well as a very highly respected judge who isn’t happy that we’re making him look guilty of a crime. Almost everyone wants this case and Luann to just go away. The few that aren’t gunning for her are looking into it.”
“I think I get the picture.” Angel felt exasperated. Luann stared helplessly up at her. “Some of the cops want to do the right thing.” Mark nodded in agreement. “Then there are others who didn’t do the right thing the first time around. It would be easier if they never had to admit they stepped in it.”
“Now you’re getting it. I will be with her the whole time,” Mark reassured them. “I will argue that there isn’t enough evidence to charge her. When that doesn’t work, I will argue for her release while awaiting trial. Chances are, she won’t be able to walk out.”
“County jail.” Angel grumbled.
“Not here? Why?” Luann wailed.
“This is what I can’t get through to her.”
“No, they send you to jail to await trial,” Angel carefully explained. “This is the place you come to after you’ve been convicted. Come on, Luann, you know this.”
“No,” Luann pleaded helplessly.
“I know, but that’s the way it is,” Angel tried to reason with the whimpering woman who was quickly reverting into her old habits.
“Here we go again.” Kemper grunted.
“There’s a good chance that you won’t even be charged again. If you are, you won’t be coming back here. They’ll be starting everything over again.”
“No,” Luann whined. “No. Need Angel.”
“I don’t understand.” Kemper was practically pleading. “County jail is a hell of a lot better than this place.”
“For most people,” Angel argued. “She’ll be vulnerable. She only feels safe around me. She was almost raped when she first got here. Not to mention the hell she went through in juvie. Is there any way you can make certain she’s put in solitary?”
“I can try.”
“Luann,” Angel carefully began. “If you want to get out, this is the way it has to be. You cannot stick around here until my time is up. Don’t you want to see Sara’s killer caught?”
“Yes,” Luann weakly agreed.
“Thank you,” Mark blew out with relief. “Speaking of your sentence, I understand that you have a parole hearing coming up.”
“Yeah, so?”
“I’d like to speak to the parole board on your behalf,” he offered. “From what I hear, your victim was recently convicted of embezzlement. Since his influence is no longer a factor and given your academic accomplishments, I think you’ve got a good chance.”
“Won’t do any good.” Angel scoffed. “The board is well aware of the fact that the second I hit the streets I end up stealing something.”
“Maybe this time you’ll have an incentive to stay straight.” Kemper nodded toward Luann. “With the education you’ve received in here and the way you’ve proven yourself by helping bringing Luann’s case to light, I’m looking forward to hiring you myself.”
“It wouldn’t matter,” she argued. “If I do get out on parole, I can’t associate with Luann.”
“Wrong,” he corrected her. “I believe that Luann will be cleared. Juvenile records are sealed. In the eyes of the law, she won’t be a felon.”
“Meaning?” Angel felt a small glimmer of hope. She had always assumed that the terms of parole would keep them apart.
“You could live together, and no one could do or say anything about it,” he enlightened her. “Now let’s get back to work.”