Page 152 of The Grave Artist

For some reason, that phrase elicited a blink of surprise.

Carmen added, “The doctor’s the best. And she can set you up with addiction counseling too.”

Lauren’s head lowered. “Anthony was paying for rehab. I can’t afford to—”

“A certain percentage of her clients are pro bono,” Carmen cut in. “I checked, and she has an opening.”

“I guess I should ask ...” Lauren cast a glance toward the arroyo grave.

“About what?” Heron asked.

“I mean, what I did there. With him.”

Carmen looked over the forbidding landscape. “You know, Lauren, in this line of work, it’s all about facts. My world revolves around them. The gears only grind with the grease of facts.”

Lauren seemed confused.

Carmen explained. “I’m known for my labored metaphors.”

“She is,” Heron agreed.

“But sometimes you see the results and you don’t know what facts led there,” Carmen went on. “Maybe there are five or six different sets of facts that could all fit. And our job is to find out which is the right one.” She gave Lauren a thoughtful look. “Dr. Heron and I work with someone named Declan and one of his favorite expressions—”

“Still rather say ‘its’ favorite expressions,” Heron cut in. Always reluctant to personify hard drives and software.

Carmen couldn’t resist a chuckle. “A favorite expression is, ‘It’s logical.’ That’s essential to Declan. Logic. And I think the most logical thing is for you to be honest about everything that happened.” She drove the point home. “That meanseverything. Leave nothing out.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You’ll be charged with abduction, battery, assault and attempted murder. But there are extenuating circumstances. You’ve never committed any violent crimes before this, although you’ve certainly been the victim of one. In this case, the person you assaulted murdered your brother, but in the end you decided against killing him. Those aren’t legal defenses, but the prosecutor can take that into account. I’ll talk to them. I’m going to recommend a suspended sentence or probation and counseling for you.” She narrowed her eyes. “If they go for it, you’ll have to stay clean.”

“I have been. For months. And that’ll continue. I promise.”

If nothing else, the threat of decades behind bars should provide Lauren with all the incentive she needed to stay on the path to recovery.

Heron added, “Every day you’re free and Garr’s in prison is a victory. Take strength in that and your brother’s faith in you.”

Lauren’s eyes welled. “You think I have a shot? In court?”

“Oh, yeah.” Heron gestured toward Carmen. “If she vouches for you, it’ll go a long way.” He hesitated a beat before adding, “I know from personal experience.”

Carmen cut him a quick glance. Of course, he’d been speaking of the time she’d put her reputation on the line for him, though that was not for Lauren to know.

“Thank you,” Lauren whispered.

Carmen nodded, stood and started back to her Suburban, accompanied by Heron.

The cases against Damon Garr and Lauren Brock had been closed.

And yet one more remained.

Chapter 75

Christopher Fisher sat in the stifling West LA Community Police Station detention center interview room, listening to his shackles jingle as he fidgeted in the hard metal chair.

Fisher was reflecting that he had seen death—and he knew there was no dignity in it.

Especially when the person who had ordered that death was one Marco Mezzo.