Page 16 of The Right to Remain

“I’m defending Elliott before a grand jury next week,” said Jack.

CJ took a drag on his cigarette and exhaled. “Why does that concern me?”

“We believe it has to do with the death of your business partner, Owen Pollard.”

“Like I said: Why is that my concern?”

Theo stepped in. “Because the cops are fucking with us,” said Theo.

CJ took a deep drag. “Who are you?”

“Someone who spent four years on death row for a murder I didn’t do.”

CJ seemed to take an immediate liking to him. “That’s what this fight’s all about. Revolution is the only path to justice. I feel for you, brother.”

Jack was certain that Theo wasn’t feeling anything for this “brother,” but he took Theo’s cue and played along.

“Theo’s right,” said Jack. “Owen Pollard’s death was obviously a suicide. Even the medical examiner’s office said it was suicide. But a grand jury has been convened to investigate. The harassment starts with Elliott, one of your employees. But it’s clear where this is going. They’ll work it all the way up to the top.”

“Fascists,” he said. “Anything to cause trouble for me.”

“Has anyone been in touch with you from the state attorney’s office?” asked Jack.

“No. But I have my sources.”

“What does that mean?”

CJ glanced at Theo, as if to reinforce the “brother” thing.

“Jack’s cool,” said Theo.

CJ crushed out his cigarette on the wall. “My sources told me the same thing you just said about the first autopsy: suicide.”

“The first?” asked Jack. “Was there a second autopsy?”

“I’m told the state attorney brought in a gunshot wound specialist from somewhere. Texas, I think.”

“Have you seen the second autopsy report?”

“No. It’s not a public record. The state attorney commissioned it on some kind of special consulting basis. Now that you’re telling me there’s a grand jury investigation, I guess that explains things.”

Jack seemed to be sharing as much information as he was getting, which wasn’t ideal. He asked the next question without mentioning Pollard’s call to 911.

“Did your ‘sources’ mention anything to you about a second gunshot wound?”

“Owen stuck the business end of a double-barreled shotgun into his mouth and blew out the back of his head,” said CJ. “How would there be a second gunshot?”

Jack kept the 911 call to himself. “Yeah, silly question.”

CJ hopped down the rock wall. “Thanks for the heads-up on the grand jury. And big fella,” he said, looking at Theo. “Any time you want to march with us, you’re welcome.”

“I’ll see if I can find my old lacrosse uniform,” said Theo.

CJ laughed, then walked toward the grassy area behind the graffiti-covered statue, where one of the marchers was down, still reeling from pepper spray. CJ summoned Elliott.

“Hey, lacrosse boy. We need some water over here.”

“We can talk later,” Jack told his client.