Fritz was waiting for Brenda when she pulled into the driveway. "Hurry up and get ready. We've got just enough time to grab a quick supper before class."

Brenda nodded and changed into slacks and a loose-fitting top. Then she looked at her shoes and remembered that the information sheet said she'd be standing for the entire class so she dug around in her closet and found a pair of comfortable sneakers, grabbed a pair of socks, and refreshed her makeup.

"Come on!" He was clearly agitated.

"Well, I want to look presentable."

"You look great. Let's go."

"I'm comin', I'm comin'!" Her agitation matched his.

After picking up burgers, fries and shakes from Buster's drive-through window, they arrived at the cooking school. Three other couples were assembling in the large kitchen. Brenda looked around and saw four cooking stations in a semi-circle in front of one more cooking station in the middle. Each station had a counter, four gas burners and twin sinks. Underneath were cabinets and drawers housing various pots and pans and utensils. Behind each station was a refrigerator, shelves holding dry ingredients, and an oven.

Every couple was dressed casually. Ted and Marilyn Morrison were standing near them. Ted and Fritz were exchanging greetings. Marilyn, a slender woman about Brenda's age, was stylishly dressed and perfectly coifed. Brenda smiled and said hello to her even though she stood apart and appeared to sum up Brenda and Fritz with disapproval. To break the ice, Brenda smiled at Marilyn and said, "My husband is really lookin' forward to this class. But I'm not sure my cookin' skills are up to a formal class. I hope I can keep up."

"I'm sure we'll all do just fine," Marilyn replied without returning Brenda's smile, and turned to her husband. "Ted, we need to choose our cooking station," and moved away from Brenda.

After each couple chose and explored a station, a young man with dark hair and olive skin wearing a white jacket and tall chef's hat entered. "Good evening. My name is Alphonso Rossi. I am a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu. But don't let that scare you off," he said as he removed the hat. "I'm here to share the basics of good cooking, not make you into instant gourmets. Over the next three weeks, we'll explore ways of preparing vegetables, meats, seafood, and pastas.

"Before we get started, Let's introduce ourselves. And please share why you decided to take this class." Each couple then introduced themselves. When Fritz said they decided to take the class because they have been eating far too much takeout, everyone laughed and nodded."

"All right. Thanks, everyone, for sharing. Let's get started with the utensils and vessels we'll use." He picked up a chef's knife and described how to properly use it.

Brenda's mind began to drift. She thought of Father Jack's anger and desperation and wondered about DB's wife. How was she managing with four kids and her husband snatched away from her over a year ago? She snapped back to the cooking class when Fritz nudged her. The other couples were gathering equipment and ingredients and she hurried to do the same.

After practicing the pinch grip on the chef's knife, Brenda and Fritz moved on to learning what Alphonso described as "Critical Cuts", the Brunoise, Julienne, Chiffonade, and Paysanne. Brenda had only heard of julienne and she thought they were tiny strips of carrots. She began to realize that there was a lot to learn and she started to pay closer attention.

By the end of the class, they had made three different types of soup. She held the containers as Fritz filled three jars with the fruits of their labors. And they had an assignment: To make a vegetable soup using the cutting and dicing techniques they had learned.

"I guess we'll be eating soup for the rest of the week," Fritz commented once they were in their car.

"It's too bad we didn't make some crackers too. I hope plain old oyster crackers are ok to float in these fancy soups."

"They are delicious. And pretty easy to make, too. We can make one on the weekend and have it the following week."

"Let's see how we feel after eatin' all this and doin' our homework."

Fritz nodded and changed the subject. "What did you think of the class?"

"He certainly knows what he's talkin' about. And he's easy to follow. I'm not sure about the Morrisons, though. Ted seems ok, but Marilyn? I don't get along well with snobby know-it-alls."

"She does act like the class is beneath her. Maybe we'll be able to just ignore them. The other couples seem nice, though."

"Let's see if we can change stations next time so we won't be right next to them."


After a long day of paperwork and case conferences with her staff, Brenda was finally ready to go home. As she was clearing off her desk she heard a knock and looked up to see DA Corning standing in her doorway.

"Can I help you, Steve?"

"I'm afraid you'll have to," he replied. "I've been thinking about the Byers case and I've read the summary on our computer system. I agree that the situation needs to be looked into so I'm assigning it to you. And because I haven't read anything which leads me to believe DDA Kleinmann did anything wrong, I know I can trust you to be both thorough and discreet."

"Of course. I'll start workin' on it tomorrow."

"Please keep me informed every step of the way."

"Yes, sir. I will."

Steve nodded, then asked, "Oh, I have to ask you how your culinary experience went last night."

Brenda smiled, "It was good, I guess. We started off makin' some fantastic soups. Accordin' to the schedule, tomorrow we work on vegetables, herbs, and spices. The only thang I know about spices are the ones used in southern cookin'. So I guess I'll be learnin' somethin' new."

"Well, enjoy. And thank you for bringing the Byers situation to my attention. Good night."

"Good night, sir."


The next morning, Brenda stopped at her secretary's desk on her way in. "Linda, please pull the complete file on a Douglas Byers, includin' the evidence catalog. If anyone asks you why, just tell them to see me."

"Certainly," Linda nodded and headed to Records.

When Brenda received the file she began reading but was almost immediately interrupted by Linda who buzzed her to tell her that Madeline Zahn, Mark Kleinmann's supervisor, was on the line.

"Good mornin', DDA Zahn. What can I do for you?"

"Chief Johnson, the Records clerk told me that your secretary just pulled the Byers file. May I ask why?"

"We received a complaint from Mr. Byers' employer and DA Corning asked me to look into the case."

"I see. That would be Father O'Rourke."

"That's right. He feels that Mr. Byers is a victim of over-zealous prosecution."

"Yes, I'm aware of his position. But I assure you that Mark is a very conscientious DDA and that he is correct in prosecuting Mr. Byers."

"I understand, but I still need to examine the case. And after I review the file I may have some questions for DDA Kleinmann."

"Do you mind if I give him a heads up?"

"I'd rather you didn't. But if he asks, just tell him that DA Corning requested a case review. And remind him that if he were suspected of any kind of violation, Professional Standards would be conductin' an investigation. And that isn't what this is. DA Corning asked that this review be discreet so I'd appreciate it if you and he didn't talk about it to anyone."

"All right. But if you do discover that there is a problem I'd appreciate a copy of your report too, Chief Johnson."

"That will be up to DA Corning, but I'll pass along your request." Brenda ended the call and went back to reviewing the file.

As she read the DDA's petition and the Statement of Fact she discovered information that Father Jack either hadn't been aware of or hadn't shared with her. When Parole conducted their search, in addition to the locked box with Gayla Byers' marijuana found in the bedroom, their search turned up another locked box in the barn which contained several expired driver's licenses, credit cards and two Social Security cards, all belonging to other people. She also read old LAPD reports that all of these victims apparently attended the same sporting event and reported that their cars had been broken into and that the items had been stolen. She noted that the date on the police reports were all the same and were prior to DB's second arrest on the narcotics charge of possession with intent to distribute.

She next read the information from his first arrest at age seventeen. When confronted by police, he shot at them. She read that the DDA requested that he be tried as an adult, given the seriousness of the charge of attempted murder of two police officers. However, since it was his first offense, the judge granted him juvenile status. Per the law, he was released when he turned twenty-five and his juvenile record was sealed.

Seven years later, he was arrested again when he attempted to sell meth to an undercover cop. When they searched his room they found more meth and cocaine, as well as scales and packaging materials. He admitted to the charges and was sentenced to fifteen years. According to prison officials, he was a model prisoner and was released on good behavior after serving eight years.

His record also showed that during his incarceration on the drug charges he began corresponding with Gayla Fortuna and they married shortly after his release. He began working for Father Jack just after they married.

His former Parole Officer, Orlando Ortega, described him as an ideal parolee who always passed his drug tests, and he was listed as a witness for the defense in Byers' upcoming trial. However, Byers' current Parole Officer, Marshall Kearney, was convinced that Byers was a career criminal who was "working the system" and that he was using his relationship with Father Jack's foundation as a cover for continued criminal activity. He will be testifying for the prosecution.

Brenda also saw that the case had been adjourned, postponed, and switched to different attorneys and judges and that the case had never had a bail hearing. She recognized that his previous attorney was a public defender with a reputation for doing as little as possible. Her time at the LAPD had convinced her that he was one of a legion of public defenders who tried to do just enough to collect payment from the state. Many of his clients' guilty verdicts were successfully appealed on the grounds of insufficient representation. She was not familiar with Byers' current attorney.

Well, from readin' the record, I can certainly understand why his Parole Officer wants to lock him up again, and why Father Jack is advocatin' for him.

She decided to start with DDA Kleinmann so she picked up her phone and asked him if she could come to his office to speak with him.

"Should I have my union rep or my supervisor present?" he asked.

"You certainly have that right, but this is not an adversarial interview. I don't think you've done anythin' wrong."

When she was seated in his office, she decided that recording his interview would put him on guard so she took out her notebook and after explaining why she was looking into the Byers case, she said, "I read the file and saw that you're pursuin' a third strike case. I guess my first question is why."

"Because Douglas Byers is a dangerous criminal who has a history starting with shoplifting when he was a child. He joined an Aryan gang when he was sixteen and was in a shootout with police a year later. He tried to murder two cops, Chief Johnson."

"Yes, I read that. But he was tried as a juvenile offender."

"True, but his PO feels that he still has the potential to be violent, and he's probably still using drugs. That's a dangerous combination.

"What has he done that has convinced Mr. Kearney that he's still violent?"

"I haven't heard of anything. I just decided to err on the side of protecting the community and follow Marshall's recommendation."

"You do realize that there was a state referendum on the third strike law and the citizens voted that it should be limited to violent offenders," Brenda replied.

"Of course. But the state legislature has yet to put that referendum into law. We're completely within our rights as well as our obligations to the citizens of Los Angeles to petition the court to lock him up for good."

"What about Mr. Ortega's view that Mr. Byers really has reformed and is no longer a danger to the community?"

"Marshall and I believe that Byers has not really reformed. But that will be up to the jury to decide."

"I guess so. Well, thank you, Mark. I appreciate your seeing me. I know this is unusual, but as I said at the beginnin', no one is accusin' you of anythin'."

"So I just wait for your report?"

"My report will only be given to Steve. I honestly don't know what he'll do with it."

"Ok, then. I guess I just wait."

She nodded, thanked him again for his time and left.


Brenda sat at Gayla Byers' kitchen table. Gayla was a well-muscled woman in her late 40s with chapped and calloused hands, bleached blonde hair, several tattoos on both arms, and a heavily lined and leathered face. The kitchen was clean but the appliances were old. Brenda assessed her. This is a hard lady. "Mrs. Byers, as I told you on the phone, I have been asked to review your husband's case and I need to get as much information as I can. And that includes gatherin' information about his family as well as your point of view about the situation. May I record this interview?"

"I'm not saying anything if you're recording. The LAPD is after me too, you know." Anger oozed from every pore.

When Brenda put the recorder back in her purse, Gayla began talking. Not surprisingly, she was adamant that her husband was innocent. She said they knew nothing about the stolen goods and that she knew nothing about the box with the stolen identities until she read the petition. "Why, he wasn't even home when the raid started."

"Where was he?"

"He was at his PO's office for his regular appointment."

Brenda knew that it was a common dodge for parolees to appear at the Parole Office when they knew that the PO was going to be at their home in an effort to cover their lack of cooperation or to avoid an expected failed drug test. "Are you sure that the appointment was supposed to be at the office?"

"Yes. Kearney gave DB an appointment card and it says that it was at the office." Gayla got up from the kitchen table and removed an appointment card from the door of the refrigerator and handed it to Brenda. "'Office' is circled. See for yourself."

"Would you mind if I took a picture of this card?"

Gayla shrugged, "Knock yourself out."

Brenda reached into her purse for her cell phone and asked, "Did anyone show this card to Mr. Kearney, or to DB's lawyer?"

Gayla shook her head, "We told DB's first lawyer about the card but he said it wasn't important to the case."

"Be sure to give it to the lawyer he has now," Brenda advised as she handed the card back to Gayla.

"I will. But everyone seems to be hung up on that box. You know what? I bet it doesn't even exist."

"Oh, I'm afraid it does." Brenda then showed her a photograph of the box with the stolen credit cards and IDs clearly displayed. "As you can see, Mrs. Byers, this photograph clearly shows the box and its contents."

"Well, I don't know where it came from. I know I never saw it before, and DB never mentioned it."

"This isn't the inside of your barn?"

"I don't know. I don't go in there. But if it is, that box is a plant."

"Who would plant evidence? And why?"

"I'm not accusing anyone, but if you want an answer to that question I'd take a close look at that mofo, Marshall Kearney."

"Why would he plant evidence against your husband?"

"He said he was coming after DB and that he would see him in prison again."

"When did he say that?"

"When he first became DB's PO. He didn't believe that DB's piss tests always came up clean. And he accused us of being 'trailer trash'," she added bitterly.

"He actually said that?"

Gayla nodded. "The first time he came out to inspect our house. He said he was surprised that we actually lived in a house. He said he thought we were more 'The trailer type'. Asshole!" She spat out the words.

"Why would he say that?"

"I don't know. Maybe because he didn't like it that we're all tatted up and my kids are all pierced too. He always acted like his shit doesn't smell. Talk to him. You'll see."

"I will, Mrs. Byers. But I have to tell you that I don't think the box is a plant. For one thang, it's very dusty. For another, you can see a spot on the shelf behind it that has no dust. It looks to me like that's where they found the box."

Gayla's belligerence evaporated as her lip trembled and she teared up. "Like I said, I never saw it before."

"Is there any chance that the box belonged to one of your children?"

"No fucking way! None of my kids would do something like that."

"The record shows that one of your sons had a drug charge, but there's no mention of a conviction. What happened?"

"He was at a party that was raided and drugs were found in a bedroom. All the kids were charged with drug possession but the charges were thrown out because there was no evidence any of them used or possessed anything. He's no angel. He's used in the past, but he's not a drug addict. And anyway, that has nothing to do with DB's case. It happened before I even knew DB."

"All right. I have just one other thang to ask you about. The DDA's report said that you kept marijuana in a locked box in your bedroom and…"

"That pot is legal. I have a prescription for it." The belligerence had returned to her voice.

"Why do you take it?"

"Migraines, and if you have a problem with that, you can take it up with my doctor."

"Why do you keep it locked in your own home?"

"Not to keep it from my kids, if that's what you're thinking. They've known about my pot for years and they've never touched it. They know I'd kill them if they did."

"Then why keep it locked up?"

"I wanted to keep it away from DB."

"Is he a user?"

"Not any more. He's completely clean now, but he admits he used before he went to prison for selling drugs. I just don't want him to be tempted so I try not to use it unless I absolutely have to. And if the migraine is bad enough I go out in the yard so the smell won't be in the house."

"All right, Mrs. Byers, thank you for speakin' with me. I may need to talk to you again in the future."

"Do you think your report can help my husband's case?"

"My report is for the District Attorney. He's the one who will decide how it will be used. But I really doubt it'll be entered into evidence in court."

"Of course. You've already made up your mind about us. Just because we don't look like you and we never went to a fancy college like you did, you've already decided we're guilty."

"No, Mrs. Byers. I haven't decided any such thang."

"Yeah, right. I've dealt with your kind before. This ain't my first rodeo."


Back in her office, Brenda organized an email update for DA Corning. As she pressed the send button, she thought, This review is certainly gonna take a lot more work.

To Be Continued

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