Chapter 4

It took every bit of control for Abbey to maintain a calm demeanor and the lie.

"Eillie? She was in town while Millie was here."

"She came back early and stood outside the kitchen door. She accidentally overheard your conversation. When she confronted you, she said that you admitted that you had done it. She came to talk with me this morning and I called Chief Wilkins over."

Bill leaned over, took her hands, and looked in her eyes.

"Tell me the truth, Abbey. The police can exhume the body if we need to, but I know you don't want that to happen. Let Jed rest in peace. Just tell me the truth."

Abbey's eyes darted from their attorney to the Chief of Police, waiting for her answer.

"I need to speak with my attorney alone, Chief. If you would please wait outside, I would appreciate it."

"Yes, ma'am." The Chief got up and let the screen door slam behind him.

Abbey turned her attention to Bill. "Yes, I did it. He was just in so much pain. He was so restless all that day and all that night. I let my heart rule my head."

Tears were now falling, remembering her exhaustion and her fragile emotional state that night.

"What's going to happen, Bill? I did it for Jed. I did it for him."

"Abbey, I understand that. But the law doesn't allow for compassion killing. It wasn't physician assisted suicide. You're not a physician right now. But New Hampshire doesn't even sanction that at this time. That leaves only one charge, murder. And a smart DA will cry premeditated, that you did it with deliberate intent."

Abbey continued to look into the eyes of a friend. "What's going to happen to me? Will I be arrested? I don't know how much more distress this family can stand."

"I don't know, Abbey. It will be up to the District Attorney to decide what to do. But I do know you need a criminal lawyer. A good one that has handled similar cases. I have the name of one in Concord. I'll be glad to contact her if you wish. But Abbey, you need somebody right now. You will need to make a statement to the DA and then he'll decide what to do. But it's very likely he'll have no choice to seek an indictment. The law is the law."

"Well I guess you had better call this friend of yours. And set up a meeting with the DA." Abbey stood. "Bill, it was the right thing to do."

"I know Abbey, but you broke the law."

Ignoring Bill's last statement, Abbey had something else on her mind. "Where's Ellie now?"

"She's still with Liz in town. You know that she's very upset. Angry at you for, as she puts it, 'killing her father'. Abbey, talk to her. She needs to hear you forgive her."

"Who said I would?"

Chapter 5

"Mrs. Bartlet, hi, I'm Patricia Sawyer. I'll be representing you through this process. Do you have any questions for me?"

Abbey was meeting her new lawyer the day before the meeting with DA.

"How many of these cases have you had?"

"I have represented four other parties in similar cases. This type of case is not all that common."

"And what was the outcome of each?"

"Actually, I won three out of four. In the fourth case, the defendant was convicted of voluntary manslaughter. The reason for the conviction was that her husband had not left any information as to his wishes so the jury had no knowledge of what he would have wanted. But that case is on appeal."

"How much do you know about this case?"

"Well, Bill and I have talked extensively. But I want to hear from you. This case has some unusual facts and I want to understand it completely."

"Go ahead. Ask your questions."

For the next few hours Pat and Abbey discussed the circumstances of that last night. They discussed Jed's last wishes and why Abbey felt she had to override them. Finally, they were ready to face the DA.

"Welcome, Mrs. Bartlet. I'm Daniel Short and I'm glad you could come and talk today. Please sit down."

"Hello. This is my attorney, Patricia Sawyer."

Both parties shook hands and sat down.

"Aren't you from Concord?"

"Yes, sir. I work most of my cases there."

"What brought you to Manchester?"

"Mrs. Bartlet's personal attorney asked me to sit with her during this interrogation."

The DA laughed. "Ms. Sawyer, this is not an interrogation. I just want some answers to my questions."

"All the more reason for me to be here."

"Whatever." Turning to face Abbey, he stated the reason for the meeting. "Mrs. Bartlet, I need some facts and you're the only person that can tell me what happened the night the former President died."

Daniel gazed at the former First Lady. Her forced calmness was in direct opposition to her wringing hands. Her green eyes were focused only on the DA's face. But he was not going to be intimidated. If Mrs. Bartlet had indeed committed a crime, then she would be prosecuted to the fullest extant of the law. No amount of notoriety would stop him to see a murderer brought to justice.

"Mrs. Bartlet, you have a serious accusation lodged against you. And we do have supporting evidence that a crime has indeed been committed. Before I decide what to do, I want to hear from you about that last night of the President's life. Please tell me everything so I can make a decision."

"Yes. Please go ahead with your questions."

"No, tell me in your own words what happened that night."

"No. Please ask specific questions."

'Damn,' Daniel thought. Her attorney has done her job. He won't get a discussion from Abigail Bartlet.

"Mrs. Bartlet, the President was in a lot of pain, correct? We have the hospice records that showed a progression of pain intensity over the last few days of his life."

"Yes, that's correct."

"And you requested from Dr. Griffith some additional Morphine because you felt he was not getting enough pain relief from the hospice?"

"Yes."

"Why didn't you discuss your concerns with hospice?"

"They were limited in the amount of medication they could give."

"Mrs. Bartlet, isn't it true that you lost your medical license a few years ago because of your illegal administration of a MS drug to your husband?"

"No. I gave it up voluntarily."

"Just prior to a decision from the Board to take it away, correct?"

"Yes."

"Do you have a current license to practice Medicine?"

"No. I haven't filed the paperwork yet."

"Why not?"

"My husband's illness took all of my time for the past two years. I haven't had time."

"Mrs. Bartlet, did you give your husband a large, illegal dose of morphine on the night he died?"

"Don't answer that question, Abbey." Pat had sat quietly by her side until now. But she was not going allow Abbey to indict herself.

"My attorney has asked that I don't answer that question."

"Why did you do it, Mrs. Bartlet? Was it for the money? I understand the President's estate is fairly large."

Abbey was totally appalled. She did it out of love. Deep, abiding love.

There was no answer from her on this question either.

"I guess our conversation is over." The DA stood. "I'll let you know my decision. Thank you for coming in."

All of them stood.

"I'll get back to you Ms. Sawyer as soon as I meet with the Grand Jury. Have a good day."

With that, Abbey and her attorney left. But both knew that this was not going to end.