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 wouldn'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 wasn't 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.