For the People Chapter 33

Rick passes a plate with a fruit happy face across the counter to Kate. "Hey! Corners of that lovely mouth up! It's only been three days. There was a jury in Texas that deliberated for six before convicting the Reverend Terry Hornbuckle of sexually assaulting three women."

A giggle burbles from Kate's lips. "Reverend Terry Hornbuckle? Did you make that up?"

Rick raises his right hand to swear. "Absolutely not. I looked it up. And Texas is the home of town names like Bug Tussle. But my point is that when someone is seen as a religious figure, it can take a while for people to put that aside in their heads. You told me that you expected it might be the case with Duffy. So there's no reason not to take advantage of the situation."

"Rick, I can't go running off to look at baby furniture when the verdict could come in any minute."

"And I'm not asking you to. We can refine our thoughts a little more online and shop around when you're footloose and fancy-free again. Scratch that. You're never footloose and fancy-free. We can do it when you're not constantly straining to hear the alert on your cell phone go off. What I was thinking is that you could relax a little with a long lunch. I could pick up a feast at Finelli's and bring it to our favorite hidey-hole in the courthouse. And if you get called away, I can stick it in a totally efficient insulated conveyance until you've received the news. Then we can celebrate."

"Or not."

"Come on, Kate! We both know you did a great job. But on the ridiculous off chance that the jury lost its collective mind, you can at least find comfort in fine Italian deli."

"That does sound nice. OK, unless the jury comes back this morning, we're on."

Rick mirrors the grin on Kate's fruit plate. "Excellent! I'll text you when I'm approaching with the goodies."


Kate eyes the paperwork in one of the many files on her desk before gazing back at public defender Nicholas Coachman. "Yes, I can see it's your client's first offense, and there were extenuating circumstances. But next time he might try a food bank to feed his grandmother instead of attempting a major rip-off of a gourmet boutique. The outreach center in his neighborhood has a pantry that's pretty well stocked. I'll give you the address. I'm going to knock the charge down to a misdemeanor, so he won't be hamstrung by a felony conviction when he goes for a decent job. But Nick, make it clear to your client that if he tries to get a five-finger discount again, I won't be in such a giving mood."

Coachman nods. "I'll do that, Kate. It must be tough waiting for the verdict in the Duffy case. My sister is pregnant. She says when she's on edge the baby is too. At least it kicks more."

"She's got company," Kate admits. "It will be a relief when the jury comes back in." A siren screams from Kate's cell. "Looks like they're ready to come back now."

"Kate, we work at separate tables, but I wish you luck on this one. Kudrow's one of my mentors and Duffy made him look like an ass," Nick explains. "I think when he took the case he honestly believed what Duffy was shoveling."

"A lot of people did. Fiona Morgan wasn't Duffy's only victim. But hopefully, the jury realized that. I'll find out soon."


As the bailiff hands him a file, Judge Willis gazes toward the jury box. He hands the folder back to the bailiff to return to Juror # 1. Madam Foreperson, has the jury reached a verdict?"

"We have, Your Honor."

Willis stares at the press gathered in the crowded courtroom. "I caution you all that I intend to maintain order. Save any reporting or questions for counsel until you are outside. I'm instructing the bailiff to take anyone who creates a disturbance into custody. Defendant, please rise." Kudrow urges Duffy to stand with him. Willis shifts his attention back to the jury. "Madam Foreperson what is the verdict?"

"On the charge of arson in the first degree, we find the defendant guilty. On the charge of murder in the first degree, we find the defendant guilty."

Subdued murmurs rise from the gallery.

Willis throws a brief warning look at the spectators before returning his attention to the jury. "So say you one so say you all?"

"Yes, your honor," the foreperson replies.

"Very well," Willis acknowledges. "The jury is dismissed with the thanks of the court. The defendant will be remanded to Rikers Correctional Complex to await sentencing."

Duffy gazes in disbelief at Kudrow. "We're going to appeal or something, right? You said you could get me off."

"I said," Kudrow retorts, "that if you truly believed you were following God's will I could get you off. I think we both know that you didn't. The jury knows it too. First Timothy, 6:10: 'For the love of money is the root of all evil.' If you want an appeal," Kudrow adds as uniformed officers lead Duffy away, "get yourself another lawyer."


Kate's cell rings as she's washing her hands in the now-functioning ladies' room. "I just saw the breaking news report," Rick announces. "I already put in the order to Finelli's. I can pick it up and bring it to your office or I can cancel it, and we can go out somewhere to really celebrate."

"Bring it to my office," Kate decides. "I still have a stack of case files to get through, but I can lock the door against overenthusiastic press. Then maybe tonight, we can wander through the furniture displays at Baby Barn."

"It's a date!"


Kate sighs as she views the nursery groupings obviously intended for infant girls. "It's like the designers fell asleep in a theme park magic castle. All of these collections look like they're created for Disney princesses."

"Do you have something against Disney princesses?" Rick asks.

"Only the ones who are doomed until rescued by some ridiculous prince who is too dumb to use his sword on a wall of thorns, or can only recognize a woman by her shoe size."

Rick nods his understanding. "Ah, you like the more kickass versions like Mulan or Merida. You wouldn't find either one of them under a ruffled canopy."

"No, I guess I wouldn't."

"And you think our daughter is going to be kickass like her mama?"

Kate presses a hand to her abdomen. "She's already got the kicking part down."

Rick lays his hand next to Kate's. "She surely does. OK, of all the offerings for the perfect nursery that we saw on the web, what do you think would match the apparent personality of our offspring?"

"Something solid but not massive, with some color but not pastels. I think it was called the Primary Collection."

Rick pulls out his phone. "Primary Collection, baby furniture. Booyah!" He turns the screen toward Kate. "Is this the one?"

"Yes! Scroll down to stores that carry it."

Rick flicks to the bottom of the webpage. "Uh-oh!"

"Uh-oh, what?"

"No dealers in New York."

Kate takes the phone. "Damn! I thought you could get everything in this city. But it looks like the nearest dealer is in Ohio, in a village called Sugar Creek."

"We don't have to go to Ohio, Kate. We could just order what you want shipped to New York."

Kate's hair whips as she shakes her head. "No way! Nothing is ever the way it looks online. I want to see it for real and touch it before we buy it for our daughter."

Rick makes some quick entries on his screen. "Hmm, Sugar Creek is in Amish country, about an eight-hour drive from the Big Apple. There aren't any airports close by, and you shouldn't sit in a car all day on a Saturday. I don't think we can count on much being open on Sundays around there either. But I'll bet the food is terrific. Looks like we've got a leisurely road trip to plan. When can you get away?"

"I don't know. I'll have to talk to Shapiro."

"You've scored another big win. He should be in a generous mood."

Kate shrugs. "I don't know. Tomorrow I'll find out."