For the People Chapter 57

"I've read Amelia's statement, and I'm willing to let your client plead to a misdemeanor," Kate informs Lyle Douglas as he accompanies Thomas Milcham. "It would still be on his record, but it shouldn't interfere with most future opportunities for employment."

"Then that would be the end of it," Douglas figures.

"Not necessarily," Kate points out. "There could be a short period of incarceration and most likely a fine involved. Also, Jason Jordan could decide to sue. With a conviction on Thomas' record, along with witnesses and video, Jason would probably win. That could tie Thomas up for years and seriously impact any further earnings. But there's another option."

"What?" Thomas asks.

"You go to trial, and I add a misdemeanor as a lesser charge. You get to tell your story to a jury that will most likely be sympathetic and convict you only on that. But Amelia would probably have to testify. Still, if she's willing to tell her story in court, I can charge Jason Jordan with assaulting her. We can get video footage from the subway that would confirm the torn dress. We can also introduce Amelia's hospital records, as limited as they are. At least you took her. We can also have the psychiatrist, Caroline McCormack, testify to her expert conclusions about what trauma Amelia suffered."

"Amelia's suffered enough. I don't want to put her through all of that," Thomas protests. "If I take your plea deal, we can put it behind us."

"Unless Jason Jordan decides to sue you," Lyle reminds him. "And I wouldn't be able to help you with that. For a civil case, you'd have to hire private counsel. And Amelia would still have to testify to give you any prayer of prevailing."

"Talk to Amelia," Kate advises. "You may find your sister's a lot stronger than you think."


"So how's the suit going?" Rick asks as the waitress refills Jim Beckett's cup with black coffee.

"I've got most of the paperwork together," Jim Beckett reports. "But I was busy getting the protestors released after Brown Rock called in the police last night. They were smart. ZNN was never on the scene, and Channel 25 had stopped reporting for the day. But the most they could be charged with was trespassing, so everyone considered it a waste of resources to hold them. No doubt they'll willingly show up in court to speak their piece. And they're across the street on public property today where Olivia can tell J'net Smith all about being arrested. Also, Granville Chester's son was there and caught the whole thing on his cell phone."

Grinning, Rick winks. "Which means that J'net will have some great visuals as an attraction for further ZNN coverage." His laugh lines vanish. "But even if Brown Rock fixes the boiler or whatever else needs to be done to make the building livable, that can't be the end of it. Neighspec isn't going to just hold onto their property. They'll do something to cash in, starting with tossing Olivia and her comrades out for good."

"I believe you're right," Jim Beckett admits. "But there's nothing we can do until they actually make a move. And there's nothing illegal about declining to renew a lease." Jim smiles at a sudden realization. "Except for evicting seniors, the disabled, and their spouses. The city recently expanded the laws protecting them. Olivia, Granville, and most of the building's other occupants can't just be evicted. Neighspec's been holding onto those properties for a while. Those laws probably weren't in force when they bought them. And Brown Rock may not be factoring them in either. They may believe they can make life uncomfortable enough for the tenants to leave under their own steam."

Rick chuckles. "They never figured on Olivia Jefferson."

"I doubt they did," Jim Beckett agrees.


Eyes closed in appreciation, Ryan inhales the aroma of a mug of dark brew. "Beckett made good. Castle sent over the primo blend. You know, Bro, you could always invite Fernito up to try some or bring it to her. When Beckett was dating Demming, he brought a bunch of his robbery buddies up to try the machine Castle gave us."

"Which made Castle mad as sh*t," Esposito reminds him.

"Only because Castle was jealous of Demming. And anyway, Castle's not here. He's off getting his face on ZNN. You said you were waiting for the right time. Now you've got an opening. You should use it."

"I can't just invite Fernito up for coffee, even Castle's coffee," Esposito protests. "I need an excuse to go down there, a robbery homicide. And we haven't had a fresh body for days."

When phones erupt simultaneously in the bullpen, Ryan scoots toward the door of the break room. "Looks like that streak may be about to end."


Amelia lets go of her classic communicator-shaped mouse and swivels her chair from her computer to face her brother. "I want to testify, for you and against Jason Jordan."

"Are you sure?" Thomas asks. "You said you wanted to think about it."

"I have been thinking about it," Amelia insists. "And I've been in my Facebook Star Trek group. We were talking about how the evil half of Captain Kirk attacked Yeoman Rand. She was scared and knew it would be hard to testify against the captain. But she told Spock the truth. And that helped expose the transporter accident and get things back the way they were supposed to be. But Jason Jordan didn't have a transporter accident. He was bad to start with. And to get things back the way they're supposed to be, I have to tell the truth, no matter how scared I am. That's the only way to put things right. I already sent Ms. Beckett an email, saying I'd do it."

Thomas nods slowly, jamming his hands into his pockets. "If that's what you want to do, I'll tell Mr. Douglas I want to go to trial. But this could take us a long time, Amelia."

"I know. But Ms. Beckett said she'd try to hurry it along as much as she could. She doesn't want Jason Jordan to think he can attack anyone else. And I just posted on all my boards that Jason is a fake nerd. He won't be able to fool anyone who reads my stuff."


"This is Jack Tepper on ZNN. Word from the New York City Courthouse is that the jury in the McKinsey Brooks trial is about to return to the courtroom. Due to the charges against the top uniformed cop in the NYPD as well as the involvement of high-profile ADA Kate Beckett, this case has garnered increasing national attention. A guilty verdict will affect not only the NYPD but the public's trust in law enforcement organizations across the country. Several police forces are already reported to have stepped up investigations into high-level corruption. If Brooks is convicted, he may not be the only top cop to be knocked from his perch." Tepper presses a fingertip to his earpiece. "Kate Beckett and Brooks' attorney Jasper Lowell, have both been spotted entering the building. We may hear a verdict within the next few minutes."


Judge Maynard studies the contents of the file the Bailiff hands her, before sending it back to the jury. "Mr. Foreperson, have you reached a verdict?"

"We have, Your Honor."

"What say you?"

"On the charge of receiving bribes, we find the defendant guilty. On the charge of bribery, we find the defendant guilty. On the charge of abuse of power, we find the defendant guilty. On the charge of making false and misleading statements, we find the defendant guilty."

Kate slowly releases a breath and turns to her co-counsels. "There's going to be a shakeup in the NYPD and a lot of other police departments. But they can use one."