Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Baghdad Butcher, Book #1 of the Janitors Series - Tom may have a way out of his trouble.



Today’s excerpt is from Baghdad Butcher, Book #1 of the nine-book Janitors Series.  Tom Wilson and his attorney feel there is a way to lighten the sentence he is likely to receive for his involvement in the drug running operation.  The U.S. Attorney feel the same way, even though he himself doesn’t know what is to come.  Enjoy and have a fantastic day. 

m.j.

 

Once all had been returned to L.A., the criminals were booked.  The three wounded Iraqis were taken to surgery, while Tom was placed in an interrogation room.  John wanted to handle this one himself.

“Mr. Wilson,” John started, “I am John Engle, the U.S. Attorney for Los Angeles.  It has been suggested to me that I urge you to get yourself an attorney other than the one your friends will be using.  Beyond that, I have nothing else to discuss with you for the time being.  A phone will be brought in here for you to use.  Do you know an attorney?  One here in Los Angeles?”

“Yes, sir.  My parent’s family attorney, Mike Vitro.”

“Good, I suggest you call him.”

Tom Wilson said nothing as John turned and left the interrogation room.  Once alone, Tom had time to reflect on a few things:  Other than my rights, that is the first thing anybody said to me, and it had to come from the U.S. Attorney himself.  Tom, boy, you’re in deep doo doo.”

When the phone was brought to him, Tom called Mike Vitro and asked Vitro to come see him.  When Vitro arrived, Tom told him about the shootout, arrest, and the brief interview he had with John Engle.  Vitro replied, “Tom, you’re in serious trouble.  I’ve never heard of the U.S. Attorney being involved in an arrest, nor have I heard of him holding the first interview with a prisoner, especially without anyone else being present.  Somebody, somewhere thinks this is one big case.  And from what you told me about the quantity of drugs, I’d have to agree.  But I have a looming suspicion there is even more to this than your everyday drug bust.”

Just as he finished saying that, John Engle came into the interrogation room, stuck out his hand, and stated, “John Engle.”

Vitro replied, “Mike Vitro, Mr. Engle,” and shook John’s hand.

After the introduction, John got right to the point. “Mr. Vitro, I don’t know you personally, and I’ve never heard of you before.  Your client is obviously facing some charges.  For now, I’d like to place him in solitary confinement.  If you agree, we plan no further conversation with him at this time.”

“Mr. Engle, I’m not a criminal attorney.  But I can tell something strange is going on here.  Would you care to enlighten me?”

“Not really.  I will say this.  It is possible, only possible…and not being offered at this time…that your client may be offered some sort of deal for his cooperation.  To keep that possibility on the table, I want him kept away from the others he was arrested with, and their attorney.  We don’t want to wave any red flags about why he is in solitary confinement, so we’ll cook up a story about him trying to escape by attacking an officer or something of the sort.  I would suggest that you do not get another attorney involved at this time.  If it comes to deal making, I promise to be fair and allow you the opportunity to check with a criminal attorney about the value of the deal offered.”

Vitro looked at Tom.  “You’re going to solitary confinement.  I don’t begin to understand what is going on here, but if there is some sort of deal possible, you go to solitary confinement and don’t open your mouth to anybody.”

Tom swallowed and replied, “Yes, sir.”

Turning to John, Vitro nodded.  “As I just told my client, this isn’t making much sense, but if there is some way to lessen the severity of the sentence he might receive, we’ll go along for awhile.”

“Smart decision,” John replied and left the interrogation room.

 

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