Chapter 11 11

Alice's car was the only Volkswagen in the back parking lot, parked right in the middle, soaking up the sun.New Beetle, bright yellow, with New York State plates, about a year and a half old, and not only a map in the glove box, but also a pistol. Nickel-plated Heckler & Koch P7M10 pistol, beautiful, four-inch barrel, ten .40 rounds.When Li Qi was in the army, the Army had always wanted to purchase the 9cm blue steel version of the same gun, but the Ministry of Defense was not satisfied with its price, because it was almost 16 times that of the Lorcin that Carmen bought for 80 yuan. .But it's a very, very good gun, top notch, maybe a gift from relatives on Park Avenue, maybe this car too, imagine it.The Foss is a good choice, a great graduation gift, but this gun is a bit worrying. Parents must be sitting in a high-rise in New York worrying about their daughter.Where is she going to work?With the poor?Then of course she needs protection, so they must have done their homework and bought the most expensive product on the market, just like if she needed a watch, they would buy a Rolex.

As a matter of habit, he took the gun apart, looked inside, and put it back again.The gun is new, but it has been fired and cleaned, maybe four or five times!That means the man with the gun had spent hours practicing hard at a shooting range, probably some fancy basement driving range in Manhattan!Li Qi smiled and stuffed the gun back into the glove box, placing it under the map, then adjusted the seat to the widest position, took out the key, started the engine, and turned on the air conditioner.He took out the map, spread it out on the passenger seat, and then took out the folded paper from his shirt pocket.The location he was going to seemed to be northeast of here, and if he drove fast, he should be there within an hour.

The car was a manual, the clutch was tight, and he had to turn off the engine twice before he got the hang of it.This made him very embarrassed, and even felt a little humiliated.The car was very stable, a crystal glass vase was glued to the center console, and a small pink flower was inserted, which gradually came to life as the temperature inside the car dropped.There is a faint smell of perfume in the air.He had learned to drive almost twenty-five years ago, when he was a minor, unlicensed driver, in a Marine Corps M35 transport truck.Its driver's seat was six feet off the ground, which was a distant memory for Reacher.

The map showed that there were seven roads to leave Pecos, and Li Qi came in from the southernmost one, but there was nothing he was looking for in this direction, so there were still six roads.Instinct told him to go west. The town's center of gravity seemed to be to the east of the intersection, so the east must be wrong.So he left the Street of Lawyers and Guarantees, headed towards El Paso, followed the road that turned slightly to the right, and found his target.This kind of shops are all here, and then gradually become rare along the road to the distance.Every town, big or small, has a string of car dealerships clustered around the outskirts of downtown, and Pecos is no exception.

Li Qi drove over, then circled back, and found the store he wanted.There are two, the very tacky signboard reads the maintenance and repair of imported cars, and they also have the words "free scooter".He chose the one farther from the city, which also operated a second-hand car business. There were more than a dozen rotten cars in front of it, and many flags were used as decorations, and the windshield also marked low prices.There was a towing office, and behind the sales area was a row of low garages with a hydraulic crane.The garage floor is smeared with oil, and four mechanics are around, one of them is busy repairing a British sports car, while the other three are idle, looking very lazy on a scorching Monday morning.

He drove the yellow Focus straight into the garage, and the three off-duty mechanics slowly drifted over to the car.One of them looked like the foreman, and Li Qi told him to adjust the clutch and let it loosen a little.The guy looked happy to get the job and said it would cost forty bucks.Richie nodded yes and asked for his mobility scooter, so the guy led him to the back of the garage and pointed to an old Chrysler convertible.The car was originally white, but because of its age and too much sun, it has turned khaki.Li Qi took Alice's gun with him, wrapped it in a map, and put it in the passenger seat of the Chrysler just like the store's packaging, and then asked the technician for a tow rope.

What do you want to drag?the guy asked. nothing.Li Qi said.I just want a tow rope. Do you want a rope but don't want to lug things? That's right.Li Qi said. The guy shrugged, turned away, and came back with a coil of rope.Li Qi put the rope on the pedal.Then drive the car into the urban area and leave to the northeast, sweeping away the previous depressed mood.Bright yellow body, New York state license plate, and a crystal glass vase glued to the center console.You'd be a complete idiot trying to collect debt in the Texas wilderness in a car like this without a license. The car came to a stop in the middle of nowhere, and he pulled a coin out of his pocket, detached the Chrysler license plate, and dropped it beside the rope on the passenger floor.Then he threw the screw into the glove box and drove on, looking for his destination.It's about a three-hour drive north of Guriel's house, but the surrounding scenery looks exactly the same, the only difference is that the irrigation here is better.Grass was growing, some of the mesquite by the roadside had been burned, and some of the cultivated land was covered with green shrubs, perhaps bell peppers, or roma melons, he didn't know.On both sides of the road there are wild indigo plants, occasionally mixed with cacti, and there is no one around, the sun is very bright, and the horizon is steaming.

The owner of the farm on the legal papers was named Lyndon.Jie.Brewer, the address has only the road number.According to Alice's map, the road will enter New Mexico after forty miles.Like the road south of Echo County to the Gurrells' house, a dusty black strip, a long string of drooping wires, farm gates every fifteen miles.These farms all have names, but they may not be the names of the owners of the farms. For example, the Red House Farm has no Guriel label at all, so it is necessary to find this man named Linden.Jie.Brewer is not necessarily an easy thing to do. But there he was, because at the junction where this road meets the other there's a whole row of letterboxes along gray old planks.The letterboxes all have the name of the person and the name of the farm, and Brewer just happened to appear on a white letterbox, handwritten in black paint, with Big Hat Farm underneath.

Fifteen miles further north he found the gate of Big Hat Farm, with a handsome white-painted iron arch, like a greenhouse structure in Charleston or New Orleans.Li Qi couldn't get through the door and continued on, stopped at the shoulder where the next electric pole was, got out of the car, and looked up.At the top of the utility pole was a large transformer box, where the wires formed a T shape and ran out at right angles to the farm house.And there is another parallel wire about a foot below the whole line, which is the telephone line. Reacher flipped the map on the passenger's footboard, took out Alice's gun, and at the same time took out the rope, tied it to the trigger guard, tied a single knot, and pulled out twenty feet so that the gun It swings naturally like a weight.He then grabbed the rope with his left hand and threw the gun upward with his right, aiming for the gap between the electrical and telephone lines.It missed the first time, about a foot away, and when it fell, Li Qi caught it with his hands.The second time he put more pressure on the target, the gun fell through the gap in the middle, and let the rope straddle the telephone line at the same time.He slackened the rope in his left hand, lowering the gun so he could grab it back.He untied the rope, threw the gun back into the car, grabbed the rope with both hands, and pulled so hard that the telephone wire tore from the junction box and fell to the ground, all the way out to the other side a hundred yards away. up to the wire pole.

Li Qi rolled up the rope, threw it back on the pedals, got into the car, backed up, and drove through the white gate.At the end of almost a mile-long private driveway, there appeared a white-painted house that looked as old as it had popped out of a historical movie. The front of the house had four large columns supporting a second-floor balcony. Wide steps in front of the gate, beautifully manicured turf, raked gravel parking. He parked the car on the gravel in front of the steps and turned off the engine.He reached up and tucked the shirt tightly into his trousers.He once met a girl who was a personal trainer and she said it made his upper body look more like an inverted triangle.He put the gun in the right hip pocket, showing clearly, the sleeves of his new shirt rolled up to shoulder height.He grabbed the steering wheel of the car and squeezed so hard that the steering wheel was almost dented, and then the veins on the biceps bulged, big and clear.If your arms are thicker than most people's legs: use them when you have to.

He got out of the car and walked up the stairs, pulled the bell rope on the right hand side of the gate, a bell rang from deep inside the house, and Li Qi waited.Just as he was about to pull it again, the door on the left opened, and there was a maid, about half the height of the door, in a gray uniform, who looked like she was from the Philippines. I want to find Lyndon.Brewer.Li Qi said. Do you have a reservation?said the maid.English is very good. have. He didn't tell me. Probably forgot.Li Qi said.From what I understand he's actually a bit of an asshole. Her face was tense, but she was not surprised, but suppressed a smile. So what name should I report? Rutherford. B．Hayes.Li Qi said. The maid froze for a moment, then finally laughed. He is the nineteenth president.she says.Ulysses.Ace.Gurante's next term, born in 1882 in Ohio, served from 1877 to 1881. He was one of the seven presidents of Ohio and the middle of three consecutive Ohio presidents. bit. He is my ancestor.Li Qi said.I'm from Ohio too, but I'm not interested in politics, and told Mr. Brewer I was sent by the San Antonio bank, and we found a million dollars' worth of stock in his grandpa's name not long ago. He must be very excited.said the maid. The maid turned and walked away, and Li Qi walked through the door just in time to see her go up a wide staircase at the back of the hall.The maid moves nimbly and puts one hand on the armrest all the way, seemingly effortlessly.The entrance hall is about the size of a basketball court. It is quiet and cool. It is decorated with golden teak boards, which become shiny after being wiped by the maids.There is a grandfather clock taller than Li Qi, which ticks softly every second, and there is an antique chaise longue next to it, just like the kind of socialites in oil paintings. Li Qi was thinking, if he lay down, would it be broken in two?He pressed the velvet with his hand, and the stuffed horsehair bounced inside.Then the maid came down the stairs she had gone up, looking almost slippery, with her body completely motionless, just lightly brushing the handrail with one hand. He can see you now.she says.On the back porch. There is a hall of the same size on the second floor, with the same decoration.French doors lead to a back porch that runs the width of the house and overlooks acres of scorching grass.There is a roof on the balcony, and the fan rotates slowly near the ceiling. The heavy rattan furniture painted white is placed together in a circle.There was a man sitting in a chair, and to the right was a small table with a large jug and a glass of what looked like lemonade, but it could have been something else.This guy has a thick neck and is about sixty years old. Twenty years ago, he should have been a very handsome guy, but now he is flabby and degenerated, with white hair all over his head.Years of sun had burned his face red, with many wrinkles and potholes.He was all in white: white trousers, white shirt, white shoes, and he looked as if he was going to play lawn bowls at some fancy country club. Mr Hayes?he cried. Li Qi walked over and sat down without waiting for him to invite. Do you have children?he asks. three sons.Brewer replied. Is there any one at home? They all work in the field. Where is your wife? She went to Houston, to visit relatives. So it's just you and the maid at home today? Why are these questions asked?His tone was impatient, a little confused, but polite, the way someone who is about to receive a million dollars would react. I am a banker.Li Qi said.I need to ask about these things. Tell me about stocks.Brewer said. There is no stock at all, I made it up. Brewer looked surprised, then disappointed, then upset. Then what are you doing here?he asks. This is our common trick.Li Qi said.I actually belong to a loan company. If someone wants to borrow money, I probably don't want my family to know. But I don't need a loan, Mr Hayes. you sure? very sure. But that's not what we heard. I am a rich man, and I lend money to people, not to people. Really?But we heard that you are incapable of paying your debts. Brewer's associative speed was very slow, the shock spread from his body to his face, his body began to stiffen, his face became more and more red, he looked down at the shape of the pistol in Li Qi's pocket, as if seeing this thing for the first time in his life.Then he put his hand on the table, picked up a small silver bell and shook it vigorously, making a small jingle. Maria!he cried, shaking the bell vigorously.Maria! The maid appeared from the door that Li Qi had just entered, and walked silently along the balcony floor. Call the police.Brewer ordered.Call the police, I want them to come and get this guy. The maid hesitated. go!Li Qi said.to call. She walked past the two of them with her head down, and went straight into the room behind Brewer, which was like a private study, dark and masculine.Li Qi heard the sound of picking up the receiver, and then an urgent click, trying to get the phone back into operation. The phone went dead.she cried. Go downstairs and wait.Li Qi called back. what do you want?asked Brewer. I want you to pay off the debt. You are not sent by the bank. Amazing reasoning skills. Who are you then? Someone who wants to ask you for a check.Li Qi said: Twenty thousand yuan. Do you represent those people? He tried to stand up, but Li Qi reached out and pressed him back into the chair, hard enough to make him feel pain. Sit down obediently.He said. Why are you doing this? Because I'm a compassionate guy, said Leech, and that's why.A family has suffered a catastrophe. They will be very sad and worried this coming winter. The tragedy is close at hand, and they don't know when the sky will fall.I don't like to see people go through this kind of hardship, no matter who they are. If they're not happy, they should go back to Mexico, go home. Li Qi looked at him in surprise.I'm not talking about them.He said.I'm talking about you, your family. my family? Li Qi nodded.As long as I keep being mean to you, they're going to have a hard time, maybe a car accident here, a robbery there.You could fall down the stairs, break your foot, or maybe it's your wife.The house can catch fire, there will be many accidents, one after another, never knowing when something will happen next, guaranteed to drive you crazy. You can't be completely on the sidelines either. I can stay out of it now, I can start today, starting with you. Brewer said nothing. Give me the kettle.Li Qi said. Brewer hesitated, then picked up the water bottle and handed it forward like a robot.Li Qi took it over. The kettle was made of beautiful crystal glass with engravings on it.It may be from Waterford, or it may have been imported all the way from Ireland.It holds a quart and is probably worth over a thousand dollars.Li Qi held the kettle in his hand, smelled it, it was lemonade, and then threw it out from the edge of the balcony, the light yellow liquid splashed in an arc in the air, and a second later, there was a loud shattering sound from the patio downstairs . oops!I want someone to arrest you.Brewer said.This is sabotage. Maybe I can start with your son.Li Qi said.Pick one at random and throw him off the balcony, like this. I want someone to arrest you.Brewer said it again. Why?According to your approach, what the rule of law authorities say does not count, or does what is beneficial to you count?Or do you think you are different? Brewer said nothing.Li Qi stood up, grabbed the chair and threw it over the railing. The chair fell to pieces on the stone floor downstairs. Check out.He said.You can afford the money, you just said that you are rich. This is a matter of principle.Brewer said.They shouldn't be here. Then you should?Why, they are the first to come. It was they who lost to us. Now you lost to me again, Feng Shui turns. He stooped to pick up the little silver bell on the table, which he guessed was an antique, perhaps made in France.The body of the bell is engraved with lace-like hairlines, about two and a half inches in diameter.Li Qi held the bell with his thumb on one side and four fingers on the other. He squeezed hard, distorted the bell, and then put it in the palm of his hand to completely flatten the metal part.He leaned over and dropped it into Brewer's shirt pocket. I can do the same with your head.He said. Brewer said nothing. Cheque.Li Qi said quietly.Get it out before I lose control! Brewer paused for a moment, five seconds, then sighed. All right!Brewer led the way into the study and came to the table.Li Qi stood behind him in case a pistol suddenly appeared in the drawer. Open a cash ticket.He said. Brewer began to write checks, the correct date, the correct amount, and his signature. Best not to bounce tickets.Li Qi said. Won't.Brewer said. If the ticket is bounced, you will also fall down this patio. You go to hell! Li Qi folded the check in half and put it in his pocket, went back to the indoor hall, went down the stairs, walked to the grand pendulum clock, pushed it forward, the big clock fell down like a tree, smashed to pieces on the floor, Unable to move around. The skin of the two men started to peel after three hours, the sun was too strong to stay any longer, and there was no need for it, because there was no movement at all, that's for sure.The old woman and her son were almost indoors, and the child dangled around the yard, occasionally came out to have a look, and retreated when the sun couldn't bear it, and the other time when the maid asked her to go back to eat, she slowed down. Walk slowly back into the house.So they decided to give up, and climbed northward along the lee of the stones, waited until they were out of sight of the house, and immediately came to the shoulder of the sandy road and waited.The woman showed up on time with the crown on, the air conditioner and bottled water were ready, and the two began to report after drinking the water. good.the woman said.Then it's time for us to act. I think so!said the dark man. The sooner the better, the more handsome one also agreed, to get the matter over quickly. As soon as Reacher was out of sight of the Brewers' house, he put the license plate back on the old convertible, drove straight back to Pecos, and got Alice from the mechanic.Allen Foss.He simply paid forty yuan, but when he drove on the road, he couldn't feel any change in the car. The clutch was still as tight as before, and the car stalled twice on the way back to the law office. Li Qi parked the car in the parking lot behind the building, and put the map and pistol back in the original glove box.He came back through the front door into the old office to find Alice sitting behind a desk, talking on the phone, and clients waiting for her, a quiet, worried three-generation family.She had changed clothes and was now wearing black high-waisted trousers of some kind of muslin or linen with a black jacket.The color of the jacket makes the white sports underwear look like a shirt, and now it looks more formal, and it has the attitude of a lawyer immediately. When she saw him appear, she covered the phone with her hand, and temporarily turned away from the family client, while Li Qi leaned forward and bent over to listen to her. Big trouble.she said calmly.Heike.Walker wants to see you. see me?He said.Why? You better go and hear it yourself. What are you listening to?have you met him She nodded.Went there and talked for half an hour. Then what?What did he say? You better go and hear it yourself.She said it again.Let's talk about it later, shall we? There was anxiety in her voice.Li Qi watched Alice continue talking on the phone, while the family at the table leaned forward and listened carefully to what she was saying.He took out the 20,000 yuan check from his pocket and laid it flat on the table.Alice saw it, and suddenly couldn't speak, she covered the phone again, and took a deep breath. Thanks.she says. There was embarrassment in her voice now, as if embarrassed by her hesitation about the deal.Li Qi put the car keys on the table, walked outside on the sidewalk, turned right, and walked towards the courthouse. The Pecos County District Attorney's Office occupies the entire second floor of the courthouse.From the stairwell there was a door leading to a narrow corridor that ended with a wooden door behind which was an open space that served as a secretary's room.There are three doors behind the secretary's room, leading to three different offices, one for the prosecutor and the other for the two assistants.The wall separating the office and the secretary's room is covered with glass windows from the waist up. The office is equipped with ancient Venetian curtains to block the glass, and there are also large wooden shutters and cotton drawstrings.The whole place looked crowded and old, but there was air-conditioning in every outside window, high up, and the compressors made the walls hum with a muffled sound.There are two messy desks in the secretary's room, both of which are occupied by people. The farther one is a middle-aged woman who seems to be working here; the closer one is a young man, probably on summer vacation. During the internship, he obviously also doubled as a receptionist, because he looked up with a happy expression on his face, whether I can help you. Heike.Walker wants to see me.Li Qi said. Mr. Li Qi?asked the young man. Li Qi nodded and pointed to the corner office. He is waiting for you.He said. Li Qi walked through the cluttered space to the corner office. There was a small window on the door, and a plastic nameplate was hung below it, which read: Henry. F． W．Walker, District Attorney.Behind the window was covered by a drawn curtain, Li Qi knocked on the door, and walked in without waiting for a response. The office has a window on each side of the wall, a large pile of filing cabinets, a large desk with a lot of papers, a computer, and three telephones.Walker sat in a chair behind the desk, leaning back, holding a framed picture in both hands.A small wooden picture frame with a fiberboard stand at the back to stand on a table or bookshelf.He looked intently at the front of the photo frame, with heavy sadness on his face. What's up?Li Qi asked. Walker looked up. sit down!He said.please. The politician's enthusiasm in his voice was gone, and he sounded tired, like a normal person.There was a chair in front of his desk for visitors, so Reacher lifted the chair and pulled it aside to make more leg room. What's up?he asked again. Has your life turned upside down overnight? Li Qi nodded.Occasionally. Walker laid the photo on its side on the table so that both could see it.This photochrome is the same as he was in Sloup.As seen in the locker in Guriel's room, three young men leaning against the fender of an old van.Confidential, young and frivolous, the future is limitless. This is me with Sloop and Al.Eugene.He said.Now Al is missing and Sloop is dead. No news from Al? Walker shook his head.No audio at all. Li Qi didn't speak. I think the three of us were almost inseparable back then.Walker said.You should know that in such an isolated place, this bond can go deeper than a normal friendship, and it feels like the three of us are fighting the whole world together. Is Sloop his real name? Walker looked up.Why do you ask? Because I thought your name was Heck, but it says Henry on the door. Walker nodded, smiling wearily.My birth certificate says Henry, and my family has always called me Hank, but when I first learned to speak I couldn't pronounce Hank, I could only pronounce Heck, so I stuck with it. But is Sloop's name real? Walker nodded again.It's Sloop.Gurriel, to be clear. So what do you want from me?Li Qi asked for the third time. Actually I'm not too sure.Walker said.Maybe just to listen to me, maybe to help me clarify something. What's up? I'm not too sure.Walker said it again.For example, when you look at me, what do you see in your eyes? District Attorney. anything else? have no idea. Walker fell silent.So do you like what you see?he asks. Li Qi shrugged.To be honest, I don't like it more and more. Why? Because I came here and found you with foggy eyes, nostalgic for your childhood friendship with bad lawyers and wife-beating jerks. Walker turned his head away.It hit the nail on the head. Life is too short to waste time. The two were silent for a while, during which there was only the low sound of the air-conditioning compressor running. In fact I represent three identities.Walker said.I'm a person, I'm a prosecutor, and I'm running for judgeship. so? Al.Eugene was not a bad lawyer, quite the opposite, a good guy, a social activist, and for good reason.In fact, from a structural point of view, the protection of the rights and interests of defendants in Texas is not very ideal, and it is even worse for poor defendants.You should know because you have to find a lawyer for Carmen yourself, and the reason for this is that someone told you that her lawyer will not show up for months, and the lawyer you found must have told you, according to her estimation , it might take longer.The system sucks, I know it, and Al knows it too.The Constitution guarantees the people's right to hire a lawyer, and Al attaches great importance to this promise. As long as he comes to his door, he will not refuse anyone, no matter who the target is, he will do his best to help them.Of course, there will inevitably be some bad guys, but don't forget that the Constitution guarantees bad guys, but most of his clients are fine, whether black, white or Hispanic, with no other problems than simple poverty. Li Qi didn't speak. So I guess.Walker said.I don't know who you've heard that Al is a bad lawyer, but I bet you ten to one that it's an older white guy with money and status. It's Rusty.Gurriel.Li Qi thought to himself. Don't tell me who it is.Walker said.But I must be right, a man of this sort would be offended or displeased to see a lawyer stand up for the poor, or stand up for the colored people, would feel that such behavior betrayed them race or class.From this point of view, the term bad lawyer comes naturally. All right!Li Qi said.Maybe I misunderstood Eugene. I can assure you that you have misunderstood Eugene, and I can also assure you that if you check his records, since he was admitted to the lawyer's license, there is absolutely no bad record, and absolutely no relevant records can be found. He put his nails on Eugene's chin in the photo. he is my friend.He said.I am very happy to have such a friend, whether it is from the standpoint of an ordinary person or a prosecutor. Nassloop.What about Guriel? Walker nodded.We'll talk about him, but first let me tell you what it's like to be a prosecutor. what do you feel? same feeling.Like Al, I believe in the Constitution, the law, and fairness and justice.I can assure you that if you turned the whole office around, you wouldn't find a single case of injustice.I'm tough, yes, I've sent a lot of people to prison, some to death row, but I haven't done anything that I'm not 100% sure is right. Sounds a lot like a political speech.Li Qi said.But I don't have the right to vote. I know.Walker said, I checked, that's why I said these things, if this is a political act, it is too fake.But these are all from the bottom of my heart. I want to be a judge because I can have a little influence. Do you know the Texas system? do not understand. The judges in Texas are all elected and have a lot of power, and this is a weird state. There are many rich people, but there are also many poor people. The poor obviously need public defenders, but Texas has no public defender system.Therefore, judges will choose lawyers for the poor, and the initiative is all on the judges, and they will choose the kind of legal firm with a long history. The whole process is controlled by the judge, including the decision fee.To put it bluntly, it is a sponsorship relationship, simple and clear.So who will the judge appoint?He will definitely designate people who sponsor campaign funds and appoint cronies, and he will not care whether they are suitable or capable.The judge handed over 10,000 yuan from the taxpayers to his favorite law firm, and then the firm assigned an incompetent little character to do an effort worth only 100 yuan. A hundred bucks, and some hapless guy is in jail, maybe he didn't do it.Most of the defense lawyers met their clients in the court for the first time after the trial started. Some lawyers even drank alcohol before going to court, and some lawyers even fell asleep on the defense table, doing nothing and doing nothing. check.For example, when I was here the year before last, a guy was charged with sexually abusing a young child, he was convicted, he was sentenced to life, and then a well-meaning person like you figured out how to prove that the guy was in prison when the assault happened.In prison, Li Qi, he was facing trial for stealing a car fifty miles away, but the documents were sent from here to there, written clearly, black and white on the official documents, and his first lawyer did not even check. Did not check. It sure doesn't sound too good.Li Qi said. So I did two things.Walker said.One, I hope to become a judge so that I can make things right in the future.Second, right now, in this prosecutor's office, we're going to play out the roles of both sides.Every time we came across a case, one of us would be in charge of prosecuting the other side, and the other would be the defense attorney, trying to find a way to break the prosecution's offensive.We played it out, knowing that no one else would do it but us, and I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I didn't. Carmen.Gurriel's defense is absolutely rock solid.Li Qi said. Heike.Walker looked down at the table. No, Guriel's condition is dire.He said.It's a tragedy through and through, and it's true for me personally, even from a human point of view, a prosecutor's point of view, or a run for judgeship. You have to avoid interests. Walker looked up.Of course I have to avoid it, there is no doubt about it, but it is still an immediate issue for me, and I am still the one who takes full responsibility.No matter what happens, this is my jurisdiction and it will affect me. what do you want to say in the end? Don't you understand?Sloop is my friend, and I'm an honest prosecutor, so in my heart and mind, I want justice to be done.But I'm dealing with sending a Hispanic woman to death row, and if I do, it's a no-brainer, right?The county is almost entirely Hispanic, but I wanted to be a judge because I could make a positive impact.If I were to seek the death penalty for a minority woman right now, my future would be wiped out, and not just here, it would make national headlines.Not hard to imagine, right?What would the New York Times write?They've all decided we're stupid white rednecks who only marry family members, and with that, I'm going to be carrying this case for the rest of my life. Then don't sue her, it's not justice anyway, because the case is self defense, plain and simple. She made you think that was the way it was? The truth is obvious. I hope so, because I would do anything to let this go away.It started when I entered this line.For the first time, I wish I could get away. Li Qi glared at him.You don't need to hide, do you? Let's be honest.Walker said.Step by step, start from scratch.The spousal violence defense works, but only if it's hot and fresh, get it?The law stipulates that premeditation is not allowed, but Carmen has long been eager to kill him. This is a fact, and it is absolutely impossible to easily get away with it.And she bought the gun almost as soon as she heard the news that Sloop was coming back, and the paperwork came, so I knew it was true and she had planned it. Li Qi didn't speak. I know her.Walker said.Of course, because Sloop is my friend, so I have known her for about the same time as Sloop. so? Walker shrugged and said sadly: There is a problem. what is the problem? He shook his head.Legally speaking, I don't know how much to tell, so I'm going to take a guess, okay?I don't want any response from you, not a single word, because it might make your situation difficult. What's the trouble? You'll find out later.She probably told you that her family is rich and has a vineyard north of San Francisco, right? Li Qi didn't speak. She told you that she met Shlopp at UCLA, where they were classmates. Li Qi didn't speak. She said that Sloop made her pregnant, so she got married with a son, so her parents severed ties with her. Li Qi didn't speak. She told you that Sloop had been beating her since she was pregnant, that she had a lot of bruises on her body, and that Sloop wanted her to use the riding injury as a cover-up. Li Qi didn't speak. She claimed that she had snitched on the IRS, so she was even more nervous about Schroep's release from prison. Li Qi didn't speak. good.Walker said.Strictly speaking, everything she tells you now is a one-sided statement, which is not admissible in court.It doesn't matter how heartfelt she is, or how distressed she may be.In a situation like this, her lawyer will do everything she can to get her claim to be accepted, because she believes so in her heart, and there are indeed some clauses that can be cited.Normally a prosecutor would refute that, but we don't, we usually let it pass because we understand that marital violence often goes on in the dark.My practice is to bring all cases as close to the truth as possible.So let's say you, or someone like that, goes to court to testify and describe things as horrific, say that under those circumstances, Shlope is coming home, there's a lot of pressure on her, etc., the jury All will be very sympathetic, and it is possible to ignore the premeditated element, and she will be able to obtain a non-prosecution. Where is the problem? The problem is that if you testify in court, you will also be cross-examined. so? Walker looked at the table again.Let me make a few more guesses and don't respond.If I guess wrong, please don't be angry, let me make my most sincere apology to you first, okay? I guess her premeditated methods are actually very extensive. She should have thought about it and wanted to ask you to help her. Li Qi didn't speak. 我猜她之所以找上你不是意外，而是經過精挑細選，而且很努力地說服你。 李奇沒說話，沃克吞了口口水。 另一個猜測。He said.她想用上床當作賄賂手段。 Li Qi didn't speak. 再一個猜測。沃克說。她一直不放棄，在某個階段，她又試著跟你上床。 Li Qi didn't speak. understand?沃克說。如果我說得對，那這些東西在交叉質詢時也會全部抖出來，而我有把握我講的是對的，因為我認識這個女人。只要徹底準備，證據自會說話，除非你打算在法庭上撒謊，或者除非我們問錯了問題。可是假設我們問對問題，而你也實話實說，那麼預謀部分就會變成敗筆。這很嚴重，搞不好會要人命。 Li Qi didn't speak. 我擔心情況還會更糟。沃克說。非常、非常糟，因為如果她有跟你說過什麼，那麼接下來真正的核心就變成她的可信度，對吧？講白一點，就是她對你說的婚姻暴力究竟是實話，還是不然？我們會測試可信度，方法就是問你一些我們早就知道答案的問題。所以在交叉質詢時，我們會先問你一些無關痛癢的東西，比方說她是誰、她從哪裡來，而你會跟我們說她告訴你的答案。 Then? 然後她的可信度就會崩盤，接下來，就是死路一條。 Why? 因為我了解這女人，她會編故事。 What's up? 每一件事，我聽過她的故事，一次又一次。她到底是不是跟你說她們家是葡萄莊園？ Li Qi nodded.almost.她說他們家在那帕谷是大地主，不是嗎？ 沃克搖搖頭，她住洛杉磯市，中南部西班牙人聚居的區域，沒人看過她父母，搞不好連她自己都沒見過。 李奇安靜了一會兒，然後聳聳肩。掩飾自己卑微的出身也不犯法。 她根本沒唸過加大洛杉磯分校，而且實際上是個舞孃、是個妓女，李奇。她曾經在加大的兄弟會上表演，史路普就是那時候遇到她的，卡門很擅長耍小技巧，再加上一罐啤酒，史路普就這樣拜倒在她裙下。你也知道，讓我帶你脫離苦海之類的。我想我也能理解，她現在很可愛，當時則是美得讓人目瞪口呆，而且很聰明，於是她看著史路普，發現德州的公子哥兒口袋麥可麥可的，等於是一張長期飯票，於是她跑去跟他同居。她沒吃避孕藥，卻騙他說吃了，結果讓自己懷孕，史路普也就老實地扛起責任，因為他天生就是這種性格，十足紳士。卡門就這樣吸住他不放，而史路普也任由她這樣。 I do not believe you. 沃克聳聳肩。你相不相信都不重要，待會兒我就會跟你說為什麼。可是我講的都是真的，恐怕沒有其他可能。她是個有腦子的人，她知道妓女年華老去會有什麼下場，而她的社會地位本就不高，接下來更是只能走下坡路，不是嗎？所以她想找出路，而史路普就是出路，她已經吸了他很多年的血，鑽戒、馬匹、一切的一切。 I do not believe you.Li Qi said again. Walker nodded.她很有說服力，這點我也同意。 就算這些都是事實，就表示可以打她嗎？ 沃克停了一下。No, of course not.He said.可是這就是問題所在，事實上他沒有打她，從來沒有，李奇。他從來不會對她動手動腳，一次都沒有。我很了解史路普，他有很多面向，而且老實說，不全然都是好的。他很懶，在商場上有點隨便、有點不老實，這些都真有其事，但我不是只看好、不看壞，可是他的所有缺點，都來自於他自覺是個德州紳士，這點我很清楚。因為跟他對照之下，我是個窮小孩，幾乎是在垃圾堆裡長大的，而他有很大的牧場跟用不完的錢，這點讓他有點自大、有優越感，也因此才會造成性格懶散跟不甩威權的態度。可是話說回來，在德州所謂的紳士，就是絕對不會對女人動手，不管這女人是誰，都絕對不可能。所以那些都是她捏造的，這個我很清楚，他從來沒對她動過手，我可以跟你保證。 Li Qi shook his head.你的保證什麼也不能證明。我的意思是，你還能說什麼？畢竟你是他朋友。 沃克再次點頭。你這麼講我接受，不過也沒有其他東西好講了，因為完全沒有證據，什麼都沒有，我也跟他們很熟，跟他們相處的次數不下千次。當初騎馬意外發生時我也聽他們說過，其實沒她說的那麼多次，而且看起來應該真的是意外。當然，我們會去找就醫紀錄，不過我不抱太大希望，因為應該不可能有什麼爭議。 你自己也說了，家暴可能會在暗地裡進行。 但有這麼隱蔽？我是個檢察官，李奇，我什麼案子都看過，如果兩人躲在拖車屋裡或許還有可能，可是史路普跟卡門是跟其他家人住在一起，而且每天都會看到朋友。在你跟愛麗絲．艾倫說這件事之前，全德州沒人聽過一點點關於他們兩個有家暴的傳言。我沒聽過，艾爾沒有，其他人也一樣，所以你懂我在說什麼嗎？There is no evidence at all!現在一切只是她的說詞，你是唯一一個聽過這整件事的人，而且如果你上法庭挺她，那麼她的審判還沒開始就結束了，因為你要說的另一件事就足以證明她是個病態的說謊者。我是說，她是不是說過是她跟國稅局告的密？ 沒錯，她是這麼說過，她說她打電話跟某個特別單位告密。 沃克搖搖頭。國稅局是透過銀行交易紀錄抓到他的，本來是在查另一個人的帳務，純粹是意外才會把他也拖下水，她根本毫不知情。這件事我很確定，因為我有絕對的事實根據，當初史路普直接去找艾爾，而艾爾直接來找我尋求建議，所以我看過那份起訴書，上面白紙黑字寫得很清楚。李奇，卡門在說謊，就這麼簡單，但我或者該說不簡單、不清楚，或許幕後還藏了什麼錯綜複雜的原因。 李奇停了很長一段時間。或許她真的在說謊，他說，可是說謊的人還是有可能遭到家暴，跟其他人沒兩樣。家暴可能在暗地裡進行，你也不能確定事情真的沒有發生。 Walker nodded.這點我同意，我的確不能確定，可是我敢用性命打賭沒有這種事。 I trust her. 大概連她也相信自己的說法，因為她活在幻想的世界裡。我了解她，李奇，她是個騙子，就這樣，而且犯下一級謀殺。 那我們還談什麼？ 沃克頓了一下。can i trust youhe asks. Is there any difference?Li Qi said. 沃克突然非常安靜，瞪著辦公室牆壁整整一分鐘、兩分鐘、三分鐘。冷氣機的運轉聲消弭了原有的寧靜。 是的，有差，他說，而且差很多。對卡門，對我都是。因為現在你對我的觀點完全錯了，我不是個憤怒的老朋友，試圖保住老兄弟的名聲。事實上，我想替卡門找個辯護理由，你看不出來嗎？甚至發明一個都行，你也知道，比方說假裝家暴確有其事，然後完全抽掉預謀部分，我真的很想，因為這樣我就不需要起訴她，那麼或許就能為我的法官選舉解套。 寂靜又回來了，只有冷氣壓縮機和辦公室外微弱的電話聲，以及一台傳真機在遠處發出的噠噠聲。 我想去看她。Li Qi said. 沃克搖搖頭。沒辦法，你不是她的律師。 你可以更改規定。 沃克嘆了口氣，將頭埋到雙手中。拜託，不要誘惑我，我已經很想把所有規定統統甩到九霄雲外去了。 Li Qi didn't speak.沃克雙眼失焦，眼睛因用力睜大而跳動。 我想找出她真正的動機。He finally spoke.因為如果理由十分冷血，比方說是為了錢，那我就別無選擇，她就得伏法。 Li Qi didn't speak. 可是如果不是，我希望你能幫我。沃克說。如果她的驗傷報告有那麼一點點家暴的可能，我希望能藉由家暴理由幫她開罪。 Li Qi didn't speak. 好，我真正的意思是，我想救自己一命。沃克說。想挽救我選舉的機會，或者說一石二鳥，好嗎？她的命跟我的命，還有愛莉也是，她是個好孩子，史路普很愛她。 那你要我怎麼幫忙？ 如果我們這麼安排的話？ Li Qi nodded.if. 我要你在法庭上說謊。沃克說。我要你重複她告訴你關於家暴的部分，但修改其他部分，目的是為了保住她的可信度。 Li Qi didn't speak. 所以我才說我需要信任你。沃克說。我才能把一切對你坦白，好讓你明確知道她真正的情況究竟是怎麼一回事。 我從來沒做過這種事。 me too.沃克說。而且光想就讓我痛苦不堪。 李奇沉默了很長一段時間。 你為什麼假設我會願意幫忙？he asks. 我認為你喜歡她。沃克說。我認為你同情她的處境、我認為你想幫她，所以也就能間接幫我。 你打算怎麼進行？ 沃克聳聳肩。我從一開始就不插手，由其中一個助理負責處理，先確認她可以找到哪些明確證據，然後告訴你該怎麼應對才不會出錯。就為了這個，所以現在不能讓你去看卡門，樓下會留下紀錄，會有串供之嫌。 我沒把握。Li Qi said. 我也沒有，不過或許不一定要走到審判的地步，如果醫學上的證據能有點空間，然後讓卡門寫份具結書，你也寫一份，或許就有充分理由可以完全不起訴。 在具結書上說謊其實差不多。 想想愛莉。 還有你的法官選舉。 Walker nodded.我也坦白我很想選上，這點無庸置疑，不過理由很光明正大，因為我希望能改善現狀，李奇。這一直是我的抱負，一路往上爬，從內部改善原有問題，這是唯一的方式。這是適合我的方式，如果去當個遊說政客，那根本不會有影響力，而我不是政客的料，沒辦法做那些事，我沒那種天分。 Li Qi didn't speak. 讓我仔細想想。沃克說。給我一、兩天時間，之後我會接手。 you sure? 沃克又嘆了口氣。不，我當然不確定，我痛恨這整件事。可是他媽的，史路普死了，事實不能改變，沒辦法再讓他復活。當然，他的名聲會掃地，可是卻可以救卡門一命，而史路普很愛她，李奇。他對她的愛旁人幾乎無法理解，為了愛她，你不知道史路普承受的不諒解有多沉重，他的家人、他的朋友。我想他會願意用自己的名聲來換她的命，實際上是用他的命來換卡門的命。他大概也願意用我的命，或艾爾的命，或任何人的命去換吧！他很愛她。 沉默又回來了。 她需要交保。Li Qi said. please.沃克說。it's out of the question. 愛莉需要她。 這個問題要比交保更大。沃克說。愛莉可以忍受跟她奶奶過個幾天，我們真正需要擔心的是她往後的人生。請給我一點時間處理。 李奇聳聳肩，站了起來。 這些話是絕對保密的，是吧？沃克說。我想我一開始就講得很清楚了。 李奇點點頭說：再跟我聯絡。 然後他轉身走出辦公室。