“Hello, Antoinette Marie. I’m Nicollette Sommers. I’m a criminal defense attorney, and your husband asked me to come in and talk to you about your case. At this time, I am acting as your attorney. Anything we say here falls under attorney-client privilege, and I cannot divulge any of it to the police, prosecutor, or your husband, unless you give me permission to do so.”
“I know about attorney-client privilege.”
“Do you want to speak with me? I cannot guarantee that I will take your case, but I can give you an idea of what to expect if the prosecution proceeds to indict you on these charges.”
“Yes, I need to know what to expect.”
“You’ll have to tell me what happened. I need the facts to make an accurate assessment of your situation.”
“My crazy cousins, Jean Louis and Phillip Beaudreau, were in charge of the girls. I never told the boys to put them in a shipping container, and I wasn’t present when the accident happened and the girl, Mitzi, hit her head and died. I had nothing to do with that.”
“So, you admit that you were kidnapping homeless runaway girls off the street?” This was worse than Nikki had expected. The sympathy factor for this woman was going to be nil.
“No. I was offering them an opportunity to make some money and get some new clothes.”
“Really, Antoinette Marie, do you expect anyone to believe you were doing charity work here?”
“No. I expected to profit from their work, but they would profit as well.”
“These were underage girls. I have to tell you that story is not going to fly with anyone. Why would you do this? You had an exceptionally privileged life, a good husband, and a family.”
“As I told Dan, I thought we were going to lose everything. The house was about to go into foreclosure. People were suing us for unpaid bills. I didn’t know what to do to help. I couldn’t let my kids grow up like I did—poor in the swamps.”
“I doubt you all would have ended up in the swamps, Antoinette Marie. You might have had to downsize, but I can’t see Dan McGrath ending up on the street.”
“I don’t know. Maybe I wasn’t being rational, but all I saw was a way to avoid going back to my dismal roots. I clawed my way out of that swamp, and I wasn’t going back.”
“I haven’t seen any discovery materials from the prosecution’s case, but from what information I have been able to glean on the Internet and from the papers, they have a lot of evidence against you, including numerous eyewitness identifications. When they find the other girls in Louisiana, there will be even more IDs.”
“They won’t find them. My cousins won’t let that happen.”
“Antoninette Marie, you had better hope they find them—alive—or you are going to be a serial killer and the most hated woman in America. The death of individuals during the commission of a felony—which human trafficking of underage girls across state lines for purposes of prostitution is—will make their deaths murder. Whether the deaths were accidental or not, whether you were present or not, they will still be capital murder. In addition, the transportation of minors across state lines will bump this up into the realm of federal charges. The FBI will probably get involved. You are in a very serious situation here.” Antoinette Marie was finally looking concerned. Maybe she was starting to get it. “The only way out of this that I can see is for you to cooperate. Tell them where to find the girls that are still missing, and maybe we can negotiate a plea deal—at least get the capital murder charge off the table.”
“I’d still have to go to jail?”
“Oh, yes. Definitely. I am not a miracle worker. We might be able to negotiate your incarceration in a federal ‘country club’ facility. That would remain to be seen.”
“Could I plead insanity because of my underprivileged childhood? I freaked out when I thought I was losing everything.” Nikki was intrigued by the sly look of calculation on Antoinette Marie’s face. She could see echoes of the beautiful woman she had been underneath, but the hard set to her features now was anything but attractive. Defending this woman would be a nightmare—a very well-paid nightmare.
“Antoinette Marie. I have to be honest. I do not think that a diminished capacity plea would work. No jury is going to look at the way you lived in your mansion driving your Mercedes and feel sorry for your underprivileged childhood. They may feel sorry for your husband and children and spare your life, however.”
“Can I think about it and call you?”
“Certainly. Don’t take too long. You will probably be charged and arraigned soon. The State’s Attorney will want to make as much political hay from this as he can. He’s known for jumping on the spectacular cases.”
* * * *
Back in her office Monday afternoon, Nikki sat down with Dan McGrath and John Temple. “I can’t say that this will be an easy case to defend. If Antoinette Marie cooperates, and we can assist in the recovery of the girls who were transported to Louisiana, I might be able to get the DA to take the death penalty off the table and get the charge of capital murder reduced to manslaughter. I might even be able to bundle the whole thing into one plea deal with a twenty-five-year sentence. That would be the best-case scenario. I can’t repeat what Antoinette Marie told me, but I can say that I’m very concerned about the probability of success in any defense we might mount.”
Dan McGrath looked crushed. “You don’t have to tell me what she said. She already admitted to me that she abducted those girls. She, of course, does not view that as constituting a crime. She feels she was just doing what she had to do to preserve her lifestyle and that of her family. One of the things that keeps me awake at night is that she did these things partially for me. I was supposed to be taking care of her and my family, and I was. If the real estate deals I have in the offing close, I will be able to recoup it all, and still be way ahead of the game.”
“Regardless, Mr. McGrath. You would not have been homeless on the street, as I pointed out to Antoinette Marie. It would have required some downsizing which many people have had to do in the current economic climate.”
“And that would have been totally unacceptable to her. I’m not justifying her actions. I’m still trying to understand them myself. My children are crushed. How am I going to explain this to them? I don’t know what will happen to them if their mother is executed. I don’t know what will happen to me. I seem to be able to split the two personalities. I despise Antoinette Marie, but I still love Anne Marie. Am I crazy?”
“No, Dan, you’re not crazy. You’re caught in an unbelievable situation.” Nikki could feel compassion for the brokenhearted man before her.
“Are you willing to take her case? If so, I’ll write you a retainer check. If not, I’d appreciate the names of some other top defense attorneys.”
“Let’s see what Antoinette Marie decides. If she is willing to go along with what I proposed, I’ll take the case. I am not willing to mount a flimsy ‘diminished capacity’ defense. That would be a guaranteed loss.”
“Thank you for your time, Nicollette. Please bill me for the consultation in any event.”
* * * *
Chloe, Kaylin, Gabby, and Nikki met for drinks Monday night on the dock at Fifteenth Street Fisheries. When margaritas had been delivered all around accompanied by a huge platter of smothered nachos, Chloe began to wind down. Antoinette Marie had been charged and booked for the murder of Mitzi Jones and the other attendant charges.
“Well, I’m glad that woman is off the street, or off the bayou, or whatever. She’s dangerous and I think a total sociopath. She’s completely without remorse. That’s not to say I think she’s insane. She knew exactly what she was doing, and she did it for her own personal gain. It’s certainly a case I won’t forget, and that bayou country is incredible.”
“Speaking of your latest arrest, Chloe, thanks for telling J.J. to call me in for a consult. Antoinette Marie hasn’t made a final decision yet, but I think I will be representing her. It will certainly be a case that will up my visibility
in this town, not to mention pay a few bills.”
“What? You have got to be kidding me. I didn’t tell him to call you. I haven’t talked to him in two weeks. He did come by my house, but I didn’t talk to him. Why would you take that case? It’s definitely not a winner. You are kidding me, right?” Chloe was totally blown away but far from speechless.
“Everyone is entitled to a competent defense, and I need to earn a living. I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to get her acquitted.”
“What? Are you crazy?” Chloe screeched and all the others leaned back on their stools.
“Relax, Chloe.” Nikki was laughing now. “I’m just yanking your chain. I’m hopeful I’ll be able to get her to cooperate in exchange for a plea bargain that takes the murder charge down to manslaughter with a negotiated sentence of twenty-five years.”
“I can’t believe what I’m hearing.”
“Do you want to find those girls in Louisiana before it’s too late?”
“Of course I do. I just don’t want to give Antoinette Marie Beaudreau a free pass.”
“Believe me. She won’t be getting a free pass. She’ll probably be sixty-five before she gets out of jail. She might get some time off for good behavior, but in any event, she’ll be spending a lot of years behind bars—without facials or manis and pedis. And her husband and kids won’t have to know that their wife and mother was executed.”
“I have to say I feel sorry for Dan McGrath. Despite the fact that he hates Antoinette Marie he still loves Anne Marie. What a position to be in.” Kaylin took a sip of her margarita and popped a nacho dripping cheese and jalapeños into her mouth.
“Humph.” Chloe had compassion for McGrath and his children. The pictures she had seen of them on the news would have broken her heart if it hadn’t already been bleeding for the families of the missing kids. It was a tough one. She could agree to that point of view at least. It just grated that Antoinette Marie was going to be able to plea bargain and that Nikki was going to help her do it.
“Are you going to pout, or are you going to drink your drink, eat some nachos, and celebrate a job well done?” Nikki was still grinning.
Uggg. That girl makes me crazy sometimes. “I’ll celebrate a job well done when we have all the kids back.”
“Well, since you brought him up, when are you going to give J.J. a break and at least talk to him?”
“I did not bring him up. That would be you, girlfriend.” Chloe narrowed her eyes. “You’re tricky. I can see why you’re so good at your job. I have no intention of talking to him. The man has given me enough pain. I’m not eager to sign up for some more.”
“Chloe, he’s really hurting. I could see he wanted to ask me about you, but he didn’t. He didn’t want to put me in a difficult position.”
“Like hell. He wanted you to take Antoinette Marie’s case and didn’t want to piss you off before you agreed.”
“I don’t think that was it at all. I could see the pain in his eyes—not as much as McGrath, of course, who is devastated. But J.J. was definitely not himself.” Nikki sighed. “I can see you are not happy. Please don’t be mad at me. You did your job, now I have to do mine.”
“I’m not mad at you. She has to have an attorney. I was just hoping it would be a public defender right out of law school.” When Nikki just frowned at her she continued. “Oh, shit. It might as well be you. Amy and Mark need their paychecks and Riley needs his kibbles.”
“Glad you see it my way.”
* * * *
Counsel meeting room at the Paul Rein Detention Facility, Pompano Beach, Florida, Tuesday morning, September 30, 2014
Nikki was not surprised to see that Antoinette Marie’s appearance had not improved for having spent another night in jail. She looked tired and worried. “Antoinette Marie, have you made a decision on what we discussed yesterday? Do you want me to represent you and try to broker a plea deal in exchange for your giving the Louisiana police the location of your crib?”
“Do I have a choice?”
“Of course you do. You can take your chances at trial, probably get convicted, and most likely face the death penalty after years and years on death row while you appeal your conviction.” She carefully watched Antoinette Marie’s face and then delivered the kill shot. “And you can see your kids for the last time through the glass window of the death chamber up at Raiford Prison.”
“That was a low blow, counsellor.”
“Yes, it was. What’s your decision?”
“All right. I want you to represent me, but I don’t have any money available to me right now.”
“Your husband has agreed to pay my fees.”
“Really? Do you think there’s any possibility…”
“No. I’m afraid not. He just doesn’t want the mother of his children to be executed by lethal injection for murder. He thinks that would probably scar them for life if they haven’t been already.”
“Who are you representing, Ms. Sommers? Me or my husband? I really don’t like your tone.” The soft, cultured drawl was back in her voice.
“I’m representing you, and I hope to save your life, Mrs. McGrath. Your husband is paying my bill, but I am not representing him.”
“Okay. I’ll give the police the location where the girls are being held, but I want to have the plea deal in writing in my hands before I do.”
“Understood. How many girls did you take to Louisiana?”
“Six.”
“Are they all still alive? I’ll need their names.”
“They are all alive as far as I know. I only have the names they gave us which may or may not be accurate.”
When Antoinette Marie had disclosed the six names Nikki said, “I’ll speak with the State’s Attorney and get the plea bargain in writing before we proceed.”
Nikki left the room. Once she was outside in the hall with the door firmly closed, she dialed Gabby at the State’s Attorney’s office and told her that Antoinette Marie was ready to give up the location of the crib where the girls were being held. “She wants the plea deal in writing before she says another word. Can you get your boss to sign off on dropping the murder charge to manslaughter? Unfortunately, that may apply to both of the Beaudreau cousins as well. Their defense counsel will jump on the fact that the crime was manslaughter on one case and so can’t be murder on another. You have plenty of other charges to hit them with—kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, transportation of minors across state lines, and all the rest. I’m only representing Antoinette Marie, not all three of them, and I’m trying to save her life. Also, see if Mr. Gatto will go for a negotiated sentence of twenty-five years. The payoff, of course, is recovering the six additional missing girls.”
“I’ll go in and talk to Miguel and get right back to you. I don’t know if he’ll go for it. I think he was probably salivating about the high-profile case this promised to be.” Gabby sighed on the other end of the phone. Nikki knew she did not look forward to having to go into her boss’s office and ask him for the plea bargain.
“Give it a try, Gabby. Thanks. Call me back and let me know. I’m not going back into that room with her until I know whether I have the plea deal or not.”
Half an hour later Gabby called her back. “It wasn’t easy to convince him, but he finally agreed to drop the murder charge on Mitzi Jones down to manslaughter and a reduced sentence of twenty-five years on the condition that all the girls in Louisiana are recovered alive. If that is not the case, the deal is off the table, and we’ll go to trial. I’ll draft the paperwork, and I’ll fax it to the front desk at the jail. You can go down there and pick it up in a few minutes. I hope this does the trick.”
“Thanks, Gabby. I’ll go down and get it. I’ll call Chloe and Kaylin with the location as soon as I have it.”
Nikki went back into the room with the paperwork for the plea deal in hand. She passed it across the table to Antoinette Marie who read it carefully. “It says that the six girls have to be recovered alive and I get twenty-five y
ears. They are alive as far as I know, but if the police bungle the rescue, I have no control over that.”
“Then you’d better pray that the police don’t bungle the rescue and that your cousin is not trigger happy. That’s the only deal they are willing to make, and a lot of arguing had to be done to get it. State’s Attorney Gatto would love to take this to trial personally.”
“Would that include time off for good behavior?”
“That would depend on you. Where are the girls?”
After Antoinette Marie disclosed the location of the crib, Nikki left the room again to call Chloe and Kaylin. “Here’s the address in Metairie, Louisiana, where the girls are being held.” Kaylin took the information down and repeated it back to Nikki. “It’s an abandoned house out in the country. There are six of them, and according to Antoinette Marie, they are alive. Only her cousins, Pierre and Beau, should be there. They are the ones running the prostitution side of the operation.”
“Good work, Nikki. I take it Mr. Gatto agreed to a plea. I bet he wasn’t happy about that.”
“No, he wasn’t happy. The murder charge will be reduced to manslaughter, with a prison sentence of twenty-five years. The deal is contingent upon the six girls being recovered alive, so get in touch with your police chief up there, and see if he can coordinate a rescue.”
* * * *
Chloe drove over to the Homicide Division offices, and she, Kaylin, and Del placed a call to Chief Rousseau in St. Martinville. Del put him on the speakerphone, and they gave him the details of the location, how many hostages could be expected, and who was guarding them.
Chief Rousseau was exuberant. “Good work. I’ll coordinate with Jefferson Parish and get back to you as soon as I know when we’re going in.”
Chloe's Rescue [The Black Iris Club 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 14
