The Last Innocent Man
Chapter One
David Nash could see the storm clouds closing in on Portland from his office on the thirty-second floor of the First National Bank Tower. The rain would be a welcome relief from the June heat. The first large drops started falling on the river. David watched for a while, then turned his back to the window. Across the room Thomas Gault shifted his position on the couch.
The newspapers called David "The Ice Man" because of his unruffled appearance in court, but Gault deserved the title. It was almost eight o'clock. The jury had been deliberating for two days. But Gault dozed, oblivious to the fact that twelve people were deciding whether he should be convicted of murder.
The telephone rang and startled David. Gault opened his eyes. The phone rang again and David answered it. His heart was beating rapidly as he raised the receiver. His hand felt sweaty against the plastic.
"Mr. Nash," Judge Mcintyre's bailiff said, "we have a verdict."
David took a breath to calm himself. His mouth was dry. It was always the same, no matter how many times he heard those words. They were so final, and despite his record of victories, they always left him with a feeling of despair.
"I'll be right over," David said, replac ... read full excerpt from The Last Innocent Man ebook
