I took the Thanksgiving holiday to go through and FIX the book.
There were a lot of mistakes. And to those of you who pointed them out, Thanks. *I* think I got them all.
I also want to thank those of you who read it and gave me the encouragement to finish it. Those of you who are writers know what I mean when I say "It kind of wrote itself." Like a cat that had to be brushed, I would not get any quiet until I did it. and who wants to abuse a cat?
(Not me!)
In any event, I am working on another work. Completely different Genre, Different focus. Will be shorter and I hope to have as good a character development.
The voices are starting to speak again, and they are sitting on the keyboard anxiously awaiting my attention.
Thanks to you all
A while ago I saw a re-run of a program that I had watched in my younger days. it was titled NBC Overnight and it stared Linda Ellerbee. She used to say as she closed the program with "And So it Goes." It was her trademark.
I am going to use that with this story now. I doubt that this story will find a wide readership, as the subject matter is pretty "out there". But I don't feel ashamed about it. I told the story as it was told to me.
Quietly, in a empty warehouse, by a pretty middle aged blonde.
JJ
One of my better and more lucid fans wrote to tell me that the FBI investigates Police officer deaths. Not really. Only in cases where the Federal government is also investigating for corruption cases. In the case of Chicago, the feds would be involved only to insure that the rights of the accused were not abridged.
The Illinois State Police would be tasked with supporting the initial investigation. But local homicide would be deeply involved. Hmm?
And the worst thing that could possibly happen is to have a decorated investigator perform this as her Last Case.
Grin. Got your interest?
Doing an ending is always hard. I have a couple of twists I have to make sure are realistic. So I am doing a bit of research to make sure that they are.
Please be patient, I am trying to do this justice.
And thank you all for the great encouragement I got.
The last couple of chapters have gotten a lot of interesting responses. Some of my long time readers are saying "You are ending this too early. We want more Gore."
Others think my mind is warped and convoluted. (Thank you)
one of my favorite (and probably collaborational readers) went on to send me 3 really detailed and very well written letters pertaining to judicial behavior in contemporary life and wanted to make sure I didn't get so far off track as to be unbelievable. And I agree with every point he is making.
In the Wall Street Journal we have several articles this past couple of weeks regarding judicial misconduct by the Attorney General's office of the United States. Severe Misconduct and ethical behavior that would have (most) people looking for a tree to take the attorney to. (We already have a rope.)
And nothing is going to happen. Ted Stevens is Dead. The attorneys in the case are moved onto other assignments. They didn't suffer a single bit for their conduct. And they won't.
Judicial Misconduct in America is a serious problem. Attorneys are among the most competitive people in the world. They want to win. They want to show how well they can win within the system. Like Gladiators in ancient Rome, they goal is based on "Win percentage"
Now when we have the threat of combat in the ring, Many lawyers pride themselves on not having to go to the ring. If a DA can get persuade a person to accept a charge of guilt on a lesser charge, they feel they have done their job. Bad guy off of street. It affects their win/loose proposition.
Defense attorney's play to this game for two reasons. 1. Defendants don't have money. Going to trial costs time and effort, with motions and pleadings.
2. Defense attorneys make deals to improve their standing with the Prosecution offices. "If I give you this today, you will deal with me better tomorrow. If I fight you on this, you will be harder to deal with tomorrow."
Make no mistake, this is how the system of Adversarial justice we have works.
Court in America is as much theater as politics is theater. The reality is few and far between. The fact is that most cases are decided before the opening gavel and the "All Stand" statement at the beginning of the docket.
In those cases where both sides dig in, and egos are on the line, things become very acrimonious. The winning side usually gets free drinks from the looser and a "Better luck next time" moment.
In the future, where Linked In and other professional databases combine with Jury consultants, and communications and strategy are planned and played out in Mock Courtrooms with Witnesses pre recorded and rehearsed against a continual stream of consultants for both sides, we will see Far greater changes in legal behavior.
We are already seeing changes in Warrant, Search and Seizure at Airports, and laws to protect police and attorneys from being "Pressured". In the future, our courts and rights will be different.
I hope to not get too far from the believable track of knowledgeable readers.
Thank you all for reading.
irishman.