Chapter 20: Statement

I told the District Attorney's office I would accept Rowan's deal on two conditions.

He would plead guilty to every count in open court, and I would speak before the judge sentenced him.

They agreed by noon.

Ten days later, I sat in the front row of a courtroom with Jonas on my left and the prosecutor on my right.

The gallery was full, and the reporter with gray hair sat in the second row.

Lawson sat across the aisle with his lawyer.

He had not looked at me once since I walked in.

They brought Rowan in through the side door, in a county jumpsuit, with his hands in front of him.

He was thinner, and his grin was gone.

The judge asked him how he pleaded, and he said, "Guilty," in a low voice.

"Mr. Draper, tell the court in your own words what you did," the judge said.

Rowan looked at his lawyer, and his lawyer nodded.

"I went into my brother's wife's bedroom in the dark," Rowan said. "I let her think I was my brother."

"I did it for three years, and I knew she didn't know."

"My brother knew too. He paid me cash for it, and I took it."

A sound went through the gallery.

Lawson's lawyer wrote something on a pad, and Lawson stood up.

"Your Honor, my brother is a liar saving his own skin," Lawson said.

"Sit down, Mr. Draper," the judge said. "Or the bailiff will seat you outside."

Lawson sat, and he stared at the wall.

"The court notes the defendant's statement," the judge said. "Miss Wyndham, you may address the court."

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