chapter 33
“Um, Prosecutor.”
It was the assistant prosecutor who peered in. She glanced at the tense air in the room, cleared her throat, and ventured on.
“I’ve organized the case files you asked for. Shall I bring them in now?”
“Oh, yes. Please.”
I hurriedly softened my tone to avoid taking out my anger on her. She seemed relieved, fetched the documents, then added,
“Also, the Chief Prosecutor wanted you to come by his office for a moment.”
“The Chief Prosecutor?”
Surprised, I sprang to my feet. “When did he say that?”
“Just now. His aide called asking if you’d arrived. I told him you’d just come in, and he said to send you up.”
I circled the desk, buttoned my suit jacket, and said as I walked toward the door, “Do you know what it’s about?”
She shook her head, looking flustered. “No, I’m sorry.”
“All right, thank you.” I strode off toward the Chief Prosecutor’s office.
“Please come in, Prosecutor.”
His aide greeted me with a smile as usual. The mood felt neutral—what could it be? I followed him and knocked lightly.
“Prosecutor Chrissy Jin is here.”
“Ah, good.”
The aide stepped back, and I saw the Chief Prosecutor’s face. I entered, closed the door behind me, and approached him.
“Chief Prosecutor, what can I do for you?”
“Sit down first.”
He cleared his throat and began.
“So, how is the case going? Do you think it’ll resolve well?”
“…Yes, I’m working on it.”
I chose my words carefully. He nodded, stroked his chin, and continued.
“Hm, I hope the outcome is favorable. Since the opposing counsel is Miller, I can’t help worrying.”
“Our evidence is rock-solid. You have nothing to fear.”
My terse reassurance earned a moment’s silence. I wondered why he was pausing.
At last he got to the point. I waited quietly, and he spoke with a serious expression.
“This trial will have a huge impact on the election. Citizens demand justice. If the verdict disappoints them, the fallout will be severe.”
Was he worried about public reaction to the verdict?
“It’ll be fine. Please don’t worry so much.”
He sighed deeply and nodded.
“Yes, yes. Miller’s not omnipotent.”
An awkward silence followed. I sensed something ominous. He couldn’t have called me in this early just to exchange pleasantries.
“Jin.”
“Yes, Chief Prosecutor?”
I answered immediately. He looked intently at me.
“You know how much I value you, right?”
“I do. I’m always grateful.”
It was the expected reply, but it was honest. He said,
“I believe the day will come when you sit in this chair. You’ll solve countless cases and bring justice.”
“Yes.”
His long preamble only heightened my unease. He pressed on.
“I don’t want to see you get hurt. Not emotionally—publicly. Your reputation, your honor.”
I waited for him to continue. His introduction had been incredibly drawn-out.
“Well, the reason I called you is…”
He hesitated again. He rubbed his palms together, bowed his head, sighed, then fixed his gaze on mine.
“I’m going to settle this case by negotiation.”
“What did you say?”
I raised my voice before realizing it. He didn’t even look surprised.
“Settle by negotiation? Now? What do you mean—negotiate?”
I repeated the word, my anger rising. He merely repeated,
“If we might lose, it wouldn’t do your career any good. I’ve already spoken to Miller’s side. We’ll set a date soon.”
That declaration left me speechless. He cleared his throat.
“I meant to tell you last night, but you were already gone.”
Of course—I’d been off drowning my stress in a club before I even looked at these files.
It was a foolish choice. And to # Nоvеlight # think I’d shown my pathetic state to Nathaniel Miller himself. I felt ridiculous—but it only got worse.
“If you keep pushing, there’s nothing I can do. I’ll have you removed from this case and let Douglas Bacon handle the plea negotiations.”
My jaw dropped. That was even more shocking. They’d take me off and hand it over to Douglas Bacon? Doug? That idiot?
But regardless of my astonishment, the Chief Prosecutor had made up his mind. He summoned me not to persuade but to inform: cooperate or be sidelined. I had only two options.
“Why all of a sudden?”
I forced out the words, anger bubbling beneath the surface. I refused to accept this without explanation.
“Have I done something wrong? I thought this was decided. Now you tell me to negotiate? I don’t understand. Please explain in terms I can accept. I won’t back down.”
I kept my voice steady, though fierce. He looked sympathetic and said,
“As I said, I don’t want you to get hurt.”
He spoke gently, as if coaxing.
“If Nathaniel Miller hadn’t stepped up personally, we wouldn’t be in this mess. But now the spotlight’s on him, too much attention. I can’t make you the scapegoat.”
“What the hell do you mean?”
I snapped.
“You expect us to abandon a case with such clear evidence just because Miller showed up? I can’t accept that!”
“You’re negotiating a sentence, not abandoning the case.”
“It’s the same thing!”
I protested, my voice rising.
“Do you know what he’s asking?”
“I know—third degree with five years.”
He nodded and added,
“Strictly speaking, it wasn’t Miller’s direct proposal—it came from his firm’s lawyer.”
“What’s the difference?”
I snapped. He clung to semantics, and my frustration boiled over despite myself.
“Yes, third degree, five years. Even then he won’t serve out the term—he’ll be out in no time. He’ll kill again. He’s a criminal! What about Anthony Smith’s family? Do you think they’ll accept this? Mrs. Smith begged you in tears…”
“Mrs. Smith wanted it.”
The Chief Prosecutor interrupted me sharply—a reaction so unexpected I froze.
“…Mrs. Smith, Anthony Smith’s mother?”
“Yes.”
His tone was grave as he held my gaze.