Conspiracy Read Online Free

his body, he glanced over at Kuznov. The defendant was impassive, presenting a stony face to the world. In the back Masha moved toward the door and slipped out of the courtroom.
    Minutes later, when the judge concluded the hearing, the press surged to the front of the room. One group surrounded Cady, and the other Fulton and Kuznov. Press coverage had been massive, but Cady had followed his usual rule of never talking to reporters. A lawyer could only lose that way. The most he could do was enjoy an ego trip, and Cady had no need for that.
    He stuck with his rule now, though he could hear Fulton's angry voice: "It was a miscarriage of justice, and of course we will appeal." Clutching his briefcase, Cady pushed through the circle of reporters, mumbling, "No comment, no comment."
    "Ah, c'mon, C.J.," a reporter pleaded, "you've got to say something this time."
    "No comment."
    Outside in the corridor, television cameras were turning furiously. Cady pushed past them as well, heading for the privacy of an inside staircase with Anita and Ed behind him. When they reached the third-floor landing, Cady finally relaxed. He threw an arm around each of their shoulders.
    "We did it," he said. "We won. I can't thank you two enough."
    "You're the one who did it," Carl protested.
    Anita said, "I've got a bottle of champagne in my office. Give it a couple more minutes to chill."
    "I'll be there," Cady replied. "Don't start the party without me. I wouldn't miss this for the world."
    They separated, and Cady headed down the long corridor. He was surprised to find the door to his outer office locked. Reaching into his pocket for his key, he let himself in. Then he saw Margaret's note. Oh, God, that was awful.
    He was so sorry. Maybe it wouldn't be that serious, after all. He'd call her later tonight to see how Mary Beth was.
    Continuing into his own office, Cady flung the brown leather briefcase toward the sofa, where it landed with a thud on piles of papers. "Yes," he shouted as he moved toward his desk chair. "We nailed that damned Kuznov."
    Suddenly something in the center of his desk, on top of the mess of papers, caught his eye. It was a brown legal-size mailing envelope, blank on the top except for his name, which was neatly typed on a white label. Cady was certain that it hadn't been there when he left for the courtroom. He sat down and ripped open the envelope. Inside he found a bundle of documents held together by a butterfly clip. On top was a piece of plain white bond typed with a note:
    Â 
    Dear Mr. Cady:
    It has come to our attention that Senator Charles Boyd was first elected to Congress ten years ago after a campaign financed by a large illegal political contribution. Senator Boyd violated the law then. He continued to violate it with votes that he cast, bought by this money, for many years. He should be prosecuted now, and these facts should become publicly known before the presidential election. Documents supporting the statements set forth above are enclosed
    .
    There was no signature. No other marks on the paper to identify the author.
    Cady leafed through the attached documents. A deed of sale, an SEC decision, and a criminal court conviction caught his eye. Margaret must have still been here when the envelope had been dropped off. She could tell him who had brought it With long, fast strides, he walked back into the outer office and checked the Rolodex on Margaret's desk for her daughter's telephone number. Nancy answered on the first ring. "It's C. J. Cady down at the U.S. attorney's office."
    "Oh, yes, Mr. Cady."
    "Listen, I'm sorry to bother you, because I know Mary Beth's sick, but—"
    "Oh, that's nothing. She's just got a cold and a runny nose. You know how kids are."
    "But I thought..."
    "What is this? First my mother and now you."
    "What did you say?"
    "Mother just called from the Washington Hospital Center. Somebody had called her at the office to say that Mary Beth was in intensive care. What kind of nasty