Chapter 29
Over the next three days I was in touch with Shamansky on a regular basis. The DA’s office was pressing hard for the death penalty since the murder was clearly premeditated.
Shamansky said that the death penalty threat was the DA’s way of getting Nigel to roll over on his buddies. In exchange, he was offered 25 years to life. With good behavior, that translates to eight and a third years before becoming eligible for parole. Nigel’s attorney might have considered the death penalty talk to be just so much sword rattling had it not been for the fact that Jack and Ian changed the home page of the Doberman’s Stub Official Web Site to ask fans to demand justice. It had a flattering picture of Terry and a very unflattering one of Nigel flipping off the media. The caption read, “Let’s get Terry and Nigel together again in the hereafter. The text strongly urged fans to email the San Diego County DA’s office to ask for the death penalty for Nigel Choate. A link was included and twelve thousand emails and text messages were received in the first 24 hours. They were forwarded to Nigel’s attorney and made a strong impression.
Shamansky called on Thursday morning to say he just concluded a meeting with the DA and was told all charges against Chelsea would be officially dismissed. He asked the DA if he could give her the good news and got the OK. “Would you like to be the one to tell her she is officially off the hook?”
“I love giving good news,” I replied. “Can I tell her today?”
“The sooner the better. Make sure her attorney calls the DA’s office by tomorrow at the latest.”
I gave her a call as soon as we got off of the phone and she asked if I would like her to make lunch for us once again. I accepted.
Two hours later I was seated at her kitchen table with a Diet Coke from the twelve-pack I brought along. When I told her the charges were dropped she let out a loud sigh and said, “In a way it feels like it’s over, but I don’t think it will ever really be over.”
“You’re never going to forget about him, but eventually most of your memories will be of the good times,” I said.
As we finished lunch, I said, “There’s one other matter I’d like to discuss.”
“What is it, Jason?”
“At Nigel’s trial it will come out that Cerise Records owner, John Koflanovich, a.k.a. Ivan Chofsky, may have been in on the conspiracy to kill Terry. He was killed in the Russian Mafia raid on his home. I just wanted you to know that his sole heir is a 17 year-old girl who was kidnapped in Russia and had a finger chopped off. She has lived like a prisoner ever since, but still managed to turn out to be a terrific kid.”
Chelsea said, “So if I was thinking of suing Chofsky’s estate it would actually be this poor girl who would take the hit for her father.”
“I just thought you should know.”
“Before you go I have something for you,” she said as she got up from the table and left the room. When she returned she was carrying a guitar. “It’s not very expensive and he never used it on stage, but Terry wrote all of his Doberman’s Stub songs on this guitar.”
I strummed it and said, “It’s incredibly easy to fret.”
“That’s what Terry said. He could play that guitar all day and night without getting tired. I can give you a letter of authenticity if you like.”
“This is a keeper, Chelsea. I won’t be selling it.”
“I’m really glad you feel that way.”
After placing the guitar in an expensive Fender case, she handed it to me and picked up a white envelope on a table by the door. “My dad wanted to thank you personally but he had to go out of town. He said to tell you not to open it until you get back to your office.” She gave me a hug and said, “Thanks for everything, Jason.”
Once inside the Acura, I opened the envelope and a check for $50,000 fell out. The note said: “Thank you for believing in my little girl. The enclosed check is my way of showing my gratitude. Should the thought of sending it back cross your mind, consider that her attorneys would have cost me 10 times that amount. I’m sure I will be referring you to my friends and associates. Regards, Peter Spivey.”
A lot of thoughts crossed my mind, but sending back the check was definitely not one of them. Considering their contributions I decided that Jeannine and Cory would be getting Christmas bonuses.
When I got back to the office Jeannine told me that my mother had called. After we exchanged hellos she said, “I know it’s last minute, but your father and I would like you and Kelly to join us and the Kerrigans for a little dinner party here at the house Saturday night to celebrate you closing the case, and Dennis getting a citation.”
“Mom, I’ve got a problem with this.”
“Do you and Kelly have other plans?”
“No, I have a problem with joining the Irish Mafia.”
“Your father asked you not to use that term,” she said.
“It doesn’t matter what we call it. Ever since Dad found out I was dating a girl of Irish heritage he assumed I wanted to become a member of his exclusive little club.”
“There’s nothing wrong with having friends,” Mom said.
“I agree. I have lots of friends. I have Italian friends, African-American friends, Mexican friends. We’re Americans, Mom, not Irishmen,” I said, getting a little worked up in the process.
“I understand what you’re saying, Jason, but your dad and I grew up in a different era. We were taught to trust our own people. Right or wrong when you learn these things from parents you love and trust, it stays with you.”
“That may be so but it doesn’t make it right. You might see it as me humoring my father. But you have to understand, I see it as perpetuating racism. I think it’s high time the Duffy family sign on as 100% American,” I said, wishing there was a way of making my feelings known without upsetting her.
“Does this mean you’re not going to join us?”
“We will if you agree to integrate the festivities. Invite Detective Shamansky and a date to the party, and we’ll be glad to join you,” I said.
“OK, give me his number and I’ll give him a call.”
“Are you going to ask Dad first?”
“I’ll tell him, but I’m not taking no for an answer. What you said is true and I’m ashamed I wasn’t a better example for you,” she said.
“I didn’t mean to shame you, I just think it’s time we evolve as a family.”
“Say no more. I’ll see you and Kelly Saturday night. Cocktails at 7:00, dinner at 8:00,” she said.