Out of the Depths of Hell

By Monica Early

When Alexis "Lexi" Gordon suddenly found herself divorced and homeless, she did not fold and give up on life; she fought back. Lexi worked her way through an undergraduate degree and then a law degree and landed her dream job as a prosecutor in the Carroll County District Attorney's Office elite Major Crimes Division. Well on her way to becoming the prosecutor of the division, Lexi was also being groomed by her friend and mentor, Samuel Mahoney, to take over as his position as chief of the illustrious division. Lexi slowly realized, though, she was thwarting someone else's plans to do the same. Stefon Abraham, an attorney in the bad check unit, has longed to be a member of the Major Crimes Division and dreams of eventually taking over as chief one day until Mahoney hires the likes of Lexi Gordon. Stefon, in his self-declared war against Lexi, enlists Lexi's naive assistant, Emma Naylor, as one of his weapons of destruction. Little does Lexi know that Stefon is willing to stop at nothing in his quest to take over the Major Crimes Division. While Lexi continues to be groomed to become the chief of the division, Stefon stalks, harasses, and plots in an attempt to make Lexi's life at the Carroll County District Attorney's Office a living hell, hoping to make her quit or, better yet, get terminated. Stefon enlists the help of Melanie Price, the newly appointed district attorney in his war when he convinces her the case of serial killer Lenora Becker, which Lexi is prosecuting, needs to be sent back to the state attorney general's office. When the newly appointed district attorney is murdered, Stefon pounces on the opportunity to finally get rid of Lexi by putting her in the fight of her life. Lexi is accused and tried for the brutal slaying of Melanie Price. In a strange twist of events, while Lexi is housed at the Carroll County Jail while awaiting and during her trial, she is befriended by none other than serial killer Lenora Becker, who is housed in the cell next to Lexi's. Despite a valiant effort to defend Lexi, it soon becomes apparent to Lexi's best friend and top defense attorney, Shawn Murphy, that Lexi has been set up to take the fall for Melanie Price's murder. Lexi is convicted and sentenced to death by lethal injection. Lexi and Lenora meet up again while on death row, creating an unlikely alliance between the two. Prior to her own execution, Lenora Becker vows to help Lexi, whom she believes, along with Shawn, to be wrongly convicted, be set free. Lenora enlists the help of an old childhood friend, Maximus Williams, who uncovers the truth about the prosecution and conviction of Alexis Gordon.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 20, 2019
• ISBN: 9781645445111

Book preview

Chapter 1

Alexis Lexi Morgan had worked so hard for this, and her day was finally here. As she walked down the corridor leading into the stadium, she was overcome with emotions. The time had come; Lexi was graduating from law school. In the three years proceeding, Lexi worked a full-time job while attending law school at night. It was hard, so hard, but she was determined—and determined to do what? She was determined to break the chain of past relationships, determined to make something of herself where her mother had not. This day was a long time coming. A long way from her childhood full of physical and emotional abuse. A long way from her mother drilling into her mind that she would never be worthy. Never be worthy of a life without abuse, a life worthy of nothing but sorrow, the type of life as the one her mother had led.

As Lexi stepped from the corridor into the stadium, she could smell the stale mustiness of the building. She stopped and took a deep breath, and just let all the old smells of law students past that had graduated in this same stadium absorb into her skin and lungs. She could feel all their future hopes and dreams soak into her. Lost in her thoughts, Lexi almost didn’t hear her name called until the classmate behind her said, Go, Lexi, it’s your turn. As Lexi stepped on the stage to receive her degree, she was greeted by all the professors who had been through it all with her, clapping and congratulating her, You did it, Lexi! They all cheered.

A celebration was in order, but with whom would she celebrate? Lexi had put all her time and energy into getting her degree, so she didn’t have any real friends. She had opted to study by herself and not hang out with other classmates. She didn’t want anything or any person distracting her from her goal of graduation. She had coworkers of course, but none she would call a true friend. Celebrate with her family? Now that’s a joke. Her family called her crazy for going to law school and said she would never get a job working as a lawyer. They said she didn’t have that lawyer feel about her. They said she was putting on airs and was trying to be something she wasn’t. Like they know what they are talking about, Lexi thought.

After leaving graduation, Lexi stopped by her favorite Mexican restaurant, ordered something to go, picked up a bottle of her favorite wine from the neighborhood liquor store, and just went home. Home to the solace of her house. She liked it that way—quiet and alone. She didn’t like the drama that often came with relationships, and her mother was no role model in that area. Lexi wasn’t entirely alone though; she did have Ginger. Ginger was always there to lavish Lexi with an endless supply of love and kisses and puppy tail wags. She had adopted Ginger from the local animal shelter in her final year of law school.

Lexi had seen a story about an abandoned puppy on the news, just a baby, less than two months of age. Someone had thrown her away in a garbage sack on the side of the road. The picture the news had shown portrayed a muddied, bloodied, skinny puppy; a retriever, they thought, with huge brown eyes that seemed to penetrate right through the television into Lexi’s heart. She went that very night and brought the pup to her forever home. Lexi named the pup Ginger for her ginger-colored fur that appeared after Lexi bathed and cleaned her up. Ginger repaid Lexi by being her constant companion. The two were inseparable.

Unlike her classmates, Lexi didn’t have to worry about immediately studying for the state bar test after graduation because she had opted to take it early and had passed it first time out. Lexi had landed a job as an assistant district attorney but would not start for a few days, so she had time to sit. Sit and do nothing for once in her life. Doing nothing would escape Lexi though. Curled up in her favorite chair, Ginger at her feet, she began to think about her past and the long and often arduous road she traveled to the life she now lived.

Lexi had grown up with siblings, some older, some younger. They had all grown up in a household where their mother often depended on an endless rotation of men to support the family. Lexi tried to remember them all, but there were too many to remember. Lexi’s father had long been out of the picture and out of her life. Growing up in a revolving door of men came with its price—a price Lexi did not choose but had to pay. As she grew older and her body began to develop, many of the men in and out of her mother’s home felt it was okay to touch her breast, to touch those parts too private for anyone. Lexi suffered through the groping because her mother told her she was being childish and to grow up. Groping is what men do, she would say to Lexi. How do you ever expect to catch a man of your own if you don’t learn how to please one, her mother would say when Lexi complained.

She could remember her mother becoming upset when she would resist or fight off their advances. Lexi, her mother would say, you are the one they like, not me, not your sisters—you. If you don’t keep Sam—or Troy or whoever the current man was—happy, the rest of us will not have anything to eat or a place to lay our heads. She could still hear her mother’s voice, You have to do this to help support this family. Each incident left Lexi with a feeling of disgust, and she never understood why she was the one, the chosen one, that was sought after by these predators. Perhaps she never would. A feeling of vomitus, disgust, and torture that no little girl should have to endure now crept up in Lexi’s thoughts. Why were these memories still with her? Were they there to keep her moving forward? Yes, that is it, Lexi thought, to keep me moving forward. Why are there no good memories left in my brain? she often wondered. Surely, she had good memories at some point during her childhood, didn’t she? But why couldn’t she remember them? Why couldn’t she recall childhood friends, classmates, places she had visited? It seemed to Lexi like there was a block in her memory. A huge bolder holding everything back. Did she want to move that bolder? She thought of this often and how it might affect her if she could remember.

Lexi endured this behavior from her mother’s rotating door of men from early childhood until she left her mother’s home when she was sixteen. When Lexi was sixteen, she married Byron, a boy she had been sort of dating in high school. She wasn’t actually allowed to date, so she would meet Byron at different places around town where she knew they wouldn’t be seen. Byron would tell her, Marry me, Lexi, and I will take you away from this dreadful life you are forced to live. Lexi felt safe lying in his arms. Little did she know that Byron was fighting demons of his own. Five years after marrying Byron and moving away from the world she left behind, Lexi found herself homeless and alone. Byron had come home one evening and announced that he did not love her and had found someone new. He insisted that their home was his, and he no longer wanted her there. Lexi, unknowing of the laws to protect her, relinquished all rights to anything Byron owned. With no money and only a car to live in, Lexi slept in a park a few miles from the home she had shared with him for the last five years.

On the third day alone in her car, and all the tears cried out of her, Lexi decided she would never be in this situation again. She knew she had to do something to find a job and a place to live and find it fast. Lexi knew she could not continue to live in a park, and besides, the park ranger had already given her one warning that if she did not leave soon, she would be arrested for loitering. Byron did give Lexi a little money, but she knew it would not last forever, so that afternoon, Lexi went to the county library where she knew she could view the local newspapers at no cost. She began her job search by combing through every want ad in those local papers. It didn’t take long before Lexi’s eyes fell upon what would be her redeeming job. There it was, a local apartment community was searching for an office assistant to answer phones, take applications from potential residents, etc. Best of all, the job, as part of the salary, came with an apartment. Yes! Lexi thought. This is just what I need to get started. Now all I have to do is convince them that I am the person for this job.

While mulling over in her mind what she would say during the interview, it dawned on Lexi that she had no real job experience. She had no idea how to conduct herself on a job interview, let alone how to even begin to write a résumé. Hell, she hadn’t even graduated high school. Lexi had married Byron when she was sixteen and had spent the next five years cleaning, cooking, opening beers, and doing whatever else his highness required her to do. Lexi wondered how she would list those qualifications on a résumé. Domestic goddess, maybe, more like domestic idiot, thought Lexi. High school dropout, ooh, now that will stand out, Lexi thought to herself. Why don’t I title it Résumé of a Loser? Lexi scanned the library, hoping there were some books that could assist a person in how to write a presentable résumé. After all, I can read and write, she thought. She just needed something to show her the correct way to present the information.

Lexi scanned the library and spotted an elderly woman shelving books. She looks friendly enough, thought Lexi. She was older, skin the color of caramel, with salt-and-pepper hair that had seen its better days at the beauty shop. She was dressed in plain clothes, slacks and a blouse, flat shoes, practical for climbing ladders and shelving books, and had glasses hanging off the end of her nose. There was nothing too fancy about her at all, much like Lexi imagined herself at that age. Lexi wondered if she could help her find a book or two that would help her write a presentable résumé or even if it was worth the trouble asking. Maybe I should try looking for it myself first, thought Lexi. She was never good at asking for help or meeting new people. Especially over these last few weeks, but Lexi thought it might be quicker if she just took the chance that the old woman would at least be nice to her and help her find what she needed and decided to take a chance.

Norma Schooner had been the librarian at the Carroll County library for nearly thirty years and knew everything about everyone in the county. She had heard a homeless girl was living in her car down in the park and guessed this to be her when Lexi walked into the library. Even though she was a bit unkempt, Norma was a bit taken by her natural beauty. Norma, in all her years, had never seen such beautiful curly auburn hair, and Lexi had a headful. When Norma looked at Lexi, she saw breathtaking emerald-green eyes to go with the auburn hair, all accented by a smattering of freckles across the fair complexion of Lexi’s round face. But behind those beautiful emerald eyes, Norma could see pain—and lots of it.

Norma wondered what this young woman had endured as she had with all the young women she helped over the years. Lexi walked up to the elderly woman, boldly stuck out her hand, and introduced herself. Hello, I am Lexi, and I need assistance please.

The old woman, taking Lexi’s hand, stated, Well, hello there, Lexi. I am Norma. How may I help you this afternoon? Lexi couldn’t help but smile at Norma’s thick, slow southern drawl as she spoke. To Lexi, Norma sounded like a true Southern belle, and she was sure she had lived at least part of her life in the South. I thought, maybe, there was a book or something that showed people how to write résumés or something, Lexi told the old woman.

Well, sure, we got a few books to help with things like that and such, Norma said. You looking for a job?

Lexi, unprepared for conversation, stated, Just a book would be helpful.

Sure thing, Norma stated. I understand. Follow me, and let’s see what we can find. As Lexi and the old woman searched through the overstuffed bookshelves, Norma felt, maybe by mother’s intuition or maybe by women’s kinship, that Lexi probably needed a little more help than any book could offer. Lexi, Norma said, I know you said you just wanted a book to assist you in writing a résumé, but I run a class at night to help young women who are down on their luck get back on their feet. It helps with things like writing a résumé, practicing interviewing, job location assistance, education assistance, and other things one may need. As a matter of fact, we are meeting here at the library tonight in about an hour. Do you think this is something you might be interested in attending? It’s free, no cost to anyone who signs up. Lexi stood silent, and Norma could sense her apprehension. I’ll tell you what, young lady, you think about it, Norma said as she wrote down the room number and time of the class meeting. And if you wish to join us, you are most certainly welcome. If not, maybe next time.

Lexi did think about it and with great trepidation, entered the classroom that same evening. Six weeks later, Lexi had received her high school diploma, landed the job as an apartment community office assistant, and was well on her way to becoming her new self. After furnishing her new home with items from the local thrift store and planting her feet firmly in her job, Lexi enrolled herself in undergraduate courses at the local university. She loved the learning environment and quickly devoted all her free time to learning. It wasn’t long, less than three years, before Lexi had earned her undergraduate degree and landed a higher paying job. Although Lexi loved her job, she had always wanted just a bit more. A little bit more to feel comfortable in life so she would never have to depend on anyone. A little bit more to erase the memory of being abandoned, to show Byron and her mother that she would be just fine without them.

Lexi loved to spend her spare time in the county library. She followed Norma around the library, constantly chatting about new books that were coming to the library and old books they wished were still there. It was Norma that had encouraged her to enroll in college. You can do it, Lexi girl, she told her. You are a smart girl! You can do anything you set your mind to do, all you gotta do is set it. She loved reading and absorbing everything she could. Norma would save the best books for Lexi, and she was always grateful for her kindness.

One evening when returning a batch of books Norma had lent to Lexi, she noticed a black wreath hanging on the entrance door to the library. Lexi thought that to be odd but didn’t think anything further as she walked into the building looking for Norma’s cheerful face. But on this evening, she was not greeted by Norma but by someone else, someone uncaring, someone unknowing of their special friendship. I’ll take those, he said, coldly snatching the stack of books from Lexi’s arms. Is there anything else you need?

Lexi stated, Why, yes, there is. Where is Norma? I usually see Norma. Where is she?

Oh, are you referring to the old woman? You haven’t heard? the attitude standing in front of her said.

No, heard what? Who is this asshole, thought Lexi. Why is he such an ass? Did she do something to piss him off when she came in? Surely not; she had just walked through the door and merely inquired into Norma’s whereabouts. Where is Norma? Lexi asked, growing more impatient by the minute.

She died. Dropped dead of a heart attack just yesterday afternoon. Sad, he said, how quickly one can go. We never know how or when our life will be over. Now thanks to Norma dropping dead, I have to pull double duty until we replace her. Lexi just stood there, shocked, listening to this uncaring little jerk.

How could that be? No! That is not true! I just saw her yesterday and had lunch with her! Lexi said, almost shouting at the inconsiderate young man in front of her.

Sorry, lady, it’s true! Now, unless I can help you with something else, I have to get back to work. Arrangements are on the door if you’re interested. Lexi went home that evening in total disbelief. How could her friend be gone in the blink of an eye? Who would she talk to now? She had lost her only friend, and Lexi felt the loss deep in her soul. She had lost the only person who really and truly believed in her. Who would believe in her now? Once again, Lexi felt alone and abandoned, and as she fell asleep that night, she cried.

It was several weeks before Lexi would enter the library again, but it was here in this library where Lexi first saw her new future. While looking for a particular book to read and longing for a conversation with Norma, Lexi passed by a small table overridden with pamphlets. She stopped to browse the array of brightly colored pieces of paper just to see if any in particular spiked her interest enough to unfold and read. After perusing a few of the more interesting-looking ones, she saw it! There among the pamphlets advertising anything from working from home to witch doctor healing remedies was one calling her name. Lexi would get a law degree.

The brochure explained the law school located in Carroll County was looking for working individuals to enroll in their nighttime program. An individual would still be able to work their regular day job and attend classes at night. Lexi thought, Oh, I can do this. I earned my undergraduate at night while working during the day. But wait, Lexi thought to herself while reading the pamphlet further. Can I actually do this? Is this for me? Her mind began to process all the reasons she could not do it. I might not be smart enough, thought Lexi. What if it is just too hard? I am a little older than a regular student, what if I’m too old? What if I fail? What if, what if, what if! Right at that particular moment, a voice took over in her mind, a voice that she never knew she had, a voice to chase all the negative what-ifs away. But what if you succeed? the voice said. The voice that sounded incredibly like her dear friend Norma’s. Oh, how she missed that old woman. Two weeks later, Lexi was enrolled in law school. She decided not to tell her coworkers she was attending law school in the evenings. Even when her coworkers ridiculed her for failing to attend any after-hour work events, Lexi never said a word. It was a secret all her own.

Lexi thrived in the legal environment and was encouraged by her professors to be the best she could be. She began to think to herself that she might be pretty good at this legal stuff. Her dear friend Norma’s voice ever-present in her head would say, Lexi girl, you can do whatever you set your mind to do, you just gotta set it.

It was while taking a criminal law class in her third and final year that Lexi became acutely aware of exactly what type of law she wanted to practice after she graduated. Lexi became fascinated with the art of prosecution. Yes, the prosecution of violent crimes is an art, as one professor so eloquently explained. You can have all the evidence in the world, all the facts laid out perfectly, but it’s how magnificently you draw your picture or how beautifully you tell your story. ‘The art’ of prosecution is what wins your cases. Lexi learned everything she could get her hands on about the prosecution of violent crimes and the enforcement of the criminal laws that are broken during the commission.

One evening, Chief Samuel Mahoney, Chief of the Major Crimes Division of the Carroll County District Attorney’s Office, lectured to Lexi’s criminal law class. With serving over twenty-five years as a prosecutor of violent crimes, Chief Mahoney was jaded, crude, and a little bit rude. Lexi could barely contain her excitement during the lecture as she listened intently to and hung on each and every word he said. Lexi was keenly aware that the field of criminal prosecution, especially the area of violent crimes, was incredibly competitive, and only the best would be hired at the Carroll County District Attorney’s Office. Lexi knew she had to get a leg up on the others if she wanted to prosecute violent criminal defendants, and she knew she had to complete some type of internship. But how? she wondered as she watched a barrage of students emerge upon the crusty old chief. Lexi worked and had a little savings stored away, but it was not enough to take a few months off work that an internship would require.

That’s it! Lexi thought to herself. I will walk right up and talk to him. I will make him my friend and see if he has any suggestions on how I can solve this internship issue. He is just a man, thought Lexi. Albeit a large dominating type of man, he is just a man. Lexi looked into his eyes and saw a gentleness that one could not see by merely looking at the shell of the man. Samuel Mahoney, with his chocolate-colored skin and a head full of white hair, looked as tough as the criminals he was famous for prosecuting, despite the simple black suit paired with the bright-yellow bowtie he adorned. Don’t be ridiculous, Lexi thought to herself. He’s not gonna talk to you! Why would he? He is basically like a god, and you are what? A law student?

Lexi’s what-ifs were getting the best of her again when she heard it. Norma’s voice was ringing loudly in her head. Lexi girl! Get off your butt and walk right up there and talk to that man! He is not God! He is a man with a job! One that you want one day, or at least I thought you did! What is wrong with you? Go get what you want, girl, what do I always say?

I know, Norma, I know! I can do anything I set my mind to, all I gotta do is set it! Lexi thought, Jeez, I’m having a conversation with a dead old woman. Okay, Lexi thought. I’ll do it. She rose from her seat and walked toward the speaker, who was looking around as if he was trying to figure out how to make a fast exit. In theory, this all sounded good; however, as Lexi approached Chief Mahoney, she began to get nervous, really nervous. The chief prosecutor looked down at her as she approached, and what sounded more like a bark to Lexi than his actually speaking to her, stated, Go ahead, young lady, what do you want to ask me. I don’t have all day. Lexi’s words came so fast that they began to run atop each other, and her attempt at making a fathomable sentence was shattered. The crusty old chief looked at Lexi, smiled, and said, Calm down, young one, speak slowly and with clarity. If you want to practice criminal prosecutions, which obviously, in taking this course, you do, you will need to speak with clarity and with confidence to your juries, or you will never win a case. With these words, Lexi smiled, took a deep breath, and somewhat calmly told the chief her situation.

Lexi told the chief that she wanted to prosecute but worked full-time and could not afford to take a semester off to complete an internship. She was hoping in his many years of prosecuting and infinite wisdom that maybe, just maybe, he could offer some helpful advice to her on whether or not it would be possible to complete any type of internship while remaining employed to support herself. Lexi told the old chief that it was her dream to work at the Carroll County District Attorney’s Office in the Major Crimes Division.

The crusty old chief was intrigued by the tiny auburn-haired woman standing before him. He thought to himself, She’s not much larger than a child. Mahoney, like Norma, could see the pain that lurked behind the emerald eyes and found himself wanting to know more about her. Tell me, young lady, how long has this been your dream?

Lexi, not sure how to answer, decided to be honest. Well, sir, Lexi said, to be honest—

Honesty is a great starting point. Mahoney smiled. Please continue.

When I started law school, I was not sure which area of law I was interested in practicing. However, after taking classes like criminal law, evidence, and trial advocacy, I knew this was my calling. It’s all just so damn sexy, Lexi said, which made Mahoney laugh. Oh my god! I can’t believe I just said that. Lexi wanted to crawl in a hole. Well, not in a sexy way. Lexi blushed.

Relax, little one, Mahoney said. I know exactly what you mean. I still get a rush out of winning a case that has taken months to put together. It’s like jumping out of a plane, falling a hundred miles an hour towards the ground, thinking you are going to slam into the earth below, only to have your parachute deploy at the absolute last minute, landing you smoothly and softly on the ground below.

That’s it! screeched Lexi. I want that feeling!

Then you have to work for it, Mahoney told the excited young lady before him.

Lexi’s hopes began to fade as the chief told her that to become a prosecutor, she was going to have to find a way to complete an internship. Mahoney said to her that she might have to quit her current job and work a night job to support herself. Lexi had thought of that and had even looked into several job opportunities, but she still had classes to attend at night, and a part-time job would not meet her financial needs. Mahoney told her that in all his years, he was not aware of any prosecutor that had been hired right out of law school without doing some kind of