A Killer's Tears

Tom Rose had waited eight long years to get to this point when he is about to be promoted to become a partner at Stern & Hobbs. At this critical juncture of his career, he is urged to represent Hope Kane, a pro bono client who is awaiting trial for the murder of her husband and daughter. Hope had been the topic of headline news just a year before, not only for her horrific crime, but also because she had refused to utter a single word from the moment of her arrest. Her identity is a complete mystery, as there are no records of her existence. The evidence against Hope is damning, and no defense lawyer is willing to take on a highly publicized case that is sure to end in a conviction.

Tom has no intention of accepting this assignment, but everything changes when he meets her. Something about her drives him to want to find the truth about her role in the murders. Tom's investigation opens the door to an unimaginable world of deception and death. He has to risk his own life and the safety of others on his team to continue on his quest. The investigation and the trial where the true Hope Kane story will be told will determine the fate of many lives and define the reasons for his own existence.

John Bae is a practicing attorney in New York City and a partner at a national law firm. He is the recipient of the Burton Award for Legal Excellence and was selected to Hofstra University School of Law's Inaugural Hall of Fame. He lives in New York and Florida.