fallen into as their friendship grew.
A few months ago, they’d hired a local artist to create an original score and lyrics for their podcast and recorded an introduction they could use with every episode. It consisted of a few lines of the eerie song before the guys introduced themselves as an investigative reporter, criminal analyst, and a private detective. They asked listeners to tune in each week to hear them discuss their beloved city’s most sensational crimes and her more sinister citizens. At the end of the episode, the entire Sinister in Savannah theme song would play in the background of the closing recording, where they asked listeners to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. They also gave previews for future episodes or played funny outtakes Felix had edited out of the episode.
Since the intro and closing sections were already recorded and would be added in edits, they just jumped right into the episode after Felix counted them down.
“Today’s episode is called Ride the Lightning,” Felix said, starting them off. He had more experience and was much more at ease with the entire process than Jonah and Rocky combined. “The term is slang for execution by electric chair, which wasn’t abolished in Georgia until October 2001.”
“Wow,” Rocky said. “That’s hard to imagine.”
“It is,” Jonah agreed.
“The three of us oppose the death penalty for various reasons, but we’re all in agreement on one point,” Felix said.
“Probably more than one,” Rocky countered. “It’s not like I’m going to argue with you that my primary reason for opposing the death penalty is somehow better than the reason you oppose it.”
“Maybe you won’t today,” Felix teased. “I won’t hold my breath since you’re likely to change your mind.”
Rocky laughed. “True. I am a Gemini. What’s the one point you feel we agree on?”
“I’ll let Jonah explain since it’s his main reason for opposing capital punishment,” Felix said.
Jonah fought back the momentary panic creeping up on him. Just breathe and be yourself. “Well, for capital punishment to work, the convictions have to always be right. That’s just not the case. Innocent people are arrested, tried, convicted, and executed for crimes they didn’t commit. That is a great travesty.”
“I agree wholeheartedly,” Rocky said.
“One of the ways people are railroaded by the system is through coerced confessions, which is the subject of our podcast today,” Felix said. “Jonah, why don’t you tell our listeners about Earl Ison, Bo Cahill, and how you came to know about them.”
This was the easy part. Jonah forgot his nerves while he spoke about his dear friend Marla and her friend Earl, whose life was taken much too soon. Jonah was careful not to throw anyone under the bus as he stated the inconsistencies he’d found right off the bat and moved to the investigation the three of them started. Jonah had no idea if Morrissey and Milton were crooked cops. He also made certain he kept Jerry’s name private to protect his identity. Jonah’s objective was to draw out Malcolm, not wreck other people’s lives.
Rocky and Felix interjected with their own observations and experiences. Then they arrived at the part where they set the trap.
“So, you have exciting news about a break in the investigation, right?” Felix asked.
“I do,” Jonah agreed. “I located a guard who worked death row when Bo Cahill was incarcerated at Georgia State Prison. He’s agreed to meet with me.”
“You think he knows how someone was able to coerce a confession from Bo?” Rocky asked.
Jonah smiled and hoped his voice sounded smug when he said, “I know so. He told me he’s wrestled with his conscience for over thirty years and wants to make things right.”
“When are you meeting with him?” Felix asked.
“Tomorrow,” Jonah replied.
“That’s really exciting,” Rocky said.
They chatted about various aspects of the case a little longer before Felix turned off the recording equipment and called it a wrap.
“Part one is over,” Felix said. “Part two will happen Monday after Malcolm has had an opportunity to listen to the episode.”
“I’ve been thinking,” Jonah said, making his podcast partners groan. “We can set this trap up, but we’re going to need some help if we want to make this legal.”
“We do,” Rocky agreed. “You know how hard that is for me to say, right?”
Felix and Jonah both chuckled.
“Yeah, what’s the point of doing all this if we can’t make charges stick? I think we also need a decoy to act as the prison guard. Do you have someone in mind?” Felix asked.
Jonah nodded. “I know the