deal, though. the defense lawyer needed mac as a negotiating ally to prod eric smith, the elected county prosecutor, to make a deal. my first inclination was, hell, no, i m going to make sure he goes to prison for the rest of his life. the idea that the defendant thinks he can take control of this process and use this poor 13-year-old girl s body as a bargaining chip, may be the lowest thing i ve ever seen in a criminal case. ream held one trump card, cindy s body. and the zarzyckis wanted that above anything else, even a conviction. the family found itself taking art ream s side in the plea talks. it was all about finding cindy. that was the thing right from day one. they d had no chance to say good-bye and knew nothing of cindy s whereabouts for the past 22 years. at least now they could give her a proper burial, if only the prosecutor would make a deal with the devil. i would rather have her