away. He was not ready.and the pressure was mounting. He had just lost his most critical pretrial motion. And he was thirsty. Jake stopped and bought a six-pack of Coors.
It took almost two hours to travel the sixty miles from Chester to Clanton. He enjoyed the diversion, the scenery, the beer. He stopped twice to relieve himself and once to get another six-pack. He felt great.
There was only one place to go in his condition. Not home, not the office, certainly not the courthouse to file Ichabod's villainous order. He parked the Saab behind the nasty little Porsche and glided up the sidewalk with cold beer in hand. As usual, Lucien was rocking slowly on the front porch, drinking and reading a treatise on the insanity defense. He closed the book and, noticing the beer, smiled at his former associate. Jake just grinned at him.
"What's the occasion, Jake?"
"Nothing, really. Just got thirsty."
"I see. What about your wife?"
"She doesn't tell me what to do. I'm my own man. I'm the boss. If I want beer, I'll drink some beer, and she'll say nothing." Jake took a long sip.
"She must be outta town."
"North Carolina."
"When did she leave?"
"Six this morning. Flew from Memphis with Hanna. She'll stay with her parents in Wilmington until the trial's over. They've got a fancy little beach house where they spend their summers."
"She left this morning, and you're drunk by mid-afternoon."
"I'm not drunk," Jake answered. "Yet."
"How long you been drinkin'?"
"Coupla hours. I bought a six-pack when I left Noose's house around one-thirty. How long have you been drinking?"
"I normally drink my breakfast. Why were you at his house?"
"We discussed the trial over lunch. He refused to change venue."
"He what?"
"You heard me. The trial will be in Clanton."
Lucien took a drink and rattled his ice. "Sallie!" he screamed.
"Did he give any reason?"
"Yeah. Said it would be impossible to find jurors anywhere who hadn't heard of the case."
"I told you so. That's a good common sense reason not to move it, but it's a poor legal reason. Noose is wrong."
Sallie returned with a fresh drink and took Jake's beer to the refrigerator. Lucien took a slug and smacked his lips. He wiped his mouth with his arm, and took another long drink.
"You know what that means, don't you?" he asked.
"Sure. An all-white jury."
"That, plus a reversal on appeal if he's convicted."
"Don't bet on it. Noose has already consulted with the Supreme Court. He thinks the Court will affirm him if challenged. He thinks he's on solid ground."
"He's an idiot. I can show him twenty cases that say the trial should be moved. I think he's afraid to move it."
"Why would Noose be afraid?"
"He's taking some heat."
"From who?"
Lucien admired the golden liquid in his large glass and slowly stirred the ice cubes with a finger. He grinned and looked as though he knew something but wouldn't tell unless he was begged.
"From who?" Jake demanded, glaring at his friend with shiny, pink eyes.
"Buckley," Lucien said smugly.
"Buckley," Jake repeated. "I don't understand."
"I knew you wouldn't."
"Do you mind explaining?"
"I guess I could. But you can't repeat it. It's very confidential. Came from good sources."
"Who?"
"Can't tell."
"Who are your sources?" Jake insisted.
"I said I can't tell. Won't tell. Okay?"
"How can Buckley put pressure on Noose?"
"If you'll listen, I'll tell you."
"Buckley has no influence over Noose. Noose despises him. Told me so himself. Today. Over lunch."
"I realize that."
"Then how can you say Noose is feeling some heat from Buckley?"
"If you'll shut up, I'll tell you."
Jake finished a beer and called for Sallie.
"You know what a cutthroat and political whore Buck-ley is."
Jake nodded.
"You know how bad he wants to win this trial. If he wins, he thinks it will launch his campaign for attorney general."
"Governor," said Jake.
"Whatever. He's ambitious, okay?"
"Okay."
"Well, he's been getting political chums throughout the district to call Noose and suggest that the trial be held in Ford County. Some have been real blunt with Noose. Like, move the trial, and we'll get you in the next election. Leave it in Clanton, and we'll help you get reelected."
"I don't believe that."
"Fine. But it's true."
"How do you know?"
"Sources."
"Who's called him?"
"One example. Remember that thug that used to be sheriff in Van Buren County? Motley? FBI got him, but he's out now. Still a very popular man in that county."
"Yeah, I remember."
"I know for a fact he went to Noose's house with a couple of sidekicks and suggested very strongly that Noose leave the trial here. Buckley put them up to it."