"I think I'll give it a shot," he said with a straight face, then he smiled, then he burst into laughter with crumbs spraying the bookshelves.
The phone rang. Jake shook his head, and Harry Rex picked up the receiver. "He's not here, but I'll be glad to give him the message." He winked at Jake. "Yes sir, yes sir, uh huh, yes sir. It's a terrible thing, ain't it. Can you believe a man would do it? Yes sir, yes sir, I agree one hundred percent. Yes sir, and what's your name, sir? Sir?" Harry Rex smiled at the receiver and laid it down.
"What'd he want?"
"Said you was a shame to the white race for being that nigger's lawyer, and that he didn't see how any lawyer could represent a nigger such as Hailey. And that he hoped the Klan got ahold of you, and if they didn't he hoped the bar association looked into it and took away your license for helping niggers. Said he knew you were no 'count because you were trained by Lucien Wilbanks who lives with a nigger woman."
"And you agreed with him!"
"Why not? He was really sincere, not hateful, and he feels better now that it's off his chest."
The phone rang again. Harry Rex snatched the receiver. "Jake Brigance, Attorney, Counselor, Consultant, Adviser, and Guru at Law."
Jake left for the restroom. "Jake, it's a reporter!" Harry Rex yelled.
"I'm on the potty."
"He's got the runs!" Harry Rex told the reporter.
At six-seven in Wilmington-Jake called Carla. She was awake, reading the paper, drinking coffee. He told her about Bud Twitty, and Mickey Mouse', and the promise of more violence. No, he wasn't afraid of that. It did not bother him. He was afraid of the jury, of the twelve who would be chosen, and their reaction to him and his client. His only fear, at the moment, was of what the jury might do to his client. Everything else was irrelevant. For the first time, she did not mention coming home. He promised to call that night.
When he hung up, he heard a commotion downstairs. Ellen had arrived, and Harry Rex was talking loudly. She's wearing a see-through blouse with a miniskirt, thought Jake as he walked downstairs. She was not. Harry Rex was congratulating her on dressing like a Southern woman with all the accessories. She was wearing a gray glen plaid suit with a V-necked jacket and short slim skirt. The silk blouse was black, and apparently the necessary garment was underneath. Her hair was pulled back and braided in some fashion. Incredibly, traces of mascara, eyeliner, and lipstick were visible. In the words of Harry Rex, she looked as much like a lawyer as a woman could look.
"Thanks, Harry Rex," she said. "I wish I had your taste in clothes."
"You look nice, Row Ark," Jake said.
"So do you," she said. She looked at Harry Rex, but said nothing.
"Please forgive us, Row Ark," Harry Rex said. "We're impressed because we had no idea you owned so many types of garments. We apologize for admiring you and we know how much this infuriates your little liberated heart. Yes, we're sexist pigs, but you chose to come to the South. And in the South we, as a rule, drool over well-dressed attractive females, liberated or not."
"What's in the sack?" she said.
"Breakfast."
She tore it open and unwrapped a sausage and biscuit. "No bagels?" she asked.
"What's that?" asked Harry Rex.
"Forget it."
Jake rubbed his hands together and tried to sound enthusiastic. "Well, now that we've gathered here three hours before trial, what would y'all like to do?"
"Let's make some margaritas," said Harry Rex.
"No!" said Jake.
"It'll take the edge off."
"Not me," said Ellen. "This is business."
Harry Rex unwrapped a biscuit, the last of the sack. "What happens first today?"
"After the sun comes up, we start the trial. At nine, Noose will say a few words to the jurors and we start the selection process."
"How long will it take?" asked Ellen.
"Two or three days. In Mississippi, we have the right to interrogate each juror individually in chambers. That takes time."
"Where do I sit and what do I do?"
"She certainly sounds experienced," Harry Rex said to Jake. "Does she know where the courthouse is?"
"You do not sit at counsel table," said Jake. "Just me and Carl Lee."
She wiped her mouth. "I see. Just you and the defen-