A Time for Mercy (Jake Brigance #3) - John Grisham Page 0,139

And we’re cutting back on the Vicodin. That stuff’s addictive. I want to see you Monday.”

He left and Carla handed Jake a newspaper, the Times from the day before. A bold headline announced: “BRIGANCE ATTACKED, HOSPITALIZED.”

“Front page again,” she said. “Just where you want to be.”

Jake sat on the edge of the bed and read Dumas Lee’s sensational account of the beating. No suspects had been identified. No comments from the victim or his family or anyone in his office. Ozzie said only that it was still under investigation. There was a stock photo of Jake entering the courthouse during the Hailey trial.

A nurse brought some paperwork and a bottle of Vicodin. “Only two a day for the next five days, and then that’s it,” she said as she gave the bottle to Carla. She left and returned with a fruit shake and a straw, his usual breakfast. An hour later an orderly pushed a wheelchair through the door and asked Jake to have a seat. He declined, said he wanted to walk out. The orderly said no, hospital procedure required all patients to leave in a chair. What if a patient fell and hurt himself again? He’d probably sue, you know? Especially a lawyer.

“Just sit, Jake,” Carla snapped. She handed him a cap and his sunglasses and said, “I’ll get the car.” As the orderly pushed him out of the room and along the hallway, Jake said goodbye to the nurses and thanked them for their help. He rode the elevator down and was at the front entrance when he spotted Dumas Lee lurking near the door with a camera. Dumas approached him with a smile and said, “Hello, Jake, got time for a comment?”

Jake kept his cool and said, “Dumas, if you take a photo of me right now I swear I’ll never speak to you again.”

Dumas didn’t touch his camera but asked, “Any idea who did it, Jake?”

“Did what?”

“Attack you.”

“Oh that. No, no idea and no comment. Get lost, Dumas.”

“You think it’s related to the Kofer case?”

“No comment. Get lost. And don’t touch that camera.”

A security guard appeared from nowhere and walked between Jake and the reporter. The wheelchair was rolled through the wide front doors and Carla was waiting at the curb. She and the orderly eased Jake into the front seat, closed the door, and as they drove away Jake flipped Dumas the bird.

“Was that really necessary?” Carla asked.

Jake did not reply. She said, “Look, I know you’re in a lot of pain, but you’re being rude to people and I don’t like it. We’re about to be cooped up in the house together and you’re going to be nice to me. And to Hanna.”

“Where is this coming from?”

“Me. The boss. Just chill out and be nice.”

“Yes ma’am,” Jake said as he chuckled.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing. I’m not sure you’re cut out to be a nurse.”

“I am most certainly not.”

“Just keep the bedpan warm and the pain pills coming and I’ll be super nice.” They rode in silence as they approached the square. “Who’s at the house?” he asked.

“Your parents are there with Hanna. No one else.”

“Is she ready for this?”

“Probably not.”

“I made the mistake of looking at myself in the mirror this morning. My little girl will be horrified when she sees her father. Purple, puffy eyes. Cuts and bruises. A nose the size of a potato.”

“Just keep your pants on.”

Jake started laughing and felt like crying at the same time as his ribs screamed. When he managed to stop, he said, “Most nurses have great compassion. I’m not feeling it here.”

“I’m not a nurse. I’m the boss and you’ll do what I say.”

“Yes ma’am.”

She parked in the drive and helped him get out. As he waddled across the patio, the rear door opened and Hanna ran out. He wanted to grab her and squeeze her and whirl her around, but he bent low for a peck on the cheek. She had been warned and didn’t try to hug him.

“How’s my girl?” he asked.

“Great, Daddy. How are you?”

“Much better. In a week I’ll be as good as new.”

She took his hand and led him inside where his parents were waiting in the kitchen. He was already exhausted and lowered himself into a chair at the breakfast nook, where the small table was covered with cakes, pies, platters of cookies, and flowers of all varieties. Hanna pulled a chair close to him and held his hand. He chatted with his parents for a few minutes