A Time for Mercy (Jake Brigance #3) - John Grisham Page 0,141

the right to go to the den to watch television. She reluctantly agreed and he changed sofas. When Hanna passed through and saw his face without the sunglasses, she bent low for a better look and started crying.

Soon he was starving and insisted on a bowl of ice cream for lunch. Hanna shared one with him, and as they were watching a western the doorbell rang. Carla took care of it and reported that it was a neighbor, one they barely knew and rarely saw, who wanted to say hello to Jake.

A lot of people wanted to stop by but Jake was adamant. The swelling around his eyes would last for days and the colors would go from purple to black and blue. He had seen this in football locker rooms and he had seen it several times with clients charged in honky-tonk brawls. A depressing range of dark and ominous colors was creeping through his face, and the show would go on for a couple of weeks.

Once Hanna was over the shock, she cuddled with her father under his quilt and they watched television for hours.

* * *

—

AFTER MUCH DISCUSSION, it was finally decided, by Ozzie, that the meeting would best be handled by two white guys. He sent Moss Junior and Marshall Prather, Stuart’s closest friend in uniform. They called ahead, and Earl Kofer was waiting for them outside under the sourwood tree late on Thursday afternoon. After each lit a cigarette, Earl said, “So what’s up?”

“Cecil,” Moss Junior said. “Jake identified him. Pretty stupid move, Earl, and it complicates matters for you and the family.”

“Don’t know what you’re talkin’ about. Brigance ain’t the brightest guy in town so obviously he’s mistaken.”

Prather smiled and looked away. Moss Junior would do the talking and continued, “Okay. Whatever you say. Aggravated assault carries twenty years in prison, not sure if they can make it stick, but hell, even simple assault can get the boy a year in the county jail. Judge Noose is really pissed about this and would probably throw the book.”

“Throw it at who?”

“Right. Jake’s not pressin’ charges, not now anyway, but he can always do it later. Statute of limitations is somethin’ like five years. Plus he can sue in a civil court, Judge Noose again, and collect money to cover his medical expenses, money I’m sure Cecil doesn’t have.”

“Am I supposed to be gettin’ nervous?”

“I would be. If Jake decides to pull the trigger then Cecil is off to jail and bankrupt to boot. It ain’t smart to fool with a lawyer like that, Earl.”

“You boys want a drink?”

“We’re on duty. Please pass this along to your son, both sons, cousins, all the clan. No more mischief, Earl, you got it?”

“I got nothin’ for you.”

They turned and walked back to their patrol car.

35

For lunch Friday, Jake managed to choke down a bowl of mushy pea soup. Chewing was still uncomfortable and solid foods were out of the question. Afterward, Carla and Hanna left to spend the afternoon shopping and doing girl stuff, and as soon as they disappeared Jake called Portia and asked her to stop by. Immediately. She arrived forty-five minutes later and, once over the shock of his battered face, followed him to the dining room where they spread out a stack of files she had brought. They covered his current cases and upcoming court appearances and made plans to deal with his brief absence.

“Anything new?” he asked, almost afraid of her answer.

“Not really, boss. The phone’s been ringing but it’s primarily friends and old law school buddies checking on you. You have some nice friends, Jake. A lot of them want to drive over and say hello.”

“Not now. They can wait. Most of them just want to see how bad I got my butt kicked.”

“Pretty bad, I’d say.”

“Yes, it wasn’t much of a fight.”

“And you’re not pressing charges?”

“No. That decision has been made.”

“Why not? I mean, I’ve talked to Lucien and Harry Rex, at length, and we agree that you should go after these thugs, teach ’em a lesson.”

“Look, Portia, that decision is behind me. I don’t have the mental or physical energy to pursue Cecil Kofer right now. Have you been to the jail?”

“No, not this week.”

“I’d like for you to stop by every other day and spend an hour with Drew. He likes you and needs a friend. Don’t talk about the case, just play cards and games with him and encourage him to do his homework. Carla says