A Time for Mercy (Jake Brigance #3) - John Grisham Page 0,143

that’s good to hear. I might change my mind tomorrow. I’m on pain pills and not always thinking that clearly. Let’s finish up these files and get you out of here before my nurse gets back. I’m not supposed to be working and if she catches us she’ll cut off my ice cream. How much money is in the bank?”

“Not much. A little less than two thousand bucks.”

Jake shifted and grimaced and fought a wave of pain in his ribs and groin.

“You okay, boss?”

“Great. When I talked to Noose yesterday he said he’d assign me some new court appointments in all five counties. Not much in the way of fees, but at least they’ll bring in a few bucks.”

“Look, Jake, I want you to forget about paying me for now. I’m living at home and I can afford a little furlough.”

He grimaced again, shifted his weight. “Thank you, Portia, but I’ll make sure you get paid. You need all the money you can earn for law school.”

“We can afford law school, Jake, thanks to you and old man Hubbard. My mom is set and she’s forever grateful to you for that.”

“Nonsense, Portia. You’re doing great work and you’ll get paid.”

“Lucien said to forget the rent for a few months.”

Jake tried to smile and tried to laugh. He looked at the ceiling and tried to shake his head. “After the Hailey trial, for which I was paid the fat fee of nine hundred dollars, I was as broke as I am now, and Lucien told me to forget about the rent for a few months.”

“He’s worried about you, Jake. He told me that in his prime he was the most hated lawyer in Mississippi, got death threats, had few friends, judges despised him, lawyers avoided him, and he loved it, relished being the radical lawyer, but he never got beat up.”

“My first and last, I hope. I’ve talked to Lucien and I know he’s concerned. We’re gonna survive, Portia. You bust your butt till the trial is over, then you’re off to law school.”

* * *

—

JAKE WAS WADDLING around the patio late Friday afternoon, in an old T-shirt and a pair of baggy gym shorts, barefoot, trying his best to stay mobile and active and stretch his legs, as per the physical therapist, when he heard a car door slam in the front drive. His first impulse was to hustle back inside so no one would see him. He was almost to the door when a familiar voice said, “Hey, Jake.”

Carl Lee Hailey appeared from around the hedge and said, “Hey, Jake. It’s me, Carl Lee.”

Jake tried to smile and said, “What’re you doing here?”

They shook hands and Carl Lee said, “Just checkin’ on you.”

Jake waved at the wicker table and said, “Have a seat.” They settled into chairs and Carl Lee said, “You look awful.”

“Yes, I do, but at least I look worse than I feel. An old-fashioned ass-kicking.”

“That’s what I hear. You gonna be okay?”

“Sure, Carl Lee, already on the mend. What brings you into town?”

“I heard the news and I’m worried about you.”

Jake was touched and wasn’t sure what to say. So many friends had called and sent flowers and cakes and wanted to stop by, but he had not expected to hear from Carl Lee.

“I’ll be fine, Carl Lee. Thanks for being concerned.”

“Is Carla here?”

“She’s inside, with Hanna. Why?”

“Say, look, Jake, I’ll get right to it. When I heard about this I got really upset, still am, ain’t slept much this week.”

“That makes two of us.”

“Rumor is you know who did it but you ain’t gonna press charges. That right?”

“Come on, Carl Lee. We’re not going there.”

“Here’s the deal, Jake. I owe you my life and I’ve never been able to do much in the way of sayin’ thanks. But this really pisses me off. I got some friends, and we can even things out.”

Jake was shaking his head. He remembered the many hours he’d spent with Carl Lee in jail as his trial approached, and the awe and intimidation he’d felt at being in the presence of a man capable of such raw violence. Carl Lee had shot and killed the two rednecks who’d raped his daughter, then walked through their blood and drove home to wait for Ozzie to come get him. Fifteen years earlier he’d been decorated in Vietnam.

“It’s not going to happen, Carl Lee. The last thing we need is more violence.”

“Jake, I won’t get caught and I swear I won’t