A Time for Mercy (Jake Brigance #3) - John Grisham Page 0,158

County, Jake stopped at the first country store and Harry Rex went in to buy a six-pack. They drove to Lake Chatulla and found a picnic table under a shade tree on a bluff, a hiding place both had visited in the past, together and alone.

40

Monday, August 6. Jake slept in short little naps interrupted by long stretches of wide-eyed worries about all the things that could go wrong. His dream was to become a great trial lawyer, but, as always on the first morning, he asked himself why anyone would want the stress. The meticulous pretrial preparation was tedious and nerve-racking, but nothing compared to the actual battle. In the courtroom, and in front of the jury, a lawyer has at least ten things on his mind, all crucial. He must concentrate on the witness, either his or an opponent’s, and hear every word of the testimony. Should he object, and why? Has he covered all of the facts? Are the jurors listening, and if so do they believe the witness? Do they like the witness? If they’re not paying attention, is this beneficial or not? He must observe every move made by his opponent and predict where he is going. What is his strategy? Has he changed midcourse, or is he laying a trap? Who was the next witness? And where was she or he? If the next witness was adverse, how effective would she be? If he was a defense witness, was he ready? Actually in the courthouse? And prepared? The absence of discovery in criminal trials only heightened the stress because the lawyers were not always certain what the witness might say. And the judge—was he on top of his game? Listening? Napping? Hostile or friendly or neutral? Were the exhibits properly prepared and ready? Would there be a fight over their admission into evidence, and if so did the lawyer know the rules of evidence inside and out?

Lucien had lectured him on the importance of being relaxed, cool, calm, unflappable, regardless of how the trial was progressing. The jurors missed nothing, and every move made by the lawyer was noticed. Acting was important: feigning disbelief at damaging testimony, showing compassion where needed, occasionally flashing anger when appropriate. But overacting could be devastating if it verged on phoniness. Humor could be lethal because in tense situations everyone needed a good laugh, but it was to be used rarely. A man’s life was on the line and a comment made too lightly could backfire. Watch the jurors constantly but don’t overdo it, don’t let them catch you trying to read them.

Have all motions been properly filed? Were the jury instructions ready? The final summation was often the most dramatic moment, but preparing it ahead of time was difficult because the witnesses had not yet been heard. He’d won the Hailey acquittal with a stunning closing argument. Could he do it again? What magic words or phrases could he conjure up to save his client?

His greatest moment would be ambushing the State with Kiera’s pregnancy, and he had lost hours of sleep thinking about it. How could he protect the secret that very morning, in just a few hours, as all the players gathered in the crowded courtroom?

He drifted away again and woke up from a moment of deep sleep to the distant aroma of frying bacon. It was 4:45 and Carla was at the stove. He said good morning, kissed her, poured coffee, and said he was taking a quick shower.

They ate quietly at the breakfast nook—bacon and scrambled eggs with toast. Jake had eaten little over the weekend and had no appetite.

She said, “I’d like to run through my plan again, if you don’t mind.”

“Sure. You’re basically babysitting.”

“Nice to be so necessary.”

“I assure you your role is crucial. Let’s hear it.”

“I’ll meet Josie and Kiera outside the courthouse at ten and keep them in the hallway on the first floor. We’ll wait there while the selection process begins. What am I supposed to do if Dyer wants to talk to them?”

“Not sure. Dyer will have plenty on his mind first thing this morning. Like me, he’ll be consumed with worry about the jury pool, but if he asks about Kiera and Josie I’ll tell him they’re on the way. Selection will drag on through the morning and probably the entire day, and I’ll send instructions to you. If I get a break, I’ll come find you. They’re under subpoena so they have to be close