A Time for Mercy (Jake Brigance #3) - John Grisham Page 0,219

represent the county, the defendant, and acknowledge receipt of Mr. Brigance’s bill, which I submitted to the board. Pursuant to the Mississippi Code, the maximum to be paid by any county in such a matter is one thousand dollars. The county is prepared to tender a check for this amount.”

Noose said, “Very well. I’d like for Mr. Patrick East to come to the witness stand.”

East was the current president of the board and was obviously surprised to be called. He made his way forward, was sworn in, and settled into the witness chair. He smiled at Omar, a man he had known twenty years.

Judge Noose asked a few preliminary questions to establish his name, address, and position, then picked up some papers. “Now, Mr. East, looking at the county’s budget for this fiscal year, I see that there is a surplus of some two hundred thousand dollars. Can you explain that?”

“Sure, Judge. It’s just good management, I guess.” East smiled at his colleagues. By nature he was folksy and funny and the voters loved him.

“Okay. And there is a line item labeled ‘Discretionary Account.’ The balance is eighty thousand dollars. Could you explain that?”

“Sure, Judge. It’s sort of a rainy day fund. We use it occasionally when there is an unexpected expense.”

“For example?”

“Well, last month we needed new lights at the softball complex over in Karaway. It wasn’t in the budget request, and we voted to spend eleven thousand dollars. Just stuff like that.”

“Are there any restrictions on how this money can be spent?”

“Not really. As long as the request is proper and approved by our attorney.”

“Thank you. Now, when the board was presented with Mr. Brigance’s bill, how did the five of you vote?”

“Five to zero against it. We’re just following the law, Your Honor.”

“Thank you.” Noose looked at the two lawyers and asked, “Any questions?”

Without standing, both shook their heads in the negative.

“Very well. Mr. East, you are excused.”

He returned to his colleagues on the front row.

Noose said, “Anything else?”

Jake and Todd had nothing.

“Very well. The court finds in favor of the plaintiff, Jake Brigance, and orders the defendant, Ford County, to proffer a check in the amount of twenty-one thousand dollars. We are adjourned.”

* * *

—

ON FRIDAY, Todd Tannehill called Jake with the news that he had been ordered by the board to appeal the decision. He apologized and said he had no choice but to do what his client wanted.

An appeal to the state supreme court would take eighteen months.

* * *

—

FRIDAY WAS PORTIA’S last day at work. She would start classes on Monday and she was ready to go. Lucien, Harry Rex, Bev, Jake, and Carla gathered with her in the main conference room and opened a bottle of champagne. They toasted her, with a few light roasts in between, and each took a turn with a little speech. Jake went last and suddenly had a knot in his throat.

The gift was a handsome chestnut and bronze plaque that read: OFFICE OF PORTIA CAROL LANG, ATTORNEY AT LAW. It was to be mounted on the door of the office she had occupied for the past two years. She held it proudly, wiped her eyes, looked at the group, and said, “I’m overwhelmed, but then I’ve been overwhelmed many times around here. I thank you for your friendship, you have been dear. But I also thank you for something far more important. It is your acceptance. You have accepted me, a young black woman, as an equal. You have given me an incredible opportunity, and you have expected me to perform as an equal. Because of your encouragement, and acceptance, I have a future that, at times, I cannot believe. You have no idea what this means to me. Thank you. I love you all—even you, Lucien.”

There were no dry eyes when she finished.

55

On the third Sunday in September, with the summer heat finally breaking and a hint of autumn in the air, the Brigance family, running late as usual, was trying to leave for services at the Good Shepherd Bible Church. Carla and Hanna were in the car and Jake was about to set the house alarm when the phone rang. It was Josie, anxious with the news that Kiera was in labor. She was in a hurry and promised to call when she could. Jake calmly set the alarm, locked the door, and got in the car.

“We’re even later,” Carla growled.

“The phone rang,” he said, backing out of the driveway.

“Who was it?”

“Josie.