A Time for Mercy (Jake Brigance #3) - John Grisham Page 0,27

Noose promised me he would try to find a lawyer from outside the county, so I’m just sort of standing in for the preliminaries. At least that’s the plan.”

“You don’t sound too sure.”

“I’m not. These cases are not easy to get rid of, especially when the rest of the bar goes into hiding and won’t take calls from the judge. There’s a good chance I’ll get stuck with it.”

“Why couldn’t you just say no?”

“Because Noose is standing on my neck and because there’s no one else, not now anyway. It’s hard to say no to a circuit judge, Ozzie.”

“Sounds like it.”

“He pushed pretty hard.”

“Yeah, that’s what he said. I guess we’re on opposite sides here, Jake.”

“Aren’t we usually on opposite sides? You bring ’em in, I try to get ’em off. Both doing our jobs.”

“I don’t know. This seems different. I’ve never buried a deputy before. Then we’ll have a trial, a big one, and you’ll do what good lawyers are supposed to do. Get the kid off, right?”

“That day is far away, Ozzie. I’m not thinking about a trial right now.”

“Try thinkin’ about a funeral.”

“I’m sorry, Ozzie.”

“Thanks. Should be a fun week.”

“I need to see the kid.”

Ozzie nodded to a row of windows on the back side of the jail’s most recent addition. “Right there.”

“Thanks. Do me a favor, Ozzie. Marshall, Moss, DeWayne, those guys are my friends, and they won’t like this at all.”

“You got that right.”

“So at least be honest and tell them that Noose appointed me, and that I didn’t ask for the case.”

“I’ll do that.”

* * *

—

THE JAILER OPENED the door and switched on a dim light. Jake followed him inside as his eyes tried to refocus in the semidarkness. He had been in the juvie cell before, many times.

The normal procedure would have been to handcuff the inmate and walk him down the hall to an interrogation room where he would meet face-to-face with his lawyer while a jailer stood guard just outside the door. No one could remember a lawyer being attacked in the jail by his client, but they were cautious nonetheless. There was a first time for everything and the clientele was not the most predictable.

However, it was obvious to Ozzie and the jailer that this inmate posed no threat. Drew had completely withdrawn and refused all food. He had said nothing since his sister left twelve hours earlier.

The jailer whispered, “Shall I leave the door open, just in case?”

Jake shook his head no and the jailer left, closing the door behind him. Drew was still on the bottom bunk, using as little space as possible. Under a thin blanket, he was curled with his knees to his chest and his back to the door, wrapped tight and warm in his own little dark cocoon. Jake pulled over a plastic stool and sat down, making as much noise as possible. The kid did not flinch, did nothing to acknowledge the presence of his visitor.

Jake adjusted to the utter stillness, then coughed and said, “Say, Drew, my name is Jake. Are you there? Anybody home?”

Nothing.

“I’m a lawyer and the judge has assigned me to your case. I’ll bet you’ve met a lawyer before, right, Drew?”

Nothing.

“Okay. Well, you and I need to be friends because you’re about to spend a lot of time with me, and with the judge, and with the court system. You ever been to court before, Drew?”

Nothing.

“Something tells me that you’ve been to court.”

Nothing.

“I’m a good guy, Drew. I’m on your side.”

Nothing. A minute passed, then two. The blanket rose and fell slightly as Drew breathed. Jake could not see if his eyes were open.

Another minute. Jake said, “Okay, can we talk about your mother, Drew? Josie Gamble. You know she’s okay, right?”

Nothing. Then a slight movement under the blanket as he slowly uncurled his legs and stretched them.

“And your sister, Kiera. Let’s talk about Josie and Kiera. They’re both safe right now, Drew. I want you to know this.”

Nothing.

“Drew, we’re not getting anywhere here. I want you to turn around and look at me. It’s the least you can do. Roll over and say hello and let’s have a chat.”

The boy grunted the word “No.”

“Great, now we’re getting somewhere. You can talk after all. Ask me a question about your mother, okay? Anything.”

Softly, he asked, “Where is she?”

“Turn around and sit up and look at me when you talk.”

He rolled over and sat up, careful not to hit his head on the frame of the top