A Time for Mercy (Jake Brigance #3) - John Grisham Page 0,42

exactly seven. Jake occasionally stayed at the office until late or was out of town, but the life of a small-time practitioner did not require much time on the road. Dinner was always something quick and as healthy as possible. A lot of chicken and vegetables, baked fish, few breads or grains, and they avoided red meat and added sugar. Afterward, they hustled to clear the table and tidy up the kitchen and get on with more pleasant matters like television, reading, or playing games once Hanna had finished her homework.

On perfect nights, Jake and Carla enjoyed walks through the neighborhood, short little excursions with the doors locked and Hanna safe in her room. She refused to walk with them because being all alone in the house was such a cool move for a big girl. She would settle in with Mully the mutt and read a book as the house became quiet and still. Her parents were never more than ten minutes away.

After one of the longest Mondays in recent memory, Jake and Carla locked the doors and walked to the edge of the street where they paused by the dogwoods and enjoyed the aroma. Their home, known as the Hocutt House, was one of twenty on a shady old street eight blocks from the Clanton square. Most of the homes were owned by elderly pensioners who struggled to keep up with the ever-increasing maintenance, but a few had been reclaimed by younger families. Two doors down was a young doctor from Pakistan who at first had not been well received because no one could pronounce his name and his skin was darker, but after three years and thousands of consultations he knew more secrets than anyone in town and was widely admired. Across the street from him and his pleasant wife lived a young couple with five children and no jobs. He claimed to run the family timber business his grandfather started and handed down, but he seldom left the country club. She played golf and bridge and spent most of her time supervising the staff that was raising her brood.

Besides those two homes, though, and the Hocutt House, the rest of the street was dark, as the older folks turned in early.

Carla suddenly stopped, pulled on Jake’s hand, and said, “Hanna’s alone.”

“So?”

“You think she’s safe?”

“Of course she’s safe.”

Nonetheless, they instinctively turned around. After a few steps, Carla said, “I can’t do this again, Jake. We’ve just settled into a normal routine and I really don’t want to start worrying again.”

“There’s nothing to worry about.”

“Oh really?”

“Okay, yes, there’s something to worry about, but the threat level is low. A few strange phone calls here and there, all made by cowards who wouldn’t give their names and hid behind pay phones.”

“I think I’ve heard this before, right before they burned down our house.”

They walked a few steps, still holding hands. “Can you get rid of the case?” she asked.

“I just got it yesterday.”

“I know. I remember. And you see Judge Noose in the morning?”

“Bright and early. For motions in Smallwood.”

“Will you talk about this case?”

“I’m sure we will. It’s the only case that’s being discussed anyway. Drew needs help right now, or at least he needs to be seen by a professional. If I get the chance I’ll ask Noose about it. And if by chance he’s found another lawyer, then I’m sure he’ll tell me.”

“But that’s unlikely?”

“Yes, it’s unlikely this soon. I’ll do the preliminary stuff, make sure the kid’s rights are protected, try to get him some help and so on, and then in a few weeks I’ll push Noose hard to find a replacement.”

“Promise.”

“Yes, I promise. You doubt me?”

“Sort of, yes.”

“Why?”

“Because you care, Jake, and I already get the sense that you’re worried about this kid and his family and you want to protect them. And if Judge Noose has a difficult time finding another lawyer, it’ll be easy for him to just lean on you again. You’ll be in place. The family will trust you. And, be honest, Jake, you enjoy being in the center of the ring.”

They turned into their narrow driveway and admired their lovely home, all safe and quiet.

Jake said, “I thought you wanted me to represent the kid.”

“I thought so too, but that was before we started getting phone calls.”

“They’re just phone calls, Carla. Nothing counts until they start shooting.”

“Well, that makes me feel better.”

* * *

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ACCORDING TO EARL’S lawyer, the property was owned solely by Stuart, having been