he had talked to earlier. Burton. That was the guy’s name. One tough,
serious dude. His eyes swept the area like a radar beam. His hand within
inches of the man, ready to pull him down in an instant. The Secret
Service vans parked across the street. One pulled into an alleyway
across from the courthouse and then Jack looked back at the President.
An impromptu podium was set up and Richmond began his own little news
conference as cameras clicked and half a hundred grown adults with
journalism degrees tried to push and pull past their neighbor. A few
ordinary and saner citizens were hovering in the back, two with video
cameras recording what to them was certainly a special moment.
Jack turned to find the bailiff, a granite wall of a black man, beside
him.
“Been here twenty-seven years and never had the man out here before. Now
he’s been here twice in the same year. Go figure.”
Jack smiled at him. “Well, if your friend had invested ten mil in your
campaign you might be out here too.”
“Lot of big boys against you.”
“That’s okay, I brought a big bat with me. .
“Samuel, Samuel Long.”
“Jack Graham, Samuel.”
“You gonna need it, Jack, hope you loaded it with lead .
“So what do you think, Samuel? My guy gonna get a fair shake in here?”
“You ask me that question two, three years ago I’d say yeah, damn
straight you will. Yes Sir.” He looked out at the crush of people. “You
ask me today, I say I don’t know. I don’t care what court you’re in.
Supreme Court, traffic court.
Things are changing, man. Not just the courts either. Everything.
Everybody. Whole goddamn world’s changing and I just don’t know
anymore.”
They both looked out the window again.
The door to the courtroom opened and Kate entered. Instinctively, Jack
turned around and looked at her. No courtroom attire today, she had on a
black pleated skirt that tapered at the waist where a thin black belt
encircled her. The blouse was simple and buttoned to the neck. Her hair
was brushed back off her forehead and hung to her shoulders. Her cheeks
were rosy from the bitter cold, a coat was draped over her arm.
They sat together at the counsel table. Samuel discreetly disappeared.
“It’s almost time, Kate.”
“I know.”
“Listen, Kate, Kke I told you on the phone, it’s not that he doesn’t
want to see you, he’s afraid. He’s afraid for you. The man loves you
more than anything.”
“Jack, if he doesn’t start . talking, you know what S going to happen.”
“Maybe, but I’ve got some leads to go on. The state s case isn’t as
foolproof as everyone seems to think.”
“How do you know that?”
“Trust me on that one. Did you see the President outside?”
“How could you miss him? It’s okay with me though. No one paid a bit of
attention to me walking in.”
“He definitely relegates everybody else to wallflowers.”
“Is he here yet?”
“Soon.
Kate opened her purse and fumbled for some gum. Jack smiled and pushed
her quivering fingers out of the way and pulled the ack out for her.
p
“Couldn’t I at least talk to him on the phone?”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
They both sat back and waited. Jack’s hand slipped over Kate’s and they
both looked up at the massive bench where in a few short minutes it
would start. But for now they just waited. Together.
THE WHITE VAN ROUNDED THE CORNER, PASSED THE SEMICIRCLE OF police
officers and came to a stop within a few feet of the side door. Seth
Frank pulled up directly behind the van and got out, radio in hand. Two
officers alighted from the van, scanned the area. This was good. The
entire crowd was in the front gawking at the President. The officer in
charge turned and nodded to another man inside the van. A few seconds
later Luther Whitney, ankles and hands manacled, and his suit covered by
a dark trench coat, emerged. His feet touched the ground and, with an
officer in front and back, he started to make his way to the courthouse.