“I don’t know, Jesse. It’s been horrible. You should see the faces of the jurors. They hate Ashley. They can’t wait to convict her. Well, it’s the defense’s turn next. David will change their minds.”
“Hold the thought.”
“Judge Williams hates me, Sandra, and it’s harming Ashley. If I don’t do something about this, Ashley is going to die. I can’t let that happen.”
“What can you do?” Sandra asked.
David took a deep breath. “Resign from the case.”
Both of them knew what that meant. The media would be full of his failure.
“I never should have agreed to take on the trial,” David said bitterly. “Dr. Patterson trusted me to save his daughter’s life, and I’ve—” He could not go on.
Sandra put her arms around him and held him close. “Don’t worry, darling. Everything’s going to turn out fine.”
I’ve let everyone down, David thought. Ashley, Sandra…I’m going to be kicked out of the firm, I won’t have a job and the baby is due soon. “Everything’s going to turn out fine.”
Right.
In the morning, David asked to see Judge Williams in her chambers. Mickey Brennan was there.
Judge Williams said, “You asked to see me, Mr. Singer?”
“Yes, Your Honor. I want to resign from the case.”
Judge Williams said, “On what grounds?”
David spoke carefully. “I don’t believe I’m the right lawyer for this trial. I think I’m hurting my client. I would like to be replaced.”
Judge Williams said quietly, “Mr. Singer, if you think I’m going to let you walk away from this and then have to start this trial all over again and waste even more time and money, you’re quite mistaken. The answer is no. Do you understand me?”
David closed his eyes for an instant, forcing himself to stay calm. He looked up and said, “Yes, Your Honor. I understand you.
He was trapped.
Chapter Eighteen
MORE than three months had gone by since the beginning of the trial, and David could not remember when he had last had a full night’s sleep.
One afternoon, when they returned from the courtroom, Sandra said, “David, I think I should go back to San Francisco.”
David looked at her in surprise. “Why? We’re right in the middle of—Oh, my God.” He put his arms around her. “The baby. Is it coming?”
Sandra smiled. “Anytime now. I’d feel safer if I were back there, closer to Dr. Bailey. Mother said she’d come and stay with me.”
“Of course. You have to go back,” David said. “I lost track of time. He’s due in three weeks, isn’t he?”
“Yes.”
He grimaced. “And I can’t be there with you.”
Sandra took his hand. “Don’t be upset, darling. This trial’s going to be over soon.”
“This goddamn trial is ruining our lives.”
“David, we’re going to be fine. My old job’s waiting for me. After the baby comes, I can—”
David said, “I’m so sorry, Sandra. I wish—”
“David, don’t ever be sorry for doing something you believe is right.”
“I love you.”
“I love you.”
He stroked her stomach. “I love you both.” He sighed. “All right. I’ll help you pack. I’ll drive you back to San Francisco tonight and—”
“No,” Sandra said firmly. “You can’t leave here. I’ll ask Emily to come and pick me up.”
“Ask her if she can join us here for dinner tonight.”
“All right.”
Emily had been delighted. “Of course I’ll come to pick you up.” And she had arrived in San Jose two hours later.
The three of them had dinner that evening at Chai Jane.
“It’s terrible timing,” Emily said. “I hate to see you two away from each other right now.”
“The trial’s almost over,” David said hopefully. “Maybe it will end before the baby comes.”
Emily smiled. “We’ll have a double celebration.”
It was time to go. David held Sandra in his arms. “I’ll talk to you every night,” he said.
“Please don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. I love you very much.” Sandra looked at him and said, “Take care of yourself, David. You look tired.”
It wasn’t until Sandra left that David realized how utterly alone he was.
Court was in session.