jg.atimetokill-第38部分

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　Carl　Lee　shook　his　hand。　〃I　do　appreciate　your　concern　and　I　thank　you　for　visitin'。〃
　〃My　point　is　simply　this；　my　son。　Your　case　will　be　difficult　enough　to　win。　Don't　make　it　more　difficult　with　a　crook　like　Marsharfsky。〃
　Lester　left　Chicago　just　before　midnight　Friday。　He　headed　south　alone；　as　usual。　Earlier　his　wife　went　north　to　Green　Bay　for　a　weekend　with　her　family。　He　liked　Green　Bay　much　less　than　she　liked　Mississippi；　and　neither　cared　to　visit　the　other's　family。　They　were　nice　people；　the　Swedes；　and　they　would　treat　him　like　family　if　he　allowed　it。　But　they　were　different；　and　it　wasn't　just　their　whiteness。　He　grew　up　with　whites　in　the　South　and　knew　them。　He　didn't　like　them　all　and　didn't　like　most　of　their　feelings　toward　him；　but　at　least　he　knew　them。　But　the　Northern　whites；　especially　the　Swedes；　were　different。　Their　customs；　speech；　food；　almost　everything　was　foreign　to　him；　and　he　would　never　feel　fortable　with　them。
　There　would　be　a　divorce；　probably　within　a　year：　He　was　black；　and　his　wife's　older　cousin　had　married　a　black　in　the　early　seventies　and　received　a　lot　of　attention。　Lester　was　a　fad；　and　she　was　tired　of　him。　Luckily；　there　were　no　kids。　He　suspected　someone　else。　He　had　someone　else　too；　and　Iris　had　promised　to　marry　him　and　move　to　Chicago　once　she　ditched　Henry。
　Both　sides　of　Interstate　57　looked　the　same　after　midnight…scattered　lights　from　the　small；　neat　farms　strewn　over　the　countryside；　and　occasionally　a　big　town　like　Champaign　or　Effingham。　The　north　was　where　he　lived　and　worked；　but　it　wasn't　home。　Home　was　where　Momma　was；　in　Mississippi；　although　he　would　never　live　there　again。　Too　much　ignorance　and　poverty。　He　didn't　mind　the　racism；　it　wasn't　as　bad　as　it　once　was　and　he　was　accustomed　to　it。　It　would　always　be　there；　but　gradually　being　less　visible。
　i　ne　wmtes　stui　owned　and　controlled　everything；　and　that　in　itself　was　not　unbearable。　It　was　not　about　to　change。　What　he　found　intolerable　was　the　ignorance　and　stark　poverty　of　many　of　the　blacks；　the　dilapidated；　shotgun　houses；　the　high　infant　mortality　rate；　the　hopelessly　unemployed；　the　unwed　mothers　and　their　unfed　babies。　It　was　depressing　to　the　point　of　being　intolerable；　and　intolerable　to　the　point　he　fled　Mississippi　like　thousands　of　others　and　migrated　north　in　search　of　a　job；　any　decent…paying　job　which　could　ease　the　pain　of　poverty。
　It　was　both　pleasant　and　depressing　to　return　to　Mississippi。　Pleasant　in　that　he　would　see　his　family；　depressing　because　he　would　see　their　poverty。　There　were　bright　spots。　Carl　Lee　had　a　decent　job；　a　clean　house；　and　well…dressed　kids。　He　was　an　exception；　and　now　it　was　all　in　jeopardy　because　of　two　drunk；　low…bred　pieces　of　white　trash。　Blacks　had　an　excuse　for　being　worthless；　but　for　whites　in　a　white　world；　there　were　no　excuses。　They　were　dead；　thank　God；　and　he　was　proud　of　his　big　brother。
　Six　hours　out　of　Chicago　the　sun　appeared　as　he　crossed　the　river　at　Cairo。　Two　hours　later　he　crossed　it　again　at　Memphis。　He　drove　southeast　into　Mississippi；　and　an　hour　later　circled　the　courthouse　in　Clanton。　He'd　been　awake　for　twenty　hours。
　〃Carl　Lee；　you　have　a　visitor；〃　Ozzie　said　through　the　iron　bars　in　the　door。
　〃I'm　not　surprised。　Who　is　it？〃
　〃Just　follow　me。　I　think　you　better　use　my　office。　This　could　take　a　while。〃
　Jake　loitered　at　his　office　waiting　on　the　phone　to　ring。　Ten　o'clock。　Lester　should　be　in　town；　if　he's　ing。　Eleven。　Jake　riffled　through　some　stale　files　and　made　notes　for　Ethel。　Noon。　He　called　Carla　and　lied　about　meeting　a　new　client　at　one　o'clock；　so　forget　lunch。　He　would　work　in　the　yard　later。　One　o'clock。　He　found　an　ancient　case　from　Wyoming　where　a　husband　was　acquitted　after　tracking　down　the　man　who　raped　his　wife。　In　1893。　He　copied　the　case；　then
　threw　it　in　the　garbage。　Two　o'clock。　Was　Lester　in　town？　He　could　go　visit　Leroy　and　snoop　around　the　jail。　No；　that　didn't　feel　right。　He　napped　on　the　couch　in　the　big　office。
　At　two…fifteen　the　phone　rang。　Jake　bolted　upright　and　scrambled　from　the　couch。　His　heart　was　pounding　as　he　grabbed　the　phone。　〃Hello！〃
　〃Jake；　this　is　Ozzie。〃
　〃Yeah；　Ozzie；　what's　up？〃
　〃Your　presence　is　requested　here　at　the　jail。〃
　〃What？〃　Jake　asked；　feigning　innocence。
　〃You're　needed　down　here。〃
　〃By　who？〃
　〃Carl　Lee　wants　to　talk　to　you。〃
　〃Is　Lester　there？〃
　〃Yeah。　He　wants　you　too。〃
　〃Be　there　in　a　minute。〃
　〃They've　been　in　there　for　over　four　hours；〃　Ozzie　said；　pointing　to　the　office　door。
　〃Doing　what？〃　asked　Jake；
　〃Talkin'；　cussin'；　shoutin'。　Things　got　quiet　about　thirty　minutes　ago。　Carl　Lee　came　out　and　asked　me　to　call　you。〃
　〃Thanks。　Let's　go　in。〃
　〃No　way；　man。　I　ain't　goin'　in　there。　They　didn't　send　for　me。　You're　on　your　own。〃
　Jake　knocked　on　the　door。
　〃e　in！〃
　He　opened　it　slowly；　walked　inside　and　closed　it。　Carl　Lee　was　sitting　behind　the　desk。　Lester　was　lying　on　the　couch。　He　stood　and　shook　Jake's　hand。　〃Good　to　see　you；　Jake。〃
　〃Good　to　see　you；　Lester。　What　brings　you　home？〃
　〃Family　business。〃
　Jake　looked　at　Carl　Lee；　then　walked　to　the　desk　and　shook　his　hand。　The　defendant　was　clearly　irritated。
　〃Y'all　sent　for　me？〃
　〃Yeah；　Jake；　sit　down。　We　need　to　talk；〃　said　Lester。　〃Carl　Lee's　got　somethin'　to　tell　you。〃
　〃You　tell　him；〃　Carl　Lee　said。
　Lester　sighed　and　rubbed　his　eyes。　He　was　tired　and
　irusiraiea。　〃i　ami　saym'　anotner　word。　This　is　between　。you　and　Jake。〃　Lester　closed　his　eyes　and　relaxed　on　the　couch。　Jake　sat　in　a　padded；　folding　chair　that　he　leaned　against　the　wall　opposite　the　couch。　He　watched　Lester　carefully；　but　did　not　look　at　Carl　Lee；　who　rocked　slowly　in　Ozzie's　swivel　chair。　Carl　Lee　said　nothing。　Lester　said　nothing。　After　three　minutes　of　silence；　Jake　was　annoyed。
　〃Who　sent　for　me？〃　he　demanded。
　〃I　did；〃　answered　Carl　Lee。
　〃Well；　what　do　you　want？〃
　〃I　wanna　give　you　my　case　back。〃
　〃You　assume　I　want　it　back。〃
　〃What！〃　Lester　sat　up　and　looked　at　Jake。
　〃It's　not　a　gift　you　give　or　take　away。　It's　an　agreement　between　you　and　your　attorney。　Don't　act　as　though　you're　doing　me　a　great　favor。〃　Jake's　voice　was　rising；　his　anger　apparent。
　〃Do　you　want　the　case？〃　asked　Carl　Lee。
　〃Are　you　trying　to　rehire　me；　Carl　Lee？〃
　〃That's　right。〃
　〃Why　do　you　want　to　rehire　me？〃
　〃　'Cause　Lester　wants　me　to。〃
　〃Fine；　then　I　don't　want　your　case。〃　Jake　stood　and　started　for　the　door。　〃If　Lester　wants　me　and　you　want　Mar…sharfsky；　then　stick　with　Marsharfsky。　If　you　can't　think　for　yourself；　you　need　Marsharfsky。〃
　〃Wait；　Jake。　Be　cool；　man；〃　Lester　said　as　he　met　Jake　at　the　door。　〃Sit　down；　sit　down。　I　don't　blame　you　for　bein'　mad　at　Carl　Lee　for　firm'　you。　He　was　wrong。　Right；　Carl　Lee？〃
　Carl　Lee　picked　at　his　fingernails。
　〃Sit　down；　Jake；　sit　down　and　let's　talk；〃　Lester　pleaded　as　he　led　him　back　to　the　folding　chair。　〃Good。　Now；　let's　discuss　this　situation。　Carl　Lee；　do　you　want　Jake　to　be　your　lawyer？〃
　Carl　Lee　nodded。　〃Yeah。〃
　〃Good。　Now；　Jake…〃
　〃Explain　why。〃　Jake　asked　Carl　Lee。
　〃What？〃
　〃Explain　why　you　want　me　to　handle　your　case。　Explain　why　you're　firing　Marsharfsky。〃
　〃I　don't　have　to　explain。〃
　〃Yes！　Yes；　you　do。　You　at　least　owe　me　an　explanation。　You　fired　me　a　week　ago　and　didn't　have　the　guts　to　call　me。　I　read　it　in　the　newspaper。　Then　I　read　about　your　new　high…priced　lawyer　who　evidently　can't　find　his　way　to　Clanton。　Now　you　call　me　and　expect　me　to　drop　everything　because　you　might　change　your　mind　again。　Explain；　please。〃
　〃Explain；　Carl　Lee。　Talk　to　Jake；〃　Lester　said。
　Carl　Lee　leaned　forward　and　placed　his　elbows　on　the　desk。　He　buried　his　face　in　his　hands　and　spoke　between　his　palms。　〃I'm　just　confused。　This　place　is　drivin'　me　crazy。　My　nerves　are　shot。　I'm　worried　about　my　little　girl。　I'm　worried　about　my　family。　I'm　worried　about　my　own　skin。　Everbody's　tellin'　me　to　do　somethin'　different。　I　ain't　ever　been　in　a　situation　like　this　and　I　don't　know　what　to　do。　All　I　can　do　is　trust　people。　I　trust　Lester；　and　I　trust　you；　Jake。　That's　all　I　can　do。〃
　〃You　trust　my　advice？〃　asked　Jake。
　〃I　always　have。〃
　〃And　you　trust　me　to　handle　your　case？〃
　〃Yeah；　Jake；　I　want　you　to　handle　it。〃
　〃Good　enough。〃
　Jake　relaxed；　and　Lester　eased　into　the　couch。　〃You'll　need　to　notify　Marsharfsky。　Until　you　do；　I　can't　work　on　your　case。〃
　〃We'll　do　that　this　afternoon；〃　Lester　said。
　〃Good。　Once　you　talk　to　him；　give　me　a　call。　There's　a　lot　of　work　to　do；　and　the　time　will　disappear。〃
　〃What　about　the　money？〃　asked　Lester。
　〃Same　fee。　Same　arrangements。　Is　that　satisfactory？〃
　〃Okay　with　me；〃　replied　Carl　Lee。　〃I'll　pay　you　any　way　I　can。〃
　〃We'll　discuss　that　later。〃
　〃What　about　the　doctors？〃　asked　Carl　Lee。
　〃We'll　make　some　arrangements。　I　don't　know。　It'll　work　out。〃
　The　defendant　smiled。　Lester　snored　loudly　and　Carl　Lee　laughed　at　his　brother。　〃I　figured　you　called　him；　but　he　swears　you　didn't。〃
　Jake　smiled　awkwardly　but　said　nothing。　Lester　was　a
　nar；　a…　laieni　wmcn　naa　proved　extremely　beneficial　during　his　murder　trial。
　〃I'm；sorry；　Jake。　I　was　wrong。〃
　〃No　apologies。　There's　too　much　work　to　spend　time　apologizing。〃
　Next　to　the　parking　lot　outside　the　jail；　a　reporter　stood　under　a　shade　tree　waiting　for　something　to　happen。
　〃Excuse　me；　sir；　aren't　you　Mr。　Brigance？〃
　〃Who　wants　to　know？〃
　〃I'm　Richard　Flay；　with　The　Jackson　Daily。　You're　Jake　Brigance。〃
　〃Yes。〃
　〃Mr。　Hailey's　ex…lawyer。〃
　〃No。　Mr。　Hailey's　lawyer。〃
　〃I　thought　he　had　retained　Bo　Marsharfsky。　In〃　fact；　that's　why　I'm　here。　I　heard　a　rumor　Marsharfsky　would　be　here　this…afternoon。〃
　〃If　you　see　him；　tell　him　he's　too　late。〃
　Lester　slept　hard　on　the　couch　in　Ozzie's　office。　The　dispatcher　woke　him　at　4：00　A。M。　Sunday；　and　after　filling　a　tall　Styrofoam　cup　with　black　coffee；　he　left　for　Chicaga。　Late　Saturday　night　he　and　Carl　Lee　had　called　Cat　in　his　office　above　the　club　and　informed　him　of　Carl　Lee's　conversion。　Cat　was　indifferent　and　busy。　He　said　he　would　call　Marsharfsky。　There　was　no　mention　of　the　money。
　Not　long　after　Lester　disappeared；　Jake　staggered　down　his　driveway　in　his　bathrobe　to　get　the　Sunday　papers。　Clanton　was　an　hour　southeast　of　M