jg.atimetokill-第59部分

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。　I　believe　in　all　that　crap。　You　are　a　woman　and　entitled　to　no　special　privileges　because　of　your　gender。　You　should　be　treated　just　like　a　man。〃　Lucien　reached　in　his　pocket　and　pulled　out　a　clip　of　cash。　〃And　since　you　are　a　law　clerk；　genderless　in　my　eyes；　I　think　you　should　be　the　one　to　go　buy　a　case　of　cold　Coors。〃
　〃No；　Lucien；〃　Jake　said。
　〃Shut　up；　Jake。〃
　Ellen　stood　and　stared　at　Lucien。　〃Sure；　Lucien。　But　I'll　pay　for　the　beer。〃
　She　left　the　office。
　Jake　shook　his　head　and　fumed　at　Lucien。　〃This　could　be　a　long　night。〃
　Harry　Rex　changed　his　mind　and　poured　a　shot　of　whiskey　into　his　coffee　cup。
　〃Please　don't　get　drunk；〃　Jake　begged。　〃We've　got　work　to　do。〃
　〃I　work　better　when　I'm　drunk；〃　said　Lucien。
　〃Me　too；〃　said　Harry　Rex。
　〃This　could　be　interesting；〃　said　Atcavage。
　Jake　laid　his　feet　on　his　desk　and　puffed　on　a　cigar。　〃Okay；　the　first　thing　I　want　to　do　is　decide　on　a　model　juror。〃
　〃Black；〃　said　Lucien。
　〃Black　as　old　Coaly's　ass；〃　said　Harry　Rex。
　〃I　agree；〃　said　Jake。　〃But　we　won't　get　a　chance。　Buck…ley　will　save　his　peremptory　challenges　for　the　blacks。　We　know　that。　We've　got　to　concentrate　on　white　people。〃
　〃Women；〃　said　Lucien。　〃Always　pick　women　for　crimi…
　nal　trials。　They　have　bigger　hearts；　bleeding　hearts；　and　they're　much　more　sympathetic。　Always　go　for　women。〃
　〃Naw；〃　said　Harry　Rex。　〃Not　in　this　case。　Women　don't　understand　things　like　taking　a　gun　and　blowing　people　away。　You　need　fathers；　young　fathers　who　would　want　to　do　the　same　thing　Hailey　did。　Daddies　with　little　girls。〃
　〃Since　when　did　you　get　to　be　such　an　expert　on　picking　juries？〃　asked　Lucien。　〃I　thought　you　were　a　sleazy　divorce　lawyer。〃
　〃I　am　a　sleazy　divorce　lawyer；　but　I　know　how　to　pick　juries。〃
　〃And　listen　to　them　through　the　wall。〃
　〃Cheap　shot。〃
　Jake　raised　his　arms。　〃Fellas；　please。　How　about　Victor　Onzell？　You　know　him；　Stan？〃
　〃Yeah；　he　banks　with　us。　He's　about　forty；　married；　three　or　four　kids。　White。　From　somewhere　up　North。　Runs　the　truck　stop　on　the　highway　north　of　town。　He's　been　here　about　five　years。〃
　〃I　wouldn't　take　him；〃　Lucien　said。　〃If　he's　from　up　North；　he　doesn't　think　like　we　do。　Probably　in　favor　of　gun　control　and　all　that　crap。　Yankees　always　scare　me　in　criminal　cases。　I've　always　thought　we　should　have　a　law　in　Mississippi　that　no　certified　yankee　could　sit　on　a　jury　down　here　regardless　of　how　long　he's　lived　here。〃
　〃Thank　you　so　much；〃　said　Jake。
　〃I'd　take　him；〃　said　Harry　Rex。
　〃Why？〃
　〃He's　got　kids；　probably　a　daughter。　If　he's　from　the　North　he's　probably　not　as　prejudiced。　Sounds　good　to　me。〃
　〃John　Tate　Aston。〃
　〃He's　dead；〃　said　Lucien。
　〃What？〃
　〃I　said　he's　dead。　Been　dead　for　three　years。〃
　〃Why's　he　on　the　list？〃　asked　Atcavage；　the　non…lawyer。
　〃They　don't　purge　the　voter　registration　list；〃　explained　Harry　Rex；　between　drinks。　〃Some　die　and　some　move　away；　and　it's　impossible　to　keep　the　list　up　to　date。　They've　issued　a　hundred　and　fifty　summons；　and　you　can　expect　a　hundred　to　a　hundred　and　twenty　to　show　up。　The　rest　have　died　or　moved　away。〃
　〃Caroline　Baxter。　Ozzie　says　she's　black；〃　Jake　said　flipping　through　his　notes。　〃Works　at　the　carburetor　plant　in　Karaway。〃
　〃Take　her；〃　said　Lucien。
　〃I　wish；〃　said　Jake。
　Ellen　returned　with　the　beer。　She　dropped　it　in　Lucien's　lap　and　…tore　a　sixteen…ounce　can　out　of　a　six…pack。　She　popped　the　top　and　returned　to　the　rolltop　desk。　Jake　declined；　but　Atcavage　decided　he　was　thirsty。　Jake　remained　the　non…drinker。
　〃Jpe　Kitt　Shepherd。〃
　〃Sounds　like　a　redneck；〃　said　Lucien。
　〃Why　do　you　say　that？〃　asked　Harry　Rex。
　〃The　double　first　name；〃　Lucien　explained。　〃Most　rednecks　have　double　first　names。　Like　Billy　Ray；　Johnny　Ray；　Bobby　Lee；　Harry　Lee；　Jesse　Earl；　Billy　Wayne；　Jerry　Wayne；　Eddie　Mack。　Even　their　women　have　double　first　names。　Bobbie　Sue；　Betty　Pearl；　Mary　Belle；　Thelma　Lou；　Sally　Faye。〃
　〃What　about　Harry　Rex？〃　asked　Harry　Rex。
　〃Never　heard　of　a　woman　named　Harry　Rex。〃
　〃I　mean　for　a　male　redneck。〃
　〃I　guess　it'll　do。〃
　Jake　interrupted。　〃Dell　Perry　said　he　used　to　own　a　bait　shop　down　by　the　lake。　I　take　it　no　one　knows　him。〃
　〃No；　but　I　bet　he's　a　redneck；〃　said　Lucien。　〃Because　of　。his　name。　I'd　scratch　him。〃
　〃Aren't　you　given　their　addresses；　ages；　occupations；　basic　information　like　that？〃　asked　Atcavage。
　〃Not　until　the　day　of　trial。　On　Monday　each　prospective　juror　fills　out　a　questionnaire　in　the　courtroom。　But　until　then　we　have　only　the　names。〃
　〃What　kind　of　juror　are　we　looking　for；　Jake？〃　Ellen　asked。
　〃Young　to　middle…aged　men　with　families。　I　would　prefer　to　have　no　one　over　fifty。〃
　〃Why？〃　Lucien　asked　belligerently。
　〃Younger　whites　are　more　tolerant　of　blacks。〃
　〃Like　Cobb　and　Willard；〃　Lucien　said。
　〃Most　of　the　older　folks　will　always　dislike　blacks；　but
　the　younger　generation　has　accepted　an　integrated　society。　Less　bigotry；　as　a　rule；　with　youth。〃
　〃I　agree；〃　said　Harry　Rex；　〃and　I　would　stay　away　from　women　and　rednecks。〃
　〃That's　my　plan。〃
　〃I　think　you're　wrong；〃　said　Lucien。　〃Women　are　more　sympathetic。　Just　look　at　Row　Ark。　She's　sympathetic　toward　everyone。　Right；　Row　Ark？〃
　〃Right；　Lucien。〃
　〃She　has　sympathy　for　criminals；　child　pornographers；　atheists；　illegal　immigrants；　gays。　Don't　you；　Row　Ark？〃
　〃Right；　Lucien。〃
　〃She　and　I　hold　the　only　two　ACLU　cards　existing　at　this　very　moment　in　Ford　County；　Mississippi。〃
　〃That's　sick；〃　said　Atcavage；　the　banker。
　〃Clyde　Sisco；〃　Jake　said　loudly；　trying　to　minimize　controversy。
　〃He　can　be　bought；〃　Lucien　said　smugly。
　〃What　do　you　mean　'He　can　be　bought'？〃　Jake　asked。
　〃Just　what　I　said。　He　can　be　bought。〃
　〃How　do　you　know？〃　asked　Harry　Rex。
　〃Are　you　kidding？　He's　a　Sisco。　Biggest　bunch　of　crooks　in　the　eastern　part　of　the　county。　They　all　live　around　the　Mays　munity。　They're　professional　thieves　and　insurance　defrauders。　They　burn　their　houses　every　three　years。　You've　never　heard　of　them？〃　He　was　shouting　at　Harry　Rex。
　〃No。　How　do　you　know　he　can　be　bought？〃
　〃Because　I　bought　him　once。　In　a　civil　case；　ten　years　ago。　He　was　on　the　jury　list；　and　I　got　word　to　him　that　I'd　give　him　ten　percent　of　the　jury　verdict。　He's　very　persuasive。〃
　Jake　dropped　the　jury　lists　and　rubbed　his　eyes。　He　knew　this　was　probably　true；　but　didn't　want　to　believe　it。
　〃And？〃　asked　Harry　Rex。
　〃And　he　was　selected　for　the　jury；　and　I　got　the　largest　verdict　in　the　history　of　Ford　County。　It's　still　the　record。〃
　〃Stubblefield？〃　Jake　asked　in　disbelief。
　〃That's　it；　my　boy。　Stubblefield　versus　North　Texas　Pipeline。　September　1974。　Eight　hundred　thousand　dollars。　Appealed　and　affirmed　by　the　Supreme　Court。〃
　〃Did　you　pay　him？〃　asked　Harry　Rex。
　Lucien　finished　a　long　drink　and　smacked　his　lips。　〃Eighty　thousand　cash；　in　one…hundred…dollar　bills；〃　he　said　proudly。　〃He　built　a　new　house；　then　burned　it　down。〃
　〃What　was　your　cut？〃　asked　Atcavage。
　〃Forty　percent；　minus　eighty　thousand。〃
　The　room　was　silent　as　everybody　but　Lucien　made　the　calculation。
　〃Wow；〃　Atcavage　mumbled。
　〃You're　kidding；　aren't　you；　Lucien？〃　Jake　asked　halfheartedly。
　〃You　know　I'm　serious；　Jake。　You　know　I　lie　pulsively；　but　never　about　things　like　this。　I'm　telling　the　truth；　and　I'm　telling　you　this　guy　can　be　bought。〃
　〃How　much？〃　asked　Harry　Rex。
　〃Forget　it！〃　said　Jake。
　〃Five　thousand　cash；　just　guessing。〃
　〃Forget　it！〃
　There　was　a　pause　as　each　one　looked　at　Jake　to　make　sure　he　was　not　interested　in　Clyde　Sisco；　and　when　it　was　obvious　he　was　not　interested；　they　took　a　drink　and　waited　for　the　next　name。　Around　ten…thirty　Jake　had　his　first　beer；　and　an　hour　later　the　case　was　gone　and　forty　names　remained。　Lucien　staggered　to　the　balcony　and　watched　the　blacks　carry　their　candles　along　the　sidewalks　next　to　the　streets　around　the　courthouse。
　〃Jake；　why　is　this　deputy　sitting　in　his　car　in　front　of　my　office？〃　he　asked。
　〃That's　my　bodyguard。〃
　〃What's　his　name？〃
　〃Nesbit。〃
　〃Is　he　awake？〃
　〃Probably　not。〃
　Lucien　leaned　dangerously　over　the　railing。　〃Hey；　Nesbit；〃　he　yelled。
　Nesbit　opened　the　door　of　his　patrol　car。　〃Yeah；　what　is　it？〃。
　〃Jake　here　wants　you　to　go　to　the　store　and　get　us　some　more　beer。　He's　very　thirsty。　Here's　a　twenty。　He'd　like　a　case　of　Coors。〃
　〃I　can't　buy　it　when　I'm　on　duty；〃　Nesbit　protested。
　〃Since　when？〃　Lucien　laughed　at　himself。　　　　。
　〃I　can't　do　it。〃
　〃It's　not　for　you；　Nesbit。　It's　for　Mr。　Brigance；　and　he　really　needs　it。　He's　already　called　the　sheriff；　and　it's　okay。〃
　〃Who　called　the　sheriff？〃
　〃Mr。　Brigance；〃　lied　Lucien。　〃Sheriff　said　he　didn't　care　what　you　did　as　long　as　you　didn't　drink　any。〃
　Nesbit　shrugged　and　appeared　satisfied。　Lucien　dropped　a　twenty　from　the　balcony。　Within　minutes　Nesbit　was　back　with　a　case　minus　one　which　had　been　opened　and　was　sitting　on　his　radar　gun。　Lucien　ordered　Atcavage　to　fetch　the　beer　from　below　and　distribute　the　first　six…pack。
　An　hour　later　the　list　was　finished　and　the　party　was　over。　Nesbit　loaded　Harry　Rex；　Lucien；　and　Atcavage　into　his　patrol　car　and　took　them　home。　Jake　and'his　clerk　sat　on　the　balcony；　sipping　and　watching　the　candles　flicker　and　move　slowly　around　the　courthouse。　Several　cars　were　parked　on　the　west　side　of　the　square；　and　a　small　group　of　blacks　sat　nearby　in　lawn　chairs　waiting　to　take　their　turns　with　the　candles。
　〃We　didn't　do　bad；〃　Jake　said　quietly；　staring　at　the　vigil。　〃We　made　notes　on　all　but　twenty　of　the　hundred　and　fifty。〃
　〃What's　next？〃
　〃I'll　try　to　find　something　on　the　other　twenty；　then　we'll　make　an　index　card　for　each　juror。　We'll　know　them　like　family　by　Monday。〃
　Nesbit　returned　to　the　square　and　circled　twice；　watching　the　blacks。　He　parked　between　the　Saab　and　the　BMW。
　〃The　M'Naghten　brief　is　a　masterpiece。　Our　psychiatrist；　Dr。　Bass；　will　be　here　tomorrow；　and　I　want　you　to　review　M'Naghten　with　him。　You　need　to　outline　in　detail　the　necessary　questions　to　ask　him　at　trial；　and　cover　these　with　him。　He　worries　me。　I　don't　know　him；　and　I'm　relying　on　Lucien。　Get　his　resume　and　investigate　his　background。　Make　whatever　phone　calls　are　necessary。　Check　with　the　state　medical　association　to　make　sure　he　has　no　history　of　discip