The Justice Game

78

Jason ended the afternoon by calling Case McAllister to the stand. Case provided fewer fireworks than Melissa Davids and provoked a far less inspiring cross-examination. Maybe everybody was just tired. But by the time Case stepped down at 5:15, it felt like somebody had long ago let all the air out of the room.

Garrison issued his standard set of warnings to the jury and dismissed them for the weekend. “How many more witnesses does the defense intend to call?” he asked Jason.

“We should be done Monday morning.”

“That’s good to know,” Garrison said. He informed the lawyers that they would start closing arguments right after lunch on Monday. That way, the jury could begin deliberations Monday afternoon.

As they were packing their stuff to leave, Case gave Jason a note. “This is from Melissa,” Case said. “She had to run and catch some television interviews.”

Jason unfolded the note and read his client’s hurried handwriting. You’re doing a great job. Thanks for hanging tough.

More encouragement from a grateful client. Given the circumstances, it only made Jason feel worse.

Jason was supposed to meet Bella and Andrew Lassiter at the office Friday evening to go over feedback from the shadow jury, but he no longer cared what they thought. Everything would change on Monday if Chief Poole took the stand. Jason called Bella and told her he wanted to postpone their meeting until Saturday morning.

“What’s up?” she asked.

“Kelly Starling called,” Jason lied. “She wants to discuss settlement.”

“What? Does Mr. McAllister know?”

“Not yet,” Jason said. “And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t say anything.”

“He’s not coming back in tonight. It’s just me and Andrew.”

Bella hesitated, probably considering whether she should push the point.

“What is it?” Jason asked.

“Well, with all due respect, I think some cases are basically a matter of principle. I like Mr. Crawford and all, but I really don’t think MD Firearms wants to pay him a dime.”

“I understand that,” Jason said. “But it never hurts to listen.”

After he hung up with Bella, Jason tried reaching Kelly Starling on her cell but had to leave a message. He drove to his cottage, changed into shorts and a T-shirt, and sat down in front of the TV.

He flipped from one channel to the next and then turned it off. If things didn’t change, on Monday morning he would put Chief Poole on the stand, and the trial would implode. Juror 7 would lead the charge for the plaintiff. Jason would have betrayed his client in order to protect himself, his father, and Matt Corey.

Jason wasn’t very religious and hated cliches. Nonetheless, this felt like the proverbial deal with the devil. Once Poole took the stand, Jason’s decision would be irrevocable. How could he live with himself if that happened?

Even if he wanted to do the honorable thing and not call Poole, there was no way to salvage the trial now. If Poole didn’t take the stand, Marcia Franks probably wouldn’t turn against him. But he would still be stuck with Juror 3, Rodney Peterson, meaning that the best Jason could hope for would be a hung jury.

And Luthor would still reveal to the world what had happened ten years ago. Jason would face potential disbarment, national shame, and the scorn of LeRon’s family, along with possible jail time. The Crawford case would be tried all over again by somebody else.

And that was the best case.

Jason’s only hope was to figure out Luthor’s identity. That was the real reason he needed to meet with Kelly. He was going to confront her about how she had obtained the incriminating information on Poole. He would mention Luthor’s name. He would watch the look on her face.

By the time Kelly returned his call, it was nearly nine. She had been doing some television interviews, and they had made her turn off her phone. “I like to try my cases in court, not on TV,” Jason said.

“Good then; I’ll see you there Monday.”

“Actually… I was hoping to get a few minutes of your time tonight.”

“For what?”

“Can I tell you when we meet? It’s not something I want to talk about on a cell phone.”