Sycamore Row - John Grisham

appeal.”
“Oh sure. File it. But Atlee is not moving the case.”
“Why are you so sure?”
“Because he’s an old man in bad health and he doesn’t want to drive a hundred miles
every day. He’s still the presiding judge, Jake, regardless of where the trial takes place.
Atlee’s lazy, like most judges, and he wants this spectacle of a case right here in his
courtroom.”
“So do I, to be perfectly honest.”
“His days are filled with no-fault divorces and who gets the pots and pans. Like any
other judge, he wants this case and he wants it at home. We can pick a jury here, Jake.
I’m confident.”
“We?”
“Of course. You can’t do it by yourself. We proved that during the Hailey trial. You’re
okay in the courtroom but it’s my brains that won the case.”
“Gee, I didn’t remember it that way.”
“Just trust me, Jake. You want some banana pudding?”
“Sure, why not?”
Harry Rex lumbered over to the counter and paid for two hefty servings of dessert, in
paper cups. The floor shook as he waddled back to their table and sat violently into his
chair. With a mouth full, he said, “Willie Traynor called last night. Wants to know what
you’re thinking about that house.”
“Judge Atlee told me not to buy it, not now anyway.”
“Beg your pardon?”
“You heard me.”
“Didn’t know His Honor was in the real estate business.”
“He thinks it might look bad, thinks the gossip will be that I’m clipping the estate for
a chunk of money so I’m suddenly in the market for a fine old home.”
“Tell Atlee to kiss your ass. Since when is he in charge of your personal affairs?”
“Oh he’s very much in charge. He’s approving my legal fees these days.”
“Bullshit. Look, Jake, tell that old fart to take a hike, to mind his own business. You’re
gonna screw around and lose this house and then for the rest of your life, and dear
Carla’s too, ya’ll will kick yourselves for not buying it.”
“We cannot afford it.”
“You cannot afford not to buy it. They don’t build ’em like that anymore, Jake. Plus,
Willie wants you to have it.”
“Then tell him to cut the price.”
“It’s already below market.”
“Not enough.”
“Look, Jake, here’s the deal. Willie needs the money. I don’t know what he’s up to,
but evidently he’s stretched pretty thin. He’ll cut it from two fifty to two twenty-five. It’s
a steal, Jake. Hell I’d buy it if my wife would move.”
“Get another wife.”
“I’m thinking about it. Look, dumbass, here’s what I’ll do for you. You got your arson