Sycamore Row - John Grisham

10:00 p.m. Jake asked the easy questions on direct examination, and Harry Rex grilled
her relentlessly on cross. At times he was too rough, or rougher than Atlee would allow
Lanier to be, but better to be ready for the worst. Portia sympathized with her mother,
but she was also frustrated by her fragility. Lettie could be tough, then she would fall
apart. There was no confidence that her testimony would go smoothly.
Remember the rules, Lettie, Jake kept saying. Smile, but nothing phony. Speak clearly
and slowly. It’s okay to cry if you feel real emotion. If you’re not sure, don’t speak. The
jurors are watching intently, and they miss nothing. Look at them occasionally, but with
confidence. Don’t let Wade Lanier rattle you. I’ll always be there to protect you.
Harry Rex wanted to scream another piece of advice: “We’re talking about twentyfour
million bucks here, so put on the performance of a lifetime!” But he controlled
himself. When he returned with a beer, Portia said, “We’ve had enough, Jake. We’ll go
home and sit on the porch and talk some more, and we’ll be here early in the morning.”
“Okay. I think we’re all tired.”
After they left, Jake and Harry Rex went upstairs and sat on Jake’s balcony. The night
was warm but clear, a perfect spring night that was difficult to appreciate. Jake sipped
a beer and relaxed for the first time in many hours.
“Any word from Lucien?” Harry Rex asked.
“No, but I forgot to check the phone messages.”
“We’re lucky, you know. Lucky he’s in Alaska and not sitting right here carping about
everything that went wrong today.”
“That’s your job, right?”
“Right, but I got no complaints, so far. You had a good day, Jake. You made a good
opening statement, one the jury heard and appreciated, then you called twelve
witnesses, and not a one got burned. The evidence leans strongly in your favor, at least
at this point. You couldn’t have asked for a better day.”
“And the jury?”
“They like you, but it’s too early to speculate on how much they like or dislike Lettie.
Tomorrow will be revealing.”
“Tomorrow is crucial, buddy. Lettie can win the case, or she can lose it.”