Sycamore Row - John Grisham

involved in this matter would like to speak to me, feel free to call.”
Wolkowicz left the chair and Lucien stepped forward. He was sworn by the court
reporter, then likewise sat facing the camera. He said, “My name is Lucien Wilbanks
and I’m well known to Judge Atlee and the lawyers involved in the contest over the last
will and testament of Seth Hubbard. Working with Jake Brigance and others, I have
been able to locate Ancil Hubbard. I have spent several hours with Ancil and there is no
doubt in my mind that he is in fact the surviving brother of Seth Hubbard. He was born
in Ford County in 1922. His father was Cleon Hubbard. His mother was Sarah Belle
Hubbard. In 1928, his father, Cleon, hired my grandfather Robert E. Lee Wilbanks to
represent him in a land dispute. That dispute is relevant today. Here is Ancil Hubbard.”
Lucien vacated the chair and Ancil took it. He raised his right hand and swore to tell
the truth.
Wade Lanier began his toxic cross-examination by asking about Simeon. Why was he
in jail? Had he been indicted? How often had she visited him? Was he contesting the
divorce? It was a harsh but effective way to remind the jurors that the father of Lettie’s
five children was a drunk who’d killed the Roston boys. After five minutes, Lettie was
wiping tears, and Lanier looked like a prick. He didn’t care. With her emotions in play,
and her judgment temporarily impaired, he quickly switched gears and laid his trap.
“Now, Ms. Lang, prior to being employed by Mr. Hubbard, where did you work?”
Lettie wiped a cheek with the back of a hand and tried to collect her thoughts. “Uh,
that was Mr. and Mrs. Tingley, here in Clanton.”
“What type of work?”
“Housekeeper.”
“How long did you work for them?”
“I don’t know exactly, but about three years.”
“And why did you leave their employment?”
“They died. Both of them.”
“Did they leave you any money in their wills?”
“If they did, nobody ever told me.” This got a few smiles from the jurors.
Wade Lanier missed the humor. He continued, “And before the Tingleys, where did
you work?”
“Uh, before that, I worked as a cook in the school in Karaway.”
“For how long?”
“Maybe two years.”
“And why did you leave there?”
“I got the job with the Tingleys and I’d rather work as a housekeeper than a cook.”
“Okay. Before the job at the school, where did you work?”
She was silent as she tried to remember. Finally, she said, “Before the school, I worked
for Mrs. Gillenwater, here in Clanton, as a housekeeper.”
“And for how long?”