Iles, Greg - Mississippi Blood by Iles Greg

Author:Iles, Greg [Iles, Greg]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780062311153
Amazon: 0062311158
Barnesnoble: 0062311158
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2017-01-01T06:00:00+00:00

My first reaction is relief—pure, unbounded relief that Dad is not going to be subjected to a parade of relatives of deceased patients claiming that he helped to kill their loved ones. But before I can think too much about this, Judge Elder looks down at Quentin and says, “Mr. Avery, are you ready to proceed with your opening statement?”

“Your Honor, I am. But I have two issues. First, I’m having some medical issues, and I’d like to deal with those before my opening statement. Second, my first witness is flying in from out of state, and he only landed in Baton Rouge a half hour ago. He’s at least forty-five minutes away. Further, I only intend to make very brief remarks in my open. For those reasons, if the court is amenable, I would prefer to make my opening statement tomorrow morning, and then proceed directly with my first witness.”

Many judges would agree to this, but Joe Elder says, “Is your medical problem acute, Mr. Avery?”

Quentin seems surprised by the question. “It’s . . . well, more of a chronic issue, Judge.”

“It’s not yet four o’clock, Mr. Avery. Unless you have an acute emergency, we can’t afford to waste the court’s valuable time due to inadequate travel arrangements for your witness.”

Quentin appears so shocked by Elder’s response that he’s at a loss for words.

In the resulting vacuum, the judge says, “I will grant a ten-minute recess if you need to take medication or deal with any physical needs. But after that, you will proceed with your opening statement.”

To my surprise, Quentin actually turns and looks back at me, but I can’t read his eyes. Is he asking me to help him decide what to do?

“No, thank you, Judge,” he says, turning back to the bench. “I’ll proceed with my statement now.”

“Very well.” Elder gives Quentin a suspicious look. “You may begin.”

And with that, “Preacher” Quentin Avery whirs around the defense table, stops beside the podium, and faces a jury that, like me, must wonder just what this unpredictable attorney’s idea of an opening statement might be.

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