Theodore.Boone.01.Kid.Lawyer.2010 by Grisham John

Author:Grisham, John [Grisham, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd
Published: 0100-12-31T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Ike was at his desk with a tall paper cup of steaming coffee and a huge cinnamon swirl coated with at least an inch of frosting. It looked delicious, but Theo had just finished his cereal. Plus, he had no appetite.

"Are you okay?" Ike said as Theo sat down, on the very edge of his chair.

"I guess. I need to talk to someone in confidence, someone I can trust, someone who knows something about the law."

"Have you murdered someone? Robbed a bank?"

"No."

"You seem awfully uptight," Ike said as he pulled off a huge bite of the cinnamon swirl and stuffed it in his mouth.

"It's the Duffy case, Ike. I might know something about whether Mr. Duffy is guilty or not."

Ike kept chewing as he leaned forward on his elbows. The wrinkles around his eyes squeezed together as he glared at Theo. "Go on."

"There is a witness out there, a guy nobody knows about, who saw something at the time of the murder."

"And you know who it is?"

"Yes, and I promised not to tell."

"How in the world did you come across this guy?"

"Through a kid at school. I can't tell you anything else, Ike. I promised I wouldn't."

Ike swallowed hard, then grabbed the cup and took a long sip of the coffee. His eyes never left Theo. He really wasn't that surprised. His nephew knew more lawyers, court clerks, judges, and policemen than anyone else in town.

"And whatever this unknown witness saw out there would have a big impact on the trial, is that right?" Ike asked.

"Yes."

"Has this witness talked to the police or lawyers or anyone involved with the case?"

"No."

"And this witness is unwilling to come forward at this time?"

"Yes."

"This witness is afraid of something?"

"Yes."

"Would the testimony of this witness help convict Mr. Duffy, or would it help acquit him?"

"Convict, no doubt."

"Have you talked to this witness?"

"Yes."

"And you believe him?"

"Yes. He's telling the truth."

Another long drink of coffee. A smacking of the lips. Ike's eyes were drilling holes in Theo's.

Ike continued. "Today is Thursday, the third full day of trial. From what I hear, Judge Gantry is determined to finish this week, even if that means holding court on Saturday. So the trial is probably half finished."

Theo nodded. His uncle stuffed another large bite into his mouth and chewed slowly. A minute passed.

Ike finally swallowed and said, "So the question is, obviously, what, if anything, could or should be done about this witness at this point in the trial?"

"That's it," Theo said.

"Yes, and from what I gather Mr. Jack Hogan needs a few surprises. The prosecution started with a weak case and it's only grown weaker."

"I thought you weren't following the trial."

"I have friends, Theo. Sources."

Ike jumped to his feet and walked to the far end of the room where some old shelves were filled with law books. He ran a finger along the spines of several, then snatched one off a shelf and began thumbing through the pages. He returned to his desk, sat down, placed the book in front of him, and searched for whatever was on his mind.

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