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“When did the murders happen?”
“Last Friday.”
“Where?”
“Madison Heights.”
Jack and his father exchanged a worried glance. Madison Heights was in the northwest part of Freeman County and was home to the area’s richest citizens.
“And why did they arrest Jerome?” asked Jack.
“’Cause he was there when the police come and found the dead white folks.”
Jack flinched at the far-reaching possibilities of her statement. “Why was he there?”
She took a sip of tea and said, “You best hear all that from Jerome. Me tellin’ it secondhand and all won’t do you no good. Lawyerin’ means being pre-cise. Judges? They like things just so. That what Mr. Ashby say. Juu-esst so.”
“Well, I haven’t decided to take the case yet,” said Jack. “I came here to find out what you wanted me for.”
“Well, now you know, honey. But Jerome needs your help, Mr. Lee. Real bad. Ain’t that what lawyers do, help folks?”
His father nudged his arm. “Won’t hurt to see what the man has to say. Then you can make up your mind.” He finished off the tea. “That sound good, Miss Jessup?”
“Not as good if your boy had just said yes, but guess it’ll have to do.”
The Lees rose. Jack said, “Look, if I take the case, I can’t do it pro bono.”
“What’s that mean?” she said fiercely, as though he had cursed at her.
“It means I can’t do it for free.”
“Jerome got a job. Well, he had one. And Pearl works herself to the bone. So they got money. And I can help out, too.”
“I don’t want to take your money, Miss Jessup.”
She held up a finger and waggled it back and forth. “Good, ’cause I ain’t offerin’ you no money. But I can do your laundry.” She pointed to his neck. “You got your shirt collars messed up with the iron ’cause you a man and don’t know better. I can do some cookin’. You too skinny. Always have been. Deep fryer and Crisco take care ’a that. And cleanin’. Bet wherever you live ain’t too clean. Not with no woman ’round to take care of it. And you.”
“How do you know I’m not married?”
She gave him a patronizing look. “If there’s a ring on that finger, it’s gone invisible, Mr. Lee.”
“I’ll get back to you after I’ve seen Jerome.”
“You go see him tonight?” she said eagerly, fanning herself with the magazine.
He glanced at his watch and said, “I thought maybe in the morning.”
“Shoot, why waste time? He ain’t got nothin’ to do sittin’ in that durn cell.”
“Has he been arraigned?”
“Ask him, honey. Can’t wrap my head ’round all that. But do it tonight. Please, Lord, please.”
“All right, tonight then.”
She graced him with a satisfied smile. “You a sweet boy. Always thought you might grow up to be somethin’. Just had that way with you when you was a little thing.”
“Thank you for the libation, Miss Jessup,” said his father.
