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“You and your brother were close I take it?”
“We were each other’s best friends growing up. Played ball together, did everything together, really. Momma and Daddy had to focus on Lucy, of course. But that was okay, we understood. We got more freedom and we always had each other’s backs.” He looked at her. “What about you? You said one brother’s a surgeon and you have a sister in North Carolina. And you said a younger sister owns an art gallery in Harlem.”
“Yes, Judith. I see her whenever I’m in New York. We’re closest in age.”
“So were you best friends growing up?”
DuBose tensed as she picked at a piece of chicken. “No. No, we weren’t. My mother played favorites, you see, and I was her chosen one, even over Nathaniel, my doctor brother. When I graduated from Yale Law School, my mother clapped louder and longer than anyone else. She told me that now I had the tools to accomplish great things. To right the world, for our people.”
Jack took a swallow of iced tea and said, “No pressure there, of course.”
“Judith was only a year younger, so there was going to be some natural rivalry. But she’s truly extraordinary, in every way. Hoping for my mother’s praise, and love, but never really getting it. My mother wanted me to take care of her funeral, take care of our father, handle the estate. I’m not sure she and Judith even spoke much.”
“That must’ve been tough for everyone.”
She looked squarely at him. “I saw it while it was happening, Jack, but I did nothing about it. I actually reveled in my mother’s praise. In being the chosen one.”
“We all want our parents’ love.”
“Anyway, after my mother died, Judith and I sat down and had a come-to-Jesus sort of talk. It ended with us reaching common ground and becoming... closer.”
Noting her depressed look, he lifted the picnic basket top and pulled out a bottle. “I can’t swear my daddy didn’t bring this wine back after the war, but I thought we’d give it a go.”
He pulled out two glasses, opened the wine, poured generous portions into the glasses, and handed one to DuBose. They moved over to the side of the bridge, took off their shoes, and let their feet dangle over the edge.
“So you really don’t think we can win this case?” he asked.
“There are lots of ways to win, Jack.” Her tone was distant and troubled.
“The only win for me is if Jerome and Pearl are found not guilty.”
DuBose looked to the sky. “Maybe we can spot a shooting star, bring us some luck.” She drank her wine and gazed at the heavens.
And Jack watched her, a woman seemingly with the weight of an entire race on her shoulders, with growing anxiety.
CHAPTER 76
THE NEXT DAY JACK ROSE in the courtroom and called Craig Baker to the witness stand to commence the defense’s part of the case.
“Mr. Baker, can you state your occupation for the jury?” asked Jack.
“I’m an attorney in Norfolk with the firm of Day and O’Connor.”
“And did you have occasion to send a package to Mrs. Anne Randolph?”
“I did. Although it was supposed to go to a P.O. box she had provided me. But my secretary mistakenly sent it to the Randolphs’ home.”
Jack picked up the empty package from his counsel table and showed it to Baker. “Did you send the communication in this?”
“Yes, I did.”
Jack showed the package to Ambrose. “Move to admit this into evidence as Defense Exhibit Five, Your Honor.”
Battle got to his feet. “For what purpose?”
“My line of questioning will make that clear,” said Jack.
Ambrose chewed on a nail while he considered this, shooting glances at the crowd of journalists in the courtroom. “I’ll take you at your word, Mr. Lee. Motion to admit evidence granted. Proceed.”
