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“Can you tell us the contents of the communication you sent to Mrs. Randolph?”
“I’m afraid that would run afoul of the attorney-client privilege.”
“Oh, so Mrs. Randolph was a client of yours?” said Jack.
“Yes, she was.”
“And her husband as well?” asked Jack.
“No, he was not my client.”
“Without telling us exactly what was in the communication can you tell us, generally, the nature of it?”
“They were draft pleadings.”
“Pleadings? So Mrs. Randolph was taking someone to court?”
“Correct.”
“Can you tell us who?”
“That may once more run afoul of the privilege.”
Jack turned to see Christine Hanover listening intently to all of this. He next glanced at the jury to see that they were doing the same.
“Okay, Mr. Baker. Can you at least tell us what sort of law that you practice? Are you a general practitioner? Do you handle lots of different things?”
“No, I confine my practice to one specialty only.”
Jack shot Battle a sidelong glance. “And what is that specialty?”
“I’m a divorce lawyer.”
A gasp went up throughout the courtroom. Jack turned to see Christine Hanover. She looked relieved. Or, more accurately, resigned. She glanced around the courtroom, and her gaze found and held on Jeff Lee, who mouthed the words, I’m so sorry.
Jack said, “So, to be clear, Mrs. Randolph was divorcing Mr. Randolph?”
Baker looked at the jury as he said, “That can be inferred from what I said, and that inference would be correct, yes.”
“Your Honor, this was not disclosed to us previously,” Battle complained.
“Why, Mr. Battle,” said Jack. “We don’t have to show you every ‘scrap of evidence’ that we’ve uncovered, do we, sir?”
Bursts of laughter sparked around the courtroom.
“Everyone just quiet down,” growled Ambrose as he banged his gavel.
“Can you tell us on what grounds she was doing so?” asked Jack.
“I’m afraid I cannot.”
“But it was serious enough for her to engage you to commence a divorce action?”
“Obviously,” replied Baker.
“And serious enough for you to keep the fact of her filing for divorce secret from her husband, hence the P.O. box?”
“Yes. Divorce can be a... delicate matter that elicits... strong emotions.”
