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“Have you been following the trial?” asked Jack.
“No. I mean it make Miss Christine sad, so I just closed my eyes and ears to all that. And she told me not to bother with it, so I didn’t. I ain’t talk to nobody ’bout it. That be Miss Christine’s business, nobody else’s. ’Course, I did talk to Mr. Lee here ’cause he and Miss Christine were such good friends.”
DuBose looked at her keenly. “You’re very fond of Mrs. Hanover, aren’t you?”
“Oh, yeah. I took care ’a her when she was a little girl. Now I helpin’ to raise Miss Christine’s children. They real sweet, just like their momma.”
Jack looked at his brother, who was gazing at Patsy in astonishment. Then he said, “Patsy, we don’t want to distress Mrs. Hanover, so can you not tell her that we came over and that you talked to us about all this?”
“Oh, yeah, I can do that. I don’t like talkin’ ’bout it anyways. So sad.”
Outside Jeff said, “Does this mean that...” But he couldn’t finish his thought.
Jack looked at DuBose. “The evidence is starting to make a lot more sense.”
She said, “And I could kick myself for making assumptions about certain people just because of who they are.”
“So what are you going do with what we just found out?” asked Jeff.
DuBose eyed Jack. “Probably one of the hardest things we’re ever going to have to do. And we have to do it.”
“I know we do,” said Jack.
CHAPTER 89
JACK AND DUBOSE SPENT THE next morning making phone calls and verifying some information. They also called Donny Peppers, explained the situation, and he did some additional legwork for them. Jack phoned Battle’s office, and, without specifically telling him what was going on, said that they had one more witness to call before they made their closing arguments.
Battle said, “Okay, but after today my plea offer goes away, Mr. Lee. And it won’t be coming back.”
“I don’t think we’ll be needing it, Mr. Battle, to tell you the truth.”
“Who’s the witness?”
“The person has already been on the stand.”
“Then what else is there to ask?”
“A lot, actually. You’ll see and hear it all.”
They had arranged for the court to return to session at three o’clock.
The place was once more full, with everyone expecting the closing arguments to be made by the respective counsel before the judge sent the case to the jury for deliberations, and, eventually, a verdict.
Thus, all were surprised when DuBose rose and said, “Your Honor, we need to recall one more witness.”
“You rested your case,” retorted Ambrose.
“We have just become aware of some extraordinary evidence that this court and the jury need to hear.”
“This is highly irregular,” said an irritated Ambrose. “Mr. Battle, what do you have to say about this?”
Battle stood, shot DuBose a glance, and said, “Well, considering we did the same thing to them, and in the interests of justice, we should hear from their witness. So, no objection.”
DuBose then turned to survey the courtroom. Her gaze moved from person to person until it came to rest on one.
“Defense calls Mrs. Christine Hanover.”
Gordon Hanover was sitting next to his wife, and they both visibly reacted when DuBose called out her name.
