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But sadly we’re stuck with each other.
She has requested the meeting so she can review the day’s proceedings, as if she’s hosting the postgame show.
“Your theatrics seemed to fall flat with the judge, quite frankly. Maybe you need to think about a change of attitude.”
In some ways, she reminds me of Sam Wylie—taller, just as blond, elegant in ways I know I will never be. Lady of the manor. She also appears to be in glowing health. So she’s got me there, too.
“If you think what you saw today were theatrics, then you better think about wearing one of my old hockey helmets the further we get into this thing.”
She sighs.
Theatrically.
“Golly,there’sgood news.” She shakes her head dismissively. “Judge Prentice wasn’t amused, and for the record, neither was I.”
I feel myself biting through my lower lip hard enough to draw blood. I’m tired, I want to get outside and do my few minutes of standup, and then head back east.
But I’m doing my best to behave. A constant challenge.
Now I sigh.
“For the record, what I did today had nothing to do with your husband, or the judge, or the prosecutor, bless his heart,” I say. “And it wasn’t for you. I was only addressing the jury. I’d like to have you on my side, Claire, I would. But I sure as hell want those twelve people on my side. No, check that.Needthem on my side.”
There is no change in her expression. Maybe her eyes get a little wider. But with the work she’s clearly had done, it’s frankly hard to tell.
“We need them on Rob’s side,” she says.
We.
“You must know by now, having gotten to knowhim,” she continues, “that he is, despite his many shortcomings, incapable of having committed this hideous crime.”
“He points that out to me on a daily basis. Sometimes hourly, when he gets the chance.”
“Is that an answer?” she asks.
She checks her phone now, as if I’m the one keeping her from being somewhere.
“When it’s murder, Claire, it’s always a crime.”
It’s been a long day, and I’m too deep into itto be wasting my time on bullshit like this.
“You know I don’t like you very much,” she says.
“You probably won’t be surprised to learn that you’re not the first.”
Then I tell her I really have to be going, because the media is waiting for me to explain to them what they saw today. It’s just another way for me to play to the jury at the same time, even though Judge Jackson Prentice III has told them to avoid all coverage of the trial, particularly on television.
Fat chance.
“To be continued,” Claire Jacobson says, leaving the room first.
“Looking forward to it,” I say, but the door has already closed behind her.
As I walk through the double doors at the top of the steps, it occurs to me, and not for the first time today, the percentage of time I might have left in my life that will be spent in the company of Rob and Claire Jacobson.
The first question is shouted at me from a woman I recognize from CNN. “How do you think Mr. Ahearn did presenting the case against your client today?”
“What case?” I ask.
