A time to kill

"Yes," he said slowly without opening his eyes. The soldier had been on Jake's left shoulder. "This is kinda silly, ain't it?" he had just said to Jake when a bullet ripped through his throat. He fell into Jake, grabbing at his neck, gurgling blood and screaming. Jake fell, and was tossed to safety.

"He's dead, isn't he?" Jake asked softly.

"We don't know yet," replied Ozzie. "He's at the hospital."

"He's dead. I know he's dead. I heard his neck pop."

Ozzie looked at Nesbit, then at Harry Rex. Four or five coin-sized drops of blood were splattered on Jake's light gray suit. He hadn't noticed them yet, but they were apparent to everyone else.

"Jake, you've got blood on your suit," Ozzie finally said. "Let's go back to your office so you can change clothes."

"Why is that important?" Jake mumbled to the floor. They stared at each other.

Dell and the others from the Coffee Shop stood on the sidewalk and watched as they led Jake from the courthouse, across the street, and into his office, ignoring the absurdities thrown by the reporters. Harry Rex locked the front door, leaving the bodyguards on the sidewalk. Jake went upstairs and removed his coat.

"Row Ark, why don't you make some margaritas," Harry Rex said. "I'll go upstairs and stay with him."

"Judge, we've had some excitement," Ozzie explained as Noose unpacked his briefcase and removed his coat.

"What is it?" Buckley asked.

"They tried to kill Jake this mornin'."

"What!"

"When?" asked Buckley.

" 'Bout an hour ago, somebody shot at Jake as he was comin' into the courthouse. It was a rifle at long range. We have no idea who did it. They missed Jake and hit a guardsman. He's in surgery now."

"Where's Jake?" asked His Honor.

"Over in his office. He's pretty shook up."

"I would be too," Noose said sympathetically.

"He wanted you to call him when you got here."

"Sure." Ozzie dialed the number and handed the phone to the judge.

"It's Noose," Harry Rex said, handing the phone to Jake.

"Hello."

"Are you okay, Jake?"

"Not really. I won't be there today."

Noose struggled for a response. "Do what?"

"I said I won't be in court today. I'm not up to it."

"Well, uh, Jake, where does that leave the rest of us?"

"I don't care, really," Jake said, sipping on his second margarita.

"Beg your pardon?"

"I said I don't care, Judge. I don't care what you do, I won't be there."

Noose shook his head and looked at the receiver. "Are you hurt?" he asked with feeling.

"You ever been shot at, Judge?"

"No, Jake."

"You ever seen a man get shot, hear him scream?"

"No, Jake."

"You ever had somebody else's blood splashed on your suit?"

"No, Jake."

"I won't be there."

Noose paused and thought for a moment. Come on over, Jake, and let's talk about it."

"No. I'm not leaving my office. It's dangerous out there."

"Suppose we stand in recess until one. Will you feel better then?"

"I'll be drunk by then."

"What!"

"I said I'll be drunk by then,"

Harry Rex covered his eyes. Ellen left for the kitchen.

"When do you think you might be sober?" Noose asked sternly. Ozzie and Buckley looked at each other.

"Monday."

"What about tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow's Saturday."

"Yes, I know, and I'd planned to hold court tomorrow. We've got a jury sequestered, remember?"

"Okay, I'll be ready in the morning."

"That's good to hear. What do I tell the jury right now? They're sitting in the jury room waiting on us. The courtroom is packed. Your client is sitting out there by himself waiting on you. What do I tell these people?"

"You'll think of something, Judge. I've got faith in you." Jake hung up. Noose listened to the unbelievable until it was evident that he had in fact been hung up on. He handed the phone to Ozzie.

His Honor looked out the window and removed his glasses. "He says he ain't comin' today."

Uncharacteristically, Buckley remained silent.

Ozzie was defensive. "It really got to him, Judge."

"Has he been drinking?"

"Naw, not Jake," Ozzie replied. "He's just tore up over that boy gettin' shot like he did. He was right next to Jake, and caught the bullet that was aimed for him. It would upset anybody, Judge."

"He wants us to remain in recess until tomorrow morning," Noose said to Buckley, who shrugged and again said nothing.

As word spread, a regular carnival developed on the sidewalk outside Jake's office. The press set up camp and pawed at the front window in hopes of seeing someone or something newsworthy inside. Friends stopped by to check on Jake, but were informed by various of the reporters that he was locked away inside and would not come out. Yes, he was unhurt.

Dr. Bass had been scheduled to testify Friday morning. He and Lucien entered the office through the rear door a few minutes after ten, and Harry Rex left for the liquor store.

With all the crying, the conversation with Carla had been difficult. He called after three drinks, and things did not go well. He talked to her father, told him he was safe, unhurt, and that half of the Mississippi National Guard had been assigned to protect him. Settle her down, he said, and he would call back later.