Thomass glance touched her face and then slid away. Ja. I understand.
Jessica understood, too. Thomas would take Leos word for it, because he had faith in Leo.
Good. Leo started to rise. Ill leave you two together then.
Dont go. It was an anguished cry, and Thomas grasped the older mans hand, earning a sharp rap on the glass from the guard outside.
Thomas, Ms. Langdon is your attorney now. You need to talk to her. Leos voice was deep with sympathy.
Thomas nodded, but he looked miserable. Not exactly a ringing endorsement of her, was it?
She managed a smile. Leo, if you dont mind staying She left it open, with a faint, apologetic thought for Henderson, Dawes and Henderson. Mr. Henderson would not approve.
Leo hesitated for a moment. Then he nodded and sat down, and the tension in the small room eased.
Jessica took a deep breath, feeling as if some barrier had been surmounted. Now, maybe, she could get to work on the case. She took a pad from her briefcase.
Thomas, Iwehave to ask you some questions about what happened the night Cherry died. Just try to answer as fully as you can. Okay?
He nodded, blue eyes filled with apprehension.
All right, then. She started with some easy questions-who had planned the party where hed met Cherry that night, where was it, how had he learned about it.
Thomas answered readily enough, sometimes groping for a word. She reminded herself again that English, according to Trey, wasnt his first language.
She made notes, sure that all this ground would have been gone over by the police. Still, they could have missed something, convinced as they were that their murderer had been lying there at the crime scene, waiting for them.
Youre doing fine, Thomas. Now, I want you to write down the names of the people who were at that party. She pushed the pad and pen over to him.
They were mostly Englisch, Thomas said, taking the pen. I dont know all the names.
Non-Amish, he means, Leo said. Just put down the names you remember.
Thomas nodded, beginning to print on the yellow pad. Mostly first names, she realized. It would take some work to track down everyone whod been at that party, and even when she did, what would they have to contribute? The crime hadnt occurred there.
Leo was watching the movement of Thomass hand on the paper. When it stopped, he spoke. Now the names of all the Amish at the party.
Something that might have been rebellion tightened Thomass face. I dont-
We know you werent the only Amish there. Leos voice had a note of command. Names. Ms. Langdon wont tell on them to their parents if she can help it.
Something that might have been rebellion tightened Thomass face. I dont-
We know you werent the only Amish there. Leos voice had a note of command. Names. Ms. Langdon wont tell on them to their parents if she can help it.
She opened her mouth to say that she probably would have to talk to parents, especially if any of the party crowd was underage. Then she shut it again. Thomas was writing down the names. Leo had the knack of dealing with the boy.
When Thomas finally pushed the pad back across to her, she felt a sense of satisfaction. At least it was a place to start. But now she had to ask the tough questions.
When did you and Cherry leave that party? she asked.
The whites of Thomass eyes showed. I dont know.
How did you get to the barn?
I dont know. His big hands clasped together.
How can you not know? Her voice sharpened. Thomas, you have to be open with me if Im going to help you.
I dont know, he said again, desperation in his voice. I dont remember. He looked at Leo, unleashing a torrent of words in a language she didnt understand.
Leo listened, then waved him to silence and turned to Jessica. He says the last thing he remembers is being at the party, having a beer and talking to some English kids. Then its a blank until the police woke him up.
Her heart sank. I dont remember wasnt a particularly good defense.
She wanted to ask if Leo believed him, but that was a question best left until they were alone. She put a few more questions to Thomas, not expecting much and not getting it. Ja, of course he knew the barn that the Morgan family owned. He hadnt been there in a long time.
When the guards had taken Thomas back to his cell, she stared at the single sheet of yellow paper. Not much to show for the interview with her client.
She glanced at Leo. He looked a little better than he had earlier, as if getting his teeth into the case had been good for him.
You understood the languageAmish, is it?
Pennsylvania Dutch. Or Pennsylvania German, if you wanted to be more accurate, which most people dont. He shrugged. Plenty of old-timers like me understand. My parents spoke it when I was a child.
Your family was Amish? She tried to get a grip on a situation that seemed to be slipping out of her hands.
Not Amish, no. Of German-Swiss descent, like them. Its not that unusual in this area. Even some of the younger folks understand. Trey, for instance. Hes quite fluent.
Trey, again. She could do without having Trey Morgan shoved in her face every other minute.
About the other kids who were at the party, Leo said. I dont want to interfere-
If you know anything that will help, just tell me, she said quickly. Im beginning to understand just how much a fish out of water I am in this case.
The English kids will probably be easy. Some of them may have already talked to the police. But the Amish are another story.
They wont willingly get involved with the law. Trey had said something like that, and Thomas had confirmed it.
Thats right. Leo looked relieved that she understood. Youll need an entrée-someone who knows them, if youre going to get anything out of them.
It went against the grain, but surely she was smart enough to know when she needed a hand. If youre willing to help, Id be grateful.
He nodded, smiling a little. One last challenge before I retire. Id like that.
She smiled back. Maybe she hadnt gotten what shed hoped for from her client, but she began to feel shed gained a friend. Thanks, Leo.
Ill do what I can. But you know who the kids might open up to more easily? Trey Morgan. You need to get him involved.
Involved? She nodded, but her heart sank. It seemed to her that Trey Morgan was already involved far too much for her peace of mind.
CHAPTER SIX
SOMEHOW JESSICA WASNT really surprised when she went out to the street to find that Trey was leaning against her car. She stopped, frowning at him as he held out her keys.
I thought your buddy Tom was going to bring the car over.
He shrugged. I had time. You dont mind driving me back to pick up my truck, do you?
She could hardly say no. She gave him a brisk nod and went around to the drivers side. Trey slid into the passengers seat and adjusted the sun visor.
So, how did it go with Thomas?
I cant discuss the case with you. Not unless my client wishes it. And her client was never going to be presented with that option, if she had anything to say about it. Leos recommendation that she involve Trey in the case flitted through her mind, but she ignored it.
Okay. I guess its going to be a quiet ride, then. How do you like Lancaster County?
Considering that I havent seen much yet except the jail, I think its veryrural. Youd never guess it was so close to the city.
Thats what most people like about it. Trey attempted to stretch his long legs out and discovered he couldnt. He slid the seat back, making himself more comfortable.
I appreciate your getting the mechanic moving so quickly on my car. If Trey hadnt done the calling, she might still be waiting, she suspected. Did he leave the bill in the car?
Well take care of it.
She frowned. Its my car and my new tires.
New tires you need because of your involvement in the case. Well take care of them.
Thats very generous. She clipped off the words. Generous, yes, but she had a feeling he hadnt done it for that reason. He so clearly wanted to be in control of everything. However, thats why I have insurance. She held out her hand, not looking at him.
Silence for a moment, and then she felt the flimsy paper being put into her hand.
Are you this stubborn about everything? Trey asked.
She shot him a glance. Somehow I dont think Im the only one.
For once, he didnt seem to have an answer. She pulled into the parking lot next to his truck just as her cell phone rang.
She flipped it open. Listened. And felt annoyance surge through her. She cut the connection. Glared at Trey.
That was the district attorneys office. Thomass arraignment is in- she consulted her watch -less than an hour.
Trey frowned. Awfully short notice, isnt it?
Yes. It is. Her mind spun with possibilities. I need to let Leo know. And Thomass family should be told. He ought to have appropriate clothes, and I have to get to the courthouse in time to brief him.
Trey swung his door open. Ill take care of getting Thomass family and his clothes. You call Leo and head for the courthouse.
She was about to ask him why he thought he should take charge, but he was already striding toward his truck. Besides, it would do no good to ask-he probably hadnt figured that one out himself.
She and Leo made it to the courthouse with barely fifteen minutes to spare, and she was fuming. What does the D.A. think hes doing, giving us so little notice?
Taking advantage of the publicity, I expect. Leo sounded a bit breathless, and she slowed her pace. Hes up for reelection, you know.
No, she hadnt known, and it didnt do a thing for her mood. This should be fairly straightforward, in any event. I dont suppose theres much chance the judge will grant bail.
Leo shook his head. Not sure its a good idea anyway, as upset as people seem to be. Thomas might be safer in jail.
They entered the courtroom just as Thomas was led in. Jessica hurried down the aisle and slipped into a seat next to him, Leo right behind her. Thomas wore a black jacket and pants with a pale blue shirt, so apparently Treys mission had been successful.
Thomass eyes were wide and frightened. No doubt hed never been in a courtroom before, and he hadnt grown up watching reruns of Law & Order on television, either.