He looked up at her, his eyes as wide and innocent as a childs. They took away my clothes.
Im sorry. You will get them back, ifwhen you are released.
It is not proper. For an Amish man to be dressed this way. He touched the front of the orange jumpsuit he wore. Not proper, he repeated.
People who are being detained by the police are required to dress that way. Im afraid theres nothing I can do about it.
If you told them I need my clothes
It wouldnt do any good. They wont change their minds.
He just stared at her, eyes wide with expectation. Shed said he could trust her, but she couldnt do the first thing he asked of her. Clearly he didnt understand the situation he was in.
And just as clearly, she didnt understand him. Trey had been right about her. She didnt know enough to defend this boy.
TREY SAT IN THE TRUCK, waiting for the Langdon woman to come out of the red sandstone building that was the county jail. With those circular Norman towers, it looked more like a castle. Its builders had intended it to impress everyone who looked at it with the weight and majesty of the law. No doubt it intimidated a kid like Thomas.
With the radio on, he was treated to the views of the local stations public, conveyed through the stations call-in show. Opinion was running high-all of it against Thomas, it seemed. There were always those who harbored a prejudice against the Amish, just because they were different. Thomass arrest was feeding that feeling.
He switched the radio off. Neither Jessica Lang don nor his mother had a good grasp of the situation.
Trying to explain to his mother was useless. She wasnt swayed by facts. She believed in Thomas, and she would do what she felt was right.
Jessica wasnt in this for idealistic reasons, however. Worry tied his stomach in a knot. If Jessica thought this the sort of sensational case that would make her reputation, who knew what tactics she might resort to?
Was she that kind of person? His immediate impression had been of someone pretty hard-boiled, with her elegant clothing and her cool manner. But there had been a brief glimpse or two of someone not so easily categorized.
He didnt think he liked that. He wanted to know where he was with people. And shed challenged his opinion of what was best for his mother-he knew he didnt like that. His mother could be devastated by this case, no matter how it turned out. Would Jessica even care?
His hands tightened on the steering wheel, and he deliberately forced himself to relax. Since Dads death, hed been responsible-for his mother, for the family-owned businesses and rental properties, for all the people in the township who depended on the Morgan family. His thoughts flickered briefly to the office. Hed had to cancel a couple of appointments today, and no doubt thered be more of that in coming days.
He couldnt go to the office, deal with the day-to-day running of the family properties, handle the investments his grandfather and father had entrusted to his care and still deal with the ramifications of his mothers interest in defending Thomas. So Morgan Enterprises would have to run along without him until this was settled.
In one way, hed been preparing all his life for his role. It had governed his choice of summer jobs, his business major, even his Wharton MBA. Hed just never expected it to come so soon. He wasnt ready. Maybe hed never have been ready to lose his father, but to lose him that way
Why, Dad? Why did you do it? How could the father I thought I knew do something like that?
Hed asked that question a thousand times. Hed never gotten an answer.
His gaze, idly scanning the street in front of the jail, suddenly sharpened. That dark blue van bore the logo of the local television station. The building entrance was out of his view from here, but the chance that the news crew camped out at the jail for any reason other than to cover the murder was nil.
He shoved the door open and slid out, worry and irritation edging his nerves. He reached the corner and stopped, stunned. Not only had the news crew clustered in front of the entrance, so had probably thirty or forty other people. A couple of them carried signs, leaving no doubt as to their opinion on Thomass guilt.
As if that wasnt bad enough, the television news reporter was busy interviewing them. Anyone who hadnt already thought it a good idea to voice their uninformed opinion would probably be inspired by the sight on the five-oclock news.
The crowd blocked the steps. Unless someone warned Jessica, shed walk out right into the arms of the television news reporter. Was it coincidence the news people were waiting at this precise moment? He doubted it. He moved faster. If he could get into the building, find Jessica, take her out another exit-
Too late. The heavy door in the front of the building moved, and Jessica came out. In an instant the reporter pounced, calling Jessicas name.
Her name. He hadnt even known that until shed arrived. Theyd been tipped off, then. By Jessica? If she wanted attention, there was no better way to get it.
The crowd, alerted by the reporters question, closed in, waving their signs. He had a glimpse of a startled face through the narrow glass slit in the door. It quickly vanished, to find help, he hoped.
Trey elbowed his way through the mass of bodies with murmured apologies. Ridiculous that at a moment like this his mothers training in proper manners held. Except that in Moms universe, people didnt yell obscenities to express their opinions. If he could reach Jessica before she said anything that would focus attention on his mother
Jessica seemed to be holding her own. He shoved his way between two burly bodies. Shed looked surprised when the reporter ambushed her, he had to say that, but she could have been faking it.
Come on, Ms. Langdon. A Philadelphia lawyer doesnt just show up here. Who hired you? The reporter had the looks of a movie starlet and the aggressive instincts of a puma. She thrust the microphone in Jessicas face.
Every defendant is entitled to the best possible representation. Im sure youll agree. Jessicas professional manner seemed unruffled.
You want us to believe that an Amish family knew enough to bring in a topflight Philadelphia firm? The reporters voice expressed disbelief. The public has a right to know who brought you here.
Trey pushed his way closer. If she mentioned his mother-
Right now Im more concerned with the rights of my client. Jessica smiled at the camera as if she did this every day. I dont think anything will be gained by my discussing the case when Ive hardly begun to assess the facts.
Everyone knows the facts. Hes a filthy murderer, and youre trying to get him off. The yelled words came from the far side of the crowd, and the mass of people seemed to surge forward.
Trey shoved his way through and caught Jessicas arm. Lets go.
Mr. Morgan. The reporter sounded like a woman whod just been given an unexpected gift. What is your interest in this case?
None at all. Taking his lead from Jessica, he smiled blandly. Im just giving Ms. Langdon a ride, thats all.
He turned to go, clasping Jessicas arm firmly, but the mass of people had closed in behind them. Push through them? Retreat into the jail?
Even as he thought it, the heavy door opened. Whats going on out here? The cop had a deep voice to match his authoritative manner. You people cant block access to the jail.
Trey seized his opportunity, piloting Jessica through the crowd and toward the pickup. She hurried to keep up with his long strides. Finally she planted her feet, forcing him to come to a stop.
He glared at her. You eager to do another round with the television reporter? Lets go.
The police are keeping them busy. And it looks as if someone is waiting for us. She nodded toward the truck.
A figure dressed in Amish black stood motionless. Ezra Burkhalter, one of the three ministers of the local congregation, apparently unnoticed as yet by the reporters. What was he doing here?
Ezra. He nodded, hoping the reporter wouldnt look their way. Something I can do for you?
I came to this place to see Thomas Esch, but the officers would not allow it. Ezras narrow, bony face seemed to grow more rigid as he looked at Jessica. This is the English lawyer you have brought down on us.
It would be too much to hope that every Amish person in the county hadnt heard by now that his mother had hired a lawyer to defend Thomas. But the Amish werent likely to be chattering about that to outsiders.
This is Jessica Langdon. Shell be representing Thomas in the English court. Ms. Langdon, this is Ezra Burkhalter. He is one of the ministers of Thomass congregation.
Im glad to meet-
It is not fitting. Ezra didnt raise his voice, but it rasped like a saw blade, cutting through Jessicas words. The boy has brought disgrace to his family, and now you would have this exposed in an English court for all to see.
Jessica stiffened. Mr. Burkhalter, my only job is to give Thomas the legal defense to which he is entitled.
You can do nothing for him. Nothing. The anger in Ezras face was unmistakable. Stay out of this, and leave us alone.
He turned and walked away. Jessica stared after him, looking stunned.
The television crew, freeing themselves from the crowd, hurried toward them. Trey hustled Jessica inside the truck. Climbing in himself, he slammed the door on a shouted question and pulled away from the curb, narrowly missing the cameraman whod darted into the street. A glimpse in the rearview mirror showed him the television reporter trotting down the street after Ezra. Lots of luck. She wouldnt get anything out of him.
They rounded the corner and Jessica let out an audible breath. Well. That wasodd. I didnt expect it.
She sounded genuine, but how could he be sure? You mean the television people, the crowd or Ezra Burkhalter?
Any of them. All of them. I guess the Burkhalter man particularly. Why is he angry that Im here? Id think hed be grateful that Thomas has someone to defend him.
Trey shrugged, trying to get rid of the tension in his shoulders. The Amish dont want to find themselves in the news. Theres prejudice enough against them without that. They believe in living separate, and they dont go to the law.