Marcus’ gaze followed Logan’s as the defense attorney rose and glanced at the wall clock. Marcus found it hard to believe it was only two-thirty. The day had already lasted the length of droughts and famines and plagues.
“We have just one more witness to call, Your Honor.” Logan was striving to hold the exultation from his voice. Juries disliked attorneys who assumed they had won. “But we cannot bring her forward until tomorrow morning.”
Judge Nicols bristled, “Are you now presuming to set the court’s schedule?”
“Not us, Your Honor, but our witness.” Logan’s voice rang with quiet triumph. “As our final witness, we intend to call the Attorney General of the United States.”
When Marcus reached for the phone that evening, he felt as if he were hefting his corner of the continent. Seeking to avert the earth’s natural course by shifting its axis several degrees. He dialed nonetheless, and said when the phone was answered, “Randall, this is Marcus Glenwood calling.”
“As I live and breathe, it surely sounds like you.” Randall Walker seemed positively joyous at the call. “I won’t ask how you are, because I already know.”
“I wanted to repeat my earlier offer.”
“You’re crushed, is how you are. Isn’t that right? Dead and don’t know it.” The man’s chuckle sounded wet, as though he were salivating at the prospect of a wonderful meal. “If you hush up a minute you can hear the hounds baying outside your door.”
“Let Gloria Hall go and we’ll make this all disappear.”
“What, and ruin the show? After all the hard work you’ve done bringing this crowd together? The press and the television and a general all the way from China? And now the attorney general of these United States?” Each word was punctuated a little more sharply than the one before. “We can’t disappoint all these fine folks, now, can we!”
“She’s dead, isn’t she.” Marcus heard the dirge in his own voice. “That’s why you didn’t let her resurface when all this started. Gloria Hall is dead.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Have you tried the embassy?”
“It’s the only reason you’d let this show drag on so long.”
“In case you didn’t notice, hoss, this ain’t my show. This is yours. You’re the one who’s pulled the whole world in close, so they’ll all have a bird’s-eye view.” The voice rasped with pent-up fury. “And now the whole world can watch you get skinned alive.”
Marcus felt it necessary to say it all, speak the words in a litany of sorrow over having let more people down. “You can’t release her because you don’t have her anymore. You must have slipped up somehow. I’m sure you never intended to let this happen.”
“I’ll be held responsible for just one death, and that one is yours. And don’t you think it’s ending when the jury comes back and says to the world, ‘We find for the defense on all counts.’ No sir. That’s when the fun starts. Right then and there, we’re gonna stake you out and sharpen the knives.”
Randall Walker had to stop and fight to breathe around a chest filled more with rage than air. “You ever heard of death by a thousand cuts? We’ll take you apart one tiny piece at a time. First your career, then what’s left of your good name, then every cent you have. We’re suing you for a frivolous claim and charging you for all our legal fees. And we’re gonna win. Yeah we are. Bankrupt you and take it all, right down to that fine fancy house you set so much store by. Already got me some good folks who’ll take it off my hands. Good folks, yeah, the kind who deserve a place like that.”
Marcus saw what was coming, and the realization struck like a stone-hard fist to his heart.
“New Horizons wants to turn it into a museum, people tramping through there looking at all the fine clothes they make, all the great stars who endorse their gear.” Randall Walker laughed aloud. “When they came to me, you know what I said? I told them it was a great idea. Such a fine plan, once we bankrupt you and claim the old place for our own, they can have it for a dollar.”
FORTY-TWO
United States Attorney General Samantha Paltroe had a round face creased by worry and power, and wore her dark suit with the dignity of a judge’s robe. Both she and Judge Nicols greeted Logan Kendall’s approach with the full-bore sternness of long judicial practice.
Logan began, “We are most grateful that you would take the time to join us today, Madame Attorney General. Could you perhaps begin by telling the court what you have been forced to postpone in order to be here?”
“A meeting with the director of Interpol with regard to organizing efforts in the international war against drugs,” she responded in the deep bland drone made famous by hundreds of televised appearances. “A hearing before the Supreme Court, and attendance at a presidential cabinet meeting.”
Logan let the moment hang for emphasis, then continued, “The plaintiff has made a lot of fuss about alleged labor violations in China. Even if these allegations were true, which we adamantly declare they are not, do you not have a number of punitive measures at your disposal to deal with such international matters?”
“At our nation’s disposal,” she corrected sternly.
“The nation’s disposal. Of course.” Not minding the correction. Not from this woman. Logan’s manner was as meek as he could make it, given the global spotlight, the packed courtroom, the attention given to his every word. “What would some of these measures be?”
“Various diplomatic treaties outline possible sanctions, both trade and otherwise.”
“Given your understanding of both the law and this specific situation, do you feel this case should have been brought to trial?”
“I do not.”
“Do you feel General Zhao should have been forced to attend?”
“Under no circumstances whatsoever. His appearance is a serious embarrassment to both our nations. Not to mention the absolute chaos this court’s freezing of Chinese financial assets has caused to trade and the international markets.” She looked directly at General Zhao for the first time. “A situation for which I heartily apologize.”
Logan paused long enough for the jury to turn and watch the general respond with a single jerky nod. Then, “Given your understanding of the case, Madame Attorney General, what is your impression of the allegations?”
“My opinion as both a former judge and federal prosecutor is that the plaintiff’s lawyer is seriously confused.” Her tone was coldly dismissive. “I understand from the newscasts that he has been through a rough time personally. It shows in how he has sought to try this case.” The creased face pointed directly at Marcus. “He should seek help.”
Logan turned to grant Marcus the same smile he had shown during Suzie Rikkers’ questioning. “Confused.”
“The United States Congress has instituted a series of trade laws dealing with unfair commercial practices overseas. Such issues are best dealt with through the International Labor Organization and the United Nations. This attempt to resolve such issues by filing a federal lawsuit for alleged false imprisonment abroad is utterly misguided.”
“Is it now,” Logan purred, then repeated for the jury’s sake, “misguided.”
“Absolutely.” The attorney general turned to Judge Nicols and continued, “General Zhao is protected by diplomatic immunity. He is here strictly as a personal favor to the China Trade Council, which is as concerned as I am about the way this trial is jeopardizing both diplomatic and trade relations.” Her voice took on a stronger edge. “With all due respect to this court, this trial is a serious breech of judicial boundaries, one that should be rectified immediately.”
Logan spun about, marched to his table, accepted the paper offered by Suzie Rikkers. “Your Honor, based upon the expert advice of the United States attorney general, we hereby resubmit our motion to have this case immediately dismissed.”