Between Black and White (McMurtrie and Drake Legal Thrillers #2)(86)

“On the night of Andy Walton’s murder, George Curtis asked me to watch Bo’s office. My office is two doors down from Bo’s, so I have an unobstructed view. At just before midnight on August 18, 2011, I saw Bo Haynes park his Lexus on the curb on First Street and stumble into his office.” Ray Ray paused, looking straight at the jury. “Ten minutes later, while Bo Haynes was still inside his office, I saw another man drive off in Bo’s Lexus.”

“Who?” Rick asked.

“Dr. George Curtis,” Ray Ray said.





73


“Cross-examination, General?” Judge Connelly’s voice was somber, as she, like everyone else in the courtroom, was still in shock over Ray Ray Pickalew’s testimony.

“No, Your Honor,” Helen said, managing to sound calm and collected. “If it pleases the court, the prosecution would ask for a short recess.”

Connelly nodded and shot a glance at the witness stand, where Ray Ray Pickalew remained in the chair. “I think that is a good idea, General. I think . . . we could all use a break right now.”

As the jury filed out of the courtroom, five sheriff’s deputies entered and surrounded the prosecution table.

Judge Connelly addressed one of them. “Deputy Springfield, please take Sheriff Petrie and Mr. Pickalew into custody. And I suspect you will want to dispatch a couple officers to pick up Mr. Tucker and Dr. Curtis.”

After two of the deputies led Ennis Petrie out of the courtroom, the deputy strode toward the witness stand. Ray Ray stood and held his hands out as Hank applied the handcuffs.

“Raymond Pickalew,” Hank began, looking over at Bo as he continued to talk, “you are under arrest for the murder of Franklin Roosevelt Haynes. You have the right to remain silent . . .”





74


At 4:30 p.m. Judge Connelly called the courtroom back to order. After the jury was seated in their twelve chairs, she cleared her throat and motioned toward the prosecution table. “General Lewis, you said during the break that you would like to file a motion.”

Helen Lewis rose to her feet and stood like a statue. “Your Honor, based on new evidence that has just surfaced today, the State of Tennessee hereby moves to dismiss all charges against the defendant, Bocephus Aurulius Haynes.”

For a moment a stunned silence enveloped the courtroom. Then several shrieks and one “Hallelujah” came from the gallery. Several members of the print media were already moving toward the double doors. Once they were outside, their laptops and iPads would be out, tweets and blog updates being sent to their hordes of followers. In the front row Maggie Walton sat motionless, gazing into space.

Judge Connelly banged several times on the bench with her gavel. “I’ll have order! Order in the court!” After the courtroom had quieted down, Connelly peered down at Helen and nodded. Then she turned to the defense table. “Will the defendant please rise?”

Tom, Rick, and Bo all stood in unison.

“It is the court’s decision to grant the prosecution’s motion to dismiss. All charges brought by the State of Tennessee against the defendant, Bocephus Aurulius Haynes, are hereby dismissed with prejudice.” Smiling, Judge Connelly looked at Bo. “Mr. Haynes, you are free to go.”





75


Bocephus Haynes closed his eyes and let the tears come. He felt hands on his back and looked up into the smiling face of Rick Drake.

“Congratulations, Bo,” the boy said, his bloodshot eyes rimmed with tears. “We did it!”

Bo picked his young lawyer off his feet and pounded the lawyer’s back until Rick started to cough and both of them began to laugh. “You’re all right, Drake. You’re my believer.”

“Never a doubt,” Rick said, wiping his eyes.

Bo turned, searching for Jazz, but the entire courtroom was drowned out by the sight of Booker T. Rowe picking Bo off the ground and hugging him tight.

“So happy for you, cuz,” Booker T. said.

Then there was Jazz, smiling through her tears and falling into Bo, letting him hug her and kiss her cheek.

“I’m so sorry, Jazz. I’m so damn sorry. For everything.”

“Just shut up and hold me,” Jazz said, and Bo did, holding her tight and then embracing T. J. in a three-way hug.

Finally, Bo pulled back from her, and she said the words that Bo was thinking himself. “Where’s the Professor?”

Bo turned his head 180 degrees, looking for Tom and initially not seeing him. Then, lowering his eyes to the defense table, he saw his friend.



Thomas Jackson McMurtrie sat unmoving in his chair. After Judge Connelly had dismissed the case and told Bo he was free to leave, Tom’s legs had given way, and he had almost fallen down into his seat. Now he watched the scene unfolding in front of him like it was a movie. His eyes were moist with tears, but he made no move to wipe them.

“Professor,” Bo said, standing above him and gently placing his hand on Tom’s shoulder. “Are you OK?”

Tom found he didn’t have the words. He gazed up at his friend . . . his best friend . . . but still couldn’t say anything. He moved his mouth but no words came.

“We did it,” Bo said. “You did it. You saved my life.”

Finally, as if he were beginning to come out of a trance, Tom nodded and held his hand out.