The Professor (McMurtrie and Drake Legal Thrillers #1)(101)

“Sustained,” Cutler said. “Just stick to what he told you, Ms Bulyard. The jury will disregard that last comment.”

“He paid me to go to New York City, so I wouldn’t be around this week, and he called me last night and reminded me what would happen if I came back. Well, I don’t care anymore, Jack.” Now, it was Faith who was out of her seat. “My husband was gay, and he cheated on me with other men. My sons know now, because I told them.” She paused. “So I don’t care if you tell the whole world about it.”





89


Tom let Faith’s answer hang in the air for five seconds, as silence filled the courtroom. He watched the jury, seeing outrage on some of their faces while others appeared in shock.

He toyed with introducing the text messages, but decided against it. He didn’t know what they said and, judging by the angry looks in the jury box, they would probably be overkill. We can’t end on a higher high than right now, Tom thought, clearing his throat and looking at Cutler.

“We have no further questions, your honor.”

“Re-cross, Mr Tyler?”

Tom’s eyes moved to the defense table, where Tyler was having a heated discussion with his associate and Jack Willistone.

“Mr Tyler?” Cutler repeated.

Tyler rose from his seat, his red face a dead giveaway that he was frustrated. Jamo is finally letting everyone see him sweat, Tom thought.

“Your honor, may we approach?”

Cutler motioned them all forward.

“Your honor, we have not seen the text messages mentioned by Ms Bulyard. Can we see those?”

Tom knew the defendant was entitled to see the texts, so he did not object. He only prayed they were as bad as Faith testified.

“Here,” Faith said, leaning over the witness stand and handing her phone to Tyler. “Enjoy.”

Tyler took the phone, and, for at least a full minute, they all watched his face as he reviewed the texts and their attachments. Slowly, he handed the phone back to Faith. Then, he looked at Cutler.

“Your honor, I move to withdraw myself and my law firm as counsel for Willistone Trucking Company.”

“Denied,” Cutler said, glaring at Tyler with unsympathetic eyes. “It’s too late to be quitting, Mr Tyler. It would be too prejudicial to your client, and I am not stopping this trial so it can get a new lawyer.”

“Your honor, Mr Willistone’s... actions have made it impossible for me to effectively represent his company–”

“No, Mr Tyler,” Cutler interrupted. “Mr Willistone’s actions may have made it impossible for you to win this case. Your motion is denied. Mr McMurtrie, are you going to be offering any further rebuttal?”

“No, your honor,” Tom said.

“Mr Tyler. How about you? Any rebuttal witnesses?”

Tyler looked like a ten year-old protesting a spanking. Gone was the aura of cool and invincibility. “No, your honor.”

“OK, unless there are other motions to take up, let’s proceed with closing arguments.”





90


Two hours later, at 4pm, the jury was given the case.

There had been no motions. Tyler was so shocked by Faith Bulyard’s testimony that he forgot to renew his motion for judgment as a matter of law. Not that it would have mattered – Faith Bulyard’s testimony and the bill of lading killed any chance of Tyler getting the case thrown out.

Then came the closing arguments, which were predictably anti-climactic. Tom focused on Dewey Newton’s speed and the bill of lading, while Tyler hammered home his expert’s opinion that Bob Bradshaw should have seen Newton’s rig prior to making his turn. Rick handled the rebuttal, where he stood before the jury – a jury he had grown up knowing – and asked that they render a verdict in the amount of $9 million dollars, $3 million for each death.

After closings, Judge Cutler read the jury instructions agreed upon by both sides earlier in the week. Then he adjourned the jury to their room, where they were to deliberate and decide the case.

Rick and Tom waited out in the hallway. Across from them, Tyler sat alone, having sent his associate back to Birmingham. Jack Willistone remained glued to his chair in the courtroom, staring straight ahead.

Ruth Ann and Dawn had gone with Rick’s parents to the farm. “Too nerve-racking to wait here,” Ruth Ann had said, and she’d asked Dawn to keep her company. Rick promised to call when the jury came back.

Faith Bulyard had taken her sons back home, though she asked to be called after the verdict. Most of the crowd had dispersed, the only ones hanging around being reporters hoping that the verdict might come in before the end of the day.

After an hour, Judge Cutler’s bailiff came out and said the jury had asked to work late. They wanted to decide the case tonight without having to come back tomorrow. Tyler, Rick and the Professor all grunted, “OK”, each with a half-dazed fog-of-war look on his face. Rick called Ruth Ann and gave her the update. “Shouldn’t be long now,” Rick had lied. He didn’t have a clue how long it would be.

Rick put the phone in his pocket and turned towards his partner, thinking of the long journey that had brought them to this point.

“Professor,” Rick said, and Tom, who had his arms folded and was slumped in his chair, turned his head towards him.