killing。 The foreman counted the votes。 Twelve to zero。 Wanda said she'd sit in that jury room until Christmas before she'd vote to convict； and if they were honest with themselves； then they ought to feel the same way。 Ten of them agreed with her； and one lady held out。 They all started cryin' and cussin' her so bad； she finally caved in。 It was rough in there； Jake。〃
Jake listened to every word without breathing。 He heard a noise。 Wanda Womack walked to the screen door。 She smiled at him and began crying。 He stared at her through the screen； but could not talk。 He bit his lip and
nodded。 〃Thanks；〃 he managed weakly。 She wiped her eyes and nodded。
On Craft Road； a hundred cars lined both shoulders east and west of the Hailey driveway。 The long front yard was packed with vehicles； children playing； and parents sitting under shade trees and on car hoods。 Harry Rex parked in a ditch by the mailbox。 A crowd rushed to greet Carl Lee's lawyer。 Lester grabbed him and said； 〃You done it again； you done it again。〃
They shook hands and slapped backs across the yard and up to the porch。 Agee hugged him and praised God。 Carl Lee left the swing and walked down the steps； followed by his family and admirers。 They gathered around Jake as the two great men came face to face。 They clutched hands and smiled at each other； both searching for words。 They embraced。 The crowd clapped and shouted。
〃Thank you； Jake；〃 Carl Lee said softly。
The lawyer and client sat in the swing and answered questions about the trial。 Lucien and Harry Rex joined Lester and some of his friends under a shade tree for a little drink。 Tonya ran and jumped around the yard with a hundred other kids。
At two…thirty； Jake sat at his desk and talked to Carla。 Harry Rex and Lucien drank the last of the margaritas； and quickly got drunk。 Jake drank coffee and told his wife he would leave Memphis in three hours and be in North Carolina by ten。 Yes； he was fine； he said。 Everything was okay； and everything was over。 There were dozens of reporters packed into his conference room； so be sure and watch the evening news。 He would meet with them briefly； then drive to Memphis。 He said he loved her； missed her body； and would be there soon。 He hung up。
Tomorrow； he'd call Ellen。
〃Why are you leaving today！〃 Lucien demanded。
〃You're stupid； Jake； just stupid。 You've got a thousand reporters in the palm of your hand； and you're leaving town。 Stupid； just stupid；〃 Harry Rex shouted。
Jake stood。 〃How do I look； fellas？〃
〃Like a dumbass if you leave town；〃 Harry Rex said。
〃Hang around for a couple of days；〃 Lucien pleaded。 〃This is an opportunity you'll never have again。 Please； Jake。〃
〃Relax； fellas。 I'm going to meet with them now； let them take my picture； answer a few of their stupid questions； then I'm leaving town。〃
〃You're crazy； Jake；〃 Harry Rex said。
〃I agree；〃 said Lucien。
Jake checked the mirror； adjusted Stan's tie； and smiled at his friends。 〃I appreciate you guys。 I really do。 I got paid nine hundred dollars for this trial； and I plan to share it with y'all。〃
They poured the last of the margaritas； gulped it down； and followed Jake Brigance down the stairs to face the reporters。
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