‘How can we be so sure this is what actually took place? Not just because the neighbours were woken by her husband’s haunting screams for help, but because when one of those neighbours came to the door to see if they could assist, in her panic Mrs Kirsten forgot to dispose of the contents of the other four bottles.’ He paused for several seconds. ‘When analysed, they contained enough curare to kill a football team.
‘Members of the jury, the only defence Mr Davenport has suggested for this crime is that Mrs Kirsten’s husband regularly beat her. If this was the case, why didn’t she inform the police? If this was true, why didn’t she go and live with her mother, who resides on the other side of the city? If we are to believe her story, why didn’t she leave him? I’ll tell you why. Because once her husband was out of the way, she would own the house they lived in and collect his pension from the company he worked for, making it possible for her to live in relative comfort for the rest of her life.
‘In normal circumstances, the state would not hesitate to call for the death penalty for such a horrendous crime, but we do not feel it is appropriate on this occasion. It is nevertheless, your duty to send a clear message to any person who believes they can get away with murder. Such a crime may be lightly regarded in some other states, but we don’t need one of those to be Connecticut. Do we want to be known as the state that condones murder?’
The attorney general lowered his voice almost to a whisper, and looked straight at the jury. ‘When you indulge yourself in a moment of sympathy for Mrs Kirsten, and indeed you should, if only because you are caring human beings, place that on one side of the scales called justice. On the other side, place the facts — the cold-blooded murder of a forty-two-year-old man who would still be alive today if it were not for the premeditated crime cunningly executed by that evil woman.’ He turned and pointed directly at the defendent. ‘The state has no hesitation in asking you to find Mrs Kirsten guilty, and sentence her according to the law.’ Mr Stamp returned to his place, the suggestion of a smile on his face.
‘Mr Davenport,’ said the judge, ‘I intend to break for lunch. When we return, you may begin your summing up.’
‘You look very pleased with yourself,’ said Tom as they settled down for breakfast in the kitchen.
‘It was an unforgettable evening.’
‘From that I assume consummation took place?’
‘No, you cannot assume anything of the sort,’ said Nat. ‘But I can tell you that I held her hand.’
‘You did what?’
‘I held her hand,’ Nat repeated.
‘That won’t do your reputation any good.’
‘I’m rather hoping it will ruin my reputation,’ said Nat as he poured some milk over his Wheaties. ‘And how about you?’ he asked.
‘If you are referring to my sex life, it is currently non-existent, though not through lack of offers, one even persistent. But I’m just not interested.’ Nat stared across at his friend and raised an eyebrow. ‘Rebecca Thornton has made it all too obvious that she’s available.’
‘But I thought...’
‘That she was back with Elliot?’
‘Yes.’
‘Possibly, but whenever I see her, she prefers to talk about you — in very flattering terms, I might add, though I’m told she tells a different story whenever she’s with Elliot’
‘If that’s the case,’ said Nat, ‘why do you think she’s bothering to chase you?’
Tom pushed aside his empty bowl and began to concentrate on the two boiled eggs in front of him. He cracked the shell and looked at the yolk before he continued. ‘If it’s known that you’re an only child and your father is worth millions, most women view you in a completely different light. So I never can be sure if it’s me, or my money they’re interested in. Just be thankful that you don’t suffer from the same problem.’
‘You’ll know when it’s the right person,’ said Nat.
‘Will I? I wonder. You’re one of the few people who’s never shown the slightest interest in my wealth, and you’re almost the only person I know who always insists on paying his own way. You’d be surprised by how many people assume I’ll pick up the tab just because I can afford it. I despise such people, which means that my circle of friends ends up being very small.’
‘My latest friend is very small,’ said Nat, hoping to snap Tom out of his morose mood, ‘and I know you’ll like her.’
‘The “I held her hand” girl?’
‘Yes, Su Ling — she’s about five foot four, and now that thin is fashionable, she’ll be the most sought-after woman on the campus.’
‘Su Ling?’ said Tom.
‘You know her?’ asked Nat.
‘No, but my father tells me that she’s taken over the new computer lab that his company funded, and the tutors have virtually stopped bothering to try and teach her.’
‘She never mentioned anything about computers to me last night,’ said Nat.
‘Well, you’d better move quickly, because Dad also mentioned that MIT and Harvard are both trying to tempt her away from UConn, so be warned, there’s a big brain on top of that little body.’
‘And I’ve made a complete fool of myself again,’ said Nat, ‘because I even teased her about her English, when she’s obviously mastered a new language that everyone wants to know about. By the way, is that why you wanted to see me?’ asked Nat.
‘No, I had no idea you were dating a genius.’
‘I’m not,’ said Nat, ‘she’s a gentle, thoughtful, beautiful woman, who considers holding hands is one step away from promiscuity.’ He paused. ‘So if it wasn’t to discuss my sex life, why did you call this high-powered breakfast meeting in the first place?’
Tom gave up on the eggs and pushed them to one side. ‘Before I return to Yale, I wanted to know if you’re going to run for president.’ He waited for the usual barrage of count me out, not interested, you’ve got the wrong person, but Nat didn’t respond for some time.
‘I discussed it with Su Ling last night,’ he eventually said, ‘and in her usual disarming way, she told me that it was not so much that they wanted me, as they didn’t want Elliot. The lesser of two evils were her exact words, if I remember correctly.’
‘I’m sure she’s right,’ said Tom, ‘but that could change if you gave them a chance to get to know you. You’ve been pretty much of a recluse since you returned to college.’
‘I’ve had a lot of catching up to do,’ said Nat defensively.
‘Well that’s no longer the case, as your grade point average clearly shows,’ said Tom, ‘and now you’ve been selected to run for the university...’
‘If you were at UConn, Tom, I wouldn’t hesitate to run for president, but while you’re at Yale...’
Fletcher rose from his place to face the jury — ninety-nine years was written on every one of their faces. If he could have turned the clock back and accepted the offer of three years, he would have done so without hesitation. Now he had been left with only one throw of the dice to try and give Mrs Kirsten the rest of her life back. He touched his client’s shoulder, and turned to seek a reassuring smile from Annie, who had felt so strongly that he should defend this woman. The smile disappeared the moment he saw who was seated two rows behind her. Professor Karl Abrahams graced him with a nod. At least Jimmy would discover what it took to get a nod out of Homer.