The courtroom was so silent a spider could have been heard spinning its web. Collins scanned every face in the jury before resting his gaze on its chairman. In a voice rich with innuendo, he said, 'No questions.'
It was four-twenty P.M. Stomachs were rumbling but not a person thought about supper. Neither did Judge Murdoch check his watch. Instead, he called for closing summations.
They were, to Collins’ delight, anticlimactic. Exactly as he would have it. A hungry jury, a judge and gallery in thrall, and a witness sweating on the sidelines.
The jury filed out leaving behind something unheard of: motionlessness.
As if everyone in the room knew the wait would be brief, they all stayed. Including Judge Murdoch. Reverently silent, too warm, hungry, but unwilling to miss the sound of the first returning footstep.
It came in exactly seven minutes.
Twelve pairs of shoes clattered across the raised wooden platform where twelve chairs waited. When the shuffle of bodies stilled, a question vaulted from the high ceiling.
'Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, have you reached your verdict?'
'We have, your honor.'
'Would you give it to the bailiff, please?'
The bailiff accepted it, handed it to Murdoch, who opened the small white paper, silently read it, then handed it back to the jury chairman.
'You may read your verdict to the court.'
Elly’s hands clutched those of Lydia and Miss Beasley. Will stopped breathing.
'We, the jury, find the defendant, William Lee Parker, not guilty.'
Pandemonium broke loose. Will spun. Elly clapped her hands over her mouth and started crying. Miss Beasley and Lydia tried to hug her. Collins tried to congratulate him. But they had a single thought: to reach each other. Through the crowd they lunged while hands patted their shoulders but went unheeded. Voices offered congratulations but went unheard. Smiles followed but they saw only each other… Will… and Elly. In the middle of the throng they collided and clung. They kissed, hard and hasty. They buried their faces in the coves of one another, harboring, holding.
'Elly… oh, God…'
'Will… my darling Will…'
He heard her sob.
She heard him swallow.
With eyes sealed tightly, they rocked, smelled each other, felt each other, shutting out all else.
'I love you,' he managed with his mouth pressed against her ear. 'I never stopped.'
'I know that.' She kissed his jaw.
'And I’m so damn sorry.'
'I know that, too.' She laughed but the sound was broken by a sob.
People bumped against them. A reporter called Will’s name. Witnesses waited to congratulate them.
'Don’t go away,' Will’s voice boomed at Elly’s ear before he tucked her securely beneath his arm. She wrapped her arms around him and pressed close while he performed the rituals expected of him.
He shook Collins’ hand and got a firm clap on the back.
'Well, young fellow, it’s been a pleasure all the way.'
Will laughed. 'Maybe for you.'
'There was never a doubt in my mind that you’d win.'
'We’d win, you mean.'
Collins put his free hand on Elly’s shoulder, including her. 'Yes, I guess you’re right. We.' He chuckled and added, 'Anytime you want a job, young woman, I know a good half dozen lawyers who’d pay you handsome money to ply your wiles on behalf of their clients. You’ve got a nose and a knack.'
Elly laughed and lifted her cheek from Will’s lapel long enough to look up into his happy brown eyes.
'Sorry, Mr. Collins, but I got a job, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.'
Will kissed her nose and the three of them shared a hearty pileup of hands that passed for a shake until it was interrupted by Lydia Marsh, who caught Elly around the neck. 'Oh, Elly, I’m so happy for you.' They pressed cheeks. 'You, too, Will.' On tiptoe she reached up to offer him an impetuous hug.
His heart felt full to bursting. 'I don’t know how to thank you, Mrs. Marsh.'
She shook her head, battling tears, unable to express her fondness in any way but to touch his cheek, then kiss Elly and promise, 'I’ll see you both soon,' before she slipped away.
A second reporter called, 'Mr. Parker, may I have a minute?' But there were Nat and Norris MacReady, smiling like liver-spotted bookends, standing proud in their military uniforms which smelled of mothballs.
'Nat… Norris…' Will gave them each a hand-pump and a bluff squeeze on the neck. 'Was I glad to have you two on my side! What can I say? Without you it might’ve gone the other way.'
'Anything for a veteran,' Nat replied.
'Say you’ll keep a supply of that honey comin’,' Norris put in.
While they laughed Mrs. Gaultier and Dr. Kendall brushed past, touching Will’s shoulders, smiling.
'Congratulations, Mr. Parker.'
The reporter snapped a picture while Will shook their hands and thanked them.
Feeling as if he was caught in a millrace, Will was forced to give himself over to strangers and friends alike while the reporters continued firing questions.
'Mr. Parker, is it true that you were once fired from the mill by Harley Overmire?'
'Yes.'
'Because of your prison record?'
'Yes.'
'Is it true he cut his finger off to avoid the draft?'
'I really couldn’t speculate on that. Listen, it’s been a long day and-'
He tried to ease toward the door but the well-meaning crowd swarmed like gnats around a damp brow.
'Mr. Parker…'
'Congratulations, Will…'
'Eleanor, you too…'
'Congratulations, young man, you don’t know me but I’m-'
'Hey, Mr. Parker, can I have your autograph?' (This from a youth in a baseball cap.)
'Nice goin’, Will…'
'Elly, we’re so happy for you both.'
'Congratulations, Parker, you and the missus come by the cafe and have a free meal on me…'
Will had no wish to be the center act of a three-ring circus, but these were his fellow townspeople, welcoming him and Elly into their fold at last. He accepted their handshakes, returned their smiles and acted duly appreciative. Until he simply had to escape and be alone with Elly. In response to someone’s humorous banter he squeezed Elly tighter, tipped her till one of her feet left the ground and pressed a kiss to her temple, whispering, 'Let’s get out of here.' She hugged his waist as they turned toward the door.
And there stood Miss Beasley, patiently waiting her turn.
The reporter hounded Will and Elly as they moved toward the librarian. 'Mr. Parker, Mrs. Parker, could either of you make a comment on the arrest of Harley Overmire?'
They ignored the question.
Miss Beasley was dressed in drab bile green and held her purse handle over the wrists crossed militantly beneath her superfluous breasts. Will propelled Elly forward until the two of them stood within two feet of Miss Beasley. Only then did he release his wife.
A male voice intruded. 'Mr. Parker, I’m from the
Elly ran interference for him. 'He’s busy right now. Why don’t you wait outside?'
Yes, Will was busy. Fighting a losing battle against deep, swamping emotions as he stepped close to Gladys Beasley and folded her in his arms, hooked his chin on her tight blue curls and held her firmly, choking in the scent of carnations but loving every second of it.
Unbelievably, she returned the caress, planting her palms on his back.
