The Simple Truth

You think you can pick it?

Josh stopped and looked at his brother with contempt. If I can escape from the damn Viet Cong, I can sure as hell pick an Army-issued pair of handcuffs. *����*����* Out in the hallway, Private Brown looked at his watch. The ten minutes were up. He cracked open the door to the room. All right, Harms, times up. He pushed the door open farther. Mr. Harms? Did you hear me? Times up.

Brown heard a small groan. He drew his pistol and pushed the door all the way open. Whats going on in here?

The groaning became louder. Brown looked around for the light switch. Thats when he stumbled over something. He knelt down and touched the mans face as his vision focused.

Mr. Harms? Mr. Harms, you okay?

Josh opened his eyes. Im fine. How bout you?

Then a big hand clamped down on Browns gun and stripped it clean away. The other hand went around his mouth and he was lifted completely off the floor, one massive fist colliding with his jaw and knocking him out. Rufus put Brown in the bed, covering him with the sheet. Josh put the restraints around the unconscious soldiers arms and legs and locked them up tight. Then he used adhesive tape and gauze he found in one of the cabinets to tape his mouth shut. The last thing he did was search the soldier and retrieve his pocketknife. As Josh turned toward him, Rufus wrapped his arms around his brother and squeezed tight. Josh returned the hug, the first time the men had been able to do this in twenty-five years. His eyes moist, Rufus shook a little as Josh finally pulled away.

Now, dont get too mushy on me. We aint got no time for that.

Rufus smiled. Still feels good to hold you, Josh.

Josh put a hand on his brothers shoulder. Never thought wed get a chance to ever do that. Never go

So what now?

You cant see where the boy was sitting from the hallway. But they got private security here. Josh checked his watch. When I was working here they made rounds every hour on the hour. Its quarter past now. Those boys are on the six-singles-an-hour plan and dont give much of a shit about guarding bedpans, but theyll probably notice hes gone at some point. You ready?

Rufus had already pulled on his prison pants and shoes. He had left off the shirt, opting for just his T-shirt instead. He had one thing clutched in his hand:the Gideon Bible. He didnt feel free yet, but he was only seconds from it. Twenty-five yearsworth of ready.

["C25"]CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Chandler looked around Michael Fiskes office. Located on the second floor of the building, it was large, with high ceilings, and half-foot-wide moldings. There were two massive wooden desks, each with a computer workstation, shelves filled with volumes of law books and case reporters, and a portable book caddy. There were wooden cabinets and stacks of files placed on the desks. The place was organized in a disorderly fashion, he concluded. Perkins looked at Chandler. There has to be someone from the Court present while you search. There are many confidential documents in here. Drafts of opinions, memos from justices and other clerks, that sort of thing, pertaining to undecided cases.

All right. We wont remove anything that may relate to pending cases.

But how can you know if it does or not?

Ill ask you.

I dont know. Im not even a lawyer.

Chandler said, Well, then get somebody down here who is, because Im going through this office.

It may not be possible today. Can it wait until tomorrow? I believe all the clerks have gone home. Chief Justice Ramsey didnt think they should work late considering what happened.

Some of the justices are still here, Richard, Klaus said. Perkins cast an unfriendly glance at Klaus, who looked over at Dellasandro. I didnt want to bring the justices into this until it was absolutely necessary. But let me see what I can do, he said. Im afraid Ill have to lock this door until I get back.

Chandler took a step closer to Perkins. Look, Richard, Im the police. Now, maybe Im wrong and you dont mean what I thought you did by that very stupid remark.

Perkinss face flushed, but he left the door unlocked, motioned to Klaus to accompany him, and they walked off. Dellasandro stayed behind, talking to McKe

McKe

Theyve obviously already done some digging.

Well, I guess you cant blame them.

Im go

Fiske leaned back against the wall and checked his watch. He still hadnt reached his father. The door a short way down the hall from his brothers office opened and a young man came out. Fiske nodded his head. Busy place.

Are you with the police?

Fiske shook his head and extended his hand. Just an observer. Im John Fiske. Mike was my brother.

The young man went pale. Oh God, its awful. Awful. Im so sorry. He shook Fiskes hand. Im Steven Wright.

Did you know Mike well?

Not really. I just started this session. I clerk for Justice Knight. I know everyone thought the world of him.

Fiske looked at the door Wright had come out of. Is that your office? Wright nodded. I guess theres been a lot of activity at my brothers office.

You bet. People have been in and out all day.

Like Mr. Perkins, Chief Dellasandro?

And that gentleman over there.

Fiske looked to where he was pointing. Thats Agent McKe

Its okay. I know what you mean. Suddenly all of Fiskes attention was trained on a pair of people walking toward him. His focus, actually, was on only one. Despite her obvious physical attractiveness, the woman looked, Fiske concluded, like the tomboy next door. Someone you could play touch football or chess with. And end up losing. Sara Evans eyed Fiske. She had seen him come into the building earlier and guessed what he was here for. She had stayed close by in case they needed one of the clerks to talk to. Thats why Perkins had found her so quickly. She stopped directly in front of Fiske, causing Perkins to abruptly do the same.

Oh, he said, John Fiske, this is Sara Evans.

Youre Michaels brother?

Let me guess, he never mentioned me, said Fiske.

As a matter of fact, he did.

They shared a firm handshake. The whites of her eyes were smudged with red, as was the tip of her nose. Her voice sounded tired. Fiske noted that she clutched a handkerchief in her other hand. He had the feeling they had met before.

Im very, very sorry about Michael, she said.

Thank you. It came as a tremendous shock. Fiske blinked. Was there something in her eyes when he said that? Something that said it wasnt all that shocking to her? Perkins looked at Wright. I didnt know you were in your office.

You might have tried knocking, Fiske suggested. Perkins cast him an unfriendly glance and walked over to Chandler and McKe

Hi, Sara, Wright said, a smile breaking across his face. From the way Wright was looking at her, it was obvious to Fiske that he was infatuated with the woman.

Hello, Steven. How are you holding up?

I dont think anyones gotten much work done today. Im thinking about leaving soon.

Sara looked at Fiske. Everyone thought the world of your brother. Its rocked all of us, from the chief justice on down. But it doesnt come close to equaling your loss, I know.

She said this so strangely that Fiske did a double-take. Before he could say anything, Perkins rejoined them.

All right, Detective Chandler from D.C. Homicide is waiting along with a gentleman from the FBI, Perkins said to Sara.