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While the defendants stood shooting the breeze with their jailers, Lewis took a detour by our table

“I guess they didn’t teach y’all everything up in those Ivy League law schools,” he said “Down here, we believe the first responsibility of a good crie”

“Oh, they tried to teach us that,” Jonah said “I guess I just didn’t do a good job of learning it”

“Me either,” I said “And I’ve had decades of practice with the man”

Loophole Lewis chuckled genially and brought out a couple of cigars froás? Best quality, fresh off the boat from Havana I’m sure you enjoyed a few of these fellohen you were down in Cuba, Ben”

“No, sir,” I said ars” I was about to sayinto the courtrooh the crowd

“Mr Corbett,” he said “A ured you’d want to see it right away”

Conrad handed over a small envelope

On the front, in an elegant hand, were the words BENJAMIN CORBETT, PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE

The words engraved on the back flap were just as simple: THE WHITE HOUSE

“If you gentlemen will excuse me,” I said I didn’t wait for an answer

Chapter 101

AS I WALKED down the courthouse steps, a reporter froht the first day had gone

“Exactly as expected,” I said “Justice will be served here” I took

I followed the cinder path around the side of the building The giant oak trees in the square provided the only real shade in the center of town I felt twenty degrees cooler the moment I stepped under their branches and took a seat on a bench