––––––––
Brent Harding was not happy. And he was not shy about telling Mr. Clarence exactly how he felt as soon as they were alone.
"What the hell are you doing? You're supposed to be defending me! You've barely asked any questions, and Lynchburg and the judge are making a fool of you."
"What would you have me ask? The problem is you're guilty as hell and every time I try to make one of the witnesses look bad they only make you look worse.
"As it is, I have no witnesses for you."
"You should have at least made sure that Belle, Lee, and Brumbell remained in town so they could testify."
"Why? Anything any of them said would have only made things worse. And, as long as I don't ask any questions about them, I'm hoping we can keep their inquest testimony out completely."
"So what are you planning on doing? I mean what is your strategy?"
"Strategy? What strategy? I have no strategy. I haven't even got the vaguest idea of a plan. All I can hope for is to try to keep you from hanging."
"That's it?"
"Pretty much. Unless you want to testify. You could always take the stand. Of course, Lynchburg would rip you apart when he cross-examines you."
"I'm paying you a lot of money and you aren't doing anything."
"Seriously, Brent, how long have I known you? And, even you have to admit that I've been pretty successful over the years. After all, you've never spent much time in prison, have you? But you went too far this time. I can only hope to keep you from hanging. And, seriously, I'm not at all sure I can even manage that."
"But I'm paying you a fortune!"
"I tell you what, if you end up hanging, I'll donate my fee to the children you exploited."
"Don't you dare! Those girls would have ended up as whores in Chicago. They were better off here, with me."
"Yes, except for the ones you ki—I mean, the ones that died."
"Christ! Now, you are saying I'm a murderer. You are saying I'm guilty."
"That's because you are guilty! You told me you killed the two girls and the two men. I don't, however, think that you had anything directly to do with the second girl that bled to death."
"And that's the best you can say in my defense?"
"Brent, you are guilty! You're guilty of everything you're accused of. The best thing you can do is to make peace with your maker if you're at all religious. Because you aren't coming out of this well."
"I see."
"I'm not at all sure you do. The odds that you are going to be found guilty and sentenced to hang are about ninety-nine to one. Then you will sit in some dreary cell until they come for you one morning and take you for that 'long drop'. Perhaps it would be better to just plead guilty."
"Never!"
"Then I really am at a total loss as to how to put up a defense for you."
"Then don't. Just do your closing argument. That's always been your strong suit. I've never understood why, since you're never particularly assertive. But, you've always been extremely compelling in your big finales."
"Thank you. I think," Mr. Clarence said, looking at his client and wondering just what made him tick.
*****
"Mr. Clarence, are you ready to begin your defense?"
"Ah... yes and no."
"What exactly does that mean? Is this some trick?"
"No, not at all. I'm trying to be honest. It's just I—"
"Mr. Clarence, let's get on with it, shall we?"
"But—"
"No buts. No seesawing. No quibbling. Just call your first witness."
"That's the problem, Your Honor. I have no witnesses to call."
"Mr. Clarence, if this is a feeble attempt to set up a situation where another lawyer can claim a mistrial, I'll have you disbarred. Do we understand one another?"
"Yes, sir."
"This is your opportunity to speak for your client. And, I suggest you avail yourself of the opportunity.
"However, if you'd like a little time, we can adjourn a bit early for the day. But, I do think you might want to rethink the strategy of presenting no defense at all."
******
"Brent, I think you're going to have to testify."
"I am not going to let that bastard, Lynchburg, crucify me. Think of something else."
"You could always change your plea and throw yourself on the mercy of the court. They might not hang you if you did that."
"That's the best thing you can think of, is it? I'm not going to change my plea. I'm not even going to get on that..." Harding paused. A strange look came over his face. Then, with an eerie grin, he looked directly at his attorney, and said, "All right. You win. I'll testify."
"And, are you going to change your plea?" the lawyer asked, staring at Harding's facial expression and getting an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach.
"I don't think so," Harding said in a low, evil voice. "No, I don't think so, at all."
*****
Mr. Clarence requested another chance to speak to his client in private before court the next morning. And it was of course, granted. However, as they sat at a small, rather rickety table he was again filled with apprehension.
"Are you still willing to take the stand?" Clarence asked.
"Oh, yes," Harding said, in a low and rather cruel voice. "I most certainly am."
"I don't know what you're up to. But, I've known you long enough to see you are definitely up to something. Whatever you do, do not call any of those girls 'whores', or anything else derogatory. Do you understand me? None of the town people like you, with the possible exception of the men who patronized your establishment. And I promise you, none of them is going to come to your rescue. Especially, since Lee's ledger has been accepted by Lynchburg and me."
"That reminds me, why did you roll over and accept his journal as gospel?"
"Because this way, the jury doesn't get to examine it. The last thing you need is for your customers to be exposed. As it is now, things are all right. The citizens of Manchester realize that some men were availing themselves of your services.
"I'm sure some of the women have their suspicions about their men. And, some innocent men are feeling their women's displeasure. But, no one, aside from other customers, knows who's guilty for sure. The last thing you want is for that to change."
"But why?"
"For the simple fact that should they find out, you being found guilty is the least of your worries, because the women of Manchester might simply drag you outside and lynch you themselves, along with their philandering husbands."
"I don't see why I'm the bad person. I didn't force anyone to purchase my... my wares."
"It doesn't matter. Whether it's reasonable or not, it's much easier to tar you as guilty, even if you weren't, which I'll again remind you, you are, than believe that any of their sons, husbands, or fathers visited your establishment.
"You could be absolutely innocent of everything, and they'd still hang you."
"That's not fair."
"Brent, I'm not saying it is. It's human nature. It's easier. Oh, hell. I'm not going to go over this again. We've had this conversation too many times in the past. Besides, you running a brothel is the very least of your problems right now. It's the four murders you need to worry about.
"If you're still willing to take the stand, I'll call you. If not, I'm resting my case, so we can move on to closing arguments."
"No, I'm still willing," Harding answered. "In fact, I insist on taking the stand."
"All right," the attorney agreed, "but remember what I said."
"Oh, I will," Harding told him. "I absolutely will."
*****
"Are you more prepared this morning, Mr. Clarence?"
"Yes, sir. I'd like to call the defendant, Brent Harding to the stand, Your Honor."
Hilton gave the defense attorney an incredulous look. But after a moment, shrugged his shoulders and said, "It's your case. The court calls Mr. Brent Harding."
The pair of deputies responsible for guarding Harding moved to allow him to go to the stand. But as he slipped passed the nearest guard, he snatched the deputy's gun and shoved him into the other guard.
The second guard drew his weapon and pointed it at Harding, calling out, "Drop the gun and put your arms in the air!" Harding did neither, instead choosing to point the gun in the judge's direction.
The deputy fired.
Even though the doctor was right in the courtroom and had her bag, Harding was dead by the time she reached him.
The deputies took charge of the body while the court clerk, Mr. Jensen, jumped up and retrieved the gun Harding dropped when he fell to the floor.
The case was over. And, although Harding had not been found guilty, the death sentence had been carried out.
Brent Harding was dead and would never harm anyone else ever again.