“GODDAMN THEM, BEN. Goddamn them all to hell!”
L.J. slammed his fist on the dining room table, rattling the crystal goblets. “Goddamn their lying, cheating asses!”
L.J. was doing all the shouting. Jonah and I were standing back, watching him scream in a way only rich men can. We didn’t try to stop him or calm him down.
“The biggest lie of all,” L.J. said, “is when he says these White Raiders had some kind of official warrant to come into that house after Ricky.”
Jonah looked at me. “All right, Ben, how is Lewis going to demonstrate that in a credible fashion?”
“Easy,” I said. “He’ll put Phineas Eversman on the stand.”
“The policeman?”
“Chief of police, and the only full-time officer on the force,” I reminded him. “He’ll put Phineas on and Phineas will lie through his teeth.”
Jonah looked quizzical. “I thought Eversman was on our side. Or at least neutral.”
“He was on our side for exactly one night,” I explained. “He only arrested those men because L.J. pushed him into it. He’s been looking for a way out ever since.”
I speared a slice of Virginia ham before passing the platter to L.J.
“It didn’t look like it would rain tonight, did it?” said Jonah.
“Not to me,” L.J. replied. “Why?”
“That sure does sound like thunder outside,” Jonah said.
I walked over to the window and pulled back the drapes. First I was surprised; then I was frightened.
“What is it, Ben?”
“About thirty, forty fellows with guns,” I said, “and a few with pitchforks. They appear to be just standing there, watching the house.”
“That’s a mighty big crowd for Eudora,” L.J. said.
“No,” I said. “It’s a mighty big mob.”