“I think with all that had happened between them, she felt like she’d protected him long enough. All she really cared about at the end was Lincoln, and getting out the truth about how and why Jimmy and Luther were killed.”

“I understand. But Viola did tell you that Dr. Cage was as guilty as she was?”

This time Cora pauses, and my lawyer’s instinct tells me it’s the pause of a deceptive witness trying to be sure her lies dovetail before she answers.

“I can’t rightly say. Whatever it was, Dr. Cage had been involved somehow, but more in the way of covering up what Viola had done.”

“Your Honor, may I approach the witness?”

“You’re fine where you are, Counselor.”

Quentin’s brake clicks and his wheels squeak, as though he’s stopped suddenly or made a sharp turn.

“Cora, you testified to being shocked at the idea that your sister could be guilty of a serious crime, yes?”

“Of course I was.”

“Because she didn’t steal, not even candy as a child?”

“That’s right.”

“And she was most assuredly not the type to cheat, counterfeit, assault, forge, or kidnap?”

After a few seconds of what must be shocked silence, Quentin says, “I need you to answer out loud, Cora.”

“Vee wouldn’t do nothing like that.”

“Objection, Your Honor,” Shad says angrily. “These questions are patently absurd. Irrelevant. Insulting. Take your pick.”

“Judge,” says Quentin in a folksy voice, “I’ve given opposing counsel a remarkable amount of latitude during his examinations, and I’m afraid I must note that he has not returned the courtesy. He’s as jumpy as a puppy who needs a newspaper.”

“Mr. Avery,” Judge Elder says sharply, “just because you’ve been lazy with your objections doesn’t mean the district attorney should hold himself to the same standard.”

“Ouch,” I say aloud, wishing I could see Quentin’s face.

“Miss Cora,” Quentin resumes, “do you realize that we are now left with only one crime on which the statute of limitations has not run out?”

“I don’t know much about the law, sir.”

“My point, Cora, was that after six or seven years, the only crime your sister, as we know her, would have had to fear being punished for was murder.”

I can sense the shock of the spectators even through the phone.

“Oh, Lord. That can’t be right.”

“I’m afraid it is. Can you think of anyone whom your sister might have had reason to kill in 1968?”

“No, sir! Good Lord. I can’t even imagine such a thing!”

“But you’re sure that Viola had been raped by Ku Klux Klansmen that year. 1968?”

“Yes, sir. I do know that.”

“Cora, have you ever heard the name Frank Knox?”