“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,” Shad says, “you are about to hear a brief portion of a recording of a conversation between the witness and his wife, Mrs. Carmelita Cruz Garrity. It was made four days after Tom Cage turned himself in to the FBI, and three days after Captain Garrity threw the videotape into the river.”

Walt leans forward, his face expressionless, his mind spinning through every conversation he had with his wife during that period.

A female voice with a heavy Mexican accent says, “How long are you going to stay in Mississippi, Walter?”

“I’m not sure,” Walt answers in an exhausted voice. “As long as they need me.”

“They?”

“Tom and his family.”

“And you’re staying at Tom’s house? With his wife there?”

“I have to, darlin’. Peggy’s in bad shape. She puts on a good show, but this is a tough situation.”

“Oh, I’m so afraid. What if they arrest you for what you did last week? For driving Tom around while he was wanted?”

“I don’t think they will. I’ve been helping the FBI and the Louisiana State Police with some important cases. They don’t want me in custody. The sheriff in Natchez could give me some hassle, but I don’t think he wants to get crossways with the feds over one dried-up old Texas Ranger.”

The hiss of bad connection comes over the speakers. Then Carmelita says, “Walter, I’m so worried. You’ve risked so much for Tom already. I know he’s your friend, but . . .”

“But what, darlin’? Spit it out.”

“Are you sure Tom didn’t hurt that nurse? Not even as a—how you say, mercy?”

“Mercy killing.”

“Sí. Are you certain, in your heart?”

This time the silence drags so long that my pulse begins pounding in my ears. Then Walt speaks words that I know he will regret for the rest of his life.

“Carmelita . . . the truth is, I don’t know what happened in that house that night. And part of me doesn’t want to know. The truth is, even if he did kill her, I wouldn’t do anything different than I’ve done. I know you don’t understand it, but the man is my friend. And I owe him. From Korea, and for a lot more.”

“I know,” Carmelita says. “I’m not trying to nag you. I just worry.”

“I know. Everything’s going to be okay.”

Shad raises his hand, and his assistant stops the tape.

Beside me, my mother has lowered her head, surely to mask tears. In the witness box, Walt looks out over the crowd with the same iron self-control he always displays. But inside he is dying.

“Your Honor,” Shad says, “I have no further questions for this witness.”

Walt starts to get up, but Judge Elder says, “You haven’t been released, Captain.”

Judge Elder looks at the defense table. “Mr. Avery?”

“No questions, Your Honor.”