“Not true, Your Honor,” Quentin says, lifting an inch-thick sheaf of legal-size paper off his table. “Nine days after Viola Turner’s death, Dr. Cage established an irrevocable trust for Lincoln Turner. My wife, a licensed attorney, is the trustee. That trust contains three hundred thousand dollars, and even if Dr. Cage is found guilty, it cannot be revoked. I can also assure you that Mr. Turner knew nothing about it until this moment. I ask that this trust be entered into evidence as Defense Exhibit Six.”

Glancing back at Lincoln, I see that he’s more surprised than anyone by this revelation.

Judge Elder looks put out by the radical turn this trial has taken. “Do you have any further questions, Mr. Avery?”

“Not at this time, Your Honor.”

Judge Elder regards Quentin in stern silence, his eyes filled with reproof. Then he turns to the prosecution table. “Your witness, Mr. Johnson.”

For the first time since this trial began, Shadrach Johnson appears to be at a loss for words.

Chapter 64

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a witness get on the stand and confess to murder without being forced or tricked into it,” Shad Johnson begins.

My father regards Shad without much interest. “Is that a question?”

“The question, Dr. Cage, is why? Why did you confess to that crime? Why, after thirty-eight years of silence, did you admit to being an accessory to murder in court, and open yourself to further charges by the State?”

Dad takes a long breath. “I want people to understand the depth of hatred that existed between the Double Eagle group and Viola Turner. And more than that, I want them to know the truth.”

Hallelujah, says a voice in my head. And the truth shall set you in Parchman Farm.

“I don’t think that’s the reason,” Shad says, half turning toward the jury. “I’ve been sitting there asking myself why you did that. It took me a minute, but now I know. You’re being very subtle, you and your attorney. You’re doing something that Lincoln Turner described yesterday in his moment of greatest anger, only he didn’t know then how prescient his assessment would prove to be.”

Shad faces the jury. “Lincoln warned us that Dr. Cage and his lawyer were doing exactly what his stepfather had trained him to do—what all con men and magicians do. They get us to focus on one hand while the other dips into our pockets and does the real business. Well, ladies and gentlemen, that’s what is happening before our eyes.”

Every eye in the jury box is on Shad, waiting for him to tell them how they’re being tricked. Shad looks back at Dad.