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jury room. A daily menu will be provided each day before the trial resumes at nine. Notify the court immediately if you or anyone you know is in any way contacted with regard to your involvement in this trial. Notify the court immediatelyif you see or hear or notice anything suspicious which may or may not be related to your service as a juror in this case.
    Odd directions, these last two. But Nicholas knew the details of a tobacco trial in east Texas, a trial which blew up after only one week when it was discovered that mysterious agents were slinking through the small town and offering huge sums of money to relatives of jurors. The agents disappeared before they were caught, and it was never learned which side they worked for, though both made heated accusations. Cooler heads laid heavy odds that it was the work of the tobacco boys. The jury appeared to have a strong sympathy bent to it, and the defense was delighted when the mistrial was declared.
    Though there was no way to prove it, Nicholas was certain Rankin Fitch was the phantom behind the payoffs. And he knew Fitch would quickly go to work on his new set of friends.
    He signed the bottom of the sheet and left it on the table. There were voices in the hallway, and Lou Dell was meeting another juror. The door opened with a kick and a thud, and Mr. Herman Grimes entered first with his walking stick tapping along in front of him. His wife was close behind, not touching him but instantly inspecting the room and describing it under her breath. “Long room, twenty-five by fifteen, length in front of you, width from left to right, long table running lengthwise in center with chairs around it, nearest chair to you is eight feet.” He froze as he gathered this in, his head moving in whatever direction she was describing. Behind her, Lou Dell stood in the doorway with handson hips and just dying to feed the blind man a muffin.
    Nicholas took a few steps and introduced himself. He grabbed Herman’s outstretched hand and they exchanged pleasantries. He said hello to Mrs. Grimes, then led Herman to the food and coffee where he poured him a cup and stirred in sugar and cream. He described the doughnuts and the muffins, a preemptive strike against Lou Dell, who lingered near the door. Herman was not hungry.
    “My favorite uncle is blind,” Nicholas said for the benefit of all three. “I’d consider it an honor if you’d allow me to assist you during the trial.”
    “I’m perfectly capable of handling myself,” Herman said with a trace of indignation, but his wife couldn’t conceal a warm smile. Then she winked and nodded.
    “I’m sure you are,” Nicholas said. “But I know there are lots of little things. I just want to help.”
    “Thank you,” he said after a brief pause.
    “Thank you, sir,” his wife said.
    “I’ll be outside in the hallway if you need anything,” Lou Dell said.
    “What time should I come get him?” Mrs. Grimes asked.
    “Five. If sooner, I’ll call.” Lou Dell was closing the door as she rattled off instructions.
    Herman’s eyes were covered with dark glasses. His hair was brown, thick, well greased, and barely yielding to gray.
    “There’s a bit of paperwork,” Nicholas said when they were alone. “Take a seat there in front of you and I’ll go over it.” Herman felt the table, set down his coffee, then groped for a chair. He outlined it with his fingertips, got his bearings, and sat down.Nicholas took an instruction sheet and began reading.
    AFTER SPENDING FORTUNES on the selection, the opinions came cheap. Everybody had one. The experts for the defense congratulated themselves on picking such a fine jury, though most of the puffing and posturing was done for the benefit of the legion of lawyers working round the clock. Durr Cable had seen worse juries, but he’d seen much friendlier ones too. He’d also learned many years ago that it was virtually impossible to predict what any jury would do. Fitch was happy, or as happy as