Ramsey looked ready to attack Fiske. How dare you!

Ive got a client on death row right now. If I ever have the honor of appearing before you, can you tell me youll actually care whether my guy lives or dies? Or will you just be using him and me to overturn a precedent that pissed you off ten years ago?

You insufferable

Can you tell me that? Fiske shouted. Because if you cant, then I dont know what you are, but youre sure as hell not a judge.

Ramsey was livid. What do you know about anything? The system

Fiske smacked his chest. Im the system. Me and the people I represent. Not you. Not this place.

Do you realize the magnitude of the issues we deal with here?

Whens the last time you sat and judged a battered wife? Or a molested child? Have you ever watched a man die in the electric chair? Have you? You sit up here and you never even see a real person. You dont hear from any live witnesses, you never hear from any of the people youll destroy or help by your actions. All you get is a bunch of high-powered lawyers throwing a bunch of paper at you. You have no idea of the faces, the people, the heartbreak and pain behind any of it. To you its some intellectual game. A game! Nothing more. Fiske stared at the man. His voice shook as he said, You think the big issues are so hard? Try dealing with the little ones.

I think you should leave, Knight said, almost pleadingly. Right now.

Fiske stared at Ramsey for a few seconds longer and then, calming down, he looked at the woman. You know, thats good advice, Counselor, I think Ill take it. Fiske turned to the door.

Mr. Fiske, Ramsey boomed out. Fiske slowly turned back. I have several good friends at the Virginia state bar. I think they should be apprised of the situation. I would think that appropriate action should be taken against you, perhaps resulting in suspension and subsequent disbarment.

Guilty until proved innocent? Thats your idea of how the criminal justice system should work?

Its my strong opinion that its only a matter of time until youre found guilty.

Fiske started to say something else, but Knight, one hand on the phone, said, John, I would much prefer if you left without the assistance of the guards. *����*����* After Fiske was gone, Ramsey shook his head. Beyond all doubt, the mans a psychopath.

He turned and looked at Knight. She sat there, staring straight ahead. Beth, I just want to let you know that youre welcome to use one of my clerks until you find a replacement for Sara.

She looked over at him. The offer of a clerk seemed very nice. On the surface. A spy in her camp underneath that surface?

Ill be fine. Well just have to work harder.

You put up a good fight at oral argument today, though I do wish you wouldnt take it personally. Its a little unseemly when we bicker back and forth like that in public.

How can I not take the cases personally, Harold? Tell me how. Her eyes were swollen, her voice suddenly hoarse.

You have to. I never lose sleep over a case. Even a death penalty one. We dont decide guilt or innocence. We interpret words. You have to think of it in those terms. Otherwise youll burn out.

Maybe burning out early is a preferable alternative to having a long, distinguished career that only challenges myintellect. Ramsey glanced sharply at her. I want to hurt, I want to feel the pain. Everyone else does. Why are we an exception? Dammit, we should be agonizing over these cases.

Ramsey shook his head sadly. Then Im afraid youll never endure. And you have to if you want to make a real difference up here.

Well see. I may surprise you. Starting today.

You dont have a chance of overturningStanley.But I admire your tenacity, even though it was wasted today.

The votes havent been counted yet that I recall.

Ramsey smiled. Of course, of course. A formality only. He put his hands in his pockets and stood in front of her. And just so you know, I also am aware of your plans to reexamine the issue of the rights of the poor

Harold, weve just lost our third clerk. A third human being. One whom I care greatly about. The place is in shambles. I dont feel like talking about Court business right now. I may never feel like it again, in fact.

Beth, we must move on. True, its been one crisis after another, but we will persevere.

Harold, please!

Ramsey would not back down. The court goes on. We

Knight stood up. Get out.

I beg your pardon?

Get out of my office.

Beth

Get out! Get out!

Without another word, Ramsey left. Knight stood there for another minute or so. Then she quickly left her office. *����*����* After his confrontation with Ramsey, Fiske entered the Courts underground garage and went straight to his car. He felt numb. He had gotten Sara fired, was being set up for murdering his brother and had just told off the chief justice of the United States. All in less than an hour. In any realm other than total lunacy, that would be called a bad day. He sat in his car. He had no desire to drive to Richmond and watch McKenna try to put the finishing touches on the destruction of his life. He pushed his fists against his eye sockets. A groan escaped from him and then he jerked forward as he heard the sound. His eyes widened as he saw Elizabeth Knight tapping on the car window. He rolled it down.

I would like to talk to you.

He composed himself as best he could. What about?

Can we go for a short drive? I dont think Id risk bringing you back in the building. Im not sure Ive ever seen Harold quite that upset.

Fiske thought he saw a trace of a smile on the womans face as she said this. You want to go for a drive in my car? he asked.

I dont have a car here. Is there a problem with yours?

Fiske looked at her expensive dress. Well, my cars interior is basically rust covered with a veneer of grime.

Knight smiled. I grew up on a ranch in East Texas. When my family drove to the little shacks that constituted the town we lived near, we did so on a backhoe with me and my six siblings hanging on for dear life and enjoying every minute of it. And Iwouldlike to talk to you.

Fiske finally nodded and Knight slipped in the front seat.

Where to? Fiske asked as they left the garage.

Take a left at the light. I hope you dont have anything pressing. It was rude of me not to ask.

Fiske thought of McKenna waiting for him. Nothing important.

After he made the turn, Knight started speaking. You shouldnt have come back and said those things, you know.

I hope you didnt come here just to tell me that, Fiske said sharply.

I came to tell you that I feel terribly about Sara.

Join the crowd. She tried to help my brother and then me. Im sure she just loves the day she ran into the Fiske brothers.

Well, at least one of you anyway.

What does that mean?

Sara liked and respected your brother. But she didnt love him, although, quite frankly, I think he was in love with her. But her heart lies elsewhere.

Is that right? And she told you this?

John, I really dont like to admit to any gender bias, but I also refuse to ignore some basic realities: I doubt if my eight male colleagues have any clue whatsoever, but its clear to me that Sara Evans is very much in love with you.

Your womanly intuition?

Something like that. I also have two girls of my own. She noted his curious look. My first husband died. My daughters are grown and on their own. Knight put her hands in her lap and looked out the window. However, thats not really why I wanted to talk to you, she said. Turn right, up here, she said. As Fiske did so, he asked, So what is on your agenda? You people seem to always have one.

And you find that somehow wrong?

You tell me. Seeing the games you people play doesnt give me warm fuzzies.

I can respect that point of view.