Chapter 16 Summary

Lester's wife is calling continuously, suspicious of her husband's activities. He visits Carl Lee in his cell to tell him that he must leave now, but he will be back for the trial. Afterwards Jake visits, red-eyed and irritable, informing Carl Lee that a psychiatrist's opinion will cost $1,000. The defendant must come up with that sum, or else Jake will have little chance of proving his insanity plea. Jake demands the money and walks out, slamming the door. Carl Lee has been in jail twelve days now, and he is realizing that things have not turned out as he had imagined they would.

Cat Bruster shows up at the jail and asks to speak to the sheriff on behalf of his friend Carl Lee Hailey. He recounts their shared Vietnam experience, adding that Carl Lee was decorated for his heroism. Ozzie brings Carl...