Chapter 39 Summary

Sheldon Roark, father of Ellen, is at her bedside in a Memphis hospital reading the news about the trial. Jake and Harry Rex arrive and battle with the on-duty nurse to enter before visiting hours. Sheldon explains to them that Ellen was not beaten. Her head wounds, which have required thirty-nine stitches, were self-inflicted. Apparently she beat her head against the pole, sure that they were going to rape and kill her. Sheldon mentions "Mickey Mouse" as the informant who saved her.

In the hospital cafeteria, Harry Rex eats and makes morbid jokes at Jake's expense as they discuss the trial. Sheldon feels Jake has done all he can with a pretty hopeless situation. Jake invites Sheldon to come to court on Monday and sit in chambers with him. Jake then visits Woody Mackenvale, the wounded and paralyzed national guardsman, in the hospital...