Presumed Innocent

A week after the arraignment, Rusty and Sandy meet Raymond at his new office at a high-end criminal defense firm. Sandy instructed Rusty not to speak—he is there to confront Raymond with his presence. Rusty realizes that Sandy may have heard something through the defense lawyer network.

As Raymond and Sandy talk, Rusty realizes that Raymond is being given “star-witness treatment” by Nico and Tommy. He realizes that Raymond is “not a friend” (195). Raymond is making it sound as though Rusty pushed to take over Carolyn’s case, though he asked Rusty to handle it because he was busy. Sandy and Rusty realize that Nico has convinced Raymond that Rusty is guilty. Sandy learns that Raymond had an affair with Carolyn directly after her affair with Rusty. They realize the prosecution is going to build that into Rusty’s motive. Rusty is “bereft” at Raymond’s betrayal, and afraid.

Judge Lyttle was a defense lawyer for 20 years before becoming a judge, but his views remain more sympathetic to the defense. He, Sandy, Nico, and Tommy meet for a status hearing. Lyttle schedules the trial to begin in three weeks and won’t listen to Nico’s attempts to delay. Lyttle then asks about the status of the fingerprinted glass.