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necessary, to reschedule the trial date. So, why you?”
    “In fact, the army was in the process of assigning a new JAG officer. Lydia met with him a few times, he didn’t seem to particularly believe in her innocence, and she didn’t particularly believe in his passion for her case. You know how it goes—no client is comfortable when their own lawyer doubts their innocence.”
    “If they are innocent,” I stipulated.
    She evaded that implied question and continued, “So, for various reasons, my employer became interested in her case. I was asked to make a stab at representing her. I did, the army candidate went away, and here we are.”
    “Were you given Captain Howser’s files?”
    She nodded. “The local JAG carted it all up, packed it in boxes, and delivered them.”
    “And . . . ?”
    “And, here’s the good news. Howser had already received the discovery materials, and there is a detailed transcription from the Article 32 hearings.”
    Discovery is the required legal process whereby the prosecutor must turn over to the defense all the evidence he intends to employ in court against the accused, both that which could be incriminating, and that which might prove exculpatory, which on occasion, prosecutors forget to include. And an Article 32 is the military version of a grand jury process, the first step in building the scaffold. I asked Katherine, “And had the good captain done his homework?”
    “It’s the usual mixture—some solid investigation, some misdirected bullshit. Although he lived risky, as I said, he was a good lawyer. Very detail-oriented. His files are well-organized.” She looked away for a moment. “But he either hadn’t wound up his investigation or a few critical files are missing. There are some gaps I found surprising.”
    Apropos of that thought, I replied, “I don’t always trust the work of other lawyers.”
    She knew whom I was referring to, but refused to rise to the bait. “I recommend we approach this like a fresh case. Use his files as background.”
    “Good idea. And who is your mysterious employer?”
    “Vietnam Veterans Who Oppose the War in Iraq.”
    “Who?”
    “They’re new, and not very large. Don’t underestimate them, though. They’re very serious, and very, very seriously funded.”
    Echoing her theme, I pointed out, “And they’re very, very, very seriously confusing their wars.”
    She watched the sidewalk awhile, then asked, “Have you heard of Nelson Arnold?”
    “The billionaire?” She gave me a half-nod, and I continued, “Big hedge fund guy, right? New Yorker, collects beautiful women, big yachts, and oversize mansions.”
    “He also collects causes he believes in. He’s a Vietnam vet with no fond memories of his war. For various reasons, he’s opened up his checkbook.”
    “What are those reasons?” I looked at Katherine and specified, “More to the point, what’s his, or what’s their interest in Private First Class Lydia Eddelston?”
    “Not her, necessarily. They have a larger interest.”
    “Which would be what?”
    “She and the other accused are being made into scapegoats. Meaning the lower ranks are getting railroaded and screwed, and the people who are ultimately responsible get a free pass.” She added, “They saw this happen in Vietnam. They are intent on doing something about it this time.”
    “They should mind their own business and allow the army to do its job.”
    “You’re so predictable.”
    “This is a legal case, Katherine, not a political inquisition.”
    “You don’t know enough about this case to draw that conclusion.”
    “I know the army.”
    “So do I, Sean.”
    “Give it a break, Katherine. Really.”
    “There are different kinds of patriotism, Drummond. Hard as it might be for you to get through your thick, Orwellian mindset, dissent and criticism can be the highest form of loyalty.”
    I wasn’t really interested in hearing her quote scripture and verse from the gospel according to Saint