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and shoved the microphone away. The Judge moved to the end of the bench and leaned downward so that he could whisper to the man. Two lawyers, one from each side, took their places directly in front of the witness stand and blocked the view from the spectators. The court reporter completed the tight huddle, and when everyone was in place the Judge softly asked about the man’s affliction.
    It was a herniated disc, and he had a letter from his doctor. He was excused and left the courtroom in a hurry.
    When Harkin broke for lunch at noon, he had dismissed thirteen people for medical reasons. The tedium had set in. They would resume at one-thirty, for much more of the same.
    NICHOLAS EASTER left the courthouse alone, and walked six blocks to a Burger King, where he ordered a Whopper and a Coke. He sat in a booth near the window, watching kids swing in the small playground, scanning a
USA Today
, eating slowly because he had an hour and a half.
    The same blonde who first met him at the Computer Hut in tight jeans now wore baggy Umbros, a loose T-shirt, new Nikes, and carried a small gym bag over her shoulder. She met him for the secondtime as she walked by his booth carrying her tray and stopped when she seemed to recognize him.
    “Nicholas,” she said, feigning uncertainty.
    He looked at her, and for an awkward second knew they’d met somewhere before. The name escaped him.
    “You don’t remember me,” she said with a pleasant smile. “I was in your Computer Hut two weeks ago looking for—”
    “Yeah, I remember,” he said with a quick glance at her nicely tanned legs. “You bought a digital radio.”
    “Right. The name is Amanda. If I remember correctly, I left you my phone number. I guess you lost it.”
    “Would you like to sit down?”
    “Thank you.” She sat quickly and took a french fry.
    “I still have the number,” he said. “In fact—”
    “Don’t bother. I’m sure you’ve called several times. My answering machine is broken.”
    “No. I haven’t called, yet. But I was thinking about it.”
    “Sure,” she said, almost giggling. She had perfect teeth, which she delighted in showing him. Her hair was in a ponytail. She was too cute and too put together to be a jogger. And there was no evidence of sweat on her face.
    “So what are you doing here?” he asked.
    “On my way to aerobics.”
    “You’re eating french fries before you do aerobics?”
    “Why not?”
    “I don’t know. It just doesn’t seem right.”
    “I need the carbohydrates.”
    “I see. Do you smoke before aerobics?”
    “Sometimes. Is that why you haven’t called? Because I smoke?”
    “Not really.”
    “Come on, Nicholas. I can take it.” She was still smiling and trying to be coy.
    “Okay, it crossed my mind.”
    “Figures. Have you ever dated a smoker?”
    “Not that I recall.”
    “Why not?”
    “Maybe I don’t want to breathe it secondhand. I don’t know. It’s not something I spend time worrying about.”
    “Have you ever smoked?” She nibbled on another fry and watched him intently.
    “Sure. Every kid tries it. When I was ten, I stole a pack of Camels from a plumber working around our house. Smoked them all in two days, got sick, and thought I was dying of cancer.” He took a bite of his burger.
    “And that was it?”
    He chewed and thought it over before saying, “I think so. I can’t remember another cigarette. Why did you start?”
    “Stupid. I’m trying to quit.”
    “Good. You’re too young.”
    “Thanks. And let me guess. When I quit, you’ll give me a call, right?”
    “I may call you anyway.”
    “I’ve heard this before,” she said, all toothy and teasing. She took a long drink from her straw, then said, “Can I ask what you’re doing here?”
    “Eating a Whopper. And you?”
    “I’ve told you. I’m headed to the gym.”
    “Right. I was just passing through, had some business downtown, got hungry.”
    “Why do you work in a Computer Hut?”
    “You mean, like, why am I