"Here," Rosella said, passing her the tray.

"Thanks." Andie smiled, delighted to shift the attention off herself. She took a muffin in a napkin."No latte, I see."

There were a few chuckles. She looked toward Sharon Ann for at least a hint of a smile. The clerk was as tight as a drum this morning.

The door swung open, and in burst John O'Flynn, red-faced and sweating profusely."Jeez, guys, it's like a jungle out there, a zoo. The L.I.E. at rush hour. Unbelievable."

"O'Flynn," Sharon Ann confirmed derisively,"I was starting to think I was going to have to put out an APB on you. Nine-thirty tomorrow, Mr. O'Flynn." Sharon Ann tapped her pencil.

"Aye, aye, ma'am." O'Flynn saluted. He plopped himself on a chair next to Andie.

"Nine-thirty tomorrow?" Hector, a cable guy, groaned."You mean this trial's gonna last that long?"

"Eight weeks, Mr. Ramirez," Sharon Ann replied."Something better you have to do for the next two months?"

"Yeah, maybe earn a living," the cable guy replied glumly.

Sharon Ann went to the door."I'm going to check on how things are going. I want to remind you to observe the judge's instructions not to talk about the case."

"Sure." Everybody nodded. It took about two seconds after the door had shut for that to change.

"This Cavello guy"-Winston, the mechanic, still in his work clothes, looked around at the others-“I was reading up on him. Sounds like a pretty creepy dude."

"Murder, extortion, cramming body parts into the trunks of cars. It has a way of blocking the digestion," chortled Marc, the crime novelist.

Rosella put down her yarn."My huzban's a little scared. He said, ‘Whazzamatter, Rosie, you can't get yourself on a nice traffic dispute for a few days? You gotta get on with this wacko mobster?'"

"Hang on," Andie interrupted,"you heard the judge. We don't actually know he's wacko yet. We have to wait until we hear theevidence to determine he's wacko."