Kathy Hogan Trocheck - Truman Kicklighter 01 - Lickety-Split by Kathy Hogan Trocheck Page A

faxed me the medical records, which I’ve faxed over to the state’s attorney.”
    “All rise,” the bailiff intoned. But no judge entered the courtroom. Instead they saw a light glowing red on the top of the television camera.
    They all stood up. Howie gathered his papers. “They’re going to hear Mel’s case first,” he said, “because of his medical condition.”
    Howie stood by Mel and took him gently by the elbow, steering him to the podium in front of the camera.
    The judge on the television monitor was saying something, but Truman couldn’t make it out. He was apparently asking Mel a question, but Mel, frail and confused, only looked around the room.
    “Your Honor,” Howie said loudly. “My client was diagnosed as having Alzheimer’s disease six months ago. In light of his incompetence, we would ask that the district attorney drop all charges and that Mr. Wisnewski be released to his wife’s custody.”
    The judge said something else then that Truman couldn’t hear.
    “Yes, sir,” Howie said. “Mr. Wisnewski and his wife have wintered here for the past fourteen years. Mrs. Wisnewski has agreed that she’ll make arrangements to stay in Florida for as long as the court stipulates. My client has ties to the community, and he has no record of forfeiting any bonds.”
    The picture on the television was so fuzzy, Truman couldn’t make out whether the judge was a man or a woman. “Hell of a way to have a trial,” he muttered to Pearl.
    Now Howie was trying to object to something. “That incident was more than forty years ago and has no relevance to the charges against my client,” he said, getting a little hot under the collar. “Mrs. Wisnewski has power of attorney and has stated that she is able to manage Mr. Wisnewski’s care and supervision,” he said.
    Truman turned his head so that his good right ear was facing the television. He could make out the words “nursing home” and “condition of release,” but that was all.
    “What’d he say?” he asked Pearl. But Pearl shook her head. “I don’t know.”
    A moment later Howie was ushering Mel away from the camera. He brought Mel to the back of the courtroom and motioned Pearl and Truman over.
    “What happened?” Pearl asked. She grasped Mel’s hand, but he tried to shake her off. She bit her lip.
    “The judge threw us a curveball,” Howie said. “I’d gotten the state’s attorney to agree to dropping the charges with no stipulations, but the judge decided different. He’ll drop the manslaughter charge, but only if we get Mel admitted to an approved nursing home.”
    “A nursing home,” Pearl gasped. “I want him with me. I’ll take care of Mel. He doesn’t need to be in a nursing home. That would kill him.”
    “The judge doesn’t see it that way,” Howie said. “It’s a take-it-or-leave-it situation. If we don’t accept, Mel will go back to jail and he’ll be tried for manslaughter. We don’t really have a choice, Pearl.”
    “Mel?” Pearl put her face close to her husband’s and cupped her hands on either side of his face. “Mel? Do you know me today?”
    His pale blue eyes blinked furiously and he worked his mouth, but no sound came out.
    “Oh God,” Pearl groaned. “He’s never been this bad. Never.” She looked over at Howie. “When?”
    The lawyer shrugged. “As soon as we can find an available bed. How’s your insurance?”
    “Insurance? Mel always took care of all that.”
    Truman put an arm around Pearl’s shoulders. “Mel was always so organized. I’ll bet he has all the papers right together. There’s probably an insurance card in his billfold. It’s funny. My Nellie was the one who took care of that stuff in our family. When she got sick, I had to take over. I can help, if you like.”
    “I’ll have my secretary start calling around to look for a bed on Monday,” Howie said. “Pearl, are you sure you can handle Mel by yourself for a while? Do we need to think about a private-duty