Bessie dresses very carefully the morning of her questioning by the defense. It’s been made very clear to her that his lawyers will attempt to rip her story to shreds. With one last glance, she heads down to the restaurant where the detectives are waiting with her family. They all give her too-bright smiles between bites of their breakfast. Protesting she’s unable to eat a thing, Bessie finally agrees to toast with honey and orange juice, the same as Leila is having.
After a last-minute briefing in an outer room, she heads hand-in-hand with Leila into the courtroom. Everything seems a blur. Nervously, she waits to be called.
“Breathe,” Lee advises. “Take big breaths.”
All too soon, she is reminded she is still under oath as she takes her seat. Today, she has been advised to look directl
