It required a day and a half of phone tag with his contact in the Seattle prosecutor’s office for Gerrum to come up with the name and number for the clerk of courts for the Johnson County Kansas District Court. The morning after he spoke to that individual, Gerrum stuck his head in ZimoviArt and invited Hailey for coffee. She put up the back-in-fifteen-minutes sign, locked the door, and walked with him over to Maude’s. Once they had mugs of coffee in front of them, he outlined what he’d learned.
“Bottom line, while the county should still have the transcript, they might not be willing to go looking for it, but if they do, they’ll charge you for a copy. A one-week trial could run you several hundred dollars.”
Hailey’s face fell at the news.
“However, since it was first degree murder, there’s another possibility. The verdict was likely appealed. That means the defense attorney may have a copy of the transcript.”
“But he might be retired.” Hailey wrinkled her brow. “Or dead. He was old.”
Adults all look old to children the age Hailey had been. At least Gerrum hoped that was true, or he’d have little chance of getting his hands on the transcript, and he wanted to be able to do that for her.
“You have to decide. If you go ahead, it’s going to take time and effort to track this down.”
She was silent a long time, looking past him out the window. Finally she sighed. “I want to try. Will you help me? I’ll pay you for your time.”
“I’m happy to help, but only as a friend.”
“You’re a good man, Gerrum Kirsey. If Clen didn’t have a firm hold on your heart, I’d be tempted to hang in there.” She smiled.
It wasn’t much of a smile, but he smiled back, feeling uncomfortable and at a total loss for a more appropriate response.
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