Caine Mutiny, The - Herman Wouk [206]
“Oh, you think so? Well, frankly, so do I, but they’re still entitled to a good defense, and they can’t find themselves counsel, so-”
“I think they’ll be acquitted. That is, sir, if there’s a halfway intelligent defense-”
Breakstone arched his brows. “Oh, you do?”
“Keith and Stilwell certainly will be. So will Maryk, if the case is handled with any brains. I guess I could get them off.”
The legal officer was baffled by this arrogance, expressed in hesitant, diffident tones by the slouching lieutenant. “Please tell me how.”
“Well, the charge is absurd, for one thing. Making a mutiny. There’s no question of force or violence or disrespect. Maryk was damned careful to stay on legal ground. He misapplied Article 184 to commit a mutinous act, but the article’s there in the books. The toughest charge that could possibly stick would be conduct to the prejudice of good order or discipline-as I say, though, it’s none of my affair-”
The captain’s opinion of Lieutenant Greenwald took a sharp turn upward, because Greenwald’s criticism of the charge was a point he had noted himself. “Don’t forget you’re reading the board of investigation’s recommendations, Greenwald, not the formal charge. I’m drawing up the formal charge, and as a matter of fact it is conduct to prejudice. It was a one-man board, a captain from the mine force here, and I don’t think he ever saw Courts and Boards before they sent him over to the Caine. That’s the trouble around here, we’re shorthanded, and nobody who’s available knows any law. When a guy like yourself comes along, and you’re on the loose, pretty much, why, I think it’s your duty to make yourself available-” Breakstone pressed a buzzer, and lit a cigar with gestures of short temper. Lieutenant Commander Challee came to the doorway:
“Yes, sir? Hello, Barney-”
“Challee, your friend here seems to think the case is too easy or something. He can lick you with one hand tied behind him, only he doesn’t want to, or words to that effect-”
“Captain Breakstone, I’m sorry I ever got involved,”‘ said Greenwald. “Jack asked me if I minded helping out on a court-he didn’t tell me any details-and I said I’d be glad to. Making out air priorities is pretty dull work. I just don’t want to defend these Caine people. Captain Queeg obviously is not crazy. The psychiatrist’s report proves it. These fools find a paragraph in Navy Regs that gives them ideas, and they gang up on a skipper who’s mean and stupid-as a lot of skippers are-and make jackasses of themselves, and put a ship out of action. I’m a damn good lawyer and a very expensive one, and I don’t see contributing my services to get them acquitted. If you’ve-”
“You’re pretty goddamn cocksure about getting an acquittal,” said Breakstone, chewing his cigar.
“They can be gotten off.”
“I’d like to know how,” said Challee. “If ever I saw a plain case-”
“Lieutenant Greenwald, nobody can compel you to defend these birds,” said the legal officer. “But you seem to be pretty red hot on principles, to hear you talk. I think you’ve talked yourself into defending Maryk. Eight officers, including four legal specialists, have ducked the case. I haven’t heard anybody except you give him a chance of getting off. The. first requirement for a good counsel is confidence in his case. I trust you believe in the principle that the worst criminal is entitled to the best defense?”
Greenwald looked down at his fingernails, his boyish mouth loosely open, his eyes sad. “I’d be here forever on this case. Suppose I get my medical okay-”
“There’ll be plenty of war left for polishing your medals,” said the legal officer.
“Are you going to try all three?”
“Maryk first. We’ll hold off on the Keith and Stilwell cases till we see what happens. That’s what I’m recommending to the admiral, anyway. He generally does what I say.”
“When will the court-martial start?”
Breakstone looked to his assistant, who said, “I think we can get it on in two weeks, sir, if Captain Blakely’s available to preside. He said he’d let me know this afternoon.