Chapter summaries The Hamptons Lawyer James Patterson & Mike Lupica

The Hamptons Lawyer Chapter 61: Sixty-One Summary

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

The chapter opens with the defense attorney (the narrator) recalling a late-night courtesy call from prosecutor Katherine Welsh the previous evening. Welsh informed him that she had changed the order of her witnesses. Instead of beginning with the first detective to arrive at the Carson home, she would now call Jimmy Cunniff first. The attorney, having been awake after Brigid fell asleep in his guest room, simply told Welsh to do what she had to do.

In court the next day, Welsh announces Jimmy Cunniff as the prosecution’s first witness. The defense team is caught off guard—Norma Banks starts to react but is silenced by the attorney’s gesture. Jimmy enters the courtroom in his best suit, freshly shaved and with polished shoes, but his demeanor is that of a grumpy and potentially hostile witness. Although he has testified many times as a New York City police officer, this situation is entirely different for him.

Defendant Rob Jacobson, sitting beside his lawyer Thomas McGoey, is visibly angry. He leans toward the defense attorney and hisses about not being given advance notice. The attorney responds with a sly smile, asking if it is as unpleasant to be on the receiving end of a surprise as it is to deliver one.

Key Events

  • Prosecutor Katherine Welsh calls defense attorney the night before to inform him of a witness change.
  • Welsh decides to call Jimmy Cunniff first instead of the initial responding detective.
  • In court, Welsh calls Jimmy Cunniff as her opening witness.
  • Norma Banks begins to protest but is immediately stopped by the defense attorney.
  • Jimmy Cunniff, a former NYC cop, takes the stand looking tense and out of place.
  • Rob Jacobson angrily confronts his attorney about the lack of warning.
  • The defense attorney responds with a pointed remark about enjoying the defendant’s discomfort.

Character Development

  • Defense Attorney (Narrator): Shows strategic composure. He accepts the prosecutor’s move without objection, displaying confidence. His whispered jab at Jacobson reveals a willingness to use psychological tactics and a hint of satisfaction in turning the tables.
  • Rob Jacobson: Previously seen as a powerful figure, here he is blindsided and angry, revealing his vulnerability and lack of control in the courtroom.
  • Katherine Welsh: Demonstrates strategic cunning by altering her witness order without losing procedural fairness. Her courtesy call suggests respect for the rules but also a desire to unsettle the defense.
  • Jimmy Cunniff: Presented as a reluctant witness. His polished appearance contrasts with his grim mood, hinting at personal conflict about testifying against Jacobson.
  • Norma Banks: A member of the defense team who reacts emotionally to the surprise but is quickly restrained, showing her protective instinct and the team’s hierarchy.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Surprise and Control: The chapter revolves around the element of surprise in legal strategy. Welsh’s change disrupts the defense’s expectations, and Jacobson’s reaction underscores how quickly control can shift.
  • Reversal of Fortune: The defense attorney’s final comment directly mirrors a dynamic likely experienced by Jacobson in other contexts. The motif of “turning the tables” is central to the chapter’s tension.
  • Courtroom as Battlefield: The opening of a trial is depicted as a tactical clash. Welsh’s choice to lead with Cunniff is a calculated blow, and the defense attorney’s retort frames the proceeding as a series of attacks and counterattacks.
  • Appearance vs. Reality: Jimmy Cunniff’s clean, professional appearance contrasts with his inner hostility and the weight of his testimony, highlighting the performative nature of testifying.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter sets the trial’s opening tone by establishing the prosecution’s aggressive strategy and the defense’s readiness to counter. It deepens the tension between Rob Jacobson and his legal team, particularly the defense attorney, whose relationship with the defendant appears frayed. The surprise witness change signals that Welsh will not follow a predictable script, forcing the defense to adapt immediately. The chapter also provides insight into the defense attorney’s mindset—calculating, slightly vengeful, and confident in his ability to handle courtroom shocks. For the reader, it raises questions about Jimmy Cunniff’s relationship to the case and what damaging testimony he might offer.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does prosecutor Welsh call the defense attorney the night before changing her witness order?
    Answer: She calls as a professional courtesy, knowing the defense cannot object to the change because it is within her rights. The call also serves to maintain an appearance of transparency while still springing the surprise in court.

  2. What does the defense attorney’s whispered remark to Rob Jacobson reveal about his strategy?
    Answer: It reveals that he may be intentionally withholding information from Jacobson to teach him a lesson or to highlight the defendant’s lack of control. The remark suggests a power struggle within the defense team and a possible personal grudge.

  3. How does Jimmy Cunniff’s appearance and demeanor contrast with his experience as a police witness?
    Answer: Although Cunniff is a seasoned testifier, this case is different for him. His unusually polished look and grumpy attitude indicate that he is uncomfortable with his role, likely because he is testifying against someone he once worked with or respected, rather than against a stranger.

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