Part 3, Alice, Chapters 21-22 Summary

Rafferty's first witness is Robbie's preschool teacher, Linda Gildner, who tries not to mention his bad behavior but concedes that he is troubled, belligerent, and manipulative. Alice sees evidence of Rafferty coaching Gildner. In cross-examination, Dirks denigrates Gildner's credentials and crushes her. When Rafferty warns her not to start feeling sorry for Robbie, Alice pictures Dyshett's reaction. Rafferty next calls James "Grinder" Perkins, who readily describes his brief sex life with Carol Mackessy. It always takes place at her house and he assumes that her son is elsewhere. Alice dislikes Howard's sizing Perkins up as a redneck, which further chills relations between them. Next is Nancy Sheridan, Rafferyt's dream come true. A meanderer, reticent to talk about sex, Sheridan recalls a frightened-looking Robbie brings her into his house to see Carol on all fours, being ridden and...