of what Wharton had done to those children。 It snapped his mind。 Just 。。。 What？ What now； in the name of God？〃
It wasn't just me and Brutal； Harry and Dean were looking at her； too； with a kind of horror。
〃We never reported anything like that； ma'am；〃 Harry said。 He spoke as if talking to a child。 〃The first thing people'd ask is why we didn't。 We're supposed to report anything our cell…babies say about prior crimes。 Theirs or anyone else's。〃
〃Not that we would've believed him；〃 Brutal put in。 〃A man like Wild Bill Wharton lies about anything； Jan。 Crimes he's mitted； bigshots he's known； women he's gone to bed with； touchdowns he scored in high school； even the damn weather。〃
〃But 。。。 but。。 〃 Her face was agonized。 I went to put my arm around her and she pushed it violently away。 〃But he was there！ He painted their goddamned barn！ HE ATE DINNER WITH THEM！〃
〃All the more reason why he might take credit for the crime；〃 Brutal said。〃 After all； what harm？ Why not boast？ You can't fry a man twice； after all。〃
〃Let me see if I've got this right。 We here at this table know that not only did John Coffey not kill those girls； he was trying to save their lives。 Deputy McGee doesn't know all that； of course； but he does have a pretty good idea that the man condemned to die for the murders didn't do them。 And still 。。。 still I 。 。 you can't get him a new trial。 Can't even reopen the case。〃
〃Yessum；〃 Dean said。 He was polishing his glasses furiously。 〃That's about the size of it。〃
She sat with her head lowered； thinking。 Brutal started to say something and I raised a hand； shushing him。 I didn't believe Janice could think of a way to get John out of the killing box he was in； but I didn't believe it was impossible； either。 Sh