Missing Witness by Craig Parshall Page B

factual issues—on the circumstances of Isaac Joppa’s life? The piracy charges against him? The likelihood that you might be able to disprove any complicity between him and Edward Teach?”
    â€œI had only gone so far as to contact the one guy that I believe knows more about local history around here than anybody else.”
    â€œAnd who is that?”
    â€œA fella by the name of August Longfellow. He’s a real piece of work, this guy. A little on the eccentric side. He used to teach regional history and a bunch of other stuff over at Duke University. He’s semiretired. Now he’s mostly writing books—I think he’s working on one about the history of the Outer Banks. He’s also published some poetry. I think he still teaches a class—some kind of philosophy class.”
    â€œWhat was your purpose in retaining him?”
    â€œActually, I had thoughts about his testifying as an expert witness. He’s published two different books on piracy and regional historical events down here along the Banks. I figured he was the logical place to start. I mean, really, how do you put together three hundred years of history? Go back to the early 1700s. Put together the life of someone that the history books are silent about. We know there was a criminal indictment filed by the grand jury and an arrest warrant by the local magistrate there in the city of Bath. Then this Isaac Joppa character ends up getting killed in the big battle involving Blackbeard, where most of the pirates are either killed or captured. Really, where do you go from there?” Beckford let his voice trail off in a way that implied the absence of any logical answers.
    â€œYou’ve pretty well analyzed it the same way I did,” Will said. “Did you tell Reverend Joppa how difficult this case was going to be for him to prove?”
    Beckford nodded. “Told him that over and over again. I have to say, he’s a nice fella. Easygoing. Always responded to my requests for information. Cooperative. And he’s no slouch. You know the guy played triple-A baseball, don’t you?”
    â€œNo, I can’t say that I did,” Will said with surprise.
    â€œYeah, from what he told me, I think he had aspirations of going into the majors. That was a long time ago, of course. You know the different kinds of clients. There are some that are really gung-ho. And you know that they’re going to fight, bare knuckles and all, until the bitter end. Joppa isn’t like that. He’s a pretty easygoing guy. Which surprised me.”
    â€œWhat surprised you?” Will asked.
    â€œThat he wanted to persist in this case. Even after we lost the appeal. Even though it was apparent he’d have to perform a near-impossible historical feat in order to get that island. I really don’t know what is driving him to continue this case. Maybe it’s the money.”
    â€œI heard that there’s some real estate development interest in that island. Possibly condos.”
    â€œSure. I heard the same thing. In fact, Joppa confided that to me,” Beckford said. “I know they’re not paying him much over there at that church where he’s the pastor. On the other hand, he doesn’t strike me as one of these get-rich types.”
    Will was taking notes on his legal pad. Then he put his pen down and thought for a few seconds.
    â€œDid this Longfellow guy give you any indication you’d be able to prove Isaac Joppa’s innocence?”
    â€œI had only had one conversation with him. But he sounded downright optimistic about that.”
    â€œDid he say what kind of evidence he was talking about?” Will asked with increased curiosity.
    â€œNot really,” Beckford replied. “I do remember him saying something about a woman, though. Or was it women? More than one woman in his life? I’m not sure.”
    â€œA woman, as in—a romantic interest?”
    â€œI