“That’s asking a lot, Theo.”
“Yes, sir, I know, but I’m pretty desperate right now. Nothing else has worked. I’ve tried to explain to my parents and to my principal that since I have an interest in this case that I should be allowed to at least know what’s going on.”
“An interest in the case?”
“Yes, sir. I think I’m one of the victims.”
“I don’t follow.”
“You see, Judge, I barely missed Honors, and it was probably because of the cheating at East Middle School.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“It’s not something we talk about, and, as far as I know, the names of the students who didn’t make it have not been made public. In fact, the names and scores are kept confidential.”
“I see. And what do your parents think about your being a victim?”
“I’m not sure they see my point. They certainly have not agreed to let me miss school and watch the hearing. I played hooky a couple of weeks ago, and they’re still pretty sore about that. But I make straight A’s, usually, and school is boring anyway. I think I’m ready for law school, to be honest.”
Judge Gantry took a deep breath and rubbed his eyes. He stood and stretched and seemed very tired. He paced around his desk a few times, scratching his chin, deep in thought. Theo watched and waited, somewhat surprised that he’d gotten this far with his scheme. It was a long shot, and he fully expected the judge to order him out of his office with stern instructions to mind his own business. He, Judge Henry Gantry, did not need the help of a thirteen-year-old in managing his courtroom.
“You know, Theo, I’m inclined to agree with you.”
“You are?” Theo blurted, stunned.
“Yes, I see your point, and it’s a good one. You and the other students who are in the same boat should be able to watch the hearing and see what happens.”
“Really? I mean, sure, Judge. I agree.”
Judge Gantry stepped to his desk, pressed a button on the intercom, and said, “Mrs. Hardy, would you please step in here?” He returned to his seat at the conference table and asked, “What time is school dismissed tomorrow?”
“Final bell is at three thirty, but my last period is a study hall that’s easy to get out of. I could be here around two thirty I think.”
“I wouldn’t want to start later than that.”
“Fine with me.”
Mrs. Hardy walked in and Judge Gantry said to her, “I’ve reviewed my docket for tomorrow, and I’m afraid the first few matters might run a bit longer than expected. I’m resetting the motion to dismiss for two thirty. Please call the offices of Jack Hogan and Mrs. Boone, then follow up with e-mails.”
“Certainly,” she said, looking at Theo and wanting to ask, “What have you done now?” But she left, and when the door was closed, Judge Gantry said, “It’s no big deal, really. These types of hearings get moved around all the time.”
“It’s your courtroom, right?” Theo asked.
“For now, anyway.”
“Thanks.”
“Run along now, and I’ll see you tomorrow. And, Theo, not a word of this to anyone. The courtroom is open to the public, and if the other students wish to attend, so be it. But let’s not advertise this, okay?”
Theo jumped to his feet and said, “Sure, Judge. See you tomorrow.” As he grabbed the doorknob he turned and said, “Say, Judge, you really don’t think they’re criminals, do you?”
“That’s enough, Theo. See you tomorrow.”
Chapter 24
Dinner was quiet. The Boones ate Chinese take-out in the den, and no one seemed interested in talking, which was unusual. Mr. and Mrs. Boone were thinking about the hearing tomorrow. Neither did much in the field of criminal law, and Theo sensed an uneasiness on their part. Mrs. Boone spent a lot of time in court, but almost always with divorce clients. Mr. Boone appeared before judges only once or twice a year. Theo was waiting for the right moment to bring up the subject of him missing study hall and hustling over to the courthouse at 2:30 to sit and watch it all. But, it was impossible to mention this when no one was talking. It had to be discussed, though, because Theo knew it was a bad idea to just show up without telling his parents why.
His first challenge would be to convince Mr. Mount that he was needed in court at 2:30, but he wasn’t too worried about that.
Finally, he said, “Why is everyone so quiet?”
His mother said, “Oh, sorry, Theo, I was just thinking about something else.”
Mr. Boone said, “I was just eating.”
“Well, don’t we always talk and eat at the same time?”
“Sure,” his mother said. “What do you want to talk about?”
“Well, we could talk about the conflict in the Middle East or that typhoon in the Philippines, but that’s not what you’re thinking about. I suspect you’re both worrying about tomorrow and the five clients that might be facing criminal trials and possibly going to jail. Right?”
Both of his parents smiled. His mother said, “Judge Gantry moved the hearing back to two thirty.”
“Oh really? Wonder why he did that.”
“It’s not that unusual. He’s a very busy judge with a crowded docket. I suppose you’ll hurry over after school and watch things.”
“If that’s okay?”
“I’m not so sure about that,” his father said. “It might not be a good idea for you to be in the courtroom.”
“The courtroom is open to the public, Dad. There will be a lot of people there—family members, school folks, reporters, maybe even some parents of eighth graders. It doesn’t seem fair to keep me away.”
“He’s right, Woods,” Mrs. Boone said. “There’s nothing private about the hearing. It will be splashed all over the newspaper Friday morning.”
“I agree,” Theo said. “So it’s okay if I show up?”
Both parents took a bite of rice at the exact same moment. His mother sort of nodded okay. His father sort of didn’t, but Theo knew he was home free.
When the 8:40 bell rang for homeroom, Theo had been talking to Mr. Mount for the past ten minutes. Mr. Mount s
aid, “I don’t know, Theo. If I excuse you from study hall I’ll have to inform Mrs. Gladwell. Any student leaving early must check out at the front office, you know that. She might still be a bit ticked off because you skipped a few days ago.”
“She’s always ticked off about something. That’s her job.”
“I don’t know.”
“Look, Mr. Mount, I had a chat with Judge Gantry yesterday in his office, and he thinks it’s important for me to be in the courtroom.”
“Seriously?”
“I wouldn’t lie to you. In fact, and you can’t tell anyone this, but it was my idea to postpone the hearing for a few hours. You know how it is in court—stuff is always getting delayed and postponed. He has a few matters first thing in the morning, and I sort of convinced him to bump the hearing to the afternoon so I can be there. He wants me there, Mr. Mount. I can send him an e-mail if you’d like.”
“No, no that’s okay. I’ll send a note to Mrs. Gladwell.”
“Thanks.”
By lunchtime, April was complaining of an upset stomach and seemed deathly ill. She called her mother who promptly called Miss Gloria and arranged for her to leave school as soon as possible.
When the bell rang at 2:20, Theo sprinted to his bike and sped off to court.
Chapter 25
Judge Gantry was settling himself on his perch at the bench when Theo and April eased into the balcony and took two seats in the front row. Looking down, they had a perfect view and could see everything but the very back of the courtroom. To the left, beyond the bar, was the defense table, crowded with the five teachers and Mr. and Mrs. Boone. To the right was the prosecution’s table where Mr. Jack Hogan and one of his assistants were seated. There was a nice crowd scattered throughout the spectators’ seats. Theo figured those watching were friends and families of the teachers, along with some reporters and school personnel. He recognized a few lawyers, a few of the same ones who were always hanging around the courtroom when something interesting took place.
Judge Gantry began properly with, “Good afternoon. We are here on a motion by the defendants to dismiss the charges of fraud and conspiracy filed against them. Let the record reflect that all five are here, along with their attorneys of record, the Honorable Marcella Boone and the Honorable Woods Boone.”
Theo often wondered why judges and lawyers insisted on referring to one another as “Honorable,” but he had never found a satisfactory answer. Ike scoffed at this practice, said it was because no one else considered them to be so honorable.
Judge Gantry said, “Mrs. Boone, as lead counsel, you have filed this motion, so you have the burden going forward. How many witnesses do you have?”
Mrs. Boone stood and replied, “Six or seven.”
“You may proceed.”
“The defense calls Dr. Carmen Stoop to the stand, Your Honor.”
Dr. Stoop rose from the front row, walked through the gate in the bar, and stopped at the witness stand where she raised her right hand and swore to tell the truth. When she was seated, she pulled the microphone a bit closer to her mouth and smiled at Mrs. Boone. She gave her name, address, and said she was the Superintendent of the Strattenburg City School District, a job she had held for the past eight years.