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“Yes, all of them.”
“On both sides?”
“What do you mean?”
“Did you ever at any time feel that you were coerced into anything?”
“I don’t know if I felt coerced. Sometimes I did feel…pressure, I guess.”
Candace smiled at him like he was an idiot. “That counts.”
She turned her attention back to the parents. “Unfortunately, the age of consent in Georgia is sixteen, so that rules out statutory rape. But if we can prove she’s lying, we can get her on making false statements and sexual misconduct. We may even be able to sue her in civil court once everything shakes out. But it’s gonna be an uphill battle from here, so we need to settle in and prepare.”
Joe took his seat next to Iesha. “My head is spinning right now. Okay, how will this affect his football career? And his future?”
“Right now, this is just an allegation. But these things often become public knowledge, especially when they involve teachers and students. If she’s doing this to punish him, then she might even leak it herself. As far as what that means for his future, well…I think we all know how public opinion works for boys like Bakari. Unfortunately.”
His father dropped his head. His mother sobbed quietly into her palm. Bakari knew this was her worst nightmare come true. Mrs. Beardon was older than him, in a position of authority over him, she had the ability to ruin his life, and she couldn’t use his comb.
Candace put her hand on Bakari’s shoulder and spoke only to him. “I’ll do everything I can to get you out of this, but I’m gonna need you to be completely honest with me. You’re gonna have to share some things you would never want your parents to hear. Can you promise you’ll tell me the truth?”
“Yes, definitely. I’ll do anything. I promise.”
“Okay. First thing we need to do is meet with the detective who’s handling her case. The sooner the better.”
“How about now?” Joe asked.
Candace walked back around to her desk and picked up the phone. “Let me see what I can do.”
DetectiveEigerwasagrizzled old white man with a white mustache and bald white head to match. The sight of him made Bakari’s blood run cold, and although the man hadn’t said much, Bakari doubted there would be any justice for him here.
“I’m curious,” the man said to Bakari. “How did you come to know that you’re under investigation?”
Candace spoke first. “The woman making the allegation called his mother and told her she reported him to the police.”
Eiger blinked and said nothing. Bakari sat sandwiched between his parents and waited to hear his fate. He thought about how grateful he was that he was big. He’d probably be put in adult jail, but they might think he was a grown man and leave him alone.
Eiger folded his hands over his stomach. “I’m gonna be candid with you and say there’s a reason I hadn’t contacted you yet.”
“And what reason is that?” Candace said.
“I have questions about the victim’s credibility.”
Bakari leaned forward and dared to get his hopes up. “You know she’s lying?”
“What I can tell you is I haven’t been able to corroborate most of the details in her written statement. If it’s okay with your parents and attorney, I’d like to go ahead and get your statement today. If you have proof you can offer to back up your side, this will go even quicker.”
“I’m ready. Right now,” Bakari answered.
Candace put her hand on his arm. “Not so fast. We need to get a few things straight, first.” She turned to Eiger. “Clearly you can see how eager my client is to prove his innocence.”
He nodded. “I understand.”
“And I’m sure you also understand that we won’t be giving a full statement today.”
Bakari started to speak, but Iesha poked his arm.
“Well, then why are you here?” Eiger asked.
