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I disconnect the call and place my phone back in my bag. I drop my head into my hands and try to calm myself down to stop the millions of thoughts swarming my mind. “Everything okay?” Liam asks, squinting as if he’s nervous to hear what I’m about to say.
“The public defender thinks I can help Madden during the arraignment. I can’t say no. She’s just a little kid.”
Liam adjusts his backward cap and leans back in his chair, stretching out his legs closer to my feet. “I get it. My life’s work is with kids. They’re hard to walk away from in a time of need. I admire you for doing what you can for her, especially with everything that family has already put you through.” Liam takes my hand from the side of my face and squeezes it in his. “You’re a good person. Good people are hard to come by these days.”
I’m not sure there’s such a thing as a good person.
The waiter brings our food to the table and asks if there’s anything else he can get for us. I need a lot but nothing he can get for me.
“We’re good, thank you,” Liam says.
“Hey, Mr. Gellar!” We both twist around in our seats, looking toward the source of the shout. A young kid in board shorts and a surfer T-shirt with chin-length messy blonde hair holds his hand up toward Liam as he walks toward us. “The answer to that last question was Radiohead, ‘Exit Music.’”
“You looked it up, didn’t you?” Liam grips the arm rests of his chair with a look of shock.
“No, I knew the answer, but the bell rang.”
“That’s fair, but for extra credit, tell me which Shakespeare play the song was inspired by?” Liam asks him.
“Romeo and Juliet.”
“Yes! Yes! Way to go, buddy. This is why I teach, Mr. Henning. Right here.” Liam waves at the kid with pride. “Those two extra points you needed on the final are yours. Enjoy your summer.”
The boy lunges for Liam and gives him a quick hug. “Thanks Mr. Gellar. You, too! And you too, Mrs. Gellar!”
“Oh, no…”
He’s gone before I can tell him he’s mistaken and that I’m not Mr. Gellar’s wife. But I guess that’s not important with the cheesy grin plastered across Liam’s face.
He’s clearly passionate about what he does. It’s rare to meet a person and feel like you just know them instantly, but he just has a way about him that draws people in—like he’s carefree without a worry in the world. It’s refreshing. He’s drawn me in, even as a wrecking ball swings through my life.
Maybe he could give me some pointers on how to conceal the pain we all seem to walk around with.
FORTY-ONE
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14TH 9:00 AM
Just when I think I’ve reached the end of this ordeal, I get thrown back into the ring. I take a seat toward the back of the courtroom, feeling like I have no reason to be here if they are just requesting a plea from Madden. However, as I settle down and glance toward the front of the courtroom, I notice Lara and Corbin seated at one table with their attorney, and Madden at a table across the row sitting beside Jared Keffner. Then there’s Blakely with an older woman sitting in the second row.
Lara and Corbin are both silent, staring down at the tabletop. Madden scans the room, eventually spotting me. She smiles and gives me a quick wave, which attracts Lara and Corbin’s attention. They do not smile or wave in my direction because I’m obviously part of their deranged plan that worked against them.
As inconspicuously as I can, I give Madden a small wave in return with a quick smile.
I’m curious if Lara and Corbin will have their own arraignment or if this is all grouped into one session. Lara made herself look guilty when she ran from the police the other day. I can’t imagine her hands are completely clean here today. Though fleeing the police is a different crime than what they are accusing Madden of.
“All rise for Judge Evans,” the court bailiff announces as she stands next to the door behind the bench. I straighten my black skirt and dry my clammy hands off on the sides of my legs.
The judge, an elderly man without a speck of hair on his head and a bull-dog grimace makes his way to his seat, adjusts his black robe, and sits. “Be seated,” he says.
The courtroom is silent except for heavy breaths, and bodies squirming in their seats. The room isn’t full, but there are press with notepads, the psychologist, social worker, and a handful of people on the other side behind Lara and Corbin too.
I take my notebook and pen out of my bag, planning to take down notes for whatever reason there might be, but also, the case study I will be writing.
“Good morning,” Judge Evans says, holding his focus on the pile of papers pinched between his fingers. “We are here for the arraignment of Madden Smith.” He glances over his podium and down to the table where Madden is seated. “Miss Smith, you are present today because you have been accused of a crime pertaining to your missing sister. Do you understand this?”
Jared leans toward Madden and whispers something.
“Yes, Your Honor.”
