The Children in the Garden by R.A. Douthitt

Author:R.A. Douthitt
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Tags: Murder, Mystery & Detective Stories, Action & Adventure, Family, Crime, Boys, Young Adult, Ghosts, Friendship, Children
ISBN: 9780692326176
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Published: 2015-05-14T04:00:00+00:00

The courthouse was full of spectators and many reporters waiting to hear the verdict. There was standing room only, but Mr. Smith, the prosecutor, waved Mikey and his dad over to the pew directly behind the prosecutor’s table.

“Sit here,” he said. He grinned at Mikey who noticed the prosecutor wore a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up and his tie hung loosely around his neck. He had dark circles under his eyes. Mikey assumed the man hadn’t slept much in the last few weeks because of worry. Mikey knew this was one of those high profile cases he had read about in books.

“What do you think?” Sheriff Thompson asked Mr. Smith.

He slightly shrugged. “It’s usually a good sign when a jury reaches a verdict so quickly,” he said as he put his hands in his pockets. “But, we’ll see.”

Just then, the crowd settled down as the deputy escorted the defendant to his table. His attorney followed Mr. Davis who wore a brown suit with handcuffs around both wrists. When he arrived at the defense table, Mikey watched as the deputy uncuffed Mr. Davis who caught Mikey’s eye and smirked confidently at him.

Mikey nudged his dad who turned to see a smug Mr. Davis grinning at him.

“Sheriff,” he said and nodded. Then, he chuckled and sat down next to his attorney.

“Dad,” Mikey said in a shaky voice. “He doesn’t seem too worried. Do you think he knows something we don’t?”

“Nah,” his dad said.

“But what if he gets away with it?” Mikey nervously grabbed his dad’s arm. “What if he was able to scare the jury? What if—”

“Stay calm,” his dad said. He patted Mikey’s shoulder. “Everything’s gonna be alright.”

Mikey exhaled and agreed. He turned around, inspecting all the people standing in the back of the room. That’s when he saw Deputy Rogers sitting in the very back. He had his arms crossed across his chest but he didn’t seem to notice Mikey or the sheriff.

“Dad, look,” Mikey said as he nudged his dad. “Look who’s here.”

But before his dad could turn around, the bailiff entered the room and Mr. Smith took his jacket off the chair and put it on. He also adjusted his tie and used his hand to slick back his hair.

“All rise,” the bailiff said as he banged the gavel. Everyone in the room stood.

Mikey could feel the weight of Deputy Roger’s stare, but he didn’t turn around.

Judge O’Malley entered the room and sat at the bench. “Please be seated everyone.”

He adjusted himself in his chair and turned to his clerk. “Has the jury reached a verdict in this case?”

“Yes, your honor,” she replied and nodded to the foreman of the jury who held the verdict form in his hands. The bailiff retrieved the paper and handed it to the judge who read it silently and without reaction before passing it to the Clerk of the Court who stood at her desk next to the judge’s bench.

“Will the Clerk of the Court please read the verdict for the record,” the judge said in a monotone voice.

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