Page 45 of In This Moment
If that was Wendell’s role model, it was working. Luke couldn’t believe how joyful the man was, how sure that somehow God was going to give them a miracle. Luke only wished he felt the same way. As a lawyer, he’d seen several cases go his way when they shouldn’t have. But even then he had been mostly sure he would win.
This case was the opposite. He was almost certain they would lose. Something even Reagan and Luke’s father had recently expressed concern about. But truly, if Luke lost this case, he’d be okay. The religious freedom incidents would keep coming, and he would keep getting better at defending them. Barring some landmark decision against religious freedom from the Supreme Court, Luke would have a job in this area.
But Wendell... Wendell could be out of work tomorrow. The situation was that serious.
Luke surveyed the courtroom. Like most it was plain, with yellowy wood-paneled walls and two rows of chairs, six to a row, for the times when a jury was needed. The spectator section held another forty seats or so, and the judge’s desk sat at the center, on a platform high enough to preside over the room.
Wendell stepped into the space and approached Luke. A smile filled the man’s face. “It starts today. We’re going to win this thing.” He looked around. “Where do I sit?”
“With me.” Luke really liked the guy. Already he’d been to the man’s house and to his school. Wendell’s faith and his love for his family and his students were as genuine as sunshine. He was a good guy, and it was an honor to represent him. No matter how the case turned out.
“We’ll share this table.” Luke took the inside seat and Wendell sat in the outer one. Luke pointed to the table on the other side of the courtroom. “That’s where Andy Nelson and his attorney will sit.”
Wendell seemed to survey the situation. He nodded to the judge’s chair. “That’s for the judge?”
“Yes.”
“So the decision will come from there?” Wendell seemed to study the empty place. “Is that right?”
“I hope not.” Luke chuckled. The hearing was slated for ten that morning. “The goal today is to convince the judge that we need a trial. That there’s enough information on our behalf to at least let a jury decide.”
Wendell nodded. “That’s right.” He narrowed his eyes. “The other option is the judge decides and we win or lose today?”
Luke hesitated. “Yes.” If the judge decided without a jury, the case would most definitely go against them. He had been over that with Wendell. “That’s right.”
“Well, then, good thing I brought this.” Wendell set his briefcase on the table and pulled out the three presentation folders. “I made you copies of everything I have.” He handed the three folders to Luke. “Here you go.”
There was no kind way to explain that Wendell’s information couldn’t possibly win this case. Luke set the folders to the side of the table and smiled. “Thanks, Wendell. If cases were won or lost based on enthusiasm, we’d have a slam-dunk win.”
Next into the courtroom that morning were Jordy Quinn and Cami Nelson. Luke had met them at Hamilton High last week. The two were both in the Raise the Bar club, and if chemistry was any indication, the pair had a thing for each other.
Jordy walked to the edge of the spectator section and motioned for Luke to come closer. “Mr. Baxter, thank you for letting us be here today. All of our teachers signed off, so we could miss school.”
“You’re always welcome. It’s an open courtroom.” Luke admired the young man. Jordy was polite and well-spoken. It was obvious the boy had a strong faith, and the respect he showed his father was unusual for a high school senior.
Jordy looked at his father and then back at Luke. “I’m nervous for my dad, sir. I’ll do... whatever you need to help him out. I can testify or talk to the judge privately. Whatever would help.”
Luke stifled a smile. The young man could make a fine attorney one day. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you for the offer.”
As it neared ten o’clock, Andy Nelson and his attorney entered and took their seats. Andy looked angry and shut off. He didn’t make eye contact with Luke or Wendell, not even with his daughter—at least as far as Luke could tell. The two men whispered for a few minutes, and Andy nodded twice.
The bailiff stood at attention. “All rise...”
As soon as those in the courtroom were on their feet, the bailiff continued. “The Honorable Judge Catherine Wells.”
From a door behind her grand chair, the judge entered the room. She took her seat and motioned to the small crowd. “You may be seated.” She looked at her desk. “First on the docket isNelson versus Quinn.” The judge was in her late fifties. Luke had represented religious freedom cases in her courtroom three times before.
All cases Luke had won.
But that didn’t mean the woman was favorable to Christian beliefs or Luke Baxter. She always seemed put out about Luke’s defense. Like it was a waste of her time to even talk about the rights of people to practice religion in a public space.
The right to worship in private churches and homes was one thing. A public display of faith was another. In schools most of all.
Okay, Lord... we’re going to need You here. Please give me the words.When Wendell and Luke met together at the principal’s house, the two of them had prayed about today’s hearing. Luke wasn’t sure if Wendell understood the gravity of today’s proceeding.
But God did.
Since Andy Nelson was the plaintiff bringing the case, his attorney was permitted to go first. “The matter here is very simple, Your Honor.” Andy was represented by Eli Landsford, one of the most experienced antireligion lawyers in the business, a manipulative, fast-talking man from Washington, D.C. Landsford flew around the country taking cases that were easy antireligion wins.
