Page 74 of In This Moment
When he returned to his seat, he couldn’t stop the tears. Wendell wiped at them and tried to find his composure once more. Before court was adjourned for the day, Landsford rested his case. Tomorrow Luke would have his chance.
“I have a surprise for everyone.” Luke patted Wendell on the shoulder. “Today was perfect, Wendell. Absolutely perfect.”
“Only God could’ve worked things out the way they went today.”
“I agree.” Luke chuckled. “I have a feeling we’ll say the same thing tomorrow.”
Cami and Jordy and dozens of students were lined up behind the railing waiting to talk to Wendell. Alicia was waiting, too. But before Wendell could thank Luke again and move on, Andy Nelson approached the two of them.
By then, Landsford was gone. He had packed up his things and exited the courtroom without talking to the media. Andy, though, had remained at the plaintiff’s table and now, as he approached, Wendell could see tears on the man’s face.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Quinn. I never... I never meant to hurt you or... the students at Hamilton.”
Luke’s eyes grew wide, but he didn’t say anything. Wendell took the cue. “Well... I appreciate that. I’m sorry about you and your daughter. What’s happened between you.”
“I have a lot of work to do.” Andy pressed his lips together, obviously emotional. He looked at Luke. “But I’m making changes for the better.” He paused. “I assume you’ll call me as a witness tomorrow. When you present your defense.”
The look on Luke’s face told Wendell that his attorney was scrambling. “I... uh, yes. I’m planning on it.”
“Good.” Andy nodded at Luke and then Wendell. “Again... I’m sorry.”
With that he turned and left the courtroom. He avoided Cami and the other students and ignored the shouts from the reporters. Wendell watched him leave and then turned to Luke. “What in the world?”
“Exactly.” Luke looked dazed. Andy had testified on the first day of the trial. Landsford had kept his questions brief and functional. Establishing only that yes, Andy had filed the lawsuit. That left Luke no chance to cross-examine the man beyond those questions. “I thought Landsford didn’t ask enough questions the first time around. Maybe he knew that Andy had become a liability to the case.”
Wendell nodded. “I guess we’ll find out tomorrow.”
“I can hardly wait.” Luke smiled at Wendell as he gathered his paperwork. “Go greet your fans. They won the game for us today.”
“We serve a very good God, Luke.” Wendell patted his attorney on the shoulder.
“Yes.” Luke’s eyes softened. “Win or lose. That much will always be true.”
It took an hour for Wendell to greet the students. Alicia stayed by his side the whole time, saying hello to students she hadn’t seen in more than a year. Out in the parking lot there were two buses that had brought the students. A decision made by Wendell’s assistant principal.
Before the students took off, Jordy and Cami came up to Wendell and Alicia. His son hugged him and then looked straight into his eyes. “Dad... this idea was Cami’s and mine. I thought you should know.”
“I wondered.” Alicia gave Cami a hug. “What a wonderful thing to organize.”
“She got the booster club to make us the shirts a few days ago.” Jordy smiled at the girl. He was clearly proud of her.
“Wow... that’s... that’s amazing.” Wendell thought about the unkind things he’d said about her and her father the other night. He smiled at the girl. “Thank you, Cami. Jordy tells me the two of you have gotten very close.”
A slight blush worked its way across Cami’s cheeks. “We have. Yes, sir.”
Jordy took hold of Cami’s hand. He had never looked happier.
“Well, then.” Wendell smiled from Cami to Jordy. “When all this is over, I hope you’ll join us for dinner.”
Cami beamed. “I will. Thank you, sir.” Her smile faded some. “I’m sorry again. About all this.”
“It’s not your fault.” He patted the girl’s shoulder. “Besides, Jordy reminded me a few days ago. God’s got it.”
Wendell walked Alicia to her car just as a dark SUV sped out of the far side of the parking lot. She stopped and shaded her eyes, watching the vehicle leave. “There it is.”
“What?” Wendell followed her gaze. “Is that the car? The one you’ve seen following you?”
“I think so.” She sighed and turned to Wendell. “I never see it in the daylight. Sometimes I think it’s all in my mind.” She wrapped her arms around Wendell and hugged him. “Tell me it’s all in my mind.”
