Fallen Hearts (Casteel 3)

"Despite her immature behavior in school, Fanny Casteel at least attended school more often that year, if we check those records, did she not, Mr. Meeks?"

"On the surface, I suppose you could say that."

"Mr. Meeks," Wendell said, suddenly looking sympathetic. "I understand how ya feel. Ta judge whether one adult woman is goin' ta be a better mother than another adult woman on the basis of junior high school is about as valid as lookin' into a fortuneteller's crystal ball, isn't it?"

"Objection, Your Honor," Camden said. "He's asking the witness to pass judgment on the value of his own testimony:"

"But Y'Honor, Mr. Lakewood's been askin' the court ta place validity on Mr. Meeks' judgment all along here."

"I don't see it that way, Mr. Burton," the judge said. "Mr. Lakewood has brought out factual data. Rest assured, I will be the one to pass judgment on the validity of the information. Objection sustained. Do you have any further questions for this witness, Mr. Burton?"

"None, Your Honor. Oh, yes. one more," he said, turning suddenly. "Mr. Meeks, recently Mrs. Stonewall brought Drake Casteel ta your school ta enter him as a student, did she not?"

"Yes." Mr. Meeks sat back, pressing his hands together as if in prayer.

"And ya entered the boy even though he is not quite of age, did ya not?"

"Yes, but--"

"In other words, ya made an exception ta please Mr. and Mrs. Stonewall?"

"No, not just to please them. We can make exceptions when a potential student shows

exceptional promise."

"Ah see. Then Mr. and Mrs. Stonewall's position and influence in this community had nothing ta do with yer decision?"

"Objection, Your Honor!"

"Or yer testimony here today?" Wendell Burton added quickly.

"Your Honor?" Camden pursued. I was glad to see he could be just as aggressive as Wendell Burton.

"Y'Honor, ah'm tryin' ta show that this witness is a prejudiced witness," Burton said.

"Mr. Burton, I've already told you, I am concerning myself only with the factual data Mr. Meeks has brought to this courtroom, not with his subjective evaluation. Therefore, it is unnecessary to try to prove his prejudice in the matter. Now, do you have any further questions?"

"No, Y'Honor."

"I have one more question, Your Honor," Camden said.

"Proceed."

"Mr. Meeks, recently Mrs. Stonewall returned to the Winnerow Schools and worked as a teacher there.

Based upon your objective evaluation as her principal, how did you rate her work?"

"She did very well. The students took to her, she knew her subject matter, and the staff accepted her." "Then she related well to children?"

"Oh, yes. They missed her when she left and I was disappointed when she decided not to return," Mr. Meeks said. It brought tears to my eyes to hear him say that, and it reminded me of how sad I had felt when I turned away from teaching to live at Farthy. Logan sensed my feelings and reached under the table to take my hand.

"Thank you. No further questions, Your Honor." "You may step down, Mr. Meeks."

"Your Honor," Camden said, "we would like to call the Reverend Wayland Wise to the stand."

This time there was a soft sound from the audience as if they had all sucked in their breath together. Reverend Wise, who was standing way in the rear of the courtroom, began his slow but deliberate progress toward the witness chair. Never did he look more fierce and distinguished. People in the aisle seats leaned away as though he were parting the air before him as he walked, just like Moses parted the Red Sea. Even the judge looked impressed. The reverend's voice was loud and firm as he was sworn in. He didn't just rest his hand on the Bible. He clutched it. His face was serious, his eyes as intent as they were in church when he seemed to be looking directly into

the face of the Devil and defying him with his biblical words.