After Before and After

Phase 4: Chapter 55

January 22, 1993. 8:12 AM.

Ralph Langley walked into the Chatham County Juvenile Courthouse that Friday morning blissfully unaware and unprepared. It wasn't until he, Jeffery, and Laurie were pulled into one of the deliberation rooms by Zoey that he realized something was wrong. But it wasn't the meeting itself that indicated trouble. Since they started making ground on the Bennett case, Zoey had been meeting with the Langley family both before court and during the noon recess everyday. It was when the four of them sat down and for the first time, Zoey didn't speak right away. Instead, she had a pitiful or regretful look on her face, one Ralph couldn't quite identify. All he knew for sure was that it wasn't good.

"What's going on?" Ralph broke the heavy silence to question, his eyes glued on his attorney.

"There's been a change in the schedule for today" Zoey announced, her voice mirroring the pitiful or regretful look that remained on her face. "I informed you yesterday that the agents of the Flag State who would be testifying today interviewed subjects five through eight on the defendant roster. However, I was informed quite late last night that Barnes and Murray have decided to mix up the order of witnesses scheduled to appear, and Agent Danielle Coleman will be testifying today instead."

Jeffery, after exchanging confused looks with both his son and wife as Zoey broke the news, now opened his mouth to speak. But before he could, Ralph piped up in a panic.

"Coleman?" the boy questioned anxiously. "She's one of the ones who interviewed me!" he continued, talking quickly with worry.

"Yes, Ralph, I know. I know this is last minute, and--" Zoey tried to explain.

"They can't play my tape!" Ralph interrupted as he stood up, his anxiety devolving into frustration. "They just can't. Not today. I'm not ready for that" he declared as if he had a say in the matter.

"Ralph" Jeffery grabbed his arm in an effort to relieve Zoey of some of the heat. "Sit down, kiddo, it's okay. Zoey's here to prepare you for--"

"No!" Ralph snatched his arm from his father's grasp. "I can't do this" he added after a moment as his heart rate began to slowly but surely come back down. The adults held the silence so Ralph could calm down, and after a moment, he did. He looked to each of them with sadness, shame, or perhaps both before sitting back down in defeat.

"You don't have to do any of this by yourself, baby" Laurie spoke up, earning the attention of the other three in the heaviness.

"I know" Ralph practically whispered as he stared at his folded hands atop the table. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Ralph, I understand that this is an incredibly difficult thing to go through, especially at your age. I promised you that I would prepare you well in advance for any testimony that would be relevant to your case, and I wasn't able to deliver on that promise today" Zoey gently added to Laurie's attempt to de-escalate the situation. "It is me who owes you an apology."

"No it's okay, really" Ralph insisted, lifting his head just enough to catch her gaze. "I know you're doing everything you can. I'm sorry for freaking out like I did, I just wasn't expecting..."

"I know, but we have just over twenty minutes before we have to head over to the courtroom. I can advise you as best as possible with what time we do have now" the attorney proposed.

"Yeah" Ralph agreed, turning to his parents for an indication of their agreement as well. They both nodded at the boy, and then at Zoey. "Yes please" he looked back to Zoey to solidify his gratitude.

After spending what precious time they had preparing for the day's testimony, Ralph, his parents, and Zoey emerged from the deliberation room ten minutes to nine o'clock to make their way to the courtroom. Ralph only felt slightly better than he did when Zoey first announced the change in plan. Agent Coleman and her colleague with the Flag State who interviewed Ralph back in February of 1991 also interviewed Sheraton, Rapper, and Maurice. Parts of their tapes would be played and admitted into evidence today as well. Even knowing that did little to minimize Ralph's stress.