Family Bonds

Chapter 15, Episode 2

Ten days later, Chet looked at the room slowly filling with students and their guests. When Jane entered, she gave him a little wave and took a seat at the end of a row near the back. His breath took a little skip when Oliver entered, followed shortly thereafter by his parents. Oliver sat next to Jane and seemed to be talking with her. His mother sat on the other side of Oliver. She looked relaxed when Oliver spoke to her, but stiffened when his father touched her arm and leaned in her direction. He probably doesn't even want to be here. I'll bet Mom told him he had to come. Chet watched as the man vainly attempted to get his mother's attention.

The room was brought to order and the professor briefly explained that the purpose of the moot court was to give the senior students an opportunity to show how well—in advance of attending law school—they understood the principles behind presenting facts and questioning witnesses.

The first moot court finished to polite applause from the audience. Chet pressed his hands against his thighs. He'd practiced his questions so many times, but now he couldn't seem to remember the first sentence of his opening statement. I have to stay calm. His name was called.

Showtime. He rose and took his place at the defendant's table and watched as his classmate assuming the role of prosecuting attorney walked to her table. The young woman wore spike heels that added height. Her outfit emphasized her feminine form while retaining an air of successful professionalism. Chet hoped his suit made him look like he knew what he was doing.

Denise, the student acting as the defendant, took the witness chair. Chet approached her. Denise waited for him to ask her the questions they had practiced the evening before.

"Ms. Weldon. You are accused of taking money from the till where you work. Is that correct?"

"Yes." Her voice seemed louder than his own.

Chet raised his voice slightly. "Please tell us in your own words what happened the night the power went out." He listened while his client told her story. "And it was right before you went in the back to get your jacket that the manager accused you?"

"Objection!" The young woman assuming the prosecuting attorney's role stood up at her table. Her voice rang out. "Objection, your honor!"

"You need only say that once, Jennifer." The voice of the professor sounded quietly.

Jennifer seemed to blush as she started to sit down.

"What is the nature of your objection, Ms. Reyes?"

She hesitated then blurted, "He said the manager accused her. He didn't accuse her. He asked her where the money was."

"Do you wish to characterize what he said?" the professor hinted.

But Jennifer had resumed her seat.

Chet took another deep breath and waited for his pulse to stop racing, feeling rattled by Jennifer's interruption. Then he realized his opponent had not helped her own cause when she failed to characterize her objection. He hoped the jury noticed. He turned back to his witness.

"Let me rephrase. Could you tell me what the manager said to you, Ms. Weldon?"

The student grinned broadly and leaned forward in her chair. "He said I took the money. He accused me"—she glared at the student prosecutor—"like you said. What he said, Chet. I mean, Mr. Barton."

A smattering of laughter was heard from the audience.

Chet waited for the prosecutor to object again. Jennifer remained in her seat looking at her notes.