Theodore Boone: The Scandal

Chapter 23

Wednesday afternoon, the five schoolteachers arrived at Boone & Boone for a big meeting. They gathered in the conference room with Mr. and Mrs. Boone, along with Vince and Dorothy. Elsa stayed at the front desk to answer the phone and do her work, and Theo watched and listened as much as possible, but heard nothing. “I think you’d better stay in your little room,” Elsa warned him, and he retreated, again in defeat.

He had one last trick up his sleeve. A few minutes before five, he hopped on his bike and rode to the courthouse. Judge Gantry’s courtroom was empty, just as Theo hoped. He walked down the hall to his office and said hello to Mrs. Hardy. She was arranging things on her desk and getting ready to leave.

“Is the judge in?” Theo asked.

“Yes, but he’s very busy.”

“I just need a minute.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

Five minutes later, Theo walked into Judge Gantry’s large office. “Well, hello, Theo,” the judge said. “What brings you here?”

“I need a favor,” Theo said somewhat nervously.

“What a surprise. I’m sure it has something to do with the hearing tomorrow. Let me guess — you believe that we cannot properly conduct matters unless you’re present in the courtroom. Right?”

“Something like that. Just curious, Judge, how long do you think it will last?”

“Couple of hours. It’s not a trial, you know, just a hearing with a few witnesses and the attorneys arguing back and forth.”

“And what time will you start?”

“It’s scheduled for nine a.m., but there are a couple of matters on the docket before it. Some routine motions and such that shouldn’t take too long. Why do you ask?”

“Well, Judge, as you know I spend a lot of time in the courtroom, more than any other kid I know, and it’s not unusual for things to get delayed. Lawyers show up late, or the police, or the bailiffs can’t get the people over from the jail on time. Or some lawyer doesn’t have his paperwork in order, or a fifteen-minute hearing runs for an hour or more. Anyway, as you well know, there are a lot of reasons for things to run behind schedule.”

“I run a pretty tight ship, Theo, if I do say so myself.”

“Yes, sir, I know that, and I’ve watched other judges who are not as organized as you. But, still, things do get delayed, you know.”

“Oh, I see. You want me to slow everything down in the morning.”

“Well, what I had in mind was more like moving the hearing back to one or two in the afternoon, then sort of stalling until school is out.”

“That’s asking a lot, Theo.”

“Yes, sir, I know, but I’m pretty desperate right now. Nothing else has worked. I’ve tried to explain to my parents and to my principal that since I have an interest in this case that I should be allowed to at least know what’s going on.”

“An interest in the case?”

“Yes, sir. I think I’m one of the victims.”

“I don’t follow.”

“You see, Judge, I barely missed Honors, and it was probably because of the cheating at East Middle School.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“It’s not something we talk about, and, as far as I know, the names of the students who didn’t make it have not been made public. In fact, the names and scores are kept confidential.”

“I see. And what do your parents think about your being a victim?”

“I’m not sure they see my point. They certainly have not agreed to let me miss school and watch the hearing. I played hooky a couple of weeks ago, and they’re still pretty sore about that. But I make straight A’s, usually, and school is boring anyway. I think I’m ready for law school, to be honest.”

Judge Gantry took a deep breath and rubbed his eyes. He stood and stretched and seemed very tired. He paced around his desk a few times, scratching his chin, deep in thought. Theo watched and waited, somewhat surprised that he’d gotten this far with his scheme. It was a long shot, and he fully expected the judge to order him out of his office with stern instructions to mind his own business. He, Judge Henry Gantry, did not need the help of a thirteen-year-old in managing his courtroom.

“You know, Theo, I’m inclined to agree with you.”

“You are?” Theo blurted, stunned.

“Yes, I see your point, and it’s a good one. You and the other students who are in the same boat should be able to watch the hearing and see what happens.”

“Really? I mean, sure, Judge. I agree.”

Judge Gantry stepped to his desk, pressed a button on the intercom, and said, “Mrs. Hardy, would you please step in here?” He returned to his seat at the conference table and asked, “What time is school dismissed tomorrow?”

“Final bell is at three thirty, but my last period is a study hall that’s easy to get out of. I could be here around two thirty I think.”

“I wouldn’t want to start later than that.”

“Fine with me.”

Mrs. Hardy walked in and Judge Gantry said to her, “I’ve reviewed my docket for tomorrow, and I’m afraid the first few matters might run a bit longer than expected. I’m resetting the motion to dismiss for two thirty. Please call the offices of Jack Hogan and Mrs. Boone, then follow up with e-mails.”

“Certainly,” she said, looking at Theo and wanting to ask, “What have you done now?” But she left, and when the door was closed, Judge Gantry said, “It’s no big deal, really. These types of hearings get moved around all the time.”

“It’s your courtroom, right?” Theo asked.

“For now, anyway.”

“Thanks.”

“Run along now, and I’ll see you tomorrow. And, Theo, not a word of this to anyone. The courtroom is open to the public, and if the other students wish to attend, so be it. But let’s not advertise this, okay?”

Theo jumped to his feet and said, “Sure, Judge. See you tomorrow.” As he grabbed the doorknob he turned and said, “Say, Judge, you really don’t think they’re criminals, do you?”

“That’s enough, Theo. See you tomorrow.”