The Littlest Prosecutor novel · Chapter 18 of 24

Chapter 18: The Gavel

The glass stopped rolling against the sugar bowl.

Grandpa Ambrose brought the gavel down once, and the sound went through the whole room.

"This court is in session," he said.

Nobody argued.

"Whoever you are, young lady, you may take that chair by the window. Josephine, a glass of water for our guest."

The girl in the green coat sat.

She did not take her eyes off Faye.

Faye's mother had turned in her seat, looking from her daughter to the stranger and back.

"Faye," she said. "Who is that?"

"I've never seen her in my life," said Faye.

Her voice came out perfectly smooth.

Only her fingers moved, pulling at her napkin until it twisted.

"Before we begin," said Grandpa, "I have a statement."

He stood up.

He used the cane to push himself straight, and I saw how slowly he did it, and how much he wanted to be sitting down.

"I was a judge for forty years," he said. "Eight months ago, at a wedding, I raised a glass and told this family that Faye Stauffer was a gift."

Faye lowered her eyes, modestly, the way she did at church.

"I said it because she made me tea, and she asked about my wife, and she remembered my birthday. I said it because I wanted it to be true."

He turned his head.

He looked straight down the table at me.

"Beatrice Aldridge," said my grandfather. "I owe the witness an apology, and I will make it before she says a single word."

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