Place to Belong, a Read Free Page B

waved the Bible. “This is a Bible, in case you’ve never seen one before. Put your left hand on it and raise your right. Your other right.”
    Case repeated the familiar promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Was he capable of that?
    Mr. Jenski, the lawyer, stepped in next to him. “You’ve been identified as one of the miscreants. Do you dispute that, Mr. Beckwith?”
    Case growled, “We didn’t go there to do any arson or murder. We just wanted to scare ’em a little so they’d move on. Wedidn’t set fire to nothing. We didn’t mean to shoot anybody. She just got in the way. Maybe she even did it on purpose to get us in trouble.”
    Cassie gaped. Her stomach felt as if she’d just been punched.
    The judge asked the sheriff, “Cross?”
    He was smirking. “No need. No, Your Honor.”
    Mr. Jenski looked pained. “You may stand down, Mr. Beckwith.”
    â€œBut I ain’t done testifying! We didn’t really hurt anything, except some too-big-for-her-britches stranger. We didn’t start no fire, so they musta. They did it to get us in trouble, I tell you. We’re innocent!”
    The judge roared, “Stand down!”
    And Case did so.
    The judge glared at all three. “Anyone else have anything to say?”
    Case howled one more time, “We’re innocent!”
    The lawyer was covering his face with one hand, his head drooping sadly.
    â€œVery well. We already have the confession of Mr. Dooger that you three were all in on the raid, and now you, Mr. Beckwith, established that you were there. Does anyone here present have any proof or credible witness that might change any of that?” The judge looked at Mr. Jenski, then rather imperiously around at everyone else in the room.
    Mr. Jenski shook his head. His face was, to Cassie, exactly what defeat looked like.
    The judge picked up a piece of paper. “Then I declare the defendants guilty as charged. The defendants will approach the bench for sentencing.”
    Sheriff McDougal cleared his throat and then poked Case to make them stand. The deputies unlocked their handcuffs from their chairs but, Cassie noted, cuffed the men’s hands behindtheir backs. Reluctantly, the three shuffled over and stood before the platform.
    The judge leaned forward, his elbows on the table. “I feel constrained to point out that if you three had the brains God gave a goose, you wouldn’t be standing before me today. You acted despicably and brought shame to this town.
    â€œCase Beckwith, I hereby sentence you to five years for each count, to be served in the state penitentiary at Sioux Falls, the sentences to run concurrently.” Eyes narrowed, he stared at the big man. “Possible parole at three years if you behave yourself.”
    Case glared back at him, but for a change he kept his mouth shut.
    â€œJudson Dooger, I sentence you to one year on each count, your sentences to run concurrently. I hope you can learn to think for yourself and not just follow a bad leader. Joseph Jones, you receive the same sentence as Mr. Dooger, and the same advice. Are there any questions?”
    â€œWho’s going to take care of my family?” Mr. Jones muttered, shaking his head.
    â€œYou should have thought of that before you went off carousing with Mr. Beckwith. Case closed. Court dismissed.” The judge brought his gavel down—not so loudly this time.
    â€œAll rise.” The sheriff did not look particularly excited or happy. Was he pleased he had won?
    With a great deal of noise, chairs all over the room rattled as people stood to leave. The volume of many voices grew. Cassie could not bear to look toward the three wives. What now? How must it feel to hear and see your man taken away?
    Judge Cranston stepped down off his platform and started to remove his black robe.
    Cassie said to no one in particular, “I don’t understand.