The Devil's Advocate Read Free Page A

with these stories immediately after speaking with the girls?"
    "Yes, of course."
    "And what was her reaction?"
    "She wouldn't deny it."
    "You mean she refused to be interrogated about such matters without benefit of counsel, don't you?" Cornbleau shifted his seat. "Isn't that so?" Kevin demanded.
    "That's what she said."
    "So you went ahead and informed the superintendent and then called the district attorney?"
    "Yes. We followed school board policy for such matters."
    "You didn't investigate further, call in other students?"
    "Absolutely not."
    "And before Miss Wilson was indicted on this matter, you and the superintendent suspended her, correct?"
    "As I said . .."
    "Please, just answer the question."
    "Yes."
    "Yes," Kevin repeated, as if that were an admission of guilt. He paused, a slight smile on his face as he turned from Cornbleau to the jury and then back to Cornbleau.
    "Mr. Cornbleau, did you on more than one previous occasion have words with Miss Wilson about her bulletin boards?"
    "I did."
    "Why?"
    "They were too small and not up to standards."
    "So you were critical of her as a teacher?"
    "Room decor is an integral part of a teacher's effectiveness," Cornbleau said pedantically.
    "Uh-huh, but Miss Wilson didn't have ... let us say ... the same sense of high regard for bulletin boards."
    "No."
    "She was, in fact, according to what you wrote on her chart, 'disdainful.'"
    "Unfortunately, most of the newer teachers are not given the same good background in college." Cornbleau smirked.
    Kevin nodded. "Yes, why can't everyone be like us?" he asked rhetorically, and some people in the audience snickered. The judge rapped his gavel.
    "You also have been critical of Miss Wilson's clothing, have you not?" Kevin continued more directly.
    "I think she should dress more conservatively, yes."
    "Yet Miss Wilson's department head has continually given her high marks for her teaching abilities," Kevin interrupted, raising his voice. "On her last report she said"—Kevin looked at his document— " 'Lois Wilson has an intrinsic understanding of children. No matter what the obstacle, she seems to be able to reach them and get them stimulated.'" He put the document down. "That's quite a nice review, isn't it?"
    "Yes, but as I said . . ."
    "No further questions, your honor."
    Kevin went back to his desk, his face red with fury, something he had the ability to do at a moment's notice. All eyes were on him. When he looked back at the elegant man in the audience, he saw that the smile had left his face, but it had been replaced with a genuine look of awe. Kevin felt buoyed.
    Miriam, on the other hand, looked sad, sad enough to burst into tears. She looked down quickly when he gazed at her. She's ashamed of me, he thought. My God, she's still ashamed of me. She won't be much longer, he concluded confidently.
    "Mr. Balm? Any further questions for Mr. Cornbleau?"
    "No, your honor. We would like to call Barbara Stanley to the stand, your honor,"
    the district attorney said, a tone of desperation in his voice.
    Kevin patted Lois Wilson's hand reassuringly. He had driven the prosecution to the heart of their case
    A chubby girl with curly light brown hair trimmed' just below her earlobes came down the aisle. The ten-year-old wore a light blue dress with a frilly white collar and frilly white sleeves. The baggy garment seemed to add to her girth.
    She anxiously took her seat and raised her hand to be sworn in. Kevin nodded to himself and shot a knowing look at Martin Balm. She had been well schooled in what to expect. Balm had done his homework, too; but Kevin felt he had done more, and that would make all the difference.
    "Barbara," Martin Balm began, approaching her. I
    "One moment, Mr. Balm," the judge said. He leaned toward Barbara Stanley.
    "Barbara, do you understand what you have just sworn to do ... to tell the truth?"
    Barbara glanced quickly at the audience and then turned back to the judge and nodded. "And do you understand how