The Cardinal and the Crook

“Well, James, this is the big day! How are you feeling?”

“Honestly, I’ve got mixed feelings. There’s a part of me that’s ready to get this over with and send those bastards away. At the same time, there’s another part of me that’s worried I’ll screw up and ruin this case for you.”

“Look, James, I’ve been at this for many years now, and I’ve never seen any witness who has worked as hard as you have to prepare for trial. All of that crap you took from Brian is going to make you ready for anything that the other side can possibly throw at you.”

Brian smiled, patted James on the back, and reassured him, “Bob is right, James. I was pretty tough on you, kid, but it was only for your own good. You’ll do great on the stand today.”

James appreciated their support. They shook hands and told him that they would see him upstairs when he was called to the witness stand. He found a worn-down chair—the sort of generic chair you’d find in a doctor’s office—and tried to get comfortable, but his heart threw itself against his chest with all of the ferocity of a caged animal.

Today is the day. Today is the day it’ll all be worth it, or it’ll all be for naught.

Before he was ready, there was a knock on the door. Joe gave him a sideways glance before standing up and answering it. James’s palms immediately broke into a cold sweat. Joe spoke briefly to the court officer, then turned to James.

“It’s showtime, James.”

James immediately forgot everything he’d rehearsed.

He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. He put on his suit jacket, and as they walked up to the courtroom, he said a silent prayer. Dear Lord, I know that I haven’t always been the best, but please . . . please help me through this trial. I promise you that I will be much better in the new life you have planned for me!

As he entered the courtroom, James felt a sense of peace and confidence, knowing that God had listened to his prayer. He saw several heads turn as he walked down the aisle. And, as though through some act of divinity, the first person he saw was Anthony.

The whole room stilled. Time slowed to a crawl. Anthony looked back with venom in his eyes, and as much as James told himself to look away, he just couldn’t. How had they gotten here, after all these years? He wanted to get in Anthony’s face and cry, Why? Why did you have to turn out just like your father? You promised me you wouldn’t—and now we’re here!