Chapter 11 - Elaine Takes the StandWhen Elaine entered the witness box, Valerie looked directly at her.
Elaine remembered the broken glass.
The screaming heat.
Leo's tiny body shielding Mia.
She told the jury everything.
“I didn't know that boy,” Elaine said.
Her voice trembled.
“But when I saw him protecting his sister, I knew someone had to protect him.”
The prosecutor asked:
“Why did you break the window?”
Elaine looked at the jury.
“Because waiting would have killed him.”
The courtroom fell silent.
Then Elaine turned toward Valerie.
“You thought those children were powerless.”
May you like
She paused.
“You were wrong.”
Related Stories
Chapter 12 - The Evidence That Destroyed HerThe final evidence came from Victor Hale.
Chapter 13 - The VerdictThe jury deliberated for less than three hours.
Chapter 14 - A New FamilyOne year later, Elaine retired from teaching.
Chapter 15 - The Scars of a HeroLeo's scars remained.
Chapter 16 - The Shadow of JulianOne evening, Elaine sat alone beneath the mesquite trees.
Chapter 17 - The Hero's PromiseLeo eventually returned to school full-time.
