The questions were pretty obvious. Landsford asked: Have you ever been a pastor or worked on the staff of a church? Or from Luke: Have you ever filed suit against a person or entity because of the First Amendment establishment clause?
General questions like that.
The more specific questions would come during the lawyer questioning, when each attorney would have three peremptory challenges—a chance to eliminate a juror for any reason whatsoever. Because it was a civil case they needed only six jurors and four alternates.
Once the judge finished, Wendell watched Luke ask the jury pool a number of questions, and Landsford did the same. Luke had said he was looking for average Americans with a sense of faith and family. Hardworking citizens who might be more likely to appreciate the benefit of the Raise the Bar club.
If Luke had his way, a majority of the jurors would be black—like Wendell. More sympathetic that way.
Landsford was clearly looking for a different type of juror. Single people living in the city, or married people with no children. At least it seemed that way based on the questions he was asking. He wanted people with liberal politics and an opposition to anything remotely Christian. People who didn’t own Bibles or better yet, found them offensive.
Halfway through the process, Landsford was still pacing in front of the jury, eyeing them like a caged tiger hungry for dinner. As if the jurors were somehow on trial.
“What is your church experience, Mr. Janson?” Landsford asked a man who seemed to be in his late forties.
“Not much church experience. Except when I was young.” The man looked uneasy in the hardback wooden chair provided for the occasion.
“What experience did you have when you were young?”
“My parents divorced. They said we kids didn’t have to go to church if we didn’t want to.” He shrugged. “We didn’t want to.”
Landsford looked at the judge. “Acceptable juror, Your Honor.”
Luke still had two peremptory challenges. He stood, confident. “The defense would like to challenge.”
“Let the record show, the defense has just one remaining challenge.” Judge Wells looked over her glasses at Luke. “Let’s finish this up, Mr. Baxter. Jury selection shouldn’t take all day.”
Wendell wasn’t a lawyer but he sensed the hostility Luke faced in this courtroom. The next six jurors seemed as opposed to Bible study and the Christian faith as Andy Nelson. Luke used his one remaining challenge, but after that there wasn’t much he could do to stop three of them from being placed on the jury.
Thirty minutes later they had their jurors. Luke turned to Wendell. “It could be worse, but it’s not what I hoped for. It’ll be pretty split based on their answers today.”
“I wondered.” Wendell felt a ripple of concern. “We’ll just have to pray. God’s not surprised by anything that happened today.”
“True.” Luke smiled and shook Wendell’s hand. “I’ll be in touch tomorrow. We’ll go over everything regarding the trial.”
Wendell left the building with Luke. It wasn’t until he reached his car that he noticed someone standing by the driver’s side. His heart stopped when he saw her.
“Alicia.” She had a way of showing up when he least expected her and most needed her. “Why . . . what are you doing here?”
She lifted her face, the strength back in her eyes. “I’m tired of walking away from you.”
“Okay.” Wendell didn’t blink, didn’t turn away. He shoved his hands in the pockets of his jacket and waited.
“I don’t like how things ended this morning.” She took a step closer. “Today was jury selection. What sort of friend disappears when the stakes are this great?”
True, he wanted to say. But he remained silent.
“Forgive me, Wendell. I won’t turn my back on you again.” She reached for his hand. “Whatever happens after this trial, I’ll be your friend, at least. I’m not going anywhere.”
It was a start, a first step. Wendell wanted to say he still loved her. But for now this was enough. He pulled her slowly into his arms and held her. After a long moment, he stepped back and said the only thing he could think to say. “Thank you. For being here.”
Her eyes held the hint of sparkle. “Let’s get coffee. So you can tell me about jury selection.”
Alicia followed him to the coffee shop a mile from the courthouse. He checked his rearview mirror six times—just to be sure she was really behind him. So he would know this wasn’t something from a dream. An hour later, when they parted ways and he headed home to his kids, Wendell felt better about today’s jury selection and the trial ahead.
Not because the process would be any easier. Luke Baxter assured him that the next week would be the most difficult of all.
But because he had a friend to see him through it.
17
Luke and his family filed into the CKT children’s theater that Saturday night for the opening performance of Seussical the Musical. The play several of his nieces and nephews were in. He was keeping his word. Spending more time with his family and glad for it.
But today all Luke could think about was the case against Wendell Quinn.
“You look distracted.” Reagan leaned close to him and searched his face. “You’re thinking about the trial, aren’t you?”
“Trying not to be.” He kissed her cheek. “Sorry.”
Tommy was sitting next to Reagan. He opened his program and turned to them. “Who’s playing what parts again?”
Malin and Johnny listened, too, while Reagan explained it to them. “All of Aunt Kari and Uncle Ryan’s kids are in it. Jessie’s playing Horton—her biggest role ever.” Reagan looked at the program. “RJ and Annie are ensemble.” She pointed to a column of names. “Aunt Ashley and Uncle Landon have three in the show, too. Amy is a Bird Girl, and Devin is the mayor. Janessa is one of the Who townspeople.”
“I thought Maddie had a role.” Luke was still struggling to stay focused. His family and the rest of the Baxters had been looking forward to this night for months. He needed to at least try. “Is she in it?”
“She’s not in the cast.” Reagan put her arm around his shoulders. “Maddie’s an assistant director along with Bailey Flanigan.”
Tommy nodded. “That’s right. Maddie’s dating Bailey’s brother Connor.”
“Not anymore.” Reagan gave him a sad smile. “They’re on a break. Maddie told us that last time we were all together.”
“A break. Right.” Luke looked into Reagan’s eyes. “I remember how that felt.” He kissed her again, this time on the lips.
“Not much fun.”
“No.” He loved Reagan with everything in him. Loved the way they’d overcome every kind of struggle to get where they were today. The theater was filling up. Ashley and Landon and Cole took the seats in front of them. Cole had a friend with him, a pretty blond girl who looked head over heels for him.
Luke raised his brow at the pair and then at Reagan. “Something new?”
“I’ll have to ask Ashley.” Reagan put her finger to her lips. “Later.”
John and Elaine took the seats on the other side of Cole while Kari, Ryan, Brooke, Peter and Hayley filled out the row. After a few minutes, the theater went dark and the music began to play. Luke hadn’t seen Seussical before, but he loved the Dr. Seuss stories. He had read them to his kids when they were little.
The Cat in the Hat entered the stage and the show began. Even so Luke struggled to keep his attention on the musical. He still had no idea how he was going to win the case against Wendell Quinn. No idea how he was supposed to find a precedent that might help them.
God, I need a miracle. Show me which way to turn. Please. He sighed and reached for Reagan’s hand. His nieces and nephews did a wonderful job throughout the evening, but it wasn’t until the second act that one of the verses hit Luke differently than the others.
The line was simply this: Their whole world was saved by the smallest of all.
Luke let the words play over again in his mind. Lord, is there a message there for me? Could Wendell’s whole world be saved by the smallest of all?