Hawkins sat up straighter in his chair. “Funding it?”
“Yes.” The man chuckled quietly. “We’ve gotten wind that the statue’s been purchased by a private citizen. Some of our … friends thought this might mean complications to the case.” He paused. “I’m talking about an awful lot of money, Mr. Hawkins. But there’s one catch … ”
Hawkins’s throat felt suddenly dry. Funding? From a political office? “What?” He grabbed a notepad and a pencil and poised himself, ready to write.
“You have to win the case. We want that statue down, regardless of the cost. Am I making myself clear?”
Hawkins doodled the word clear on his notepad. “Yes, sir, you are. You mind if I ask why your office is interested?”
“That should be obvious.” The man’s voice was so soft Hawkins had to strain to hear him. “Election year is coming up. Who wouldn’t want to claim such a victory before hitting the campaign trail? The special interest campaign trail, that is.” The man’s voice grew serious. “As I said, we’re talking about a lot of money.”
Hawkins could no longer help himself. “How much?” He drew a dollar sign on the notepad and waited.
The man rattled off a figure, and Hawkins dropped his pencil, his breath trapped somewhere deep inside his throat. “I’m listening.”
“Very well—” the caller chuckled again—“here’s what we want to do … ”
Jordan Riley paced his office like a caged jaguar trying to warm himself on a December morning in New York City. “Explain it to me again, T. J., because it doesn’t make sense. I’m out of the office for one day researching some innocuous Bible club, and Hawkins asks you to write a brief on my case? A case that’s been over for weeks?”
It was just after noon on Friday, the week before the Jesus statue would be down for good and suddenly everything certain about the case had dissolved in the time it took T. J. to sit him down and close the door. And why did his friend look so nervous? Something about this newest twist in the situation didn’t ring true to Jordan and he was operating under a barely controlled rage.
“I told you. Hawkins got word that a private citizen bought the Jesus statue and the land where it sits. Joshua Nunn requested a hearing for next week, and Hawkins thought you could use some help. He asked me to write a brief and meet with you this afternoon.” T. J. uttered an empty laugh. “What, no thanks? A guy spends a day writing a brief for his friend, and this is the appreciation I get?”
Jordan stalked from his desk to the large picture window behind it and stared outside, his back to T. J. “Who bought the land?”
“I told you, we’re not sure.”
Jordan whipped around. “You expect me to believe that? Hawkins doesn’t know? He used to be an investigator before he turned lawyer, remember?” Jordan huffed and returned his gaze to the window. He wanted to ask his friend to leave so he could take a minute and collect his thoughts. Why wouldn’t this case go away? He’d have to go back to Bethany now, which meant he might well run into Faith again. He hated the thought of facing those innocent, warm eyes of hers … of standing up under her questioning, accusing gaze.
Her words filled his mind, as they had often in the past weeks. “The Jesus statue belongs to the people of Bethany and any battle you wage there is one you’ll ultimately lose … one you’ll ultimately lose … one you’ll ultimately lose … ”
How many times since the lawsuit had he wished he could call off the whole thing, run back to Faith, and tell her he hadn’t changed after all? That he really was the same boy she’d been in love with all those years ago.
But he couldn’t. He wasn’t. It was that simple.
The person he was now could not be undone because of a jumble of teenage memories. He had taken his stand—armed himself for war—and there would be no going back, no convincing himself that Jesus was real or that the court battle he’d waged was not worth giving his life for.
No matter what Faith had done to his heart that night in the parking lot.
Jordan turned back to his desk and sat down, holding his conflicting emotions at bay. He had no idea why T. J. had been brought into this, but it was time to make sure Faith’s words didn’t turn out prophetic. And whether T. J. would be sent to Bethany with him or not, he needed a game plan. Even if it wasn’t one of his own making.
“Okay.” Jordan gritted his teeth as he leaned forward and met his friend’s gaze straight on. “Tell me about your brief.”
15
It was Monday morning, twenty-four hours before the Jesus statue was legally required to be removed from Jericho Park. The morning of the hearing that would end the case once and for all. Rain beat a steady pattern against the courthouse roof and a blustery wind howled through the trees on the lawn.
As always, the wet weather made Joshua’s knees ache. A reminder of his cross-country days. Still, as he walked the hallways toward Judge Webster’s courtroom, there was a definite spring in his step.
In fact, he hadn’t felt so good since before Bob Moses died.
God had promised to go before him, promised His faithfulness, and indeed, it was coming to pass. The goodness and steadfastness of the Lord. To think that Faith would purchase the piece of Jericho Park where the statue stood. It was a move her father would have made, but not Joshua. Not in a dozen years of studying law briefs.
He rounded a corner and headed through the double doors of the courtroom to an inconspicuous spot in the back. He was glad he was the first to arrive. How could I ever have doubted You, Lord? He thought again of Faith, of her brilliant move and the change in her over the past few days. As though she’d somehow found the drive and determination of her father. Of course, if the station management discovered that she was the one who’d bought the land with the statue, the fallout would be devastating to her career.
Joshua glanced at his watch—he had forty minutes before the hearing began. Good. He’d need at least that long to pray for Faith, for the case, for a dozen other needs …
Finally he prayed for Jordan Riley—something he’d felt compelled to do every day since the last hearing, since he realized Jordan’s was the face he’d seen in his dream. Joshua still had no idea what it all meant, but he was sure of one thing. The young man needed prayer.
Suddenly, Joshua’s silent pleadings were interrupted by the sound of several people and a clanking of equipment making its way toward him. As the entourage rounded the bend and headed his way, Joshua felt the blood leave his face. What was this? Reporters? For a simple hearing? How had they gotten wind of the story?
And what would their presence mean for Faith?
The minutes passed slowly while the camera crews took up their positions. Jordan Riley appeared, followed by another dapper-looking attorney wearing a dark suit as expensive and tailored as Jordan’s. Immediately the reporters were on Jordan, pumping him with questions, cameras running.
“Is it true you have a response for whatever happens today in court, Mr. Riley?”
“Can you tell us the details?”
“Who purchased the land, Mr. Riley, can you tell us?”
Joshua gritted his teeth. So they knew about the land … Help Faith, Lord … please.
Joshua’s opponent exuded cool assurance as he answered their questions. Yes, he had a response; no, he couldn’t discuss the details until the hearing was over; no, he had no idea who purchased the land.
“I’m assuming the city will reveal that information today.” Jordan nodded politely and excused himself as he and the other HOUR attorney made their way to the plaintiff’s table.
Joshua listened to them and chill bumps rose on his arms. As he stood to take his place at the defense table, the reporters turned their questions on him.
“Mr. Nunn … Mr. Nunn … Tell us, who purchased the land from the city?”
“Did the town have a vote in the sale of the statue?”
“Was this a ploy by the town of Bethany to circumvent Judge Webster’s mandate?”
Th
ey acted like a pack of rabid dogs. Joshua held his hand up and repeatedly told them he was unable to comment until after the hearing. He took his seat near the front of the courtroom, his mind racing in silent prayer.
There was no time to think about the outcome. Judge Webster appeared from behind closed doors and took his place at the bench. He surveyed the reporters and cameramen and raised an eyebrow at Jordan. “Well, Mr. Riley, it seems whenever you come to town the local press is intent on capturing every detail.”
Jordan nodded politely and allowed the slightest grin. “Yes, Your Honor.”
Judge Webster banged his gavel once. “Court is now in session.” He stared strangely at Joshua. “Will the counsel for both sides please rise?” He waited until they were standing, then he addressed Joshua. “I understand you come with new information regarding the case of the HOUR organization against the city of Bethany, Pennsylvania. Is that correct?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“And you—” the judge looked at Jordan—“will be filing another suit in response, is that right?”
Joshua steadied himself against the news. What other suit was the judge talking about? There was no way Jordan Riley could have come prepared to file a counter-suit unless …
He closed his eyes briefly. Unless he’d been tipped off about the details of the hearing.
Be strong and courageous, Joshua … I will go before you always.
The holy whisperings still infused him with peace, but Joshua definitely could not see God’s plan unfolding.
“Mr. Riley, you may be seated.” Judge Webster leaned back in his chair and waved toward Joshua. “Present your brief, Counselor.”
Joshua straightened his tie. Give me the words, Lord … I can’t do this alone … He walked up to the bench and raised the document in his hand. “Your Honor, in the weeks since our last hearing, the situation at Jericho Park has changed considerably. It is my intention to inform you of those changes and then—once you understand them—I will request that you throw out your earlier decision.”
Judge Webster raised a single eyebrow and shifted his lower jaw to one side. “Continue.”
Joshua studied his notes for a moment and then looked at the judge. “Last week, a private citizen came forward and offered to purchase the piece of park property where the Jesus statue currently stands.” Joshua moved to the second page. Make him open to the idea, Lord … “That citizen paid a substantial amount, the price of which is detailed in the brief I’ll provide you. The price included not only the land, but the statue as well.”
The judge leaned forward. “And so … ”
Joshua nodded politely and continued. “Now that the land and statue in question no longer belong to the city, there is no conflict with the separation of church and state law. Therefore, we request that you throw out your earlier decision, since such a decision cannot be enacted on a private citizen.”
There was a pause while Judge Webster stroked his chin and studied Joshua. He seemed less antagonistic than he’d been back when they’d had the first hearing, but something about the man’s eyes—a knowing look, or perhaps a smugness—left Joshua anxious and uncertain.
He had the feeling the judge had known all along what this second hearing was about and was merely going through the motions.
“Mr. Nunn, I’d like the name of the private citizen, please.”
Joshua’s heart skipped a beat. No, not with the press here … “The private citizen?”
Webster raised both eyebrows this time. “Yes, Mr. Nunn. The private citizen who purchased the park property. I need a name, please.”
Out of the corner of his eye Joshua saw reporters whispering to one another, their pencils poised, faces awash with anticipation. If the judge pushed, Joshua knew he’d have no choice but to present the documents that showed Faith as the buyer. Real estate dealings were public record. “Well, Your Honor. The citizen desires to remain anonymous. The city has chosen to honor that desire.”
A ripple of slow laughter escaped Judge Webster’s throat. Then just as quickly it faded, and he raised his eyebrows at Joshua. “It isn’t optional, Counsel. Either you tell me the name of the citizen, or I’ll have to assume this is nothing more than political posturing, a trick devised by the city of Bethany to avoid carrying out my order. You give me the name, or I’ll hold you in contempt of court and have the statue removed anyway.” He looked at his watch. “At this point you’d have less than twenty-four hours to get it down.”
Joshua worked his jaw, desperately searching for a trick door or an open window, any way out of the jam he was in. But there was no escape …
There was an odd light in the judge’s eyes, and Joshua wondered again if the man didn’t already know the answer, if he was playing with Joshua, drawing out the hearing in anticipation of watching the press’s reaction. Because finding out that Faith Evans had bought the property was definitely going to be news.
Just last night he’d spoken to her about this very thing—about the possibility that he’d have to give her name in court. She’d been adamant: “It doesn’t matter what happens, Joshua. If you need to tell them it was me, then tell them. I want the statue to stand. If I lose my job, so be it. God’ll take care of me. I’m not worried.”
Joshua loved the girl for her attitude, and he knew her father would be proud. But it didn’t make this moment any easier. He clenched his teeth and released them. “Very well, Your Honor. The citizen is Faith Evans.”
A roar went up around the courtroom as reporters reacted to the news. Joshua closed his eyes for a moment and heard Faith’s name uttered over and over, heard the whispered comments …
“Faith Evans? The nighttime anchor for WKZN?”
“She’s the citizen who’d purchased the park property?”
“Faith Evans helped the city of Bethany avoid a ruling by a state judge?”
While Joshua felt certain someone had leaked the information to the judge, clearly the news took the press by surprise. He glanced at his opponent and thought Jordan looked paler than before. His eyes were glazed over, as though the revelation of Faith’s name had sent him spiraling to some faraway place.
Did Jordan even know who Faith was? Joshua didn’t think so. After all, the young attorney lived in New York, too far to recognize Faith as a WKZN news anchor. Besides, why would Jordan care who had bought the property? Joshua couldn’t quite place the expression on Jordan’s face, but it wasn’t simple anger or aggression or the desire to win. It was all of those things, but Joshua could swear there was also regret.
Judge Webster banged his gavel twice and waited for the uproar to die down. “Order. I will not tolerate another outbreak. If you people—” he motioned toward the reporters—“can’t keep quiet I’ll have you all charged with contempt.” He turned his attention back to Joshua. “So you’re telling me that the land has been purchased by Faith Evans—the same Faith Evans who does the WKZN nightly news?”
Joshua’s chin dropped several inches. “Yes, Your Honor.”
There was a moment of silence while the judge considered this new information. “Very well, then. You have a point, Mr. Nunn. Since the property now belongs to a private citizen, there is nothing I can do to enforce the removal of the statue.” He glanced at the others in the courtroom. “I hereby dismiss the earlier judgment against the city of Bethany and will no longer require officials of that city to remove the statue of Jesus, which now stands on private property.” He cast a calculated look at Joshua. “You may be seated.” His gaze shifted to Jordan. “If you have something to add, Counselor, please take the floor.”
Jordan undid the lower button on his jacket and stood, approaching the bench with a practiced ease. Joshua watched him with a mixture of admiration and regret. What an impact this young man would have made if he’d been fighting for Your side, Lord …
“On behalf of the HOUR organization, I’d like to share with you details of another lawsuit filed this morning and brought up as an emergency matt
er before you today.”
The judge nodded to Jordan. “Go ahead, Mr. Riley.”
“It is our opinion that the spirit of the law in this case has been evaded. Yes, the people of Bethany seemed to have found a loophole by selling the public property in question to … ”
Jordan stopped short of saying Faith’s name, and Joshua was sure there was more to the story than he knew.
“To a private citizen.” Jordan took several steps toward the judge but spoke loud enough for the reporters in the back to hear. “But Your Honor, we fear as a result that justice has not been served. In response, the new lawsuit names the city of Bethany as being responsible for subjecting park-goers to a blatantly Christian display—whether on private property or not. In the suit we are asking for a remedy, which we believe is reasonable and would serve the same purpose as Your Honor’s original judgment. We will expect Mr. Nunn to have some type of response, of course, but not until we make our requests clear.”
Jordan’s jacket hung beautifully on his lanky, athletic frame, and Joshua had the sickening feeling that somehow—regardless of Faith’s effort to put herself, her job, her reputation on the line—the HOUR organization was going to win. I know You’re here, Lord. Make Yourself known … please …
Judge Webster nodded and motioned for Jordan to continue. “Explain the remedy you’re seeking.”
Jordan reached for a document and flipped past several pages. “Okay, here it is. HOUR is asking that Your Honor order the city of Bethany to build a wall around the statue. Since the statue is ten feet high, the wall would also be ten feet.”
Joshua’s heart ached at the thought. Was it possible? Would a judge really order a wall to be put up around the statue? He began scribbling notes, listening to every word the judge said.
“Hmm. A wall, is that correct?” Judge Webster actually smiled, as though he wished he’d thought of the idea.