Three Finger Cove: Billy ~ Book Six

Chapter Nineteen

The day at The Cove started as it usually did, with the adults, Mr. Wayne and Mr. Chris, drinking fresh hot coffee and eating Momma Maria's sweet cakes as they talked about the upcoming events that would soon be held at The Cove.

The phone began ringing at Mr. Ken's desk, but no one was there to answer it. The answering machine kicked in and the person left an urgent message for Mr. Ken to call the high school. When the school didn't receive a returned call within five minutes it called again. This time the call was forwarded to Mr. Chris' office, but he was in the Kitchen Nook talking with Wayne.

Chief heard the two phone calls within minutes of one another and started barking up a storm. She sensed the phone calls were important from the constant ringing, so she started to run back and forth showing she wanted Wayne to follow her. When he didn't immediately do so, she took the man's wrist in her mouth and lightly pulled on him.

"Wayne, I think Chief wants you to go with her," spoke up Chris Dominions.

Wayne went with the resident pet and Chris followed behind to see what the problem was. As the adults approached the Study the phone was ringing. Wayne quickly ran to answer the call, but it had stopped as he lifted the receiver.

"Wayne, the answering machine is blinking. Maybe they called earlier and left a message," suggested Mr. Chris.

Wayne Mitchell sat at the desk and punched the answering machine's PLAY button.

"Mr. Thomas, we've been trying to get a hold of you. Your son, William Dirketson, was involved in a fight at the school. You need to come over here and attend to him."

Wayne quickly called the number that showed on the Caller ID. Mr. Chris stayed to listen to see if he needed to assist with the teen's guardian.

"This is Wayne Mitchell returning your call about William Dirketson," was what Mr. Chris heard the Estate Master say to the person at the high school who answered the phone.

. . . . . . . . .

"Mr. Thomas is out of town and I am the legal guardian of William Dirketson when he is away, so you can talk to me. Now, tell me what happened," demanded Mr. Wayne.

. . . . . . . . .

"I'll be right there!" loudly announced Mr. Wayne, and slammed the phone down on the cradle.

"I take it they don't want to talk to you," asked a smiling Mr. Chris.

"They demanded Mr. Ken show up at the school, as they are about to suspend Bill for fighting. I better get a move on and see what this is all about," replied Wayne.

Mr. Wayne headed over to the high school to get a handle on what transpired that morning with Bill. The Estate Master knew about Bill's ability to take care of himself. He just wondered if that need was there that morning before school started.

Wayne Mitchell entered the high school and went immediately to the administration office to find out whom to talk to about Bill. When he asked the question, he was told they needed to talk to Mr. Thomas, as he was the official foster parent of record.

Wayne got a little hot under the collar, but he realized that he didn't need to cause trouble; he needed to find the underlying cause of the situation by talking to Bill and the principal.

"Miss, I am the legal guardian of William Dirketson when Mr. Thomas is out of town. Please check William's student folder for that paperwork. In the meantime, I want to talk to the principal," said Wayne Mitchell, to the woman behind the counter.

The woman didn't say anything, but she did look through William Dirketson's folder. When the woman finished looking at the folder's contents, she walked away to another office. When she returned to the counter, a man followed along.

"Mr. Mitchell, I am Mark Stanley, the principal here at Alvin York High School. Mr. Thomas told me about your association with him and his foster sons. What say we go into my office and discuss what Mr. Dirketson got himself into today," suggested Mr. Stanley.

When the two men entered the office, Bill immediately stood up and went to Mr. Wayne and told him all he was doing was defending himself. The teen told the Estate Master his three friends were all there and saw what happened.

But Mr. Wayne wasn't concerned about what the teen was telling him. When the man looked Bill over, he got hot under the collar upon seeing the condition Bill was in. The Estate Master, and Mr. Ken's representative, knew he had to find the motivating cause of the altercation without being thrown out of the school.

The man turned to the high school principal and asked if the school nurse had checked his charge out for any serious injuries. Mr. Stanley told Mr. Wayne that the nurse determined the other three students required transport to the hospital by ambulance and felt Bill's injuries weren't as serious.

Mr. Wayne thought about that for a few moments and then asked, "If the students are at the hospital, why hadn't the nurse returned to check on Bill's injuries."

When the principal heard the question, what went through his mind was that this was the same sort of question that Ken Thomas had asked him why Collin's injuries hadn't been tended to after he'd been beaten at the same high school.

"To be honest with you, Mr. Mitchell, I don't know where the nurse is and why she didn't come back to check Bill over. I will ask the secretary to have her report here," replied Mark Stanley.

About eight minutes later the school nurse arrived at Mr. Stanley's office. The principal and nurse had a quiet conversation, but both Mr. Mitchell and William Dirketson heard what they said. Essentially, the principal asked why the nurse didn't return to tend to William. Her response was he wasn't injured enough for her to bother.

"Mr. Mitchell, the nurse . . ." began the principal, before being stopped by Mr. Wayne.

"I heard what she said," abruptly stated Wayne Mitchell. "So, she made that determination about my charge without as much as a cursory look? Tell me, Mr. Stanley, what type of nurse is she? Is she someone who has Harry Potter like powers? When we finish here, I will take Bill to Mr. Ken's private doctor and, if necessary, the ER.

"Now, what I'd like to see is any video captured from any and all of those CCTV cameras outside the school that covers the area where the altercation supposedly occurred. Can you do that for me? . . . Will you?" directly asked the legal guardian.

"Yes, yes . . . let me call them up for you on my computer," replied Mark Stanley.

"Here . . . look at this," called out the principal. Wayne walked around to be behind the man in order to watch what the CCTV cameras had caught. What Mr. Wayne saw was Bill turning with a roundhouse punch that appeared to break a boy's nose as blood came rushing out.

Then, Bill was seen ducking a punch from another boy, but as Bill stood up he threw an uppercut under the chin that threw the teenager back and onto his ass. The teen then got up and the two teens exchanged a few more blows.

Then, the resource officer came into view. The man grabbed Bill around his waist and said something to the teen. The two adults watched as Bill stood down and the onlookers were seen dispersing away from the scene.

Principal Stanley opened another file that showed a different camera angle of the same fight. It showed exactly what the Estate Master had seen on the previous CCTV footage, but at a different angle.

"Bill," began a calm Mr. Wayne, and without letting the Cover see the video asked, "Could you please tell me what happened outside that brought you to hit these boys?"

Bill knew that question was coming, so he was prepared. "Mr. Wayne . . . Brett, Kaden, Lonnie and I . . . we were standing and talking just before the first bell. Then, a group of upperclassmen, I think they were, came over to us. One of them, a big teen said something about me beating on a friend of his, and he was essentially going to teach me a lesson. I don't remember his exact words. I'm sorry.

"Then, the big kid, the one who accused me of beating his friend, approached me and before I knew it, he punched me in my stomach. Then, the teen, I think he's a junior, told his two football-sized buddies to grab me. Well, as soon as they grabbed me and they pulled my arms behind my back, I knew what was coming next. So, I decided to fight back.

"With my hands and arms held behind my back, as soon as the big guy comes towards me, I used the two buddies for support and I brought both of my legs and feet up and essentially hit him square in his chest. He wasn't expecting that and he went down fast. I think he broke his arm when he tried to break his fall.

"The two buddies didn't expect me to use them against their friend. They were so surprised at what I'd done they relaxed their hold on me. When they did that, I was able to get my right arm and hand free and it was then I swung around and hit the one boy square in the nose.

"The second buddy let go of me and swung at me, but I ducked. It was then I threw an uppercut to his face. He took it and came after me. He got in a few good hits on me, but I returned the favor. I was lucky the resource officer came when he did. I think two other big kids were ready to grab me and let that last teen have a go at me.

"The resource officer told me as he had me around my waist and to let it go. He said it was over and no one was going to hit anyone anymore. So, I relaxed and he let me go. It was then the first bell rang and the students began walking into the building," finished Billy.

"The video doesn't show you using your legs and feet to attack anyone. So how did you break that boy's arm?" demanded the principal?

"Then, I guess your video doesn't show the entire attack," quickly shot back Billy. "I was the one attacked first, and I told Mr. Ken that I will protect myself no matter what!"

Principal Stanley was about to respond to what Bill said, but Mr. Wayne spoke up first.

"I was told you plan to suspend Bill from school. What are you going to do to all of those other students?" demanded Mr. Wayne.

"Mr. Dirketson . . . he was obviously the instigator and only he will be punished," replied the principal.

"Mr. Stanley, how many students have you interviewed to ascertain what really happened out in the schoolyard?" asked The Cove's Estate Master.

"I don't need to interview anyone. The video clearly shows that Mr. Thomas' foster son, William Dirketson, was the attacker. As such, the Student Handbook states that anyone found to cause, or start, a fight is to be suspended from the school and be sent to the alternative district high school," responded the slightly smiling principal.

Mr. Wayne saw the smirk on Mark Stanley's face and wondered where that came from. But, he didn't have time to think about that. What he did do was tell the principal that he too was familiar with the Student Handbook. Bill's guardian told the principal that the parent, and in this case the legal guardian, can request a hearing in front of the entire School Board.

"Also, Mr. Stanley, I want from you . . . a copy of every video taken by all the CCTV cameras that caught any or all of what transpired out front of the school. The video should include all the time from the moment the students arrived until at least five minutes after the encounter," announced the legal guardian.

"There is no reason why I have to give you access to any of that recording," replied the principal. "Bill Dirketson is clearly guilty, by evidence from the video I showed you, and there is no need to involve the School Board and waste their time over a schoolhouse fight."

"Mr. Stanley . . . by the rules set down in the Student Handbook, I formally request that William's suspension be placed on hold until the School Board holds a formal hearing on this matter. And that hearing is supposed to occur within five school days to speed up the process.

"I also warn you not to interfere with any of the CCTV footage, from the beginning of the school day until five minutes after the conflict, for all of the camera's facing the area where the supposed fight occurred.

"Also, after I have Bill formally examined by Doctor Richard Powers, and the results recorded, I will immediately contact Bill's lawyer. It is my belief that he then will undoubtedly serve you with a subpoena for a copy of the videos from each of those cameras.

"Mr. Thomas is not scheduled to return from his business trip until late Friday night," announced Wayne Mitchell. "But I assure you . . . I will talk to him tonight.

"I hope you will conduct interviews of Bill's friends, Brett Wrangler, Kaden Stylers, and Lonnie Crossheirs, and I suggest you need to identify the students in the videos and interview them, as well. Oh, and Bill's lawyer . . . he will certainly want a copy of the names of every student you talk with and are in the video. He'll want to interview them as well before the hearing.

"The ball is now in your court Mr. Stanley. I hope you won't mishandle it. If you have nothing else for us, Bill and I will now head over to the doctor's office," declared Mr. Mitchell.

The two Covers silently walked out of the high school. Billy was grateful Mr. Wayne stood up for him. He was also surprised that the Estate Master acted as he did towards the principal and did not outright accept Mr. Stanley's account of the fight.

On the other hand, Bill was afraid that Mr. Wayne wouldn't ultimately support him in the end, and then Mr. Ken would send him away for fighting. The teen was torn between what he'd experienced with his mom and stepdad, and how Mr. Ken acted towards him up until his departure on Monday. Bill just didn't know what to think.

As soon as the Covers got into Wayne's vehicle, the man, made a quick phone call to Doctor Powers' office to get Bill in for an examination. He also called Stewart Russell to tell him what happened and that they needed to talk. Mr. Russell told the Estate Master he could meet them at The Cove at about four o'clock that afternoon.

Wayne Mitchell then remembered he was required to call CPS, and, in this case, Judy Turner, Bill's caseworker, which he immediately did. She told Wayne she'd be over at four to listen to what Bill had to say to Mr. Russell, and ask her own questions.

As they drove to the doctor's office, Mr. Wayne asked Bill to tell him again how the fight ensued. Bill started from the beginning and told how he and his friends were talking and a large group with a big teen, and a bunch of other students, came over to him. Bill's telling wasn't exactly as he had told it earlier, but it didn't differ all that much from his initial telling in the principal's office. Mr. Wayne felt relieved.

Doctor Powers had to fit Billy into his busy schedule. But the doctor admired what Mr. Ken was doing for his ‘boys', so he did his best to help Mr. Wayne out. When Doctor Rick finally saw Billy, he treated the teenager for a fast forming black eye, scrapes on his knuckles and face, a sore jaw, sore ribs and diaphragm and a knot above his right temple. The doctor prescribed aspirin, or Tylenol, or a similar over-the-counter pain reliever, for the teenager.

As it was now after lunchtime, Mr. Wayne decided to take Bill out for some fast food. The man wanted to talk some more about what happened. While they talked, Mr. Wayne asked Bill to text his friends to ask them to call him after they got home. Wayne explained that eventually, his lawyer would want to get their account of what happened.

"My lawyer?" said Billy.

"Yes, you met Stewart Russell the other day. He is the lawyer for all of you boys. He represents you, or your ‘brothers', when needed, like when you talked to the detectives. Mr. Ken has him on retainer and when things like this happen, Mr. Russell will be there to advise you and, if necessary, defend you," replied Mr. Wayne.

"Defend me? Why would I need to be defended?" angrily asked Billy. "I was the one who was attacked! And, I defended myself! Those guys . . . it's those guys . . . they are the ones who will need a lawyer!"

"Calm down Bill. We'll get through all this. What I saw on the video shows you pulling away from the third attacker as you wailed into the second guy," chuckled Mr. Wayne. "But what is missing is . . . what happened before that?

"Mr. Russell will need to get a copy of all that footage, from all of the cameras, and the names of all the witnesses. I believe Stewart will be a busy man up until the School Board hearing," finished Wayne Mitchell.

Billy sat there thinking. This was all new to him, but at the same time, it wasn't. When they searched the house after Greaser's death, he had to answer the detectives question after question and see lawyer after lawyer. He felt like he was the criminal, not his mom and stepdad.

And, now, he had to answer the detective's questions the other day about how he knew Charlie, and he figured he'd probably have to answer a ton more about what happened at the high school that morning. He felt trapped and now afraid that the good home he found would be taken away from him. Silently, he began to leak tears.


Jason Zimms, Mr. Ken's Resident Administrator at Crystal Lake Amusement Park, met the park's owner at the Employee Entrance/Office Complex door. Jason had been anticipating Mr. Thomas' visit and was on pins and needles because this was the first ‘official' visit by the owner, and this was his first attempt at overseeing a park's total operation.

"Welcome, Mr. Thomas," said Jason, as Mr. Ken approached the building. "I hope your trip thus far has been enlightening and enjoyable."

"Jason, if traveling from park to park over four days is ever enjoyable, I'll probably shoot myself," replied a laughing Ken Thomas.

"Come in, come in. Mr. Arnolds is waiting for us in the conference room," said Jason, as he swung the door open for the park's owner to enter the complex.

As the two men entered the conference room, Mr. Arnolds greeted Mr. Thomas with a firm handshake and he too welcomed the park's owner to Crystal Lake Amusement park.

"This room is totally different from what I remember the last time I was here," commented Mr. Ken.

"Yes, since this was a sort of a semi-formal meeting to discuss park operations, we felt it would be better to have a warm inviting place to sit and talk," offered Arnold Arnolds.

Just then a woman wheeled in a tray of sandwiches and hot coffee. Cold water, soft drinks, plates, napkins and cutlery were already sitting on the white table clothed conference table that was pushed back against the back wall.

"This is exactly what I needed just now. I was planning on stopping at a fast-food restaurant on the way in, but there aren't any close by. And, there is only old motels along the road coming here," spoke up Ken Thomas.

"Yes, yes, ahhh, there, ahh, is a possible reason for that," quietly said Mr. Arnolds. "That is something we probably should talk about after we finish discussing our opening weekend statistics and park operations. And, of course, anything you have an interest in.

"Well, what I am now interested in is . . . is what you alluded to about why there are no restaurants, or anything else, being built out this way. If I plan to expand Crystal Lake, as the previous owners had, I need to have all the information I can get in order to make wise decisions," replied the park's owner.

"And, can you tell me why there are all those FOR SALE signs out along the road? They weren't there when I visited this park before I bought it. So . . . so why is there almost one on every property," almost demanded Mr. Thomas.

"Mr. Ken, what say we sit down and have something to eat," suggested Jason. "While you get settled and refreshed, we can talk about the park, and then Mr. Arnolds can address your question about the restaurants, hotels and the For-Sale signs."

The three men talked as they ate, and Mr. Ken settled down some. They concentrated on the park operations and the opening weekend's attendance and revenues. They then compared them to the three previous years. This year was lower than expected.

When they finished discussing the opening weekend, Jason went over the ride operations. He gave the status of the main rides and what maintenance would be required that year and the extra parts he projected throughout the year. Jason then asked if Mr. Ken was going to do the same updating to Crystal Lake as he'd done to the other three parks.

Mr. Ken had sat through all the discussions with patience. He suspected the two men had something to tell him, but were reluctant to do so, just yet. The park's owner asked important questions when necessary, to keep the original meeting on course, but he knew he couldn't wait much longer to know why there were so many properties for sale.

"Guys, I am happy with what I've heard. The park didn't have as great an opening weekend as I expected, but with all the wet weather and it being Easter, and all, I can dismiss that . . . for now. But . . . what has me intrigued the most is . . . is what you alluded to earlier about the restaurants and the reason for all the FOR-SALE signs along the roadway.

"So, which one of you are going to tell me what I am guessing I should have known . . . before I bought the park. And . . . I am thinking that what you are going to tell me isn't . . . isn't something I want to really hear. So . . . so why don't we all get a fresh cup of coffee and sit down and talk," calmly, suggested Ken Thomas.


As the Covers rode back to The Cove, Billy said, "Mr. Wayne . . . why aren't you mad at me? Why haven't you at least yelled at me for getting into trouble at the school?

"And, Mr. Ken . . . what is he going to say when he finds out I was in a fight? I already told him what I did to handle that boy last week. I guess this will be the last few days I'll get to spend here," lamented the freshman through his tears.

"Bill . . . what good would it do if I were to yell at you? All you'll remember is the yelling . . . not what is important that I would be trying to convey to you. And, as for Mr. Ken . . . I'd say he'd act the same way.

"Look, Bill, you were in a fight. It happens to people. The great thing is that some of what you told me matched what I saw on the video, so, for now; I am on your side. And, Bill, I am sure Mr. Ken will be the same way, unless there is proof otherwise. Please try not to overthink this. We are going to do everything to support you through all this," counseled Mr. Wayne.

When the two Covers returned to The Cove they walked in through the garage. It was when Momma Maria saw how Bill looked, all black and blue with red scratches on his face, she exclaimed, "Madre de Dios, Bills, whats happenses to youse? Comes . . . lets Mommas giveses youse a bigs hugs to makes youse feels betters."

Bill almost melted into Momma's arms. It had been a very long time since he really felt the love emanating from a woman and Momma was always ready to freely share her love with all of the Cover boys.

Even Chief wanted in on welcoming the injured Billy home. So, as soon as Momma let the teenager go, the resident pet put her front paws on the boy's chest and tried to give him some of her free doggie kisses. Bill got down on the floor with Chief and the two just hugged one another. Then, the two began to wrestle some as Chief loved to do with the older teen.

Mr. Chris came into the Kitchen Nook while the teen and dog played on the floor. Wayne called him over and gave him a Reader's Digest version of what transpired at the high school, Doctor Powers office and as they ate at the fast-food restaurant. Then, he remembered to tell Chris that Ms. Judy would be there at four when Stewart Russell arrived.

"Bill, why don't you go up to your room and lie down for a while. I'll send one of your ‘brothers' up to get you when they come home. Mr. Russell and Ms. Judy will arrive at about the same time. Ohh, you may want to wash up some before you dirty your pillow," suggested the Estate Master.

Wayne told Momma about Stewart Russell and Judy Turner coming over to talk to Bill at four o'clock. He asked her if it would be OK to invite them to have some of the boy's afterschool snacks with them before they talk with Bill. Momma Maria said she would be happy to have them join her niños.


Arnold Arnolds and Jason Zimms were shocked that the owner of Crystal Lake Amusement Park didn't go off the deep end after learning there was something the previous owners hadn't told him that would probably have made him lower his offering price for the property, or pulled his bid out of the process entirely.

"So, let me get this straight. The previous owners . . . they had a contract on the adjoining lakefront property. Then, they learned the county Commissioners . . . that they were talking about reneging on their promise to pay the county's portion with the state for the rebuilding of the highway, and make it into a five-lane divided highway that would lead to the park and past it.

"So, the reason the previous owners were anxious to sell the property was because if the road fell through . . . they figured the number of guests would never reach the point where they could at least break even with their planned expansion. Arnold do you know what they were going to do with the lakefront property?" asked Mr. Ken.

Arnie did one better. He left the room and when he returned, he had a large roll pf paper. When he spread it out it showed the expansion plans of the previous owners. Mr. Arnolds told the new park's owner they had totally forgotten them and once they no longer owned the park, they couldn't come back to retrieve them.

Arnie also told Mr. Ken that he learned, from one of the previous owners, there supposedly was a second person who was interested in the lakefront property. Mr. Arnolds added the owner he talked with said they totally pulled their bid and the other bidder can now do what he wants.

"Arnie, do you know why the county is considering not supporting the rebuilding the roadway into the safer divided one?" asked Mr. Ken.

Arnie told the man he heard there was some conflict on the commissioner's court with a few wanting the road rebuilt and the others, wanting to ‘give back' that money to their constituents, meaning they wanted the be re-elected.

When Mr. Ken asked if he knew who supported the road and if they might be amenable to talking with him. Arnie immediately pulled out his cell phone and made a call. Within minutes, Arnie told the park's owner an important man was on his way over to talk to him.


When the Cover boys returned from school, Mr. Wayne pulled Robert aside and told him a little bit about the trouble Bill might have gotten himself into. The man then asked him to go up to the teen's bedroom and ask him to come down for his snack.

Matthew had told them yesterday that he was going to work on his homework first and then have his snack with Bill. But, when the youngest Cover went to head upstairs, Mr. Wayne asked him to wait. It was then Mr. Russell and Ms. Judy arrived at The Cove.

The boys were all confused with the appearance of Stewart Russell and Judy Turner. They were even more puzzled when they saw Billy walk into the Nook looking like he'd been hit by a Mack truck.

"Billy, what happened to you?" simultaneously asked the twins.

"I . . . you see . . . I had a little run-in at school this morning. You should see the other guys," added Billy, with a sly grin.

"Other guys?" said Mathew. "How many did you have to fight?"

Mr. Wayne asked the boys to hold their questions for now and to have a seat and enjoy their Momma snack. Then, as the boys ate, the Estate Master gave them a quick explanation of what happened at the high school and why Mr. Russell and Ms. Judy were there.

Of course, Kyle asked if they were going to be able to sit in while Billy and his lawyer and caseworker sat and talked about the fight and what they were going to do to the other students. Mr. Wayne reminded Kyle that they needed to get their homework done and the smaller number of people in the meeting the quicker Mr. Russell and Ms. Judy could get back to their own families.

When he was finished, Stewart Russell thanked Momma Maria for the vanilla milk and her special sweet cake, as he then got up to head to the Study. Ms. Judy also thanked Momma Maria for her hospitality before following behind Stewart. Bill and Mr. Wayne headed to the Study with the other two adults to talk about the fight.

The other boys were disappointed they couldn't hear the full story about the fight. Billy then told his ‘brothers' he would tell them the entire story either during dinner, or later in the Study. Hearing that put a big smile on the three younger boys' faces.


The man Arnold ‘Arnie' Arnolds called, arrived in record time. He and Mr. Ken were introduced and Ken Thomas got down to business. The new owner of Crystal Lake told all three men, he was the one who was the second bidder on the lakefront property. He added he would purchase it, and expand the park, if they could still get the new rebuilt roadway back on track.

The commissioner asked Mr. Thomas if he had any ideas. Mr. Ken told the man he did have an angle up his sleeve, but wanted to talk to the other men who support rebuilding the roadway, before he would divulge his plan. The commissioner made a quick call to another roadway supporter who said he could meet with Mr. Thomas later that night. The meeting was confirmed.

Before the politician left late that afternoon, he called the third person who also saw the complete picture and the need for the new and improved roadway to the amusement park and lake. All three men saw what the updated roadway would do for that portion of the county.

The three commissioners knew, deep in their hearts, that once the updated road was finished, contractors would build new houses and businesses would move in. They also knew it might take five years for the expansion to take shape, but that once it did, it wouldn't stop. One more meeting was set up for the next morning.


As the four people sat in the Study, Bill told his story about the fight to his lawyer, while Ms. Judy listened. It matched almost exactly as to what he told Wayne Mitchell the first time, in the principal's office.

Then, Mr. Wayne told the lawyer about the different angles of CCTV videotape he watched with the principal, Mark Stanley. The Estate Master then explained how he was convinced that there was a lot more footage that the principal didn't know about, or he was holding back.

Stewart got Bill's friends' full names and phone numbers. He explained to the teen he needed to convince his friends to talk to him and give him a full accounting of what they saw. The lawyer also told the teenager he should ask his friend for names of other people they knew who were watching. Mr. Russell explained that the more first-hand observers that described the fight as he had would be best for a positive outcome.

The four also talked about what repercussions could come from the fight. Stewart told the teen that since he broke a boy's nose he could be sued. Then, the lawyer added that the teen who broke his arm could also seek reparations. Bill flippantly said, "Let them. I don't even have two nickels to rub together."

The four lightly laughed, but Stewart Russell and Judy Turner both knew Mr. Ken could be brought into the equation, since he was the responsible foster parent. The four people talked a little while longer about the fight and the potential for more CCTV footage. Mr. Russell said he'd subpoena all of it first thing in the morning.


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