When Matthew returned home from school that Wednesday, he went to the garage side door but couldn't get into the house that way because Robert wasn't there to use his key. Now he knew how his older 'brother,' Billy, felt that first day he didn't have a key to use to get into the house.
Matthew went to the Foyer Door and rang the doorbell. The youngest Cover had to ring it three times before Billy came to the door to see who was there.
"Oh, why didn't you use the garage side door?" asked Billy.
"I usually come home with Robert, and he uses his key, but he's with 'dad, at the courthouse, and ... and I don't have a key," replied Matthew.
"Oh, yea, that's right. Come in then," said Billy.
"Do you know when they'll be home?" asked Matthew.
"No. I had my appointment with Doctor Doug, which is why I am home early. Let's go out to the Nook and see if Momma will let us have our afterschool snack," offered Billy, as he ruffled Matthew's hair.
Mr. Wayne came out to the Foyer just then to see who was at the door. He knew the guards usually called when there was a visitor, and was curious as to whom it could have been. When he saw it was Matthew, he had to ask why the boy hadn't used the garage side door. Matthew then had to explain that Robert was with 'dad' and he didn't have a key.
The three Coves went out to the Kitchen Nook to eat an afterschool Momma Maria snack. It was while they were enjoying that snack that the remaining five Covers returned from the courthouse.
Kevin raced in through the garage and ran across the Kitchen Nook as he headed to the staircase and up to his room. Kyle raced after his twin, who was quickly followed by Robert and Charles.
"I take it the proceedings didn't go very well at the trial today," said Mr. Wayne to his employer, who came into the Kitchen Nook last.
"That, young man, is an understatement," replied Mr. Ken.
Upstairs, Robert was trying to calm Kevin down. After hearing what Stanley Vahnn had to say at the trial about how Julian worked with his dad to get control of them, by initially using the fake power of attorney papers and then by trying to kidnap them, Kevin didn't want anything to do with his dad, ever.
Kyle listened to what his older twin had to say, and he agreed with everything he heard. Kyle knew from what Kevin told him about his Sunday meetings with their dad's so-called friends and knew there had to be a reason Juliann wanted them.
That reason came out in the trial when Stanley Vahnn told the jury that Julian Hankers paid Kevin's dad $5000.00 for the privilege to sexually de-flower both of his sons and was going to get Judge Terryman to help him, but didn't know the man had committed suicide.
Stanley Vahnn also told the jury that Julian Hankers told them to look for a boy named Robert Harrison, who was probably thirteen, that night. He said he didn't know the real reason they were supposed to kidnap the teenager, but heard through side conversations, in the van, that Parker Parchsons might have been the one who asked Julian to take that boy.
Lucky for Robert, neither twin asked him why their real dad wanted to get control of their older 'brother.'
Mr. Ken told Wayne, and thus Billy, Matthew, and Momma Maria, that the morning session of the trial was taken up by motions and the lawyers' opening statements followed by some questioning by DA George Morris.
Mr. Ken further explained that the afternoon had Stanley Vahnn as the only witness. The owner of The Cove told how the men stole the first vehicle, and after seeing all the boys had makeup and facemasks on, they knew they needed to take all nine boys in order to ensure they got all three intended victims, so they decided to steal the step van so they could hold all nine boys.
Mr. Ken then related the entire series of events that led up to the men following the boys that evening as they walked throughout the neighborhood. The man added the men's eventual unsuccessful attempt at boxing in the boys and grabbing them and putting them into the van, and driving away.
Mr. Ken finished with how Gene and George, along with Lieutenant Matthias and Sergeant Roberts, handled the four men initially until the Sheriff Deputies arrived, in their patrol cars, and took control of the situation.
The other four Cover boys came back to the Nook for their snack and heard what their 'dad' told the other Covers. Momma Maria saw them, hugged them and hurried them to the table, told them to sit, then brought out their snacks and their drink of choice.
They all talked about the trial, and Kevin explained to Mr. Wayne why he ran through the house and up to his room. Kyle added his take on what he heard Stanley Vahnn say about Julian coming to The Cove to take them that first time and the reason why.
Kyle told everyone, including Momma Maria, that he thought the man was sick wanting to have any type of sex with them, or any boy for that matter. Momma had to turn away after hearing that, as she immediately got tears in her eyes, knowing that was what Julian Hankers wanted to do to her niños.
After the conversation in the Kitchen Nook, Billy and Matthew went up to their rooms to start working on their homework. The other Cover boys didn't have any homework, but they went up to their rooms to relax before dinner. It had been a long and arduous day for them, even though all they did was sit and listen in the courtroom.
Dinner was a lively affair. They talked some more about the trial and the four boys having to be in court, hoping they would get to testify tomorrow and get it over with. Matthew wanted to know why no one else got to tell their story to the judge. 'Dad' Ken told him, Billy, Mr. Wayne, and thus Momma Maria that DA Morris had lots of questions for Mr. Vahnn, and then they took a two-hour lunch.
Mr. Ken added that after lunch George Morris finished his questioning of Mr. Vahnn, and then the two defense lawyers had their chance to ask Stanley Vahnn their questions. The owner of The Cove said the defense lawyers tried to trip Mr. Vahnn up by asking their questions in different ways, but said Stanley knew firsthand what happened that night and couldn't be dissuaded off his story.
After dinner, the Covers congregated in the Study as they always did and talked about what the weekend would be like, who had doctor appointments next week and what they could expect at the Memorial Day Picnic.
"Dad, did you send out the invitations?" asked Robert.
"Why do you ask, my son?" replied the teen's dad.
"Well, none of my friends mentioned getting them, that's why," chuckled back Robert.
"Well, I didn't send them to your friends. I sent them ... to their parents," laughed the dad. "But, yes, I did send out the invitations, and boys, this will be a very busy place come that Saturday of the Memorial Day Picnic.
"So, you all know, what I see happening, let me give you a quick rundown of the schedule of events. Before our friends arrive, I want Mr. Wayne to take a picture of us cutting a ceremonial ribbon of us opening the Cove Skate Park. We'll do it all over again when our friends are here, but I want a good picture for my Study wall.
"The caterer will arrive about 10 a.m. and begin to set up. She'll provide all the food, and she'll also have a huge cake decorated with the skate park depicted on it. We'll cut the cake after everyone has a bite to eat. Then the cake will be available for anyone to have some whenever they want.
"You all know that your friends and their families will be here, and my friends will also be here. Then there is Mrs. Whittier and her grandsons, Luke and Toby, and their parents. But what you didn't know until now is ... is that I also invited Sheriff Barnes and his deputies who are on duty throughout the day to stop by for a bite to eat. What do you say to that?" finished 'dad' Ken.
The boys were all surprised that the Sheriff's Deputies would be stopping by during the day. Charles then asked his dad where everyone would park. The man said he was going to let the people park on the grass as he does for the Holiday parties and would have a few of the Police Explorers there to help with the parking.
"And boys ... the parents are going to want to see everything, especially the lockers you all worked on, so please make sure you and your friends ... take the time to show and explain to them what you all did. They may also want to see the storage closet and everything about the Pavilion. What I am asking is that you don't get lost on the skate park and forget the moms and dads," added 'dad' Ken.
Mr. Ken reminded Robert, and thus the other boys, that the field needed to be cut and trimmed that weekend. The man said he'd get with Todd to make sure the beach and shore are looking clean and presentable for his guests.
Mr. Ken then asked his 'boys' if there was anything he was missing. Kevin asked what they were going to do with the old ramps. 'Dad' Ken told the boys that Mr. Wayne had asked that very same question and that he figured they and their friends would like to use the tools some more and take them all apart. The boys talked amongst themselves about taking the ramps apart, and they all agreed that it sounded like fun.
"Dad, did you invite Mr. Owen and Mr. Nathan and Jayden, Ryder and Chase?" asked Charles.
"I'm glad you asked, son, because that is the one thing I forgot to tell you. I did invite them, and they are going to spend Saturday night with us. Now, that does not mean we are having a sleepover. So, don't ask if any of your other friends can spend the night. They have a long drive, and they need the chance to relax and enjoy themselves," answered the boy's dad.
With the meeting over, Mr. Ken sent the boys up to their rooms. He told them he and Mr. Wayne would be up soon to say Goodnight to them all.
When the boys went upstairs, Robert had to explain to Billy who Mr. Owen, Mr. Nathan, Jayden, Ryder, and Chase were and how they met them. Billy was surprised at the telling, but then remembered how they met Luke and Toby and their Gramm and how they were invited to the Memorial Day Picnic. Billy thought to himself how he loved that Mr. Ken added people and friends to The Cove.
When Mr. Ken went up to say goodnight to the boys, his last stop was Bill's room.
"Bill," began Mr. Ken, "these next few days, my time will be devoted mostly to your 'brothers' so ... well, if something comes up, please talk to Mr. Wayne about it. In big families like this, someone can feel left out; just ask Charles.
"By the way, are you finished with all your dental appointments?" asked Mr. Ken.
"Yes, sir, I think I am. I'm supposed to go back before school starts. He says my wisdom teeth may cause me problems, and he'll need to watch them. Other than that, all my cavities are filled," answered Billy.
"That's good to hear. Bill, look, it is going to be really busy around here with the picnic, then school finishing, the boys taking sailing lessons, and then we're all going on our big summer trip. Being older, you may be asked to take on some responsibility, especially when we are on our trip. Please keep that in mind as we move forward.
"I tell you this as I don't want you to be blindsided if I ask you to watch over your younger 'brothers' at the amusement parks. They had Collin the last time we went, and I'm not sure if he'll be able to meet up with us this time, as he has his own businesses to be responsible for. Time will tell. We'll see.
"OK, finish up your schoolwork and I'll see you at breakfast," finished Mr. Ken, as he ruffled the teen's hair before walking out of the boy's bedroom.
The next morning, Matthew was again down in the Kitchen Nook all by himself. Momma smiled at him as he came into the room and reluctantly sat in his chair. When she brought his breakfast over to him, she gave him a shoulder hug and told him it would soon be over.
Mr. Ken watched the exchange as he read his morning newspaper, which had on its front page a headline that read:
Men Who Tried to Kidnap 9 On Trial
Mr. Ken read with interest what he heard on the news stations the previous night and what was said in court the previous day. He was pleased the reporter caught the proceedings as they occurred, and didn't embellish on them anywhere. He was also happy the newspaper hadn't named any of the boys, even though Kevin and Kyle's dad's name were used by Stanley Vahnn a number of times during his testimony.
Mr. Ken knew, as the boys began to testify, it would be difficult not to mention them in the paper or on television or radio. The man just hoped the media would respect the boy's privacy and talk about them in the third person.
Matthew ate breakfast with Mr. Ken, while the man read the newspaper. His 'brothers' were allowed to sleep in and get up for the trial when Billy got up for school. The youngest, Cover told his 'dad' he didn't like it, but Mr. Ken reminded him that in big family's things happen, and they all had to do their part.
When the youngster was finished eating, 'dad' Ken then went over to the boy and gave him a special hug that the boy melted into. Matthew then took his dirty dishes to the sink, thanked Momma for fixing him his breakfast, used the bathroom and then headed up to the School Bus Stop by himself, again.
Again, that morning, Momma Maria didn't fix the other Cover boys, who were headed off to the courthouse, a heavy breakfast. Scrambled eggs, a pancake or two and a piece of bacon along with a glass of milk or orange juice was what she served them.
Billy called out to his 'brothers' 'Good Luck' as he walked out the Foyer Door on his way up to the School Bus Stop.
Billy's friends met him at their usual hangout place before the start of school. They were all interested to learn how the trial went for his 'brothers' the previous day. All the Cover could tell them was there was only one witness and he took up the entire day of testimony. The teenagers were disappointed there was nothing for them to hear about.
When the Covers arrived at the courthouse that morning, they learned the proceedings would be delayed. The Assistant DA came out to tell them that one of the defendants, Danny Zackerson, decided to take the plea bargain. The ADA explained the judge would hear the defendant's acceptance in open court and that would happen before the trial would continue.
At 9 a.m. when the trail was supposed to have resumed, the bailiff called the court to order and the judge walked into the court and sat behind his bench. The defendant, Danny Zackerson, was brought in and the judge called both lawyers to the bench to talk to them before they proceeded to the plea bargain. The other defendant, Julian Hankers, was not in the courtroom.
It took about forty minutes for the judge to make sure the defendant knew what he was doing and accepted the sentence that came with plea bargain. Mr. Zackerson told the court he was sorry for his participation in the attempted abduction of the boys and would cooperate with the prosecution of Julian Hankers.
The court went into recess until 10:15, when the trial for Julian Hankers would resume. Mr. Ken had his boys go out to the hallway to stretch their legs and use the restroom. All nine boys talked about what happened and had all wished Hankers would do the same thing.
When court reconvened at 10:15 DA Morris called Jerome Bredshaws to the witness stand. He essentially asked the man the same questions he asked Stanley Vahnn and at 11:30 the judge called the court into its lunch recess for two hours. Again, none of the nine boys were called to testify.
When DA Morris came out of the courtroom, Mr. Ken went over to him and lambasted him for keeping all nine boys out of school for essentially nothing. He told the man he was seriously considering taking his boys back to school and telling the other parents to do the same thing.
Mr. Ken told the man to start calling the boys to tell their story and have the men wait in jail if necessary. Mr. Ken was pissed. He even told the DA that he might even invoke Judge Rossenburger's decision that the child's right to an education was equal to an adult's right to a fair and speedy trial and he would take that to the State's Supreme Court if necessary and delay that trial for years if necessary.
Mr. Ken Thomas was now playing hard-ball and DA George Morris didn't like being told what to do. But the District Attorney knew that the man could derail his political aspirations at any time. He told Mr. Ken he would ask the judge if he could call Kevin and Kyle out of order so they could go back to school.
Mr. Ken said that if the judge denied the request, he would consider what action he could take as the guardian and not hold him responsible. But Mr. Ken made DA Morris agree to mention Judge Rossenburger's' decision from last year. George Morris said he would.
After lunch, when the courtroom was reassembled and the trail was ready to resume, DA George Morris asked to approach the bench. The two lawyers went to the judge and DA Morris explained what he wanted to do. The judge was dubious as to the change of order to the witnesses.
DA Morris had to explain that last year during that same timeframe Judge Rossenburger delayed an adult's trial because it interfered with the minor's constitutional right to an education. The DA explained as the trail was being held as the child needed to study for the STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) and end of term tests because the school ended in ten days.
DA Morris added that the nine boys, all of which were the intended victims of the defendant and are witnesses, are sitting in the courtroom. That they all attend the same school, their school ended in two weeks and they all needed to testify and soon, so they could go back and focus on their tests.
Hankers lawyer balked at the requested change and questioned the veracity of DA Morris's' assertion. The Judge thought about the question for a few moments. The judge decided to call the court into a recess for fifteen minutes and went back to his chambers.
George Morris went to Mr. Ken and told him he did what he asked and he thought the judge was going to call Judge Rossenburger to check what he told him. George told Ken to cross his fingers and if the judge rules in his favor, Kevin would be called to the witness stand first.
'Dad' Ken went to Kevin and told him when the judge comes back, he may be called to testify. Kevin began to cry when he heard that. Mr. Ken pulled the twin onto his arms and held him tight and told him he could do that and since he had a pillowcase put over his head, he didn't see anything until it was all over. So, he essentially didn't have much to say.
Kevin pulled out of the hug and looked at his 'dad'. Then he smiled and said, "That's right. I didn't see anything. But I'm still scared, 'dad'!"
Charles and Robert heard what was said and they also told their 'brother' he could do this and when it was over that demon would be off his shoulders. That made Kevin smile some more.
Fifteen minute later, the judge came back into the courtroom and the bailiff called it back into order. The judge gave a quick explanation of why he delayed the trial and told DA Morris he could change his order of witnesses. DA Morris called Kevin Parchsons to the witness stand.
The eight other boys all watched as Kevin reluctantly made his way to the front of the court and climbed onto the witness stand. They all wanted to see what he did, so they knew what they would have to do when they were called.
DA Morris asked the standard questions to identify the witness, before asking pertinent questions about the night in question. The District Attorney then had Kevin explain what happened the night of the attempted kidnapping.
Kevin told the attorney how this large van came at them with its headlights blazing and then screeching to a stop. The older twin told how all four men came rushing out of the van and he was grabbed and a long bag, like a pillowcase, was placed over his head. Kevin then told the court he was picked up and taken somewhere. Kevin said he could hear his twin, Kyle, telling the man to let him go.
DA Morris then asked Kevin to explain how he was freed. The boy told how Mr. Gene and Mr. George came to his rescue and before he knew it, the kidnappers were on the ground with their hands tied behind their backs and Kyle was taking the bag off of him and hugging him.
Hankers' attorney was then given his turn to question Kevin on what happened that night of the attempted kidnapping.
"Now, Kevin," began the lawyer, "... you told this court you didn't see anything. So ... tell me ... how is it... you can identify Mr. Hankers? You told us you were essentially blindfolded and HE wasn't the man YOU saw whose hands were tied behind his back and lying on the ground when your brother took the bag off of you.
"So, how is it ... you can ... without a doubt ... identify that ... Mr. Hankers ... as being there that night? Tell us, Kevin! Tell this court how you, who didn't see anything, can without a doubt identify, my client, Julian Hankers was one of the men who tried to kidnap you and your friends that night. Tell us, Kevin! Tell us!"
"Objection, your Honor. Mr. McKenners is badgering the witness!" called out George Morris, as he stood to object the way the lawyer was questioning Kevin.
"Sustained. Mr. McKenners, you know better than to do that to a child. There are eight more witnesses thirteen and younger, so I warn you now NOT to do that again. You do understand me, don't you, Mr. McKenners?" chastised the judge.
"Yes, your Honor!" replied Mr. McKenners.
"Now, Kevin ... tell this court how you can identify Mr. Hankers as being there that night that nine of you boys were almost supposedly kidnapped," repeated the lawyer.
Kevin looked over to Mr. Ken who smiled back and nodded his head to answer the question.
"Well ... I ahhh ... I ahhh ... I know Julian, Mr. Hankers. He ...he is one of my dad's, my real dad's, that is, not my foster dad's, friends. I met him many times, so ... so I knew who he was that night when I saw all the men who were arrested," answered Kevin.
"Are you sure, Kevin? The light was bad on the street that night, wasn't it? How can you be so sure? You hadn't seen the man since your family was injured in that horrific accident. Tell this court how you can be so sure of yourself!" demanded Mr. McKenners.
"I told you. I know Julian. I met him many times and ... and I did see him since ... since the accident. He ... he came to The Cove one night to ... to try to take me and Kyle away. He had ... he had some sort of papers with him and Mr. Ken ... he wouldn't let him take us away.
"And I'm glad our 'dad' wouldn't let us go with him after what Mr. Vahnn said yesterday. Who knows what would have happened to my brother and me if Julian had taken us away back then? And after what Mr. Vahnn said Julian wanted to do to us makes me sick," got out Kevin as he began to cry hard.
The courtroom erupted into chaos after hearing what Kevin had to say and hearing him burst out crying. Mr. Ken wanted to go up to him, but Bill Jackson grabbed his hand and kept him in his seat.
But no one said anything to Kyle. The twin got out of his seat so fast that not even Robert or Charles could stop him. The twelve-year-old quickly rushed to his twin brother and hugged him tight. The bailiff tried to pull the boy off Kevin, but Kyle wasn't budging and shrugged the man off.
"Leave him alone! ... I know what Julian did to my brother. He told me ... he told me what they did when ... when my dad, our real dad, took him to meet up with Julian and a bunch of other men on Sundays," yelled Kyle.
The judge was banging his gavel the entire time trying to gain control of the courtroom. The bailiff stopped trying to get Kyle away from Kevin as he was telling why he was there. Hankers' Lawyer was calling for a mistrial and DA George Morris stood there looking on, shaking his head and wasn't believing what he was seeing.
Eventually, the judge motioned for Mr. Ken to go up to the twins. The twin's 'dad' was able to console Kevin and get him settled down. He also was able to get Kyle to go back to his seat. The man apologized to the judge for Kyle's disruption and then went back to his seat and made Kyle sit right next to him.
"Mr. McKenners, the witness's twin coming up to him to console him, after answering your questions, is no reason for a mistrial. But, if you have more questions for the witness you may proceed," announced the judge.
"Thank you, judge. Kevin ... you mentioned a dad. Who is this dad you spoke of as I thought your dad was in the hospital down in San Antonio? How could he be in two places?" asked the lawyer.
"Our foster dad, Mr. Ken, is the 'dad' that I was talking about. My brother and I call ... we call him ... after we lived with Mr. Ken for a while, we started calling him 'dad'. It was much easier and he was OK with us calling him that. All our 'brothers' call him that. Well, everyone but Billy does," answered Kevin.
"You have other brothers? I thought you only had Kyle as your only brother? Where ... where did all these other brothers come from? Your Honor I have to call into question the veracity of this witness's entire testimony," finished the lawyer.
"Let the boy answer your question, counsellor," ruled the judge.
"Mr. Ken ... he takes in foster kids and we call each other 'brother'. Since we've been there, he's adopted Robert and Charles and he's added Matthew and Billy and we call each other 'brother'.
"Robert and Charles ...they call Mr. Ken dad as ... well, he is their real dad now. But he also lets us foster boys call him 'dad' too, as it is easier than 'dad Ken' or Mr. Ken all the time," replied Kevin.
"Does that answer your question, counsellor?" asked the judge.
"Yes, your Honor. Ahh, Kevin ... do you know Stanley Vahnn or Jerome Bredshaws and the man who was in the courtroom yesterday, Danny Zackerson, along with Julian Hankers?" asked Mr. McKenners.
"Yes, sir, I know those men, but I don't know them by those names. I only know Julian by his real name," answered Kevin.
"How is it you know these men, Kevin?" asked the lawyer.
"When I went with my dad, I knew the people ... by the names they gave me. They may not have been their real names. But the night they tried to kidnap us I recognized the man who grabbed me and tried to put me in the van," answered Kevin.
Hankers' lawyer asked more questions of Kevin trying to trip him up, but the twin was unflappable. Eventually, the lawyer gave up and George Morris called his next witness, Kyle Parchsons.
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