Page 38 of The Presidents Shadow

IN SPITE OF R.J.’s eloquence and Belinda’s let’s-go-yachting costume, the advisory jury takes only twenty minutes to return with its advice. Ironically, the jury comments are delivered by the grandmotherly woman Maddy thought would be a slam-dunk sympathetic vote.

“It is the advice of this group that the offender under consideration be assigned to the youth detention facility for mental health and social rehabilitation, in Harriman, New York, for an amount of time deemed appropriate by New York City and this justice.”

Maddy turns to Belinda and says softly, “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of this.”

Maddy is about to do what she did previously: use her mind-control powers to influence the judge’s thinking. And why not? She is certain she can get the judge to ignore the advice of the jury.

Belinda, hands shaking, eyes watery, looks at Maddy and says, “Don’t. Don’t do anything.”

“I’ve got to do something. I can’t let you go to that place,” says Maddy. “You don’t know what—”

“No. Absolutely not. Stay out of this,” Belinda says, shaking her head.

Then they hear the judge say, “Person in advisory will report to New York City Circuit Court at a date within the next three weeks, a time to be assigned specifically by this court. I believe a residency at Harriman will prove beneficial to both the young woman and the community.”

Belinda bows her head. Maddy shakes her head. Both of them, totally unplanned, speak together in a loud stage whisper.

“Bullshit.”