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The Divine Right of Kings	By : vinsmouse Category: G through L > Hardy Boys Series Views: 5915 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own the Hardy Boys, not making any money, just cheap thrills.

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Chapter 26
　
For a moment nobody spoke, the courtroom seemingly frozen in disbelief. Joe stared at Alex, amazed and horrified. Vaguely he heard whispers as the room came back to life, the whispers grew in volume until Judge Harlin was forced to pound his gavel on the bench. He didn’t stop until silence once more reigned within the room.
"Mr. Tomlinson do you understand that by pleading guilty you waive your right to appeal?" the judge asked.
Alex glanced at Joe as if to say I’m doing this for you. "Yes sir," he responded as he returned his attention to the judge. He easily ignored his attorney’s attempts to get his attention. Obviously the man would advise him against this action, therefore he needn’t listen.
Evan Sanders stared at the defendant in disbelief. He was relieved for the young victim of course but he couldn’t help feeling as if they’d all been played. His gaze zeroed in on the defense attorney. Eyes narrowed he carefully observed the other attorney looking for any sign that this had been a ploy. If Lovell had played the court he would see him disbarred. Watching the man trying and failing to gain his client’s attention he was soon convinced that Lovell had been as surprised as the rest of them by the change in plea.
Broderick Lovell was nearly sweating as his client ignored him. Though Alex was now paying his bill he didn’t fool himself. When the elder Tomlinson heard about his son’s change of plea he might well blame Broderick for the action. Damn it, why did the man do this? And why hadn’t he consulted Broderick first? He only hoped Alex’s father wouldn’t blame him. God knew if he did he could easily ruin him should he choose to.
"Very well." Turning to the court reporter Judge Harlin instructed her to enter the plea into the official record. "Mr. Hardy you may step down," he then told the young witness. He hadn’t expected the defendant to change his plea in the midst of the trial but for the sake of the young boy now making his way from the stand the judge was exceedingly relieved.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the state and this court thank you for your time, you are dismissed. Bailiff take the defendant into custody, court dismissed." The sound of the gavel hitting wood rang through the room.
Joe, in a daze, made his way back to his family. Sinking heavily into his seat he stared ahead, his focus on the man who had just saved him from reliving the most horrific parts of that June day. He couldn’t believe Alex had done that. True he would have probably been convicted anyway but at least he could have appealed. Now that hope was gone for him.
Fenton exchanged a look with Frank, seated on Joe’s other side. Neither had been able to gain Joe’s attention since he had retaken his place between them. "Joe, son?" he tried once more, shaking the teen’s shoulder.
Alex looked at Joe again. He knew it would be the last time he would see the boy for sometime to come. With any luck that time would be cut in half or more. Everything so far was working just as he’d planned. He only needed that trend to continue for a little while longer and then he could make Joey his to care for.
A shaken Joe watched Alex as he was led from the courtroom, never taking his eyes from the older man. Only the door closing, blocking Alex from sight broke his focus. Becoming aware once more of his surroundings he realized his father was trying to get his attention. "I’m sorry Dad, did you say something?"
"Are you okay son?" Fenton didn’t try to hide the concern in his voice.
Joe nodded. "I wasn’t expecting that."
"I don’t think anybody was."
Noise from the hall drew Frank’s attention. He could see a crowd of people through the small windows of the courtroom door. "Um Dad," he nodded towards the doors.
Fenton followed Frank’s gaze. He supposed they could get out the same back entrance but they would still have to fight their way through the crowd at the door. A crowd he was sure consisted mostly of reporters. One look at Joe was enough to see his youngest wouldn’t be able to handle the mob scene that awaited them.
"Mr. Hardy."
Fenton looked up to see a bald court bailiff standing in the aisle. "Yes?"
"Judge Harlin thought you might like to use the staff entrance."
"How do we get to it?" Fenton quickly grasped the offered lifeline.
"There’s a back hallway," the bailiff replied inclining his head to indicate the door at the back of the courtroom. Moving away from them he stood in front of the doors using his height and broad shoulders to block the view from those in the hall.
"Thank you and please tell Judge Harlin the same," Fenton said. Without another word he stood, quickly followed by the rest of his family. Silently they moved from the courtroom to the back hallway. It was a nearly perfect escape.
"Mr. Hardy were you surprised by the change of plea?" A brash middle-aged man called his question.
"No comment," Fenton replied. Wrapping his arm around Laura he led her past the small group of reporters. Glancing over his shoulder he saw that Frank was shielding his brother in the same way.
"Why did the defendant call your son by name?" Another voice, this a woman’s called.
"No comment." Fenton knew from experience that avoidance was the only way to handle reporters intent on a story.
Frank glared at the few reporters. He could feel Joe trembling under his arm. His younger brother wasn’t ready for this. Hell he had only recently started going outside for short periods of time.
"Joe what is your relationship to the defendant? Did Tomlinson touch you?"
Joe gasped, the color draining from his face.
"Frank get your brother to the car," Fenton ordered. He wanted nothing more than to take Joe in his arms, protecting him from the vultures masquerading as reporters. But Fenton knew that for now he could protect Joe better by running interference while the boys escaped to the car. As the boys moved past him Fenton blocked the path behind them, thankful there were only a few reporters out here. Beside him he could feel his wife trembling.
"How dare you!" Laura snapped.
"It’s a legitimate question Mrs. Hardy," the short, stocky man defended. "The public has a right to know."
Laura glared. "My son is not a public figure you vile little vermin," she hissed. "He is a fourteen year old boy who has experienced a horrifying event. He is not a means for you to build your career. If I see you anywhere near my family I will not hesitate to call the police."
Jock Steele wasn’t worried by the threats. He had the law behind him; freedom of the press was a precious right after all. He said as much to the enraged mother before him. That was his second mistake, his first having been the offensive questions fired at a child.
Laura took a step towards the man. She smiled grimly as the sniveling coward took a step back. "I see you work for the Bayport Times Mr. Steele," she said.
"Yes," Jock confirmed.
"I’ll be sure to mention your name to Caroline."
"Caroline?" Jock asked, though he was afraid he knew who Mrs. Hardy referred to.
"Caroline Frasier, she’s a good friend of mine," Laura calmly informed him.
Fenton was glad now he hadn’t tried to stop his wife from confronting the odious reporter. He suspected that this chance to protect their son would go a long way towards exorcising some of the lingering demons from that June day.
"She won’t stop me," Jock said, trying to appear confident. "Friends you might be but Mrs. Frasier is a newspaperwoman first."
"Yes, you’re absolutely right," Laura smiled. "She’s also a decent human being who will be appalled when she hears the type of questions you were asking. Your defense of your actions aimed at a child will further appall her."
"If she fires me I’ll sue the paper for breech of contract."
"Oh no you misunderstand me. I won’t be asking her to fire you, I’ll just tell her of your odious, vile behavior. I’m sure Caroline will have no problem changing your assignment, perhaps to the paper’s morgue." Laura turned away, slipping her hand into her husband’s as they moved towards the car.
"You can’t do that," Jock yelled after her.
Laura glanced over her shoulder, "Watch me."
TBC...
A/N: I can't take credit for Jock Steele. The character inspiration and name come from an episode of the 1998 CBS show, Magnificent Seven. In the episode Jock Steele was a dime store novelist, and considering the sensational types of stories in such novels they could be considered an early form of tabloid reporting. He seemed like a good fit for a modern day reporter covering a sensational trial.
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The Divine Right of Kings