Chapter 7 - THE CHILD WHO WASN'T SUPPOSED TO SPEAK
Idan had been told he wasn't allowed to attend court.
His grandmother said the proceedings were inappropriate for children.
His father said he should stay home.
But Idan had heard enough.
He had heard Clara crying on the phone.
He had heard Margaret tell the nanny that Clara would never work for a respectable family again.
And he had heard his father say:
"I wish I knew what really happened."
Idan knew.
He had known from the beginning.
On the second day of the hearing, Vanessa brought Idan to the courthouse after receiving instructions from Margaret to deliver documents to Caldwell's office.
Idan waited in the hallway.
He heard Clara's name through the courtroom door.
Then he heard his grandmother's voice.
"She stole from us."
Idan's face crumpled.
"No," he whispered.
Vanessa crouched.
"Idan, sweetheart—"
But he pulled away.
He ran toward the courtroom.
The door opened.
People turned.
And a little boy in a blue sweater rushed down the aisle.
"Stop!"
The judge looked up.
A court officer moved forward.
Vanessa hurried after him.
"Idan!"
But the boy kept running.
He reached Clara.
Wrapped his arms around her.
And began sobbing.
"She didn't steal it!"
The courtroom erupted.
Adam stood.
"Idan?"
Margaret went pale.
The judge called for order.
Idan turned toward his grandmother.
Then shouted:
"I SAW YOU HIDE MOMMY'S NECKLACE!"
Silence fell.
Not ordinary silence.
The kind that seems to swallow every sound in the world.
Margaret gripped the edge of her chair.
Adam stared at his son.
Clara held Idan tightly.
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And the judge looked toward the attorneys.
"Counsel," she said, "we are going to handle this carefully."
