“The third man, Rocky, testified after I left you at the hotel. He wasn’t near as hardened as the other two. However, Mr. Salisbury led him to admit it might not have been as friendly a visit as they made it out to be.”
“Good!” Mum said, clearly winded from the short walk from hotel to courthouse.
They entered the warm, crowded courtroom, and Uncle Albert directed them to seats just behind Dad. ARJ stood for a minute until Dad, deep in conversation with Mr. Howitt, the former Judge, turned and smiled at him.
Judge Campbell struck the table in front of him three times with his gavel, causing the din in the room to fade away as people took their seats. ARJ turned and looked behind him. Every seat in the room was filled, and a line of people had formed around the back.
The warm June air was stifling, and ARJ wondered where the ever-present Kansas winds had gone. He couldn’t feel even the slightest breeze coming through the large windows that lined the big room, and they were standing wide open today. Mum pulled a folded fan from her bag and opened it. as she beat the air with it, small gusts slightly moved ARJ’s hair.
The jury came through a side door single file and took their seats to the right. The Sheriff closed the door behind them and walked to the front of the room.
ARJ slid his hand into Mum’s. She was shaking, and he squeezed her hand to give her strength. His hand felt damp, and he wiped it on his trousers and returned it to Mum’s hand as the opening formalities droned on in front of them. He was worried about Mum.
“The defense calls Mrs. Arthur Dibbens to the stand.” Judge Howitt’s voice interrupted ARJ’s thoughts.
Mum placed the fan in his hand and stood. Uncle Albert began to stand to assist her, but she waved him back into his chair. Then, head held high, she made her way to the witness chair, where the clerk waited.
“Raise your right hand.” Mum did as she was asked.
“Do you promise that the testimony you shall give in the case before this court shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?”
“I promise.” Mum’s voice cracked as she spoke for the first time.
“Please state your first and last name.”
“Anna Ruth Dibbens”
“You may be seated.” The clerk steadied the back of the chair as she did, concern crossing his face.
She sat, and ARJ saw her take a slow, deep breath as she placed her hands on her lap.
The room was quiet as Judge Howitt stood and strode slowly to stand near Mum.
“Mrs. Dibbens, I’m sorry to bring you here to testify, but we require your presence in the matter before us today.”
Mum gave a single nod.
Mr. Howitt stood in front of Mum, arms crossed, eyes on the floor. He focused on the floorboards between his and Mum’s shoes. The crowd seemed to be holding their breath as they leaned forward in their seats.
“Mrs. Dibbens,” he started, “the night of February eleventh…” he looked up at Mum, “you were at home that night?”
“Yes. The children and I. We had finished tea and were waiting for my husband to return from Wichita.”
“You and your husband have… three children?”
“Soon to be four.” ARJ could hear a few whispers around the room, but he noticed all the jurors fixed their eyes on Mum.
“And… how old is your eldest?”
“He’ll be eight in October.” Judge Campbell looked over at ARJ. ARJ sat as tall as he could in his chair and returned his gaze.
Mr. Howitt nodded, pausing quietly for ten… fifteen… twenty seconds before taking a breath and speaking to Mum once more.
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