Tommy and Pearl knelt beside a wailing Yale. Her face was folded in pain, her arm caught at an unnatural angle, obviously broken, the bell bracelet quivering as she writhed. Tommy pressed Yale’s abdomen to keep her from flailing. “Please, Yale, sweet Yale. Doctor’s coming. He’ll see to you, and you’ll be good as new . . .”
Tommy glanced up to see Pearl hauled to her feet by a police officer. Someone yanked him away as well, and the doctor got down beside Yale, her screaming intensifying. Tommy struggled toward her, but a policeman pulled him back.
“That’s my sister.”
“Should’ve been watching her, then, wouldn’t you say?” the policeman said.
“Get this girl to the doctor’s office,” Judge Calder’s voice came. Tommy turned toward him, shocked that the judge was helping, but grateful. Judge Smythton and two others were there as well, watching, working to get care for Yale.
Tommy struggled toward Judge Calder wanting to say thank you, but the policeman held him back.
Judge Calder crossed his arms, widening his stance. “Looks like you’ve got a prime example of what we’ve been seeing all over town, Alderman O’Hara.” His tone turned Tommy’s blood cold. Judge Calder wouldn’t look at him.
Another alderman leaned in to look closer at Yale who was writhing, but quieting as shock set in.
“Yep. Sure enough that’s what we got here. Glenwood. You were right, Judge Calder.”
Tommy’s throat closed. “What’d you say?” He stopped struggling so he could hear clearly.
Judge Smythton drew closer. “I’ve seen this girl at the community meetings. She’s an idiot. Or an imbecile. I forget which they said she was. I was assured she was well cared for.”
“Belongs in Glenwood. That’s why it’s there,” a woman said, staring, huffing. “I hear her mother leashes her outside. And the bells. Look. Like an animal, she needs warning bells.”
Tommy’s stomach clenched. He ripped out of the policeman’s grip and went to Yale’s side. Her sobs slowed when he knelt beside her and smoothed her matted hair away from her eyes. “You’ll be all right, Yale. The doc’ll fix you up, then you’ll come home. I’ll stay with you.”
Pearl was released, and she dropped beside Yale. “I’m so sorry, Yale. I tried to hold you.”
“It’s not your fault, Pearl.” Tommy looked at her. “I should’ve—” He looked up to see Reverend Shaw watching them with a satisfied smirk.
The doctor’s assistants brought a makeshift stretcher, and they heaved Yale onto it, the movement causing her to lose consciousness.
“Back away, Arthur. She’s going with the doc, and then you can take this up in court,” the reverend said.
“What? You can’t be serious. I’m going with her. You can’t—”
“Tommy. Please. Begging is beneath an Arthur, isn’t it? I prefer to be paid for favors.” Judge Calder elbowed Reverend Shaw playfully.
Tommy eyed Judge Smythton and the aldermen. Had they just heard that? They all knew the judge and Reverend Shaw were crooked?
“Why?” Tommy asked, unable to believe the one time he took Yale out for the day that she’d been injured and stolen away.
Judge Smythton followed the stretcher and turned back. “I’ll handle the paperwork.”
The bells went silent as they got farther away, leaving Tommy to wonder if Yale passed out or if they were just too far to hear anymore.
The other officials left, but Judge Calder sneered.
“Why?” Tommy asked. The silence suffocating him.
Judge Calder narrowed his eyes on Tommy.
Tommy spread his arms open. “Why?”
Judge Calder shrugged and smiled. “Why not?”