The Sacrifice by Robert Whitlow Page B

party?”
    Alisha looked at Frank. “He drove too fast and had his music turned up loud. I think he was trying to show off, but he didn’t do anything crazy or wild.”
    â€œWere you worried about your safety?”
    â€œNo. I was looking forward to the party.”
    â€œWhen did you arrive?”
    â€œIt’s about ten minutes from my house to Sarah’s place so we got there about eleven forty-five.”
    â€œHad the party started?”
    â€œNot really. I wanted to be early so I could help Sarah with the last-minute preparations.”
    â€œWhat did you do?”
    Alisha counted on her fingers. “Cut up some fruit. Heated some nacho sauce in the microwave. Popped some popcorn. Put some drinks and ice on a table in the downstairs recreation room.”
    â€œWhat kind of drinks?”
    â€œMostly Cheerwine.”
    Several students laughed.
    Scott smiled. “I haven’t had a Cheerwine in years. Was there a punch bowl at the party?”
    â€œYes. But I didn’t help with that.”
    â€œWho fixed the punch?”
    â€œSome of the guys. I think Ralph helped.” Alisha paused. “I can’t remember the other character’s name. Bill or Bob?”
    â€œBilly Bob Beerbelly.”
    â€œThat’s right.”
    â€œWhat kind of punch was it?”
    â€œGinger ale, fruit juice, and scoops of rainbow sherbet floating in it.”
    â€œNonalcoholic?”
    â€œI thought so. But now, I’m not sure.”
    â€œLet’s ask Joe about it.” Scott pointed to a tall, slender young man with a slightly pointed nose and light brown hair. “Your name, please.”
    â€œKenny.” The student’s ears turned suddenly red, and Scott realized he’d found a shy student in the group.
    â€œWould you like to be Joe Joker for a few minutes?”
    â€œI guess so.” The lanky boy stood up. “But I’m not very good at telling jokes.”
    â€œCan you tell me about the punch served at the party?” Scott asked.
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œWas there anything in it besides ginger ale, fruit juice, and rainbow sherbet?”
    â€œYes, sir.” The ears turned red again.
    â€œWhat else?”
    â€œUh, we spiked it with vodka.”
    â€œWho did it?”
    â€œRalph and me.”
    â€œWho brought the vodka to the party?”
    â€œRalph brought it. It was in the trunk of his car. I went with him to get it after he and Betty got there.”
    â€œWere you present when it was poured into the punch?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    Scott again addressed the group as a whole. “What kind of question did I just ask?”
    Dustin Rawlings raised his hand. “The kind that’s supposed to make the witness look guilty.”
    â€œAn incriminating question,” Scott replied. “Possibly. But I was thinking of something more basic.”
    â€œA leading question,” Frank said.
    â€œThat’s right,” Scott said. “A question that contains the answer. The witness either says ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ If Joe Joker was one of my witnesses in the case, the lawyer on the other side will object if I ask too many leading questions. How could I change my question about Joe’s presence at the punch bowl so that it would no longer be a leading question?”
    Janie Collins, who had been sitting on the edge of her chair, raised her hand. “You could ask, ‘Who was at the punch bowl when the liquor was poured into it?’”
    â€œExactly,” Scott said. “You only have five to seven minutes to question a witness in a mock trial competition and every question needs to bring out as much information as possible.”
    Scott motioned to Janie. “It’s Janie, isn’t it?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œJanie, you are now the lawyer questioning Joe Joker. Take over.”
    Janie’s face flushed slightly. “What am I supposed to