“He told me that he was buying every single one of those items with money saved up from his veteran pension,” Rebecca cried out.

“You believed his explanation because he constantly smiled and told you not to worry about an old man spending a few extra dollars on his favorite neighbors,” I answered gently.

Judge Lawson leaned over his paperwork, his expression shifting from formal sternness to deep concern as he addressed the elderly defendant.

“Mr.

Callahan, is what your neighbor Mrs.

Holloway is telling this court the absolute truth?” Judge Lawson asked.

“Yes, Your Honor, everything she just told you is true,” Clarence confessed as a tear slipped down into the deep lines of his cheek.