Justice at War: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights During Times of Crisis

4. Justice at War

4 Justice at War I ARRIVED AT Teresa’s townhouse on the other side of town a few minutes early. With a little repressed pleasure, I recalled her slightly breathless voice when she had called, just two days earlier, to invite me over. Rodrigo, her daughter, and the new baby had been staying in her extra bedroom, getting caught up with each other. But they were going to go for a stroll that afternoon to pick out some wine for our dinner. If I dropped by around four, we would have a little time for ourselves and I could help her set the table. I held onto the railing, the flowers I had purchased just moments before in my other hand, and my heart beating hard. The willowy, mature woman who answered the door wearing a simple dress cut from some elegant gray Italian cloth took my breath away. I gave her a quick, chaste kiss on the cheek and handed her the flowers. Did I notice a look of concern, mixed with pleasure, on her face? It seemed to me that she looked over my shoulder, almost anxiously , to see if the young people were looking. “Thanks, Gus. They’re beautiful. Let’s put them on the table over here. The young people just went out.” For the next few minutes, we busied ourselves setting the table and talking about inconsequential things. I noticed that the photograph of her late husband, a handsome Italian naval officer, which had stood on the mantelpiece, was nowhere in sight. I also learned that her daughter and Rodrigo had named the baby Gustavus. “After you, I think. Although Giannina has a favorite uncle by that name too.” As she returned from one of her many trips to the kitchen, I noticed, in the mirror , the fine, soft lines at the corners of her eyes, barely visible in the afternoon light. I wanted to reach out and smooth them, but resisted the temptation. Down, boy, I told myself. You have no idea how she would 56 take that. Why endanger a pleasant evening? Besides, the two of you, like it or not, are role models for the young people who would be here any minute now. As luck would have it, they were, a stylishly dressed Rodrigo waving the two bottles of wine they had just purchased and Giannina holding up the baby, who was sound asleep, for my inspection. “He’s starting to look a lot like his father,” I said, putting on my glasses to look more closely. “But he has your cheekbones. What does he like to do these days?” “Eat, mostly. And wiggle all his parts. He takes after his father in that respect. Can’t keep still.” “And liking food,” I added, referring to his father’s famous appetite . “Let me put him down in Mom’s bedroom, so we can take advantage of his rare nap.” When Giannina returned, I caught a glimpse of a pink room with a small, tidily made up bed in the center. Next to it stood a nightstand with a single candle. I could imagine myself and the sweet Teresa standing there, blowing it out together some day. “All right, you two,” Teresa announced, emerging from the kitchen. “Wash your hands, if you’re going to, and come to the table. Rodrigo’s already sitting down, and the baby will be interrupting us soon enough.” IN WHICH RODRIGO EXPLAINS HIS THEORY OF JUSTICE AT WAR Minutes later, we were all seated around the festively decorated table, having made great inroads into the savory veal scallopini that Teresa had prepared, when Rodrigo looked up. “I bet you want to hear more about my detention, Professor,” he said. When I nodded emphatically, he said, “And on my part, I want to hear more about your activities. Giannina tells me that the two of you ran the center in my absence.” “It was the least we could do. We never gave up hope you might show up alive. It actually didn’t do too badly. One or two of your grants came through. And, as Giannina no doubt told you, Professor Cranston finished up his book ahead of schedule. All the other fellows are JUSTICE AT WAR 57 amazed and redoubling their efforts. He’s rumored to be in line for a prize from the American Political Science Association. His book on suing international...