"Children of Plains Estates" Silent Tears is the third book of the series. Its key plot is the bullying trial after Alan Bates commits suicide. Who is responsible? The boys attorney will put on trial, Robert Bates, the dad that molested him. Alan's mother who failed to protect him, the school principle, and Alan himself. Some resident of Plains Estates will die. Will it be Toni Colbert, who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, Rita Watkins, that is living with sickle cell anemia, Stacey Worthington, who contracted AIDS from a blood transfusion, or another resident.