The next day went much the same, there was no relief in site as by the time lunch break was called another stream of men had gone through the stand, each and every one testifying that Roz was indecisive and flighty, and that she had often said she didn't want kids to tie her down and ruin her fun.
"Yes I said all that, but that was before Alice, now that I have her I wouldn't trade her for the world." Roz sighed as Frasier and the rest of the Crane family were eating at a nearby restaurant.
"Look, we all know that he's just grasping at straws, As soon as I get a chance I intend to show that you've only had a few boyfriends since Alice, and they can testify to your devotion to her." Laura tried to brighten the downcast looks around the table.
"Have you even found them yet?" Frasier looked up.
"No I haven't" Laura shook her head, "I would bet their sudden disappearances are not coincidental though, there have been rumors before of Holloway pulling underhanded tricks like paying potential witnesses to go on extended vacations. But I've got a P.I. trying to locate them."
"I just can't imagine anyone even caring after another day of seeing all these guys. I can't believe them, they've even gone back to my middle school boyfriends." Roz rolled her eyes.
"The judge is not stupid Roz, she's going to see through this. I thought I detected her rolling her eyes when the witness said he had dated you for half of seventh grade." Laura chuckled reassuringly.
"You really think so?" Roz was hopeful.
"I wouldn't say it if I didn't. Now we'd better all be getting back."
When court reconvened Roz was happy to see no familiar faces from her dating past and hoped that the mudslinging was over. Everyone's jaws dropped as Holloway called his next witness..... Gilbert Chesterton.
Gil went through the basic information of his address and employment information as they tried to figure out what the plan was now. They weren't left in the dark much longer when the main line of questioning began.
"So Mr. Chesterton, you have already stated that you work with Ms. Crane, previously Doyle, at KACL, what would you say her reputation is around the station.
"Well" Gil cleared his throat, "as a producer she's quite talented and respected."
"But what about her personal reputation?" Holloway prompted.
"Well she's known as being a bit ummm...." Gil fidgeted "A bit of a maneater." He hung his head slightly.
"A maneater? Could you clarify please?" Holloway continued to prod Gil, making him most uncomfortable.
"She's just got a bad reputation when it comes to the men, that's all. But most of the men at the station are losers anyway." Gil tried to support Roz even while having to testify against her.
"I'm not asking about what kind of men are at the station, let me take a different approach. How many of the men who work at KACL would you say that have been involved with this woman." Holloways tone had taken on a derisive nature as he pointed at Roz.
"I'm not exactly sure, I would guess, just from water cooler gossip that perhaps about 80% of the men at the station have mentioned dating her." Beads of sweat had begun popping onto Gil's forehead.
"Another question Mr. Chesterton before I finish, were you surprised at the recent marriage between Frasier Crane and Roz Doyle?" Everyone jumped at that question as it suddenly became apparent that the recent marriage issue was not going to be ignored.
"Well I personally was a little surprised. I mean I had always figured they were sleeping together, but didn't think they'd actually make it to the alter." Gil said honestly as both Roz's and Frasier's jaws dropped open.
Before they knew it every co-worker in the station had been called to testify that Roz was pretty much dubbed as the station slut. And to both Roz's and Frasier's surprise they discovered that almost everyone had thought they were sleeping together, only a few people seemed unsurprised that they had gotten married.
Laura countered as best she could, but damage was definitely being done to their side. Once again they sighed in relief when the station witnesses were finished, now thinking that Holloway was ready to move on, but alas they were wrong.
"For our next witness we would like to call Niles Crane." Holloway announced, causing Niles head to snap up in surprise.
Niles nervously approached the stand, praying that he wouldn't damage Roz's case further. Once again they zipped through the preliminary questions before cutting to the heart of the questioning.
"Over the years that you have known your now sister-in-law, what was your opinion of her?" Holloway said grinning.
"Objection your honor..." Laura rose, trying to fend off the line of questioning.
"Your honor, I'm merely trying to show the continuity of this woman's reputation not only with co-workers but with family. Dr. Crane here has known her for a while and certainly could have some pertinent information to this case." Holloway stayed unruffled.
"Very well, I'll allow it, but try to watch the mudslinging counselor." The judge said sternly as Laura sat back down with a deep sigh.
"Dr. Crane, once again, what was your opinion of this woman, both when you first knew her and now?"
"Well at first I thought she was well, to be honest, a nymphomaniac with no morality and sensitivity to those around her." Niles said honestly, wincing as he saw Roz flinch at his words. And he could tell by the looks on Martin and Daphne's faces that he was going to have to answer for this later, but what really threw him was the look on Frasier's face, though Frasier was maintaining outward control the look in his eyes told more. He hadn't seen Frasier look that angry since the time he had found out Niles and Lilith had slept together.
"But..." He continued, determined to wipe the grin off of Holloway's face. "After some time of getting to know her I started realizing that a very caring and beautiful person was keeping herself hidden in that shell that most of the world sees. She has always been a real friend to my brother, someone he could always count on when the chips were down and I am glad to have her as part of this family." Niles finished with a touch of emotion in his voice. He could tell by the misty eyes of everyone, including Frasier that he had just scored some points for the hometeam. It was obvious by the glare on Holloways face as well.
"Let's get to the main issue here." Holloway began to needle once again. "And that is the parental aspect. You've seen your sister-in-law with her daughter, do you see any problems with lack of discipline or care?"
"Objection your honor, the witness is not an expert on parenting..." Laura rose.
"Wait I would like to answer this question." Niles said with authority, causing everyone to stop and turn to face him.
"I have not been a parent myself, and according to the world of psychiatry she may be doing a few things that aren't perfect. But I do know that I have never seen that child neglected or unhappy. My wife and I have had the pleasure of babysitting her and I find her to be a well adjusted and intelligent child. I think as a single mother especially that she has done an exceptional job." Roz blushed at Niles praise, she would never have guessed he thought that.
Holloway was obviously frustrated, from all reports he had heard these two didn't get along at all.
"One final subject" he sighed, "Were you surprised by your brothers marriage?"
Niles shifted a moment carefully before answering. "I must admit that I was surprised at first. Not that they had gotten married, Daphne, that's my wife, and I had been speculating as to how long it would take them to get together. But no one expected it to happen quite this suddenly."
"You didn't find out until after the wedding isn't that correct?"
"Well yes, they made the announcement the next day." Niles gulped feeling like the ax was about to drop and he wasn't going to be able to get out of the way.
"I thought you and your brother were close, yet you weren't invited to his wedding?" The lawyers tone was obviously suggestive.
"No, they eloped."
"Had they been dating?" Holloway's eyes gleamed as he could tell he was hitting a nerve.
"Well not to public knowledge, but they spend so much time together who knows." Niles was getting a little nervous having to analyze his brothers marriage but managed to stay outwardly calm.
"Don't you find it awfully convenient that 2 weeks before a custody battle is to begin that a single mother in a low rent apartment marries a well known and well respected psychiatrist complete with a close knit family. Quite a speedy transaction, and quite beneficial to the case. Nice that she and her boss were such good friends isn't it." The innuendo was obvious but Niles could think of no retort.
"Objection...."
"No further questions." Holloway snapped and sat down to allow Laura to cross examine, knowing that no matter how many wonderful things he now said about Roz and the marriage, the suspicion had already been cast.
Martin and Daphne were subjected to much the same treatment and were also able to get a few good words in about Roz, but Holloway still managed to use some of their testimony to Rick's advantage.
There was no sigh of relief this time when Daphne left the stand, for now it was apparent that Holloway could have any number of tricks up his sleeve, and they were not disappointed when he stood to call another witness.
"I would like to call Dr. Frasier Crane to the stand." He said
emphatically, grinning with satisfaction at the obvious shock that rippled
through the courtroom.