AN: OK I'm just going by what I see on Law and Order for my courtroom
drama... tehee
+++
The three of us strode into the courtroom, Sarah and I took our spots on the defense table and Anna sat directly behind us. Sarah pulled out her files and started going through them, shuffling some to the front and some to the back. Someone came over and gave Sarah a sheet of paper, "Hey Mags, who is "she glanced at the sheet again, "Shelia Jones?"
"Shelia? She was a woman who worked at the agency same time I did. Why?"
"Well looks like she is a character witness for the plaintiff."
"What?!" I was almost indignant, "How the hel-"I paused, "the heck does she have to do with anything?"
"She got stuff on you?" Sarah looked worried.
"Only the shit that she and Carrie made up."
"Carrie Johnson?"
"Yeah." I looked at the sheet, "Oh goody, she's listed too." I slouched bitterly in my chair, "Well this is gonna be fun."
"I never said it was going to be a picnic," she turned to look as the courtroom doors swung open, "Put your game face on, here's the opposition."
I straightening up in my chair and followed her stare, Jimmy Preston walked to wards us his lawyer in tow. He hadn't changed since I had last seen him, the same greasy hair slicked back, just this time instead of dirty jeans and a bloody shirt caused by my fist making connection with his nose, he had on a suit. His lawyer looked as questionable as Jimmy did. I caught Jimmy's eye and he stared back, making my skin crawl, he had a small smirk on his face.
I finally broke the stare and whispered to Sarah, "Gray's not going to be here, is he?"
"Not till tomorrow. Then I have him on the witness stand."
I nodded as a door open and the judge strode in, everyone climbed to their feet and then the fun began."
"The honorable Judge Julienne Friday, presiding." The Officer of the Court pulled up a folder handing it to her, "Today's case is James Ray Preston vs. Margot Anne Danials, your honor. Mr. Preston is suing Ms. Danials for custody for his son."
"You may be seated," her voice rang out clear and strong. She was in her mid 50s, curly gray hair; there was a twinkle in her eye as she started. "Mr. Catonni, you may begin."
+++
Two hours, 3 witnesses including Jimmy, 7 objections and 5 over-rulings later, and I was slowly sinking into my chair.
Catonni had Shelia on the stand and things were not going well, "So you're saying that the defendant had a rather, shall we say, loose lifestyle?"
Shelia was perched on the stand, looking like a cat with a full bowl of cream in front of her. She had me on the ropes and knew it. "It was common knowledge. She would come to work late all the time, the way she dressed," she paused looking pleased, "well lack of clothing I guess you could say."
"Did you ever witness her actions?"
Sarah jumped form her chair, "Your honor, I still don't see the point of this. All of this is just slander, and hear-say--."
Catonni broke in, "But your honor, these are character witnesses! They are simply here to give a character analysis of Ms Danials."
"So far all I've been hearing has been gossip around the water cooler. Make your point, Mr. Catonni," Came Judge Friday's reply, "Objection sustained."
He gave an abused look, "Yes your honor, Now Ms. Jones, did you ever witness these allegations?"
Pausing, she chose her words carefully, "Only what I heard Maggie and Rick, her assistant, talking about."
"And what was that?"
"I really don't like to gossip." I growled at her response, she glanced over at me and shifted uncomfortably.
"Its not gossip Ms. Jones, Just tell me your observations."
"There were guys that she was stringing along, and she would make Rick call them and break up with them for her. I think her last conquests were named, Eric, Paul, George and Raul." She paused flipping her hair over a shoulder, "It was also common knowledge that she and Rick were having an affair."
"And you would know this how?"
"Observations of course. He would go in her office for an hour and then come back out looking mighty pleased. And he would hint at it. He was a horrible secretary, spent most of the time on the phone making personal calls, took naps, I honestly don't think anything got done. And then when she left, she named him as her replacement."
I glanced at Sarah, "This is making me look bad."
"No shit," she whispered back, "you can back all this up can't you?"
"I told you I could didn't I?"
She nodded and focused her attention to the train wreck that was unfolding in front of us.
"No more questions, your honor." He walked back to his seat, looking as please as Jimmy.
Sarah got up and strode to the witness stand, "So did you ever see them in the act?"
"I beg your pardon?" Shelia looked taken back.
Sarah said slower, "My client and her assistant, you ever see them in the act?"
"No."
"Did you ever see them in the 'throes of passion'"
"No"
"Did they hold hands?"
"No" her replies were getting stonier as the inqusition went along. I couldn't help but smirk just a little.
"Did you ever see them kiss?"
"On the cheek once." She stuttered a little, Sarah was in her face.
"Ms. Jones, I sometimes kiss my florist on the cheek, and I'm certainly not having sex with him." She paused for effect, "So what you are telling me that all you ever saw was them kiss once, on the cheek."
"Well they would be in her office . . . ."
"Did they leave the door open? The blinds up? Did you have a front row view?"
"No."
"So for all you know, they could have been in a meeting, dictating, planning vacations for clients, talking about who Victor was planning on marrying next on their soaps?! Am I right?"
Shelia gave her a look, her tone icy, "Yes I suppose."
Sarah started back to the table, she grinned and winked at me. "One more question, Shelia. Did you just follow my client around or did you get any work done?"
"I got lots of work done."
"Are you still with the company?"
Shelia got a sour look, "Not anymore."
"Oh?"
"I was fired."
"By who?"
"Rick."
"Ahhh Maggie's assistant turned boss." Sarah turned to Judge Friday, "your honor, I am requesting the witness' testimony stricken from the record. Its not based on facts only petty revenge and gossip."
Catonni came back with a rebuttal, "Your honor, its only a character assessment, what Ms. Jones opinions are."
I'm sorry counsel; I'm going to have to go with the Mr. Catonni on this. You can refute it when your client is on the stand."
Sarah sunk into her chair somewhat defeated, "We need a new game plan."
"Mr. Catonni, have you any more witnesses?"
"No your honor, I feel we have presented our case and proved that the child would be better of my cli—"The Judge's gravel rapped sharply, cutting him off.
"Mr. Catonni, I didn't ask for closing remarks."
"Sorry your honor."
Judge Friday glanced at her watch, "We'll meet back here at 9am tomorrow morning. Court adjourned." We all stood as she left.
The three of us waited for the Jimmy and Johnny and the scum they had brought in to leave. I growled as Johnny turned and wiggled his fingers at me as he was passing through the door.
"Well that could have gone a lot worse." Sarah was actually cheerful.
"Are you serious? Did we just see the same witnesses?" I was in disbelief, she could actually be happy? "The judge thinks I'm a slut and whore who cant keep my legs together. Just how worse could it be?"
"Oh the Judge knows the whole lot of them are full of it."
I still didn't believe her.
"Besides, we get to present our case last, and we got Grayson."
I got up and gathered my things, "I wish I was as optimistic about it as you are, but frankly I feel like I need to start packing up my son's stuff." I walked out on them needing some time alone.
"Maggie." And unfamiliar voice stopped me in mid-stride as I turned. Jimmy was standing there. "How ya doin'?"
"Fabulous Terrific, magnificent, how the hell do you think I'm doing?" I hissed at him.
"Hey now girlie, don't take that tone with me." He waggled a grimy finger my direction, "Wouldn't want ta think you were unfit to take care of my son, now would I?" he grinned, a slow, malicious grin, "I'm thinkin' you better be nice to me." He circled around me like a vulture, leaning in to smell my hair, I could feel his eyes on me, my skin crawled. "I'm thinking you better be very nice to me." He looked me up and down again, "Little Maggie, all grown up. Ya look good. Very good in fact."
Now I was really in need of a shower. "Make your point before I smack you into next week."
"And still as rebellious as ever. You know your sister was like that, and I had to take her down a few pegs."
"YOU SONOFABITCH!" I yelled, no one noticed, no one was around. "How dare you. You're not fit to talk about my sister."
He grinned knowing exactly what he was doing, "Now Maggie, I just want to talk, not get all nasty. You have something I want, and I'm close to getting something you want."
"What are you talking about? What do I have?"
"Money." He grinned as the light bulb flashed over my head, "Ever since you made your sister break up with me, I've been down on my luck you could say. A little check would clear up all this misunderstanding."
I was seething; I couldn't believe the nerve of this guy. "How much would clear up this 'misunderstanding'?"
"Hmmm... I'm thinking 100 grand would do nicely."
"You want me to write you a check?" I hissed
"No, cash."
I choked, "You're serious aren't you?"
"Get me the money, I'll give you the boy."
"I don't have that much."
"Even after the settlement?" I looked shocked that he knew about it, "I did my homework you see. You got plenty to share."
"Its not sitting in my room under the bed, Its all tied up in mutual funds and other things I'm sure you have never even heard of."
"You'll find away. You're a very clever girl." He noticed someone behind me and backed away, "I'll be in touch." He sauntered down the deserted hallway.
I turned to see Sarah and Anna staring intently at me.
"What was that all about?" she asked, arms crossed, Anan looked worried
I gave Sarah a look meaning 'not in front of Anna', "Nothing. Don't worry about it. He didn't get bloody; I restrained myself. But I can't promise he'll be so lucky next time."
+++
The three of us strode into the courtroom, Sarah and I took our spots on the defense table and Anna sat directly behind us. Sarah pulled out her files and started going through them, shuffling some to the front and some to the back. Someone came over and gave Sarah a sheet of paper, "Hey Mags, who is "she glanced at the sheet again, "Shelia Jones?"
"Shelia? She was a woman who worked at the agency same time I did. Why?"
"Well looks like she is a character witness for the plaintiff."
"What?!" I was almost indignant, "How the hel-"I paused, "the heck does she have to do with anything?"
"She got stuff on you?" Sarah looked worried.
"Only the shit that she and Carrie made up."
"Carrie Johnson?"
"Yeah." I looked at the sheet, "Oh goody, she's listed too." I slouched bitterly in my chair, "Well this is gonna be fun."
"I never said it was going to be a picnic," she turned to look as the courtroom doors swung open, "Put your game face on, here's the opposition."
I straightening up in my chair and followed her stare, Jimmy Preston walked to wards us his lawyer in tow. He hadn't changed since I had last seen him, the same greasy hair slicked back, just this time instead of dirty jeans and a bloody shirt caused by my fist making connection with his nose, he had on a suit. His lawyer looked as questionable as Jimmy did. I caught Jimmy's eye and he stared back, making my skin crawl, he had a small smirk on his face.
I finally broke the stare and whispered to Sarah, "Gray's not going to be here, is he?"
"Not till tomorrow. Then I have him on the witness stand."
I nodded as a door open and the judge strode in, everyone climbed to their feet and then the fun began."
"The honorable Judge Julienne Friday, presiding." The Officer of the Court pulled up a folder handing it to her, "Today's case is James Ray Preston vs. Margot Anne Danials, your honor. Mr. Preston is suing Ms. Danials for custody for his son."
"You may be seated," her voice rang out clear and strong. She was in her mid 50s, curly gray hair; there was a twinkle in her eye as she started. "Mr. Catonni, you may begin."
+++
Two hours, 3 witnesses including Jimmy, 7 objections and 5 over-rulings later, and I was slowly sinking into my chair.
Catonni had Shelia on the stand and things were not going well, "So you're saying that the defendant had a rather, shall we say, loose lifestyle?"
Shelia was perched on the stand, looking like a cat with a full bowl of cream in front of her. She had me on the ropes and knew it. "It was common knowledge. She would come to work late all the time, the way she dressed," she paused looking pleased, "well lack of clothing I guess you could say."
"Did you ever witness her actions?"
Sarah jumped form her chair, "Your honor, I still don't see the point of this. All of this is just slander, and hear-say--."
Catonni broke in, "But your honor, these are character witnesses! They are simply here to give a character analysis of Ms Danials."
"So far all I've been hearing has been gossip around the water cooler. Make your point, Mr. Catonni," Came Judge Friday's reply, "Objection sustained."
He gave an abused look, "Yes your honor, Now Ms. Jones, did you ever witness these allegations?"
Pausing, she chose her words carefully, "Only what I heard Maggie and Rick, her assistant, talking about."
"And what was that?"
"I really don't like to gossip." I growled at her response, she glanced over at me and shifted uncomfortably.
"Its not gossip Ms. Jones, Just tell me your observations."
"There were guys that she was stringing along, and she would make Rick call them and break up with them for her. I think her last conquests were named, Eric, Paul, George and Raul." She paused flipping her hair over a shoulder, "It was also common knowledge that she and Rick were having an affair."
"And you would know this how?"
"Observations of course. He would go in her office for an hour and then come back out looking mighty pleased. And he would hint at it. He was a horrible secretary, spent most of the time on the phone making personal calls, took naps, I honestly don't think anything got done. And then when she left, she named him as her replacement."
I glanced at Sarah, "This is making me look bad."
"No shit," she whispered back, "you can back all this up can't you?"
"I told you I could didn't I?"
She nodded and focused her attention to the train wreck that was unfolding in front of us.
"No more questions, your honor." He walked back to his seat, looking as please as Jimmy.
Sarah got up and strode to the witness stand, "So did you ever see them in the act?"
"I beg your pardon?" Shelia looked taken back.
Sarah said slower, "My client and her assistant, you ever see them in the act?"
"No."
"Did you ever see them in the 'throes of passion'"
"No"
"Did they hold hands?"
"No" her replies were getting stonier as the inqusition went along. I couldn't help but smirk just a little.
"Did you ever see them kiss?"
"On the cheek once." She stuttered a little, Sarah was in her face.
"Ms. Jones, I sometimes kiss my florist on the cheek, and I'm certainly not having sex with him." She paused for effect, "So what you are telling me that all you ever saw was them kiss once, on the cheek."
"Well they would be in her office . . . ."
"Did they leave the door open? The blinds up? Did you have a front row view?"
"No."
"So for all you know, they could have been in a meeting, dictating, planning vacations for clients, talking about who Victor was planning on marrying next on their soaps?! Am I right?"
Shelia gave her a look, her tone icy, "Yes I suppose."
Sarah started back to the table, she grinned and winked at me. "One more question, Shelia. Did you just follow my client around or did you get any work done?"
"I got lots of work done."
"Are you still with the company?"
Shelia got a sour look, "Not anymore."
"Oh?"
"I was fired."
"By who?"
"Rick."
"Ahhh Maggie's assistant turned boss." Sarah turned to Judge Friday, "your honor, I am requesting the witness' testimony stricken from the record. Its not based on facts only petty revenge and gossip."
Catonni came back with a rebuttal, "Your honor, its only a character assessment, what Ms. Jones opinions are."
I'm sorry counsel; I'm going to have to go with the Mr. Catonni on this. You can refute it when your client is on the stand."
Sarah sunk into her chair somewhat defeated, "We need a new game plan."
"Mr. Catonni, have you any more witnesses?"
"No your honor, I feel we have presented our case and proved that the child would be better of my cli—"The Judge's gravel rapped sharply, cutting him off.
"Mr. Catonni, I didn't ask for closing remarks."
"Sorry your honor."
Judge Friday glanced at her watch, "We'll meet back here at 9am tomorrow morning. Court adjourned." We all stood as she left.
The three of us waited for the Jimmy and Johnny and the scum they had brought in to leave. I growled as Johnny turned and wiggled his fingers at me as he was passing through the door.
"Well that could have gone a lot worse." Sarah was actually cheerful.
"Are you serious? Did we just see the same witnesses?" I was in disbelief, she could actually be happy? "The judge thinks I'm a slut and whore who cant keep my legs together. Just how worse could it be?"
"Oh the Judge knows the whole lot of them are full of it."
I still didn't believe her.
"Besides, we get to present our case last, and we got Grayson."
I got up and gathered my things, "I wish I was as optimistic about it as you are, but frankly I feel like I need to start packing up my son's stuff." I walked out on them needing some time alone.
"Maggie." And unfamiliar voice stopped me in mid-stride as I turned. Jimmy was standing there. "How ya doin'?"
"Fabulous Terrific, magnificent, how the hell do you think I'm doing?" I hissed at him.
"Hey now girlie, don't take that tone with me." He waggled a grimy finger my direction, "Wouldn't want ta think you were unfit to take care of my son, now would I?" he grinned, a slow, malicious grin, "I'm thinkin' you better be nice to me." He circled around me like a vulture, leaning in to smell my hair, I could feel his eyes on me, my skin crawled. "I'm thinking you better be very nice to me." He looked me up and down again, "Little Maggie, all grown up. Ya look good. Very good in fact."
Now I was really in need of a shower. "Make your point before I smack you into next week."
"And still as rebellious as ever. You know your sister was like that, and I had to take her down a few pegs."
"YOU SONOFABITCH!" I yelled, no one noticed, no one was around. "How dare you. You're not fit to talk about my sister."
He grinned knowing exactly what he was doing, "Now Maggie, I just want to talk, not get all nasty. You have something I want, and I'm close to getting something you want."
"What are you talking about? What do I have?"
"Money." He grinned as the light bulb flashed over my head, "Ever since you made your sister break up with me, I've been down on my luck you could say. A little check would clear up all this misunderstanding."
I was seething; I couldn't believe the nerve of this guy. "How much would clear up this 'misunderstanding'?"
"Hmmm... I'm thinking 100 grand would do nicely."
"You want me to write you a check?" I hissed
"No, cash."
I choked, "You're serious aren't you?"
"Get me the money, I'll give you the boy."
"I don't have that much."
"Even after the settlement?" I looked shocked that he knew about it, "I did my homework you see. You got plenty to share."
"Its not sitting in my room under the bed, Its all tied up in mutual funds and other things I'm sure you have never even heard of."
"You'll find away. You're a very clever girl." He noticed someone behind me and backed away, "I'll be in touch." He sauntered down the deserted hallway.
I turned to see Sarah and Anna staring intently at me.
"What was that all about?" she asked, arms crossed, Anan looked worried
I gave Sarah a look meaning 'not in front of Anna', "Nothing. Don't worry about it. He didn't get bloody; I restrained myself. But I can't promise he'll be so lucky next time."