A/N: Speedmonkey, I don't care about updating when you ask. I was at the end of the chapter anyway. It was ready to be posted so I started my new chapter. Then I got postponed and was talking to you on TalkCSI but now I'm getting somewhere.
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Tim sighed and ran a hand through his hair as he sat in court. He never expected this to happen. He didn't want to take Anna away from Michelle. Okay yes he did but it was only for her protection.
"I'd like to call Mrs. Michelle Clark to the stand." Evan said.
'Great. Here we go.' Tim thought, leaning back in his chair.
"Mrs. Clark, did you or did you not put a restraining order on your ex-husband?" Evan asked.
"I did." Michelle nodded. "We were having some problems and he was getting... threatening. I worried for Anna to see him alone. I restricted their relationship to phone calls only. I mean, she needs a dad. I can't cut him totally off from her."
"Threatening?"
Tim stared at Michelle, his jaw hanging open. Was she honestly lying?
"He would say some things that would scare me."
"Like what?"
"Like... well one night I called over there a few times because Anna was sick and I was checking up on her. He got pissed at me and well... threatened to harm me if I didn't stop calling."
"Mrs. Clark, have you ever hit your daughter?"
"No. I love Anna more than anything and would not do anything to harm her." Michelle said sweetly.
"Your neighbors have made various calls to the Miami-Dade Police Dept. saying there was a bit of trouble around your house."
"Oh that." Michelle snorted. "We were watching a movie with a new surround sound system. We can get a bit carried away. No harm was done."
"No more questions." Evan said.
"Ms. Wilhelm, do you have any questions for your client?" Judge Wayans asked.
"Yes actually I do." Cecilia smiled. "Mrs. Clark, what made you divorce your ex-husband?"
Michelle glanced at Tim, who gave her a look.
"He was getting boring so I cheated on him. I'm not proud of what I did but a woman does deserve to be happy."
Tim rolled his eyes.
"Do you think Mr. Speedle is a good father to Anna?" Cecilia asked.
"On occasion."
"That's all." Cecilia sat back down and Judge Wayans let Michelle go back to her seat.
"Ms. Wilhelm, do you have any witnesses you'd like to call to the stand?"
"Yes. Mr. Jack Clark."
Jack took the stand and Cecilia smiled at him.
"Mr. Clark, how long have you known Anna?"
"Four years."
"Have you ever treated her wrong or hurt her in anyway?"
"No. I love her like she was my own daughter."
"On June 13, 2004 did Mr. Speedle come to your home?"
"Yes." Jack nodded.
"Can you tell us what happened?"
"I opened the door to let him in and he threw a punch at me. We physically fought for a while and Michelle came down, asking what his problem was. Tim accused us of abusing Anna because she had bruises on her."
"Did you deny this?" Cecilia asked.
"Of course. Anna is a seven-year-old girl. She's bound to get a bunch of bruises on her. She plays around, falls... she's a normal kid."
Cecilia nodded.
"That's all your honor."
"Mr. Bradford, anything you'd like to add?" Wayans asked.
"Yes I would." Evan grabbed a file off the table and waltzed up to Jack. "Mr. Clark do you know what a hand print looks like?"
"I'm not stupid Mr. Bradford."
"Good. Then you can tell me what this is." Evan flipped the file open, showing off a close up of Anna's bruised arm some weeks before.
"That could be anyone's hand and it certainly isn't mine. I wouldn't touch that little girl."
"Who would want to?"
"I don't know. Maybe her psycho father."
"She hasn't been with me all year!" Tim exclaimed. Wayans tapped his gavel.
"Mr. Speedle, one more outburst and you can excuse yourself from my courtroom." he said. "Mr. Bradford are you through?"
"Yes. I'd like to call my next witness if you don't mind." Evan said. "Miss Anna Speedle."
"You're not putting her on the stand." Michelle snapped. "You can't! I won't allow it!"
"Mrs. Clark," Wayans warned.
"Mrs. Clark, I can and I intend to. At this moment you don't have any custody over your daughter. Any decisions on her behalf will be made by Mr. Speedle." Evan said. "Anna, honey you wanna come up here?"
Anna looked up at Calleigh, who nodded. She sighed and walked up to the stand, then sat down. Half the courtroom chuckled, seeing as Anna could barely see over the gate around her chair.
"Bailiff," Wayans laughed quietly. "Can we get something to boost up Miss Speedle's... height?"
The bailiff nodded and handed Anna a book to put on the seat. Now that she could see, Evan began.
"Anna, do you love your dad?"
"Yes." she smiled brightly.
"Would he ever want to make you sad?"
"No."
Evan smiled.
"How about your mom?"
Anna's smile faded.
"She's okay." she said quietly.
"How about Jack?"
Anna wouldn't talk.
"Tim's making her do this." Michelle spat.
"Mrs. Clark!" Wayans exclaimed, tapping his gavel. Cecilia placed a calm hand on Michelle's arm and she sat back in her chair.
"Anna, remember when we talked before?" Evan asked. She nodded. "Can you tell me what you told me again?"
"Jack got mad at me and hit me." she mumbled. "He and Mommy were acting funny."
"Funny how?"
"Your honor I object." Cecilia said.
"Overruled. Anna, answer the question please." Wayans said.
"Um... well they were acting... hyper?" she replied in a questioning. Tim cocked his head slightly. Hyper? "After that he hit me a lot. I told Mommy to tell him to stop but she wouldn't."
"That's a lie!" Michelle screeched.
"Oh shut up Michelle!" Tim snapped. "She doesn't know how to lie!"
"Yes she does! She's not safe with you! You can't handle her! You don't hear what she says about you! Anna, tell Daddy what you've said!"
"Anna, don't lie to me." Tim warned.
"See! He threatens her!" Michelle exclaimed.
"Bailiff, get them out of here!" Wayans yelled.
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"For now, this case is postponed for the day. Until this matter is solved I've decided what to do with Anna." Judge Wayans said. Both couples waited eagerly. "I've decided to put Anna in a foster home."
"What?" Michelle asked, shock written all over her face.
"No!" Tim yelled.