Until Lambs Become Lions
Chapter Seven
Authors Notes: Sorry for taking so long guys, it became wicked hectic at work and that explains the shitty ending to this chapter, but the wheels are turning so have no fear. Thanks for all the support, reviews and the adds.
Gorham court house was a large building of white marble. Or at least Evy thought it was marble. It didn't really matter what it was, she decided as her sensible black heels clipped softly on the stones. She had her file on Maggie, she had confidence, and she had to say she looked damn good in the black suit. Confidence was key, but Evy felt the nerves running through her veins. She knew how much was riding on the case, and how much Maggie had begged her for help. She took a deep breath, rolled her shoulders back and pushed open the heavy wood door. She walked down the long hallway by herself, only her fear to keep her company.
She entered the court room and heaved a quiet sigh. Not many people showed up for family court and for that she was extremely grateful. There were a total of ten people to watch. She nodded to the grandparents who would hopefully take custody of Maggie that day. She took a seat beside Joan O'Donnel, the lawyer who would be defending the states side. "You ready for this?" Joan asked softly as Evy poured a glass of water.
"I've reviewed all the statements, my statements, my reports, the cop's reports, blah blah blah."
"Then we should be fine."
Evy lifted both brows and cocked her head. "Depends on if the judge is being paid."
"Might wanna put a cap on the pessimism." Joan replied easily. "You're up first."
"Of course I am," Evy downed her glass of water and took a deep breath.
0-0-0
It was a grueling one hour, an hour filled with shouts, accusations, cursing, so much so that at one point while on the stand Evy saw Blake take Maggie from the room. Evy shifted on the straight back wooden chair as Concannon's lawyer approached the bench. "Miss. Carter," he began his would be speech quite loudly, and in Evy's mind incorrectly. Thomas grinned from his table, a cocky grin no less.
"It's Doctor Carter, Mr. Ives, please remember that," said Evy complacently. Thom sneered.
"Yes," Ives cleared his throat, unusually rattled by the calm, cool grey gaze. "Will you state your name and titles for the record?"
"Certainly," Evy glanced at the backdoor as Blake reentered with Maggie who bore a popsicle in one hand. "My name is Doctor Evelyn Carter, I have a PHD in child psychology and hold a social work license at the master level, I also have a degree in criminal justice and multiple certificates in child counseling."
"And did Mr. Concannon's daughter say she was being abused?" Ives paced in front of Evy like a hungry jackal
"Well, Mr. Ives as I'm sure you're well aware most children don't understand the definition of abused. Maggie let me know in her own way."
"And what way is that?" Ives challenged.
Evy's lips thinned. "She came to me with her grandmother, and asked to talk to me alone. When I sat down with her she informed me that Mr. Concannon has..." she pondered on her words, glanced at the jury and swallowed the bitter hate. "Sexually violated her." She heard the murmurs from the jury. "As well as physically abused her."
"And what proof do you have, Dr. Carter?" Ives placed his hands on the rail of her stand and leaned in toward her.
"The counselor will keep his distance from the witness." The judge reminded him tersely. Ives straightened, held his hands up in the 'I surrender' pose before pacing. "Proof, Dr. Carter?"
"Police reports, Mr. Ives, doctor's reports. When a child comes to me and says that this happened and the day of I don't hesitate to contact the police."
"And what did the doctor say?"
"The doctor is here Mr. Ives," Evy's gaze landed on the female gynecologist who had examined Maggie. "I'm sure she's much more educated in this subject than I am."
"Of course, of course," Ives tapped his fingers against his mouth in thought.
"Witness is dismissed," the judge stated.
"One more thing Dr. Carter," Ives stopped her as she stood to head back to the audience. "Was Seth Quinn one of your charges?"
"He was."
"And he's dead now?"
Evy kept her face stone cold. "Yes."
"That's all." Ives turned his back on her. Blake's sharp eyes caught that her hands were fisted at her sides, and the small step toward him. She reined in the anger and moved swiftly to her seat. Blake leaned forward and placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezed. "It's okay." He murmured. "Jury's on your side." And he was right.
Maggie, in her youthful obviousness, ran to Evy and threw her arms around her neck. "Thank you," she whispered. She looked at her Grandparents on the other side of Evy with a beaming grin. "Can I have a lollipop, Evy?"
"A red one?" The social worker reached into her briefcase.
"A red one." Maggie took the unwrapped tootsie pop from Evy and popped it into her mouth.
"Stay away from my daughter, bitch!" Thom's shout took Evy by surprise even more so than the hand in her shoulder. She rose, turned and caught the fist on the side of her jaw. Out of pure instinct, her left arm pushed Maggie into the grandmother and her right fist connected with Thom's face. Blake reached forward, grabbed the front of Thom's shirt and hauled him over. "Back off." His whispered softly. "You don't know what you're doing." Evy stared at Blake in quiet wonder, her arm tucked around Maggie. "Bailiff!" Blake called for the man who was still waddling over. "Take him."
Thom's eyes latched onto Evy. "Just wait Carter, shits gonna hit the fan." His gaze fell to the girl. "See you soon sweetie."
"Evy," Maggie whimpered softly. Evy was quiet as she pushed the girl behind her.
"You'll see the end of a gun before you see her again," promised Evy softly. Thom grinned before he was hauled away. The Concannon grandparents hugged, and thanked her repeatedly before she bid Maggie a final good bye. She knelt to be eye level with the child. "I'll see you in a year," Evy said softly as she fixed the leopard print coat on the six year old. "You're going with nana and popa, they'll take care of you."
"I won't see you again?" Maggie looked behind her at her grandparents, confused. "But—but, we see each other every week, how am I—"
"I'll see you sooner than you think," Evy promised and kissed her forehead. "Go ahead. I heard them say you were gonna get a puppy." Maggie's eyes brightened and she skipped off. Just like that, Evy thought bitterly. Replaced by a puppy. She breathed a quiet sigh of relief before she rubbed her jaw with a wince. "Never a dull day," she muttered to Joan. The lawyer grinned as she piled her notes and files into her briefcase.
"Wanna get drunk?" Joan asked bluntly. "I've got a couple bottles of white wine." Her green eyes landed on Blake as he approached, she purred with a wicked grin. "On the other hand I'd get drunk on him."
Evy turned and looked, she flushed a deep red. "Yeah."
"Oh, spill?" Joan grabbed her arm grinning. "Please, I've been celibate for like—"
"Two weeks," teased Evy.
"Oh shut up, go get some." Joan pushed her toward Blake. "Do it for me."
"I'll call you," Laughed Evy as Blake took her by the elbow. They exited the court room and took the steps at a unusually quick pace at least to her mind. "Blake I have a car."
"I had Father Reilly bring it back," answered Blake. She quirked an eyebrow. "I'll bring you back."
"Blake…"
"He just attacked you," the detective turned on her; she stopped dead in her tracks, staring. "What part of that are you oblivious to?" She opened her mouth to speak, but he rambled on. "He attacked you because you won the case. And you just stood there!"
"I hit him back," she said through gritted teeth. Blake threw his hands up and stormed toward his car. "What the hell is your issue?" She marched after him. "Blake…"
"Do you not see what's going on in Gotham?" He shoved his hands in his coat pockets, leaned on his car. "A kid dead, a man who has connections with the mob attacks you after a mob boss attacks—"
"Coincidence."
"Get in the car." Blake got inside; Evy rolled her eyes, but obeyed.
0-0-0
The cave was a cold, misty relief to Blake; he rubbed his forehead and sighed heavily as he sat on the leather arm chair in front of his many screens. He had contacted Gotham General for the list of first born's, and there were quite a few to say the least. He assumed that Finnocetti had meant children. It narrowed the list to those between the ages of newborn to twelve. Even then it left a gap to the age of eighteen, but who would try eighteen year olds? Blake tapped a pen against his lips. It seemed to him that a visit was necessary. He donned the suit and headed for Blackgate Prison. He slipped in, hiding in shadows until he found Finnocetti. "Oh God." Franko turned away from the bars; Blake grabbed the orange coveralls and yanked him hard into the bars. "Just go away."
"What first borns?" Batman growled. "Whose?"
"Gothams, Batty, first born sons of the rich." Franko whispered gleefully. "You think mine was just the first? You just wait."
"Why?" When he got no answer he shook him hard. "Why the sons?" It took him only a moment to clue in. Franko was dead. Batman let him drop and scanned the cell; there was a meal tray, half eaten. Blake left quickly, the new information was useful. But how to find out more? He parked the tumbler in the cave and sat for a few minutes. Every first born son of Gotham's rich. Blake shook his head as he took his suit off and threw on a pair of sweatpants. Who would have it out for first borns? His brain was still running when he entered the study from the bookcase. He froze as he saw Evy entered humming to herself in a towel. She saw him; her gaze dropped to the sweatpants and ran up the toned stomach to the muscled chest.
"Hi," she said quietly, standing stock-still in the towel. Blake approached and brushed his fingertips across the light bruise on her jaw. "I bruise easy," she admitted with a shrug. "It's normal."
"Being hit isn't part of your job, Evy." He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight.
Oh my. Was her only thought. "Blake," she wiggled free, flushing. "It's fine."
"When are you gonna learn that people care and worry about you?" His words had her halting. Blake stiffened. Oh shit, she knows, she knows.
"You're right," Evy stated as she turned. He stared at her in confusion. "You're absolutely right Blake." She tapped her fingers against her lips thoughtfully before turning away. "Oh," She stopped and turned once more. "By the way when you see your 'friend' again, tell him that I don't need his help or his protection."
"I will."
"Same goes for you Blake." Evy added before retiring to her room. Blake breathed out a sigh and sat down on the couch beside the fire. She had to know, he decided, but she was playing cat and mouse. He could do it back he decided. Oh yes, he could.