This was going to be a very long day...she wasn't working with me.

I had been hoping that at some point in my life, I'd work with a witness who told the whole truth, nothing but the truth, and helped me out a bit. Obviously Cerise was not going to be that witness. Maybe it was because she had been a lawyer, maybe it was because she was a girl, but whatever it was, she just seemed to HATE me with an intense passion.

"Maybe she'd like you more," I muttered to Trucy.

She just laughed at me, giving no response but a little giggle. Are all lawyers alone in the world?

Flashback

Phoenix's P.O.V.

I'm not sure when exactly I noticed that my kitchen knife was missing, but it was shortly after ten at night when I decided that I wanted to have a sandwhich and my knife (the one that I always used to cut fresh bread that I got from the grocery store) was not there. I searched everywhere, hoping that it was somewhere mildly easy to find, but I couldn't find it at all. I called Apollo to see if he stole it, but he didn't answer his phone. What? Does he still go to bed at eight at night?

So after spending two hours looking for the damn thing, I found I was totally losing it and actually checking the toilet...the inside of the toilet. So where did it go...?

Back to the future!!!

"Your honor. I've heard enough of this junk about their relationship. What I want to hear about is the relationship of Mr. Wright and Mr. Topsy, tha's all that matters right now." Payne said loudly.

I rolled my eyes, he was always talking like that...unless he was scared. Then he was just a total whimp. Payne had a really inflated view of himself. His head barely fit through the doors of court. And I was the poor bloke who had to face him off 95% of the time. Course, I don't blame the chaps who didn't want to be up against him. He'd really lost a lot of respect when he started screwing around with his hair...now that was just disturbing. But everything about Winston Payne made me...(pardon the pun) Wince in Pain....it was just the way things were.

And while these thoghts were going through my head, Cerise began to testify about the relationship between her boss and their client.

"They got along fine sir," she put a lot of emphasis on the final word. "As was usual, Mr. Wright's only concern was getting his client safely home with nothing against him. None of us wanted him in jail...see unlike you, we have a heart."

Guess it's not just me she doesn't seem to like....

"Mr. Topsy was a very cooperative man and answered any questions we needed. In the end he was found innocent, of course. Mr. Wright and Otto then said goodbye and that was the end of it. No "ifs" "ands" or "buts", it was over. They were attorney and client, nothing more and nothing less. The relationship was completely buisness but not all are. His was. As far as my knowledge reaches, they never met again after that case."

Payne nodded slowly, as if trying to find a reason to flip out on her, but he found none.

Time to cross examine the witness from hell...

"Okay, Ms. Cerise. You said, and I quote, 'As far as my knowledge reaches, they never met again after that case...' What is that supposed to mean?"

"Oh..I'm sorry. I forgot I was dealing with neanderthals! It means that in my head, the thing on top of my neck, there is a brain. And that brain believes that Mr. Wright never again spoke to Otto Topsy. I can't break it down any further. If you want, that prosectutor can translate it into waves and grunts, but his type of grunts may be a little to sophisticated for you." She gave me a creepy smile, head tilted to the side.

"Um...no....its okay." Wrong question Justice...that one wasn't necessary... "Uh, right. Anyway. Now, could he have met with Otto Topsy yesterday."

"Sure he could have. I haven't been in touch with Wright for awhile; since the office broke up. Do. You. (she pointed at me) Understand.? (she pointed at her head)."

Payne snickered as a mumbled something stupid and turned red.

"Mr. Justice, Mr. Payne. I have to be the clown at my grandsons birthday in fifteen minutes. Court is ajorned till tomorrow and theres no changing that. Mr. Justice...go read a dictionary or something. Get a night class. Brighten up before tomorrow please."

"WHAAAAA?"

- - - - - -

"WRIIIIIIIIIIGHT!!!!!!" I screamed.

He snorted loudly into his hands trying to hold back his laughter.

"YOU THINK ITS FUNNY?"

He nodded....

I blinked.

He did the same.

We stared at each other.

"Just try and fix her up....I really can't help you if she's being a smart ass the whole time...."

He nodded again.

- - - - - -

As soon as I had Trucy home, I headed back to my apartment where I instantly fell asleep. I dreamt about that Cerise girl the entire time. It was horrible. I had to cross examine her over and over again and everytime she would call me stupid names or make fun of me....this was just not going to work....