Page 76 of Baby Blue
“Did you take her for the rest of her recommended immunizations?”
“No. I didn’t have the money.”
Glen stepped away from the witness box and headed back to the table, then turned and looked at Cindy. “Your insurance didn’t cover it?”
“I don’t have insurance,” Cindy told him, her cheeks pinking up.
“And you didn’t ask her father to chip in?” She didn’t answer, but her bloodred cheeks told the story.
Blue’s chin almost hit the floor when Glen asked, “And did you, at any time, call Mr.Wallace and ask about how she was doing?” When she balked, he added, “And remember, MissHolland, you’re under oath and we can pull phone records if need be.” Blue had to give it to Glen, the guy was good.
Cindy squirmed miserably. “Uh, no, I didn’t.”
“No more questions, YourHonor,” Glen said and took his seat beside Blue.
“Anything else, Mr.Casey?” the judge asked Cindy’s attorney.
“Yes, thank you, YourHonor.” He marched up to Cindy. “So did you really think leaving her with the defendant was the best thing for your daughter?”
“At the time, yes,” she answered and nodded.
“No more questions, YourHonor,” he said and sat back down.
“I’d like to reserve the right to question the witness later,” Glen said.
“You may do so.” The judge picked up a sheet of paper and stared at it. “The court calls FrankGalloway to the stand.”
To Blue’s disgust, the troll ambled through the courtroom doorway and up to the front. He took his seat, the judge swore him in, and Cindy’s attorney started. “State your full name for the court, please.”
“FrancisNathanial Galloway,” he said, and Blue could hear the edge of sarcasm already seeping into his voice.
“And what is your relationship to those here today?”
“That man over there is my neighbor. Wallace,” he said, his voice raspy.
“How long has he lived next door to you?”
“About eight years,” Galloway said.
“And in that time, what kind of neighbor has he been?”
“Horrible!” Galloway yelled. “Grass waist high, beer cans everywhere, loud music, whores wandering in and out?”
“Objection, YourHonor!” Glen yelled. “He has no idea who those women are!”
“Sustained. You’ll refrain from calling anyone a prostitute unless you’ve paid them personally.” Galloway seemed to deflate a little at that.
“So women were coming in and out,” Mr.Casey reinforced.
“Yes, they were.”
“A lot?”
“All the damn time,” Galloway answered.
“And did he keep regular hours?”
“He was in and out all hours of the day and night, making all kinds of noise and disturbing the peace.”
