Page 79 of Baby Blue
“Just take some deep breaths and have faith. I actually think this is going pretty well. It’ll go even better when I get you on the stand and they find out who you are and what you’ve done with your life.”
“Well, okay. I guess that makes me feel a little better,” Blue muttered. He was afraid his legs would give out when he stood, but he got to his feet when Glen rose and they headed back to the courtroom.
The first witness was the pediatrician. She stated that Indigo hadn’t received her routine immunizations, even though Cindy had been counseled on the importance of them, but they were caught up, thanks to Blue. That definitely helped his case. When Mr.Casey asked for the records, they were denied him except for the few they’d entered into evidence.
Devon came in next, and Blue wondered what they’d ask him. Mr.Casey passed initially, so Glen started first with, “How long have you known Mr.Wallace?”
“Five years, give or take a few months. He plays in a band with me and a few other guys,” Devon said and smiled.
“And what kind of guy is he?”
“He’s a good guy. He used to have a lot of problems, but he’s really gotten his act together.”
Glen asked the question Blue had been sure Casey would ask. “Problems? What kind of problems?”
Devon was cool as an iceberg. “I think he had it rough growing up. He used to be really abrasive, kind of a smart ass,” he said, then looked to the judge. “Oh, sorry, YourHonor.”
“You’re fine. Continue.”
“Yeah, kind of a smart aleck,” Devon said, grinning. “But lately he’s been real mellow. And he’s an awesome singer and songwriter. Plus he plays a mean bass.”
“Does he get paid for playing with this band?”
Devon nodded. “Yep. We don’t make a lot, but we enjoy it, and he’s gotten to showcase some of his songs there. You know, he’s?”
“That’ll be all, Mr.Sykes. Thank you for your testimony,” Glen said. Blue wondered what Devon had been about to say.
Casey stood and stepped to the witness box. “Have you ever known Mr.Wallace to get into a brawl at a bar?”
Devon shrugged. “Not that I can recall.”
“And is he a person who pays his debts?”
Devon shrugged again. “I don’t know anything about his finances.”
“Thanks, Mr.Sykes. That’s all.”
Devon shot a sympathetic smile at Blue as he left the courtroom. JudgeHargrove looked at his sheet. “This says CharlesWentworth and ChuckWentworth. Is that the same person?”
“No, YourHonor,” Glen said. “It’s a father and son.”
“Let’s just hear from one of them, shall we?” the judge said and Blue’s heart sank. He wondered which one Glen would call.
“Then let’s hear from Chuck,” the attorney said in request, so the judge called in Blue’s boss.
Blue felt like the sky had opened and angels were singing. Glen asked Chuck about his father and how he’d come to know Blue. Then he asked about Blue’s job, his benefits, and his work ethic. Chuck had nothing but positive, glowing things to say about Blue, and he breathed a deep sigh of relief. Oddly, Mr.Casey didn’t want to ask any questions, so the moment Blue had dreaded was coming.
Anne stepped into the courtroom and made her way to the front, then climbed into the witness box. Once she was sworn in, Glen began his questions. “So, Ms.Black, how did you meet Mr.Wallace?”
“He’s lived next door to me for the whole eight years I’ve lived there,” she said.
“And what kind of neighbor is Mr.Wallace?”
Anne let out a chuckle. “Well, he used to be a real problem child!”
“Elaborate, please.”
Anne sobered. “He didn’t take care of his property. The grass was knee high and it was always littered with trash and mess.”
