{"id":106,"date":"2008-11-02T00:01:30","date_gmt":"2008-11-02T04:01:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spacewesterns.com\/?p=106"},"modified":"2022-12-14T14:27:19","modified_gmt":"2022-12-14T19:27:19","slug":"her-day-in-court","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spacewesterns.com\/articles\/her-day-in-court\/","title":{"rendered":"Her Day in Court"},"content":{"rendered":"

C<\/strong><\/span>aitlin Murphy\u2019s heart was pounding as she raced backstage, ignoring the applause coming from the main room of the saloon.<\/p>\n

\u201cBig crowd, Miss Caitlin. Mr. Sullivan will want you to do an encore.\u201d<\/p>\n

Caitlin looked up to see the puppy-dog eyes of Hank, the saloon\u2019s janitor, who also doubled as the theater\u2019s stagehand. Past middle age, Hank was as gentle as a child and on the simple side. Caitlin did not like playing the gentle soul for a fool, but she was desperate.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he comes looking for me, would you please tell him that I have a headache or something.\u201d She would have said womanly troubles, only it would have embarrassed the stagehand so much he would not have been able to talk.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, alright Miss Caitlin. But he\u2019ll be awfully sore.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a dear, dear man, Hank.\u201d She went on tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. No harm done, as she would not be staying in the saloon another night. \u201cOh, and if anyone else comes looking for me, I\u2019m not receiving any callers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Without waiting for a response, Caitlin picked up her skirts and ran up the stairs. She slammed the door behind her, her eyes scanning her room frantically for Molly, her daughter.<\/p>\n

The eight-year-old\u2019s emerald eyes looked up from the book she was reading. Homer. In the original Greek. The surprise on her face faded in just a moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cPapa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Caitlin nodded. Somehow Molly always knew. \u201cYou know where the travel bags are. Get Momma\u2019s out. We\u2019re going on a trip. Maybe to San Francisco this time. I bet there are a lot of books there you haven\u2019t read yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Molly simply nodded, and began wrestling a carpetbag from the closet that was almost as large as she was. She was beaming again by the time she got her own bag out of the closet and onto the bed. \u201cOh! I may get to practice my Cantonese. That could be fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood girl.\u201d Caitlin ducked behind her dressing screen and willed her pulse to calm enough so she could change from her stage clothes to traveling clothes. Stupid. She was so stupid. Just because they had had a few months of relative security here in Cottonwood Falls, she shouldn\u2019t have started hoping that David would have given up his hunt for Molly. David thought of Molly as his, and he always said he took care of what was his.<\/p>\n

Caitlin struggled with a final hook on her dress and then went to the cashbox on the nightstand. Good. Enough to buy two tickets to anywhere. They might even be able to change trains once or twice to throw off the scent. If they had time. Caitlin stuffed a third of the money into a purse and then divided the rest among her garters and the front of her dress.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow then, a few final things for me and a note for Mr. Sullivan asking him to sent the rest when we\u2019re\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

A knock at the door. \u201cMiss Caitlin? Caitlin Murphy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Caitlin bit her bottom lip so hard she drew blood. No denying it now. No one in this town knew her by that surname. Maybe if she let Molly out the window, she could stall long enough for her daughter to get to safety. She didn\u2019t think David had anyone in the street watching the alley.<\/p>\n

The knock sounded again. \u201cMiss Caitlin? I am very sorry to disturb you, but it\u2019s most important that I speak with you. It\u2019s about your daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Caitlin clenched her fist, about to smash the window when, Molly moved forward. Before Caitlin could react, her daughter opened the door. Caitlin was there in a shot to pull her daughter away, but the damage had been done.<\/p>\n

The man standing in the doorway was the same one who had spooked her in the audience with the way he had been studying her. He was incredibly short, just shy of being a dwarf, and dressed in a very new, very expensive brown suit. A golden watch chain gleamed from his vest. Pudgy hands played with the brim of a bowler hat, which had uncovered dark brown hair neatly combed, parted on the right. The lamp in the room glistened off eyeglasses so thick that they obscured the color of the man\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

He ignored Caitlin completely at first, and instead offered Molly a profound bow. \u201cSalve, puella bela<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Molly laughed and gave a little curtsey. \u201cSalve, magister animarum<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

The little man chuckled in turn and looked up at Caitlin, to find her Derringer aimed at his head. Caitlin watched his Adam\u2019s apple bob as he swallowed. \u201cMadam\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour specs. Take them off.\u201d<\/p>\n

The short man\u2019s Adam\u2019s apple bobbed again. \u201cMy eyeglasses?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Derringer made a cold figure eight in the man\u2019s forehead. \u201cI\u2019m not joking, mister. Take them off. Now.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a quick glance aside to Molly, the small man did as he had been ordered. He blinked up at Caitlin with watery eyes. Eyes that were a perfect chestnut brown.<\/p>\n

Caitlin felt her legs relax, but she kept her gun fixed on the man. \u201cState your name and your business. Quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSmith. Mr. John Smith, esquire.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was Caitlin\u2019s turn to be surprised. \u201cYou\u2019re a lawyer?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed. I\u2019m here about your daughter, Miss Caitlin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Caitlin\u2019s fingers tensed against the Derringer. \u201cI told her father that he would never get his slimy\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou misunderstand me, Miss Caitlin. I am indeed here about Molly. But as her advocate. And yours. I, or should I say, certain parties who have contracted my services, want to ensure that you have the complete and legal custody of your daughter. In perpetuum<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Caitlin looked over at Molly. \u201cHe means I\u2019d be yours forever, Momma.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Derringer trembled. To be free of David. To stop living on the run. It sounded too good to be true. \u201cThe girl\u2019s father… I\u2019m not sure he sets much store by courts or laws.\u201d Caitlin studied the small man carefully before she continued. \u201cHe certainly doesn\u2019t recognize the authority of any judge around here.\u201d<\/p>\n

The lawyer smiled and replaced his eyeglasses. \u201cTrust me, Madam. He will recognize the jurisdiction of this court. Or the penalties will be far more severe than a fine or a few nights in jail.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trust. So easy to ask for, so hard to give. Molly\u2019s father had asked Caitlin to trust him. And then he had shown his true colors. Literally. Oh, there was something compelling about this Mr. Smith, but Caitlin had learned long ago to put no stock in the words men said in the upstairs rooms of saloons.<\/p>\n

A tug at Caitlin\u2019s skirt. \u201cMomma.\u201d<\/p>\n

Caitlin pressed her daughter against her hip. \u201cYes, my heart. What do you think of Mr. Smith\u2019s offer?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we should go with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Caitlin sighed and looked down into her daughter\u2019s shining eyes. Still, Molly had a skill at reading people far beyond Caitlin\u2019s own. She had never been wrong before. The Derringer disappeared back into Caitlin\u2019s dress.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, Mr. Smith. We\u2019re already packed. Where\u2019s this court of yours, and how long will it take to get there?\u201d<\/p>\n

Smith took out his pocket watch and opened it. The device looked impossibly large in his small hand, and Caitlin had never so many dials and hands on a watch before. \u201cJust a moment or two, Madam. If you would take my hand, and Molly yours.\u201d<\/p>\n

Well, she should probably shake on the deal, even if she still had her doubts. Why that meant the man couldn\u2019t answer a simple question, she didn\u2019t know. But Caitlin grasped Smith\u2019s right hand and made sure Molly had her left. Her girl was staring up at the ceiling, almost as if she were trying to see something above the roof in the night sky beyond.<\/p>\n

A faint tingle ran up Caitlin\u2019s spine, and her eyes went wide. \u201cWhat\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

She didn\u2019t have time to finish. Smith did something with his watch, and it felt like a trapdoor opened under Caitlin. Her stomach sickened as if she were falling, falling, falling. Only the trapdoor had opened above her. She was surrounded by a million spinning stars. And she cursed all men and all lawyers under her breath.<\/p>\n

The falling sensation stopped suddenly in a cool burst of blue light. It took Caitlin\u2019s eyes a moment to adjust to the dimly lit chamber. The black of the walls was so intense that it hurt the eyes to look at them for too long. The room was so high that Caitlin could not see the ceiling. Directly in front of her was a rounded podium at least twice her height, at which sat three robed and hooded figures.<\/p>\n

The centermost of the three began to speak in a flowing language with too many sibilants. Mr. Smith stepped forward and interrupted the speech.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith all respect, your Excellencies, it would be less prejudicial to my client if this proceeding were to continue in a more familiar language and venue.\u201d<\/p>\n

Caitlin\u2019s eyes went wide as the room around her began to shimmer and then to melt away like wax. Before she could blink, a small town courtroom stood before her, furnished in rough-hewn wood but clean. The three figures at the front had transformed into a judge, a sheriff and a circuit-riding preacher such as could have been seen in hundreds of towns in the West.<\/p>\n

\u201cRightly spoken, Mr. Smith.\u201d The circuit-rider\u2019s lips did not appear to move as he spoke, and Caitlin could still hear the sibilant language as a kind of after-echo. She stared at the three individuals and felt a slight shiver, in spite of the preacher\u2019s smiling face.<\/p>\n

The sheriff was not smiling. In fact, Caitlin received a definite sense of disapproval from him. \u201cIf these…preliminaries are complete, we should begin.\u201d<\/p>\n

The judge nodded slowly, his face completely impassive. \u201cVery well. Let the plaintiff in.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the back of the courtroom a door opened that Caitlin could have sworn was not there a moment before. Caitlin\u2019s breath caught in her throat as a figure stepped through. It was David, Molly\u2019s father. Or at least that had been the name he had used… Mr. Smith\u2019s gentle touch on Caitlin\u2019s wrist let her know that she had been clenching her fists.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be alright, my dear,\u201d the lawyer whispered. \u201cTrust me. Trust Molly. And above all, trust yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Caitlin nodded though her eyes were fixed on David. Damn him. Still as devilishly handsome as ever, his fire-red hair combed in a rakish part. And she still felt the hypnotic power of his stunningly purple eyes. Not lavender, not even violet, they were a deep purple with flecks of black lightning. Caitlin forced her gaze elsewhere, focusing on his long, strong limbs, and those surprisingly delicate fingers. Each with its extra joint. An abnormality of his birth, David had said. Caitlin should have run that first night, or at least should never have looked back into the depths of those eyes.<\/p>\n

Molly clung to Caitlin\u2019s legs, burying her face in her skirt. She knew who this was alright. She knew what was at stake.<\/p>\n

And then a second \u201cDavid\u201d walked through the doorway. Caitlin felt her legs grow weak as this figure was followed by a third, and a fourth, and a fifth. Somehow she knew these were not brothers, not even quintuplets. No, they were five exact copies of the same individual. As one, they turned their faces toward Caitlin and smiled, their teeth too perfectly straight. The smiles did not touch the five sets of eyes, where black lightning flashed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the two parties would take their places,\u201d the judge intoned. Smith squeezed Caitlin\u2019s wrist again, and then led her and Molly to the table to the left of the judge. Still smiling, the five \u201cDavids\u201d seated themselves on the right. Caitlin found herself staring, wondering which of the five…<\/p>\n

\u201cThe court is in session.\u201d The sheriff\u2019s voice startled Caitlin from her thoughts, a blush coming to her cheeks. \u201cClose your hearts to all but the Truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe plaintiff may state his case.\u201d The judge stared at the duplicate Davids with emotionless eyes.<\/p>\n

The five Davids exchanged glances, and then all five looked at Caitlin before they turned back to the judge. \u201cWe ask only for what is mine-ours, your Excellencies. The child is of my-our genetic material. Therefore she is mine-ours.\u201d A smile curled at the corners of five pairs of lips, and Caitlin found herself wondering how she had ever found the condescending bastard charming. \u201cThis backwater is no place for a child of her gifts. She will be a queen among my-our people, not trapped in brothel bedrooms, a little more than a foundling.\u201d<\/p>\n

Caitlin felt her rage bristle, but Mr. Smith laid a hand on her arm. She bit her lip but nodded at the lawyer. She would bide her time then, but she couldn\u2019t take much more of this.<\/p>\n

The Davids apparently considered their words sufficient, and Smith arose, all four-foot-nothing of him, and hooked his thumbs under his lapels before he began to speak. \u201cExcellencies, the plaintiff speaks of his rights, knowing full well that the Confederation frowns on interference in worlds not yet ready for full membership. This world is certainly not a place for the Scarotti to find breeding stock\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Smith was interrupted here by an indignant outburst from the five Davids in a language Caitlin did not understand. The judge had to hammer his gavel a dozen times before the quintet quieted itself.<\/p>\n

\u201cSuch outbursts do not favor your case,\u201d the judge said in his too smooth voice. Caitlin had yet to see his lips move. \u201cProceed, Mr. Smith.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Excellencies. I only wish to add that the child has a name \u201d\u201c Molly \u201d\u201c and it should be up to her and her mother as to whether she is to be a brood queen for the Scarotti.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Davids looked like they were about to cause another scene, but a look from the sheriff silenced them. Caitlin tugged at her skirts and gave Molly an encouraging smile. But her Irish was definitely up as she leaned in to whisper to Mr. Smith. \u201cWhat was that part about a \u2018brood queen\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Scarotti are like honeybees, or ants. Most members of the species are just copies of each other. There are only few females. And they are waited on, hand and foot. Mostly because they are too pregnant to move for most of their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

Caitlin clenched her eyes shut, willing Mr. Smith to stop. Willing her imagination to quit working. As long as she was alive, Molly would never be anyone\u2019s \u2018queen\u2019.<\/p>\n

On the witness stand, one of the Davids was giving a very biased account of how he \u201d\u201c they \u201d\u201c had met Caitlin and how they had created a child together. But the creature on the stand used all of these technical words that made it sound like Caitlin had entered into a contract to provide David with a child.<\/p>\n

Caitlin wondered how she had ever thought \u201cDavid\u201d was human.<\/p>\n

At last David\u2019s monologue ended. Mr. Smith popped up immediately. \u201cYou contend that, given Molly Murphy\u2019s genetic material is half Scarotti, you have legal right to her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYet your story clearly indicates that Molly Murphy is also half human. Why should that not entitle her mother to the same right of custody?\u201d<\/p>\n

The David on the stand blinked, as if that thought had never occurred to him. \u201cConfederation law does not cover primitive species,\u201d he finally said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for your admission. Non-Confederation planets indeed are under a different set of laws. In fact, Confederation citizens are bound to follow local laws in most legal matters when visiting such primitive worlds, are they not?\u201d<\/p>\n

Caitlin saw a flicker of anger in David\u2019s eyes. \u201cThat is why I-we agreed to take part in this…trial.\u201d Caitlin wondered what adjective he had mentally supplied in the pause.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you agree that the matter should be determined by the standards of the overwhelming majority of Earth courts? That is to say \u201d\u201c by the standard of what is in the best interest of the child.\u201d<\/p>\n

Again the David paused. \u201cIf I-we did not, I-we would not be here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you hold that becoming a Scarotti queen is in the best interest of Molly Murphy?\u201d<\/p>\n

The David blinked, again seeming to be surprised by the question. \u201cThe genetic superiority of the Scarotti is admitted by all. Plus, as a citizen of the Confederation, we can offer the child the wealth of the Cosmos. Knowledge, power, riches.\u201d He fixed his cold purple eyes on Caitlin. \u201cWhat can a broken down prostitute offer in comparison to this?\u201d<\/p>\n

Caitlin was on her feet before Mr. Smith could stop her. \u201cLove. Kindness. A world of emotions you calculating bastard \u201d\u201c bastards \u201d\u201c could never understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

The judge banged his gavel. \u201cThe defendant will be silent until it is her turn to speak.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith all due respect, your honor, this whole trial is bullshit.\u201d The preacher frowned, but Caitlin did not back down. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, but it is. Molly is my daughter, and I\u2019m going to fight for her.\u201d<\/p>\n

The courtroom fell silent. Everyone, including Mr. Smith, stared at Caitlin. The being in the form of the preacher finally asked in a soft voice, \u201cDoes the defendant understand what she is saying?\u201d<\/p>\n

Before her lawyer could respond, Caitlin said, \u201cDamn right.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sheriff turned to the Davids. \u201cIs this challenge acceptable to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

The five men were grinning like wolves that smelled fresh meat. \u201cYes, Excellencies.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExcellencies!\u201d Mr. Smith\u2019s voice broke through, and then he paused, as if he were thinking something over.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, counsel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe consent to the change of venue, and agree to Scarotti trial by combat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Caitlin\u2019s eyes went wide, and she tugged on Mr. Smith\u2019s sleeve. \u201cTrial by combat?\u201d Her whisper hissed in the small man\u2019s ear. \u201cAre you crazy? It\u2019s five against one!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot exactly.\u201d Mr. Smith wore a lopsided smirk. \u201cGroup being. Think of the Corsican brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Caitlin blinked, and then turned to look at Molly. Her daughter was smiling too. A few years back when Molly was learning French, she had read a story about two brothers from Corsica, and she had shared the tale with Caitlin. Something about one brother sensing the pain of the other… Caitlin found that Mr. Smith\u2019s grin was contagious.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the defendant is quite done getting coached by her lawyer…\u201d The words dripped coldly from the lips of one of the Davids. Oh, Caitlin was going to enjoy this.<\/p>\n

The Davids stepped into the open area before the judge\u2019s bench. Caitlin joined them. The judge looked from the five men to the woman. \u201cBoth parties have agreed to trial by combat, according to Scarotti law.\u201d The sheriff and the preacher remained silent. \u201cBegin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Predictably, the Davids surrounded Caitlin. Like a pack of wolves, toying with an injured lamb. But Caitlin was through being a lamb. She waited until the first David rushed her, pivoted in the direction of his run, and kneed him in the groin.<\/p>\n

All five went down instantly, rolling on the ground. Caitlin kicked the other four for good measure. She had to make sure she got her licks in on whoever had been with her that night.<\/p>\n

\u201cSay uncle, you sons of bitches.\u201d<\/p>\n

A few more well-placed kicks were all it took to get the Scarotti to give in. As Caitlin looked up, she could have sworn she saw even the three judges grinning at the outcome before they resumed their Stoic expressions.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe trial is over. Caitlin Murphy is granted custody of her daughter, according to the laws of the Scarotti and the Confederation.\u201d The words were spoken by the three figures in unison. \u201cJustice and the law are satisfied.\u201d<\/p>\n

The room went dark, and Caitlin suddenly found herself and Molly and Mr. Smith standing in a field, with the lights of Cottonwood Falls beyond. The lawyer was beaming.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell played, Miss Caitlin. Very well played. The arrogant bas\u2014, err, so-and-sos.\u201d The lawyer smiled mischievously down at Molly. \u201cToo many people…out there were starting to take all the Scarotti propaganda seriously. Especially the Scarotti themselves. Fundamental flaw in that group mind of theirs. That will make the Scarotti think twice before they visit a frontier world again.\u201d<\/p>\n

A thousand questions swirled in Caitlin\u2019s head, but there were more important things at hand. She scooped up Molly in her arms, and kissed her daughter. Then she bent down to give the lawyer a kiss on the forehead. Molly did the same. Caitlin could see the little man\u2019s blush even in the starlight. \u201cI don\u2019t know how to repay you, Mr. Smith. I would never have been able to do it without you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo need, Miss Caitlin. My fees have already been paid in full. You\u2019re fortunate. Very few humans know of the existence of the…visitors among us. Much less the nuances of Confederation law. But I must say, rarely have I found my job such a pleasure.\u201d<\/p>\n

The lawyer turned away from the town, as if he were about to head off into the east, where the first streaks of color were showing. Caitlin rested a hand on his shoulder, and he looked back. \u201cI have to know before you go. Who hired you for us?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr. Smith\u2019s eyeglasses twinkled. \u201cNot all of our visitors are as…crass as the Scarotti, Miss Caitlin. Some have in fact become quite fond of us as a species. While I must be careful not to breach confidentiality, you may want to have a word with Hank back at the saloon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hank? The handyman? Was he a human, or another creature from Beyond? Before Caitlin could ask any more questions, she realized that Mr. Smith was gone. Molly stirred in Caitlin\u2019s arms, and she looked down to see her daughter yawn.<\/p>\n

\u201cArgellian. Let\u2019s go home, Momma. I\u2019m tired.\u201d<\/p>\n

Home. Someone you love. Those were things worth fighting for. Caitlin kissed Molly again and headed toward town.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

People often ran to the West to be free from confrontation, to escape their old lives, only to discover that it’s the confrontation that sets them free. — ed, N.E. Lilly<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":503,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3,5],"tags":[68],"media":[299],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.spacewesterns.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.spacewesterns.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.spacewesterns.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.spacewesterns.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.spacewesterns.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=106"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.spacewesterns.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1126,"href":"https:\/\/www.spacewesterns.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106\/revisions\/1126"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.spacewesterns.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/503"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.spacewesterns.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=106"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.spacewesterns.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=106"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.spacewesterns.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=106"},{"taxonomy":"media","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.spacewesterns.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?post=106"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}