Mouse in the Cat Family
Part 3: The Trial
By Misterebony

Prologue

I suppose it is safe to say that the time has come to talk about what happened at the trial. It was hard to leave it the way I did last time, because of how much I did not want to divulge any of it. But I finally got the permission to say just what happened, from beginning to end. So, to catch us up, here is what led to it.

About two weeks after Edward Dunvar's acquittal, Danny had the nightmares again that he would be taken away by his cruel father. Even worse, Zoey was in the hospital still, recovering from the injuries she had received at the hands of the cruel man. The little gray furred mouse stayed mostly in her room, hugging the pillows to him, crying and begging that everything would work out.

Meanwhile, Mr. and Mrs. Calico worked day and night making a case to not only put Edward behind bars for good, but to get custody of Daniel. They knew they had to succeed, but the odds were against them. After all, they were calico cats who eat mice, and he was a mouse in their family. Edwardo and Sandra did not care however. They were determined to keep Danny, who was eager to help where he could.

Yet, Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Calico, their lawyer (A legal eagle named Jacob Osprey), nor myself wanted to believe the worst. But there we were, in the courtroom, made up of preds and prey, the judge coming in.

The rabbit judge raised his gavel, and court was n session.

CHAPTER 1: Opening Arguments

"Mr. Steer." The judge said to Dunvar's Lawyer, a rather cruel looking rat. "You may make your opening statement."

"Yes your honor." The rat said, standing up. "Your honor, members of the jury, and guests. We have here a rather unique case, but one that we must resolve here to prevent further injustice. Here, we have the honest, hardworking, blood father of Daniel T. Dunvar having to fight for custody against two bloodthirsty cub-consuming predators, who claim that they love them. Yet how could this be? After all, is not the mouse the natural favorite food of the cat? Many would say that Edward was put in jail for abusing his son. I say it is not the case. His acts recently, defending his son against a predator and trying to keep him safe speak for himself. I intend to show just how right he is to be the soul guardian of Daniel. The Plaintiff rests."

The rat sat down, Mr. and Mrs. Calico staring in disbelief, as we all did, at the lies. But then it was Osprey's turn.

"My friends, I am a predator. Mr. and Mrs. Calico are predators. But if there is love, what difference does that make? Edward has shown his inability to be a reasonable father through his actions, and the fact that Daniel is happy should be proof enough that this is where Daniel needs to be. It is true, he has been on their dinner table, but never once were the Cub Consumption Laws violated, nor was Daniel unhappy with the idea of being a meal. After all, he himself has stated publicly to many fursons how much he loves to be food, as do many cubs. But it is more than just a food cub arrangement in this case; here there is an added element of love and hope for this child. Zoey Calico in particular has been a true sister to Danny, and the Calicos his family. I say we should not break them apart. The Defense rests.”

As he sat down, we were all confident that he said the right thing, but glancing over at the jury we could tell they did not agree. We all knew then that this would be a long hard trial.

CHAPTER 2: The first witnesses.

The judge looked to Mr. Steer and…

I suppose I better stop here for a second to describe the rat. He was tall, with a big ugly tail and dirty gray fur slicked up with some kind of gel. To me, I got to say he looked like he fell in the lake. But he wore a fine suit with a flower on it, and I knew his record well: he was actually not bad as a lawyer.

He was awful.

We now return to the court case in progress. Where were we? Ah yes, the first witnesses. Mr. Steer turned to the group watching the case and smiled. “Call Walter Cottontail to the stand please.”

From the back, a large rabbit in a blue suit started forward, showing a smile to Danny as he walked by. We all recognized him as the owner of the orphanage. He stood before the witness stand and placed a paw on the Bible, the only text to survive the days of Man.

“Do you swear the testimony that you will give the court will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?” The bailiff asked.

“I do.” The rabbit replied, taking his seat. The examination began. I watched curious as it did.

“Mr. Cottontail, you run the orphanage that Danny lived at right?” Mr. Steer asked.

“Yes.”

“And is it true you allowed Danny to go home with these felines?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Would you tell the court why?”

“At the time, Danny was silent and alone. He never spoke to another person, never did anything but sleep and eat. But then Mrs. Calico came in and they got to be friends. He even knew her from the television.”

“So, because he talked to her, on that alone, you allowed this poor little mouse to wander into the hands of two cruel predators?!”

Osprey stood up. “OBJECTION! The question is leading!”

The judge nodded. “Sustained. Mr. Steer, stay on a relevant track of cross examination please.”

“I withdraw the question your honor.” The rat said, looking to the owner of the orphanage. “Mr. Cottontail, do you often give predator families prey cubs?”

“On occasion.”

“Yet you were, according to some of your assistants, hesitant to give Danny to the Calicos. Why?”

The rabbit was silent for a moment. “Well… they are cats after all.”

“Was it because of what happened at thanksgiving last year?”

Oh oh. Remember that funny little thing I told you about in the first part? Well…

“Uhh….um….”

“Oh let me remind you. A young squirrel hoped to be thanksgiving dinner, and wound up tied up and locked in an oven at your establishment, forcing you to get rid of any prep areas. Am I right?”

The rabbit chuckled a little. “Forgive me, I know this is serious, but you would have to see it.”

The rat was NOT laughing. “Oh is it? You found it so funny you had no pred/prey adoptions since then?!”

The rabbit oied and rubbed his forehead. “Yes.”

“I now present the court Exhibit A. Two papers which I will explain, but first Mr. Cottontail, did you know that Danny had a father in prison?”

“I did.”

“And did you know he was released?”

“No I did not.”

“Well, you should, because according to the first document, a part of the adoption law, has it that if a child has blood relatives that are able to assume legal guardianship, then they have first call to do so, is that not so?”

“Only if the relative has the child’s welfare in mind.”

“A simple yes or no.”

“Yes.”

“Then allow me to show you the second part of Exhibit A: Daniel’s Birth Certificate, which signifies that Mr. Edward Dunvar is the father, and as such, a legal guardian. Now, what would this mean?”

Mr. Cottontail started to sweat. “That… if he is found to have the child’s best interest at heart, then… guardianship would be reinstated.”

The rat smiled. “Nothing further. Your witness Mr. Osprey.”

The eagle stood up…

Ok, I better describe Mr. Osprey real quick. Yes, he is an eagle, with wings for arms and a beak and all that. But he had a much more regal look, and was always a defender for causes that he felt was just.

Hey, a good lawyer. Who would have thought?

Anyway, he approached the bench. “Mr. Cottontail, you made an agreement with the Calico’s, correct?”

“Yes.”

“What was that agreement?”

“That Danny would stay with the Calico’s for three months, to determine the welfare of the child.”

“And what do you think? It is not three months just yet, but though there are just a few days left, can you make a decision?”

“I can.”

“Please state it…”

“OBJECTION!” The rat said. “The opinion in this matter has no bearing on this case.”

“I submit that it does your honor.” The eagle said. “Or is Danny NOT the reason for this case?”

“Point made counselor. Objection overruled. Answer the question Mr. Cottontail.”

“Gladly your honor.” He looked to the Calicos. “Despite the unusual habits of the family, Danny is clearly happy and healthy with the Calicos. I say he should stay with them.”

“Your honor, did you hear that? I say now that this is where Danny belongs. Do you agree Mr. Cottontail?”

There was a pause, then he nodded. “Yes, I do.”

“Thank you. You may step down.”

He did so proudly. I was glad that was over, but Dunvar had made a very sad point: Edward and Danny were related. That had clout in this case, more than any opinions.

As I contemplated this, Mr. Steer stood up. “Call Sandra Wallace to the stand please.”

From the back of the room a rather stuck up chipmunk approached, wearing sensible clothes like what a British nanny of the days of men might wear. I sighed as she took the stand and the questions began.

“Dr. Wallace,” the rat began, “you were the psychiatrist that examined both Edward and Danny at the request of the court correct?”

“I am indeed.” She said. 

“Tell me, what did you think of Danny?”

“I think Danny is a very troubled boy, one who is conflicted. He is so tormented with his past that he seeks being food as a release.”

“Is this common among food cubs?”

“No, this is a rare case.”

“Why would such a thing be brought on, in your opinion?” 

“Living with preds can be a cause, but I believe it was the need for acceptance from his mother that made him like this. His mother clearly, in his own words, was pleased with the compliments he got about being food. His need for acceptance stayed with him when he lost his mother, and he fell into despair.”

“Would this explain why he would not talk with other children at the orphanage, yet take an interest in Mrs. Calico, a woman who cooked cubs on TV?”

“Oh it would indeed.” The rat smiled.

“Moving to Mr. Dunvar, you knew of his past beatings of Danny right?”

“I did.”

“And you also knew he was in jail for those right?”

“Yes.”

“When you examined him, what did you think?”

“I was skeptical. He was a criminal after all.”

“And your opinion now?”

“I believe Mr. Dunvar has made a full recovery, and is more than able to raise a child.”

Mr. Steer smiled. “Thank you Dr. Wallace.” He said. Mr. Osprey approached her.

“Dr. Wallace, can I ask you about your views on the shooting of Mrs. Calico by Mr. Dunvar?”

“You may. I feel that the shooting was as an act of self defense, so that he could rescue his son from what he believed to be a bad situation.”

“Ah, yes, true, but isn’t shooting someone a little… extreme?”

“Not in this case. Knowing his son’s love of preds meant he could be exploited by them.”

“Mmmm… I see… I present Exhibit B, the tape made the night Danny was taken… or rescued, as you claim. You heard it right?”

“I have.”

“I will not bother to play it again, but based on it you can draw the conclusion that he was out to rescue his son? Didn’t his words seem a little crude? Not to mention the fact that he was threatening to hurt the daughter of the Calico’s?”

“OBJECTION!” Mr. Steer shouted. “It was never established that Mr. Dunvar ever actually hurt Zoey.”

“Sustained.” The judge said much to my shock. Mr. Osprey was shocked too, and was silent for a few seconds. Then he looked away. “I’m done your honor… for now.”

Dr. Wallace sat down, and I watched her go, that smug grin of hers making me sick.

To me, the score was tied 1 to 1. And then the next witness was called.

“Call Jonathan Ebony to the stand.”

ULP!

CHAPTER 3: My time on the stand.

Well, I stood up, took the oath, and went to the chair. I was nervous as all get out, and, looking to the Calico’s and seeing their hopeful looks, I was more scared than ever. After all, I was the surprise witness AGAINST them!

“Mr. Ebony,” The rat began. Oh I hated him. “You teach over at the elementary school not far from this very courthouse right?”

“I do.” I said.

“Daniel is your student?”

“Yes.”

“Your opinion of him please.”

“Well, I think he is quite skilled, easily one of my best students, and eager to participate.”

“And friends?”

“Pardon?”

“Friends, Mister Ebony. Does he have many friends?”

“Yes, though two are exceptionally close: A bunny and a cat.”

“And which did he make first, sir?”

“The feline.”

“Oh I see! Again a focus on preds. Hmmmm… Tell me, did she eat him right away?”

“OBJECTION!” Mr. Osprey stated, but the judge raised his hand. 

“Overruled. Answer the question Mr. Ebony.”

I gulped. “No.”

“Did she eat him eventually?”

“Yes.”

“I see. Would the Calico’s have influenced this friendship in any way?”

“I do not think so.” I said. The rat chuckled. 

“Tell me, you were on trial against Mr. Dunvar correct?”

“I was.” I said, the father looking at me with wide, evil eyes now. Those same eyes as the day…

“And you wanted to see him in jail, right?”

“Well, I…”

“Yes, or no?”

“… … … … Yes.”

“And you like the Calico’s right?”

“Yes I do.”

“So, it would seem your opinions regarding Daniel and the Calico’s and Mr. Dunvar are skewed at best.”

“OBJECTION!” Mr. Osprey said, but the rat stepped down.

“I’m done your honor!”

I sighed unhappily. You can see now why I was hesitant to tell this part of the tale. My testimony seemed to help the case of the man I knew was a killer and unfit father. I was ready to cry at my words being twisted so. 

Thank God for Danny. He shot me a look that said it was all right, and I smiled. Mr. Osprey had no questions, so I stepped down. I went back to my seat, seeing Zoey come in, still on crutches after her operations. She smiled at Danny, who wanted so much to be with her, but could not be.

CHAPTER 4: The last witness for Mr. Steer.

Mr. Steer smiled as he called the final witness to the stand. “I call Zoey Calico to the stand.

We ALL were shocked at that one. Zoey began to head on up, moving on the crutches up to the witness stand. Mr. Steer came close to her and smiled.

“Hello Zoey.” He said. “Nice to see you moving around again. Tell me, you stated that Edward Dunvar held you hostage, yet there was no wound on you that could be traced to him.”

“I know. But he was the one who did this to me.”

“And the wound in your chest? The bullet? Who did that?”

Zoey sighed. “The… the policeman.”

“I thought so. Now, on to you and the mouse. Tell me, were you happy to see Danny at first?”

“Of course I was!”

“Now now, lies do not become you Zoey. Tell the truth.”

Zoey sighed, looking to Danny who nodded sadly. She knew she had to. “All right… I was upset. I was expecting…”

“A cat?” Mr. Sneer interrupted.

“Yeah.” Zoey said meekly.

“Don’t be upset.” Mr. Steer said. “You had every right. After all, you wanted a cat at first right? Then, you tasted him. I bet he tasted good didn’t he?”

“OBJECTION! He’s leading the witness!” Mr. Osprey said, and the judge agreed.

“Sustained. Mr. Steer, get to the point.”

“I am your honor. Zoey, you like Danny don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“You want him to stay right?”

“Yes, I do. I love him.”

“Love him so much you would lie to keep him? I wonder.” He let that hang for a bit, then went to his seat. Mr. Osprey approached her.

“Zoey, we all know what happened before relating to Mr. Dunvar, based on how people see it. What we need to know from you is about the storm. Do you remember that storm?”

Zoey nodded.

“What happened, in your words?”

“I was starting to think of Danny as a brother, but I was conflicted. I wanted to just have him for food, I admit it. But then, I heard him scream.”

“What happened?”

“He was crying, he dreamed his father had come to kill us. He asked me if he could come with me to my room, where he felt safe.”

“What else happened?”

“He… he called me sister.”

“OBJECTION!” Mr. Steer called. “The statement is irrelevant!”

“No it is not your honor!” Mr. Osprey argued. “Do you think Danny would go to Zoey if he was afraid of her?”

Mr. Steer hmphed. “Proves nothing!”

“Mr. Steer, do you have kids?”

The rat sighed some and chuckled. Edward looked at him as he looked to the judge. “Withdrawn your honor.”

“Understood. Please continue Mr. Osprey.”

“Thank you sir.” He looked to Zoey. “I have one last question for you Zoey. Is Danny your brother?”

Zoey smiled and looked at him, and he smiled back. He already knew the answer, and hearing it made us all smile.

“Yes. No matter what, he IS my brother.”

“Thank you Zoey.” Zoey went past Danny, who ran to her and hugged her. The judge banged his gavel, but it did no good. The hug was returned and everyone took their seats. But when I saw the jury, I was losing my hope.

Stone faced. In a moment that would have made a hardened criminal cry, these fursons were silent. I knew what they saw.

Edward was Danny’s father, and he had been deemed legally able to take care of him best.

I knew Mr. Osprey would have to beat that when his witnesses came up to the stand.

“The court will take a brief recess.” The judge suddenly said. “Return in 15 minutes.”

CHAPTER 5: The Defense Rises

In the 15 minutes since we went out, Mr. Osprey confirmed with me that I had done nothing wrong. Still, what I said and did was not making what he told me very believable. But he sent me away on a little errand with a small envelope to head for the police station. I won’t say what happened just yet, it might give something away. But I will tell you what happened while I was out, based on what Mr. Osprey told me.

Once everyone was back in the courtroom (except me), the judge banged the gavel and looked to Mr. Osprey. “You may began your side of the case, Mr. Osprey.”

“Thank you. We call Sandra Wallace to the stand.”

The psychiatrist looked in disbelief, walking up with that stuck up look, seemingly annoyed at being inconvenienced. But the eagle just smiled.

“Dr. Wallace, would you care to tell the court your credentials?”

“I would indeed. I graduated from the Sergo League College, top of the class, and for the past 15 years have dedicated myself to child psychology, parapsychology, and counseling.”

“Impressive. May I ask you why you chose Sergo College?”

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Oh, just wondering if you knew it was a prey only college.”

Dr. Wallace seemed to stammer, then answered. “Well… um… no I did not know that.”

“I also have noticed something about your office, and some of the people in your waiting room when we took Danny there. Other than the Calico’s, there was not another pred within the chamber. Why is that Doctor?”

“I have my reasons.”

“Such as a prejudice against predators?”

“OBJECTION!” Mr. Steer said. “What is the point of this?”

“The point, your honor, is to establish whether or not the viewpoints of Dr. Wallace actually were unbiased.” Mr. Osprey said. The judge nodded.

“Objection overruled.” He stated, Dr. Wallace suddenly looking very frightened. Mr. Osprey proceeded.

“Now then doctor. Are you bias against predators?”

“Of course not!” Dr. Wallace said angrily.

“Not at all?”

“No!”

“I see.” Mr. Osprey said, turning around for a second. “Dr. Wallace, you believe Edward, an individual with a prison record, is better than a stable couple like the Calico’s correct?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Dr. Wallace stammered. “What?”

“Why is Edward better?”

“Because he is Daniel’s father.”

“And if the Calico’s were mice?”

“That is different!”

“How so? Same couple, same beliefs, just now mice. How is it different?”

“Well…”

“HOW?!”

“BECAUSE THEN THEY WON’T EAT HIM!!!” Dr. Wallace screamed. Everyone whispered and murmured, and Dr. Wallace realized she had made a mistake. Mr. Osprey looked to her.

“Even knowing they would reform him?”

“Predators have no right to cubs or any prey.” She whispered. “They never have. They are all murderers and liars, and they…” She looked to the judge. “Can I please go?”

“Not until Mr. Osprey is done.” The judge said. She looked at him with sad eyes. He smiled some.

“Maybe you should take a good look at Danny again. If you were to base it solely on how he acted, and how he felt, where was he the most happy?”

Dr. Wallace sighed. “With… … with the Calico’s.”

“And it is not just because the mother is a cub cooker is it?”

“No.”

“Thank you doctor.” Mr. Osprey said. Mr. Steer looked away as he walked past, but Danny flashed her a smile. Even though he tried to wrong her that kid was nice to her.

How could anyone want to hurt him?

The answer was in the faces of those jurors: Because, in their eyes, he was being held prisoner by a couple of predators who wanted to shame his legal guardian, and were willing to badger witnesses to do it. While it felt like a victory, Mr. Osprey knew her reaction made it something very different.

The chance to get evidence from her to help was now gone. For good.

CHAPTER 6: Hopeless

“We call Mrs. Sandra Calico to the stand.” Mr. Osprey said, calling up the lady feline. She held her husband’s paw and started for the witness stand. She was sworn in and testimony began.

“Hello Sandra.” Mr. Osprey began. “Tell me Mrs. Calico, about Button.”

“Button? Oh yes, Danny’s little plush kitty. It’s his favorite toy in the world.”

“Now, not too long after you adopted him, Danny lost Button outside, am I right?”

“Yes.”

“What happened?”

“We spent all day looking for it. I went with him, tracing the steps he made. He started to cry that we would never find Button, but then, He found him, amongst a pile of wood for a clubhouse my husband was making for him.”

“You spent all day looking with him?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Why wouldn’t I? It’s important to him, and I wanted to make sure he got it back. I would have looked for weeks or it if I had to.” 

“OBJECTION!” Mr. Steer said. “What does this plush toy have to do with this case?”

Mr. Osprey shot him a look, and he understood. But to make sure, Mr. Osprey explained. “Would just anyone do something like this for a child? Would you, your honor, if you did not love the child?” 

“Point is well noted Mr. Osprey. Objection overruled. Continue Mr. Osprey.”

“Thank you.” He returned to Mrs. Calico. “Tell me Sandra, do you consider Danny your son?”

“Yes I do.”

“Even though he is a mouse?”

“Why should that matter?”

Mr. Osprey smiled. “Nothing further.” He looked to the jury. Still stone-faced! Mr. Steer came up.

“Quite the story about the stuffed kitty Mrs. Calico. I have a boy myself. Your honor, off the record, can I say something?”

“You may counselor, but make it quick.”

He came close. “I can tell you love him, and I am glad for it.” He turned away. “BUT, for the record, it is rather unbelievable for a pred to do that. Especially one who cooks the same child… once a day?”

Mrs. Calico nodded. “His idea.”

“Oh is it? Like the cubs at your restaurant?”

“I never cook anyone unwilling.”

“Oh is that so? I bring forth Exhibit D: an order from your restaurant. You were asked to make a birthday cake for a parent in this order, correct?”

“I was. That was about five months ago.”

“Well, it says here that the patron specifically asked for an UNWILLING cub.”

The crowd murmured. Mrs. Calico, however, remained steadfast. “True yes. But some of our cubs…”

“So you DO cook unwilling cubs then!”

“No!”

“But how can that be?”

“Several of our cubs are actors, and try to act unwilling. Not one is such though.”

“Oh I see.” Mr. Steer said. “So… convenient.”

Mrs. Calico looked upset. “What do you mean by that?”

“Oh, just that it seems VERY unlikely for a kid of three to act unwilling, that’s all.”

Everyone was wide-eyed and talking, and Mrs. Calico was wide eyed. Though she had told the truth, she knew that, to some, it was farfetched. She had to say WHY he was acting that way, which it was because the mother had arranged it before hand with the child. But before she could say…

“I’m done your honor.”

“But…”

“Step down please, Mrs. Calico.” The judge said. He knew she had been set up but he had to stand at the regular rules. And when Mr. Osprey looked at the jury, he saw them nod as if they knew this all along. It was then he looked the most doubtful about this. But poor Danny looked even worse. For him, it looked totally hopeless.

It almost was, until we got a lucky break.

CHAPTER 7: Key Evidence

I came into the courtroom, a package in my hand. Mr. Osprey looked at it, and at me, and smiled. He looked to the judge. “Your honor, new evidence has arrived. May I ask for a recess for about… 3 hours to prepare the evidence?”

“OBJECTION!” The rat said. “All his evidence had to be ready by now!”

“Your honor please, this needed time to process.”

The judge sighed, and looked to the jury. They nodded. “In view of this, we will adjourn for three hours. Return at 8PM.

He hit the gavel, and we went to gather the last of the evidence. We just hoped it would be enough to change the opinion of the court.

************

Mr. Osprey returned, laying out a box on the table, smiling as he went to call his final witness. It was 8PM and court was back in session.

“Call Edward Dunvar to the stand.”

He looked at Mr. Osprey and chuckled. With an evil looking smile, he walked up to the stand. Mr. Osprey smiled some and looked at him.

“Mr. Dunvar, why do you pursue this case?”

“Why? Danny is my son and I have legal guardianship of him.”

“Yes, as a blood relative, a parent would have the right. Blood is the best source for relationships isn’t it?”

“Of course? I’m not an idiot.”

“Oh I wasn’t saying you were. Tell me, do you know anything about… blood types?”

“Yeah, a little.”

“You know YOUR bloodtype?”

“Not offhand. I think O.”

“According to Exhibit A2, Daniel’s birth certificate, that is indeed the case. It also says here that the mother is type A, and Daniel is an O. Right?”

“Yeah, if it is on paper, it must be true.”

“Well, it IS on paper… but it is not true.”

The courtroom started to murmur. Mr. Osprey quieted everyone down. “I give you Exhibit E: A blood test. You see, Mr. Dunvar, I had a hunch that maybe, just maybe, Daniel was NOT your son by blood. And the test proved it. See, you have type O… but Danny is type AB+.”

Everyone was in uproar. The judge used his gavel. Mr. Dunvar shrugged. “So they put down the wrong blood type for Danny, so what?”

“Don’t you get it? For there to be AB+, with one parent having A type, the other parent MUST be a B type!”

Mr. Dunvar gripped the seat, but kept his cool. “Now, moving on from blood down further in basic blocks of life, we Examined DNA samples from Danny’s hair, and compared it with a sample of yours found at the scene of your arrest. I give you Exhibit F: A DNA chart.” He pulled a folded up chart from the box, and a bailiff helped him set it up. “As you can see, the markings on the left are Danny’s DNA, and the ones on the right are yours. The ones in the middle belong to the mother, Selene Dunvar. Now, we find much of the mother’s DNA, but your DNA is not present at all in Danny. Now how could that be?”

“A crummy DNA sample probably.” Edward said. Mr. Osprey smiled.

“Oh no, it is very accurate. See, this proves you are NOT the father, Mr. Dunvar. You never were?”

“OBJECTION!” Mr. Steer said. “Where is the proof that someone else is the father, this is not enough!”

“Oh I have more your honor, if I may.”

The judge hmmed. “Continue counselor.”

“You see your honor, his wife had an affair, it was this affair for which she was killed. But the name of the other involved was never released… until now. Tell me Mr. Dunvar, did you know a William Stern?”

“Who?” Mr. Dunvar said.

“William Stern. Blonde furred mouse, nice guy, worked at the fast food place near where you lived.”

“Never met him.”

“Oh, but your wife did. I present Exhibit H, released with the permission of the local force. That was what I was waiting for your honor, and I can now show it.” He reveled a second chart, and a taped on certificate of death. “This chart shows William’s DNA sample. Now, when compared to Daniel’s we can see that they are very closely matched. And another thing… he has blood type B+.”

Everyone was talking some as the judge asked a question, Danny getting wide eyed as he was learning the truth. “And what does it say there for profession?”

“Oh yes, he is a cub cooker at the restaurant.”

Everyone gasped. A PREY cub cooker?! Danny could hardly contain his happiness. He knew it! He just knew it! When I saw his expression (I was back in the courtroom remember), I smiled. But I knew the worst was yet to come. Danny was to learn the truth.

“So what? He never admitted guardianship, and I never saw him.”

“Oh but you did Mr. Dunvar. See, you killed him.”

“OBJECTION!” Mr. Steer said. 

“I have proof your honor!” The judge hmmed.

“Proceed Mr. Osprey.”

“Thanks.” He produced one last exhibit from the box, Exhibit I. A blood stained knife, carefully preserved. “Do you recognize this?” Mr. Osprey asked. Mr. Dunvar sighed some in anguish. Oh he knew what it was.

“No.” He said defiantly.

“You should. It is the knife used in the murders of the mother and father of Daniel. Your fingerprints are on the handle. We checked against your file, and it is a match. As for the bloodstains… the type is A. Your wife’s. You know where this was found?”

“No.” Mr. Dunvar said, knowing he was beat now.

“In the home of Officer Jennings. He helped you then, like he did when you took Zoey.”

Mr. Dunvar nodded. “He makes the arrest of me so he can make Captain… and I can blame the murder on him if… the knife was found.” He buried his face in his paws, and Mr. Steer leaned back.

I took a good look at the jury. They had broken their stone face.

When they did that, my smile returned. But I prayed I wasn’t premature with my hopes.

Mr. Dunvar returned to his seat, knowing it was over for him. But as to Danny’s fate, the jury had to decide.

CHAPTER 8: The Decision

“Has the jury reached a verdict?” The judged asked.

The leader of them nodded. “We have your honor. I speak for the group.”

“Proceed.”
The juror looked. “This has been an odd case. While pred and prey relations have always occurred, something like this never seemed to be considered. We had here two child eating preds, fighting against a father of the same species as the boy, who seemed to us to have the best intent at heart… at first. But, when we listened to testimony, we found that not to be the case. We know now that Mr. Dunvar is not fit to be the parent to Daniel or to any child, and has no right to make any claims of blood on Danny.

“In the matter of the Calico’s getting custody, it was not any witness who helped make our decision. It was the reaction of Danny to the testimony, and the amount of fight that everyone made to make sure they stayed together. No one would fight this way unless they cared. And to care, no matter what the species, no matter how you look at it, is the first step in being a parent.

“We therefore recommend that custody of Daniel be granted to Mr. and Mrs. Calico.”

The judge smiled, as did Danny, who hugged Mr. and Mrs. Calico happily. “Then it is the decision of this court that full custody be granted to them. This court is adjourned.” The gavel went down and a cheer rang out. It was over! The Calico’s WON!

Daniel smiled and held them, and Mr. Osprey looked on happily. I smiled some and watched. But I was in for a shock when that sleazy rat came over.

“Congrats Daniel. Part of me wishes I had been on this side.” He said, offering his paw. Danny took it, as did the Calico’s in turn.

“I for one understand. Just doing your job. I for one thought we were beat until we got the police permission.”

Mr. Steer smiled. “Well, I better get home myself. I got a boy who needs me too. As for you Danny, no hard feelings I hope.”

Mr. Calico smiled some as Danny responded. “None. Somehow… I knew. I knew he couldn’t be my dad. He didn’t love me like a dad would.” He looked to the Calico’s. “This is my family.”

Mr. Steer nodded, watching as they took Mr. Dunvar away.

This time, for good.

EPILOUGE What Happened After

Well, I guess it is safe to say that, with the trial over, our problems were finally over. 

Zoey would make a good recovery, though her one leg would never fully regain its use. But that was okay, seeing how winning the case made her a celebrity in many ways. Everyone thought she was brave for facing Edward Dunvar, and her boyfriend and her got REALLY close.

Edwardo Calico went back to his business, little really changing for him, though his co-workers often got a little mouse visitor at lunchtime. See… Danny liked to sneak away in his lunch. Funny stuff.

Sandra would put Danny on the menu every now and then, calling him the “Danny Delight Special” She would also have Zoey come in to help out in the kitchens and as a waitress, something she liked. Who knows? She might just take over the business.

Zoey’s boyfriend, Richard, would continue to see Zoey, and eventually agreed that Danny was a nice addition to the family. He did get in trouble with Mr. Calico though, when he walked in on him and Zoey… uh, never mind.

Cooky and Jimmy both remained friends with Danny, Cooky eventually getting a cute little tummy on her from all the times she ate Danny up. They were the three musketeers, and no one could separate them.

Edward Dunvar was re tried for his connection to the murders of his wife and her lover. This time he was found guilty and sent to life in prison. After learning Danny was not his son, he never bothered him again. All I can say to that is thank God.

As for me… well, I would continue to teach Danny for the rest of the year, but after summer I did not see him again too much. Oh I would visit with the family every now and then, but that was all. When all was said and done, however, Danny did ask me to make his story. We worked together on it, so others could read it. You should know it, because you are holding it now.

Yet no matter how you looked at it, we all wound up doing okay, and the world learned that families might have some odd members, but when love is involved, and with a little help, it can be more than all right to have a mouse in a cat family. 

Meow.

THE END.