Episode 3.14

Becker’s Apartment

“Sally, I can’t just say guess what Siobhan my real name is Joe Shamus and I’m married to Sally Payne, now can I?” Becker handed his wife a cup of coffee.

“Joe, you have to tell her. The sooner the better.” She poured in some sugar and creamer. “I know you don’t want to hurt her, but you have to tell her the truth.”

“Oh and tell her that I left my wife, started over here in Pinõn Hallow to hide out from a murder charge?”

Sally stood up, her hands on the table, “Yes damnit!”

“Sally, you do realize you and I are not getting back together, right?”

A darkness clouded her eyes, “Yes, I know you love her. I see it when you say her name.”

Becker nodded just as he heard the front door open. He silently cursed when he heard Siobhan call out to him. “Just a second, I’ll be right there.” he replied.

He then looked back to Sally, “Stay here, be quite. I’m going to go tell her, its not going to be pretty but you’re right it has to happen.”

He walked into the living room and saw Siobhan taking off her glove, “Have a seat.” he pointed over to the chair across from his seat on the couch and noticed she had no visible weapons, that was a good sign.

“What’s so important you called me to come over? Dan and I, are working on the Layden murder.” She sat and looked at him confused.

He sighed, this was not going to be easy at all. “I have to tell you something, its very important.”

“Shamus you can tell me anything.”

He laughed, “Remember you said that.” He paused and closed his eyes for a moment, remembering how it had felt to make love to her. “You know how I never talk about my life before I came to town?”

She nodded, “What does that have to do with anything?”

“My name isn’t really Shamus Becker, it’s Joe Shamus. I left my home town and became Shamus Becker, after I was accused of murder.”

Siobhan’s mouth was gaped open, “I think I’m missing something.”

He looked down at his hands, “I’m still married to my wife, Sally Payne.” he saw the recognition in her eyes, “Let me finish please.”

“Go on.” She leaned back, crossing her arms over her chest.

Becker stood up and walked over to the fire place, “Sally and I were married for three years, and we had a little boy.”

“I don’t like where this is going.”

“I still don’t like to remember. My son, Jack. He was only two, and Sally was at work one day and I was home alone with him. I fed him, gave him a bath, read to him, and then put him to bed.” He ran his hands through his hair, “I went to check on him later, and he wasn’t breathing.”

“Joe, it wasn’t your fault.” Sally stood in the doorway, visibly shaken from her husband’s remarks.

“I know, but I still feel guilty.”

“Wait what the hell is going on?” Siobhan stood up and looked between the two of them.

Sally looked at the floor, “The police thought that Joe killed Jack. When they pointed at him as a suspect he ran, obviously to here.”

“How did no one find out until now?” Siobhan looked at him, this man she thought was her future. Her heart was racing, he had lied to her about everything.

“I had connections, I had been a cop back home. I busted a couple of Mob guys, they put the pressure one to get me a job here under a new name.”

Siobhan shook her head, “That is so not normal. So your telling me Sally just happened to move to the same town then?”

Sally nodded, “Actually yes, see last spring they found evidence that Joe wasn’t the one who killed Jack.” She sighed, “The baby food we’d been feeding him had been tampered with in the factory.”

Becker looked at Sally, “That’s what killed him?”

She nodded, “The DA started putting the pieces together when he was researching for another case and found similar deaths.”

Siobhan took a deep breath and grabbed her coat, “I think I need to leave you two alone. Besides I have a murder to solve.”

She was out the door when Becker made his way to it, “Siobhan, wait!”

She didn’t stop though, she kept walking until she got to the stairs and started crying.


Memorial Hospital—Dr. Clint Nevada’s Office

“How are you feeling today Conner?” Clint asked as he took out his pad and pen.

“Just peachy, I talked to Maggie and I think things are better. We’ll see how that all works out.” Conner looked around the room, he was hating this. It seemed so pointless, “Listen, I just don’t have much to talk about and I feel that this is just a waste for both of us.”

“Why do you feel that Conner?”

“Because, I only came after being recommended by the police and doctors after the whole kidnapping thing.”

Clint made a few notes, “Yes, tell me while you were kidnapped, what did you think of?”

“My daughter, Lysa and Maggie.”

“How would you describe your relationship with Lysa now?”

“Strained, but she’s sixteen of course its that way. I wouldn’t expect it to be any other way.”

Clint looked up from the notes he was making, “How would you describe her behavior concerning your time away?”

“She’s upset, she doesn’t want to talk about it. I don’t blame her, she probably felt abandoned.” Conner uncrossed his arms and rested his hands on his knees. “I’m the only parent she has, Bethany was never around and now she’s dead. She and Chad aren’t close enough for her to turn to him. I’m just glad she had my parents and my brother to help her through it.”

“Tell me about your brother.” Clint scribbled some more notes and Conner was getting irritated, he really wanted to know what this guy was writing.

“Sean’s a good kid, pretty much unlucky in love though. He’s a cop now. He went to school up in Vermont and got a degree in Psychology, then went to the academy. He came back while I was locked up.”

Clint nodded, “How do you feel about him?”

“I love him, he’s my brother. I worry about him though. He’s for the most part been a loner except for the occasional girlfriend.”

“Do you think this loner quality could make a connection for him and your daughter? Perhaps she’s found him to be a good person to speak her mind to, you know concerning your time away.”

Conner shrugged, “Lysa and Sean get along for the most part, they bicker but that’s about it.”


Kyle’s Office

“Thanks, its alright. I understand Mr. Montana is a very busy man.” Kyle sighed as he hung up the phone. That blew that idea out of the water, he had been trying now for weeks, there had to be something he could do to propose to Trista.

He looked at the picture of the two of them from their vacation, they were so happy. The smile on her face when she knew one hundred percent that he loved her was amazing. But now, he just didn’t know what to do. So far every attempt had gone to pot. Even the putting the ring on one of her presents hadn’t worked since he’d hadn’t tied it tight enough, he found it later in the folds of the tree skirt.

The door of his office opened and he saw Siobhan come in, very upset, “Can I talk to you Kyle?”

“Yeah, come on in. What on earth is wrong Siobhan?” he jumped up from his seat and helped her to one of the chairs.

“Becker isn’t Becker, his name is Joe Shamus and he’s married to Sally Payne.”

Kyle looked about as confused as Siobhan felt, “What are you talking about?”

She leaned back in her chair, “He’s been hiding here from a murder charge.”

“Murder charge, who was he accused of killing?”

“His Son.”

Kyle took her hand in his, “Oh hon. I’m so sorry. What are you going to do?”

“Stop seeing him of course. I’m sure now that the truth is out he won’t want to be here.” She wiped her eyes, “I just don’t know how I could’ve been so stupid. I mean clues were there forever. I just didn’t see them.”

“You didn’t want to, there’s a difference. You only saw the good. That’s what makes you special.”

“Thank you.”

“No Problem.”


Hallow Hills—Upstairs Hallway

Abby came out of the twins room with their empty bottles when Jeff came out of his room, “Abby, may I speak with you for a moment.”

“Of course, what’s up?”

Jeff smiled as he walked towards his son’s fiancée, “I’m just curious how you like working here?”

“It’s a wonderful job, the kids are great.” Abby chewed her lower lip not sure about the questions coming from her future father in law.

“Good, and Chad is he a good boss?”

“Mr. Davis is great, very considerate.”

Jeff laughed, “You always call him Mr. Davis, don’t you. Well except for when your kissing him.”

Abby went pale, ghost white. “Excuse me?”

“Abby you know exactly what I’m talking about.” Jeff put his arm around the younger woman, “You see on Christmas Eve I was about to come down stairs and get some water from the kitchen. When low and behold I look down and see you and my nephew making out in the doorway.”

Its not what you think Jeff.” Abby crossed her arms over her chest as she pulled away from him, “There was mistletoe, and we kissed that’s all. You know upholding tradition, just like you and Adel.” her voice became hushed at the mention of Adel.

Jeff looked upset and Abby could tell he wanted to say something but before he could she walked down the stairs with the empty baby bottles.


Pinõn Hallow Mall

He pulled the straps of his hood tightly and tied them to keep his face from being seen as he looked through the digital camera at Chad Davis as he worked behind the counter of the Java Jet.

“He’s going to pay for all he’s done.” the man said as he snapped pictures of Chad.

The man laughed, “This will teach him to mess with us, Mr. Big Shot reporter.”


PHPD

“I want you to find who killed my sister, I want to be able to give her a proper burial.” Preston Layden said as he sat across from Dan Adams.

Dan sighed, “I wish I could tell you more, but I can’t. I’m not allowed to. All I can say is we’re working on it.”

Preston stood up, “This isn’t good enough. I want Kathryn’s killer found. I want an arrest made!”

“Sir, we’re doing everything we can.”

“It’s not good enough.” Preston shook his head. “If this isn’t done soon I’m going to hire a private investigator.”

Dan stood up, “Sir, we’re doing all we can. I promise you, we’ll find your sister’s killer.”

You  better.” Preston grabbed his coat and stormed out, almost knocking Siobhan over as she came into the squad room.

“Let me guess, we’re not working fast enough.”

“Exactly, he’s threatening to hire a private investigator himself if we don’t find out who did this soon.”

“Shit! Just another wonderful thing for today.” She sat at her desk and stared at the files in front of her.

“I’m going to leave you alone cause it looks like you need it.” He took his jacket, “I’ll be back in a little bit.”

Siobhan smiled briefly, “Thank you Dan.”

“No problem Detective.”


DI—Laura’s Office

“Um, Miss Davis.” Claudia the secretary came in, holding a stack of files, “Mr. Adams is outside and would like to speak with you.”

Laura swung around in her seat, hands resting on the desk, “Did he say what it was about?”

“He looks upset, that’s all I know.” she shook her head, placing the files on the in box.

“Send him right on in.” She sighed before quickly running her fingers through her hair.

John stood at the door, “Laura, I’m glad you’d see me.”

She stood up, “Why wouldn’t I?” she walked over to her mini fridge and took out a bottle of water, “Could I get you anything?”

“No thank you, I’m fine.”

“Very well, what brings you by? You’re new book isn’t due on my desk until next year.”

John closed the door and walked over to the desk, towering over it as he looked down at her. “Its not about the book, its about Chicago.”

Laura tensed, “What about Chicago?”

“You know what about Chicago.”

“Oh that?” she sat back down, opening the bottle, “John it happened we can’t take it back and we know it won’t happen again. You’re very happy with Lydia.”

“But I’m not.”

Laura almost spilled the water on her blouse when he said that, “You’re not? But you looked happy on Christmas Eve at the service.”

“It was an act Laura. Lydia and I have been arguing all the time. She keeps trying to marry our kids off. She’s pushing them away and by doing so she’s pushing me away.”

“Have you talked to her about this, because I think that’s something you should discuss with her, not me.

John stayed standing, shifting from foot to foot, “Before I talk to Lydia I have to know something Laura.”

“What?”

“Do you still have feelings for me?”

Laura closed her eyes, “John, I would be a filthy liar if I said no.” She put the bottle of water down on the desk and stood up, looking directly into his eyes, “You’re the first guy I ever loved, the first man I ever kissed, the first one I ever made love to. You always have a place in my heart.”

She took a deep breath and turned to the window, “Go talk to your wife John, figure that out before you come here and try to muck up my life.”


Hallow Hotel Room 5

Sean watched Lysa sleeping, her lower body covered with the sheet as she slept on her stomach. She looked like an angel. She as turning out to be the perfect student. He was just about to touch her when his cell phone began beeping, he flipped it open and silently cursed, as he got out of bed and ran into the bathroom.

“Yes Doc.” Sean leaned against the door, “No she’s perfect. This one is going to be very good.”

He opened the door a little and watched her, “She’ll be perfect. But she’s not ready just yet. No I’m not just saying that because I’m having fun.”

Sean rolled his eyes, “Listen Doc, this one is special. You’ll love her when you get you’re turn. But I have to get her ready. She’ll be perfect by then, after the New Year you can have her. I promise. I have to go before she realizes I’ve been gone. I’ll be in touch soon Doc.”


Hallow Hills—Foyer

Abby sat on the stairs with the baby monitor in her left hand as she nervously chewed on her nails from the right. Her leg twitched as she watched the door, waiting for Chad to come in.

A cold blast of the Colorado winter air rushed over her as Chad came in stomping his feet on the front mat to rid his shoes of the snow from outside. He looked up and saw Abby, “What’s wrong? Is everything fine with the kids?”

Abby nodded, “We need to talk, alone where no one can see or hear us.”

“Alright.” Chad took his coat and put it in the closet before leading Abby upstairs.


They entered Chad’s bedroom and Abby closed the door and locked it, “Abby, what are you so nervous about?”

“Jeff saw us.” she spit out as she looked at him.

“What? When did Jeff see us and what did he see us doing?”

“Christmas Eve, he saw us at the door kissing.”

“Mistletoe.”

Abby leaned against the door, tears fighting to free themselves, “What are we going to do?”

Chad sat down on his bed, “Abby, it’ll be alright. He didn’t see us in the snow, it’ll be fine. If he tells Ethan just tell him about the mistletoe. One of the maids has it all over the place here.”

“That’s for sure, it caught Jeff and you’re mother once.”

Chad raised an eyebrow and looked at her, “My mother and Uncle?”

Abby nodded, “Yeah, I kinda spit that one back at him and it seemed to shut him up, at least for now.” She put the monitor down on his night table and ran her hands through her hair, “I just don’t know which way is up anymore.”

Chad got up and took her in his arms as she started crying, “Shh, it’ll be alright.” He pulled back and looked her in the eyes, “But you have to decide what your heart wants. Me or Ethan.”

Abby nodded, and wiped her eyes as she broke out of his embrace, “I should get home. I’ll be here in the morning.” She put her hand on the knob and then turned back, “Night Chad.”