Episode 4.12

Trial Part 30

Chad walked into the empty courtroom and looked around at everything around him. He moved in front of the witness box, even though it was empty part of him could still see Abby giving her testimony.

“If your acquitted, promise me you’ll leave her alone?” Dan Adams stood behind the door to the gallery. He leaned against it for balance.

Chad turned and looked at the man who had arrested him, “Abby is her own woman, with her own wants and needs. She has to listen to her heart. I don’t control that, and I would never want to because she is one of the most special people in the world to me.”

Dan stepped through the door and in between the tables, “She made her choice already, she married Ethan.”

“You really think I don’t know that?” Chad shook his head before taking several steps towards Dan, the two were now face to face, “Dan, I think about it every night before I fall asleep. Its one of my last thoughts before I fall unconscious. It haunts my dreams, knowing that when I thought I would never fall in love again, that the woman who did capture my heart is married to my cousin. I hope to God you never have to feel this sort of torturous pain that I’m feeling every time I see her across a crowded room, or walking across the street or on the other side of the mall.”

“No matter what the jury says, I know the truth Chad. I know you killed Kathryn Layden, and you know why I know? Because of your past relationship with Brighton Simpson. You’re the only thing that connects it all.” Dan glared at the man his sister loved, “Just stay away from Abby and everything will be okay. But if you do chase after her, trust me I will make your life a living hell.”

Chad scoffed, “My life is already hell without Abby in it.”

“Oh please, you’ll forget all about her as soon as you meet someone new. So just move on to that new person, and let her live her life with Ethan.”

“Gladly, now if you’ll excuse me in a few minutes I’ll be finding out if I’m guilty or innocent.” Chad pushed past Dan and exited the courtroom.

Williams Home—Cassie’s Room

She pulled out the blue gown from the closet and laid it on the bed next to a garment bag. As she turned back to the closet she saw Patrick watching her from the door. “Hi.” Was all she said as she went to retrieve another dress.

“I was watching Friends the other night and it was the episode where Ross and Rachel share they’re first kiss at Central Perk. You know after he finds out that she’s over him and he didn’t know she was ever under him.” Patrick shifted nervously as he watched her reaction.

“So, what does that have to do with anything?”

“You want a moment like that, and I’m sorry but I can’t give you a moment like that. After you found out about your sister getting married I could see it all over your face. I’m sorry but I’m way too young to even think about finding the one.”

Cassie giggled, “Pat, Maggie is ten years older then me. She and Conner have spent years going back and fourth on being together. And your right, we’re both too young to be thinking about finding the one. We should find ourselves first.” She zipped up the garment bag and hung it on the door of her closet, “Besides after this pageant this weekend, I’m only going to be back in Durango for a day before I have to pack up for college. We’re starting a new chapter in our lives and the time we’ve had together has been great.”

Patrick shook his head, “I feel guilty though.”

Cassie bit her lower lip, “Because of Jeff?”

He nodded.

“Jeff got what he dreamed about. That letter Jeff left, was his goodbye, because he knew he’d be leaving us. Prom was his dream come true. We will all remember him and carrying him in our hearts. And ya know what, we can’t waste time we need to live life as much as possible because we never know what is in store for us.” She smiled, “Who knows maybe we are each others lobsters, but we made the attempt years too early. In ten years we could be walking along main street, run into each other, decide to have coffee and next thing you know we’re married with 2.5 kids, a dog and a picket fence, just far enough from the train so we’re not all sooty.”

“So friends then?”

Cassie nodded before hugging him, “Yeah, friends. Now skat, I have packing to do so I can attempt to win another crown.”

Trial Part 30

Abby slipped in just as the bailiff announced the judge, “All rise, the honorable Harold T. Stone is now presiding.” As she found a seat in the back she kept her eyes glued on the jury as the judge spoke to them for a few moments. She knew that at any second Chad could be sent to jail, or set free.

Chad’s stomach felt as if he had swallowed a giant hairball as the Judge asked him to stand. Christian was with him, and all he could do now was breath and listen to what these strangers had decided about his fate. He could only pray he wouldn’t be taken away from his children, he was all they had left.

“We find the defendant Chadwick Davis, not guilty on the count of murder.” The foremen spoke, and immediately chatter and flashbulbs were heard throughout the gallery.

Chad was frozen, he was free. His children would have they’re father. He wouldn’t have to worry about them loosing him. He turned to see his parents, who where standing behind him, and then his eyes met with Abby’s for the briefest of moments. She smiled and gave him a thumbs up before slipping out of the room.

Not even a second later, Preston Layden followed behind her, his cell phone in his hand.

Caspian Vineyard—Gate House

Elijah Bourbon walked into the old abandoned house that had fallen into disrepair. He had visited it every day since he’d arrived. He was drawn to it, and he had no idea why. Each visit he cleared more of the debris away, in doing so he had uncovered a stone fire place about a foot and a half above the ground, a hard wood floor, and his favorite part was the small kitchen area with Spanish tile.

“Sir, are you alright?” He turned and saw Nigel by the door.

“Let’s get a contractor out here to get this repaired.” Elijah decided as he let his hand run over the old oak mantle.

“Very well sir. I’ll call for one immediately, but why?”

“Because this place deserves to be restored.” He sighed for a moment as his mind flashed Siobhan’s face to him, “Who knows, this place could have quite a history of people falling in love.”

“But your already in love sir.”

“But is she?”

 

PHPD—Becker’s office

“Chief calm down. We did our job—“ a rookie officer tried to calm Becker down, only it wasn’t working.

“I don’t care, he got off! That makes us look like fools!” Becker threw a stress ball towards the door just as Siobhan came in, catching the ball in her left hand.

“Bennett let me talk to him.” Siobhan held the door open for the rookie to escape. “It’s not our fault. The Defense played with the Jury’s mind, plus Dan only had an affidavit since he was in a coma.”

Becker sighed, “The mayor called and bitched me out. At least we’re not Roberts, he’s going to have the really nasty message on his voicemail.”

Siobhan nodded, “Crap, that’s right. This was so high profile to. Damn.” She came behind him and began to massage his shoulders, “Relax, alright. We did what we could do. We followed the evidence and made an arrest. That put it in the DA’s  hands. As for Kyle he worked his butt off on this case, you know it and so do I.”

“You’re right.” He looked over at the clock, “Why are you still here?”

“And let you kill the rookies, yeah right. But I’m out of here. I need to go clear my own head.”

“How?”

“A drive past the most beautiful place in the county.”

“This is Colorado, the whole place is beautiful.”

Siobhan smiled, “Yeah but for me driving through the abandoned vineyard is just peaceful.”

“Wait, Caspian?”

“Yeah, what about it?”

“Someone bought it.”

Siobhan went two shades paler then she already was, “Who?”

“I don’t know, that’s just what I heard.” He lied.

“Oh, well I have to go anyways. By Becker.” She walked out, leaving the door open.

Becker leaned against the desk and wanted to bang his head against it several times, how could he not tell her the truth that some Prince had bought it. It was if some part of him was afraid she and this guy would have a connection and he would never have a chance to get her back again.

214 Shavano Court

Kyle stood on the front walk, staring at the door. He didn’t feel right being anywhere else but this house. Something about it was calling him. Perhaps it was the fact that he had failed with Trista and now he had failed in court. He just stood here, even though an afternoon rain was pouring down, soaking his suit.

The front door opened, Trista stepped out and opened an umbrella as if she were preparing to leave. But after she took the few steps down she looked at him, “Kyle, what’s wrong?”

“I failed.” Was all he said as he kept the blank look on his face.

“What happened?” She held the umbrella up to keep them both from the rain.

He looked down at the concrete walkway, “Chad Davis isn’t going to prison for murder. I didn’t convince the jury he was guilty.”

“Kyle, sometimes you can do everything possible and still not get the outcome you worked for.”

“That’s just the start.” He looked up at her, tears seemed to be building in his eyes, or was it the rain? Trista couldn’t tell.

“What else?” She chewed on her lower lip and twirled the umbrella around just a bit, shaking off some of the rain.

“With you of course. I did something to make you doubt me and my love for you.” He looked away just as the rain was starting to calm down.

“Kyle, you didn’t do anything wrong. I was just being stupid. I got scared and I jumped to conclusions.” The rain had stopped and the clouds were breaking apart letting the sun free with the last few drops of the rain.

Kyle took the umbrella from Trista and closed it, “I’ve been in this fog for months, focusing on work and obviously I’ve been focusing too much.”

Trista hugged herself, trying to keep from even hoping or thinking she knew what he was about to say.

Kyle reached up and touched her face, his thumb tracing her lips, “I focused too much because if I didn’t I would start thinking of you and how much I missed you Trista. I can’t live my life without you in it, without you by my side.” He took a deep breath as he searched her eyes for a response, “I love you.”

Trista smiled and threw her arms around him, “I love you to Kyle.”

Kyle tilted her head up and gently connected his lips to hers in a soft kiss, just as a light rainfall began again as the sun watched over them.

Dan’s Apartment

Dan turned off the television and took out his cell phone, “Ethan, yeah has Abby called you yet?”

He could hear the sigh come from his brother-in-law, “Don’t worry I had a chat with Chad, before he was found innocent. I don’t think we have to worry. She probably just went to work or something and hasn’t had a chance to call you.”

“Dan, I believe that Abby will mentally and physically be faithful but I have a feeling emotionally she’s already committed adultery. Leading Chad to have broken a commandment.”

“I’ll keep an eye on her, I promise. You and Abby are married and nothing will change that. She’ll stay with you. I know just how to do it to.”

Hallow Hills—Living Room

“Chad left with the kids?” Doug asked as he walked in carrying his glass of brandy.

Adel nodded as she looked out the window, “Our son is free, our grandchildren won’t be without they’re father. But I feel like its not over. That Kathryn Layden isn’t out of our lives just yet.”

“This isn’t about Isabella, is it?”

Adel shook her head, “No, that’s not it. It’s like we’re missing a piece of the puzzle and it’s about to just fall into place and shatter everything we know to be true.”

Doug put his glass down and started towards Adel to hug her when a housekeeper came in, “Mr. and Mrs. Davis, this was just delivered.”

Doug took the envelope from her and opened it up.

“Well, what is it?” Adel asked before taking the papers out of his hands, “Oh my God, he can’t be serious.”

“But I am.” Preston Layden walked in from the patio door, “I want my daughter back.”

“She’s my daughter. A simple DNA test will prove it.” Doug protested.

“Wait.” Adel looked at the younger man, “Aren’t your Kathryn’s brother?”

“Nope, I was her husband.” Preston took Doug’s brandy glass up and took a sip. “As I said before, I want my daughter back.”

Davis Cabin

Chad put the twins to bed and stepped out onto the deck, watching the sunset over the nearby lake. He took a deep breath, enjoying the fresh scent after the rainstorm that had just ended. He was free, he could have a life, but what kind of a life was he going to have without Abby?

What day is it? And in what month?
This clock never seemed so alive
I can’t keep up and I can’t back down
I’ve been losing so much time 

Abby parked her car at the bottom of the hill, knowing she could never drive it up. She had to see him. She knew this was wrong, she had married Ethan but none of that mattered right now.

Cause it’s you and me and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to lose
And it’s you and me and all of the people
And I don’t know why, I can’t keep my eyes off of you 

Chad walked into the living room, closing the deck door to keep the bugs out. That was the last thing he needed bothering the kids. He turned on the light and found a book on the shelf and began to read.

All of the things that I want to say just aren’t coming out right
I’m tripping on words
You’ve got my head spinning
I don’t know where to go from here 

Abby realized halfway up the pathway that she should’ve worn her boots and not her sneakers as her foot sunk into the mud. She was determined to see him though, even as the rain began once again.

Cause it’s you and me and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to prove
And it’s you and me and all of the people
And I don’t know why, I can’t keep my eyes off of you

Chad pulled the afghan that lay over the back of the chair over his legs before closing the book. Something wasn’t right, and his fears were confirmed just as he heard something outside.

There’s something about you now
I can’t quite figure out
Everything she does is beautiful
Everything she does is right

Abby slipped and fell flat into the mud as if she’d just belly flopped into a pool. She laid there for a moment before trying to get up. As she pushed herself up, she saw a set of shoes  just inches from her face.

Cause it’s you and me and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to lose
And it’s you and me and all of the people
And I don’t know why, I can’t keep my eyes off of you
and me and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to prove
And it’s you and me and all of the people
And I don’t know why, I can’t keep my eyes off of you

Chad took Abby’s hand and helped her up. They looked at each other for a moment before Chad pulled her closer to him, and they kissed, just as the rain began again.

What day is it?
And in what month?
This clock never seemed so alive