A/N: Okay guys, so here's the deal: bad news is there's only two more chapters after this one, BUT good news is there will be a sequel to this story! So I know it doesn't seem like we're heading to a conclusion, but that's because I'm setting the stage for book two. The goal is for you to leave this story with some resolution but also some questions. Hopefully you're not confused though - everything makes sense to me, but I also wrote it and I know where I'm going and you don't. If you get lost or anything, just tell me and I'll clear it up for you. Enjoy the chapter!
Disclaimer: Don't own Revenge.
August 28, 2016 10:33 a.m.
Manhattan, New York
Do you solemnly swear that you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
"So, Mr. Chamberlain, the FBI did determine that the illegal transactions came from your computer, correct?"
As he sat on the witness stand, Brett Chamberlain gulped nervously. In front of him the federal prosecutor – one Richard McKenzie, he was a middle-aged man with a receding hairline and a pinched expression – paced back and forth, his hands behind his back. "That is correct," Chamberlain said, trying to keep his cool. He glanced at Olivia, who was staring at him from her side of the courtroom, her attorney – Ms. Grayson – furiously writing down notes by her side. In the first row behind them they all sat – Nolan Ross, those married friends of his and the wife's kid sister, his two positively irritating employees…and Hailey, who was currently giving Chamberlain a look that was nothing short of murderous.
That is the promise one must make when they take the stand in a court of law.
"But Mr. Chamberlain," Mr. McKenzie continued. "You did not launder any money, did you?"
"Correct," Chamberlain affirmed. "Every day at work I take two cigarette breaks, the same times every day – ten-thirty in the morning and two in the afternoon. All of the records show that any illegal transactions made on my computer were completed at approximately those times."
"And who, Mr. Chamberlain," said Mr. McKenzie. "Would have known that you would be away from your office at those times every day?"
Chamberlain glanced towards Olivia. "That would've been my secretary, Olivia Anderson."
But how many people actually honor that oath?
"Why would Ms. Anderson have wanted you to take the fall for her crimes?"
"I'm ashamed to admit this," Chamberlain said. He looked down and Olivia scoffed to herself when she saw him feign tears. "But I…I was unfaithful to my wife. With Ms. Anderson, on multiple occasions." There was a collective gasp around the courtroom and the reporters – who had been let it reluctantly by Judge Norwood, albeit without their cameras as per protocol – began to buzz with excitement at this revelation.
"Order, order," She said with a few light raps of her gavel. Judge Anne Norwood was an older woman, whose many years in the courtroom were evidenced by the distinct lines around her pale blue eyes. "Mr. Chamberlain, please continue."
How many people perjure themselves on the stands each year?
Chamberlain nodded. "It was just a few times – I regretted it, I told Olivia we had to end the affair. I really do love my wife…" He smiled at the petite, raven-haired woman who was sitting in the front row, on the prosecution's side of the courtroom – Sonya Chamberlain smiled at him encouragingly. Did this woman actually believe the B.S. her husband fed her?
Olivia rolled her eyes. "Oh, please." She didn't realize at first that she'd actually said it out loud.
"Control your client, please, Ms. Grayson," Judge Norwood said.
"You see," Chamberlain continued to Mr. McKenzie. "When I told Olivia it was over, she was so angry. She said she would make me pay…"
"Objection!" Stevie said.
"Overruled," Judge Norwood replied. "But let's get back on track, shall we Mr. McKenzie?"
"Of course," Mr. McKenzie said. "I'd like to present at this time The People's Exhibit A, Your Honor. It was discovered by the police in Ms. Anderson's desk at Chamberlain Financial," He pulled out a little plastic baggie, and Olivia mentally cursed when she saw the note inside. Mr. McKenzie placed it down in front of Chamberlain. "Mr. Chamberlain, would you please tell the ladies and gentlemen of the jury what this is?"
"It's my computer password,"
"And Mr. Chamberlain, would you please tell me who it was that wrote down your computer password on this piece of paper? Was it Olivia Anderson?"
"That bastard had me copy his password down," Olivia whispered to Stevie. "He's been setting me up this whole time!"
"Objection," The lawyer said to Judge Norwood forcefully. "Not only is this a compound question, but Mr. McKenzie should know that the witness is unqualified to answer."
"Your Honor," Mr. McKenzie said. "I do have an expert who is willing to testify that this is Olivia Anderson's handwriting…"
"Then save this for that witness, Mr. McKenzie," Judge Norwood said. "Objection sustained."
"But if I might say Your Honor," Chamberlain interjected. "I've seen Olivia Anderson write many times…and this is her handwriting."
Mr. McKenzie smiled. "No further questions," He said, before slinking back to his table.
And how many people actually get away with it?
Nolan turned away from the action when he felt someone slip into the spot next to him. "Louise, what are you doing here? I thought we agreed you were going to wait for me at my place!"
"You think I was going to miss that man testifying?" Louise whispered back. "You should put me on the stand, I have a few choice words about him…" She glared at Chamberlain on the stand and when he caught sight of her, he visibly paled.
"The court will take a brief recess," Judge Norwood announced. "Ms. Grayson, you may ask any questions you have for this witness when we return. Until then, court is adjourned."
Can you tell when someone looks you in the eye…
"Come on," Louise said, grabbing Nolan by the arm as everyone rose from their seats. "I wanna talk…about last night." Nolan nodded solemnly.
…and lies to you?
"A man was found dead in his Upper West Side apartment this morning. Thirty-one year old Lucas Barlow was discovered in his apartment by a neighbor around eight o'clock. Mr. Barlow was a suspected member of the domestic terrorist organization, The American Liberation Party, who took responsibility for Times Square bombing earlier this month. Interestingly, today is also the beginning of the trial of former Chamberlain Financial employee Olivia Anderson, who is accused of laundering money for the terrorists who planted the Times Square bomb. Foul play is currently not suspected in Mr. Barlow's death…"
Louise shut off the news report, which she'd played for Nolan on her iPad. The two were currently sitting in Louise's car while court was in recess, so they could be alone. "Lucas Barlow," She said, more to herself than to Nolan. "I didn't even know his name."
"Go over this story with me again," Nolan said. "I'm still not sure I'm fully understanding. I know you said you saw him following you but…How did you get to his apartment?"
"I saw his car, pulling into his apartment parking garage," Louise explained. "I knew it was his, because it was scratched on the side where he hit me, and I was able to memorize part of his license plate when he drove off. His parking space had his apartment number so I waited until I saw the car pull out, and then I went inside. The doorman had fallen asleep so I got up to his apartment easily." Louise paused, her eyes closed, and Nolan could tell she was trying to hold back tears. "His door was open. I walked in and…he was just lying there. I knew he was dead. I called you because I didn't know what else to do." She glanced at Nolan now. "You don't think anyone will realize we were there, do you?"
"You said you didn't touch anything, right?" Louise nodded. "Well, I guess we just have to hope no one saw us. We were lucky the doorman was out cold…" Nolan shook his head. "Louise, why would this man have been following you? Is it because of Olivia or…"
A look crossed Louise's face that Nolan couldn't name – it wasn't anger exactly, more like…like fierce determination. Like she was going to make someone pay. "Brett Chamberlain," She said. "Brett Chamberlain asked him to kill me."
Nolan gawked at her, completely floored by this statement. "What? Why would Chamberlain want to kill you?"
"Because he found out I was trying to find evidence against him."
"And how exactly were you doing that?"
"I had an affair with him."
Nolan raised his hands in the air in exasperation. "Anything else you want to tell me? Did you kill a puppy on your way to the courthouse today?"
Louise gave him a look. "I hated being with him, Nolan, but I thought it was what I had to do."
"I can't believe you slept with him! Him!" Nolan exclaimed. "Louise, why did you put yourself in that situation…?"
"I wanted to help you, alright?" She said. "You and Olivia deserve to be together. And hey, you and I had a fraudulent marriage, at least I didn't elope with him!"
Nolan leaned his head back and rubbed his temples. "So, how do you think Chamberlain figured you out?"
"I don't know," Louise replied with a shrug. "I did try to crack the lock on his safe a few times while I was over at his place. Maybe he noticed something was off…"
"Well, he sure knows that you played him now that you showed up to court,"
"I'm sorry," Louise said emphatically. "I was trying to help! I didn't mean to make a mess of things…"
Nolan sighed. "It's okay. I know you meant well. I'm just glad you're safe…"
"Do you think Chamberlain killed him?" Louise asked. "Because he didn't succeed in killing me? I know they said the police think it was an accident but…shouldn't we do something?"
Nolan shook his head and put his face in his hands. This was all too much. "I don't know Louise. I honestly don't know…"
"Hey, can we talk?"
Charlotte looked up, and saw Drew approaching her. She smiled hesitantly. "Hey, you." She rose to her tiptoes, clearly reaching for a kiss, but Drew stopped her by placing a single finger over her lips.
"Not like that. We need to talk."
Her smile turning into a frown, Charlotte took a step back. "Okay…" She said nervously. "So…talk."
Drew sighed. "Charlotte, I…I can't do this."
She stared at him for a moment, and then she realized he wasn't kidding. "Are you serious?" Charlotte laughed hollowly. "But you…you were the one who said you wanted to be together."
"But not like this," Drew said softly. "You were right, this isn't the time for a relationship. I want to be with you. Not sneak around with you like we're some dirty little secret. And now's not the time for that."
Charlotte looked down, and shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. "You're right," She said. "This…this isn't the kind of relationship I want. And not the kind you deserve."
With a slight smile, Drew placed a hand on her cheek and tilted her face up so she could look him in the eye. "When this is all over…"
"Of course," She said, not needing to let him finish. "Of course…"
For a moment neither of them said anything and she closed her eyes, pushing her cheek against his hand. When they looked away from each other again, they noticed that everyone around them had disappeared, filing back into the courtroom.
Lowering his hand from Charlotte's face, Drew took her by the arm instead. "Come on – we gotta go back."
"Are you sure you're ready?"
Stevie shot an annoyed look at her son as Jack asked her this same question for the umpteenth time so far today. "Trust me, I'm prepared. I went over everything you sent me on the plane ride over. Everything will go fine."
Amanda smiled and touched her worried husband's shoulder before turning back to her mother-in-law. "Thank you for doing this for us, Stevie. It means so much to us, and to Nolan…"
"Anything for the two of you," Stevie promised, causing the couple to smile.
Charlotte and Drew returned now, exchanging a covert look between them. Hailey was close behind, Spencer by her side. "How are you holding up?" The latter asked.
Hailey shook her head. "I feel like my legs might give way at any moment." She said, and Spencer grabbed her arm to steady her. She smiled appreciatively, then glanced at her mother, sitting in her spot up front. "I'm so worried about her,"
Spencer nodded – they'd reached their seats by this point. "We're going to do the best we can. And I trust Nolan with my life – you should too."
As court was called in session, Nolan and Louise slipped inside – the last to rejoin – and made their way back to where the rest of their group was seated. "Hey," Jack whispered as Louise slipped in next to them. "You feeling better?"
"What?" Louise asked.
Nolan nudged her. "You were sick, remember Lulu? But you're feeling so much better now."
"Oh, right," Louise said, realizing the lie he'd told. She turned to Amanda and Jack and smiled brightly. The two were clearly a little confused, but didn't question her any further, instead focusing their attention back on the trial.
"Mr. Chamberlain," Stevie said, approaching the witness stand. "You admitted that all of the illegal transactions were made on your computer, correct?"
Chamberlain nodded. "Yes, that is correct."
"But you claimed that they couldn't have been you – because you take a smoke break at the same time every day, correct?"
"Yes…"
"Mr. Chamberlain," Stevie said. "Would you please roll up your sleeve for me?"
The man looked at the prosecutor, clearly confused. "I…I don't understand,"
"Objection, Your Honor," Mr. McKenzie said. "Relevance."
"My motives will soon become crystal clear, Your Honor," Stevie promised. "Just give me a moment."
"Overruled," Judge Norwood sighed. "Please roll up your sleeves, Mr. Chamberlain – and get to the point, Ms. Grayson."
Chamberlain muttered something under his breath as he slipped off his jacket, then rolled up the sleeves of his button down shirt. He held his arms out so everyone could see – and on his arm was a distinct square.
"Mr. Chamberlain," Stevie said. "How long have you been using the nicotine patch to quit smoking?"
"I, uh…" Chamberlain floundered, retracting his arms quickly. From her seat, Olivia couldn't contain her smile. "A couple months, I guess."
"When exactly, Mr. Chamberlain?"
"I don't know exactly!" Chamberlain sighed. "It's been about a couple months …"
"So if you've been using the nicotine patch for the past couple months," Stevie replied. "Then why have you still been taking smoke breaks twice a day as recently as five weeks ago?"
It was clear from the look on Chamberlain's face that he was completely floored. "I…I mean I just started using it. I…I guess it's not working for me yet."
Stevie smiled and held her hands up in surrender. "Alright, alright. But there is another thing I find curious about these transactions…" She walked back up to her table and retrieved some papers, then placed the first in front of Brett Chamberlain. "Mr. Chamberlain, can you read the highlighted sections for the court please?"
"On March 31, two first class tickets to Los Angeles," He read. "$5,000. April 15 – pearl and diamond pendant from Tiffany's. $3,100. April 22 – one night at The Plaza Grand Penthouse Suite. $10,500."
"That is your credit card bill from one random month of this year," Stevie explained. She handed Chamberlain another paper. "Once again, please read the highlighted section, Mr. Chamberlain."
"March 22," He read. "$6,000. April 1 - $5,000. April 14 - $10,000."
"Now that," Stevie clarified. "Are transactions which were made to Chamberlain Financial in that same month. Each one of those funds came from an account that the FBI has identified as belonging to The American Liberation Party – the same account that you have alleged Olivia Anderson illegally laundered money for. Yet, you made purchases of similar amounts, mere weeks after these funds were channeled to your company. Was this your share of the profits?"
"Objection!" Mr. McKenzie declared. "Ms. Grayson is simply sharing a theory!"
"Withdrawn," Stevie said. "Now Mr. Chamberlain, can you read something else for me?" A disgruntled Brett Chamberlain took the paper begrudgingly. "The highlighted section please,"
Chamberlain resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "I'm so sick of all these people," He read. "This country that we live in has fallen so hard – it used to be ours, and now it's theirs. All these idiots, I want…" He swallowed, seeing the next line. "I want to blow them…bleeping sky high."
"Mr. Chamberlain," Stevie said. "Did you send this email?"
Chamberlain glanced at Mr. McKenzie, clearly blindsided. "…Yes, I did."
"And to whom did you send this email to?"
"…Maxwell Hanna."
Stevie raised an eyebrow. "Is this the same Maxwell Hanna who just pleaded guilty to planting a bomb in the law office of Goldberg & Kendrick, the same bomb which blew up Times Square on August 1?"
Chamberlain looked around nervously. "Yes, that's the one."
"So you were telling an admitted terrorist how you wanted to blow the American people sky high?"
"I didn't mean it!" Chamberlain exclaimed. His face had turned red from anger and he half rose out of his seat. "He was a client of mine, how the Hell was I supposed to know he was a terrorist? And those purchases – so what if I like to buy my wife nice things? It's not like I don't have plenty of money! Olivia Anderson is the real terrorist here, not me!"
"Control yourself, Mr. Chamberlain!" chastised Judge Norwood. "And Ms. Grayson – please remember that Mr. Chamberlain is not the one on trial here."
Stevie looked at Chamberlain and shrugged. "You admitted to having an affair with Olivia Anderson," She said. "How do we know that you weren't the real jilted ex-lover?"
"Objection!" Mr. McKenzie thundered.
"Withdrawn, Your Honor," Stevie said with a pleased smirk, as she sauntered back to her place. "No further questions for this witness."
As the people around them began to chatter away, Nolan leaned over to address Spencer and Hailey. "I think it's time we pay Maxwell Hanna a visit."
"That was amazing," Charlotte said emphatically as the revengers cleared out of the courtroom. Nolan and Louise had walked ahead, talking about something in hushed tones, while Hailey and Spencer hung back so the former could have a moment alone with Olivia before she was escorted back to her cell – that left her, Amanda, Jack and Drew with Stevie. Charlotte grabbed her sister and brother-in-law by the arms and told Jack: "Your mother is my new hero."
"All in a day's work," Stevie said proudly. "People who are guilty usually don't cover their tracks as well as they thought they did."
"You are seriously a rock star!" Charlotte said and Stevie laughed.
"In all seriousness, that was great," Amanda added. "If that didn't establish reasonable doubt, I don't know what will."
"Honestly?" Drew chimed in. "Maybe the judge will throw the case out after this…"
"You know how much I hate saying goodbye."
Olivia nodded, rubbing up and down Hailey's arm. "I know, Hailes. But I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
Hailey nodded – over her mother's shoulder she could see the prison guard watching them, clearly ready to take Olivia back. "Spence and I are going to talk to this Hanna guy – you'll be out of here in no time."
Spencer – who had been standing a few feet back – walked over now. "Ready to go?" Hailey nodded feebly, then hugged her mom one more time.
"I love you," She said.
Olivia smiled. "Oh, Hailes. I love you too. More than anything."
The two reluctantly pulled apart and Hailey began to walk out with Spencer. She shot one last look over her shoulder before she followed him out to his car.
"Ms. Anderson," Someone said, catching Olivia off guard. When she turned, she saw that prosecutor Richard McKenzie was currently making his way over to her.
McKenzie turned to the prison guard. "Do you mind if I have a moment with Ms. Anderson?" The guard only muttered incoherently in response, backing up a little to give them space to talk but so he could still ensure there was no funny business.
"Mr. McKenzie," Olivia said with a smile. "Are you here to apologize and tell me your case is over?"
"Oh, quite the opposite," McKenzie replied. "I'm here to discuss a deal."
"A deal?" Olivia repeated. "Like a plea bargain?"
McKenzie smiled. "I saw you with your daughter – you love her a lot, don't you?"
"Of course – she's my child. Are you threatening her, or something?"
"No, not at all," He insisted. "I'm just simply saying…you want a life with your daughter don't you?"
"Yes, I do." Olivia answered. "And I'm going to have one, after this jury finds me not guilty."
"Or they could find you guilty and you could get life in a federal prison. Or worse." McKenzie said, and Olivia's face fell at the thought. "Is that really the kind of life you want to live, Ms. Anderson? Only a couple hours with your daughter, if you're even around to have visitors?"
"I won't say I did something I didn't do," Olivia persisted, but her voice was wavering. "I'm innocent."
"And maybe you are," McKenzie conceded. "But the jury might not think so. It's your choice Ms. Anderson – you can take your chances, or you can take my advice, and be able to hug your daughter again someday, without the handcuffs." He smiled, and waved goodbye to the guard. "Have a nice evening." Then he turned and walked out the way he came.
The guard came back over, handcuffs in hand. "Come on," He said gruffly, taking Olivia's arms. "Time to go."
"Could you maybe…" She began. "Not cuff me this time?"
The guard shook his hand and shackled her hands. "Protocol."
Olivia sighed as he took her by the arms and began to led her out to the prison van. As she was roughly ushered back to her confinement, she couldn't help but think about what McKenzie had said.
Hailey had thought that her mother's prison was the worst place you could possibly be – but as she sat next to Spencer, waiting to see Maxwell Hanna, she thought this place was so much worse. It was sparse, dirtier – they hadn't even been allowed to see Hanna in person, instead having to sit behind a glass wall and talk to him via a telephone.
"You okay?" Spencer asked, touching her knee.
Hailey shook her head. "I just can't imagine my mom spending the rest of her life in a place like this…"
The duo sat up a little straighter when Hanna was brought out to see them – Hailey instantly thought he looked like the kind of person who caused trouble. He was short but stocky, bald with a scar on his forehead and a tattoo of a half-naked blonde woman on his left arm. He picked up the phone on his end and Hailey did the same. "Well, well," He said. "If it isn't the terrorist's daughter. Hailey, right?"
"My mom is not a terrorist," Hailey said forcefully, and Hanna laughed out loud.
"Yeah, okay." He said. "Of course she's not,"
"Look," Spencer said – there was only one phone so he and Hailey had to share it in order to talk to Hanna, and they both had to cram onto the same stool. "We came here to talk to you about Olivia Anderson's trial."
"What that gotta do with me?" Hanna said. "I didn't deal with the money stuff…"
"We know that you know Brett Chamberlain," Hailey told him. "And we want you to agree to testify against him."
Hanna paused for a long moment, chewing on his lip. "…What's in it for me?"
"Nolan Ross & Associates will agree to represent you at sentencing," Hailey offered. "We've never lost a case – we'll get you twenty-five years, opportunity for parole, it's the best offer you're going to get."
Hanna grinned, exposing a bad tooth when he smiled. "I get to cause Hell for that bastard and get out of being a lifer? I'm in."
Spencer smiled. "Good doing business with you."
"You sure you don't mind me spending the night here?"
Nolan looked up from the file he was reading as Louise walked over towards him, a bathrobe wrapped tight around her body. "I mean," She said. "I feel bad about you having to sleep on the couch, with Hailey in the guest room and me in your bed…"
"It's okay," Nolan insisted. "I'd rather you be here than alone in your house, when Chamberlain might send someone else after you. And I can't exactly leave Hailey alone either…"
Louise smiled and sat down next to him on the couch, touching the side of his face. "You're a real gentleman, Nolan Ross." She pressed a kiss to his cheek and he smiled.
"Like I told you once before, Lu," He said. "My friends are my family."
Louise turned, looking at the muted TV, and her face fell. "They're still talking about him…"
Nolan looked up and saw a picture of Lucas Barlow on the TV screen. Without hesitation, he grabbed the remote and immediately flicked it off. "They think it was an accident," He told her. "But it has to do with Olivia's case, so they're all over it."
"But it wasn't an accident," Louise said. "It was murder." She shook her head, going silent for a moment. "Do you think we should go back to his place?" She asked. "Just to see if we could find…something…"
"No way," Nolan said forcefully. "Louise, we barely made it out unscathed the first time. If someone finds anything that could lead back to us…"
"I know, I know." Louise sighed. "I just…I just feel bad. He probably has a family, Nolan. Don't they deserve the truth?"
Nolan shook his head. "Well sometimes you just can't tell the truth."
Louise rose from the couch, her hand on Nolan's shoulder. "I'm gonna turn in," She said. "It's been a long day."
Nolan nodded and squeezed her hand. "See you in the morning for day two."
Louise smiled at him over her shoulder as she made her way to the master bedroom. "And if this Hanna fella says the right thing, hopefully the last one."
"Can I ask you guys something?"
Amanda and Jack looked up to meet Olivia's gaze – it was the morning of the second day of her trial and she'd turned around in her seat to face them. They were currently the only three of their group there yet – Stevie had gone to take a phone call from her office, Hailey was with Spencer, Nolan and Louise were having another private conversation, and Charlotte and Drew were wherever it was that Charlotte and Drew disappeared to.
"Sure," Amanda replied. "Whatever you want."
Olivia bit her lip, clearly nervous to say what was on her mind. "…Do you think I should plead guilty?"
Amanda and Jack both stared at her – they didn't know what they'd been expecting her to say, but it wasn't that. "Why would you do that?" Jack said. "You're innocent."
Olivia glanced over to the prosecution and then back again. "McKenzie was talking to me yesterday," She explained. "He said that if I plead guilty, then I'll get a lesser sentence. What if the jury doesn't rule in our favor? I might never see Hailey again!"
"Olivia," Amanda began. "Chamberlain's testimony went even better than we could've hoped it would, and Hanna has agreed to testify on your behalf. You shouldn't be worried about that right now."
"And think about it this way," Jack added. "If you take this offer, you'll get twenty-five years – at least. That's a huge chunk of Hailey's life that you'll miss. But when you're found innocent, you'll get an entire lifetime with her."
Olivia nodded and turned back around in her seat, while the rest of their group returned. The entire courtroom rose as The Honorable Judge Anne Norwood was announced, Norwood making her way to her bench.
"Please be seated, everyone," She said. "Let's just get right to it. Ms. Grayson, please call your first witness."
"Your Honor," Stevie said. "The defense calls Maxwell Hanna to the stand."
They say the truth will set you free.
The entire courtroom turned around as admitted terrorist Maxwell Hanna made his way to the front of the room. He'd cleaned up a little, wearing a suit, but still looked extremely rough at the edges. His hand was placed on the bible as the oath was read to him, and Hailey saw him wink at her. It made her stomach churn.
Lies build up like a weight on your chest.
"Mr. Hanna," Stevie finally began once he'd been seated at the stand. "Please describe the nature of your relationship with Brett Chamberlain for the court."
"We met when I hired him to manage some money for me," Hanna explained. "We emailed a couple of times, but that was it."
At his words, Hailey froze. What was he talking about?
But for some people, they don't care as the weight just keeps piling up…
"Mr. Hanna," Stevie said, trying to hide her surprise at this response. "Did Brett Chamberlain ever use terroristic threats, as far as you are aware?"
"You mean that email?" Hanna said. "Brett didn't mean it. He gets a little angry sometimes but come on – doesn't everybody?" From his seat next to his wife, Chamberlain couldn't hide his smile.
As they stand before us and only spew more deceit.
"Mr. Hanna," Stevie said. "This is not what you told us…"
"I know I told you that he'd done something wrong," He replied. "But I just said that because I was mad. Brett Chamberlain was not a part of the bombing. But Olivia Anderson was." He smiled twistedly, looking Olivia up and down. "Do you really think I'd forget such a hot piece of ass?"
Before she even realized what she was doing, Hailey was on her feet. It was as if her body was electrified by anger. "You are a liar!"
"Young lady!" Judge Norwood reprimanded. "One more word and you will be escorted out of my courtroom!"
"He's lying!" Hailey roared - she was so angry, her petite body was physically shaking. A court guard moved forward to take her out, but Spencer grabbed Hailey before he could, pulling her to his chest and walking her to the door. By this point, her fury had turned to tears and she blubbered and cried, grabbing onto Spencer for support, knees buckling.
"Mr. Hanna," Stevie said, practically pleading. "Please remember that you are under oath."
Some people are not bothered by the weight of their lies.
Maxwell Hanna only shook his head. "I got nothing else to say."
"Is that…apple pie?"
Nolan walked into his kitchen to find Louise, dawned in a frilly apron and pulling a pan out of the oven. "Hope you don't mind," She said. "I bake when I'm stressed. Or worried, or upset, or…hungry."
"It's fine," Nolan said, sinking down into the nearest seat. "Some Southern comfort food actually sounds really good after today."
"I am really sorry, sugar. None of us knew he was gonna get up there and say that…"
"I know," Nolan said, placing his head in his hands. "I guess that's what we get for trusting a terrorist, right?"
Louise smiled half-heartedly and began to cut him a big piece of pie. "Better start eating then. Should I make a plate for Hailey too, or is the poor girl still locking herself up in her room?"
"I don't think she's come out yet," Nolan sighed. "I think I'll go check on her…" He got up while Louise continued to serve out slices of dessert, humming under her breath, and Nolan was caught off guard when his phone rang unexpectedly. He checked the caller ID and answered immediately. "Hey Ams, what's up?"
As they pass the burden...
Louise glanced up, seeing Nolan looking confused as he listened to whatever it was Amanda had to say on the other end of the phone call. "Whoa Ams," He said. "Slow down…" There was a long pause, and then his expression turned to one of horror. "I'll uh…I'll be right there."
"What's going on?" Louise asked once he'd hung up the phone.
Nolan looked up to meet her gaze, looking visibly stunned. "Amanda, Jack and Stevie are at the prison." He explained. "Olivia just confessed. To everything."
...onto us.
