Always a Prescott
(Pasadena: February 2014)
The bailiff stepped forward and made the announcement. "All rise. The Court of Pasadena is now in session, the Honorable Judge Stanton presiding. Everyone remains standing until the judge enters and is seated."
The judge entered the courtroom and sat down. "Bailiff, which case is before this court today?"
"Your honor, the case that starts today in the Court of Pasadena is that of the The People versus Mark Jefferson and Nathan J. Prescott, defendants."
"Thank you, bailiff. Now to the matter at hand. Is the prosecution ready to begin the trial?"
"Yes, we are, your honor."
"And are the lawyers for the defendants ready as well?"
"We are also ready, your honor."
"Very well. We shall proceed to start this trial. Will the clerk of the court please swear in the jury?"
The clerk turned towards the jury and addressed them. "Will the members of the jury please stand and raise their right hands? Does each of you swear that you will fairly try the case before this court, and that you will return a true verdict according to the evidence and the instructions of the court, so help you God, or so do you affirm?"
One by one the jury members said they would do as the clerk had asked them on behalf of the court.
After reading the criminal charges, the judge asked the lawyers for Mark Jefferson and Nathan Prescott to enter pleas on behalf of their clients. The lawyers confirmed their clients would plead not guilty on all the charges.
The judge then made some preliminary remarks. "Before the prosecution can make its opening statement, the court would like to address a few matters at hand. After discussions with the prosecution and the defense, media presence for this trial has been limited to the bare minimum required. The trial will begin and proceed in an orderly fashion, and any disturbances will be swiftly dealt with. If there are any further requests from the prosecution or the lawyers representing the defendants, the court will hear them now". Neither side submitted more requests and the judge asked the prosecutor to make the opening statement.
"May it please the court, and the ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the case before you today and in the coming weeks is an extraordinary one. The prosecution will prove to you that defendant Mark Jefferson is guilty of crimes against no less than thirty-seven victims. Abduction, false imprisonment, conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm, assault, battery and murder. Two victims have recently been found dead. Furthermore, one victim is still reported missing and presumed dead. The defendant committed his crimes in no less than three different states. New York State, Washington State and Oregon. Evidence will be presented in court in terms of video, photographs, forensics, materials found in the defendant's possession as well as testimony from several of the victims and various experts.
The prosecution will also prove that the other defendant, Nathan J. Prescott, is guilty of being Mark Jefferson's co-conspirator in the crimes committed against as many as twenty-eight victims. Abduction, false imprisonment, conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm, assault and battery. The defense will try to portray Mr. Prescott as a victim of Mr. Jefferson rather than a co-conspirator. You will hear powerful testimony and see key evidence which will remove all doubt in terms of what role Mr. Prescott played."
(Los Angeles: February 2014)
"Their flight is delayed, Rach. We're gonna have to wait here for another hour". Chloe was really looking forward to seeing her mom again, but the timetable in the arrivals terminal had confirmed what she already knew. Bad weather up north had delayed the flight her mom and stepdad were taking by an hour.
They walked over to the nearest coffee shop and Chloe sat down at one of the tables. Before she knew it, Rachel hopped onto her lap and put her arm around her blue angel. "At least there's one advantage, C. I get to stare at you from up close for at least another hour". Rachel leaned in for a kiss, which Chloe happily returned whilst moving her hand through Rachel's long hair. Chloe noticed that she hardly felt uncomfortable at all with this latest public display of affection, this was clearly going in the right direction.
"Can I get you ladies anything", a blushing student type looking waiter asked them. He was clearly somewhat uncomfortable interrupting the two young women showing their mutual love. Chloe ordered two coffees and not long after the young waiter returned and served up their order.
"Has anyone ever told you how pretty you are, Rach?"
"Well, I don't know, there's this blue haired girl that keeps fawning all over me and keeping me safe and warm. She's pretty hot herself, and hella sexy. I love making out with her, especially in public."
"Any chance of that right now? I could sure use another kiss."
"Come on, Chloe. Let's drink our coffee first, before it gets cold". Rachel laughed at seeing Chloe dreamily staring at her. Slowly but surely Chloe seemed to get structurally more comfortable around her. The hour of waiting time passed quickly and both women once more walked towards the arrivals terminal where Chloe's parents would be landing soon.
Chloe was holding Rachel's hand and the two of them looked around for any sign of Joyce and David. And sure enough, there they were. Joyce saw her daughter standing there and smiled at the sight of her baby visibly holding hands with her fiancée. Of course they were holding hands, it was a familiar sight, as they had done it very often when living in her house in Arcadia Bay. And Joyce saw in her daughter's eyes that her feelings for Rachel had only gotten stronger.
Chloe and her mother embraced, and she shook hands with David. Rachel followed Chloe's example and did the same thing.
"Welcome to Los Angeles, mom. Sorry the weather isn't better but at least it's dry now."
"I'm so happy to see you again. And you both look really happy, it warms my heart to see that. Should we drop our stuff off at the hotel first?"
"I think that's a good idea, mom. Your hotel isn't far from where we live. You should take a cab there as I don't have enough seatbelts in my truck, and we'll pick you up from there and start showing you the city. And later in the afternoon we'll show you our apartment. It's real cozy, you'll like it, I'm sure of it. And David, I'll show you the truck, either today or tomorrow, I managed to repair it with a little help after the road trip situation with the leaking radiator and the coolant."
"I'm looking forward to that, Chloe. It sounds like you could really be a good mechanic. And it is really good to see both of you again. I hope we can continue where we left off. I really do support your relationship, not all of us military types get worked up about the idea of two people being gay. Your happiness is what counts for me."
"Chloe and I appreciate it. It's good to see you both here now the trial has started. Our friend Max is watching the trial on our behalf."
Joyce looked towards Chloe after hearing the all too familiar name. "I take it you two are not going to see what is going on in Pasadena?"
"No mom, we're not. Rachel and me will only head over when Rachel has to testify, and there is a chance I might get called in too on account of our investigation. Max has agreed to attend most of the trial and tell us what is going on. She says she's even going to be skipping a number of classes to do it, she is so cool for helping us out. She's still trying to make up for the five years of radio silence, even though I keep telling her I'm as much to blame for that as she is. Her photography has already made a serious impression around here, she's real talented and has already won the state photo competition."
"Chloe, let's talk some more once we get to the city. David and I will go to the hotel and drop our things off there. Rachel, you should really thank your father on our behalf for arranging all of this, we couldn't have afforded it without him."
"I will, Joyce, I'm sure he'll be happy to hear it's being appreciated."
Early in the afternoon, Chloe, Rachel, Joyce and David were sitting in a restaurant in downtown Los Angeles. Joyce expressed that she was very curious to hear about Chloe and her job as a waitress.
"It's going much better than I thought it would, mom. Diner owner Dan Romero and the other staff really helped to get me settled in and I found out I'm actually pretty good at it. A lot of that is thanks to you and the things you taught me last year. I haven't even flipped out at a single customer yet, and have only dropped one cup of coffee so far. I was even employee of the month in January. You were right, a little stability in my life hasn't hurt at all."
"Your 20th birthday is coming up soon, Chloe. Your teenage years are almost over. And you two have already been through so much. Is there anything you want for your birthday? And speaking of celebrations, did you two set a wedding date already? David and I might need to arrange days off in advance."
"I don't really want any gifts for my birthday. Just for Rachel to be able to get through her testimony without problems, so the whole thing can be over with as soon as possible. As for our wedding, Max and one of our other friends, Steph Gingrich, are helping us plan the whole thing. We've set a provisional date of Thursday, October 30th later this year. If all goes well that will become definitive very soon. Rachel and I are really looking forward to it."
Rachel caressed Chloe's left cheek with her hand and smiled seeing a little blush on her face. "Chloe and I happily invite you both to attend. That goes without saying, of course. We want our immediate family and best friends all to be there. For the rest, we're going to try to keep it relatively small."
"I wouldn't miss it for any reason, and neither would David. And David understands that nothing will ever stop me from wishing William could have attended, he would have been so happy to see you making this huge step in your life. I do miss him a lot, and I probably always will". Joyce tried to wipe away a tear with her finger, and David offered her a fresh tissue.
"Mom, I want to tell you a few things about what is going on with both of us right now. Rachel and I are still seeing a therapist regularly, thanks to her dad paying for it. It's helping us both to be able to talk about all the things we've gone through. I still suffer from some anxiety issues but it's partially under control now. We're also working hard to help Rachel deal with her nightmares, which is another reason why we want the trial to be over as soon as possible."
"I can imagine it would not be easy to have to see those two bastards relatively up close in court. How are you going to be dealing with that, Rachel? Joyce and I couldn't even remotely imagine what that would be like."
"Chloe and I have agreed she will be there whenever I have to testify. She's going to be sitting behind the prosecutor's bench so I can always look in her direction should I need it. I think it will help tremendously to keep me calm and composed. The prosecutor has arranged for this to be possible. The reason is that part of the case will depend heavily on my testimony, especially on the details I do remember.
Mark Jefferson told me so many things in the closing weeks of my imprisonment, and often didn't even bother anymore to drug me up as he must have been sure I would not escape alive. During pre-trial discussions with the police and the prosecutor I was able to reproduce word for word everything he said about the two girls he killed in Seattle and the location he held them at, which has helped the police find their bodies, and enabled the girls' families to get closure."
"You are displaying exceptional bravery and strength, Rachel. I can see why my daughter is so into you. When I first saw you, almost four years ago now, I was worried you would be a bad influence on her. I knew you were the daughter of the district attorney, but there were lots of rumors about you. Today, I'm so happy to see I was wrong, and that you both seem to fill a critical need in each other. It's going to work out fine, I truly believe that."
"Thank you, mom, for saying that. I believe it too, and so does Rachel. She gives me strength when I need it, and I give it back to her when she needs it. I can't wait to officially belong to her for the rest of my life. I'm hers and she's mine."
"Joyce, how are things going for both of you? We've talked a lot about Chloe and me, but we haven't heard about what you two are doing these days."
"Nothing much has changed, Rachel. I'm still working at the Two Whales Diner and David is still at Blackwell. The renovation of Blackwell's buildings is starting in the spring, and the leadership headed by Mrs. Grant who is now officially the new principal has succeeded in securing new funding so they can maintain both Blackwell High as well as Blackwell Academy."
"Joyce has explained it well. There's a whole new atmosphere at Blackwell, as if a dark cloud has been lifted. And that's true for me personally as well. I've been working hard to be less suspicious of people, and less paranoid."
"I'm happy to hear you're getting better too, David. I will never stop being grateful for what you did for me and Rachel. You saved us both, that's the one time where your suspicions and paranoia worked out well for us."
"There was just so much going on in Arcadia Bay those days, and whenever something happened, you could bet that there was always a Prescott involved. It wasn't a surprise to me when I heard the day after we rescued Rachel that Nathan had been involved in the whole thing. I'll never stop regretting how I let principal Wells talk me into helping to cover for Nathan for so long. Wells told me the future of Blackwell depended on Prescott goodwill and we couldn't risk it."
"Wells will be called in as one of the witnesses. I think all of us will hear things we never knew before. And a lot of familiar faces will be seen in the courtroom. I'm sure Max will tell us all about it, and of course Rachel and I will have to go there ourselves, probably soon."
"We're almost done here. I think it's time Chloe and me showed you both our apartment. I hope it will stay dry but those clouds outside look quite threatening. And afterwards, you can go to your hotel and tomorrow we will take you to see Santa Monica, where Chloe and I will get married later this year. We both have a few days off now so we can manage to show you around there."
"I am going to love seeing Santa Monica. I've never been there. It's a really expensive part of town isn't it? And what about where you two live? Can you afford it? David and I would contribute if we could, but we're not exactly rich ourselves."
"We can manage, mom. Rachel's dad paid for the rent until the end of this year, and we still have the money from the fund for the victims of Mark Jefferson. Rachel says we can easily last until the end of next year if we don't overspend, or if we can get her dad to pay for a few more things. Don't feel like you owe us anything, we love you and David at least as much as anyone else in our lives, if not more."
"This is the apartment building we live in. Let's go inside before it starts to rain. You and David can take the elevator if you want mom, Rachel and I will go by stairs. Go to the third floor, and turn right. Then through the door and head for apartment 359, that is our place. We'll get there earlier because the elevator is real slow these days."
Chloe took Rachel's hand once more and the two of them walked up the stairs to the third floor. As expected, they easily beat the elevator to it. They passed through the door on the way to their apartment. Chloe spotted two men who were lingering about near their front door. She slowed down her pace and tried to see if either of the men were familiar to her.
After a few moments it suddenly dawned on her that the slightly smaller of the two men looked very familiar indeed. She had seen him before, in Arcadia Bay. It was none other than Sean Prescott. The other man was likely a bodyguard or something like that.
Sean Prescott looked towards Chloe and approached her. "Good afternoon miss Price, I would really like to discuss something important with you, and especially with miss Amber. I am here to make a deal."
Chloe briefly froze and panicked, but almost immediately regained her composure. She looked back at Rachel who was standing right behind her. "Rach, back up, go to the elevator and wait for my mom and David. I'll deal with this."
In full protector mode, Chloe turned back towards Sean Prescott. "What the fuck are you doing here, asshole? You think we'll take your money? No fucking way. No deals, you hear me? That little scumbag of a son of yours should hang for what he did to my girl."
"My son is sick, he needs help, psychiatric care. I will admit I delayed that too long, and I am sorry about the things that have happened. I'll gladly help to put Mr. Jefferson away forever, but you must have pity on my son. I realize now I didn't treat him as I should have, but it is not too late for him. He can still be redeemed."
"Not too late? Are you fucking serious? He assaulted Rachel, repeatedly. She might not remember everything, but she does recall some moments. You are trying to make excuses for him? Like he is a victim? Nine months, nine fucking months of psychological torture and actual assault. You are so lucky I don't have a gun on me right now".
Sean Prescott could clearly see Chloe was extremely angry, and was slowly moving towards him in the way a predator would approach its prey before striking. He signaled for his bodyguard to step in between them, which the bodyguard did.
Chloe stepped to the right to regain a clear view of Sean Prescott. Then the bodyguard grabbed her arm and held her in place. Chloe lashed out at the bodyguard with her fists and hit him a few times. The bodyguard struck back, hit Chloe hard and she fell onto the ground.
"Half a million dollars, miss Price, think about it. You and miss Amber could pay for the rent of this apartment for thirty years. All she would need to do, is testify she can't remember anything my son did to her. She can say whatever she wants about Mark Jefferson, I don't care, but spare my son. We can all deal with Mr. Jefferson together. We can right the wrongs, I even have contacts in Hollywood."
Chloe was in pain from the blow she had suffered, but could still understand everything very clearly. "Go to hell, bastard. I'll kill that little prick of a son of yours myself if I have to."
At that very moment, David Madsen and Joyce passed through the door and saw what was going on. David rushed towards Chloe whilst Joyce was holding Rachel. "Are you alright, Chloe? What have they done to you?"
David saw Chloe in pain and knew that she had been struck down by one of the men. Sean Prescott recognized David and addressed him. "Good afternoon, Mr. Madsen, I remember you, you used to work for me. Maybe you can talk some sense into your stepdaughter here."
"The hell I will. Whatever she said to you, I agree with it. And yes, I used to work for you, and there are very few things I regret more in my life. Which one of you hit her, I bet it was your goon here as you are too much of a coward to do anything like that yourself, you always have others doing your dirty work for you."
"I could offer you a better job than the one you have at Blackwell. All you people have to do is agree to my modest demand. I'm not even asking miss Amber to tell a lie, just to say she doesn't remember anything."
David Madsen analyzed the situation before him. Then all of a sudden, his anger got the better of him, he slammed his own body into that of Sean Prescott's bodyguard and the two of them ended up on the ground fighting, David Madsen having the clear upper hand. Chloe, who had recovered from the earlier blow, took the opportunity to run towards Sean Prescott and grabbed him by the throat. The sheer force she managed to apply startled the businessman and he was unable to get away from Chloe's grip. She punched him in the face with her right fist, and then again a few more times.
After a few more moments, the fighting stopped, and both Sean Prescott and his bodyguard backed away from David and Chloe.
David Madsen looked at Sean Prescott. "Go ahead, press charges. I'm sure the judge will love to hear how you intimidated a witness against your son. And your business associates will love to learn as well. I hope you lose everything, one day. And if you ever threaten my stepdaughter and her fiancée again, you will not live to tell about it."
Sean Prescott knew he had gambled and lost, badly. His desperate plan had backfired, as surely the judge and the prosecution would hear about it. Also, he knew David was right, there was no way he could press charges, because counter charges would be filed immediately. And an investigation was certainly going to follow. With the names of several Prescott businesses on Dark Room construction contracts he was already in deep trouble. Things just got a whole lot worse. He and his bodyguard fled from the building, Sean Prescott still unaware that a different associate of his had visited the Amber apartment earlier in the year to give away part of the game.
Once inside the apartment, Joyce and Rachel patched up the wounds that David and Chloe had suffered. "Always a goddamn Prescott", David said, still fuming. Joyce successfully managed to calm him down.
Rachel was worried about Chloe. "Are you alright, baby? Did he hit you hard?"
"I'm fine, I'm more concerned about you, Rach. Please don't let them get to you. That is what they want."
"I was scared for a moment, Chloe, but I'm not scared anymore. I have a guardian angel, and she's awesome, I think I'll marry her. I feel completely safe. But I'm going to have to cover up your bruises with some make-up."
"I'll let you do that tomorrow if you want, Rachel. Right now we should just rest. I love you."
Rachel and Joyce served coffee and tea. Chloe sat next to Rachel on the couch with her arm around her lover. David and Joyce sat on nearby chairs.
David tried to see the humor in the situation. "Chloe, you and I would make a good tag team in professional wrestling, if you ever wanted to consider another career."
Chloe smiled and agreed. "We work together well, don't we? I'm happy about it, because I am tired of feeling angry. I used to hate you, I mean really hate you. But you've proven yourself, it's good that mom has someone like you around. I'm sorry for the things I said about you back then."
"Just forget about it, Chloe, I have. Joyce and I could go back to our hotel later, but we can also stick around for the night, if you both feel you want to have us here, considering what just happened. It would be no problem at all."
Joyce agreed with David, and both Chloe and Rachel expressed their wish that Chloe's parents would stay in the apartment for the night. It would help make everyone feel better so it was an easy decision. Joyce helped Rachel to prepare the spare bedroom and all through the evening the four talked about everything. They agreed that the next day's planned visit to Santa Monica was still on.
During that same evening, Max Caulfield sent Chloe and Rachel an e-mail with her first report of the trial. She would keep them abreast of what was happening. Also, Max indicated that she would soon have some help in that department, someone who was coming over from Arcadia Bay for a few weeks.
Once in bed for the night, Rachel cuddled up to Chloe as she had done for most of the year 2014 so far. She told Chloe that she was very proud of her. After exchanging a bunch of kisses both women fell asleep, and would soon be ready for a new day.
PS
In the next chapter, part of the trial will be covered from the POV of Max Caulfield.