Chapter 25

Veronica Hastings sat next to her daughter in yet another interrogation. They'd been in there for an hour answering the same questions Spencer always answered.

"I didn't do it," Spencer stated for the third time, "I didn't kill Alison."

"How do you know, Spencer? You fought with her, maybe it went too far."

"For the last time," Spencer answered getting frustrated, "We did fight and I did shove her to the ground, but she got up and ran away. She was fine the last time I saw her."

"But how can you be sure that was the last time you saw her? How can you be sure that you remember everything from that night, or that all of it is true? You've lied to us before, how do we know you're not lying now."

Veronica watched her daughter seemed to grow more and more pained. Her eyes were sunk in, she kept rubbing her head like she had a headache, and every word seemed to drain her of the last bits of energy. Veronica was worried. She had to do something.

"Spencer, answer the question."

"No," Veronica jumped in, "Spencer, you don't have to answer any more questions."

"Mrs. Hastings," Officer Reynolds started.

"Enough Officer Reynolds. Can't you see how much of a toll this is taking? She's only just recovered from a serious illness and you haven't even had the decency to let her do that. Now, Spencer has answered all of your questions multiple times. She's been completely cooperative and respectful. I expect you to do the same for her."

"Mrs. Hastings," Officer Reynolds started again, "If we don't finish now it will have to be finished later and I won't be so kind about taking her. As I told your daughter at school, if she refuses to finish this interview now we will get a warrant and arrest her. I don't think you want that."

Spencer stared at her mom as Garrett issued the ultimatum. Spencer knew hoped her mom would stick to her guns, but she knew that the embarrassment of having her daughter arrested would probably be too much. For a split second Spencer's and her mom's eyes met. Then her mom faced Officer Reynolds and stated, "All I want right now is to keep my daughter from ending up in the hospital for the second time in three weeks. If you ever want to speak to Spencer again, you better have a warrant for her arrest. C'mon Spencer."

Spencer's mom went to the door and opened it, waiting for Spencer to follow. Spencer got up from her seat and exited the interrogation room. She'd been shocked by her mother's response and it had taken her a moment to register what had happened.

When they got into the car, her mom didn't start the car. There was a long silence before her mom started, "I know I act like reputation is the most important thing sometimes, but that's not entirely true. I do stress making a good impression and having a good reputation, because it will help you in the future. Sometimes I get a little too caught up in what other people think myself. But, I never want you to think that I don't care about you. You and Melissa are the world to me and I would do anything to protect you, all of you. "

"How do I know it's not just a one time thing?" Spencer questioned facing her mother, "How do I know that the next time I screw up it won't be about the family's reputation?"

"You don't, except for the fact that right now I don't really care what anyone else thinks of us. I believe you when you say you're innocent, and anyone who doesn't isn't worth my time."

Spencer couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her mom was standing up for her. Her mother was on her side. More importantly, her mother meant it. Her mother turned the key in the ignition and started the car, but she didn't head home. She headed toward the school.

"I have to make a quick stop at school, but it will only take a minute," her mom explained.

Once they reached the school Spencer's mom got out of the car and Spencer followed her into the building. Her mom went straight to the main office, not caring about the stares she got from the students in the hallway. Spencer glanced around her, fearful of what was going to happen.

Her mom marched straight to the secretary and said, "I would like to see Principal Appleton."

"Mr. Appleton is out right now, but he should be back soon."

From behind Spencer heard a voice call her mother's name, "Mrs. Hastings, what can I do for you?"

Turning, Spencer saw Mr. Appleton standing in the doorway of the main office. Her mother approached him calmly, but ready to unload, "You can explain to me why you allowed two police officers to take my daughter out of school today."

"Mrs. Hastings, it is my understanding that Spencer agreed to go with them."

"Only after they threatened to arrest me," Spencer jumped in.

"So not only did you allow two officers to take my daughter out of school you also allowed them to threaten her, without my knowledge."

"Mrs. Hastings your daughter is in the center of a murder investigation. We don't want to give the police or anyone else the idea that we are unwilling to cooperate with them."

"So you let two officers take a girl who has been out of the hospital for four days and out of school for the last two weeks into a dirty police station when she was clearly unfit to be interrogated."

"What would you like me to do about this?"

"I want you to know that the only way the cops are going to talk to my daughter again is if they get a warrant for her arrest and take her into custody. Under no circumstances are the cops ever to approach her about anything unless they plan on taking her into custody. Do I make myself clear?"

A crowd had gathered at the doorway to watch the altercation. They were watching in awe as Spencer's mom put the principal in his place. Teachers and students alike were watching the drama unfold. Principal Appleton nodded in agreement and her mom headed toward the door. The crowd parted to let them through, but didn't say anything.

Spencer watched her mom as they exited the school. In seventeen years, her mother had never stood up for her like that. Her mother had never done anything that could possibly jeopardize the Hastings name, and she'd just possibly ruined it forever. She'd made it clear to everyone watching that the Hastings' were unwilling to cooperate with the police, making Spencer seem even guiltier. It no longer mattered to Spencer or her mom. Her mom had made it clear that she believed in Spencer and that it didn't matter anymore whether anyone else did too. She knew she could count on her mom for the support she's always needed. Her mom would be there, on her side, every step of the way. It was what Spencer had always wanted, had always needed, and now she had it.

A/N: Well this is the end. Spencer didn't kill Alison, her mom believes her, and everything seems to be working out for her. Let me know if you don't think so. Let me know if you think there should be more.