Chapter 46 (part 3)

Valera-Stetler residence mid-afternoon Tuesday

Lt Charlie Daniels and Detective Christopher Lewis stood on the sidewalk outside Rick and Maxine's home, looking over the alleged "crime scene".

Ch-How many security camera's can you see Lewis?

CL-I count four – one in each corner

Ch-I count five

CL-Where's the fifth?

Ch-Front porch just above the door.

CL-I wonder why all the security

Ch-That's something for you to ask Maxine.

CL-I'll add it to the list

Ch-What else do you want to ask her?

CL-What exactly did her mother say to Maddy!

Ch-Yeh, I'd like to know that too!

CL-(looking puzzled) Lieutenant, somethings not right here.

Ch-Talk it out. Tell me what you're thinking.

CL-(unsure) Well, Miss Valera said her mother got hurt by trying to drop kick a garden gnome and then going face first into the letter box...

Ch-(smiling) Keep going.

CL-Mrs Norton claims that she was pushed and shoved by both Det Sgt Stetler and Miss Valera all over the front yard. Both stories are plausible but........

Ch-But at the moment we only have the statements of the 3 people involved. Someone is lying. I know that and you know that! So Lewis, how are you going to find out the truth?

CL-(thinking out loud) Well to my way of thinking, it all comes down to what the Security System can tell us and whether or not it was working properly on the night.

Ch-Let's go find out shall we?

0900hrs – Wednesday morning. IAB Interview room.

Lt's Charlie Daniels and Horatio Caine along with Det Lewis stood outside the interview room waiting patiently.

Ch-Glad you could make it Horatio.

CL-Lt. Daniels, where is Det Sgt Stetler and Miss Valera

Ch-I told them to arrive at 9.15am.

CL-I want to get this over with!

Ch-Now, Horatio when Rick and Maxine arrive I want you to lead them in. I specifically want you on one side of Maxine and Rick on the other. Lewis, I want you to place yourself next to Mrs Norton. I'm not saying anything is going to happen, I just want to be prepared!

H-Just what have you plannned Charlie?

Ch-All will be revealed shortly Horatio! I'm asking you to trust me. I'm just going to ask everyone if they stand by their statements and then we're all going to watch a short DVD.

CL-(chuckling) Then after we've watched the DVD, that's when the fun will begin.

Ch-Have you set everything up Lewis?

CL-Yes, Lieutenant. "everything" is ready!!

Ch-(checking his watch) Five minutes to showtime!!! (entering the Interview room)

H -Okay Lewis tell me what's going on!!

CL-Not a chance Lieutenant! (looking behind Horatio) Besides I see that Det. Sgt Stetler has arrived!

R-Morning Horatio, Lewis! (cheerfully)

H-Morning you two (looking at both Rick and Maxine)

M-Morning "H"

R-(rubbing his hands together) Let's do this!

Meanwhile in the Interview room Charlie Daniels is being given a hard time by Mrs Norton's lawyer, Michael Robertson.

MR-I'm a busy man Lieutenant! I don't like to be kept waiting!

Ch-(checking his watch) I'm terribly sorry you're being inconvenienced Mr Robertson. I assure you that it's not intentional.

MR-That may be so Lieutenant but if Valera and Stetler are not her in 5 minutes my client and I are leaving! Understood!

Ch-I understand you perfectly (checking his watch again). As we're both busy men counsellor, how about we start the meeting without Valera and Stetler? When they finally get here they can join us! Is that agreeable to you?

MR-That's more than agreeable Lieutenant. Let's get started, shall we?

Ch-Yes, let's!!! (turning to face Emma Norton & holding up her statement) Mrs Norton is this your signature?

EN-Yes that is my signature.

Ch-(flipping through the statements) It's quite a detailed statement, is there anything you want to add to it or change perhaps?

EN-There's nothing I wish to add or change in my statement.

Ch-(hearing a knock at the door) And do you still wish to proceed with your complaint?

EN-Yes I do, that's why I'm here.

Ch-That's good, and it sounds like Valera and Stetler have arrived (calling out) Come in!!

The interview room door opens and in walks Horatio, Maxine, Rick and Det Lewis. They quickly take their seats and face Charlie.

Ch-(looking at them) Because you're late we started without you! Mr Robertson, let me introduce you to the people who have just entered the room. From left to right you have Lt Horatio Caine – Head of the Crime Lab, Miss Maxine Valera – Lab Technician then you have Det Sgt Rick Stetler – IAB and the gentleman sitting next to Mrs Norton is Det Christoper Lewis also of IAB!

CL-Fine, can we continue?

Ch-Certainly! (using a stern voice) Valera & Stetler I am holding in my hand transcripts of your interviews, is there anything you wish to add or change in your statements?

R-No

M-No

Ch-You have signed these statements as a true and accurate account of the night in question. Is that correct?

R-Yes

M-Yes

Ch-(shaking his head sadly) Mr Robertson, I do believe we have a problem

MR-Oh, what's that?

Ch-Someone in this room is lying to me!!

MR-Well I can assure you that it's not my client who is lying!

Ch-We shall see. (sadly) Lewis, do you have any ideas on how we can resolve this problem?

CL-(pausing to think) Well Leiutenant, we could just run the footage from the security system.

MR-What security system?

Ch-(shocked voice) Why the one installed at their (pointing to Rick and Maxine) residence of course!!

MR-How do I know the footage hasn't been tampered with?

Ch-Bit hard to do when there are 5 camera's!!

MR-(gulping) Did you say 5 camera's?

Ch-Yep. One in each corner of the front yard and one over the front door! ALL in perfect working order and filming 24hrs a day!

CL-(cheerfully) Nice clear pictures from every possible angle.

Ch-Let's have a look at the footage shall we? Lewis, would you do the honors?

CL-With pleasure Lieutenant!!

After watching Emma Norton's drunken antics from every conceivable angle, Charlie called a halt to the presentation.

Ch-What do you think Lewis?

CL-I think that Mrs Norton has some serious explaining to do.

Ch-(sarcastically) I do believe you're right Lewis!

Then Charlie turned and looked directly at Emma.

Ch-So, Mrs Norton do you have anything to say about the footage we just saw?

MR-(quickly answering) In light of the new evidence my client will withdraw her complaint against Valera and Stetler.

Ch-Not good enough, counsellor! Not nearly good enough!

MR-Why not?

Ch-Your client lied to us counsellor!

MR-(angrily) My client merely misrepresented the facts!

CL-I think that's lawyer talk for "she lied" folks! (chuckling)

MR-(snarling) No one wants to hear what you think Lewis!

Ch-Now, now Mr Robertson! Don't be nasty to young Lewis here. Afterall it is because of him that we discovered you client's deceit!

MR-Am I supposed to thank him for that?

Ch-No thanks necessary, he was just doing his job

MR-You're enjoying this aren't you Lieutenant?

Ch-Of course! And I'm going to enjoy this next bit even more!

MR-What are you talking about?

Ch-Lewis! Have you forgotten something?

CL-My apologies Lieutenant! (standing up and facing Emma Norton) Mrs Norton please stand up and put your hands behind your back.

EN-(shocked) You're arresting me?

CL-Well duh! I thought that was kinda obvious!

EN-What? Are you crazy?

CL-No I'm not crazy, but I'm going to add "resisting arrest" to your charges if you don't do as I ask immediately.

MR-Just do what they say Emma! I'll have you out on bail in no time!

EN-(glaring at Maxine as Lewis slapped on the cuffs) You think this is funny, don't you!

M-I think it's bloody hilarious! My only regret is that I'm not slapping the cuffs on you myself! That would have been the highlight of my day!

EN-Do you really hate me that much?

M-Yes!

EN-(sadly) You know, I never meant it to go this far

M-Well, what did you expect?

EN-I don't know. I just wanted to get back at you for throwing me out of your house

M-I threw you out Mother, because of the disgusting thing you said to Maddy!

EN-Do you think you could ever find it in your heart to forgive me for what I've said and done to you?

M-Not a chance Mother! You don't deserve my forgiveness!

EN-Maxine please, is there anything I can do to make things right between us?

M-(standing up) It's too late for that Mother. I want nothing more to do with you. As far as I am concerned you no longer exist!

EN-Maxine, you can't possibly mean that!

M-Oh, but I do!

As Maxine turned around and walked from the Interview room, Charlie motioned for Rick to follow her. He caught up with Maxine at the elevators.

R-(wrapping his arms around her) Are you going to be okay?

M-(giving him a watery smile) Yeh, I'll live!!!!