Toby POV
I park my car in the driveway next to Spencer's and I shut off the engine. I sat there for a good ten minutes before I had enough courage to open the door. I did the right thing, I know I did. Everyone say I did exactly what needed to be done in order to protect the people I love and anyone else that had been or could've got hurt. I did the right thing, but why the hell do I feel so sick to my stomach? How am I supposed to look my kids in the eye ever again after what I did. They look up me, Chloe especially. I killed someone. I'm a murderer.
24 Hours Earlier
"Is he in there?" I ask
"Yeah, he's in there. Been waiting for a while." Dt. Lane replies
"Toby, are you sure you don't want me and Adam to talk to him? I know he was a good friend of yours. I know this must be really hard for you." Dt. Lindsay says, placing her hand on top of my own
"I'm fine Erin, I can handle this. I know how his mind works. And if he thinks for a second that he's gonna lie to me, he's gonna look me dead in the eye when he does it. I'm going in there. Alone." I tell her
"Well you should at least let one of go in there with you. Make sure you keep a level head and don't kill this guy in the heat of the moment." Lane argues
"He got into a car with sister, my neices and nephew, and two of my best friends with a loaded gun. He could have hit a bump in the road and that thing could've gone off. He actually pulled the thing out on my best friend and my brother-in-law right in front their children, my children, and my other nieces and nephews. He could have killed any one of them. If I wanted to kill him, and please believe me when I say this, I would have done it by now." I argue
"You're about to walk into that interrogation room as Toby when you need to go in there as Lt. Cavanaugh. Let someone else do this or at least go with you!" Dt. Lindsay argues
"I go in alone and that's the last time I'm gonna say it! I outrank the both of you! What I say goes!" I shout
Line Break
After I get the camera into position, I take a seat across from Ezra.
"You know Ezra, we've known each other for a long time. 'A' put us through a lot over the years. After everything that we've been through, all of us, I always thought you were kind of a part of the family. Even after you and Aria divorced. You've seen all the many ways she's been hurt by 'A' before, and became the one thing in this world that can actually still scare her." I say
"Let's just cut to the chase. You've got me. There's no point in me trying to fight you, but I can't just tell you what I know. I'm gonna need something in return." he says, lowering his voice and leaning in closer
"We might be able to arrange something. What do you want?" I ask
"I want to see my family. Caitlyn, Hadley, my boys, Aria, and my wife." he says
"When your wife finds out what you've been up to, there's no way she's coming to see you ever again unless it's so she can watch you sign the divorce papers. As for Aria, Hadley, and Caitlyn, I am telling you that you will never go anywhere any of them ever again." I tell him
"If you don't let me see my family then I'm not telling you anything." he says
"What if I could get the ADA to cut a deal?" I ask
"I'm listening." he sighs
"The death penalty is off the table. You get life in prison with a chance for parole in 30 years, and we knock 3 years off for every name you give us." I offer
"Knock off 10 years and we've got a deal." he argues
"5." I tell him
"7." he says
"4." I say
"That's not how negotiations work! You either agree with the 7 or choose a higher number!" he argues
"And now we're back to 3. Take it or leave it." I tell him
"Fine. It's a deal." he says through gritted teeth
"I want names and where I can find each of these people." I tell him
"James Dawson. He's supposed to be in Cabo but he's actually at his parents house." he says
"Who else?" I ask
"I don't know his name, but he's Penelope's husband. I've never actually met the guy or seen him do anything, but I know he was there when Maya was kidnapped. I don't know who 'Big A' is. I was recruited by Penelope. That's everyone. I swear." he says
"One other thing. Tell me who killed Jason and I'll make sure the ADA doesn't try you as an accomplice to the murder." I tell him
"I always hated the son of bitch, even before he screwed my ex-whore, I mean wife. I'm not saying anything and neither will anyone else." he says
"I'll talk to the ADA about our deal, but no promises." I tell him
"You said if I gave you names you would get that deal for me!" he shouts
"I said I'd talk to the ADA. It's his decision in the end." I smirk
Line Break
Since we like to keep it old school, Dt. Lindsay rolls out the white broad and grabs a marker.
"Ok, so here's what we know. This whole 'A Team' has a leader who most of the members have never actually met. Ezra answers to Penelope Marshall who answers to 'Big A' which means that Marshall is their right hand man. She's the key to finding 'Big A' so we have to be very careful when we question her." Lindsay states, making a small chart with names and picture as she goes
"We know that there are two more members out there. James Dawson and Marshall's husband." Lane says
"So what do we know about Marshall's husband?" Lindsay asks
"Technically, 'Penelope' isn't married, but she has so many aliases, its likely she got married under one of those. We only have a portion of those aliases and three of them have husbands all with different names." Lane says
"Look into the twin, Jenna. Find any male associates of hers. Jenna was never very good at making friends. Penelope's husband is probably one of the few friends she has." I instruct
"It's already done." says Dt. Fisher, the newest member of my team, "While everyone else was busy piecing together the clues they already had, I was searching for new evidence. I compiled a list of four names and then narrowed it down to the two men that have dark hair." he continues
"Why dark hair?" I ask
"I went over Maya's statement from when she was abducted. The man who was there had dark hair." he explains
"Who are they?" Lindsay asks
"Noel Kahn and Lucas Gottesman." he says
"Noel used to have a thing for Aria but she turned him down because was secretly with Ezra at that point. He also dated Mona who was 'A' herself once a upon and time and he dated Jenna for a short period of time when she got her sight back temporarily. But he did help Alison when she was on run from 'A'." I tell them
"What about Lucas?" they ask
"I don't know much about him. I know that Ali did a real number on the poor kid, but I think he may have had a thing for Hanna." I say
"What's Jenna's relationship like with each of them?" Lane asks
"Noel is listed as her emergency contact and all her bank accounts are in Lucas's name and he covers all of her medical expenses and stuff like that." Fisher says
"Noel is the one she wants if something ever happens to her but Lucas kind of takes care of her. The question is, which one of them would want revenge on Spencer, Aria, Hanna, Emily, Alison, And Maya?" Lane asks
"Alison made Lucas's life a living hell and Hanna rejected him. It's got to be him." Lindsay says
"But Aria also rejected Noel." I argue
"But Noel Kahn is hot. He could get any girl he wanted. And why would he want to work with Ezra since he was the very reason Aria rejected him. Noel moved on and he later helped Alison. 'A' wouldn't do that." Lindsay argues back
"Hanna did try and be friends with Lucas. Alison bullied him, Hanna stuck up for him, he fell for Hanna, Hanna rejected him and then tried to be his friend. She even tried to use that friendship to her advantage from time to time. It's definitely him." I agree
6 Hours Later
"Alright Penelope, we've got you, we've got Ezra, and your husband Lucas just agreed to sign a guilty plea. We're so close to getting James and all we need now is your ring leader. Give us a name and maybe we'll knock off some of those charges being brought against you." Dt. Lindsay says
"But it's so much more fun to mess with you. Besides you wouldn't believe me anyways. She'll come forward when she's ready. But I can tell you where to find James." she says
"Ezra told us where to find him and he wasn't there. Why would we believe you? Give us 'Big A' or no deal." I tell her
"What if I gave you 'Big A' in exchange for Lucas's freedom. The only thing he did wrong was making the mistake of catching me with Maya. I had to drag him along to make sure he'd keep his mouth shut. He doesn't deserve this. Let him go and I'll answer any question you got for me. I'll give you whatever you want." she offers
"Penelope, there was a time when the entire town of Rosewood thought I killed Alison DiLaurentis. Emily Fields was the one person who believed I was innocent. I saw the hell Emily went through when she thought she would never see her wife again. She thought the love of her life was gone. Your husband was a part of that. There's no way in hell I'm letting him go." I tell her
"C'mon, he's innocent!" She cries
"Penelope, even though we've never met until now, we're still family. Your mother married my father. We're step-brother and sister. You put my family and friends through hell. The least you could do is end this now so we can all get on with her lives. You owe me that much." I say, desperately trying to reason with her
"I don't owe you a damn thing! Jenna went blind because of you! I got kicked out of my on family because of you! Mother only wanted two children and since your dad had a kid of his own, she decided one twin had to go and she picked me. I had a stronger bond with my dad then Jenna did. After Mother left him he got abusive. He couldn't stand to look at me knowing that I was the only thing he had left of her and that he only had me becuase she decided she didn't want me! You have no idea what that does to a person! I should have targeted Spencer directly to really hurt you, but I figured Emily was a nice target too and she always seemed slightly weaker then the rest. Not much, but still weaker." she says
"I know that deep down, under all of the emotional and mental abuse, you're a good person. Help us out Penelope." Lindsay tries to persuade her
"James Dawson met 'Big A' at a party while he was high on ecstasy and they hooked up. He fell for her but she turned him down. He didn't like that he roughed her up a bit, but she found he was actually pretty easy to control. By the time he got clean he was into the game so deep that if he tried to leave or turn her in he'd suffer the consequences with the cops and with her. He's the only one who's ever wanted out. If you find him he'll tell you who she is." she says
"That's not necessary. I know exactly who she is thanks you." I tell her
10 Hours Later
I sit next Caleb on his patio. James showed up there looking for Caleb and confessed everything. Four down. One to go.
"He just sat me down and he told me everything. I could see the fear in his eyes as he told me more and more details. He never said her name, but I know it was her. I know she did this to him." Caleb says, tears in his eyes
"Shit!" I exclaim, "I thought she would have gone because she knew we were getting close and she had to flee the country, but she didn't go anywhere, why would she. She's been lying to us the whole time. There was never even a DNA test. We all just went with." I mumble
"What the hell are you talking about?" Caleb asks
"Where's Alison?" I ask
"She's at S&E. Her and Spencer went there to look for something." he says
"Get in the car." I tell him
"Why?" he says
"Just get in the damn car!" I shout
Caleb and I both jumped into my unmarked police car. I start up the engine, turn on my lights and siren, and stomp on the gas pedal. Dt. Lane and Dt. Lindsay, along with the other officers on the scene, quickly follow in suit.
Line Break
Each car quickly comes to a stop and we grab our weapons, jump of out the cars and race inside.
"You 3 officers stay in the lobby in case she tries to escape. Lindsay, Lane and Fisher are with me. We're taking the stairs up to the 10th floor." I instruct
The 3 officers remain downstairs in the lobby, holding Caleb back from running after me. Lane, Lindsay, Fisher, and I dart up the ten flights of stairs. It took several minutes, but we got there as soon as possible.
"Caitlyn, why are you doing this! You're apart of this family! How could you hurt us like this!" Ali cries
"Because you ruined my life! I wasn't adopted by a nice, loving family. I was bounced around in the foster care system. There were drunks, junkies, and people who just wanted to get paid. No one ever loved me or cared about me. When I was 5 my foster dad went down on me. When I was ten my foster brother made me go down on him. When I was 15 I was raped by a straight girl in my group home. She was so desperate to get some and she thought I was kinda hot so she went for it. When I rejected her she refused to take no for an answer. Then I found my father and things started to look up for me. He led me to you and I just knew I had to get revenge for myself and for him. He never knew I was the one who he was really working for." she confesses
"Caitlyn, Sweetie, I'm so sorry for everything you went through! I had no idea! I thought by giving you up I was protecting you! I tried to protect you!" Ali cries
"Are we gonna go in or not?" Lindsay whispers
"Just wait." I whisper back
"You know Caitlyn, I'm so sick of bitches coming in and screwing with my family and friends! I get that you're mad, but I'm mad too! This is ends now!" Spencer shouts
"Damn right it does." Caitlyn smirks, pulling out a gun and switching off the safety, "I think I'll take you out first." she says, pointing her gun at Ali
She positions her finger on the trigger.
"Alison!" Spencer cries, diving in front of her just as Caitlyn squeezes the trigger
"Spencer!" I cry, gun drawn, running into the room
Caitlyn turns to face me. Then there's a gunshot and there's even more blood everywhere. Game over.
"No! No! No! What have you done!" Alison cries, dropping to her knees
I can't tell whether she's crying for Caitlyn or for Spencer. I rush over to my wife side. I pull my shirt off over my head and use it to put pressure on the wound.
"Everything's gonna be ok Spencer, just hang in there, please. Help will be here soon. Just hang in there." I tell her, holding her shivering body in my arms
In the background I can hear Alison crying and Lindsay calling for two ambulances. It all just sounds like white noise to me.
Line Break
After I return home from the hospital, I park my car in the driveway next to Spencer's and I shut off the engine. I sat there for a good ten minutes before I had enough courage to open the door. I did the right thing, I know I did. Everyone say I did exactly what needed to be done in order to protect the people I love and anyone else that had been or could've got hurt. I did the right thing, but why the hell do I feel so sick to my stomach? How am I supposed to look my kids in the eye ever again after what I did. They look up me, Chloe especially. I killed someone. I'm a murderer.
I turn my key in the hole and push the door open.
"Daddy!" the twins shout, running towards me
"Hey guys! I missed you so I much." I tell them, squatting down and hugging each of them tightly, "Where's Abby?" I ask
"She's outside with Aunt Ari, Auntie Em, Aunt Maya, Aunt Ali, Uncle Drew and the other kids." Chloe says
"Where's Mommy?" Brandon asks
"Well um, s-she's uh." I stutter
"Daddy, where is she?" Chloe asks
"Ding Dong!" chimes the doorbell
"Saved by the bell." I mumble
"I'll get." Chloe says, skipping over to the door
She turns the doorknob and pulls the door open to reveal Erin Lindsay and Adam Lane on the other side of the door.
"Auntie Erin!" Chloe sqeauls, rushing over to hug her
"Hey Babygirl!" Erin says, squeezing her tightly
I've worked with Erin ever since we moved to the city and she's become a very close friend of the family. Chloe says she wants to be a cop someday so she really looks up to Erin.
"What are you guys doing here?" I ask
"We were just to pick up my son Parker and take him out for ice cream and then to go to the park and play. We figured the twins might wanna come along. Take their mind off things." Lane says
"Actually, I haven't told them yet. I just got home and I wanted to be the ones to tell them but I just don't have the heart to do it." I sigh
"Do you want me to tell them?" Erin asks
"Please." I tell her
"You got any beer? I'm gonna need it if I have to deal with my ex." Lane says
"Adam, we just asked permission to take his kids out for a bit after we go pick up your son and now you're asking for a beer?" Erin questions him
"You can drive." he argues
"Do you really think she's going to let you take Parker if you show up drunk?" she says
"Nevermind." he sighs
"Uh, kids, why don't you sit down. There's something you should know." I tell them
"About Mommy?" Brandon asks
"Yeah, it's about your mom." Erin says
"What is it?" Chloe asks
"Your Mommy is in the hospital. She got hurt pretty bad last night." Erin starts
"By who? What happened?" Brandon asks
"Well, it turns out that your cousin Caitlyn isn't a very good person. She got pretty upset with your Aunt Alison and pulled a gun on her. Just as Caitlyn was about to shoot her, your mom jumped in front of her and got shot instead." Erin confesses
"But why would she do that? Caitlyn is apart of our family. She loves all of us and we love her." Chloe says
"No one can really explain why people do the things they do. I wish I could tell you, but I can't." Lane says
"Uncle Adam, where's Caitlyn?" Chloe asks
"Well, in order to protect Aunt Ali and the rest of us, your Daddy had to shoot her. Unlike your mom, Caitlyn didn't make it. This doesn't mean your Daddy is a bad guy or that he's going to jail. If a someone is armed and trying to cause harm to someone else, as cops it's our job to protect everyone else. If we see that there's a serious threat, it's ok for us to take a shot at the person. Sometimes they live, sometimes they don't, but that's just part of being a cop." Lane explains to them
"So Mommy's going to ok?" Brandon asks
"Well, it's a little too soon to say for sure, but the doctors think so." I tell them
"When can we go see her?" they ask
"Your mom needs her rest right now. I'm sure you dad will take you to go see her later." Erin says
The twins took to me for confirmation and I nod my head in agreeance.
Well there you have it folks. I knew ever since I brought Caitlyn into the story, I wanted to some kind of plot twist with her by I never expected to go down this road. But there's your 'A Team' for ya. I'm not completely sure what I'm going to do in the last two chapters but I promise they won't take as long for me to write as this one did. I was just really busy with school and a lot of other things at that time but now I'm out of school and ready to write. Until next time.
~Stay Weird
