Hey everyone!
You still with me? Good! LOL
Now, I have to apologise in advance for my court room writing, had to channel some of my Blue Heelers days, but I would have been researching for days on end if i wanted to get it perfect, and I figured you guys would forgive me if it wasn't text book!
Well this is probs my last update till after Christmas, so I better make it a good one yeah? Super long chapter! Hope you all enjoy and have a wonderful Christmas and a fab New Year, I will be working all the way through :( So as a reward please send me some reviews! haha
Totally jealous of all of you who get snow right now, we're melting through the week, been above 40 degrees all week!
Anyway, on with the show...
Promise To Love Me, Even When You Hate Me.
Chapter 25
Driving into town, her heart raced, she didn't have a plan, and she always had a plan. Her body took over, and she found herself at the entrance of Dutchy's street, she knew it was risky, but she couldn't help herself. She exhaled sharply as she gently pressed her foot to the accelerator and approached his house. Her stomached flipped seeing the swarm of reporters that had taken up residence on Frankie's front lawn. A car pulled into the driveway, she ducked her head as she drove past the house making sure she was out of sight.
She knew she couldn't hang around, so she made her way to the beach. Pulling up to the reserve where Dutchy had found her, tears welled in her eyes, bunches of flowers had been placed on the spot where she had died.
Pulling her phone out of her pocket she turned it on, it beeped continuously, multiple messages from Shaun and Warren appeared in the notifications, she shook her head as she dismissed them all.
She opened her photos and flicked through the gallery, she wrinkled her face as she came across photos of her and Dutchy, she had no idea who the woman was staring back at her, she looked happy, she wondered if she'd ever feel that way again.
2Dads knocked on Frankie's door, Dutchy dragged himself to the door and opened it ever so slightly. 2Dads put on his best friendly smile.
"Dutchy, mate, it's me."
2Dads tried to widen the gap, but Dutchy held his ground.
"It's not a good time."
2Dads leaned his body against the door stopping him from closing it on him.
"Please, there's gotta be something I can do?"
Dutchy hesitated for a moment then tossed 2Dads Reason's lead.
"Can you take her for a walk or something, it's not fair her being cooped up, she likes exploring…"
2Dads nodded, it was something at least, he knelt down and attached the lead to Reason's collar.
"C'mon cutie…."
Lisa sat at the bottom of Windin falls, she watched the water rush over the edge and plummet into the pool below.
She raked her fingers through her hair, what was she doing? How was she supposed to stop this without revealing herself?
She sobbed into her hands, the sound of twigs snapping made her sit upright and scan the bush.
"Hello?"
Reason appeared from behind a boulder and ran up to her, Lisa's eyes widened realising it was Reason, she pulled her close and hugged her.
"Reason! I've missed you girl."
Reason licked her face, her ears pricked up hearing a voice call her name. Lisa picked herself up off the ground worried about who was about to appear.
"Who is that?"
She listened for the voice again, 2Dads called out.
"It's 2Dads, where's daddy?"
The voice became louder, Lisa ran behind one of the large boulders.
"Go back to 2Dads, go on…"
Reason sat at her feet wagging her tail, she tried to move away but she followed.
"Go back! Please girl, he can't see me!"
Lisa ran off down the opposite hiking trail, Reason ran after her. She made it back to the car and swung open the driver's door, Reason jumped in before she could stop her.
"Reason, no, go back!"
She sat on the passengers chair panting and tilting her head from side to side, Lisa rolled her eyes.
"You're gonna upset 2Dads, I'll have to drop you home…"
2Dads spent hours looking for Reason, he couldn't bear the thought of having to tell Dutchy he lost her. It was his last connection to Kate, and he wasn't sure if he'd forgive him.
Driving home he tried to think of an explanation but there wasn't one good enough. He pulled into his driveway, his eyes widened seeing Reason tied to the letterbox, he looked around for any signs of someone, a note, but there was nothing.
Lisa sat in her car a few houses down and smiled as she watched a relieved 2Dads take her inside.
Warren paced around the living room with the phone to his ear.
"Good job, what did you do with it?"
"I buried it, it won't be found."
"Right..."
"But, Warren, the trial is still going ahead..."
"Well, I can't come clean, I've done what I can."
"Why the change of heart?"
"I just did, okay?"
"So umm, rumours are you and Lisa and back together?"
Warren walked up the stairs and into the bathroom, he had assumed Lisa had gone for an early morning run, but as he reached for his toothbrush, he noticed hers missing.
"Warren?"
"Ah, I don't wanna jinx it..."
He walked out into the bedroom and opened the wardrobe, he nearly dropped the phone seeing her clothes and suitcase gone.
"I gotta go mate..."
Before her could react there was a pounding on his front door, Warren walked down the stairs and hesitated, he heard Shaun yell out.
"Delaney, open up, we need to talk..."
Warren took a deep breath in and opened the door.
"Shaun, what's up?"
He barged his way into the house scouring the room for Lisa.
"I got a strange message from Lisa, I called her, and she wasn't really making sense, she said that you knew Dutchy?"
Warren turned away hoping his face wasn't going to give away his guilt, he made his way into the kitchen.
"Ah, I, umm, I didn't know him personally, he served with my brother."
Shaun followed closely sensing there was more to the story.
"Why was she so upset? Where is she?"
"Ah, she's umm, she's taken a couple of days to just unwind, I think everything has hit her at once."
"She said something about loose ends."
Warren handed him a cup of coffee and leaned on the bench.
"Yeah, I think she needs to decompress and just, well it's like she's starting her life again, it's gotta be a bit overwhelming."
Shaun shook his head declining the coffee.
"She's not answering her phone."
"Yeah, umm, she said she was going to switch off for a few days..."
Shaun wrinkled his face, it was so unlike her.
"It's just, she was supposed to start her new job today..."
"Boss, cut her some slack, she's the best you've got, and, I guess, at some point she's gotta crack. You know she'll come back refreshed and back to her normal over achieving self."
"Yeah, I'm a bit worried about her, let me know if you hear from her, okay?"
"Yeah, sure. Don't worry I'm sure she'll be back in a week as good as new."
Shaun gave him a nod and left, Warren immediately took out his phone and dialled a number.
"Sam, I need you to do a check on Lisa's credit card, we think it's been stolen. Can you check any recent purchases... yeah, sure, gimme a call back."
Tears rolled down Lisa's cheeks as she sat on the bed in her hotel room scrolling through the news reports about Dutchy's trial. Wincing, she hovered her finger over the play button, she quickly tapped on it.
"The trial for the murder of Kate McGregor starts today, the accused is Ms McGregor's former boyfriend and colleague, Petty Officer Dylan Mulholland. Petty Officer Mulholland, once hailed a hero for saving six of his crew members, has pleaded not guilty. In unusual circumstances this trial is proceeding without physical evidence, the alleged gun that was found at his house had mysteriously disappeared. Some are calling it a inside job, claiming that the Navy don't want their hero tarnished, but others a more sympathetic. Either way, Petty Officer Mulholland's fate will be determined by 12 jurors over the coming days."
Lisa knew she needed to do something, but it wasn't that easy. If she were to reveal herself, then she would be opening everyone up to chaos, she needed to think of a way to get the case thrown out.
The next morning Dutchy sat with Jack one side of the courtroom and on the other, John Bower from the DPP. The judge entered the courtroom, the bailiff cleared his throat.
"All rise for the honourable Judge Faulkner."
They all rose from their chairs, Jack looked down at Dutchy's hand that was shaking.
"It's okay, you'll get through this."
Dutchy clenched his fist trying to get it to stop, his eyes focused back on the judge.
"Right, Petty Officer Mulholland, you have been charged with the murder of Kate McGregor, and have entered a plea of not guilty, do you stand by this plea?"
Dutchy stood and nodded.
"Yes, Your Honour…"
"Right, well, let's get to opening statements."
John Bower, the lawyer for the DPP, stood from his chair and approached the jury.
"Ladies and Gentleman, I am John Bower of the DPP, I am here to prove that Dylan Mulholland murdered his girlfriend and colleague, Kate McGregor. We have eyewitnesses that place Mr Mulholland at the scene of the crime, and irrefutable physical evidence that proves his guilt, by then end of this trial you will know that he is committed this murder."
John shot Dylan a satisfied look as he took his place back at his desk, Jack gave Dutchy's shoulder a squeeze as he rose from his chair.
"Ladies and gentleman of the jury, I urge you not to be swayed by the smooth words of the DPP, Dylan Mulholland is an innocent man. I will disprove any motive that the DPP have, I will show you the type of man he was with character witnesses, and that he truly loved his girlfriend, and that he was just in the wrong places at the wrong time and is no way responsible for her tragic death."
John opened his folder and scanned the list of names.
"I would like to call Doctor Liam Godfrey to the stand, he conducted the tests on the alleged murder weapon."
Jack raised his hand and stood from his desk.
"Objection, Your Honour, I would like to point out that this evidence should not be acknowledged due to the fact it cannot be produced."
"I would normally agree with you, Mr Stringer, however due to the serious nature of this charge I am willing to enter in the photographs and witness testimony of the evidence. There are clear pictures of the prints on the weapon and they can be compared and verified with ease. There are also multiple witnesses to the weapon, and I'm inclined to believe their accounts due to their long-standing cooperation and relationship with the courts."
Jack nodded and sat back down and leaned in to Dylan.
"It was worth a shot…"
The doctor took his place on the stand.
"Doctor, can you please state your name and occupation?"
"Doctor Liam Godfrey, I am a Forensic Scientist and the head of the Forensic Ballistics Department hired by the Queensland Police."
"Excellent, and how many years have you been in this occupation?"
"I have been in the Forensic field for 20 years, specialising in fingerprints for 10 and ballistics for 15 years."
"Good, so I would say you're an expert then?"
"Ah, there are people that have been in the field for longer, but I am confident in my abilities. I wouldn't be volunteering to be a witness in a murder investigation if I wasn't sure of my conclusion."
"Good, that's what we like to hear. So, what conclusions did you come to?"
"I inspected a gun that was presented to me by Detective Summerside, this had been found in Petty Officer Mulholland's place of residence."
"Okay, so, Dr Godfrey, what did you find out about this gun?"
"So, we discovered that the gun matched the bullet that killed Ms McGregor."
"And can you explain to the jury how you can be certain about this?"
"Sure, every gun barrel is 'rifled' during the manufacturing process, this creates grooves on the barrel which are mirrored on the bullet when fired. So, we simply fire another bullet and compare the markings. There are several rifling processes that the barrel of a gun goes through so they all create a unique pattern."
"Very interesting, and you found that the gun matched the bullet that was extracted from Ms McGregor's body."
"Yes, without a doubt."
John turned to face the jury and nodded.
"Without a doubt?"
"Yes, as I said, each pattern is unique, like fingerprints."
John spun back round to face him with a satisfied smile on his face.
"Ah, I'm glad that you brought up my next point, you are also a fingerprints expert?"
"Ah, yes, I guess that's why Queensland Police keep me around."
John let out a chuckle and glanced back to the worried looking Dutchy.
"Great! So, did you find any fingerprints on this gun?"
"Yes."
"And did you mange to match them to anyone?"
"Yes, I matched them to someone in the Naval data base, Petty Officer Dylan Mulholland."
Dylan couldn't hold his tongue any longer, he stood and yelled out.
"I never touched the gun, I have no idea how it got in my house."
The Judge hammered his gavel, Jack pulled on Dutchy's arm making him sit down.
"Petty Officer, you will wait your turn, another outburst like that and I will hold you in contempt."
Jack grasped Dutchy's arm and pulled him close.
"Dutchy, you can't do that!"
The Judge cleared his throat and focused on the jury.
"The jury will ignore the defendant's outburst. Mr Bower, you may continue."
"Ah, no more questions, Your Honour."
The Judge scribbled on the paper in front of him and nodded towards Jack.
"Mr Stringer, your witness…"
Jack unbuttoned his jacket and approached Liam.
"Mr Godfrey, you say you're certain, without a doubt, that you can identify the bullet was fired from the gun, and the fingerprints are my clients."
"Yes…"
"Okay, but how certain are you that the gun in question was the one that was found in the Petty Officer's house?"
John let out a groan and rolled his eyes as he rose from his chair.
"Objection, c'mon, Your Honour, the chain of custody is not in question here. If Mr Stringer has an issue with this he should have raised it earlier. There is no reason for him to question it, no one but Mr Mulholland's integrity is being questioned here."
The Judge nodded with agreement.
"I'm sorry Mr Stringer, Mr Bower is right, if you haven't any questions relating to the forensics then we should move on."
Jack exhaled sharply and bowed his head as he returned to his side of the courtroom.
"No, Your Honour."
Jack sat back down next to Dutchy, he pulled on Jack's arm.
"What are you doing? Can't you question him further?"
"Dutchy, there's no point, it's pretty black and white."
"What are you saying? That I'm screwed?"
"No, I'm hoping that we can sway the jury with your character witnesses, but also they don't have proof that you were there, no one can place you at the scene at the exact time."
"But, they have my prints and the gun and the bullet."
"Dutchy, the jury have to be unanimous and if they can't place you at the scene, then they can't been 100% sure."
"Great, so that's my defense? Doubt?"
"Yes…"
John wandered over to Jack and Dutchy's table and leaned in.
"If you two are finished?"
Jack flashed him a fake smile.
"I would now like to call Detective Summerside to the stand."
The Detective rose from the outer area and proceeded to the stand.
"Detective, you were the lead Detective on this case yes?"
"That's correct."
"And you have interviewed Petty Officer Mulholland on several occasions?"
"Yes, and each time he was agitated and dismissive. He was instantly a suspect in my books. Even when we met him at the docks, before I had advised him off the warrant to search his home, he was aggressive."
"Well, for an innocent man that doesn't seem like normal behaviour."
"No."
"So, could Petty Officer Mulholland give you an explanation on why the gun was in his possession, or where he was on the night in question?"
"No, he couldn't."
"And when you arrived Ms McGregor's house what did you find?"
"The place was a mess, at first we thought it may have been a robbery gone wrong. But, when we started our investigation we couldn't find anything missing, what kind of robber leaves empty-handed?"
"So, what lead you to suspect Petty Officer Mulholland?"
"Well, like I said, his strange behaviour, he could be placed at her house on the day, there was also an argument reported, and well, the gun was just icing on the cake, I guess."
"No more questions, Your Honour…"
The Judge scribbled on the page in front of him, he looked up towards Jack.
"Your witness, Mr Stringer?"
"I'd like to call upon Dylan's neighbour, Francis Schneider."
Frankie smiled in Dylan's direction as she sat in the witness box.
"Now, Francis…"
"Oh, call me Frankie, Dear, everyone else does…"
He gave her a nod of acknowledgement.
"Frankie, you have been Dylan's neighbour for how long?"
"Oh, going on 6 years now."
"And you two have formed a relationship."
Frankie let out a cheeky giggle.
"Relationship? Maybe if I were 20 years younger…"
The crowd and jury let out a chuckle, Jack smiled feeling confident that they liked her.
"I mean, yes, we are friends."
"Okay, and how would you describe Dylan as a person?"
Frankie looked in Dutchy's direction and gave him a wink.
"Oh, he's a lovely boy, he's kind, and he looks out for me, he's like one of my children."
"That's lovely, and how does he look out for you?"
"Well, just by being there for me, he checks on me all the time, makes me feel safe, he just cares."
"Okay, so you've known Dylan for a few years, have you every known him to be violent? Abusive in a relationship?"
Frankie shook her head insistently.
"Dylan, no, never! He wouldn't hurt a, well, he kills spiders for me, but otherwise he wouldn't hurt a living thing."
"Thank you, Ms Schneider."
The Judge looked in John's direction, John shook his head towards the judge.
"No questions, Your Honour."
"Next witness, Mr Stringer?"
"I'd like to call Leading Seaman Kosov-Meyer."
2Dads took his place on the stand, he was obviously nervous, his right leg jigged persistently.
"Now, 2Dads, you've worked with Dutchy most of your naval career, yes?"
"That's right."
His voice stuttered, he didn't want to say anything stupid.
"And how would you describe him as a colleague?"
"Ah, he's like my big brother, he straightened me out, I mean, he taught me to be the person I am today."
"That's a nice thing to say, so he was a role model, a mentor?"
"Exactly."
"And his leadership and morals rubbed off on you? I believe you had some troubles when you first joined?"
"Ah, yes, I was a stupid kid, and this was one of the options presented to me, and I am thankful I chose this path, I'm thankful I met him."
2Dads smiled in Dutchy's direction, it was all true but he hoped he believed it.
"Great, so you would trust him with your life?"
"Yes, I do every day."
"Thank you, Leading Seaman."
Jack exhaled as he returned to his seat, John rose from his chair and stood in front of 2Dads.
"So, if you were a bit of trouble in the beginning, he wouldn't have always been nice to you then?"
2Dads was thrown by the question, he hesitated for a moment thinking about his answer, he didn't want to cause trouble.
"Well, I wouldn't put it that way."
"In fact, I believe he had some real run-ins with officers, particularly your XO, Kate McGregor."
"Yeah, but that was different."
"How was that different?"
"Well, he was dealing with his emotions from the gulf."
"Like what?"
2Dad's eyes darted back and forth from Dutchy to John.
"Ah, I can't say for sure."
John wandered back to his desk and grabbed a piece of paper.
"But this psychologist report can..."
He held up a piece of paper and placed it on the judge's bench.
"I'd like to submit this into evidence, an original detailed report from Dr Howard. Petty Officer Mulholland saw him for a period of months after he returned from the gulf. I will summarise, Dylan Mulholland suffered from PTSD, yet refuses to acknowledge his diagnosis. He was actually cleared when he shouldn't have been. In fact, there is a recorded incident between the pair where Kate had even felt threatened by him, that she doubted his ability and trust in him. Your honour, I submit a diary page from Ms McGregor's on board log."
2Dads knew that he was trying to use him against Dutchy.
"That was the old him, Kate helped him, they were dating by the end for god's sake!"
John interrupted and leaned in close.
"Yes, but couldn't his trauma return?"
2Dads pursed his lips together trying to compose the thoughts in his mind.
"I, umm, I'm not a doctor..."
John smiled satisfied and sat back down at his desk.
"No more questions."
"But."
The Judge leaned over towards 2Dads.
"You may be excused, Leading Seaman."
2Dads looked over to Dutchy who's head was buried in his hands, Jack stood from his chair.
"I'd like to call Dylan Mulholland to the stand."
Dutchy took a deep breath in as he sat in the witness box.
"Dylan, in your own words can you tell me what happened the night Kate was killed."
"Yeah, look I'm not gonna deny we had a fight, that would be stupid."
"What did you fight about?"
"Well, in the navy, there's a rule called the non-fraternisation rule, it means we can't have a relationship with someone on the same ship."
"Right, so you guys felt so strongly with each other that you were willing to break the rules."
"Well, yes... I loved her..."
Tears formed in his eyes thinking of her, the judge handed him a box of tissues.
"I was going to leave the navy for her, she loved her job and I didn't want her to give that up."
"Right, so you were willing to give up your career for this woman?"
"Yeah, she was the most amazing person I'd ever met. Look even the best couples fight, she didn't want me to give it up for her, but I knew she was just looking out for me."
He wiped the tears from his eyes, Jack glanced over to the jury hoping they could see his pain.
"I can see that, it only meant she cared."
"Yeah, I mean she sent me a message asking for help!"
John raised his hand and stood from his desk.
"Objection, this message can not be produced."
Jack let out a scoff and rolled his eyes.
"Well, neither can the gun..."
The Judge hammered his gavel to interrupt them.
"Okay you two, calm down. Sorry, Mr Stringer, the message is not relevant."
"Okay, so you had a fight, then what?"
"I left, I knew arguing with her constantly wasn't going to help."
"Okay, and where did you go?"
"I just went home."
"Can anyone verify that?"
"I don't think so, Frankie was away so probably not."
"Right, okay, no further questions."
John walked over to the stand and leaned in close, Dutchy shifted backwards on his chair.
"So, Kate was in the Navy with you?"
"Yes."
"And she was the most recent member to join the crew."
"Yes."
"But she wasn't really an active officer was she?"
Dutchy knew where he was going and he didn't want to play his game.
"Ah..."
John wandered around in front of the jury knowing that he was going to create drama.
"Let me refresh your memory, Kate McGregor was actually working for the N.I.I.D, the Naval Internal Investigation Department."
Dutchy reluctantly nodded, John walked back over and stood in front of him.
"Sorry, I need a verbal answer."
Dutchy looked up at him with disdain in his eyes.
"Yes."
There was a murmur among the jury.
"And why was she assigned to your ship?"
"Umm, I was told she was investigating."
"Investigating what?"
"I'm not sure."
"Petty Officer Mulholland, may I remind you that you're under oath…"
Dutchy closed his eyes for a moment, reopening them he glanced over to the jury then to the floor.
"She was investigating dodgy sailors."
"Hmm, anyone in particular?"
Dutchy refused to answer, he continued to look at the floor.
"Okay, you don't wanna say it… you, Petty Officer… That's right, Ladies and gentlemen, Ms McGregor was actually investigating Petty Officer Mulholland for illegal dealings ."
The jury whispered amongst themselves, Dutchy looked over to Jack for help, he winced, there was nothing he could do. John stepped in Dutchy's line of sight and eyeballed him.
"So, how did you feel when you found this out?"
"Well, obviously I was upset."
"Upset? Your girlfriend, whom you claimed to love, had lied to you about her job. And to top it off she was investigating you! I would be more than upset, this woman played you!"
Dylan closed his eyes, he couldn't let himself be mad, he counted to three in his mind and re opened his eyed, John was glaring back at her.
"Well?"
"I was mad and upset."
Lisa's ear pressed against the gap in the slightly a jar door, none of this was fair. She had to act now, she was about the enter when an arm pulled her back. She spun round ready to give them a serve.
"Warren!"
"Lis, I'm sorry."
She snatched her arm back and shoved him.
"What the hell did you do?"
Warren glanced around, her voice was loud, people were beginning to stare."
"Can we go somewhere and talk?"
"No! Do you actually realise what's going on here? He could go to jail?!"
"Lis, I wouldn't let that happen..."
"Ah..."
She frowned and opened the door ever so slightly and peered in.
"It's happening right now! I can't believe that you would be this crazy!"
"I'm sorry, it was a mistake!"
"Did you do this to get back at me? To get back at him?"
Inside the courtroom you could hear raised voices coming from the corridor. They tried to ignore it however the voices became louder, the judge hammered his gavel.
"Sorry, just one moment folks."
He rose from his chair and walked down the centre of the courtroom followed by the bailiff, he flung open the door, Lisa and Warren froze.
"Excuse me, we're running a trial here!"
They froze, Lisa couldn't help but eyeball the room, her eyes met Dutchy's for a split second. He stood up and squinted not believing what he was seeing.
"Kate?"
He lept over the railing and ran to the door, the bailiff grabbed him and restrained him.
"Mr Mulholland, what an earth do you think you are doing?"
He struggled against the bailiff as Lisa tried to make a quick exit, he called out for her as her steps quickened.
"Kate!"
The judge looked at Dutchy like he was a crazy person, Dutchy continued to struggle.
"Your honour, I swear that was Kate McGregor! Please, just get someone to stop her."
The Judge nodded towards a security guard, he ran after her. She felt a hand on her shoulder and stopped, she exhaled before turning around.
"Ma'am, can you please come with me for a minute?"
She pretended to be none the wiser.
"Ah, what for?"
"The judge has requested to see you..."
For a split second she thought about running, it was all about to come out and she didn't know how to act. She took a deep breath in a nodded, she followed the security guard back in to the courtroom. She slowly walked up the aisle, she could feel every set of eyes in the room on her, but hers were firmly focused on the floor.
The crew gasped as she walked past them, but she refused to look up. Stopping in front of the Judge she could feel Dutchy's eyes burn into her as her eyes rose to meet the Judge.
"Ma'am, could you please identify yourself?"
She exhaled sharply as her eyes darted over to Dutchy then back to the Judge.
"My name is Lisa McDonald."
The Judge let out a grunt and shot an annoyed look over to Dutchy.
"Petty Officer, I believe you were mistaken?"
Dutchy's gaze was firmly fixed on Lisa, the Judge turned back to Lisa as she cleared her throat and took a step closer.
"But, in another life, I was Kate McGregor."
Meredith Voiceover: Just when we think we've figured things out, the universe throws us a curve ball. So we have to improvise, we find happiness in unexpected places, we find our way back to the things that matter the most. The universe is funny that way, sometimes it just has a way of making sure we wind up exactly where we belong.
End Chapter 25.
xx