Chapter 4.. Trial by fire
Disclaimer: You all know the routine.....Same old stuff!!!"What are you talking about? How could Lindsey be arrested for murder?" asked Marina, in shock."I don't know. That's all she said. I need to go down there." said Bobby, grabbing his brief case."Ok, Bobby, listen," siad Marina, gathering her thoughts. "I am going to call the DA's office right now and see what I can find out. Tell Lindsey that we all all working on it, OK?"He nodded and rushed out the door. She picked up the phone and called the DA's office. The rest of the firm came in to see what was going on, after being filled in by Bobby. They waited until Marina got off the phone.She held up her hand to stop their questions, "OK...this is what I know. Technically she's not under arrest...they're just 'detaining' her. Apparantly she and Bobby got into an arguement last night, and she stormed out. You know, to clear her head. So she heads off to the bookstore. I guess she likes to browse when she's upset. Anyway, on her way there, she runs into an old friend, not a boyfriend, just someone she went to school with. So they chat for awhile and walk a few blocks together. Then he goes his way, she goes to the bookstore. Several hours later, the police find him dead, and they've got a witness who says she saw him and Lindsey together."Eugene shook his head. "That's not much. Why are they keeping her?""Well, for a couple of reasons. First, she's the only suspect they have, and second and I think more importantly, the DA's vendetta against this firm. Richard Bay is the prosecutor.""Helen would never allow this!" Elinor stated..Marina nodded. "Of course not. Thats why the timing is so odd. Helen 'just happens' to be on vacation.""That little weasel!" shouted Elinor."OK, lets get rid of this thing quickly. Eugene, you check out the victim. Get everything on him that you can. Jimmy, go to the bookstore and find someone, anyone, who can put Lindsey there last night. Elinor, you check out this eye-witness. If she so much as got a 'does not play well with others' report on a kindergarten report card, I want to know about it. Lucy and Rebecca, you are command central. The rest of you, as you get information, call here and let them know. Lucy, I want a chart of every scrap of information on every person involved, including Richard Bay. Rebecca, I need a charted timeline of where everyone involved was at exactly what time. Hopefully we won't need it, but in case we do....we'll be ready. I'm going to the court house to have a talk with Mr. Bay and to reassure Lindsey. Lets go."-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Marina walked into the room where the police were holding Lindsey. All things considered, she looked good. Nervous, angry, and a little scared, but strong. Bobby, on the other hand, looked like he was on the verge of hysteria. Marina pulled out a chair and sat down. "Linsey, we're all on this. We're going to make it go away.""What the hell happened?" asked Bobby."I think it was a case of Lindsey being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The guy you talked to last night...he's dead. And there is a witness who saw you with him.""I was just talking to him! This is ridiculous!""It is, and we're going to make it go away, ok? We're checking the bookstore to back your alibi and I have a feeling that the DA is going to investigate this case a little more carefully than he'd planned."Lindsey shook her head,"I can't believe that Helen is on vacation. Of all times!"Marina nodded. "Yeah, thats what I thought too."Lindsey looked at Marina, "You think this a setup?""No, not a setup, exactly. But I don't think Richard Bay is going to fight very hard to prove your innocence. He's ready to take this to trial with no further investigation."Bobby stood up, his face red. "That little pipsqueak! I am going to have a talk with him!" He pushed his chair back.Marina grabbed his shoulder, "Bobby, listen to me. For once in your life, listen to me. Right now your place is with Lindsey. She needs you here, Bobby. I know you want to be the hero, but what good will it do us if you go kill Richard Bay? Then we'll have 2 murders to deal with."He was furious. He needed to do something! "Damn it, Marina!! What am I supposed to do, just sit here?"She spoke to him firmly and directly, "That's exactly what you're supposed to do. She needs you HERE, Bobby. As her fiance, not as her lawyer. Be her strength, her support, and let me do what I do best."He was about to open his mouth to argue with her, when Lindsey said, softly,"Bobby, she's right."They both looked at her and slowly Bobby sat down and took her hand. Marina sighed and headed for the door. Her hand was on the knob when she heard Lindsey say, "Marina...."She turned, "Yeah?"Lindsey looked down for a moment , then met Marina's eyes. "I'm glad you're on our side." she said simply."Me too." Marina smiled, and for a split second, the chill left her eyes and there was genuine warmth shining through. It was gone as quickly as it appeared and Marina again pulled the invisable cloak of business-like efficiency around her and she was off to see Richard.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Richard sat behind his desk, the imperious little Napoloeon that he was, knowing he held all the cards, and shook his head. "Sorry, Miss Donnell, but I can't let her go yet. She's still under investigation."Marina sneered." Some investigation. Did it ever occur to you to maybe check out anyone else?" "We're checking out all likely suspects.""Come on, Mr. Bay!! You know as well as I do that she did not do this!! Why are you punishing her? To get back at my firm? To get back at Bobby? What is this about? And Why did you wait until Helen Gamble was unavailable?"He changed the subject,"Actually, I expected your brother to take this case. I'm a little disappointed.""Don't be too disappointed, Rich. He wanted to kill you. I felt that would be self -serving." She paused. Don't let him get you riled, Marina. That's just what he wants! "Look, this is bogus, and you know it! You let her go and concentrate on finding the real killer, or I am going to bring a motion of prosecutorial misconduct against you. I may report you to the bar anyway. You have no business practicing law, you sleazy little titmouse!" Whoops, she thought. There went this meeting.Richard stood up. At least Marina thought he did, he got a little taller. "This meeting is over, Miss Donnell" Marina stood up, too, and though she was taller than him by a head, she got right in his face. "Listen, Lindsey is NOT spending the night in jail. I am going to find evidence to support her innocence, as is everyone else in our firm. If we find something before you do, your career is over, I promise you that. So I suggest you get busy looking." She turned and stormed out.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Marina sat with Bobby and Lindsey. It was getting later and later, with no word form anyone. Bobby was pacing like an expectant father. "I can't believe they can just hold her like this for no reason! This is crazy!!""I'd tell you to settle down, Bobby, but that didn't work the last 3 time I told you, so I won't." Marina mumbled. Where was everyone??!! They had to have found something by now!! Her phone rang, and she almost dropped it in her haste to answer it. "Marina Donnell....yeah? Jimmy, what? .....Oh, thank God!! Ok, yeah, I'll tell them. Thanks! Bye!" She hung up and looked at Lindsey. "Jimmy found 2 employees of the bookstore that will testify that you were there last night. They were off today, so he had to track them to their homes. That's why it took so long."Lindsey sighed,"Thank God!" She got up and Bobby hugged her.Richard walked in. "Good news," he sneered. "They found a hair on the victim. It was a match with the eyewitness. Apparently, she killed him.""There's a shocker," said Marina, drily. "How long did it take your team of crack investigators to figure that one out?"He ignored Marina and looked at Lindsey. "You're free to go. We are very sorry for the inconvenience.""I bet you are," said Lindsey.Bobby squared off against Richard. "This isn't over, Richard. Not by a long shot." Richard just nodded and walked out. "Bobby shook his head. "That man has problems! Honey, I am going to get the car." He hugged her again, and walked out.Lindsey put her coat on and looked at Marina. "Thank you. I don't know what else to say."Marina smiled. "You don't have to say anything else. You would have done the same for me."Lindsey nodded." Yes, I would.....Marina, listen. I know we didn't get off to the best start, but...." Marina held up her hand," Lindsey, its ok. I don't always make a good first impression. I know I come off pretty strong a lot of the time. Its strange, you know? Put me in front of 12 jurors or a judge and I can communicate anything. But its the one-on-one that I have trouble with.""Well, Bobby is waiting." said Lindsey, heading for the door."Yeah, and I have to get back to my desk. I have paperwork. See you tomorrow.""Yeah, See you tomorrow." Lindsey smiled and walked out, closing the door behind her.Marina smiled sadly to herself as she sat down at the table, feeling very much the loneliest person in the world.
Disclaimer: You all know the routine.....Same old stuff!!!"What are you talking about? How could Lindsey be arrested for murder?" asked Marina, in shock."I don't know. That's all she said. I need to go down there." said Bobby, grabbing his brief case."Ok, Bobby, listen," siad Marina, gathering her thoughts. "I am going to call the DA's office right now and see what I can find out. Tell Lindsey that we all all working on it, OK?"He nodded and rushed out the door. She picked up the phone and called the DA's office. The rest of the firm came in to see what was going on, after being filled in by Bobby. They waited until Marina got off the phone.She held up her hand to stop their questions, "OK...this is what I know. Technically she's not under arrest...they're just 'detaining' her. Apparantly she and Bobby got into an arguement last night, and she stormed out. You know, to clear her head. So she heads off to the bookstore. I guess she likes to browse when she's upset. Anyway, on her way there, she runs into an old friend, not a boyfriend, just someone she went to school with. So they chat for awhile and walk a few blocks together. Then he goes his way, she goes to the bookstore. Several hours later, the police find him dead, and they've got a witness who says she saw him and Lindsey together."Eugene shook his head. "That's not much. Why are they keeping her?""Well, for a couple of reasons. First, she's the only suspect they have, and second and I think more importantly, the DA's vendetta against this firm. Richard Bay is the prosecutor.""Helen would never allow this!" Elinor stated..Marina nodded. "Of course not. Thats why the timing is so odd. Helen 'just happens' to be on vacation.""That little weasel!" shouted Elinor."OK, lets get rid of this thing quickly. Eugene, you check out the victim. Get everything on him that you can. Jimmy, go to the bookstore and find someone, anyone, who can put Lindsey there last night. Elinor, you check out this eye-witness. If she so much as got a 'does not play well with others' report on a kindergarten report card, I want to know about it. Lucy and Rebecca, you are command central. The rest of you, as you get information, call here and let them know. Lucy, I want a chart of every scrap of information on every person involved, including Richard Bay. Rebecca, I need a charted timeline of where everyone involved was at exactly what time. Hopefully we won't need it, but in case we do....we'll be ready. I'm going to the court house to have a talk with Mr. Bay and to reassure Lindsey. Lets go."-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Marina walked into the room where the police were holding Lindsey. All things considered, she looked good. Nervous, angry, and a little scared, but strong. Bobby, on the other hand, looked like he was on the verge of hysteria. Marina pulled out a chair and sat down. "Linsey, we're all on this. We're going to make it go away.""What the hell happened?" asked Bobby."I think it was a case of Lindsey being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The guy you talked to last night...he's dead. And there is a witness who saw you with him.""I was just talking to him! This is ridiculous!""It is, and we're going to make it go away, ok? We're checking the bookstore to back your alibi and I have a feeling that the DA is going to investigate this case a little more carefully than he'd planned."Lindsey shook her head,"I can't believe that Helen is on vacation. Of all times!"Marina nodded. "Yeah, thats what I thought too."Lindsey looked at Marina, "You think this a setup?""No, not a setup, exactly. But I don't think Richard Bay is going to fight very hard to prove your innocence. He's ready to take this to trial with no further investigation."Bobby stood up, his face red. "That little pipsqueak! I am going to have a talk with him!" He pushed his chair back.Marina grabbed his shoulder, "Bobby, listen to me. For once in your life, listen to me. Right now your place is with Lindsey. She needs you here, Bobby. I know you want to be the hero, but what good will it do us if you go kill Richard Bay? Then we'll have 2 murders to deal with."He was furious. He needed to do something! "Damn it, Marina!! What am I supposed to do, just sit here?"She spoke to him firmly and directly, "That's exactly what you're supposed to do. She needs you HERE, Bobby. As her fiance, not as her lawyer. Be her strength, her support, and let me do what I do best."He was about to open his mouth to argue with her, when Lindsey said, softly,"Bobby, she's right."They both looked at her and slowly Bobby sat down and took her hand. Marina sighed and headed for the door. Her hand was on the knob when she heard Lindsey say, "Marina...."She turned, "Yeah?"Lindsey looked down for a moment , then met Marina's eyes. "I'm glad you're on our side." she said simply."Me too." Marina smiled, and for a split second, the chill left her eyes and there was genuine warmth shining through. It was gone as quickly as it appeared and Marina again pulled the invisable cloak of business-like efficiency around her and she was off to see Richard.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Richard sat behind his desk, the imperious little Napoloeon that he was, knowing he held all the cards, and shook his head. "Sorry, Miss Donnell, but I can't let her go yet. She's still under investigation."Marina sneered." Some investigation. Did it ever occur to you to maybe check out anyone else?" "We're checking out all likely suspects.""Come on, Mr. Bay!! You know as well as I do that she did not do this!! Why are you punishing her? To get back at my firm? To get back at Bobby? What is this about? And Why did you wait until Helen Gamble was unavailable?"He changed the subject,"Actually, I expected your brother to take this case. I'm a little disappointed.""Don't be too disappointed, Rich. He wanted to kill you. I felt that would be self -serving." She paused. Don't let him get you riled, Marina. That's just what he wants! "Look, this is bogus, and you know it! You let her go and concentrate on finding the real killer, or I am going to bring a motion of prosecutorial misconduct against you. I may report you to the bar anyway. You have no business practicing law, you sleazy little titmouse!" Whoops, she thought. There went this meeting.Richard stood up. At least Marina thought he did, he got a little taller. "This meeting is over, Miss Donnell" Marina stood up, too, and though she was taller than him by a head, she got right in his face. "Listen, Lindsey is NOT spending the night in jail. I am going to find evidence to support her innocence, as is everyone else in our firm. If we find something before you do, your career is over, I promise you that. So I suggest you get busy looking." She turned and stormed out.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Marina sat with Bobby and Lindsey. It was getting later and later, with no word form anyone. Bobby was pacing like an expectant father. "I can't believe they can just hold her like this for no reason! This is crazy!!""I'd tell you to settle down, Bobby, but that didn't work the last 3 time I told you, so I won't." Marina mumbled. Where was everyone??!! They had to have found something by now!! Her phone rang, and she almost dropped it in her haste to answer it. "Marina Donnell....yeah? Jimmy, what? .....Oh, thank God!! Ok, yeah, I'll tell them. Thanks! Bye!" She hung up and looked at Lindsey. "Jimmy found 2 employees of the bookstore that will testify that you were there last night. They were off today, so he had to track them to their homes. That's why it took so long."Lindsey sighed,"Thank God!" She got up and Bobby hugged her.Richard walked in. "Good news," he sneered. "They found a hair on the victim. It was a match with the eyewitness. Apparently, she killed him.""There's a shocker," said Marina, drily. "How long did it take your team of crack investigators to figure that one out?"He ignored Marina and looked at Lindsey. "You're free to go. We are very sorry for the inconvenience.""I bet you are," said Lindsey.Bobby squared off against Richard. "This isn't over, Richard. Not by a long shot." Richard just nodded and walked out. "Bobby shook his head. "That man has problems! Honey, I am going to get the car." He hugged her again, and walked out.Lindsey put her coat on and looked at Marina. "Thank you. I don't know what else to say."Marina smiled. "You don't have to say anything else. You would have done the same for me."Lindsey nodded." Yes, I would.....Marina, listen. I know we didn't get off to the best start, but...." Marina held up her hand," Lindsey, its ok. I don't always make a good first impression. I know I come off pretty strong a lot of the time. Its strange, you know? Put me in front of 12 jurors or a judge and I can communicate anything. But its the one-on-one that I have trouble with.""Well, Bobby is waiting." said Lindsey, heading for the door."Yeah, and I have to get back to my desk. I have paperwork. See you tomorrow.""Yeah, See you tomorrow." Lindsey smiled and walked out, closing the door behind her.Marina smiled sadly to herself as she sat down at the table, feeling very much the loneliest person in the world.
