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Web of Deceit
Part VIII
~Courthouse~
"I can't believe Lucky did that," Bobbie said with a disgusted shake of her head. If looks could kill her nephew would be dead right now. "What the hell was he thinking?"
"I'll tell you Barbara Jean, I don't know," Luke replied. "And that worries me."
"I owe Elizabeth an apology," Bobbie murmured.
"How ya figure that?"
"After the wedding that wasn't she stayed with me, and I encouraged her to give Lucky a second chance," Bobbie groaned. "And I wasn't very understanding of her feelings. I kept thinking of the boy he was, instead of letting myself see the man he has become, and I didn't want her to quit on him. But now," she looked at her watch. "I need to get to the hospital. Tell Elizabeth I'm thinking of her."
"Sure," Luke offered his sister a smile as she kissed his cheek and left.
"Luke?" Alexis snapped.
"Natasha?" Luke moved over a seat so he could join Elizabeth, Jason, Audrey, Sarah, Jax and Alexis.
"Are you sure about the information you have on Foster Burbank?" Alexis asked, looking over the material carefully. She didn't have much to go on, but his information was critical for her case.
"Of course it's solid," Luke looked affronted at the suggestion that he could be wrong.
"Well since it's for Elizabeth," Alexis sighed, "I guess I'll have to trust you."
Luke grimaced. "Trust? A Cassadine trusts me? And I had such high hopes for you."
"Luke," Elizabeth touched his arm. "Are you okay?"
Teasing expression gone he touched her hand. "Isn't that my question darlin?"
Elizabeth kept her voice low, so her words were heard by Luke only. "I know that couldn't have been easy for you to hear."
"No, but I don't think they were any easier for you to hear either. And if pointing out to the whole world what an ass my son is, will get you out of this mess, I'll call the hack Veronica Bowels at WLPC myself."
"It's Veronica Bowles," she corrected with a smile.
"Bowels, Bowles they mean the same thing. They both describe her profession."
"I'm glad you're here with me. I can't tell you what your belief means, especially now after," she trailed off thinking of the telegram she had received from her own parents. It had been very brief. They were sorry about her predicament, and hoped she got herself out of it, but it was a critical time for them and they couldn't come to see her. Would she please conduct herself accordingly and try to keep their names out of the press? Seeing those cold words in black and white had hurt her badly, even tough she had been expecting it.
Her eyes moved to her Grandmother, and Audrey smiled at her, before continuing her conversation with Sarah. She had never seen her grandmother as mad as she had been when she had seen the telegram. Sarah had told her that she had gone home and totally ripped their parents by phone. Basically she had told them that they were no longer welcome in her home.
"I'm afraid you're stuck with me darlin, Laura calls me a fungus that you just can't get rid of," Luke explained hoping to get her to smile again.
"I don't want to get rid of you." She replied before turning her attention to Alexis and Jason's conversation.
"Other than Burbank, I only have two other witnesses, and one of them is Courtney," Alexis was saying. "I got confirmation that she was served, but I have no idea if she will show up, and what if anything she will say if she does show up. I will probably have to treat her as a hostile witness."
"What about me? I still think I should testify." Elizabeth asked.
"No, you're memory is still shaky, Attler will cross-examine you and try to dismantle you like I did Lucky."
"But I'm telling the truth," Elizabeth pressed.
"Well so was Lucky for a lot of it, but I still made him look like an," she hesitated.
"Asshole?" Sarah offered.
"Jerk?" Audrey proposed.
"Clueless." Jax put in his vote.
"Himself?" Jason stated earning a glare from Luke.
"An idiot," Luke finally chimed in.
Alexis smirked. "So we can't put you on the stand, Gia doesn't remember, so we don't have that many witnesses to present."
"What about character witnesses?" Audrey asked.
"Ideally we use characters witnesses to help during the sentencing phase. To show the court that although this person was found guilty they don't deserve 20 years in prison," Alexis saw the older woman pale. "I hope we won't need any at all."
"So we have Burbank, then Carol, then Courtney. And that's it?" Luke asked.
"I'm afraid so. Look I did a lot of damage in dismantling Lucky, also in getting the valet's testimony thrown out, I also managed to point out that the other paper evidence the People has offered can't be conclusively tied to Elizabeth by fingerprints or handwriting. Burbank and Carol will help with that as well."
"What aren't you saying?" Jason asked.
"Longer's testimony. It was rock solid and I couldn't break it. He is the sole eyewitness that said he saw Elizabeth driving the car, he saw her drive it into the tree deliberately. So far we haven't been able to break that," Alexis rubbed at her nose in frustration. "He was so believable that even with the doubt I've raised, the judge could still rule that she's guilty."
"Bloodsuckers." Luke cried loudly, drawing attention from others in the gallery and a warning glare from the Judge.
Alexis knew she had to phrase this carefully, too many people were listening, but she had to ask. "You wouldn't have happened to come across anything about Mr. Longer that we don't already know, have you?" She addressed Jason with her eyes only. "Because if you or anyone else has, and that happens to find it's way into my licensed investigator's hands, within the next hour or so, it would be a good thing."
"People are working on it." Jason replied.
"That's the best you got Junior?" Luke demanded.
Before Jason could reply his attention was caught by someone who entered the courtroom. "Excuse me," he moved over to Benny who was shifting nervously by the door, holding a file. "What do you have?"
"God couldn't he at least try to be discreet?" Alexis mumbled.
"I don't think he knows what that word means." Jax informed her.
"Remind me again, why exactly are you here?" Alexis asked.
"Moral support," Jax grinned. "Besides it's the first time I've wanted you to win something since you represented me, that is," he leaned closer and lowered his voice. "Do you know how strange it is for me? I actually want Morgan to succeed at something. If this keeps up I'm going to need therapy."
"We may have something," Jason wasted no time when he returned. "I need to leave for awhile to get the material, but it should help with Longer."
"What is it?" Alexis demanded.
"I'll get it first then bring it back." Jason stepped towards Elizabeth and drew her to the side out of earshot of the others. "Will you be okay?"
Elizabeth nodded even though her stomach rolled.
"I'll be back as soon as I can," his hand squeezed hers trying to offer comfort.
Elizabeth looked down at their joined hands. He had scars on the back of his hand, but it was strong, solid, warm, and she didn't want to let it go. "Hurry?"
"I promise," he hated to walk away from her, but he knew he had too. He stepped back to the others, and gave her hand to Luke with a warning glare.
"Jason if you find actual evidence," Alexis frowned when the door opened behind him, admitting the Bailiff and her witness. "We don't have time to find my investigator, but you can't give it to me. Call Luke, give it to him and have him give it to me."
Jason nodded and was gone.
Luke pouted in his chair. "I guess that means my reputation is better than Morgan's," he focused on Sarah. "How did that happen? How did I get respectable? It was that time I was elected mayor of Port Charles, wasn't it? I knew that would come back and bite me on the ass."
"Counselor," Judge Irons bellowed out. "Now that the witness is here, you may begin."
Alexis patted Elizabeth's hand and got to her feet. "Mr. Burbank can you state your name, address and occupation for the Court?"
~*~*~*~
"Have you had enough time to examine the word processor?" Alexis asked.
"Yes," a slightly out of breath Mr. Burbank waddled back to his seat in the witness box. To call Foster Burbank a large man, would be like calling the Titanic a boat. Large just didn't describe either one of them, the ship or the man. The chair creaked loudly as it bowed under his girth, and he barely squeezed through the opening to fit in the witness box.
"Do you recognize it?" Alexis asked.
"Yes, it's from my store," Burbank replied as he began to rub the condensation from his lenses. "My mark is on the upper right hand corner, it's where we mark all machines that come from our store."
"Please let the record show that Mr. Burbank has identified People's Exhibit 13 as coming from his store, High End Deals," Alexis directed the Court.
"So noted."
"Do you happen to know when that machine was purchased from your store?"
"I'll check my records." Foster Burbank may be considered something of a slob, he considered no piece of clothing he wore suitable, until it had mustard stains on it, but he was meticulous when it came to his records. He opened a zippered pouch he had brought with him, and pulled out a sheaf of papers, each in their own color-coded folders. He went immediately to the one, for that model of machine, and then compared the serial number he had retrieved from the machine a few minutes ago, to the ones on the listing. "It's right here. That machine was purchased on January 3 at 7:27 pm, it was a cash transaction, and the sale was made by myself."
"Are you sure of the time and the date?"
Burbank glared at the insult. "My records are immaculate. I check every register, every computer to make sure it has the same time as Greenwich Mean Time. Every morning I check it, and every evening I check it. My records are precise." He held out the receipt. "It says right here it was purchased at 7:27 pm on January 3rd so that was when it was sold."
Alexis held up her hands to ward off his continued attack. "I didn't mean to insinuate anything else. Since you made the sale, do you remember who purchased the machine?"
"No. I care nothing about who buys my machines, only the money they spend and the machines."
"So you don't remember seeing Miss Webber in your store?" Alexis pressed.
"No."
"Would you mind looking at her for a minute?" Alexis requested, "And then answering again?"
With a deep sigh Burbank focused on Elizabeth for a long minute. "No I don't remember her. All I know is that machine was bought on January 3rd at 7:27 pm and was bought with cash."
"Thank you Mr. Burbank," Alexis looked towards the Judge. "I have nothing further for this witness."
"Cross?" Judge Irons asked Attler.
"No your honor, though we would like to commend Ms. Davis for finding out where Miss Webber purchased the machine, now we all know where to go to get a good deal."
Alexis smiled nastily, Attler had no idea the mistake he had just made in trying to be flip.
"You're excused Mr. Burbank," the Judge stated. "Call your next witness."
"The defense calls Carol Baxter to the stand."
Elizabeth couldn't help but tense when Carol walked in, she smiled in Elizabeth's direction then moved to the stand. Elizabeth shifted uneasily in her chair. She knew it was necessary for Carol to testify, and yet she still felt uncomfortable. She still felt what happened to her, was her private business, and didn't want everyone to know it. Yet it was about to be made public by her own request.
"I'll try to keep it simple," Alexis whispered. "But it is necessary."
Elizabeth nodded and glanced back towards the door, hoping to see Jason. She hadn't wanted to depend on him too much, but she was. Her eyes met Luke and he offered a supporting smile, one she shakily returned before turning to face Carol.
~*~*~*~
"Miss Baxter, you stated you work at a bank, is that where you know Elizabeth Webber from?" Alexis asked after the preliminaries had been taken care of.
"No, I met her through the 5th Street Foundation."
"What is that?" Alexis asked.
"It's a non-profit rape crises center. We provide counseling, information, defense classes, everything we can to help women who have been violated," Carol explained briefly.
"And you met Miss Webber there?"
"Yes she's a volunteer there. Elizabeth like a lot of women, go to the center to help out others who have found themselves in the same situation they were once in. She does a lot of phone counseling, as well as walk-ins. Sometimes we get women calling, who just need to speak to someone who has been through what they are going through now. Elizabeth has been volunteering there for several years now," she smiled at Elizabeth. "She's one of our best volunteers.
Lucky gasped at that, and quickly looked at Elizabeth expecting to see her in tears. Carol had admitted in not so many words that Elizabeth had been raped. He frowned when he saw Elizabeth sitting there, her head held high, her focus on Carol. She looked strong and okay with the fact that everyone, including Amy who had gasped loudly, now knew what had happened to her.
"Could you tell me if Elizabeth was there on the evening of January 3rd?" Alexis asked.
"Yes she was."
Attler leaned forward in his seat and began to take notes at this unexpected admission.
"Do you know what hours she worked?"
"She came in about 5:30, I know because I had only just arrived. She was a little upset herself, so for the first hour or so, we talked. Then she got on the phones. We left the same time that night, I dropped her off at home at 12:30."
"And you are sure that Miss Webber was there the whole night?"
"Yes." Carol said immediately.
"Thank you Miss Baxter," Alexis headed for her seat. "You're witness," she informed Attler as she passed him.
"Miss Baxter," Attler got to his feet. "January 3rd was a long time ago. Are you sure you have the correct date?"
"I'm positive," Carol replied firmly.
"Forgive me if I find that a little hard to believe, if you do this night after night, isn't there a chance that you are confusing one of the nights?"
"No. But if it will make you feel better, you can look at the records I brought. They show who was volunteering when and at what time." She opened her briefcase and pulled out some papers.
Alexis grinned at the expression on Attler's face. At least Dara was prepared, this guy obviously wasn't.
"Thank you." He took the papers reluctantly.
"Since my learned counselor has asked for proof of those records, I would like them admitted in evidence as Defense Exhibit 5, I believe that is the next number." Alexis stood up and held out copies of the records.
"So noted."
"Where is the 5th Street Foundation located?"
"5th Street," Carol replied with a raise of her eyebrow.
The courtroom laughed and Attler glared at them. "5th and what?"
"Oh 5th and Chapel."
Luke jerked when he felt his hip began to vibrate, he looked down and saw the light on his phone was flashing signaling he had a call, and he quickly got up and moved out of the room.
Attler placed that on the mental map in his head then compared it to the location of High End Deals. They were across town from each other. Elizabeth Webber would have needed at least an hour to an hour and a half to get there, purchase the machine and return. "Are you sure Miss Webber was there the whole night."
"Positive."
"Again I must ask how you are so sure, that she didn't slip out for an hour or so?"
"I told you she was upset when she first came in, so I took the phone next to her, in breaks between calls we talked. She told me about what had happened at her aborted wedding, and what had been going on in the previous few months, she had been gone. I could tell she needed a friend, so I was there for her." Carol explained.
Attler was getting desperate. "How about her dinner bre…"
Carol shook her head and cut him off. "We ordered out for Chinese, and ate at the desks. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but Elizabeth and I were there all night, until I dropped her off at her studio around 12:30."
Defeated Attler sighed and moved to his desk. "No further questions."
"Redirect?" The Judge asked.
"Just a clarification," Alexis got to her feet. "On the evening of January 3rd, from 5:30 to around 12:30, with the exception of maybe five minutes here or there, Elizabeth Webber was with you. Is that correct?"
"Yes."
"Thank you Miss Baxter," Alexis said in dismissal. "Could the court reporter please read back the portion of Mr. Burbank's testimony as to when the word processor was purchased. The word processor the People's experts have stated was used to type the journal entries threatening and stalking Miss Campbell? The journal entries the People contends were written by my client?"
The Judge gave her a warning glare but nodded at the court reporter,
The court reporter scrolled back up on her machine then began to speak in a droning voice.
"Question: Do you happen to know when that machine was purchased from your store?"
"Answer: I'll check my records. It's right here. That machine was purchased on January 3 at 7:27 pm, it was a cash transaction, and the sale was made by myself." When she finished she sat back down.
"Funny how she was able to be two places at once." Alexis observed.
"Objection the Counselor is now editorializing," Attler objected.
"Merely commenting," Alexis corrected. She turned when the door opened behind her and Luke walked in nodding his head. "You're honor I request a five minute recess before I call my next witness."
"Very well. This court is adjourned until 3:15." The Judge hit the gavel and quickly left the courtroom.
"What have you got?" Alexis demanded.
"Junior came through." Luke grinned widely.
~*~*~*~
"I don't like the way that looks," Nikolas commented.
Lucky looked over at the defense table, they did look very excited, and Jason was right in the middle of things. "Maybe they found something to clear her."
"You mean Jason manufactured something," Nikolas corrected.
Lucky focused on his brother. "I heard you bribed a witness. I don't think you should try to be morally superior. You tried to get someone to lie."
"No I didn't," Nikolas corrected. "When I found out Jason was in town I freaked. I worried that he might intimidate or bribe the witnesses to get her off. So I paid him to tell the truth. I paid him to come to Court and testify to what he told the police. He told the police he heard her threaten to kill Gia. That is what I wanted him to tell the Court," he explained earnestly. "I never told him to lie, I wanted him to tell the truth."
"Well you go your wish, he told the truth," Lucky replied. "And guess what? The truth wasn't what you thought it was."
Nikolas nodded, he hated to think it, but he was beginning to wonder if he had been wrong about Elizabeth all along. That thought was uncomfortable for him, because of the way he had treated her since the accident. "You believed him too. You even testified against her."
"I never thought I was testifying against her I thought I was helping her," Lucky defended himself.
"Somehow I doubt she thinks that."
"All rise."
The Judge re-entered the Courtroom. "Be seated," he ordered settling his papers on the chair. "Are you ready to proceed?"
Alexis stepped back to let a cart with a TV/VCR on it go by. "We are your honor. The defense recalls Curtis Longer to the stand."
~*~*~*~
"So after rehearing your earlier testimony, do you have anything to add, or any changes you would like to make to it?" Alexis asked after the court reporter had re-read his earlier words.
"No. That was the truth. I saw her," Longer pointed to Elizabeth. "Ram into a tree, around 10:15 on February 1st, I called 911 and reported it, and then checked the car. She was the driver and semi-conscious the other woman was unconscious. That's it."
"Just checking," Alexis moved to her desk and picked up a videotape. "Are you familiar with the Shortstop out on Route 5?"
"It's a gas station right?"
"Yes it is. They have the pay at the pump feature. You know what else they have?"
He shook his head.
"Camera's trained on the pump. Cameras with the date stamp feature activated. It helps to prosecute those driver's who drive off without paying."
"So."
"You drive 1998 Ford Ranger, license plate New York KLM 4963 is that correct?"
"Yes."
"And you were driving that the night of February 1st correct?"
"Yes."
"And you witnessed the accident and phoned it in to 911 at 10:17 pm, is that also correct?"
"Yes," he said with a roll of his eyes.
"I'm curious then," Alexis stepped closer. "How were you able to see the accident when at the moment it occurred you were purchasing gas at Shortstop, over 5 miles away?"
Longer's eyes widened in surprise.
"We have copies of a sales receipt. Your credit card was used at Shortstop at 10:18 pm, to purchase 11 gallons of Super Premium unleaded."
"Uh," he swallowed hard. "It must have been my girlfriend."
"Really. You know what? Why don't we check?" Alexis smiled and waved the videotape. "As Defense Exhibit 6 we offer this tape that was removed from the Shortstop video vault, it contains the timeframe we're concerned with, which was February 1st."
Attler began to snap his knuckles. A habit he was trying to break, but a habit he always did when he was nervous. Alexis was too confident, and Longer, his jewel witness, was beginning to perspire.
Alexis put the tape in the VCR, it had been cued to the right time, and pushed play. "Well what do you know?" she commented when Curtis Longer appeared on the screen. "It is you," she peered closely at the screen. "You look cold." The man on the screen began to stamp his feet kicking off the snow.
Alexis pointed to the time/date stamp on the bottom of the screen. "It says here, this was February 1st at 10:14 pm."
Attler reached for his water pitcher as he began to see his witness slip away.
"Interesting," Alexis stepped away from the screen and looked from the videotaped Curtis Longer who was cleaning his windows, to the live Curtis Longer who was fidgeting in his seat. "Oh look what are you doing now?" Video Curtis had just looked at his watch and began taking off his gloves, and pulled out his cell phone. "I wonder who your calling."
She moved back to her table and a tape recorder that was there. "I have an idea."
Attler rolled his eyes at her theatrics but couldn't object, because he knew the Judge wouldn't allow it.
"Let's see if I can get this right," she eyed the screen and waited. Video Curtis was being nice to her, he was facing the camera as he waited for someone to answer the phone. She hit play, and for once luck with electronics was with her, because it was perfect timing.
"911 what is the nature of your emergency?"
"I just saw an accident."
Curtis Longer's voice came out of the tape recording, at the same time Video Curtis mouthed the words on the tape. It was quickly apparent to all who he was speaking too.
"Where are you sir?"
"I'm out on Route 5 near the Lighthouse turnoff, and I just saw a car ram into a tree."
At this point Video Curtis had moved to the gas pump and took out his receipt, his mouth was moving the entire time.
"Can I have your name?"
"It's Curtis Longer. I need to check on them. I see two women in the car, but no one's moving. Please send help."
With that Video Curtis climbed in his car and drove off, and the 911 tape recording stopped.
Alexis hit the stop button and turned back to face Curtis Longer. "I'm confused? Did you see the accident that happened five miles away, in your windshield?"
The courtroom burst into laughter, and the judge called for order.
"Would you like to change your story?" Alexis asked.
Longer ran a hand through his hair and closed his eyes for a long minute, he knew he had been beaten. "Yes."
"I thought so."
"I was supposed to be out on Route 5 at 10:00, but I was running late. I looked at my watch, I had been told to call by 10:15, and I knew I wouldn't make it, so I called from the gas station."
"Told? Who told you?"
"I don't know. I met a guy about a week before, he offered me $30,000 if I would witness an 'accident', I needed the money so I agreed."
"Do you know who the man was who approached you?"
"No I never saw him before or since. After that first contact, I got instructions by phone. I was paid $15,000 on February 1st, and was supposed to be paid the rest, after I testified today." Longer admitted, he could kiss that money goodbye.
"What exactly were you hired to say?"
"That Elizabeth Webber was driving, and she deliberately ran into the tree."
Elizabeth closed her eyes as the courtroom began to buzz, she was beginning to believe that this whole nightmare might be over soon.
"What did you see when you got to the accident site?" Alexis asked.
"The accident had already happened, I saw two women in the car."
"Anything else?"
"Yes," he admitted. "I saw another woman running away."
That caught Alexis' attention. "Did you recognize her?"
"No she was too far, I have no idea what she looked like. All I saw was long blonde hair. She disappeared in the trees, and I didn't pursue her."
Alexis realized the description matched Courtney, but it also matched several other women in town. Her gaze fell on Nikolas and an uneasy feeling came over her. "Do you see the man who originally approached you in the courtroom today?"
Longer searched the courtroom before answering. "No he's not here."
"Thank you, nothing further."
"Mr. Attler?" The Judge asked.
Attler discreetly popped the antacid tablet in his mouth. "No your honor."
Elizabeth glanced over at Lucky, both him and Nikolas looked stunned. She shook her head and looked at her gram who was smiling, then Jason, who took her hand again. "Thank you."
~Hallway~
"Sonny I'm afraid. What if they arrest me?" Courtney asked.
"I will help you. I know you're not used to this, but you need to know that I will always help you. You're my sister, my family, I will help you out no matter what." Sonny squeezed her hand in support. "But there are two people in there I care about, one I consider my family as well. And I've hurt them badly. I have to stop that. To do that you need to tell the truth."
Courtney seethed inside but kept her expression cool. "Okay I trust you."
"Trust him? That would be your worst mistake." A female voice called out sarcastically.
Sonny turned in recognition to the voice and saw Emily Quartermaine slowly making her way down the hall. She was moving slowly a cane in one hand, her other was stuck through the arm of a young brown-haired man that he had never seen before. "Emily it's good to see you."
"Spare me," Emily cried. "You make me sick Sonny."
"Emily," Sonny tried to interrupt.
"Save it Sonny you can't weasel your way out of things this time. I forgave you once for betraying Jason and running him out of town, I even became friendly with you again. I thought you had sunk to a new low when you hung my brother on a meat hook and stole his son away from him. In a way I could almost expect that from you, because you've made no secret that you hate AJ. But you said you liked Elizabeth. Well your brand of like is trying to get her sent to jail," she eyed a wide-eyed Courtney critically. "I hope you know what your getting into, because he will turn on you if you breathe wrong, and you'll find yourself ran out of town, beaten in an alley, hung on a meat hook, in jail, or maybe even dead when he's through with you."
It was hard but he didn't flinch. He knew he would never forget her words, though, each one found their way past his barriers. "You don't have all the information Emily."
"I have enough to know you disgust me," Emily retorted and began to move again. "I need to get inside."
The man beside her with the light green eyes nodded. "I left the lights on in the auto. I'll be in a minute," his Irish brogue sounded musical in the nearly empty hallway. "Can you get in okay by yourself?"
"I'll help you," Sonny offered holding out his hand.
"No." Emily snapped, moving away slowly but surely. "I can manage."
Sonny sighed heavily as he studied the set shoulders of Emily. When he turned to look at Courtney his eyes were sad. "I'll tell Alexis you're here, and ready to tell the truth."
Courtney nodded reluctantly, and watched him disappear. "You can come back now Aiden," she called out when the door closed.
Aiden moved around the corner. "Hey Traci, long time no see." The Irish brogue was gone, his accent was now American.
"What the hell are you doing with Morgan's sister?" Courtney demanded. "You're brother is going to kill you when he finds out."
"What makes you think Roscoe doesn't already know?" Aiden asked moving towards the door. "I'll be seeing you luv," he informed her slipping easily into the accent, and affable charm that was his trademark. He opened the door, but before he could go inside, a woman hurried past him. What was so unusual about her was the fact she was dressed all in black, including a black shawl covering her face.
Alexis looked down at the paper that Sonny had just handed her. Courtney is ready to tell the truth. She looked back up at him, and he nodded in confirmation.
"Ms. Davis are you ready to proceed?"
"Your honor the defense calls…"
"Wait I remember," Gia Campbell called out as soon as she entered the courtroom.
"Gia," Nikolas was by her side immediately. "What are you doing here are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she clutched his hand though. "I remember what happened that night," she stepped forward. "I want to testify."
"Are you sure?" Alexis asked.
"Gia it's too much." Nikolas tried to sway her.
"I need to do this."
Alexis turned and addressed the Court. "The defense calls Gia Campbell."
Gia moved to the witness stand, keeping a firm grip on her shawl, hiding the bandages and scars on her face. She could hear the whispering in the courtroom and her hand shook slightly but she kept moving.
~*~*~*~
Nikolas gripped the arms of his chair tightly, keeping his eyes trained on his fiancée, he could hear the tiredness in her voice, and wanted nothing more than to get her out of there, away from all the prying eyes. But he couldn't. He wanted nothing more than to protect her, and he couldn't. That was what was killing him. He hadn't been able to protect, not since the night the accident had happened.
"We were getting ready to leave," Gia was saying. "It was strange, Elizabeth and I were actually getting along, probably because she was mad at Lucky and I was mad at Nikolas, and we picked on them, instead of each other for a change," she shook her head. "Like I said we were leaving when she arrived."
"Who?" Alexis asked.
"Courtney, I don't remember her last name, she's Sonny's sister though." Gia explained.
Sonny leaned against the wall and listened to her testimony. In a way he was glad that it seemed like Courtney's testimony wouldn't be needed. For some reason he wondered if she would have told the truth. He hated that he doubted her, but he did. He hadn't confronted her about sleeping with AJ yet. But he had asked her if she had any more secrets, and she had said no. So he knew she was still lying. He was gradually coming to believe that Courtney was more like Janine than he had thought.
"What happened next?"
"It's a little fuzzy, but she wanted us to make a toast," Gia closed her eyes trying to pull the memory out.
"A toast for the road." Courtney said holding out a glass to each of them.
"To men," Elizabeth raised her glass. "Who the hell needs them?"
"I do," Gia smirked. "It gets lonely in bed without them."
"So what happened next?" Alexis asked after a minute.
"We were going to go to another club. Elizabeth said she felt a little dizzy, so Courtney volunteered to drive," Gia answered slowly. She was a little fuzzy on the details herself.
"Are you sure that Courtney was the one driving?" Alexis asked quietly.
"I remember looking in the backseat when Elizabeth sort of moaned. She said her head and her stomach felt weird. My own head felt strange, and I turned to look at her. I can remember seeing her in the backseat, and then the car swerved," her voice broke. "And there was screaming and pain. I remember pain."
"That's enough." Nikolas cried out getting to his feet. "Please Alexis, stop this."
"Sit down." The Judge ordered.
Alexis touched Gia's hand. "Thank you Gia. You did fine," she turned around and shooting Attler a warning glare she spoke. "Your witness."
Attler got to his feet, he could hear the people buzzing behind him, and focused on the woman shrouded in black on the stand. If he went after her, he would be crucified and he knew it. "I have no questions your honor."
Gia stepped down from the witness box, pausing by the defense table, she looked at Elizabeth. "I'm sorry I didn't remember sooner."
"I don't care," Elizabeth answered honestly. "You remembered when you could."
Gia moved on and took a seat next to Nikolas.
"You're honor to sum up," Alexis began. "Both major witnesses called by the People, have admitted to being paid. The journals were written on a machine that was purchased, when Elizabeth Webber was miles away. The journals and photographs do not have her fingerprints on them. And finally we have heard from another person in the car, the woman Elizabeth Webber is on trial for trying to kill, and she admits that Elizabeth wasn't driving. I don't know why were here."
Judge Irons looked at the prosecutor. "Do you have a motion to make?"
Attler got slowly to his feet, his perfect record was about to be history and he hated that. "In light of the new evidence. The People move that all charges against Miss Webber be dropped."
"So ordered," the Judge agreed. "Miss Webber you are hereby free to leave. And on behalf of the State of New York and it's people. I apologize for everything you were submitted to in these last few weeks. You were a victim of a rush to persecution," he eyed Attler at that remark. "Had there been more time, you would have never been charged. Please understand this is not how the legal system normally behaves. Once again I apologize and you are free to leave. Case dismissed." He hit the gavel once and was gone.
The Courtroom erupted and Elizabeth found herself being hugged hard by her Grandmother and squealing sister.
"Good work Counselor," Jax congratulated her with a hug. "Doesn't it feel good to get someone deserving off for a change?"
"You're shadow's here," Alexis told him through narrowed eyes.
"Who?"
"Jax I've been looking everywhere for you." Skye Chandler Quartermaine caught his arm.
Alexis smiled and moved away, her eyes met Sonny's and he nodded his head in congratulation before stepping out into the hall.
"God Elizabeth I am so glad you're free, even though Nikolas and Lucky tried to fix it so you weren't," Sarah exclaimed hugging her sister again. "I didn't think we'd get done so soon, but since we did, if it's okay with you, I'm going to go to the hospital and catch the end of orientation."
"Go," Elizabeth said quickly.
"Okay, Gram can you give me a ride?"
"Well," Audrey looked at Elizabeth.
"Go on Gram," Elizabeth encouraged her. "But if it's okay with you, I'd like to stay at your house tonight."
"Okay with me," Audrey blinked at the tears and hugged her tightly. "I would love that."
"Elizabeth, Sarah," Nikolas interrupted them. "Mrs. Hardy."
"You got a hell of a lot of nerve," Sarah snapped. "After what you did, why are you even trying to talk to her?"
"What did he do?" Gia asked.
"I once thought I loved you," Sarah shook her head. "I'm so glad I wasn't really in love. Stay the hell away from my sister," she spotted Lucky. "And that goes for you too Lucky."
"Sarah you better go," Elizabeth was a little surprised at her sister's vocal support, but she wasn't in the mood for any anger at the moment.
Sarah and Audrey walked past the trio without a word.
"Elizabeth," he tried again.
"Don't Nikolas," Elizabeth stepped back. "Can I call you sometime Gia?"
"I'd like that," Gia admitted. Obviously something had happened that she didn't know about. Something she had a feeling she wouldn't like. She tugged on Nikolas hand and began to lead him to the door. She wanted to get away from all the people anyway.
"You're father would have been proud of you today," Luke called after him. "You're mother would have been horrified."
Nikolas flinched and his gaze fell on Alexis, but she didn't speak to him. He opened the door and immediately shielded Gia from the waiting reporters.
"Elizabeth," Lucky reached out and she shied away. "You have to know I didn't mean that to happen."
"I look at you Lucky and I don't even know who you are. And for the first time since I met you, I have no desire to know you," she met his gaze squarely. "Goodbye Lucky."
"You can't mean that," horrified he reached out for her, and before Jason could move to intercept him, Luke did instead.
"You heard her Lucky, let's leave." Luke gripped his son by the arm.
"But…" he tried to break free of Luke's grip but couldn't.
"Bye darlin, I'll see you soon," Luke called. "Junior I'll be watching you," he warned Jason, propelling Lucky out of the door. "Natasha," he caught her hand and kissed it. "A pleasure as always."
"Get help Luke," Alexis tugged her hand free.
"Thank you again Alexis," Elizabeth said. "I don't think I would be going free without your help."
Alexis accepted the hug a bit awkwardly but found it felt good. Jax was right this was the best feeling she'd had in a long while. The last time she remembered feeling like this was when she had managed to get Jason visitation rights to Michael. "I had help. The biggest being your innocence, but Luke and Jason helped as well."
"And Gia," Elizabeth reminded her.
"I would have won without her," Alexis said confidently. "But I was glad she showed. I'll head off the reporters," with that she left.
"We're going to go too," Emily informed them, giving first Elizabeth a hug then her brother. "I'll be at the Port Charles Hotel, call me there."
Elizabeth nodded. "I will, nice meeting you Aiden."
"I'm glad everything worked out for you," Aiden replied, offering his arm to Emily. "Jason," he nodded his head.
Jason nodded back and studied the man with his sister, with interest. He'd only just met him, but he got a weird vibe from him. He'd have to check him out later, but first things first. "You look tired."
"I am, but tonight I think I might be able to sleep. I hope I will," she rubbed at her wrists, a habit she didn't like, and wondered how long she would have it.
"You will," he caught her hand, stilling her actions. "Are you ready to leave?"
"Definitely," she took a breath to prepare herself.
"Hold on tight and stay by my side." Jason told her, and opened the door walking out to the flash of light bulbs.
~*~*~*~
"God their like jackals." An out of breath Elizabeth complained. "Do you think we lost them?"
"For now," Jason looked over his shoulder and saw Sonny walking out of a room down the hall with Courtney. Their eyes met.
Elizabeth noticed his stillness and turned to look and saw them as well. She waited but no one said anything. Awkwardness descended among the four. Finally Jason broke his gaze with Sonny and turned to her holding out his hand. "Will you come with me?"
She took his hand without hesitation. "As long as we go nowhere."
Jason smiled slightly. "Fast." And without a word to Sonny he led her away.
Sonny felt like his right arm was being ripped off when he saw Jason and Elizabeth walk away from him without a backwards glance.
"Are you okay?" Courtney asked.
"I'm fine," he said roughly.
Courtney took his hand. "Don't worry Sonny you always have me. Even if Jason doesn't come back, you won't be alone." And that was just the way she wanted him.
Sonny nodded, took a final look down the hall, and then turned around. "We better get to the police station. They need you to make a statement."
"Do you think they'll charge me?" Courtney asked.
"I don't know," he shrugged. "We'll have to check with Alexis."
"Is she still your attorney?"
Sonny looked down the hall and saw Alexis speaking with a reporter. She met his eyes briefly then stepped away from the reporter. Jax detached himself from the wall and offered an arm. She hesitated for a second, then took his arm and walked away.
"I don't know Courtney."
AJ waited until they disappeared from view before moving around the corner. The last few minutes had been very interesting. Even though Courtney's plan had failed in most respects, it did look like it had worked on some levels. Sonny was being isolated. And it seemed like Jason was turning his back on him. He began to whistle as he moved down the hall. The strands of a Brand New Day filled the air. He may have his son back sooner than he thought.
The End
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Author's Notes: I wrote this in response to a challenge on another board. It was written in soap style, hence the quick pacing and being more plot driven then character driven. I also left a lot of threads because a story idea like this could last on the show for months, and the after effects would take years, and ideally that is what the show wants. However, it is obviously not the case with GH these days, here they just like to throw characters in situations that have no point and we are supposed to care.
Newsflash, look at the ratings, 3.3 and falling people don't care. Forcing new people at us right and left and again, telling me to care about them doesn't work either. So this was my answer a somewhat, I hope, entertaining way to tell a storyline that was being forced on us anyway.
For those who read it, thank you, for those who read it and told me what you think, I really appreciate it.
Stephanie