Zander and Alexis stood out on the stoop of the PCPD for a few moments, Zander deciding what to do next. He couldn't allow Ric to take the fall for him this time, Ric could lose the DA position over this, heck lose his license to practice law in NY. He couldn't let that happen.
Zander stormed back into the squad room and saw Ric from across the room carrying an arm full of file folders, heading back to his office.
"Ric! Wait" Zander called out to his brother and Ric stopped to wait for him.
"I thought I told you ..." Ric said as Zander pulled him into the interrogation room to talk privately.
"Yeah you did, but I can't let you do this Ric. I can't let you take this risk, I don't want to have this on my head, Ric."
Ric set down the paperwork on the table, and Zander noticed what the files contained as one flipped open accidentally. His name was on all of them and his eyes widened as he realized what Ric was planning on doing.
"Ric, what were you going to do with these files" Zander asked and Ric realized that Zander had seen what they contained and quickly flipped closed the open folder.
"Never you mind what I am going to do with them, the less you know the better."
"Okay, that's usually my line, so what gives" Zander questioned wanting to know what Ric's plans were.
Ric sighed. "If you must know ... I'm making this all go away ... okay"
"No, it's not okay, Ric! I won't allow you to do this for me. I've done a lot of stuff in the last 5 years ... and every time you bail me out! I can't let you do it this time. This could very well cost you, your job"
"Yeah well, to see you finally safe and happy with your family, it will be worth it"
"No, Ric, it won't! I don't want you to have to give up your career for me! I never asked you to compromise your job Ric"
Ric cleared his throat and pulled out the immunity deal that laid on top of the pile. Zander saw what he pulled from the pile and took back what he said. "Okay just that once. But Ric, this is a major decision and something you shouldn't have to do. I'll do the time if I have to, Ric"
"No you're not .. now dammit let me do this for you ... Geesh" Ric replied and he gathered the files in his arms once more, and headed for the door to leave.
Zander stopped Ric from leaving the room as he blocked Ric's path. "You are too good for this Ric! You're the good brother, remember? This is how it's always been ... I get into a jam and you clean up the mess ... well not anymore"
Ric saw something in Zander's eyes, something that hadn't been there before and he realized Zander was ready to take what ever punishment there was for this mess he had gotten himself into. Zander was right, he had always cleaned up after his brother, never allowing charges to be filed, keeping his ass out of jail the best he could. Zander this though, stepped up to the plate to save him for a change.
Ric set the files back down on the table. "Tell me about Greg, tell me everything, if you're so willing to take the heat this time." Ric said just as Alexis walked in.
"Zander .. don't tell him anything." she spoke up as she entered the room and closed the door.
"Alexis, I have to. It's my only chance to clear this up."
"Look, we're all family here, right? We've been a part of each other's lives since the beginning ... I know we want to protect him Alexis, but this time ... I don't know if we can." Ric replied.
"If he tells you everything, Ric ... Zander will be lucky to be out for his daughter's wedding! I have to defend and protect my client."
"I know but ..." Ric began but was interrupted.
"Alexis ... I love you, you know that .. and you have been the best thing that has ever happened to me, with the exception of Emily. The two of you have stood by me through it all and you've taken the heat for me on more times than I care to count. But this time ... this time if I don't do this, Ric is going to throw away everything he has worked so hard for. I can't allow him to do that." Zander confessed his appreciation.
Alexis leaned in to him and kissed him on the cheek. "You do what you think you have to, Zander. I'll stand by your decision."
"Thank you, Alexis." Zander spoke softly.
"So ... are you going to get a statement here or not" Ric spoke up.
"Yeah you are." Zander replied as he sat down at the long metal table, Alexis sitting down next to him.
"Are you sure about this" she asked again.
"Yeah I am, Alexis ... It's my only option. It's time I cleaned up my own mess."
She not sure what he meant by that but went along with his decision to make a statement about Greg and the dealings over the past 6 months.
Ric sat down across from him and pushed across the table a yellow legal pad and the pen from his shirt pocket. Zander pulled the tablet towards him and Alexis snatched the pen before Zander's hand reached it.
"I'm sorry, but if you want me to defend your actions here, I need some promises made for you." she said and Ric sighed knowing what was coming next.
"Like what" Zander asked as Alexis and Ric exchanged looks.
"Don't Alexis ... " Ric said knowing what she was about to ask even before she asked it.
"Before he confesses to anything ... lay your cards out Mr. DA." she smirked as she looked over her black rimmed glasses.
"No deals, Alexis" Zander replied upset with her for even trying to make a deal for him.
"Yes deals, Zander! I told you before we sat down that I would stand by your decision to do this, but for Pete's sake let me defend you" she scolded.
Zander sighed in defeat, he knew she'd get her way anyways, he caved early to save the time. "That's better." she grinned.
"Alexis, it depends on what he tells me, I can't give you a blanket deal." Ric replied knowing that's what she was after.
"Sure you can, Ric. Look, if Zander gives you what you want to know, and there's no charges to be filed on him then we'll save the deal for another time ... I'm sure there will be another mess and we'll need it." she smiled.
Ric grinned. She knew darn well that he couldn't resist her charm and persuasive ways. "Okay ... because you know I can't resist your persuasive charm, I'll lay a deal out on the table."
Alexis grinned because she knew she had it in her to charm the pants off that man if she wanted. Zander snatched the pen back from Alexis's hand. Before he had a chance to write anything down, Ric grabbed the pen back from him.
"Now what? Are you two going to let me do this or not" Zander now getting anxious to clear the air.
"Forget writing to down, just tell me. I'll have to type up a report regardless. Besides the faster you tell me, the faster you can get out of here." Ric replied as he stuck the pen back in his shirt pocket.
"What do you want to know" Zander sighed.
"I want to know everything ... the dealings with Lorenzo, Jason ... and Greg." Ric replied as he leaned forward against the table. "And if you had anything to do with Lorenzo's bank statements being sent here to me."
"Bank statements, no sorry can't say that I can take credit for that one. You got bank statements"
"Yeah and a lot of money has been transferred, I mean a lot of money in and out of Lorenzo's account. I kinda figured they were transactions for the contracts he put out on you."
"I wouldn't doubt it. I have to give that man credit though, he is persistent."
"Don't give him too much credit, he almost succeeded." Ric replied.
Zander and Alexis sat in the interrogation room with Ric a few hours as Zander told his brother everything that he knew about the dealings between Greg, Lorenzo and Jason. A weight had definitely lifted off his shoulders once he admitted to a few things he had initiated. As they sat and talked, Ric absorbing all the information Zander was giving him, there wasn't much Ric could charge Zander with, other then transportation and distribution of narcotics. And with the evidence missing from Zander's warehouse, it was just Zander's words Ric had against him. Jason was holding the evidence, and though Zander's shipment, it was in the possession of someone else, which left Zander off the hook.
The hours passed and soon Ric stood up from his seat. He thanked his brother for his honesty and appreciated that Zander had told him what had happened in the penthouse before he got there. Zander saw that Ric was walking towards the door of the interrogation room and he opened up.
"You're free to go ..." Ric said as he held the door open with his hand.
"You're kidding right" Zander asked shocked that Ric was letting him go, even after all he confessed to.
"No, I'm not kidding. I have nothing to hold you on. The shipments are no longer in your possession, and the shootout at the penthouse could be construed as self defense."
Zander stood up from his seat and walked towards his brother. "Thanks ... " Zander said as he stepped into the doorway.
"Yeah, yeah ..." Ric grinned as Alexis brushed passed him.
"Hey ..." Ric said as he gave a tug on Alexis's arm as she passed by. "Tell him to keep his nose clean ... okay."
"You try to tell him that ... but I'll try." she smiled.
Zander and Alexis stepped out onto the stoop of the PCPD once more. The snow had just begun to fall lightly and Zander pulled his overcoat up and over the scruff of his neck.
"You need a ride home" he asked Alexis.
"No, I think I'll walk ..." she replied and gave him another kiss on the cheek. "Thanks for the offer though." She started walking down the stairs towards the side walk and he watched her from the top step.
"Hey ... " he called out to her and she turned around towards him. She saw the look in his eyes and knew what he wanted to say .. but the look was all she needed. She smiled, turned and walked away, leaving him standing alone on the stairs.
He gave a tug at his overcoat and pulled out his cell phone to make a call, the snow falling harder now then before, he took a few steps towards the side walk as the person he called answered.
"Hey sweetheart ... I'm at the PCPD ... yeah everything's fine. I just wanted to hear your voice, that's all. I'll see you soon."
Marcus pulled the car up to the curb and Zander climbed into the backseat and closed the door, his coal black hair covered with snow, and he ran his fingers through it.
"Where to, sir" Marcus asked from the driver's seat.
"To hospital, Marcus ... I'm going to spend some time tonight with my wife."
