Chapter 42

Alexis closed the file she was studying and turned her attention to the man sitting next to her. He sat quietly as usual with his characteristic blank expression. To most everyone in the courtroom he looked cold and unfeeling, but she knew it was just an act. Jason was worried about the trial. He just refused to let anyone see it.

She reached over and squeezed his hand. He shifted his gaze to look at her dropping the mask he wore to reveal the anxiety he was feeling. She wanted to tell him everything was going to be okay, but she couldn't lie to him. Instead she squeezed his hand again and gave him a reassuring smile. She wanted him to know that she would protect him as best she could. He nodded his understanding but was prevented from saying anything by the call to rise for the judge's entrance.

"Ms. Jensen, do you have any further witnesses to call at this time?"

Dara stood to address the court. "No, your honour, the prosecution rests."

"Thank you," Judge Torrie said. "Ms. Davis, you may call your first witness."

Alexis stood and spoke with a clear confidant voice. "The defence would like to call Jason Morgan to the stand."

A collective gasp reverberated throughout the courtroom. No one had expected Jason to take the stand in his own defence.

Jason slowly rose to his feet and walked around the defence table to reach the witness stand. With each step, he wondered again if this was the right thing to do. He was vulnerable on the stand. The DA, he knew, would try anything to get him to implicate himself in any of the crimes they suspected he was involved in. Alexis insisted that wouldn't be the case. She told him Dara Jensen could only question him about Lucky's death, nothing more, but he wasn't as confidant as she was. He knew the DA wouldn't be able to pass up the opportunity, especially regarding Sorel's death and Elizabeth's involvement.

Jason had originally opposed the idea of testifying for that reason alone. He knew the police couldn't charge him without evidence, but if he admitted Elizabeth had lied about his alibi, the police could go after her. He knew Taggert would find some reason to punish Elizabeth just to get back at him, and that was something he couldn't let happen. The image of her behind bars charged with obstruction of justice was one he didn't want to see become reality. He would plead guilty to Lucky's murder before that became a possibility.

Alexis had pushed for him to testify, though. She insisted he had to take the stand and tell his side of the story. The jury needed to know what kind of man he really was behind the image. They needed to look past the hit man stigma and see the man he only let a select few know.

Once he took his seat, Alexis approached the witness box. "Jason, can you tell us what happened in the park that day in March?"

He nodded and took a deep breath. "I was on my way to General Hospital when Lucky came up behind me with a gun. He wanted me out of Elizabeth's life. Before I could do anything Elizabeth appeared asking him to give her the gun. He refused and pulled the trigger. Elizabeth stepped in front of me and was hit in the chest."

Jason closed his eyes to the images of that day. Since Elizabeth came to the prison, he hadn't dreamt about the day she was shot. Now everything was coming back to him. He could see Elizabeth's lifeless body lying on the ground, blood covering her chest.

"What happened after Elizabeth was shot?" Alexis' voice seemed to be coming from miles away rather than only a few feet.

He opened his eyes and tried to focus on the woman standing in front of him. "I, uh, I caught her in my arms and lowered her to the ground. At first she was conscious, but then she stopped breathing. I called for an ambulance and started CPR."

Alexis disappeared from his vision again replaced by Elizabeth's dying body. He ran his hand over his eyes to shake the image. He needed to concentrate on his testimony not get drowned in memories.

Alexis could see Jason was struggling with this part of the testimony, but she knew it would benefit him in the long run. The jury needed to see this side of him, or else he would be spending the rest of his life behind bars. "Where was Lucky while you were helping Elizabeth?"

He didn't respond immediately. She wondered if he had even heard the question.

Just as she was about to ask her question again, he responded. "I don't know what happened to him," he said his voice deep with emotion. "My only concern was Elizabeth. He must have left but I never saw him go."

"Did you see Lucky Spencer again that night?"

"No, I didn't," he replied clearing his throat. "I went with Elizabeth to the hospital. When she was taken up to surgery, I went to the roof to wait for news. When I came down, Detective Taggert was waiting to arrest me."

"Jason, why did you go to the roof? Why didn't you go to the surgical waiting area?"

"I, uh, I don't like hospitals. A while ago I was in an accident, and I had to spend a long time at the hospital recuperating. Since then I've tried to avoid the hospital as much as possible," he told her begrudgingly not wanting to admit a weakness.

"Then, why stay at all? Why not go home and wait?"

He looked at the jury and shifted uncomfortably. He knew Alexis wanted him to be more personable, but he didn't want these people to know the depth of his despair over the thought of Elizabeth dying. "Elizabeth is my friend. She has been there for me when I've needed it the most. I couldn't leave her."

Alexis seemed to accept his answer and didn't push for more. "Jason, if you were on the roof the entire time, how could Thomas Madigan witness you killing Lucky?"

"I don't know," he said. "He must be mistaken."

"But the murder weapon was found in your room at Jake's?"

He shrugged. "Jake's doesn't have any security. Anyone could have gone into my room and left it there.

"Lucky's had a problem with me for over a year. If Lucky knew his killer, then the killer probably knew about that. Especially with Elizabeth getting shot. I am the perfect fall guy."

Alexis nodded in agreement. "Thank you, no more questions," she returning to her seat.

"Ms. Jensen, you may cross," the judge declared.

Dara stood to ask her first question. "Do you have a suspect to go with this theory you have?"

"No, I don't," he said shaking his head.

"So, you would like the jury to believe some unknown killer just happened upon Lucky Spencer just after he shot Elizabeth Webber then left the murder weapon in your room to frame you for murder?"

"Yes, it's the truth."

"The truth," she said in amazement. "The truth is that you hated Lucky Spencer. He had the woman you wanted. When he shot her, you went after him to punish him. You appointed yourself judge, jury and executioner. You..."

"Objection. Does the DA have a question or is she practising her closing statements?"

"Ms. Jensen, please refrain from grand standing and question the witness," ordered the judge.

"Yes, your honour," Dara said smugly.

"Mr. Morgan, are you in love with Elizabeth Webber?"

"She is one of my closet friends. Of course, I love her," he answered to the best of his ability without lying.

"I'm not talking about friendship love," Dara countered. "I'm talking of a more romantic relationship. Do you have romantic feelings for Miss Webber?"

Jason shifted in his seat. He looked over to Alexis hoping she could do something to help him. She could only shake her head.

"Mr. Morgan, do I need to ask the question again?" Dara asked a little louder than before.

"Yes."

"Yes, I need to ask the question again or yes, you have romantic feelings for Miss Webber?"

"Yes, I have romantic feelings for Elizabeth," Jason admitted.

"You're in love with her?"

"Yes."

"But she loved Lucky Spencer. How did that make you feel?"

"Elizabeth is free to love whoever she wants," he said.

"So, you're saying you didn't wish she loved you instead of Mr. Spencer?" Dara asked not quite believing Jason Morgan could be so self-sacrificing.

"I just wanted her to be happy."

"But she wasn't, was she? Lucky Spencer was trying to control her - telling her where to live, what to do, who to be friends with. I bet that made you angry," she asked adding the last part after a small pause.

"It upset me that Elizabeth was letting Lucky make decisions for her," he admitted.

Dara looked over to the jury. "You weren't angry at that? The woman you love was being controlled by her boyfriend. You didn't want to confront Lucky and beat some sense into him, tell him to treat her right."

"Yes, I wanted to do that," he admitted, "but I didn't want to compound Elizabeth's problems. She didn't need me fighting with Lucky."

"How noble of you," she said sarcastically. "I'm sure Lucky Spencer was relieved. The last person you got into a fight with ended up in the hospital with a concussion and broken ribs. But that was better than the person before that who suffered a fractured skull and broken arm."

"Objection, your honour, in both of those cases my client was defending himself and was not charged with assault."

"Sustained."

"Would you say you're a violent man Mr. Morgan?"

Jason thought for a moment then said, "No more than anyone else."

Dara appeared shocked by his answer. "Really? Has anyone else been arrested more than twenty times in the past three years on a variety of assault or murder charges?"

He shrugged. "I guess I've had an unlucky streak of being in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"Is that right?" The DA looked across the courtroom to one particular person sitting in the front row. "Or maybe there's another reason. Mr. Morgan, what is your connection to Sonny Corinthos?"

Jason followed her gaze to the man in question. "We are business partners in a coffee import company."

"Are you not also Mr. Corinthos' enforcer for his illegal mob activities?"

Alexis immediately objected. "My client does not have to answer that question."

Dara moved to stand in front of the judge. "Your honour, I am not asking the witness to confess to a crime. I am asking him to admit to something the entire town already knows is true."

Judge Torrie considered it for a moment and agreed with the DA. "The witness may answer, but Councillor, you're walking a fine line with the law. Make sure you don't cross it."

Dara turned back to the witness box and waited for Jason to answer the question.

"I am head of Sonny's security," he admitted.

"Is that what you call it?" she said with a smirk. "Tell me, in your security role, are you familiar with fire arms?"

"Yes, I am licensed to carry a gun and am certified in a variety of weapons."

Dara stood directly in front of him and made direct eye contact. "Have you ever killed anyone in your position as head of security?"

"Objection!"

"I'm already way a head of you Ms. Davis," said the judge. "Ms. Jensen, you've just crossed that line. The witness is instructed not have to answer that question. Councillor, unless you want to be charge with contempt, I suggest you stick to the issue at hand."

"Yes, your honour. Mr. Morgan, I'm having a very hard time trying to believe you didn't want to go after Lucky Spencer after he shot the woman you love. She almost died on the way to the hospital. Two times, in fact. She was in surgery fighting for her life and you didn't want the person who put her there to be punished?"

"Of course, I wanted him to be punished. I wanted to break every bone in his body. I wanted him to suffer as much as she was suffering," he admitted. The hatred he felt coming through in every word he spoke. "But I couldn't leave her. Not until I knew she was going to all right."

Dara looked over to the jury and could see Morgan was getting to them. She needed them to see only the cold-blooded killer, not the man inside.

"If you had gone after Lucky Spencer, you wouldn't have had any difficulty relieving him of his weapon, would you, with all your experience as head of security?" Dara said the last word as if it was a bad word.

"No, probably not," Jason replied.

"You wouldn't have had any difficulty using the 9 mm gun to shoot Lucky?"

"No," he said again.

"You wouldn't have thought twice about killing Mr. Spencer?"

"No," he said again sitting up straight in the chair. "But …"

"So, you've admitted to being upset over Lucky's treatment of Elizabeth Webber, I have a file as big as a phone book showing you to be a violent man, you are familiar with fire arms, and you have no difficulty disarming a man and killing him if you wanted to," she listed off each point with her fingers. "What is stopping the jury from believing you killed Lucky Spencer because he shot Elizabeth Webber, who you love, over some theory of an unknown killer who just happened to pick the day Lucky went after you with a gun and shot Elizabeth instead? Why should the jury believe you?"

Jason looked at her directly and said, "Because I'm telling the truth."

"Truth!" Dara countered, "You don't know the meaning of the word."

"Objection!"

"Withdrawn, no more questions," Dara said returning to her seat.

Alexis was standing before Dara could take her seat to redirect. "Jason, did you kill Lucky Spencer?"

Jason shook his head. "No, I did not," he stated firmly.

She gave a pointed look to the jury and sat back down. "Thank you."

"The witness may step down," the judge instructed before hitting the gavel.

She was cold and she was tired, but she wasn't ready to give up. After walking through the park for the third time, Elizabeth was afraid she'd missed the exchange between Tom Madigan and his boss whoever that may be. They were supposed to meet at midnight, and it was already ten after. In all the scenarios she'd thought up the night before, not one was her not getting the evidence she needed.

She wondered how the trial had gone that day. Alexis had told her Jason would be taking the stand. She hoped everything had gone okay. Not that it mattered. After tonight, the trial will be over and Jason will be free. That is, she thought, if she got the evidence. If she didn't, she didn't know what would happen. She sighed. Maybe she should have told Sonny, she wondered as she looked around. He would have been able to have people covering the entire park.

"You're late."

Elizabeth turned, her heart beating wildly. There was no one behind her.

"I needed to make sure I wasn't followed," a voice replied. Elizabeth was sure it was Tom Madigan. She turned around again not sure where it was coming from. She ducked under the bushes and pulled out the video camera. Two men were standing on the opposite side of the bushed by a tree. They were in partial light but she was sure she could get everything she needed on tape. She pulled out her video camera and positioned herself on her stomach to film the encounter.

"You have my money?" Madigan asked.

"You seem to think, Mr. Madigan, you control this situation," the other man scowled pulling out a gun from his jacket pocket. "I'm here to tell you, you don't."

"Hey, you can't kill me," Madigan said arrogantly not afraid for his life. "You need me. Morgan hasn't been convicted yet. If I was found dead, people will realize the connection."

The unknown man raised the gun and pulled back the hammer. "Who said they'd find the body? Mr. Madigan, you're importance in this endeavour is slowly diminishing."

Elizabeth could see the uncertainly in his eyes, but Madigan still wouldn't drop the bravado. "If I don't return tonight, I left instructions to have all the tapes I recorded of our conversations handed over to the police. When they hear how you hired me to implicate Morgan in Spencer's death, Morgan will be out before sunrise. Then he'll come looking for you."

"You're bluffing," the other man said keeping his gun pointed at Madigan ready to pull the trigger.

"Just try me," Madigan said with a smirk. He took pleasure in seeing the other man's face fill with doubt. Did they really think he was stupid?

The other man took a few moments before lowering his gun and turning to retrieve a briefcase leaning against the tree. "This is half. You'll get the rest once Morgan is convicted."

Madigan smiled and took the briefcase. "I don't think so. I have no control of the jury. If Morgan is acquitted it won't be because of me. I've done everything you wanted. I deserve that money. If not I'm sure the police would be glad to know who paid me to lie."

The man grabbed Madigan and shoved him up against the tree. "You better pray Morgan is convicted. Because if he's not, you won't have any need for that money six feet under."

Laughter interrupted Madigan's retort. He shrugged off the man's hands, pushed him back and took off with his briefcase. The other man stared after him then disappeared into the trees.

Elizabeth let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding as she saw a couple walk by hand in hand. She got it all - Madigan's admission, the other man's threats, everything. She needed to keep herself under control. She wasn't out of the woods, yet. She would leave the celebration until she got back to her studio.

She slowly crawled out from under the bushes and stood. She placed the camera into her bag and checked to make sure no one had seen her. Quietly she made her way to the path. As casually as she could, she followed the path towards the park exit.

She wasn't prepared for the hand to come from behind and cover her mouth.