Thanks for your reviews! Don't worry about Cole.
acid2000us
I'm glad that you've found this fanfic. It's a Cole Prue Fanfiction not exactly this chapter, but sooner or later! I promise. You're right there aren't a lot of this fanfiction here. I've no idea, why. I just know that GrantingTroyTurner has written one, but I didn't read it yet.
7. Chapter
The next day Cole set off to Amy's family. They were living in one of the most expensive parts of New Orleans, where huge estates hid behind high walls. Cole had called the housekeeper to arrange a meeting with Mrs. and Mr. Carey this morning. When he arrived in front of a gate, he got in immediately. He drove along the paved drive and parked his car quite close to the entrance.
Cole got off the car and went to the imposing building, when a clerk opened the door.
"Mr. Turner?" The woman asked. Cole nodded and walked to her. "Come in please, Mr. and Mrs. Carey are waiting for you."
Cole walked through the cold marble entrance hall and was guided into a spacious living room. It was cool but cosy furnished and the big windows were facing the huge garden with a swimming pool. This room showed that the Careys were rich, too. On the polished parquet floor were various oriental carpets in bright colors and there were precious oil paintings on the walls. But when Cole met Mrs. Carey, he found out, that even richness couldn't protect her from grief.
She was small and had dark hair just like her daughter. Her face was swollen and her eyes were puffy from crying and she was slovenly dressed. By contrast her husband was unflappable. He was older than his wife and it was no question, who was the boss.
"Edward has already told us, that you'll represent Amy in court." Donald Carey explained. "He has assured me, that you're one of his best lawyers."
"I'll do everything I can to help Amy, Mr. Carey" Cole said objective. He knew, what Carey was thinking of him. But he would be surprised sooner or later. Because if Carey hoped that Amy would be pronounced guilty, Wingrove and Carey had chosen the wrong person. Unlike all the other possible lawyers, Wingrove could made his choice of, he had chosen just that one, who knew everything about demonical athames. This knowledge conjured a smile on his lips.
"You can call me Donald." Carey offered Cole and pointed towards his wife. "And that's my wife, Shelly." he introduced her.
"Is everything alright with my girl, Mr. Turner?" she asked softly.
"It's hard for her of course, but she hold her own." Cole told them. "Unfortunately she didn't want to talk to me about the night."
Donald groaned. "We were prepared for that, but I'm happy, that she has finally accepted a lawyer." When he noticed Cole's surprised look he added. "She has strongly refused to get a counsel of her defense. She has told all of them where to go. That's the way she is." He cast a quick glance at his wife. "She's a complex character."
"Donald don't!" she said quietly.
"Shelly, we have to tell Mr. Turner everything we know. But that doesn't mean at all, that she is a murderer."
Shelly started to cry uncontrolled. She jumped up and uttered hardly audible. "Please excuse me." Then she left the room.
Donald groaned again. "It's hard for her. Amy is her only daughter."
Cole nodded. "You have adopted Amy, haven't you?"
"That's right, but unfortunately she never considered me to be her father, although she never met her father. She was always a little bit unthankful." he laughed nervously. "I've sent her to the best boarding school and finally I've paid for one of the best universities. But suddenly she didn't want to go back to Boston. She wanted to go on studying in New Orleans." It was obviously, that her decision hadn't suited him at all.
But Cole changed the subject. "Can you tell me anything about what happened that evening?"
"She wanted to spend the night with Charlotte Wingrove and Gillian Davies. Probably you should talk to them. I can arrange that." he offered.
Cole nodded and Carey took the phone. A few minutes later he has made an appointment with Charlotte Wingrove. "Gillian Davies isn't in town at the moment." Donald Carey excused. "But Charlotte can tell you everything else."
Soon after Cole said goodbye to Donald Carey. He didn't find out anything else, except that Amy had been a difficult withdrawn child, who didn't let anyone come near her. But of course Donald would never allege that Amy was capable of murdering somebody.
When Cole left the house, he found Mrs. Carey waiting at his car.
She has calmed down a bit and said softly. "Please excuse that I ran out of the room."
"I can understand you, finally they accuse your daughter of murdering the clergyman."
"Yes, it's so hard. My Amy is in jail." She looked at him hopefully. "But you can help her, can't you? You'll do everything to get her free." She looked down again. "You may not believe everything Donald said. Amy is a good child, she has a big heart and wouldn't be able to do anything like that."
"But how did it happen?"
Shelly groaned. "I don't know. She acted strangely, she was sad and didn't want to talk to me. After her vacations, Donald forced her to go back to university, but she refused. She wanted to stay here with us."
Cole nodded. "Could you tell me, if she had some problems with the church."
Shelly shook her head. "No, she even went to church more often lately. Donald was overjoyed."
"And can you tell me the name of the church?" Cole asked.
"The Elisabeth Church, right over there." Shelly pointed over the wall. "I'm there very often to help for charity events. When Amy was a child she always came along with me, but when she grew up she wasn't interested in it anymore. Only lately she accompanied me again more often."
Suddenly Cole had an idea. "Mrs. Carey, would you mind, if I had a look around Amy's room?"
Shelly shook her head. "No, the police has already destroyed her privacy. "
They entered the house through a backdoor and Shelly led Cole upstairs to the first floor. She stopped in front of a door and opened it carefully. "I still hope to find her inside." she explained with a sad smile. "I'll better leave you alone."
Cole thanked her and entered the room. It was a usual room, there was a big four-poster bed in the middle of the room and there were bookshelves on the walls. Nevertheless it looked strangely unoccupied. Cole looked around, there were countless plants on the window seat. Cole went closer and saw, that it weren't usual indoor plants, but herbs. He looked out of the window and saw the garden with the swimming pool. He could watch Mrs. Carey lying on a deckchair in the shade. Cole turned around and sat down on Amy's bed. He opened the drawers of Amy's bedside table carefully, but there were only cosmetics in it. Cole didn't suppose to find anything here, finally the police had already searched for evidences. Nevertheless he stood up and looked around attentively.
He walked along the wall and suddenly he had a strange feeling. He stopped and looked at the wardrobe attentively. And finally he saw it. There was a magical field on the wardrobe. Cole stretched out to reach it. His hand grasped through an invincible wall. It must be an invincible casket, he thought, used to hide it's contents. Cole had no problems to reach through the magical field. He touched a small box and took it out. Then he tried it again and found a thin notepad. He took it, but before he could go on searching for another hidden object, he heard that somebody opened Amy's door. Cole stepped back quickly and put the notepad and the box into his pocket.
"Shelly?" Donald Carey popped his head in the door.
"Your wife was so kind to show me Amy's room." Cole explained with a smile and went to Donald, looking at him a little confused.
"Yes, that was a good idea, I should have thought of it. But you know, this room doesn't reflect her personality very well." Donald explained.
Cole nodded. "Nevertheless it was interesting to see it."
"Of course, but now you should go, otherwise you'll miss your appointment with Charlotte." Donald explained.
"Oh I definitely won't do it." Cole said ironically and let Donald Carey guide him to the door. When he was standing in front of the house again, he turned around and looked at the building. Okay, little Amy was playing with magic!When he'll see her next time, he would have some questions.
Fiveteen minutes later Cole was standing in front of Edward Wingrove's house. It was almost a copy of Donald Carey's house. A clerk also opened the door and Cole entered a cold marble entrance hall.
Edward Wingrove came towards Cole with a bright smile on his face. "Mr. Turner, I'm glad to see how serious you take your job. I knew that I've chosen the right man."
"Edward" Cole greeted him. "You didn't tell me, that your daughter is involved into this case."
Wingrove raised his hand to reject this fact. "You're wrong, Charlotte has nothing to do with it. She was already at home at that time. I can tell you everything about it."
"But I'd like to talk to your daughter in person, if you didn't mind." He looked at Wingrove urged. "You work as a lawyer, too, so I'm sure you'll understand it."
"Of course, one moment please." He opened a door and let Cole step in. "I'll call for her."
Wingrove closed the door and Cole just wanted to look around, when Wingrove opened the door again. He entered the room together with a young woman in Amy's age.
"Charlotte, may I introduce you to Mr. Turner." he told his daughter. "Cole, that's my daughter Charlotte."
Cole nodded and shook hands with Charlotte. She looked like her elder sister Vivian. The same long blond hair and similar light green eyes, looking at him grimly.
"I'll let you alone now." Wingrove said and left the room again.
"Sit down please" Cole said und sat down on a cosy armchair. "You probably know from your father, that I'll represent Amy in court."
Charlotte nodded. "Yes I know. But what do you want from me? I was already at home when the murder took place."
"But you spent that night together with Amy. And I want to find out more about it." Cole told her calmly.
"She isn't my friend, if you think that. We just spent some time together, because our parents are friends, nothing more." Charlotte explained irritated.
"And what has happened that night? Why have you been on this secluded plantation?" Cole asked again.
Charlotte shrugged her shoulders. "As I already told you, our parents urged us to spend the night of 1st May with Amy. They had a party that night, so we had no choice. And that's it."
"And why did you chose this wilderness?" Cole wanted to know.
"It was a stupid idea. And I don't remember exactly who had this idea. I suppose Amy, because Gillian and me wanted to go immediately, when we saw the place. But Amy liked it there and so we left her alone." Charlotte explained and it was obvious, that she didn't tell everything.
"You've left her alone at this secluded place? How should she get home?" Cole asked.
"We went there with two cars. So it wasn't a problem. Amy likes to be alone, she was always strange and if she wanted to spend the night there, it was alright with us." Charlotte explained composed.
Cole had enough. He didn't want to hear again how strange Amy was. In his opinion it struck him rather stange, that they have left a young woman alone on such a secluded property. "Did you see Adam Boucher?"
"No! I haven't seen anybody." Charlotte said with a friendly smile. "I'm so sorry, much as I'd like to. But I can't help you."
"Certainly," Cole said and stood up, he wouldn't find out anything more at the moment. "But I have one more question for you." He looked at her searching. "Do you know, if Amy ever occupied with magic .. or even you?"
Charlotte hardened. "No, what gives you that idea? Magic that's just superstition."
"You don't say." Cole smiled crafty. "What makes me think of that nonsense?"
Cole thought about Charlotte and her girlfriends on his way back to his car. He wondered, if they wanted to try out magic in the open air. Thoughtfully he unlocked his car, when another car parked beside him. He looked up and recognized Vivian Wingrove, who got off the car beaming with joy.
"Mr. Turner, I never thought, that we would meet so soon again." She said happily.
"I hope it isn't an unpleasant surprise." Cole answered.
"Oh no, not at all. It's nice to see you." she smiled at him gladly. "I already wanted to call you, but Prue didn't know your phone number."
Cole grinned, that was interesting, Prue didn't know her own number. "And why did you want to call me?"
Vivian looked right into his eyes. "I thought, you could give me the latest news about the murder."
"No, I can't. But you didn't tell me, that your sister is involved in it." Cole said.
Vivian made a dismissive gesture. "That's wrong, Charlie has nothing to do with it. Dad and Donald are friends, that's why Daddy more or less forced the poor Charlotte to go out with Amy." she explained.
"It seems that you can tell me more about it, than I can." Cole told her with a smile.
"Who knows. Do you want to find out more about it at dinner tomorrow?" Vivian asked coquettish and didn't wait for an answer. "I know an exquisite restaurant in the center. And because you're new in town I'll make it my business to show you the best places. So don't say no!" She beamed at him.
"How could I, Vivian." Cole answered he would seize this opportunity. She could tell him a lot about the Careys and he already knew about her that she wouldn't mince matters.
"Okay, then you can come for me tomorrow at 8 o'clock." she went to the door satisfied, but then she turned around to Cole again. "I'm looking forward for tomorrow night." she said and disappeared in the house.
Cole looked after her shaking his head and decided to pay Amy a visit in remand prison. He had some questions and only Amy could answer them.
Cole had to cross half of the town, until he arrived in front of the grey building of the prison. He looked at the gloomy block and went to the entrance. Soon after he was waiting in a small room, when Amy entered the room. It seemed to Cole as if she was paler than last time. He couldn't say why, but the young woman touched him in a strange way.
"Is everything alright with you?" he asked anxious and sat down.
Amy nodded. "I don't have any problems, apart from the fact that I'm in jail." She tried to twist her mouth for a smile.
"That isn't easy of course." Cole said.
Amy looked at him. "How do you want to know? Have you ever been in prison?"
Cole smiled. "No, I haven't. But I've been in worse places than a prison, take my word for it."
Amy looked at him sceptically. "I can hardly believe it."
"Forget it." he said and wondered why it slipped out of him. "I've met your parents today. They are fine and .... "
Amy made a gesture to stop him. "I don't want to hear anything about it. Tell my mother, that I'm alright and that she shall not visit me here. I couldn't stand it."
"Okay," Cole said calmly. "Do what you like! It's your decision. "
"Yes, that's it and actually I don't want to see anybody." She looked him straight into his eyes. "You don't have to visit me. I won't tell you anything about this night. Do your job and leave me alone."
Cole started to laugh. "Well sorry, but that isn't so easy. Least of all, if you want to be acquitted. Then you'll have to answer some questions."
Amy groaned. "I know that I won't have a chance." Therefore she didn't want to get an advocate, he wouldn't be able to help her, he would just try to grill her. Nobody would understand her. She looked at Cole, she had already seen it last time. Therefore she has had the feeling, that he could understand her perhaps, but nevertheless she wasn't ready to talk yet.
"Just leave it to me. You've formed a wrong picture of me. I'm not such a bad lawyer." Cole tried to convince her. "Just tell me, what did you want on this secluded clearing that night."
"I've no idea, it just happened like that." Amy shrugged her shoulders.
"Really? Or did you want to perform a ritual that night?" Cole got to the point at once. He noticed a slight movement on Amy's fixed facial expression.
Nevertheless she stood firm and answered. "No, we don't do anything like that."
"No?" Cole asked ironically and put out the notepad. When he had opened the little box from Amy's room in his car, he had found a white powder inside of it. He had left it in the car, because he wouldn't like to be mistaken for a drug dealer, if someone found the powder during admission control. But he had put the notepad into his briefcase, he had leafed through it quickly and had found couplets in two or four lines. Without reading he knew exactly what he had found charms.
Now he opened the notepad again and started to read. "Love is like a flower, it needs sun and rain, but no matter how hard you try, one day it will wither." Cole looked up in surprise. "What's that supposed to be?" he asked aghast.
Amy looked at him angrily. "Give it to me, it's mine." she snapped at him and tried to snatch at the notepad, but Cole stood up and went on leafing through it.
"Love poems?" he asked confused. "I met him in summer, autumn was coming soon..."
"Stop it." she tried to shut him up and put her hands over her ears. Tears formed in her eyes. "I thought, you'd understand it." she whispered.
Cole came back to the table and sat down facing her. "I'm sorry." he said and pushed the notepad to her. "I had expected something completely different."
Amy took her notepad and tried to stifle her tears. "Is that so? But what?" she asked with husky voice.
"Kind of a book of shadows, I suppose." He explained thoughtfully. "Spells." He looked at her searching and felt guilty, he really should have read the poems before. "I mean, I've found it in a magical casket in your room." he made it clear to her.
"But how could you find it?" she wondered.
Cole shrugged his shoulders. "I know everything about it. So if this case has something to do with magic, I'll be the right person to talk to."
Amy looked at him thoughtfully. "I've got the casket as a present, that's all." she explained firmly.
"And the powder inside of the box?"
Amy looked at the table and and ran her finger over her notepad. "I've bought it." she explained thoughtfully. "But it didn't work."
"What's the effect?" Cole asked curiously.
"Take away your inhibitions." she said quietly.
"Oh, that sounds interesting." Cole said surprised. "Which inhibitions?"
Amy flashed at him angrily "That's none of your business. It has nothing to do with your case. And as I already told you, it had no effect."
"What a pity!" Cole said grinning and turned serious again. "But you went to this clearing to perform magic."
"No, we just lighted a fire and wanted to tell ghost stories, but then Gillian and Charlie thought, that it would be too childish and boring, therefore they left." Amy explained.
"Oh yes, and as luck would have it this priest was running around there, too." Cole said ironically and looked at Amy. "Nobody will believe you this rubbish."
"You are my lawyer and you're to believe me." Amy explained.
"Of course, if my client tells me the truth, I'll believe her. But it doesn't look like this, does it?"
"I haven't stabbed him to death." she said quietly. She would never be able to do it, why didn't everybody see that, Amy wondered desperately.
"Yes and in contrast to the other things you have told me, I believe you this time." Cole said in this moment.
She looked at him grateful. "Then please don't torture me with your useless questions anymore, I don't want to remember."
Cole groaned. "But you'll have to remember, if you want to win the trial." he explained, but Amy didn't say a word. Cole was tempted to ask, if a demon had killed the clergyman, but he didn't want to frighten her unnecessarily. He would need more facts, before he could ask her this question. "Okay, if you don't want to tell my anything else, I'll go now." He got up from the table and went to the door, when a gentle "Mr. Turner" stopped him. Cole turned around and said. "Cole, if you want."
Amy nodded. "Thanks for my notepad."
He smiled slightly. "You're welcome."