A week later

"It was Scooter?" Julie exclaimed. Connie had been the one to tell her that it was Scooter that attacked Portman that night and that it was Scooter that she had shot and killed.

"Jules, I'm so sorry" Connie said wrapping her arms around her friend.

Julie felt overcome by different emotions, one was anger, one was sadness and one was guilt. They seemed to cancel each other out and now all she felt was numb.

"When's the funeral?" she asked a little too coldly.

Connie was taken aback "Are you going?" she asked praying Julie would say she wasn't. Julie didn't need to hear all of those accusations and lies that were spreading around Eden Hall like wildfire.

Julie shook her head "No. We've got hockey practice" she said.

Connie glanced at her surprised to see no expression or emotion on Julie's face. It was like stone "Practice was cancelled Jules" she said softly.

"Oh" Julie said standing up. "I'm going to the hospital with Fulton, do you want to come?" she asked.

"Sure, how is Portman doing?" Connie asked standing up to gather her bag and shoes.

"He's quite cheerful for someone who got a hole blown in his guts. Personally I think he's too stubborn to admit when he's in pain" Julie laughed remembering Portman's face when he refused to acknowledge he needed some more morphine for the pain.

"Good to see he's the same old Portman" Connie laughed glad that the scary Julie had been replaced by the normal Julie.

A knock on the door interrupted the girls conversation.

Connie answered it to find two men standing there dressed in really ugly suits.

"Julie Gaffney?" one of them asked.

"Yeah, hang on she's right here" Connie said indicating to Julie that the visitors were for her.

"Yes?" she asked before she recognised the men as the detectives from the hospital who questioned her.

"Miss Gaffney, you are under arrest for the murder of Scott Whyte. You have the right to remain silent, anything you say or do can and will be used against you in a Court of Law. You have the right to an attorney, if you cannot afford an attorney one will be provided for you"

Julie didn't hear the rest of her rights being read. All she could hear in her mind were the words "Murder and Scott Whyte".

"WHAT! Are you insane?" Connie was screaming. The two detectives ignored Connie.

"Jules, don't you worry, we're gonna get you out okay." Connie called as Julie was led away in handcuffs by the detectives into a waiting car.

"Connie what's going on?" Charlie appeared in Connie's doorway to find her crying her eyes out.

"Charlie, get Bombay. Julie's been arrested for murder"

………………………………………………….

Julie was refused bail on the basis that she was from Maine and could easily flee back there thereby violating the condition that she is not to leave the state. Bombay was annoyed with the vendetta that Scooter's parents, Mr Riley and the board members at Eden Hall had taken against Julie.

The matter went to trial and Julie was acquitted of all charges by a unanimous vote by the members of the Jury. Julie's testimony, Portman's evidence and footage taken from the mall's security cameras had left little doubt in the Jury's mind that Julie had acted in self defence.

Julie was released a free woman. Her and Portman survived the ups and downs of her detention and can now finally be a happy "normal" couple.