Chapter 7
The grand jury met the next day and gave the DA his indictment. The charge was second degree murder. If found guilty, she could receive a maximum of life imprisonment with no parole. The trial was set to start in six weeks.
Pat called at noon with the news of the indictment.
"Abbey, you must meet me at the Police Station in an hour. You have to be booked, fingerprinted and photographed. They'll have an immediate bond hearing. Bring your passport. You'll have to turn it in. Oh, bring the deed to the farm as well. The bond will be substantial."
"But Pat, I didn't do anything wrong."
"Abbey, you've been changed with a felony. It is up to us to prove to the jury that you are innocent. Are you going to be there or do you need for me to come pick you up?"
"No. I'll get my agent to drive me in. I'll see you in a little while."
"Okay. Don't be late. And Abbey, the press is already gathering. I just wanted you to know."
"Thanks Pat. I'll be there as soon as I can."
Abbey sat down in the kitchen as she hung up the phone. Her worst nightmare was coming true. "Oh my God! What have I done? What have I done?"
She picked up the phone to call Liz with the news. The conversation was short.
"Hello."
"Liz, I have something to tell you and Ellie. It's not good. The DA has gotten an indictment of second degree murder against me. I'm to be booked within the hour. I just wanted you both to know."
Silence was her response.
"Liz, are you there?"
"Yes."
"Did you hear what I said?"
"Yes."
"I don't want you and Ellie to come down to the courthouse. The press is already there. I'm going to be booked and a bond hearing held. Then I'll be released. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
Through the silence Abbey knew she had lost the love and respect of her oldest.
"Mom, are you ready for this?"
"No one is really ready for this. But it'll be okay. The jury will see that I did it out of love."
"I hope so, Mom. I hope so."
After talking with Liz, Abbey called Zoey tell her what was going to happen so she wouldn't be caught off guard. Her reaction was similar to Liz's. Shock.
She wanted to come home but Abbey said no. She would only get caught up in the press frenzy and Abbey didn't want the baby to get upset. Zoey promised to come home soon though.
Abbey smiled. At least she had the support of one of her daughters.
After hearing a newsflash on a Boston station, CJ called and asked if she could be of assistance. Abbey thanked her, but said that she didn't want to drag Jed's staff into this mess.
At the bond hearing a million dollar bond was set, processed, and then she was free to go. The farm had been put up as collateral for the bond.
It didn't take long for the story to hit the national press. Soon, every press organization had sent a representative to Manchester to get the story. Somehow, Abbey's booking picture was on the internet by evening.
During one of the discussions with her attorney, Pat shared with Abbey the witness list. Ellie, Millie and the hospice staff were on the prosecution's list as well as legal and medical experts who would talk about her actions being both illegal and unethical.
On the defense witness list, Pat had lined up one expert that would give a different opinion. But Abbey would be the primary witness for her case.
Pat wanted the jury to hear from Abbey the emotional stress of that night. Both women knew it would be hard for her, but she was the only one that could describe her actions the best.