2016
Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina(Two Weeks After The Funeral)
Haley Scott tossed and turned in bed next to the heavy and still frame that was beside her. She wondered if he was awake. She wondered if he knew she was awake. He had to be. With all that was going on, how could one sleep so soundly? But a gentle snore let her know indeed he was resting comfortably, much to her surprise. But slumber would not come for her so she eased as quickly and quietly as she could from her side of the bed. As her legs swung over and her feet touched the floor, Haley gasped when she felt a hand grab her small wrist in the darkness.
"Where are you going?" her husband's voice, rough with sleep, demanded to know.
"To the bathroom", Haley mouthed.
Nathan seemed satisfied with her answer as Haley slipped into the spacious master bathroom. She made sure to grab the cordless phone along the way as she turned on the light and the noisy fan, shutting and locking the door behind her. She sat on the edge of the huge garden tub, her hands shaking as she remembered the scene from just a few hours before…
The luxury call pulled up to the drive and Haley parked, getting out and helping her son from the backseat. She smiled as the energetic boy leapt out and ran ahead, kicking up sand as his little feet kicked and happily played. Haley could watch Landon forever. He was her heart, her pride and joy. After all the pain and disappointment over the years brought forth by so much unexpected change, the birth of her child had been the one thing that had made all the bad so worthwhile.
"He's a cute kid. And I've seen his jump shot. Not bad for a five year old."
Haley jumped and turned around to see who was talking.
"Mouth…"
"Hi, Haley."
They had been friends forever and for a minute with the young detective dressed in casual khakis and blue short sleeved shirt, it seemed like a normal afternoon visit. Then it hit Haley. Of course it wasn't. Mouth McFadden was still a cop and he was still investigating Lucas Scott's murder, where everyone was a suspect, including her. There was no such thing as casual, friendly visits anymore.
"Hey, Mouth. Listen, I'm kind of in a hurry and…"
"Haley…"
She turned to face him.
"I can't talk to you, Mouth. Please. Look, I'm sorry."
"What if it's off the record?"
She frowned.
"No. No, you can't do that. You're trying to trick me."
"It's not a trick, Haley. I do need to talk to you but I need you to come down to the station of your own free will and give an interview on the record."
"My lawyer said that's not a good idea."
Mouth sighed.
"Off the record?"
Haley nodded.
"Yeah…"
"Very, very soon we are going to arrest Jake Jagielski on one count of murder in the first degree. It's just a matter of time as more evidence is gathered against him but it's not looking good for him. No alibi, a motive, physical evidence…you name it."
"Did you…did you find the gun?" she asked nervously.
"Yes, we did. We couldn't lift prints but there was other evidence that corroborated that was in fact our weapon and Jake fired it."
"Do you believe it? Do you really believe Jake is a killer?"
"In my heart? No. But what can I do when everything logically points to him? I don't want to believe it but right now I have no choice. Haley, Jake is going down…and the department wants to take Brooke with him."
"Brooke?"
"Yes. They're convinced he pulled the trigger but they planned it together."
"Oh my God…"
"Our friend, possibly two of our friends are in a lot of trouble. Premeditated murder carries a death sentence in this state."
Haley looked horrified.
"You mean…"
"It's not a given yet but if the prosecutor chooses to go that route…"
"Oh no."
"Haley, I need you. This is why I am coming to you off the record begging you to go on the record."
"Mouth…"
"I need to know everything. Where were you those missing hours that night?"
She looked him right in the eye.
"I didn't do it."
"I didn't say you did. But…but if you're protecting someone…"
"What?"
"I found out about the money. The day he died, Lucas stole a large amount from the Scott trust in excess of well over 15 million dollars. That money was stolen right from under Nathan's nose and your husband couldn't have been a happy camper about that. Listen, Haley, if…"
"Well, well. What a pleasant surprise."
Both turned to see Nathan in his wheelchair just a few feet away from them, Landon on his lap.
"Hello, Nate", Mouth cleared his throat.
Nathan smirked and nodded.
"Hey, man."
"What brings you by? You should have called first. I could have had lunch and a cool drink prepared."
"I'm fine. Thank you."
"Are you here on a social call?"
"No, I…"
"Then you must have a warrant, right? I mean, there is no way one of the lead homicide investigators on my brother's case would just trespass onto private property hounding so called suspects without their attorney present."
Mouth and Haley exchanged glances.
"I should be going now."
"That's a good idea. And one more thing…"
"What's that?"
"Haley was with me that night, that whole night up until she caught her plane. Neither one of us left the house until that point. So whatever you're trying to do, it's not gonna work, right, babe?"
Haley looked uneasily into Mouth's eyes.
"That's right", she finally sighed. "We were together all night until I left for my flight. Nathan was here the whole time."
Her eyes quickly fell to the ground as Nathan just smirked.
"Thank you for your time", Mouth said before leaving.
They watched as his car disappeared from sight.
"Come on, baby", Haley picked up Landon in her arms. "Let's get you something to eat."
"Don't try that shit again", Nathan said in a low voice.
"What?"
"You heard me. No more talking to cops. No more talking to your lawyer without letting me know."
"Nathan…"
"Don't you see what they're doing? Don't you see their game, Hales? It's up to us to be smarter than them. We have to stay one step ahead. We have to protect each other."
Protect each other. Haley couldn't get the words out of her head as she dialed the numbers. After a few rings a sleepy voice answered.
"Peyton, it's me, Haley."
"Haley, what are you doing? What do you want?"
"I'm sorry to call so late but I need to talk to Jake. It's important."
"Jake isn't here. He's out of town on business."
"Oh."
"Is there something I can help you with?"
Haley sighed.
"No. Well, yeah. Look, I don't know. I just had to ask him some stuff. I heard from a very good source that they might arrest him soon. They think he did it."
Peyton took a huge breath.
"Then you must be relieved."
"Excuse me?"
"The heat is off you and it's off Nathan."
"Peyton, Nathan and I have nothing to hide. We didn't kill Lucas."
"You didn't?"
"No. No, of course not."
"And you don't think Nathan did either?"
"I know he didn't."
"But what if you did? Let's say for a minute you were the killer…or maybe Nathan. Despite the problems and everything that has happened in your marriage, you're still married and you still love each other. Wouldn't one do anything to protect the other one? Even if it is murder and the victim was Lucas. Would you let Nathan go to prison? Would he let you? What about little Landon?"
"Nathan, Landon and I are a family. That is the most important thing to me always. I will always protect my son, no matter what."
Peyton nodded.
"Any good mother would. Always protect your children, your family…at any cost."
Haley felt a chill on her back.
"Peyton, where were you that night?"
The blonde simply closed her eyes.
"I have to go", she said before hanging up. "I'll tell Jake you called."
And with that, Peyton sat up in the large, empty bed, the phone cradled to her breast. She wished that Jake were home and not in Little Rock, Arkansas on business. She wanted to talk to him but it was late. He was probably sleeping anyway. But he wasn't. The young wife had no way of knowing. In the wee hours of the morning in a little hole in the wall diner in Little Rock, Jake Jagielski, in his jeans, tee shirt, sneakers and baseball cap pulled low, slipped into a booth. With the menu held close to his face, the booth behind him sat a pretty brunette young woman. Her long hair had been pulled back and she wore no make up. The cheap, rotting leather of the two booths was the only thing separating their backs.
"You always make a habit of frequenting greasy dives at three in the morning?" he asked.
"I'm full of surprises but I guess you know that by now. Thanks for meeting me, Jake."
"What are you doing here, Brooke? You know we can't be seen together like this."
"I know. That's why I set up the meeting on phones that can't be traced and I had you meet me here like this. No one will ever know."
"What's up?"
"We need to talk about what's going on with the case. A little birdie told me it's not looking too good for you these days."
Jake smirked.
"So I've heard."
"So?"
"So what?"
"So what are you going to do about it?"
He shrugged.
"Nothing."
"Nothing? Jake, are you crazy? Let me help you. I can fix this."
"No, you can't."
"Believe me…"
"I'm not stupid. They are going to arrest me soon, I know that. And I'll go to jail and trial and whatever happens, happens."
"Why? Why would you do this? Don't take the fall, Jake."
"I have to. I have to do this for my family, for my kids."
"Why? That doesn't make any sense. What good will it do them for their daddy to be locked up in prison?"
Jake took a deep breath.
"Better Daddy than Mommy. I have to do this, Brooke. I can't let them put her away for this. I have to take the fall for Peyton."
