A/N: Thanks for reading, reviewing and following! As always, it's appreciated. I just looked at the word count for this story, and it's passed the milestone of over 750,000 words! Holy crap! Sorry, I just never imagined I would've written that much. I guess the only thing left for me to do is aim for 1 million! LOL! I'm not sure if I'll hit that, but as long as all of you are sticking with me and enjoying, I'll try dammit! This chapter picks up two days later from where the last one left off. It's the day of Sam's custody hearing. Hope you enjoy this update!
/
Marissa was up early that Monday. Today was the first day of Sam's custody hearing. The redhead would be lying if she said she wasn't nervous. There was a lot riding on this.
First, there was Sam. The teen was in a real home. She was loved, wanted and safe. Sam thrived under the care of Alex and Gail. She had a family with them, caring parents and a grandmother who thought the sun rose and set on her. The Walkers gave her structure and a sense of belonging and the feeling that she mattered. Her grades had improved to the point that she was now an honor student and had real plans for her future which looked bright. Sam had friends and was well liked by almost everyone. The teen didn't take any of this for granted either because she remembered what it was like to have nothing, to lose everything in the blink of an eye. Marissa remembered what Sam was like when they first met. The difference between then and now was like the difference between day and night. If Sam had to leave the Walkers and live with Payne, Marissa shuddered to think what would happen to her.
Second, there were the Walkers. Gail and Alex had tried for years to have a child, and it just didn't work out. They were beginning to explore the possibility of adoption when Sam came along. Carol met her first, and the two immediately clicked. Sam was the grandchild that Carol had always wanted, and the woman felt younger than she had in years. For Gail and Alex, Sam was their daughter, no ifs, ands or buts about it. They didn't need a piece of paper to tell them that, but they did need it in order for Sam to stay with them.
Finally, there was Marissa herself. This was the first case she was arguing as a partner. She had to admit that it wouldn't look good if she lost, especially to someone like Pete. The man definitely had it out for her and seemed to think that she was responsible for everything bad that had happened in his life instead of looking in the mirror and accepting responsibility for himself. She couldn't let him and Payne win. They were up to something, and it was something she felt in her bones. There was something else at play with them. Marissa hadn't been able to shake that feeling since Payne first appeared in Pine Valley and picked Pete of all people to represent him. She didn't trust either of them as far as she could throw them.
Marissa shook her head in an effort to push those last thoughts aside as she brushed her teeth. This wasn't about her. This was about Sam and the Walkers and doing what was right for them. She needed to concentrate and focus on what needed to be done for Sam and how best to do it. The redhead would deal with whatever might happen to her later because that wasn't as important as the family she was trying to preserve. Marissa thought about the day ahead and what was planned, and the redhead knew it was going to be long and ugly. Court started at 9:00, and Marissa needed to stop by the office first to take care of something so she was up early.
The redhead finished getting ready and quietly left the bedroom, pausing only briefly to look at her wife. Marissa would save her goodbye for Bianca last. First, she let Max out and started the coffee brewing before heading upstairs to the kids' bedrooms. She gave each one a kiss and headed back downstairs to fill up Max's food and water bowls. The dog was let back inside and started eating his breakfast while Marissa fixed a bagel for herself along with a travel mug of coffee. Once she had everything ready to go, the redhead padded back down the hall.
Marissa chuckled softly as she approached the bed. Bianca was snuggled under the covers with her arms wrapped around the redhead's pillow. The redhead sat down and brushed a lock of Bianca's hair to the side.
Bianca felt her wife's gentle touch and stirred awake to find Marissa smiling down on her.
"Good morning, beautiful."
"Good morning. You're all ready to go?"
"Yeah, I am."
"I wish I could be there this morning, but …"
"Shh, I know. You've got an important meeting with some big donors. I'll see you when you get there and fill you in on everything you might have missed later. It might have to wait until tonight when I get home, and it could be late."
"That's okay. You do what you need to do, and I'll take care of things here."
"Thank you. I need to go, and you need to start get ready."
"Good luck, and no matter what happens, I'm proud of you, and I love you, always."
"I love you too, always." Marissa kissed Bianca tenderly and headed out.
/
When Carol, Gail and Alex Walker entered the courtroom, Marissa, Claudia and Lisa were already there and in place. Only those three members of the Walker family would be there today. Judge Kagan had previously ruled that Sam didn't need to be present until it was time for her to testify. Pete had argued vehemently that if his client had to be there then the teen should be there too. Marissa knew what he was doing. He was trying to tear Sam down, weaken her resolve, scare her from testifying about what she really wanted. Marissa didn't say that of course. She argued that it served no real purpose for the teen to be there and that it would do more harm than good, which was true. It was better for Sam to be in school and maintain some normalcy as long as possible. Marissa had the counselor that Sam had been seeing back her up, and Judge Kagan agreed. When quizzed by the family about this, Marissa was honest with them as she always was. Granted, it was debatable how much Sam would be able to concentrate, but the redhead thought it was important for her to go about her normal, daily routine so the family took her advice and sent Sam to school.
Just as Marissa was about to speak to the family, Pete and Russ sauntered into the courtroom like they owned it. Carol immediately looked away which caused the men to smirk even more. The exchange wasn't lost on Marissa, and she decided to quiz her client about it.
"Is there something I should know?"
Carol shook her head. "No, dear, everything is fine."
Payne overheard the exchange and grinned. Carol had called him last night to inform him that they were unable to access the trust fund. In fact, they were unable to get any of the money he had demanded. This was something he already knew thanks to the bug that was planted in the Walker home.
/
"We can't get that money. There's just no way. I talked to the fund's manager, and it's just not possible to access it until Sam is 18. Mom, what were you thinking? You should've called Marissa as soon as he called you." Alex could be heard saying. "Who knows what the hell they're going to do now?"
"Alex, calm down. Your mother was scared and did what she thought was right at the time. Face it, she was between a rock and a hard place. I might have done exactly what she did if I was put in that situation. We just have to hope he changes his mind, that he sees that Sam is better off here and drops his suit.
"Or at the very least, he doesn't bring Marissa into this. She didn't know anything about this. If she did, she would've told us to report this to the police immediately because she could lose her license."
/
"Please tell me you got that last part." Pete begged Payne. For him, that was the phrase that would pay, and the reason why he had his guy on standby that night. Tweaked the right way, those words would be the final nail in Marissa's coffin.
"I got it all. Don't worry. This call from her is going to be interesting." Payne sat back in one of chairs in Pete's office and waited for his cellphone to ring.
/
"I don't know what he'll do. Hopefully, he'll do what you're thinking, Gail, and let it drop. I just don't know. And you're right, Alex, I should've called Marissa, but I just got scared. I'm afraid it's too late now."
"I know, Mom. I just don't know what we're going to tell Sam."
"I don't either. I better make this call before she gets home."
/
About a minute later, Payne's cellphone began to ring. "I wonder who it could be."
Pete cracked up. "It's showtime."
Payne put on a straight face and answered. "Russell Payne."
"Mr. Payne, it's Carol Walker."
"Carol! How nice to hear from you. How are you tonight?"
"I'm calling to tell you that we were unable to get the money you wanted."
"Right down to business. A woman after my own heart. I see, that's a real shame, Carol."
"Please, Mr. Payne, is there any way you would consider dropping this case? Sam is happy here, and we love her."
"Did you ever hear the phrase that love ain't free? You know the terms. No money, no Samantha."
"Please, think about Sam. It would crush her to go into the system."
"Yeah, not that I really care about that. Why couldn't you get the money?"
"The trust fund isn't accessible until she turns 18."
"Hmmm, do I want to deal with her for another two years? I mean is she really worth it?" Payne sighed dramatically, laying it on thick. "I'll have to get back to you on that because I just don't know. Let's see how court goes tomorrow morning and how generous I'm feeling. See you then. Oh, and you might want to give her a kiss tonight in case she doesn't come back there tomorrow." With that, Payne ended the call. "So, what do you think?"
"I think that was perfect. String them along for a little longer, give them a little glimmer of hope, and then tomorrow, bam! You get what you want, and I get what I want. It's going to be epic."
The men clinked glasses and downed their shots of whiskey.
/
"All rise. Family Court Part 2 is now in session. The Honorable Sonya Kagan presiding."
Judge Kagan took her seat behind the bench and rapped her gavel. "Be seated. Let's get started, shall we? Mr. Taylor, please call your first witness."
Pete stood. "I call Russell Payne to the stand."
Russ straightened his jacket as he stood and walked to the stand.
The bailiff addressed him. "Place your left hand on the bible and raise your right hand. Do you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you god?"
"I do."
"Please be seated." The bailiff walked away.
Pete approached his client. "Would state your name for the record?"
"Russell Payne."
"Thank you. Mr. Payne, what is your relationship to the minor Samantha Robinson?"
"She's my niece, my brother's child. Well, my half-brother's child to be exact."
"And why are you here today?"
"I want custody of my niece. I didn't know my brother growing up. We're half-brothers, same father but different mothers. Now, he's gone, and I'll never get the chance to know him. Samantha is my only living family member, besides my wife that is. I want to get to know her, raise her like I think my brother would. By doing that, it'll kind of be like I'm getting to know him. I think it's important to keep family together. That's what I want. I don't make a lot of money, but my wife and I can give her a good home, a stable home. I know that's important, and I want that for her. I only want the best for her."
This line of questioning and answering went on for several minutes. Russ was giving his best performance as the humble and loving uncle who simply wanted to connect with his last remaining biological family member.
The Walkers looked like they were going to be ill listening to the man. They knew every word he was saying was a lie and weren't sure how long they would be able to stomach it.
"Thank you, Mr. Payne." Pete turned and smirked at Marissa. "Your witness."
Marissa stood. "Mr. Payne, where is your wife?"
"What?" Russ clearly wasn't expecting that question. His wife wasn't on board with his plan. She didn't want children, let alone one she had no connection with. She also didn't like what he was doing to his niece, ripping her away from her home for money. It just didn't sit right with her. They decided that it was best if she stayed home in Pittsburgh and far away from the questioning of Marissa Tasker.
"Your wife, where is she?"
"I object, your honor. Why is that relevant?"
"Mr. Payne stated that he and his wife would be providing a home for Sam. I think her lack of presence is relevant."
Judge Kagan considered this for just a moment. "I'll allow it. Please answer the question."
"Pam, my wife, is back home in Pittsburgh. She would've been here today but couldn't get off work. She's anxious to meet Samantha and have her live with us."
Marissa nodded as Claudia jotted something down. "You say you want Sam to live with you and that you'll provide her with a good home."
"Yes, I will."
"You know that Sam has been living with the Walkers for quite some time. Why would you want to take her from her home, her friends and her school and move her hundreds of miles away from all of that? Given what she's experienced in her short life, you must know that that would be traumatic for her. Why would you want to put her through that?"
"She's family. We are family, the only family we have left. I honestly believe that it's best for her if we stay together and build on that. Look, I appreciate everything the Walkers have done for her. I really do, but they're not her family. I am, and I want to take care of her."
Marissa had to admit that Payne was good. She would poke a small hole in his story which he would quickly plug. After several minutes, she gave up on this line of questioning. "No further questions at this time, but I reserve the right to recall this witness."
"Redirect, your honor." Pete was chomping at the bit for this next start.
"Go ahead, Mr. Taylor."
"Mr. Payne, I know there's something that's been bothering you, something you're reluctant to bring up, but we really need to. It's the right thing to do, and as an officer of the court, I'm required by law to bring this up."
Marissa, Claudia and Lisa wore identical confused expressions while the Walkers appeared to pale and dropped their heads. Pete was downright giddy. This was it, the moment he dropped the hammer on the redhead.
Payne looked uneasy. "You're sure we have to do this, Mr. Taylor? I'd rather just kinda drop it if we could."
"I'm positive, Mr. Payne. I know you don't want to cause anyone any problems because you're a good, honest man, but this is just too big of an issue to ignore. As I stated before, I'm obligated to report this breech of ethics."
Judge Kagan raised an eyebrow and glanced from Marissa to Pete before addressing the latter. "I think you need to explain yourself, Mr. Taylor. These are serious allegations if you're implying what I think you are."
Pete nodded solemnly. "I'm aware, your honor, and believe me, I'm as disturbed by this as you are. Mr. Payne, please tell the court what you told me."
Russ sighed dramatically as if the revelation he was about to make pained him immensely. "A couple of weeks ago, I received a call from Mrs. Carol Walker. She said she wanted to talk to me and to meet her in the park. I was a little hesitant to do it but did it. Well, she said they would give me my niece, drop the case, if I would sign over my niece's trust fund to her, her son and his wife."
Marissa was on her feet in a flash. "I object. Your honor, these allegations are ridiculous and unfounded. My clients love Sam and are fighting to keep her. To accuse them of trying to sell her is beyond the pale."
"You might want to save your self-righteous indignation, counselor." Pete smirked.
"What are you talking about?"
"You see, my client thought he should protect himself, just in case, so he recorded their conversation. I have that recording between one of your clients and mine discussing this very topic."
Marissa whipped her head around in the direction of her clients, their downturned eyes and guilty expressions indicating that at least part of what the other lawyer was saying was true.
"The recording also indicates that you knew and even advised them to do it."
"What?! That is a blatant lie. I would never do anything like that. Your honor, I can tell you that while I don't know what's on that recording such a conversation never took place because I have never advised the Walkers or any other client for that matter to break the law. This is the first I'm hearing about this."
"The recording says otherwise. We can clear this all up by listening to it."
"I object, your honor. I haven't had a chance to have an expert examine this recording and must question its validity."
Judge Kagan held up her hands. She didn't want to make the following ruling but knew she had to. "We should listen to it. I will allow you some time to have it examined afterwards, Ms. Tasker."
Pete struggled to keep a straight face as he handed the copy he had made on a cd to the bailiff who started setting things up. The lawyer sat back down and glanced at Marissa who looked shell-shocked. It brought a smile to his face that he couldn't suppress, and it was a smile that would grow the more everyone listened. He glanced around the courtroom and saw a disappointed look on the judge's face when she heard Carol say that Marissa knew all about it because it was her idea. I've got you now, bitch. Pete had to admit his guy had done an excellent job with doctoring the recording and was positive it would stand up under any scrutiny. Maybe I'll give him a little bonus.
When the recording finished playing, Judge Kagan addressed Marissa. "I have to tell you, Ms. Tasker, this recording is damning. If these allegations are proven true, I will have no other recourse than to report you to the state bar."
Marissa looked contrite. "I understand, your honor. I'm aware of how it looks. I can only tell you it's not true. Obviously, we need to have our expert examine this recording."
"Obviously."
"Your honor, since Ms. Tasker plans on having an expert testify, I will too. I had a feeling she would want to do that. Arthur Simons will be ready to testify on my client's behalf."
Judge Kagan nodded. "Given the time, we will recess until 1:00 at which time we will revisit this subject again. Hopefully, that will give you enough time to talk with your clients, Ms. Tasker, as well as have someone review this recording. I assume, Mr. Taylor, you have another copy."
"I do, your honor."
"Please provide it to Ms. Tasker. This court is in recess." Judge Kagan rapped her gavel and quickly left the courtroom on her way out she could hear Pete gloating.
"Oh look, someone's not that squeaky clean after all. You're going down, counselor, and I'm going to enjoy every minute of watching you lose everything for what you did to me. How's it feel? No answer, huh? It's too bad your wife isn't here. I'd love to see her expression right now. Your partners will be disappointed by this too. This is the best damn day of my life and worth every bit of the wait and planning." Pete flung the cd on the table and turned to his client. "Come on, Russ, let's go take an early lunch."
/
Pete hung around just outside the courtroom door, cracking it open so he could overhear. He wasn't disappointed.
Marissa slammed a folder down on the table. "Would one of you like to tell me what the hell is going on?! Did you meet with him?"
"Yes. Yes, I did. I should have told you."
"You're damn right you should have! What's with this recording?!"
"I don't know! I swear I don't! I didn't say any of that! He twisted everything around. He called me. He demanded money. He said if we didn't pay that he would take Sam. We would never do what they're saying we did. We love Sam. I guess because we couldn't pay him, he decided to do this."
"You should've called me the minute he called you. Now, it's highly likely that not only could you lose Sam, but I could lose my license and be disbarred. Dammit, Carol!"
Russ pulled his lawyer from the door. "Come on, Pete. Let's get out of here before somebody sees us hanging around out here."
"You're right. Let's go celebrate. That money is as good as yours. You were great on the stand by the way. She tried, but she couldn't break you. It was like pulling teeth to get you to talk about Carol's so-called demands."
"You weren't so bad yourself. I loved your bit about having an obligation as an officer of the court to report this breech of ethics. Priceless."
The men exchanged a fist bump as they left.
/
Inside, Marissa looked to the back of the courtroom where Mitch, her investigator, was stationed. He nodded to her. Receiving his signal, Marissa nodded in return sending Mitch on his way.
"Lisa, go see Bill. He's waiting on you and take that with you." Marissa pointed to the cd on the table.
"On my way, boss."
"Okay, we don't have much time so let's get to work. Claudia, call Brian and tell him 1:00. I want him here no later than 12:30."
Claudia nodded. "There's a small conference room we can use. A clerk is holding it for us."
/
A little before 1:00, people started filing back into the courtroom. Russ and Pete were grinning like they had just won the lottery. They watched as Bianca entered and approached her wife.
"Hey, sorry I'm late. Did I miss anything?"
"Just your wife getting her ass kicked." Pete muttered as Russ burst out laughing.
Marissa shook her head and whispered so only Bianca could hear her. "No, you're just in time."
Bianca gave her wife a quick kiss and took a seat next to the Walkers.
Lisa and Brian entered together. Brian gave the redhead a discreet thumbs up and took a seat behind Bianca. Lisa handed a folder to her boss and another to Claudia. Both women read their respective files and nodded.
Judge Kagan entered and took her seat. "Ms. Tasker, have you had enough time to review the recording?"
"We have, your honor, and are ready to proceed. We have rebuttal witnesses."
The judge raised an eyebrow. She had to admit she was a little surprised that the redhead had said witnesses but nodded. "Alright, please call your first witness."
Marissa, poker face firmly in place, addressed the court. "I call Rachel Michaels."
Pete's head snapped up as an attractive brunette walked through the courtroom door being held open by an officer and made her way to the stand.
/
A/N: Muwahahahahahaha! Damn evil side made me leave it there! That was her laughing by the way. She's a little out of control right now if you couldn't tell. I'll see what I can do about her. In the meantime, I'm working hard on the next chapter. See you soon!