A WOMAN APART: Chapter 6 - I DIDN'T DO IT!

by tarskeewee08

Evangeline walked toward Layla's cell and saw her sister sitting with her head in her hands. John told her on the way down she was picked up with half a kilo strapped to her in the airport. This time Layla had gotten herself into the kind of trouble that even she didn't know if she could get her out of.

Layla looked up as she approached "Vangie it's not true" she said with tears on her face.
Evangeline looked at her angry "Tell me you didn't fly into this country with drugs!" Layla burst into tears and lowered her head.
Evangeline turned and glared at John "Can I have a minute alone with my client" she said coldly

John looked at her. She'd arrived into the station in full panic mode for her sister. Now she was glaring at him and referring to her as her client. The switch was swift and he was sure it hurt both her and her sister.

"I'll be outside this door" he said walking out.

Evangeline turned back to Layla. "Tell me everything and don't leave anything out. Layla I am serious good or bad I need to know it all now"

Layla wiped her face and told Evangeline of how she and her roommate saw an ad for an upcoming sitcom. When they got to the casting call her roommate was picked and Layla wasn't. She was dejected and leaving when some guy from the lighting crew approached her. He said he knew of a greater deal that was through the agency but required travel. He gave her a phone number to call. She called the number and was told the part called for a African American pregnant woman. The director was very demanding and wanted to see her in full costume. She was to fly to Columbia for makeup and costuming then escorted to the airport to fly to Llanview; which excited her because that meant she would see Evangeline.

Evangeline frowned at her "Layla, these people in Columbia did they take you to a studio?"

Layla shook her head "No it was done at an office building but there were other girls, young girls and they were getting dressed the same way. It was legit I swear" she said desperately

Evangeline shook her head. "Go on"

Layla told her about the airport and Antonio and then finished with the questioning by John whom she said was a big creep. Evangeline flinched at the way she described his treatment of her. "Did anyone read you your rights?"

Layla shook her head "No and I asked for you over and over and they wouldn't let me call you. That detective that came in here with you told me that once I got a lawyer he wouldn't help me" she said crying.

Evangeline was angry. She was mad at John and Antonio for violating her sisters rights but most of all she was angry at Layla. All Layla's life she got herself caught up in foolishness chasing wild impossible dreams. And Evangeline was always called upon to pick up the slack that Layla left behind. To be the good daughter.

Layla saw Evangeline glaring at her.

"Oh let me guess, you're thinking that this is all my fault. That once again you are Ms. Perfect and I'm the biggest looser in the Williamson clan" she snapped.

Evangeline said nothing just stared at her.

"Vangie, I swear I may be a lot of things but I am no drug smuggler. I can't stay here. Call mom if you have too but get me out now." She said desperately

Evangeline shook her head "You can't get out tonight. I'll talk to the DA, but I'm not going to lie to you Layla, this is real bad. There are federal and state charges being leveled at you. The scam you walked into is pretty much untraceable. That talent agency didn't send you to Columbia some scumbag lighting tech did. Do you think a judge is going to think you just thought it was a pillow you were carrying?"

"Vangie, I didn't do it dammit!" she shouted. "You owe me! I was there for you when no one else was!"

Evangeline looked at her shocked. Why did Layla have to go there? Why throw that of all things in her face? She was 17 and Layla was 12 there's no way she was there for her!

"You always go back to that" she said angrily "What happened then has nothing to do with mess you've gotten yourself into today. No one including you helped me!"

Layla knew she'd hit the one nerve that made Evangeline vulnerable, she hated dragging up her sisters pain but she couldn't spend the night in jail.

"Please, Vangie you deal with this all the time there must be something you can do"

Evangeline shook her head fighting back her tears. Layla mentioning her past had left her wounded. She had to collect herself. "I'll be back" she said walking away.

"Vangie wait!" Layla yelled
"Don't leave me!" she screamed.

Evangeline came through the door and saw John leaning on the wall.

She walked over to him and glared at him "You questioned my client without an attorney present when she specifically asked for one?" she said shaking she was so mad.

John looked at her concerned "Are you okay?" he asked reaching for her.

She stepped back. "Antonio and those keystone cops you call a squad didn't read her, her rights!"

John looked at her and saw her rage. He understood she was upset but something was wrong. He looked down and saw that her hand that held her purse was shaking because she was so upset

"I don't know what you're talking about" he said looking in her face concerned

"Obviously, well we'll see what you two know when I am done with you" she said storming off. He watched her head back up the stairs to the station. The anger she had on her face was unlike her. Doing these types of battles was what she was best at. What did Layla say that upset her so much?

Evangeline went into Nora's office with John on her heels. Antonio rose and went into the office behind them.

"Layla needs to be released. She isn't a drug smuggler" she said trying to remain calm and keep her anger from being exposed in front of all of them. She clenched her fist to stop from shaking.

Nora shook her head "Now you know I can't do that" she said gently

Evangeline shot Antonio a heated look "Why wasn't Layla's rights read to her?"

Antonio frowned "Of course they were" he said looking from her to John

"Did you read them to her?" Evangeline asked through her clenched teeth revealing the rage she was working hard to hide.
"No, but…"
"But nothing they weren't read" she shouted at him.

Nora stood up "Evangeline you are going to have to calm down" she said walking toward her. Evangeline stepped away from her.

She heard the song "Summertime" in her head. She could hear Billy Holiday crooning and she closed her eyes to force it out. She saw Dennis twirling her around in her parents basement as they played her dads record. Layla sat on the steps to the basement clapping and grinning...

John watched Evangeline fight against something inside of her. Her whole body was stiff. Everyone saw it happening to her but no one understood it.

"Evangeline" he said softly walking toward her.
Evangeline opened her eyes and glared at him. "You did this!" she shouted.
John blinked at her reaction. "Did what?" he asked concerned.

Evangeline looked at him and then Nora and Antonio, the panic attack or whatever it was had passed. She was embarrassed by the looks everyone gave her.

'I I I'm sorry" she said weakly backing toward the door "I will be here first thing in the morning to get Layla out" All she wanted to do was escape the office. She heard Nora say something and saw John approach and she fled.

John looked at Nora "Have you ever seen her like that?" he asked her when Evangeline left.

Nora looked stunned "This thing with her sister, I guess it hit her hard. Have you guys checked out her story?" she asked still concerned for her friend.

Antonio nodded "The talent agency didn't send her to Columbia. The airplane ticket was paid for with cash. We can't figure out how she got through customs in Columbia without being stopped. Its all connected to the Barker case"

John ran his hand through his hair. Something was wrong with Evangeline and he had to find out what. "Guys I'm calling it a night" he said walking out. Nora looked at him and frowned. She had an idea where he was headed.

Evangeline walked into her dark apartment in a daze. What had happened to her in the station? What was that breakdown she experienced? Why after all these years did she think of Dennis? She walked over to her couch and sat down. Just thinking of Dennis made her heart pound and head hurt. She did like her daddy taught her and forced it away. Forced all the pain and agony of the past back inside.

She didn't want to think of him. She wouldn't think of him.

She heard her doorbell and came out of it. Slowly she rose from the couch and went to the door. Without asking who it was she opened it.

When John saw her open the door his suspicions were confirmed she was a complete wreck.

"What do you want" she said coldly
"I want to know that you are okay" he said walking in without waiting on the invitation.

Evangeline looked at him and then closed the door. "Do you always interrogate and terrorize frighten women into confessions at your station" she snapped glaring at him.

John turned around and saw that wall she used between them was back up. He was grateful that the rage he saw earlier was gone. Walking over to her he pulled her into his arms. She at first resisted but relented within minutes and cried into his chest. He held her and let her cry. After several minutes of crying she pulled away

"I'm sorry for that" she said embarrassed. Moving away from him she gave him a vacant look "Could you leave now?"

John shook his head. "I know you're afraid for her but together we can help her. Let me help you" he said grabbing her hand.

Evangeline realized that he thought she was upset over Layla. That wasn't even the tip of the iceberg. She collected herself "I have to get my rest. It will be tough for me in the morning." She said pulling her hands away.

John stared into her face "I'm not going to let you be alone tonight" he said gently
Evangeline stared at him and said nothing.

"I can just hold you until your sleep, at least let me do that" he said reaching for her hand again.

She looked at his extended hand and bit her lower lip. "I don't want to talk" she said
"No talking just sleep"

She nodded and took his hand. He walked her into the bedroom and helped her out of her suit jacket. She stood before him as he undressed her to her bra and panties. He helped her into bed and tucked her in. Going around the other side he climbed on top of the covers in his clothes and pulled her into his arms.

She allowed him to hold her and felt relieved he was there. Her anger had subsided and now only fear was there. What if she failed her sister? What if she failed her father? What if she failed Dennis all over again? She squeezed her eyes shut and waged an internal war with her demons while in his arms.

John heard her breath quicken and tried to calm her. He wanted to know what plagued her. He wanted to know why one visit with her sister sent her spiraling out of control. What had her so guarded? But he kept his promise and didn't ask. He would just be there for her. As he rubbed her back he realized something. He was falling in love with her. And he would protect her from whatever she was running from.