A WOMAN APART: Chapter 7 - COURT

by tarskeewee08

Evangeline opened her eyes and smelled eggs and bacon. She rolled over and looked at the clock, it was just 6 am.
She probably wouldn't be able to get Layla arraigned before 10 am this morning. That was if Nora helped and the Federal charges could be separated. She sat up in bed and leaned toward the left curious about the noise coming through her apartment. She saw John cooking with his sleeves rolled up.

Evangeline pulled her legs up to her chest. That was the sweetest thing a man had ever done for her. She thought about how he held her through the night. She didn't deserve his kindness. If he knew what type of person she really was he would run and never look back. John offered his support freely and she understood that, but she couldn't allow her self to accept it. Both he and she would end up hurt.

Slowly she got out of bed and reached for her robe. Today was going to be hard and she needed to get her confidence in check, because Layla's future depended on it. She'd do everything in her power to keep Lisa out of this if she could.

John looked up to see Evangeline walking toward him rubbing her eyes "Good morning sleepy head" he said smiling

"Good morning" she said walking over to him and giving him a kiss on the cheek.
John smiled at her and kissed her again on the lips. Evangeline felt her stomach flutter again.

"Why are you up so early, and how did you know I like eggs in the morning?" she said breaking their kiss.

John turned and emptied the eggs from the frying pan into a plate for her and "I know what my lady needs"

Evangeline smiled dropped. "Your lady?" she asked dryly

John walked past her and put the plate on the table "Sit down, today will be tough and you need to eat" he said pulling out the chair for her.

Evangeline stared at him and walked to the table. She sat down but looked up at him concerned "What do you mean your lady?"

John took the seat across from her. "Why didn't you tell me you had a sister?"

Evangeline picked up her fork and started eating ignoring the question. John watched her retreat and decided a different approach

"Not sure if you knew this but we believe the people responsible for setting her up is the Barker clan"

Evangeline stopped chewing and stared at him. "Are you sure?" she asked swallowing

John nodded "Pretty sure, same operation except Layla doesn't fit the profile of the girls they use. Do you think they knew she's your sister?"

Evangeline frowned "Even if they did why would they set up my sister, I've been an attorney for them for years and got them out of…." she started but stopped herself because she'd said to much.

John looked at her disappointed "Evangeline you are a brilliant attorney, why on earth would you defend them? Why even associate with scum like that?" he asked concern.

Evangeline shot him an angry look "There you go claiming to know me. You don't know me and what I've done. Who are you to sit there and judge me!"

John looked at her hurt "What are you talking about? No one is attacking you. I would never judge you." he said gently.

Evangeline dropped her fork "I would like you to leave now I need to get ready" she said rising from the table.

He watched her walk back to her room and angrily slam the door. Looking at her half eaten breakfast he shook his head. Within seconds she could go from warm and inviting to cold and distant. He knew she was in turmoil over something but this thing with her sister had her wound so tight he was afraid she was killing herself.

Last night he thought he might be falling in love with her. This morning he was sure he already had. The problem now is convincing her that she might be feeling the same way. John looked at his watch and figured he better get home and showered so he could be in court for the arraignment.

Picking up the plate and taking it to the kitchen he looked at the magnets on her refrigerator and smiled. He looked around the kitchen and just took it all in.

She collected frogs.
Frog magnets, frog dishtowels, frog oven mits, a frog napkin holder and other things decorated her kitchen. For some reason that affected him. It was a like a peek inside of who she really was making him feel close to her. He walked over to her closed door and put his hand on it.

"Evangeline, I will see you in court"

Evangeline sat on the bed and stared at the door. She wanted to get up and apologize for her behavior but something stopped her.

John waited a while longer and when she didn't respond he turned and left.

Evangeline heard the door close and got up. She forced her need to be with him aside and started preparing herself for battle.

Court

Evangeline walked into the conference room at the courthouse and sat her briefcase down. Soon after, Layla was ushered in wearing and orange jumper and shackles. She glared at Evangeline and allowed the guard to help her to the chair.

"You left me overnight!" she spat angrily at her.

"Layla we don't have much time and we need to get some things straight." She said impatiently

Layla's eyes teared "I'm your sister. Your little sister and you left me in jail over night. I was the one that helped you when momma and daddy tried to destroy you. I'm the one that sacrificed so that you could be happy even for a brief moment. I did all of that and now all these years later you let me rot in jail!" she said openly crying.

Evangeline felt the urge the throw up. Layla always found a way to be the victim and remind her of the things she made her do when she was young. Evangeline carried a lot of guilt for involving her in her problems, but Layla was a willing participant. She looked at her sister and tried a different approach. If she didn't get a handle on this she would be of no use to Layla in court today.

"You're facing both the state and federal prosecutors today. Now if the state hands it over to the federal prosecutors the penalties will be severe. Federal drug charges carry mandatory sentencing. The only time they are lenient is if you can become a witness and identify other players. I know Nora and they have an ongoing battle with the people that may have set you up. She's going to want this case for herself. That could work in our favor." Evangeline said opening up Layla's folder.

Layla rolled her eyes and looked away from her.

"What we need to do Layla is give them something, someone to help their case to keep it from being turned over to the Federal prosecutor." She said searching her face to see if she understood.

"Do you hear me?" Evangeline said desperately

"You are still the selfish bitch you always were!"

Evangeline shook her head. "I'm trying to help.." she started
"You are treating me like some client and not your sister. You probably don't want these snotty rich people in this town to know that you got a sister here today!" she shouted.

Evangeline glared at her "You want to fight? Okay let's fight! When was the last time you did one thing as an ADULT that didn't end up with me bailing you out? Hunh? No words? No quick comeback? Well let me share the list with you:

1. You wanted to model and need $1500 dollars for headshots. Who paid for them for you? That's right me.
2. You needed a car and wanted a consignor but your credit was jacked up. Who got the car for you only to have it repossessed a year later? Me! That's right.
3. You went to a party in L.A. that a person accidentally overdosed at. When your butt was hauled off for questioning who took a red-eye flight and bailed you out? ME!

Which proves my point. I am constantly reminded of you being my sister and needing my help and not once in your miserable life have I ever failed you!" Evangeline hissed

Layla looked down. "I'm sorry cookie, I was so scared last night, I didn't know if you'd talk to momma and she told you to leave me here." She said weakly.

Evangeline softened at the mention of Lisa, both she and Layla had suffered enough under Lisa's control. "I won't call mom unless it gets too far out of hand. But you are going to have to stop fighting me. Think hard do you remember anything? What was the name of the man you were to meet in Llanview?"
Layla thought about it "When I was in Columbia everyone spoke Spanish. But there was a girl maybe 16 next to me that was nice. She told me that she'd been to Llanview several times and this guy Eugene was really nice. She said after I meet the director I'm to ask for Eugene and tell him that I was her friend, he would show me a good time."

Evangeline sat back. Eugene Barker was her client. A

fter she met with him about the wiretapping, he flirted with her. She ignored it like she always did but he mentioned he wish she had a sister that was less cold. Maybe John was right and they used Layla to get at her. But why?

"Very good Layla" Evangeline said trying to keep her calm.

"Now this is an arraignment where the charges against you will be read and we will enter your plea of 'Not Guilty'. Because you are facing both state and federal charges a bail hearing will be set for another date."

"What?" Layla said panicking again
"Shhhh, I'll try to expedite it. Please trust me. I need you to be quiet in court. No matter what they say you are charged with you remain quiet. Do you understand?"

Layla nodded. Evangeline smiled and got up and hugged her while she sat in the chair. "It will be okay sweetie, I haven't failed you yet."

The bailiff came in and said it was time for court. The guard helped her up out of the chair. Evangeline retrieved her briefcase and followed her out.

When they arrived at the courtroom she saw John and Antonio standing in standing outside of it looking at her and Layla.

Despite everything going on she had to drink in how sexy he was when he wore a suit. She walked over to him.

"I'll need to meet with you guys after court today. I may be able to help you if you help me save my sister"

John smiled at her "I look forward to it" he said staring at her with his piercing blue eyes.

Evangeline blushed and went into the courtroom.

Antonio turned to John "Well I guess that request you made of me weeks ago to hook you two up is no longer needed. From what I can tell you made some progress"

John laughed and walked into the courtroom.

The bailiff stepped to the front of the judges bench "All rise, your Honor Judge Michael Ellsworth will be presiding over these proceedings"

Evangeline flinched at the mention of Judge Ellsworth; he was fair but not one of her biggest fans. She looked over at Nora and whom she expected was the Federal prosecutor and smiled. Let the games begin.

The judge sat down and looked over Layla's charges "Prosecutor Gannon are you working separately or with Prosecutor Davis on this"

Nora stood. "The Federal charges will be set aside at this time to allow the state to proceed with this case," she said.

Evangeline frowned. Nora was leaving the option open for federal charges in the future and that made it more difficult to barter a deal; she looked over at Layla and smiled. This would be difficult.

The judge looked at Layla and Evangeline "Ms. Williamson will you please stand."

Evangeline nodded at Layla and stood with her.

"Layla Williamson you are charged with 1 count of possession of an illegal control substance, and trafficking of an illegal control substance how do you plead" he asked

Layla looked at him "Not guilty" she said softly

The judge nodded "Let the court reflect that a Not Guilty plea has been entered. A bail hearing will be scheduled Tuesday at 9 am" he said signing her paperwork

"What!" Layla gasped.

The judge looked up and frowned.

Evangeline grabbed her hand. "Your honor, Layla is not a flight risk and has no criminal record. I can personally vouch for her. Is there anyway to schedule that hearing sooner," she asked

The judged looked at Evangeline suspiciously "Are you two related?"

Evangeline chest tightened "Yes we are" she said knowing what he was about to say.

"Well Ms. Williamson advise your sister that my courtroom does not hand out favors, she will be heard before me on Tuesday" he snapped slamming down his gabble.

Layla burst into tears.

Evangeline knew that some of the things she pulled in Ellsworth's courtroom would come back to bite her some day, but this hurt. She put her arm around Layla "I will be down to visit you later today I promise" she said

"Cookie, Please don't let them take me!" she pleaded. The guard reached for her and she snatched away. "Please no!" she said pulling at Evangeline's sleeve.

"Layla it will be okay, I promise," she said trying to calm her sister.
The guard got a stronger grip and pulled her roughly out of the courtroom. Evangeline could hear her cries as he pulled her through the door. She tried to force them out of her head.

Nora walked over to her. "Van, you okay honey? Are you sure you can do this?" she asked gently

Evangeline nodded without opening her eyes. She could sense John before she heard him
"Evangeline, you will get her out don't worry" he said touching her arm.

She opened her eyes to see them all around her including the Federal prosecutor. "We need to talk, maybe we can make a deal," she said.

Nora looked at the Federal prosecutor who nodded. "Okay let's say we all meet in my office in 30 minutes" Nora said

Evangeline nodded and picked up her briefcase. She pushed pass them and raced out of the courtroom. She needed some air.