DISCLAIMER – I do not own characters appearing on "Crossing Jordan"

Chapter 10 – An Unexpected Confession...

It was twenty-four hours since Bug heard the "off-the-record" results of Joe Hayward's autopsy. He kept mulling over the details of the case in his head as he headed home from work. When he came through the door he saw Sandra on the sofa watching the television intently.

"Darryl Modin, has confessed to police that he was the one who murdered Phoenix Coyotes forward Joe Hayward." stated the television newscaster, "Mr. Modin is being charged with first-degree murder and a motive has not yet been released to the media."

Sandra turned to look at Bug who was standing beside the sofa. She had tears in her eyes.

"I cannot believe that Darryl would do that to his friend. They've known eachother since, well ever. Both were on the same teams until Joey made it to the NHL, I knew that Darryl was jealous of that, but I didn't know that after all of these years he still felt the same way." explained Sandra.

"I already knew that you couldn't have killed Hayward. The evidence didn't add up for the case against you." stated Bug.

"Thanks for that encouraging news." said Sandra.

Bug couldn't believe that the person who committed the crime confessed as quickly as he did, normally it takes days, weeks, months and sometimes years to find the criminal. The guilt must have been eating Darryl Modin alive, that's the only thing Bug could figure.

Nigel, Jordan and Sandra were key witnesses in the trial against Darryl Modin in the weeks after his sudden confession. During this time since Sandra was not around as often due to the trial and to work, Bug and Lily forged a more close friendship both at work and outside of work. The outcome of the trial would conclude that Darryl Modin's motive for killing Joe Hayward was because Joe wanted to get back together with Sandra and try to convince her to live in Phoenix with him. He was jealous that Joe wanted to get back with Sandra, because he secretly loved Joe. Darryl figured that if Sandra can't have him, no one can.

This revelation came as a surprise to everyone, especially to Sandra who didn't know what to make of the situation and did not know how to handle all of the attention given to it. This caused a great strain Bug's relationship with Sandra. He found himself with Lily more and more after the results of the trial.

A week after the trial concluded Sandra had an important talk with Bug.

"Mahesh, of course you can tell that the outcome of the trial has really effected me and I can tell that you and Lily are becoming close so I think that it would be for the best if we call the whole relationship off. We had some great times and well the sex was the best I have ever had but I also think it's not fair for you to have to deal with me and my problems." explained Sandra.

"I know we've somewhat grown apart since the trial, but I do enjoy being with you and yes I have been with Lily lately. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you feel that we would be better off apart then so be it." replied Bug.

It was the hardest thing that he had to say, ever. He knew that they were going in two different directions and he realized that it wasn't fair to him the way she had been taking this whole situation. However he still felt deeply for her, she was the first woman to love him for being himself. Bug also knew that he had a better chance with Lily now and was eager to see how that relationship was going to progress.

What came as a bigger surprise to Bug was the fact that Sandra was making arrangements in order to change over the lease of the condo to Bug, she thought that he deserved a stable and nice place to live, since she was seriously considering on leaving the city and perhaps the country.