Chapter 22

Six weeks later

Carly sat across from Jason in the police station. She said, "Don't give up, Jase. The evidence is not that strong against you. If the jury does not believe that witness then they will have to acquit you. The prosecutor didn't prove anything beyond the fact that her bogus witness is a good at lying. "

Jason looked in her eyes and said, in a quiet voice, "Even Dara told you that unless we get new evidence I will be convicted. But I'm not spending a day in prison. You can count on that, Carly. I would never let you visit me in prison or risk yourself in any way."

"Jase, where you go I go."

"Not this time."

"Every time."

His eyes closed and pure sadness covered his expression. "Not this time, Car."

Carly grabbed his hand, holding it as it rested in handcuffs on the table, and said "I will find the security tape from the warehouse you told me about. Someone on the inside must have stolen it. How would Morales men of even known where to find it or got past our guys to get it? I have been threatening Sonny's men that whoever has it better give it up-"

"What? Don't do that. You don't know who you are dealing with."

"No, they don't know who they are dealing with! Someone is out to steal you from me. And you know I don't play that way, Jase. No one is taking you from me."

He smiled, sadly, and said "Carly, it might be out of your control."

She squeezed his hand. " You never gave up on me. Don't give up on yourself. Because you are a part of me, Jase, and if you aren't with me then... I'm not me."

Jason's face softened and he said, "I love you, Carly. Just in case I haven't told you that enough."

"I know you do. And you know I love you. And we are not even close to being done yet. I want 50 more years with you - for starters." She grinned at him.

"Well, I guess I don't have much choice." He grinned back. " You get what you want. And I'm not any good at trying to change your mind."

"So stop trying." She stroked the top of his hand. " And just love me. That's all I need you to do. I'll find a way to get the evidence to exonerate you. Just have faith in me, Jase."

"I do, Carly, but this is not your fault and if I am convicted..."

"Don't say that! I'm serious. I can't hear that. You will be found innocent by reason of self defense. You have to believe it because it means you believe you are coming home to me."

"I believe it." he said.

And Carly knew it was true because he never lied to her.

Never again
would I turn away from you


I'm so heavy tonight
But your love is alright


And I do believe...

Please say honestly
You won't give up on me
And I shall believe
I shall believe

Sheryl Crow Lyrics

Later that same day Madison made a choice she knew could threaten her life but her morals left her no other option. She went to the police station and insisted Mac let her visit Jason. She said she was his lawyer and it would be against the law to deny the visit.

But Mac called her bluff.

"Dara Jenson is an old friend of mine and I happen to know she is Jason Morgan's lawyer."

Mac told her

"And I am consulting with her." Madison lied

By the time Mac could prove her wrong Jason would know the truth.

She placed the tape on the table and as soon as Jason walked in he saw it.

"Is that the security tape from the warehouse?" he asked

The guard handcuffed him to the table then left.

Madison said, "No. This is a tape from my office security camera."

"What does that have to do with me?" Jason asked her

Madison looked in his eyes and said, "I am in possession of the security tape from the warehouse. The one that show Jose Morales laid in wait and ambushed you. And that you fired in self defense. Sonny gave me the tape... months ago."

Jason's mouth dropped. But he quickly closed it, made his face devoid of feeling and said "Go on."

"Ric knows I have it. He's wanted to get his hands on it from the start. To destroy it, is my best guess. I have it hidden where he will never have access to it. But this tape" she touched the one on the table " shows him creeping through my office and rifling through cabinets last night. He even steals a few tapes. They were for another case. Though he wouldn't have known that until he got them home and checked it out."

"What stopped you from coming forward with the security tape from the warehouse months ago?"

"As Sonny's attorney I followed his directives. But now I can see that Ric is the one pulling his strings. And, to be honest, Ric scares me. There's this look that comes into his eyes sometimes that sends shivers down my spine. I fear he might snap."

"I know all about Ric's mental health challenges." Jason said

"I was supposed to turn over the tape before the jury went out to deliberate. That means tomorrow. Ric knows that." Madison said "He is trying to pressure Sonny to order me not to reveal the evidence."

"But Sonny wouldn't let me be convicted.."

"That was never the plan." Madison said hurriedly

"What was the plan?"

"I've said more than I should, Mr. Morgan. I just want you to know I will be turning over the security tape from the warehouse to the judge in your case tomorrow morning, with copies sent to the police and your lawyer." Madison rose and started to leave.

The last thing she said was, "I'm sorry I didn't come forward sooner. I'll be far from this town by the time you are released just in case you , Sonny or Ric have any ideas about coming after me."

"You have nothing to fear from me." Jason promised "But as long as Ric is alive I would watch my back if I was you."

Madison nodded and left. She headed straight for where a copy of the tape was hidden. The original was too far away to get to and back by tomorrow.

Ric watched her leave the police station and climb in her car.

He already knew the tapes he had stolen were the wrong ones, it hadn't taken long to check, and now following Madison was his only way to get to the right tape before it got to the judge.