Chapter 23

The next day, Carly sat behind Jason and Dara in the courtroom as the judge gave instructions to the jury.

Don't cry, she told herself, Never cry in public

Jason had told her and Dara about Madison having the security tape but Madison never showed up with it. Now their last chance to present it before the jury deliberated was gone.

Jason turned his head and looked at the door one more time.

Carly bit her lip.

His eyes caught hers. One tear slid down her cheek and she bent her head to hide it. She wiped it away and vowed not to let anymore fall until she was home. Alone. Without Jason.

A shiver ran the length of her body.

Keep it together, she thought. When she looked back up Jason faced forward.

Keep it together, Jason thought. The evidence is out there. If Madison won't bring it in I'll get someone to go take it from her. I have to get out of this. I just got the life I wanted for so long... no one is taking it from me... from us.

"The jury is instructed to weigh the evidence..." the judge droned on but both Jason and Carly were lost in their own memories of each other.

In her mind, Carly saw Jason standing next to the bed in the room above Jake's bar, wearing no shirt and a huge smile. He bent down and kissed her...

In his mind, Jason saw Carly in his penthouse holding Michael, when he was a baby, and saying "You're the father I want for my son. You're the man I want for me." She gave him all of her and her trust in him to do right by her child and she never took it away.

He turned his head again to look at Carly and their eyes met again.

All Jason could think of was if the jury foreman stood up and said "Guilty," he would never see her face again.

Tell me how am I supposed to live without you
now that I've been loving you so long?


How am I supposed to live without you?


How am I supposed to carry on?


When all that I've been living for is gone...

Michael Bolton

A bailiff walked into the courtroom and over to the judge, in a whispered voice, he said "A message came in for you from General Hospital. It was marked urgent and concerning this case so I thought I should get it to you right away."

The judge took the note and read :

A patient, Madison Newman, was brought in last night suffering from severe facial and internal injuries. She appeared to have suffered a beating.

I was her nurse and though she was weak she insisted that I inform you of the existence of a tape that proves Jason Morgan killed Jose Morales in self defense.

The judge's head shot up and he looked at Jason. Then he read the rest of the note.

She used the last of her strength to tell me about this and I had to follow up on it. It was Miss Newman's dying wish. I hope I heard the address for the location of the tape right. It's

Rue du Rhone 1999

CH-1024 Geneva
SWITZERLAND

She also told me the name of her killer and I have already made the police aware of his identity.

I hope this information reaches you in time to make a difference. Until, the person that killed Miss Newman is caught I will be in protective custody.

Epiphany Johnson

After calling Dara and Alexis up to look at the note the judge sent them back to their seats.

He said, "New evidence has been brought to my attention. The jury will not go to deliberations yet. We will stand adjoined for the rest of this week. Next Monday we will reconvene. The jury is sequestered." He banged his gavel, rose and left the room.

The courtroom erupted in comments.

"What happened?" Carly asked excitedly

"Did Madison come through?" asked Jason

Dara said, "Yes, she did. The judge knows about the tape and will inform Mac, who will have to work with the authorities in the country where she stashed the safety deposit box."

"Thank you God." whispered Carly

"Is Madison in hiding now?" asked Jason

Dara's voice got soft as she said "I'm sorry to have to tell you this but...Madison is deceased. She was murdered last night."

Carly's hand shot over her mouth.

Jason cursed, "Damn Ric."

Carly's mind went back to the crazed way Ric's face looked when he held her in the panic room.

The guard told Jason to stand so he could be moved back to his cell.

As he was being pulled off he said, "Be careful, Carly. He could come after you or the kids next."

"I will be." she called "I love you."

He mouthed, "I love you, too." and then he was pushed out of the room by the guard.