Chapter 116
The Spencer-Rivera family locked themselves in their suite at The Beacon for the hour break they had from the trial. Jane had rushed to the courthouse as soon as Emma had been taken from her that morning, but she didn't want to take Payton into the trial, so she waited just outside the doors, allowing Payton to play on her phone while she waited for a break so she could let Olivia know she was there and that she had tried to stop them from taking Emma.
Olivia was grateful that Jane had come to tell her and assured the young woman that she wasn't upset. She told her they were keeping Emma with them through lunch and Phillip and Beth would take Payton. She told her they would need her back in forty-five minutes. Jane promised to be there and to take the girls to the pool as originally planned.
The family of five was grateful for the time together. As much as spending the evening at Phillips had been good for all of them, it was nice to have some real family time with just them. Sam had opted to eat at Watershed and Doris and Mel wanted to go over a few things. The family ate and talked for the short time they had before going back to court. Just as the previous night, Frank nor the trial was mentioned. It was difficult, but Olivia needed it to be this way. She needed to keep the trial separate from every other aspect of their lives to keep her walls from shooting up.
Once lunch was finished and Emma was back with Jane, the Spencer-Rivera clan grabbed Sam and met up with Doris, Mel, Phillip, Beth, Josh, and Reva. They all walked into the courthouse together, several others joining as they approached. Everyone, once again, shielding the Spencer-Rivera family from the press. Although the trial was being filmed, they had managed to escape direct questioning with the help of the town.
As per usual, the judge came in and called court to order. Frank was brought to sit beside his attorney and then court resumed where it had left off. "Mr. Carter, does the defense have any further evidence to present at this time?" Judge Anderson asked.
Eric stood and buttoned his suit jacket. "Yes your honor. The defense calls Mr. Frank Cooper Jr. to the stand."
Frank stood and straightened his tie. He starred daggers at Olivia before swiftly putting on his puppy dog face and walking to the witness stand. He was sworn in and then Eric began.
"Mr. Cooper, you are here to give your account of the events that took place on January sixteenth of this year. Correct?"
"Yes sir. I have no intention of denying what happened, I would just like the opportunity to set the record straight."
"Are you saying that what we've heard thus far is not, in fact, factual?"
"I'm saying that some of it is, however, some of what we've heard has been nothing more than a fabrication."
"Well, we've heard from the prosecution. We've heard their version of events. I feel it's time the jury heard how you recall that evening. Mr. Cooper, could you explain for the court what brought you to the Spencer-Rivera home that evening?"
Frank deepened his lost puppy frown. "I went to the farmhouse in search of Olivia. I wanted to speak with her. To apologize and beg her to allow me to make it up to both of them and try and regain our friendship. I knew I had crossed a line. Both in accidently leaving bruises on Natalia's arm, and in crashing their wedding. I never got to explain that I had been drinking before I showed up at their wedding. I had originally planned on going to congratulate them, to show my support and explain that when I grabbed Natalia before Christmas, I was merely having a rough day and wasn't thinking properly. The lack of an invite to their wedding was painful and I was drinking away my sorrows at the loss of our friendship. As they have stated, I had moved past my anger over Olivia steeling Natalia from me. I was, and am, truly happy for them. I just want Natalia to be happy, and it seems Olivia is her happiness."
"You lying f-fucking bastard." Olivia said under her breath.
Natalia rolled her eyes at Frank and leaned into her wife, whispering into her ear. "Not that I don't agree, but hush dear. Any louder and everyone would have heard you." She admonished, kissing Olivia softly on the cheek before taking the hand Rafe had reached out to her and turning back to face the "lying bastard" on the stand.
"How then, did you're going there to talk, escalate to the events that transpired between yourself and one Olivia Spencer-Rivera?" Mr. Carter asked.
Frank smiled to himself. He knew how to spin a tail as good as anyone, and he knew what to say and how to act to make it seem believable. "When I asked Olivia to speak with me, she refused. Started screaming at me. Calling me a bastard and demanding that I leave and not go near herself or Natalia."
"Why didn't you just leave the premises at that point?"
"I couldn't. Natalia and I had a good friendship. We were there for each other in both our times of need. I was there when her husband died and she was there for me when my brother passed. As well as several other events that took place over the past couple of years. I couldn't lose such a wonderful person in my life. I had come to terms with the fact that Natalia and I would never be more then friends, but I wasn't willing to just let that go. I also felt that Olivia and I had started to build a friendship after everything that transpired between us in the past, and contrary to popular belief, I valued that friendship, almost as much as mine with Natalia."
"So, what happened after you refused to leave?"
"I believe it would be best if I started at the beginning." At Eric's nod, Frank began his tail. "When I pulled up to the farmhouse that night, I noticed that there weren't any cars there. I knew they would be home soon because it was nearing dinner time. I was afraid that if they saw my car, they would simply drive off and spend the night at the Beacon, so I parked behind the barn. I sat in my car for a little over a half hour, but when I started to become cold, I decided to wait in the house. I knew where the family kept a spare key, so I used it to enter the home. I thought about waiting in the kitchen or the living room, but, again, I feared they would simply turn me away. I know it was probably not the best idea, but I chose to wait in the master bedroom, that way I would have a chance at speaking with one or both of them without the children present."
"So, you just sat in their bedroom and waited for them to return home?"
"At first, yes. I was sitting in the chair by the window for a while. I heard a car pull up and moved to sit on the foot of the bed. I didn't want to scare them. I knew it would be a shock to see me sitting there, but I thought after I had a chance to explain, that whichever one of them it was, would understand and allow me to speak."
"Is that not what happened?"
"I'm afraid not. Olivia was the one who entered the bedroom. I thought she was the only one there. I hadn't heard anyone else, and believe me, you would hear if Emma were home. That little girl is sweet as can be, but quiet is not a word that describes her. Anyway, when Olivia came in, she was startled, as I expected. I gave her a minute to realize it was me and calm down. After a few minutes she did. Then she became enraged, screaming at me for being in her home and in her room. I understood why she was angry and tried to explain my reasoning for being in the room. She wouldn't even let me explain. Just started going off on me. When she finally did let me speak, I told her why I was there, that I wanted to speak with her about fixing my friendship with her and Natalia. She wouldn't hear of it. She flew completely off the handle screaming at me. She even punched me in the chest a few times trying to make me leave. I wasn't willing to give up though. I know Olivia fairly well. I know she tends to scream and yell and get it all out before she can calm herself and speak rationally. I figured if I let her yell and scream and hit my chest, eventually she would calm down and allow me to speak my peace."
"Did she ever allow you that curtesy?"
"No. She escalated from a few blows to my chest to kneeing me in my manhood. I tried to remain calm and allow her to get her fury out, but when she reached for my side arm, I couldn't let it continue."
"We're you not on suspension at the time? Shouldn't you have turned in your service weapon?"
"I was. So much was going through my mind at that time. It completely slipped my mind to turn it in, and after so many years of wearing it every day, I put it on that morning without even realizing it."
"Thank you for clarifying that. Please continue. What happened after Mrs. Spencer-Rivera tried to grab your gun?"
"There was quite a scuffle. The door to the closet had been open and as she was hitting me, we must have been moving about the space and somehow ended up in there. She wouldn't stop trying to get the gun from my hip, swearing she was going to end me. That I would never speak to her wife again. I removed the gun and held it above our heads to try and keep her from getting it. It's apparent that I must have accidently gotten her in the ribs while trying to stop her from getting my gun. While I was holding the gun in the air, she struck me in my testicles again, I brought my hand down by reflex and I must have hit her in the temple with the butt of the gun when I did. The next thing I know she's falling to the ground. I tried to catch her, but I wasn't fast enough, I heard her head hit something, and then she was out cold."
"That's when Rafael Spencer-Rivera came up the stairs?"
"Yes. I was unaware that anyone else was home until then."
"How do you explain the dresser being in front of the door?"
"I'm not really sure. As I stated, Olivia and I were struggling for a while. I remember hearing a crash at some point. I would guess that was the dresser falling and it must have fallen against the door."
"Why didn't you move the dresser and let Rafael in? Or at least let him know you were in the room with Olivia?"
"To be honest, I panicked. I was afraid of exactly what happened happening. I knew it looked bad. I was in the house, my car was hidden, I had my firearm that I was supposed to have turned in, Olivia was unconscious, and I just couldn't think. My brain completely quit working. I can't even tell you what happened between then and detective Mallet and Rafe coming into the room."
"Detective Mallet testified that you threatened Rafael with your firearm, demanded for him to help you take Olivia to your car. How can you explain that Mr. Cooper?"
"I can't. As I said, I wasn't thinking any more. I believe I had some sort of mental break as I feared everyone thinking I hurt Olivia on purpose. I'm not sure what was running through my mind at that point. I just, I acted without thought from the moment Olivia hit the floor in the closet. I don't really know what happened, not until I woke in a jail cell the next morning."
"Thank you Mr. Cooper. I have no further questions." Eric turned with a menacing smile towards the prosecution table. Frank's story was possible. He hadn't thought so when Frank first approached him with the idea, but it sounded believable. Frank had done an excellent job of playing to the jury. Bowing his head at the right times, allowing tears to form in his eyes as he spoke of "accidently" hurting Olivia. It was a long shot, but just maybe he and Frank would pull this off after all. "Your witness Mayor Wolfe."
To the surprise of most everyone, it was not Doris who stood to question Frank, but Mel. It had been made clear that Doris was a close friend of the Spencer-Rivera family, it could be seen easily, they didn't want the jury to have any reason to think this case biased in any way.
Mel took her place in front of Frank, smiling on the inside. Frank thought he had the perfect story. She had to admit, it was a little farfetched, him waiting in Olivia and Natalia's room, but knowing Olivia, and her tendency to act without thought, it was believable that things had played out just the way he said, however, he hadn't covered all of his bases, and she was about to tear his testimony apart.
"Good afternoon Mr. Cooper."
"Ms. Boudreau."
"You stated that you were sitting on Mrs. Spencer-Rivera's bed when she walked into the room, that she spotted you immediately. Correct?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Tell me, how is it that Olivia was able to gather toiletries and place them on the bed if the two of you began arguing the minute she walked in and never stopped?"
Frank racked his brain; he had forgotten about that. 'Shit' he thought. "Um, they were on the bed when I arrived. They must have already been planning to stay at the Beacon before they left for Chicago and started to pack but not had time to finish. Or perhaps they were unpacking after the latest trip to St. Louis and hadn't had time to put everything away properly. I'm not really sure."
"I suppose that could be true Mr. Cooper. However, I wonder, how do you explain Rafael not hearing you and Olivia arguing or the struggle you claim the two of you were in?"
"He must have been loading their luggage and not come into the house until Olivia fell to the floor."
"No, I don't believe so. In his testimony he stated that he was seated on the couch for several minutes before he heard Mrs. Olivia Spencer-Rivera fall. So, I ask again, how is it possible that Rafael didn't hear any of the fighting accruing just above his head, yet he heard Olivia fall to the carpeted floor of the closet?"
"He must not have been in the house as long as he thought he was."
"Again, no. He had to go upstairs, to just outside his mothers' bedroom, to grab Ms. Paralta Spencer-Rivera suitcase. Are you trying to tell me that he couldn't hear a struggle taking place while he was just outside the bedroom door?"
Frank was becoming agitated but knew he needed to keep his cool. He took a deep calming breath. "There were several silent moments during the scuffle, as we both tried to stop the other from grabbing the gun. Perhaps he came upstairs during one of those times."
"Perhaps. However, even if he was outside for most of the fight, and even if he came up the stairs during a quote unquote, quite time during the struggle, you're trying to make us believe that you and Mrs. Olivia Spencer-Rivera were in a heated, verbal, argument that turned physical for over fifteen moments, according to the time line of when they entered the home and Rafael called 911. During which time he packed for both himself and Emma Spencer-Rivera, whose room is just down the hall from where you were fighting with his mother, so he couldn't have been outside for the entire argument, and he heard nothing, not a peep until his mother fell to a CARPETED floor."
"It's a large home."
"And yet, Emma Spencer-Rivera could hear her parents in their room, while she is sleeping in the furthest room from theirs with both doors closed?"
"Maybe they should be more quite with a child in the home."
"However true that may be, you are claiming that Mrs. Olivia Spencer-Rivera was screaming at you and that Rafael heard nothing from downstairs or down the hall in Emma's room, or when he came up the stairs, and was directly outside of the bedroom said fight was taking place in, and yet young Emma can hear what goes on in that same bedroom when the occupants are trying to be quite. Or at the very least, not screaming at one another. I'm not sure how that's possible Mr. Cooper."
"I don't really know. Maybe Rafe needs to see a doctor and have his hearing checked." Frank shot back, starting to let anger seep into his words as he gritted his teeth.
Mel didn't even dignify that with a response. "No further questions."
"You may step down Mr. Cooper." Judge Anderson said. "Does the defense have anything further?"
"The defense rest your honor." Mr. Carter answered, feeling confident in Frank's testimony.
Doris stood. "The prosecution request a rebuttal your honor."
"What new evidence does the prosecution have to present?" Judge Anderson asked.
"We have a surprise witness. One we just learned has vital information to this case."
"You may present your witness Ms. Wolfe."
"The prosecution calls Ms. Marina Cooper."
A shocked awe sounded through the courtroom as Mr. Carter shot to his feet. "Objection! The prosecution did not make the defense aware of this witness, and as she was nowhere near the Spencer-Rivera home on the date in question, there is no way she has anything relevant to state to the court."
"Permission to approach the bench?" Doris asked.
"All counselors, approach please." The three lawyers walked to stand before the judge, leaning in close so no one would overhear. "What is the meaning of this Ms. Wolfe?"
"Your honor, last night a tape was discovered by temporary police chief Mallet. It contains proof that there was concern over Mr. Cooper's obsession with Natalia Spencer-Rivera by his own daughter. Months before this incident. We believe that it could be crucial evidence in this case."
"What could you have possibly found last night that could shed any kind of new light on this case?" Mr. Carter asked with distain dripping from his words.
"Marina Cooper was recorded speaking with someone about some things she found at her father's house. I believe it could shed new light on just how obsessed Frank Cooper is with Natalia Spencer-Rivera."
"That's…" Mr. Carter started, only to be silenced by judge Anderson.
"Enough. I will allow the witness. Please retake your seats." Once the three were seated back at their rightful spots, the judge continued. "You may proceed Ms. Wolfe."
Doris stood, wiping wrinkles from her skirt. "As I was saying, the prosecution calls Ms. Marina Cooper to the stand."
Marina stood from behind her father, shooting daggers at Doris and the entire prosecution as she slowly made her way to the witness stand. She had no clue what she was about to be questioned on and feared it could be a number of questionable decisions she's made. After she was sworn in, Doris stepped to stand directly in front of her.
"Good afternoon Ms. Cooper. How are you today?"
"I'm fine Mayor Wolfe." Marina sneered at the woman. She didn't care what the mayor asked her, she had every intention of doing whatever she could to protect her father. She knew his story was a lie, but she would back him one hundred percent.
"Good. Now, Ms. Cooper, the past few months, even back as far as last March, were you worried about your father?"
"I always worry about my dad. I think it's natural."
"Indeed. Were you worried for a specific reason?"
"No, I just want him to be happy, and find someone to share his life with. I worry about him being alone."
"So, you weren't worried about his obsession with Natalia Spencer-Rivera?"
Marina was taken aback; she hadn't spoken to anyone but Shane about her worry over her father's unhealthy attachment to Natalia. "I, I never thought he was obsessed with her."
"No, you didn't worry that he might be stalking her, maybe letting himself become consumed by his need to get her away from Olivia and have her for himself?"
Rage flared inside Marina. Doris was quoting words she had only ever spoken to Shane. Had he talked to Doris and given her ammo against her father. "I think my dad truly believed that Natalia wanted to be with him. She really did lean on him a lot for help, and she did lead him on. They might not have been on a lot of dates, but they did spend time together, and whenever I saw them together, I thought she was interested. I can see how my dad got confused. But no, I don't believe my father would ever stalk anyone, and come on, really, a grown man being consumed by a woman that wasn't interested. Once she made it clear she didn't want to be with him, dad totally backed off."
Frank smiled at his daughter. She was going to help him win this case. Olivia Spencer was not going to win this round.
"Really? That's rather interesting Ms. Cooper, because I happen to have evidence that you were in fact quite worried about your father, in fact, you feared he had, and I quote, "fallen off the deep end." In fact, were you not trying to figure out how to make him drop his craziness over Natalia and move on?"
Marina's anger at Shane was multiplying as she shot him a death glare. "What sort of evidence are you talking about?"
"I'm glad you asked. Prosecution presents physical evidence exhibit nineteen, a recording of a conversation between Marina Cooper and Shane Lewis in which Ms. Cooper discloses worry over her father's obsession with one Natalia Spencer-Rivera, as well as her possession of a file she found in his home containing what appeared to her to be photos taken of the Spencer-Rivera family without their consent. We also present physical evidence exhibit twenty, a copy of said file containing over seventy photos of the Spencer-Rivera family during various activities."
Doris watched as horror and anger warred in Marina's eyes. She knew Marina had no clue how that phone call was recorded. It would appear she didn't know her father had placed a tap on her phone back when she first got Henry and he worried about the legality of it all. As she looked at Frank, she watched as he realized he had never taken off the tap.
Mallet had been going through files in Frank's office the previous night when he came across an unmarked file in a locked cabinet. When he opened it, he found several printed recordings of conversations between himself and Marina, as well as several others. As he read them, he realized that Frank must have tapped Marina's phone. On a hunch he went to the lab and discovered that the tap was still in place. After hours of scanning through phone calls, mostly out of curiosity as to why the tap was still in place, he heard something he knew would help Doris and Mel with the case.
He quickly transferred it to a thumb drive and took it straight to the mayor. He knew it was risky to wake the woman at four am, but it was worth her wraith in the end, when she finally let him speak to tell her what was on it. Her eyes grew bright and a smile plastered her face. Mallet was absolutely correct. The conversation he had on tape would help their case exponentially.
Doris plugged the thumb drive into the portable speaker from her brief case and pressed play. Soon the court room filled with Marina Cooper's voice as she spoke to Shane Lewis.
"I'm really worried about dad Shane. This Natalia thing is making him go a little insane I
think."
"What are you talking about Marina?"
"He's completely obsessed with her. It's all he talks about. I found out he was going to see Rafe the entire time he was in prison. He told him that he and Natalia were going to get married. I'm really worried about him doing something crazy Shane."
"It's been months Marina. Natalia just got back from wherever it was she went, and Frank's with Blake now. I think you're being paranoid."
"I know Shane, but I'm serious. He's been stalking all of them."
"What are you saying?"
"I was at his place a couple of weeks ago, I was looking for some letters I know he kept form my mom. I found this file hidden in a box under his bed. The box was creepy. It had hair and underwear in it, and then this file."
"What kind of file?"
"It was full of pictures of Natalia, Olivia, Emma, and Rafe when he got out of prison. Most of them are just Natalia, a lot of her with Olivia with Oliva's face blacked out. I think they are from before Rafe got released and well before Natalia left. There's even some of Olivia while Natalia was gone, drinking at the farmhouse, and Ava when she was here for Jeffery's funeral. But there are recent one's too. Some from just like two or three weeks ago. I think he might have fallen off the deep end."
"Are you serious? Are you sure he took them and didn't just confiscate them from someone else?"
"I'm pretty sure Shane. There was a camera in the box, a good one, with an extra zoom lens. I looked at the memory on the camera and it's full. Natalia at Company, the park with Emma, The Beacon with Olivia. Even some of some more, intimate, moments between Olivia and Natalia. I don't know what to do Shane. How am I supposed to get him to drop this craziness with Natalia? I thought he was happy with Blake, but I'm not so sure anymore."
"I don't know Marina; I think you need to turn that in. That's stalking Marina, and if you're really worried he might do something to one of them, you need to make sure you stop him before he does."
"I can't do that Shane. He's my dad. And I don't think he would ever hurt Natalia, or even Olivia, I think he's just stuck on her. He really believes he loves her. I've heard him muttering to himself about how good they would be together and how Olivia is manipulating her. I've heard him say he would find a way to make Natalia see it and get her away from Olivia no matter the cost. If he does anything, I think it will be towards Olivia, and hell, that woman deserves it and you know it."
"No one deserves to have their privacy violated like this Marina. Not even Olivia. She might not be my favorite person in the world, but she shouldn't be treated that way. Look, I gotta go, you need to talk to your dad at the very least. This is serious Marina."
"Whatever." Marina hung up the phone before even saying goodbye.
Doris pressed stop and removed the USB, handing it over as evidence along with the file of pictures for the jury to look at. "The prosecution now rest your honor."
"Would the defense like to rebut?"
Mr. Carter's mouth was wide open, reminiscent of a fish gulping for air. He was completely unprepared for that and had no clue what to even ask Marina. He thought for a moment, searching for something, anything to question her with, then, it came to him, something she had said earlier. "Yes you honor, we would."
Mr. Carter got a feral smile as he approached the witness stand. "Ms. Cooper, you stated that you felt Natalia Spencer-Rivera did in fact lead Mr. Cooper on, why is that?"
"Well, she just kind of, I don't know, she flirted with him you know. Leaned into him at the counter at Company, called him for help, checked on him after my uncle's funeral. Anyone could see she was interested. I thought they were dating, I mean, the way she acted around him, how could I not."
Natalia flinched and turned toward Olivia at the accusations being said. "I swear Olivia, I never…" She whispered with tears forming in her eyes.
Olivia had stopped her with a finger to her lips. "Shh. I know h-honey." She whispered back, placing a sweet kiss on her wife's lips, and re-lacing their fingers as they both turned back to Marina.
"So, do you think Mrs. Natalia Spencer-Rivera was purposely giving your father false hope about the two of them having a relationship?"
"If you're asking if I think she was playing with him, using him for whatever she needed and just stringing him along until she no longer needed him, then yes. I feel that is exactly what she was doing."
"Do you feel she caused your father to go into some sort of depression, have a break down?"
"Yeah, I do. She made him think she wanted to be with him, that she loved him and him and her and Rafe and me and Henry would all be a family, but she was lying to him. To my entire family. She just used him and then threw him away. And for what, Olivia freaking Spencer? I don't know if I believe it. Maybe Natalia is that horrible of a person, but if you ask me, the games Natalia was playing with my dad's emotions has Olivia Spencer written all over it. It wouldn't be the first time she messed with dad's feelings. She does shit like that for sport."
"So, you agree with you father, that Olivia isn't someone to be trusted, that she's dangerous even?"
"Duh. Everyone in this town knows better than to trust that bit...woman."
"How do you feel about what you father said today? That he excepted Mrs. and Mrs. Spencer-Rivera, that he knows they make each other happy and was only trying to maintain his friendship with both of them when he went to their house last month?"
"I think he's crazy. Why would he want to be friends with Olivia, she's done nothing but hurt him repeatedly for years, but it's totally my dad. He's always such a good guy, has to forgive and move forward. It's just too bad Olivia is Olivia and couldn't just let him speak, she had to go and attack him. She broke his nose. Then to stomp on his manhood the way she did, after hitting him in them while they were struggling, what kind of woman does that?"
"Thank you Ms. Cooper. I have no further questions your honor."
Doris quickly stood before the judge could allow Marina to step down. "I just have one final question your honor."
"Make it quick Ms. Wolfe."
Doris nodded at the judge and then faced Marina without even coming out from behind her table. "Ms. Cooper, did you actually see your father and Mrs. Natalia Spencer-Rivera together? Did you see them hold hands, kiss? Did he ever tell you he had a date with her other than the dinner Olivia set up for him and Natalia? Anything that would imply that they were actually together, dating in any sense of the word? Or is your feeling of her giving him the impression she loved him merely your own speculation after witnessing your father fall in love with yet another woman that didn't love him back?"
Marina sneered at the woman once more but could think of nothing to say.
"That's what I thought Ms. Cooper. No further questions." Doris smoothed her skirt under herself and sat back down.
The judge dismissed Marina and called court for the day. They would reconvene at nine the following morning for closing arguments and jury instruction.
Olivia all but fell into her wife once the judge and jury left the courtroom. It had been their longest day in court yet and one of the most trying. Listening to the lies Frank was weaving, and then Marina feeding his lies, it took all she had not to knock both of them on their asses. Restraining herself had been taxing on her body and mind. All she wanted was to get home and cuddle up with her wife and children. She prayed Greg had completed what she had asked of him.
Natalia gently wrapped her arms around her wife and kissed her temple. Olivia turned her face up and their lips locked. Natalia sought to deepen the kiss and Olivia allowed it. Their tongues danced against each other. It wasn't in a sexual or arousing way, just a deep kiss from one lover to another. Energy and love being passed between the two women so they could get through the rest of the evening before falling into bed. That's exactly what this kiss was about, the simple and unwavering love the two shared with one another.