For the People Chapter 98

"Ba-loo!" Lily exclaims as Rick tethers colorful helium-filled rubber to her high chair at Family Circus.

He grins. "Someone is enjoying herself."

Kate forces a smile. "The balloons are great."

"But not enough to cheer you up. I know better than to ask you why. However, Alexis and Elliott should be here any minute. Alexis texted that they found a parking spot in the public lot. That's a couple of blocks from here. And I gather that whatever news they have is exciting in a good way." Calliope music sounds as the couple in question enters the restaurant. "And here they are now!" Rick enthusiastically waves the new arrivals to the table.

"Sorry about that," Elliott apologizes. "I don't usually drive in the city."

"If it weren't for carting around baby paraphernalia, I probably wouldn't either," Rick agrees. "But no problem. Kate and I haven't even had time to peruse the menu yet." The laminated folder squeaks as he opens it. "Interesting special effects. And much as I love popcorn and peanuts, I'm glad this circus is offering something more substantial. Ooh! The burgers are all named after famous clowns. Hmm, I don't think I want to try a Bozo, and I'm definitely not ordering the Joker. But the Emmett Kelly looks good, all the stuff a sad little tramp would put on a burger if he could."

"Who's Emmett Kelly?" Alexis asks.

"Ah, youth," Rick sighs. "When I was a tiny lad he was still famous, especially if someone wanted to paint by numbers on velvet. You can google him later. But anyway, the burger looks good. What do you think, Kate?"

"I think I'll go for the Midget Clown. I'm not that hungry, and I used to like the Midget Clown Mysteries."

"Perhaps you'll be more ambitious by dessert," Rick suggests. "And look at that! They've got Monkey Mash, otherwise known as pureed bananas, for Lily." He turns to Alexis and Elliott, "And what are you choosing from the array of big-top treats?"

Elliott whispers with Alexis for a moment. "We're going to split a clown car."

Rick nods. "Going with this evening's surprise theme. You never know how many clowns will pop out. And when are you going to let your big news pop out?"

Alexis and Elliott lock gazes. "I've asked Alexis to be my wife," he announces. "And she's agreed."

"We're going to get married," Alexis adds unnecessarily as her father's jaw drops.

"Um, I don't see a ring," Rick notes.

"Alexis and I deal with unknown pathogens. So we wear gloves a lot," Elliott explains. "Her engagement ring belonged to my grandmother. The stone is pretty big. It could poke through a glove. So I got her a chain so she can wear it around her neck."

Alexis unbuttons the top button of her blouse and pulls out the ring for Rick and Kate to see. "That is quite a rock," Rick notes. "A sapphire?"

"Yes," Elliott confirms. "I thought it would be beautiful with the blue of Alexis's eyes."

"It is. Congratulations," Kate puts in as Rick struggles for a response.

"Of course, congratulations." Rick stands up, opening his arms. "Come here, both of you!"

"Eh-les-ee! Lee-Lee!" Lily demands

Alexis smiles down at her sister. "I think she wants in."

"If you're going to hug her you should do it before she gets the monkey mash," Rick suggests.

"Good idea," Alexis agrees.

"So have you decided on a date?" Kate asks after the server takes orders.

"It's all so new, not yet," Alexis confides. "But we're going to be so busy working on the grant, we don't want anything big. And we'll be traveling so much, we don't need to fit in another trip for a honeymoon."

"And we both want to keep it simple anyway," Elliott explains. "It's an unscientific sample, but with most couples I know, the more elaborate the wedding was, the quicker the divorce."

"Uh-huh," Rick agrees. "Especially with first nuptials, they're so invested in the event, that everything afterward is a letdown. They don't know what to do with themselves. And weddings are wonderful, but it's what you do together for the rest of your lives that counts. Still, if you need any help, I know a great planner."

"If we do, Dad, you'll be my first call," Alexis promises.


"So, more of what you can't tell me about, this morning?" Rick asks as Kate picks at the omelet he made her for breakfast.

"Uh-huh," Kate acknowledges. "But I don't think Judge Moran will let Lyssa Camden be very hard on my witnesses."

"Protective of the young ones? Never mind. I know you can't say. But I wish you could skewer that rat Sawyer without having to put his victims through a wringer."

"That's the Constitution, the right to confront witnesses against you and all that. Most of the time it works, but I don't think our forefathers could foresee everything that happens now. We just do the best we can."

"I know. You want a latte for the road?"

"Please. The last coffee I had from a courthouse vending machine came out in chunks."

Rick recoils in horror. "I'll fill up a thermos."


Judge Moran re-cautions the scant number of court occupants about confidentiality before Lacy Swan returns to the stand.

"Lacy," Kate begins. "I only have a couple more questions and then Ms. Camden is going to take over. Are you OK?"

Lacy straightens up in her chair. "I'm all right, Ms. Beckett."

"Good. Now, you said that after you drank the energy drink that the defendant gave you, you started to get sleepy. Do you remember if he drank any?"

"He poured cups for both of us. He drank from his cup. I drank from mine."

"And when he poured those cups, was he facing towards you or away from you?"

He put them on top of the little refrigerator, so he was facing away from me."

"Could you actually see him fill the cups?"

"No. I saw him take the pitcher out of the refrigerator and then he turned around. I couldn't see what he did until he handed me my cup."

"And how long after you drank what he gave you, did you feel sleepy?"

"I don't know. We were talking, so it seemed like the time went pretty fast."

"Do you think it was about 10 minutes?"

"Longer than that."

"Would 20 minutes be closer?"

"Yes, maybe something like that. I'm sorry I can't remember better."

Kate shakes her head. "It's all right, Lacy, you're remembering great. And that's the last of my questions for you."

"Cross, Ms. Camden?" Moran asks.

"Yes, Your Honor. Lacy, I only have a few things to ask you. Do you always remember what people say?"

"No I don't," Lacy admits.

"Do you always remember exactly what people do?"

"I don't understand what you mean, Ms. Camden," Lacy responds.

"When you do something with your friends, do they sometimes remember what took place a little differently than you do?"

"I guess so."

"And is it possible that Mr. Sawyer could remember things differently than you do?"

"I don't know," Lacy admits.

"That's all I have," Lyssa announces.

Lacy looks up at Moran. "Is that it? Am I done?"

"You're all done," Moran assures her. "And the bailiff has your mother waiting right outside the courtroom. He can take you to her now."

Kate sighs. Lyssa Camden went easy on Lacy. But Camden already knows the results of Lacy's blood test. Kate will have a witness that Lacy had Rohypnol in her system. Lowie Gardner will be a different matter.