Here is the next chapter! Enjoy! Amber

Chapter 25

Fenton angrily responded. "Ever heard of self defense?"

"My cousin was mentally unstable!"

"So's she at the moment. This isn't going to hold up and you know it."

Detective Stephans came up. "Come on Don. Walk with me. This isn't going to help."

"She needs to be arrested!"

Stephans to his credit dragged him away from the door. "It's not our case. The state police is handling this."

"WHAT!"

Fenton went back into the room. His heart melted when he saw them both resting on the gurney. He was glad for it. Hopefully, they didn't hear that nonsense."

Frank's eyes opened. "What did that asshole want?"

Fenton sat down in the chair Frank had vacated. "Nothing you need to worry about right now."

Frank gently sat up then slid from the gurney without moving it a millimeter. Fenton was impressed. Frank knelt beside him. "It sounded serious."

Fenton thought, 'oh crap!' He answered. "Callie didn't do anything wrong, she was protecting herself. It's that simple."

Frank whispered. "Is that guy alright?"

Fenton shook his head in the negative. Frank's eyes widened. "Was Detective Hayes seriously going to arrest her?" Frank made sure his voice stayed soft but there was an angry tone to it.

Fenton whispered. "He tried but Stephans stopped him because technically this case is under the jurisdiction of the state police due to the conflict of interest."

Frank sighed. "She's still going to have to make a statement. Which means they're going to tell her, it has to be us dad."

Fenton could see exactly what Frank meant. "Let me get some more details first."

Fenton went outside and found an old friend Dr. Shilling. He approached. "Charlie."

He looked up. "Fenton! Good to see you. You here on a case?"

"In a manner of speaking. A man named Thomas Hayes came to the ER about an hour ago with injuries to his throat and groin. He died."

"Yes, there were extenuating circumstances that contributed to his death. The trauma alone wasn't enough. He's going to the medical examiner that's all I can tell you."

Fenton nodded. "Did you want to see a picture of my granddaughter?"

"You know I do. How is the young family doing?"

Fenton pulled the picture from his wallet. "Brooke is a healthy happy baby. Frank's well, Callie is currently here. She's been hospitalized for postpartum psychosis and is expected to recover. She was attacked by that young man on her ward tonight and defended herself."

"Oh dear! Let me know if she needs something for anxiety alright."

"I will. Thanks for the help."

Fenton turned and returned back to Callie's room. Frank had joined her back on the gurney. Frank raised an eyebrow to his father. At his nod he gently shook Callie awake. "Callie honey."

Callie woke up. She looked up at them and smiled. "Sorry I dozed off."

Fenton sat. "I'm sorry to wake you but this is important. Callie, the young man who assaulted you tonight passed away. Dr. Shilling said there were extenuating circumstances that lead to his death. That the throat trauma wasn't enough. He's going for autopsy."

Frank waited while she digested the information. She finally spoke. "I'm sorry he's dead, I just wanted him to get off me. He had a hand over my mouth. I couldn't scream. He said if I did he'd kill me. I was so scared."

Frank kissed her. "We know sweetheart. Just know that the police are going to ask you questions. We're going to contact a lawyer to represent you. We know this is self defense. But Detective Hayes is out for revenge and until we figure out the root of his disdain we need to be diligent."

"I understand. I want to go home."

Frank held her. "Soon baby."

Callie was still in the hospital. She hadn't talked to the police yet. She had talked to an attorney who assured her that he would represent her needs. That the state had no grounds for any charges. He offered to represent her in a civil suit against the psychiatric center but she refused to do that. Callie was waiting for Frank to come get her. She couldn't wait to get home and hold her little girl. She had been in the hospital for fourteen days . Then she saw him. She knew that they had to talk to Dr. Mark and then the case manager but he was here! They were escorted to a tiny treatment room. Once the door was closed, Frank gave her a big hug. "Hello beautiful."

She kissed him. "Hey. How's Brooke?"

"She's great. Can't wait to see you."

Callie laughed. "Honey she's an infant."

"She still knew. Trust me."

There was a knock on the door and Dr. Mark stepped in. "Discharge day! How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling happy, nervous, excited, and a little scared." Callie said.

Dr. Mark nodded. "A healthy and normal response. Just remember where you're going. That you are safe there."

Callie squeezed Frank's hand. "I know. Just hearing my dad knowing he wasn't there scared me."

Dr. Mark nodded. "Of course, and given what he did to you and your mom it traumatized you more. Now...we need to talk about the nature of postpartum psychosis. Your severe symptoms stopped two days ago. That is very good news. But it's going to take between six and twelve months for you to recover. If you have another baby the psychosis will happen again and there is a good chance the symptoms will be worse. I'm not saying this to upset you but to educate you so that you can make an informed decision that is best for you."

Frank squeezed Callie's hand. "We appreciate that Dr. Mark. I want to thank you for everything you did for my wife during this time."

"It's what I do."

The case worker took twice as long as the doctor but just after noon Callie was in the car with Frank heading home. Callie knew that Laura was working and Joe was at school. So Fenton had to have the baby. She walked in and found Fenton reading her a book. He looked up. "Welcome home."

Callie, her eyes moist with tears met Fenton in the middle of the living room and took her little girl. She kissed her and smoothed her hair. "My sweet baby girl. I love you so much. You grew! Mommy missed you."

Brooke smiled at Callie and cooed happily. Frank came and hugged them both.

Fenton discreetly left the room. His doorbell ringing got his attention.

He looked through the peephole and frowned. It was the state police investigator. Fenton quickly called Callie's attorney. "Jake the state police inspector is here. Thanks."

He opened the door and nodded. "Inspector Neal I wasn't expecting you."

"I'm sorry to interrupt Fenton. I know Callie just got back from the hospital but that Bayport detective is making an awful stink. I need Callie's statement. I know you want to call her attorney."

"I already did. He'll be here in five minutes. Callie wrote a statement for you."

"I know but I need a recorded statement. Like I said that detective is causing a stir. He can't be objective and is trying to get charges pressed against her."

Fenton brought him into the kitchen. "What did the medical examiner say?"

"He had an undiagnosed heart condition which caused his sudden cardiac arrest. Callie's injuries to him were a contributing factor. It was the exertion of the assault and him hyperventilating from Callie's jab to his throat. Given the physical evidence it's self defense."

Fenton sighed. Poor Callie. They talked shop. While waiting for Jake Blyth. He gave the inspector a soda. He gladly accepted.

Callie came into the kitchen holding a fussy Brooke, with Frank behind her. He made her bottle with ease and they left.

"I didn't realize they had a baby." Inspector Neal said.

The doorbell rang and Fenton went to answer it knowing it was Jake Blyth.

Callie was feeding her little girl the bottle. She was happy to be home. Her little girl was eating with gusto. She pulled the bottle back and put Brooke over her shoulder to burp.

Frank was watching them. Callie seemed relaxed. Which was good. He had been worried about their first reunion, especially if Brooke got fussy or something. But she didn't. And when she cried her hungry cry. They went and retrieved a bottle. The men in the kitchen didn't phase her. But Frank knew he was with the state police. They were talking about a case it seemed. The doorbell rang again. Frank hoped his father would answer. He saw his father walk by moments after the thought. Satisfied he sat beside his lovely girls. Content to be with both of them. Brooke continued to eat but glanced his way. Frank let her grip his finger. "How are you feeling Callie?"

"Happy right now. I'm not looking forward to dad's trial. I start therapy in two days. I still feel scared and overwhelmed at times. I'm having nightmares about the assault. I didn't tell anyone there."

"Why Callie?"

"Because I didn't want it to delay my discharge. I just figured I could discuss it with the therapist. I wasn't ready."

Frank stroked her hair. "I can understand that." He took a sleeping Brooke and put her in the pack-n-play.

Callie pulled Frank down onto the sofa and kissed him. They broke apart when they heard Fenton Hardy clear his throat.

Callie recognized one of the men. Jake Blyth, her attorney for the incident. Suddenly, the other visitor made Callie nervous. Frank was not pleased. "Can't this wait?"

Blyth spoke. "Frank given the circumstances. I don't think so. Detective Hayes is filing complaints and motions and we need to shut him down."

Callie licked her lips and grasped her hands together on her lap. "Okay. But we can't wake the baby. Let's go to the kitchen."