Episode 14: The Verdict Is In

CHAPTER 1: REINFORCEMENT TO THE HOUSE

Violet's trial was nearing its end. The defense presented its case, which many considered a weak case. Both the prosecution and the defense delivered their closing arguments. Judge Melendez would soon give the jury its instructions and dismiss them to deliberate the next Monday. Many suspected that they would deliver their verdict by day's end. Violet was not going to be a free woman, regardless of the outcome. If she was found "Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity", she would have to spend time at a mental institution for a long time, but if found "Guilty" she would serve time at the same prison Lucy had just been released out of.

The weekend had arrived and Charlie was at his house watching workers install sensors and a few cameras for security. He wasn't going to let what happened with Violet almost killing them happen again. Sally walked up to him as he was watching out of the window. She was already dressed and ready for her day.

"What's going on, bro?" she asked.

"I'm installing new security equipment for the house," Charlie answered. "Don't worry, I won't go overboard like some folks do, but I want us to be safe. After what happened with Violet and her madness, I'm not taking any chance on us getting hurt or worse."

Pat walked in and greeted her boyfriend and his sister. She had just woke up and was dressed in pajama bottoms and a crop top. "Hey, you two." She kissed Charlie and hugged him tightly. "So the workers are still at it, I take it?"

"They are, babe," said Charlie. "Was just telling Sally here that I want us to be safe and sound, but at the same time, I won't go insane with the safety, either."

"Well, I'm glad to hear that, Chuck," said Pat. "Aside from this, what do we have planned for today?"

"I figured we'd enjoy the winter day by maybe catching a matinee at the theater," Charlie suggested. "And later tonight head out to the Bronze Beagle. I still need to see Shermy's place."

"I'm down for that," said Pat, with a smile.

"Well after finding out that Mr. Gray will be paying for the rest of my schooling, he also invited me to return to interning at Gray Industries," said Sally. "Also a new COO is coming Monday."

"Really?" said Pat.

"Yeah," Sally responded. "And from what I heard, this person is way nicer than Violet."

"Sally, Attila the Hun is nicer than Violet!" Charlie retorted.

"Touché, Charlie!" laughed Sally. And they continued to watch the workers install the new security to the house.

Over at the hospital, Patty was still in a coma, recovering the bullet wound to her skull. Her parents, Curt and Leslie Swanson, were there hoping that she would pull through. They had known Violet since she was little and never would had thought that she would be capable of a heinous act like shooting their little girl in the head. While they knew Patty wasn't her primary target and the Browns were, they still couldn't believe that Violet would sink so low. They questioned themselves about allowing Patty to even been friends with a mean crazy girl like her, let alone best friends. They figured Violet was one of the reasons for their daughter's previous self-destructive behavior when she moved out west.

As they sat at her bedside as they always had for weeks now, they heard a noise. Patty began to stir and wake up.

"Baby?" said Leslie.

"M-M-Mom? Dad?" It was the first time since Christmas Eve that Patty spoke. She had finally awaken.

"Patty, you're awake!" said Curt.

"Where am I?" asked a groggy Patty.

"You're in the hospital, baby," said a tearful Leslie, thanking the Lord Almighty for her daughter being alive. "You survived a bullet wound to the head."

"A bullet wound?" asked a confused Patty.

"Don't you remember?" asked Curt. "Violet accidently shot you in the head as you tried to stop her from killing the Browns."

"THE BROWNS!" Patty shouted, regaining some memory. "Are they? Did Violet…"

"They're fine, Patty," assured Leslie. "They never got hurt, thanks to you. You saved their lives."

"I have no memory of most of what happened," said Patty, trying to put the pieces together. "I do remember following Violet to the Brown household. After that, all is a blank."

"Well I will tell all your friends that you are awake and out of your coma," said Leslie.

"Coma?!" asked a confused Patty. "How long was I out?"

"Almost two whole weeks, baby," said Curt. Patty sat back in her bed. She was still reeling from awakening from her coma, but was coming to terms that she did, in fact, save the Brown family. And they would soon find out that she was finally awake.

NEXT CHAPTER: A CAUSE FOR CELEBRATING, AND A CAUSE FOR DOWNRIGHT FLIRTING