A Fresh Start
Chapter Eighty-Seven
The next morning, James was up early going over the material that Sarah had sent him. He wanted to make sure that it explained how he envisioned recreating the idea of the Beacon in Europe. While he was looking over material, Cassie arrives at the Beacon and when she walks into her office her assistant is waiting for her.
"Good Morning." Cassie says, walking into her office with her assistant following behind her. Sitting down at her desk, Cassie asks. "What do we have for today?"
"Let's see, there is the group from Laurel Falls coming to see about using the Beacon for their annual meeting, that's at ten and then at noon you have a lunch meeting with a James Marshall." Her assistant says, as Cassie looks up. "Is there something wrong?"
"No, but I may not be able to make that meeting." Cassie says.
"Okay, do you want me to call and cancel with Mr. Marshall?"
"No, not yet, if it looks like I won't be able to make I'll let you know and you can ask Olivia to make the meeting, she wanted to anyway." Cassie says, sitting down at her desk.
"Yes ma'am, is there anything else you'll need?"
"Yes, bring me the file for the Laurel Falls group."
"Yes ma'am."
"Thanks." Cassie says, as her assistant nods and then leaves She returns a few moments later with the file. Taking the folder, she opens it and begins to look over the information inside as her assistant leaves again. An hour later, her assistant buzzes her. "Yes." Cassie says.
"The delegation from Laurel Falls has arrived."
"Thank you, you can show them in." Cassie says.
"You may go on in." Her assistant tells the group standing in her outer office.
They walk over to the door, opening it as Cassie stands up. "Welcome to the Beacon Hotel." Cassie says, walking around the desk. "My name is Cassie Winslow."
"We thought we would be meeting with Ms. Spencer again."
"Yes, she asked that I handle this years meeting." Cassie says.
"We feel more comfortable working with Ms. Spencer. She knows what we need."
"I've been looking over your file. And I've noticed that your organization has grown steadily over the last four years."
"Yes, it has."
"And you start having your meetings at the Beacon around that same time, is that correct."
"Yes."
"I'm sure you want to continue that growth."
"If you're suggesting that the reason our membership has grown is because of the Beacon…."
"That's not at all what I'm suggesting. I'm only suggesting that you continue to do what has worked for you. Olivia is still apart of this but if you still feel that you wish for her to handle this discussion, I can see that she does." Cassie says.
"She's still a part of this?"
"Yes, everything that we decided will be run past her." Cassie replies slightly irritated that the woman was treating her like an assistant and not the other half of the Beacon.
"Okay." The woman says, reluctantly. "We require several things this year."
"I'm sure that we can handle them." Cassie replies.
"Good." The woman replies, as Cassie nods to the group to follow her across the hall the conference room, and so the discussions began.
About an hour into the discussion, Cassie soon realized that she would be tied up with these ladies for most of the day. Holding her hand, she says. "Ladies, if you will excuse me, I'll be right back." Cassie gets up and leaves the room without giving them a chance to reply. Walking across the hall, she opens the door to her office. Her assistant is sitting at her desk. "It looks like I'm going to be tied up with these ladies for the moment, could you call Olivia and ask her to take the meeting with Mr. Marshall and ask her to give my apologies."
"Yes ma'am. How is it going in there?" She asks, reaching for the phone as she looks at Cassie. "That bad." She says, as Cassie smiles and closes the door. Walking across the hall again, Cassie reaches for the door handle and take a deep breath before she opens the door.
In her office, her assistant is dialing Olivia's office extension. In a couple of rings a lady answers the phone. "Lydia." Cassie's assistant says.
"Yes."
"I need to speak with Ms. Spencer."
"Of course." Lydia replies, pushing the hold button and then buzzing Olivia.
"Yes."
"Ma'am, Mrs. Winslow's assistant is on line one for you."
"Thank you." Olivia says, switching to line one. "Yes." Olivia says.
"Ms. Spencer, Cassie asked that I call and ask you to take her one o'clock appointment, ma'am. She's tied up with the delegation from Laurel Falls."
"Let her know that I'll be happy to take a meeting." She replies.
"I will ma'am." Cassie's assistant replies and they hang up.
At ten minutes till noon, James walks into Olivia's. Since they were discussing the Beacon and how he thought he could expand its design to Europe he thought it was fitting that he met with Cassie there. It was her home turf and he did want to see her in her natural environment, more than he had already.
The hostess on duty walks up to him as he walks in. "Welcome to Olivia's."
"Thank you." James replies.
"Is there only one in your party?" The girl asks.
"No, I'll be joined by one more." James says.
"And who will be joining you."
"Cassie Winslow." He says.
"Yes Sir." The girl replies. "Right this way, Sir." She says, taking a couple of menus and leading him through the restaurant.
"Thank you." James says, sitting down as the hostess nods and then walks away.
Five minutes later, Olivia walks into the restaurant. The hostess looks up and then nods when she sees who it is. "Good afternoon, Ms. Spencer."
"Good afternoon."
"Can I get a table for you?" She asks, reaching for a menu as Olivia spots James sitting across the restaurant.
"No, I see my party." Olivia says, walking past the woman and across the restaurant.
When she walks up to the table, she says. "Mr. Marshall."
James was looking over the menu when Olivia spoke and when he heard her voice instead of Cassie's he looks up in surprise. "Ms. Spencer." He says, as Olivia pulls out a chair and sits down. "I'm surprised to see you. I was expecting Cassie."
"Yes, I know. But she was detained in a meeting with one of our other clients, so she asked me to fill in for her."
James looks at Olivia for a few minutes and then shakes his head. "She's just like her…." James looks up and remembers that Olivia is sitting across from him.
"I'll be sure to fill her in on anything we discuss and I'm sure she wanted to be here, but the client she's dealing with has very specific needs and she didn't want to leave them without having everything in order."
"I'm sure she'll handle everything for them, but we both know that she wasn't thrilled to meet with me in the first place, and I can't blame her for that. I didn't handle the situation very well yesterday. So, I'll deal with you." James says, settling in.
"Yes Sir."
"Now, as I said, I am looking to expand my operation in Europe. And I've been looking for awhile…."
"Pardon the interruption, Mr. Marshall. But I believe Cassie does have a valid point. You've decided to expand your operation and you have decided to use a prototype of the Beacon as your model."
"Yes, I have."
"But why the Beacon, you're and internationally known businessman. You have luxury resort on every continent and in every major city on those continents. Your hotels alone in Europe out perform the Beacon by a considerable margin when it comes to luxury and yet you want to use the Beacon as your prototype for expansion."
"You're correct I am a very successful businessman. I have several luxury resorts across the world, but I'm also bored. What would the world do with another luxury hotel?"
"So Europe needs another hotel for the less affluent?" Olivia asks.
"Maybe not, but this is a great hotel and I think that the less affluent people of Europe would appreciate the style and grace that is the Beacon along with the affordability. I've had my staff puts together some information for you and Cassie to look over." James says, holding out the material that Sarah had sent him.
"And what happens when you get bored with this whole idea?" Olivia asks, taking the folder.
"Oh, this is one idea that I will not get bored with, I can guarantee you that. I expect this venture to work out exceptionally for all of us." James says, sitting back. "Look over the information and talk it over with Cassie.
Olivia picks up the folder again. And then looks at James. "I'll look it over and I'll talk it over with Cassie after I've done that and then we'll get back to you after we've discussed it."
"That's all I ask. I do have to return to London tomorrow. I'll be reachable at my office or on my cell phone. The numbers are listed on the front page of the report and I'll be returning to the States early next week."
"We'll let you know." Olivia says, standing up with James following her. Olivia turns to walk away but then remembers James comment when she had first shown up for the meeting. Turning back him, she says. "Mr. Marshall."
"Yes." He says, looking up from the table.
"When I arrived and told you that Cassie wouldn't be attending the meeting you said something about her being like someone or something, what was that about?"
"Oh, it was nothing. I was talking out aloud." James says, dismissing it.
Olivia stands there for a moment before she nods and says. "I'll look this over and talk to Cassie about it."
"Thank you."
Olivia leaves, followed a few minutes later by James.
The next morning, Billy is just finishing breakfast when his cell phone rings. Pulling it out of his pocket he answers the call. "Hello."
"Sneaking out of town, Billy." Josh says.
"I didn't sneak, Wanda knew I was leaving and I don't have to clear my schedule through you Josh."
"Where are you?"
"I'm taking a little vacation."
"What about the big barbeque you're planning with Reva."
"I'll be back in time for Labor Day and Jeffrey's wedding." Billy says, remaining Josh on purpose about the wedding, knowing he would pass up the chance to comment on it.
"You're really going to go to that."
"Yes, I am. Someone has to go with Reva, and since you're not going to. It might as well be me." Josh doesn't reply for a few moments. "Was there something else you needed?" Billy asks.
"No."
"Then I am on vacation. I will talk to you when I get back to Springfield." Billy says, as his phone beeps.
"Fine." Josh says, hanging up.
Billy answers the next call. "Hello."
"Mr. Lewis." A man says.
"Yes."
"Conrad Jones."
"Yes, Mr. Jones. Thank you for getting back with me."
"Your message was quite vague as to what you needed Mr. Lewis. You referenced something about my father working for your father."
"Yes, I need to know if your father brought home any personal papers from his clients when he retired."
"Umm, not that I know of, he was quite sick when he retired."
"Is there anyway you could find out?"
"My sister has all of my father's personal papers, but she's out of the country until later this month."
"Is there anyone else that would be able to find out?"
"No, I'm sorry. My father left her in charge of everything. If you want to see if there were any papers from when Dad worked your father, you'll need to speak to her."
"Alright, thank you."
"I'm sorry I couldn't be of anymore assistance."
"Thank you, you've helped a lot."
"You're welcome." Conrad replies, and then hangs up as Billy sits back.
Hanging up the phone, Billy decides to stay in Tulsa for a couple more days to see if the other contacts Wanda had given him, contacts him. Getting up from the table, he leaves the restaurant.
Jeffrey walks into the courthouse the next morning with Sam by his side. When Ditkins was first arrested after mayoral race Doris had approached him about being a witness in his trial. At first Jeffrey had refused the request but then changed his mind after speaking to Ditkins and finding out that he was not the one responsible for raping Olivia that night. Now that Doris was under arrest herself, the deputy prosecutor has taken over the case. As Jeffrey and Sam walk into the courthouse, he walks up to Jeffrey. "I'm going to call you first." He says, as Jeffrey nods. "I want you to tell them exactly what happened to you in San Cristobel the morning after the party at the embassy and we'll go from there."
"I know what to say Chris." Jeffrey says, as he nods and turns away.
Jeffrey and Sam find seats a few rows from the back of the courtroom and sit down. Taking his hand, Sam squeezes it gently as he looks down. "I'm fine." He says.
"I want you to know that I'm here."
"I know that."
One of the doors behind the bench opens and the bailiff says, "Hear ye, hear ye, all rise for the Honorable Clinton Jefferson, presiding." Everyone rises as a man about three inches taller than Jeffrey walks in, wearing a judge's robe. He's about ten years older than Jeffrey. He's physically fit with thick salt and pepper hair and blue eyes behind Harry Potter type glasses.
Walking up to the bench he sits down and then picks up the gavel and taps it twice in on the bench and then says. "This court is now in session. Could you read the charges?" He says, turning to the bailiff. He picks up a piece of paper as the judge turns to the defendant. "Would the defendant please rise?"
Ditkins and his attorney stand up as the bailiff begins to read. "In the case against Michael W. Ditkins, the defendant is charged with one count of attempted murder."
"And how does the defendant plea?" The Judge asks the bailiff.
"He's entered a plea of not guilty, Sir."
"And we've placed a jury?" The judge asks, turning to the prosecutor.
"Yes Sir." Chris nods.
"Good, then let's get started. You may start with your opening statement." Judge Jefferson says, turning to Chris.
"Thank you, Your Honor." Chris says standing and facing the jury. "Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, this is a very complicated case. It's complex on many levels, first the victim wasn't the intended victim. Secondly, the defendant is charged with attempted murder even though the state will prove that the defendant knowingly and premeditatedly plan the attack on the victim. Evidence will show that the defendant perpetrated this crime for his only personal gain.
The defense will argue that the defendant was only following procedure set forth by the agency for which he works for, but the state will prove that this agency knowingly misrepresented and distorted some the facts in this case, however gave no written authorization for the steps taken by the defendant at the time of the incident and has since cooperated fully with the states investigation into this matter.
Once you have heard and reviewed all the evidence we present to you. I am confident you that you will return a verdict of guilty, thank you."
"Mr. Roswell." Judge Jefferson says, turning to the defense.
"Thank you, your honor." Mr. Roswell says, getting up and walking over to stand in the precise spot that Chris had stood. "Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, this is a simple case of a man following long standing orders given to him by his superiors. We intend to prove this beyond a shadow of a doubt. Thank you." Mr. Roswell says, turning he walks back to the table and sits down.
"Mr. Prosecutor, call your first witness." Judge Jefferson says.
"The state calls Mr. Jeffrey O'Neill." Chris says, standing up.
As Jeffrey stands, Sam squeezes his hand and he looks down and smiles slightly before he walks towards the front of the courtroom. Walking to the witness stand he's aware of everyone's eyes on him. He has been on the other side of aisle and he knew what Chris was feeling right now, but he'd never experienced the nervousness of being a witness, or the pressure.
When he reaches the front of the witness stand the bailiff walks over to him as he raises his right hand and repeats the oath before sitting down. "Mr. O'Neill, could you give us your full name?"
"Jeffrey Harland Billy O'Neill."
"And what is your current occupation?"
"I'm currently mayor of Springfield."
"And you ran this for this position a year ago, is that correct?"
"Yes."
"And what happened?"
"It was a close race between me and the victim, Blake Marler."
"And who won that race?"
"Mrs. Marler."
"What happened after the election?"
"I was giving my concession speech when I got word that Blake had been poisoned."
"And why was she poisoned?"
"She wasn't supposed to be, the champagne that she drank was meant for me."
"And do you have any idea why someone would want to poison you, Mr. O'Neill."
"In the early days of the race I was approached by a man, my former boss and was told to withdraw from the race or he would expose my past. I refused and stayed in the race."
"And who was that man?"
"The defendant, Mr. Michael W. Ditkins?" Jeffrey says, nodding towards Ditkins.
"And when you say he was threatened to expose your past, what do you mean?"
"When I was younger, I ran into some trouble in San Cristobel. Mr. Ditkins approached me and offered me a way out of the trouble."
"And what was that?"
"I was to become and operative for a US intelligence agency."
"And what sort of trouble were you in?"
"I was accused of raping a young girl at a party I had attended the night before. I was very drunk that night and have very vague memories of what actually occurred that evening."
"When Mr. Ditkins approached you about joining this agency, did you tell him what you remembered from the night before?"
"No, I was scared. I was in a foreign country being accused of a crime I didn't remember committing, a crime that poses very harsh penalties anywhere in the world. I wanted out and Mr. Ditkins gave me that out."
"So, over the years, did you ever find out the truth?"
"Yes, but not till recently."
"Recently, how did you find this out?"
"The alleged victim and I confronted Mr. Ditkins at the Springfield Police Station and he admitted that the whole situation was false. He admitted that he and the then ruler of San Cristobel framed me to protect his son, who had perpetrated the crime I had been accused of."
"Do you have any proof of this accusation?"
"Yes."
"Richard Winslow contacted me a few months ago about a videotape that exists depicting the complete incident." Jeffrey says, looking at Sam.
"Your Honor, with your permission I would like to play this tape for you and the court."
"Mr. Roswell." The judge asks, turning to Mr. Ditkins attorney.
"Your honor, we were not informed of this videotape."
"Your honor, the district attorney's office only received word of this tape a few days and did not take possession of the tape until earlier this morning."
"I'll allow the tape." The judge says, turning to Chris.
"Thank you, your honor." Chris replies, walking over to his table and picking up a videotape and then walking over to VCR the bailiff has rolled into the room.
Putting the tape in and pushing the play button. A few moments later, the tape shows, Jeffrey and Olivia walking into a room. It shows them kissing and then Jeffrey laying her down across the bed. A few minutes later, it shows Jeffrey leaning back and then realizing the Olivia has passed out and getting up to leave. Shortly after that, they see Edmund walking into the room and finding Olivia. The entire courtroom watches as he stripes and then proceeds to take Olivia's clothes off. It's completely obvious that she isn't aware of what is happening, During the whole process, Olivia never wakes up.
"To speed this along, with your permission your honor I would like to fast forward through this part?" Chris asks, as the judge nods.
About an hour after Edmund left, Jeffrey returns to the room to find Olivia waking up. One thing leads to another and they see Jeffrey and Olivia make love. After they are finished, they see Olivia fall back to sleep and Jeffrey get up to leave. When the tape finishes playing, Chris turns it off and then turns to Jeffrey.
"Before Mr. Winslow told you about this tape, did you know about its existence?" Chris asks Jeffrey.
"No, I didn't." Jeffrey replies.
"I have no further questions." Chris says, turning away from Jeffrey and walking back to his seat.
"Mr. Roswell." Judge Jefferson says, turning to Ditkins attorney.
"Mr. O'Neill, you've stated that you have a vague memory of the event leading up my contacting you the morning after the party in San Cristobel, is that correct?"
"Yes."
"But you did remember some things, is that correct?"
"Yes."
"And did those memories coincide with what my client was telling you."
"Not all of them, no." Jeffrey says, settling back in the chair.
"And you never asked any questions about that, why?"
"Relief, guilt, I don't know."
"When you say guilt, if didn't do what you were being accused of, why did you feel guilty?"
"I didn't know for sure that I hadn't done what I was being accused of. We were both very drunk that night and I thought I might have misinterpreted the feeling I thought I was getting from Ms. Spencer. I thought I could have been wrong, I didn't know for sure. And there is the fact, that I had ever intention of doing exactly what I did do."
"You mean taking advantage of a drunken underage girl, is that correct?"
"Yes." Jeffrey replies, feeling every eye in the courtroom on him.
"We've just watched a very explicit video of you and Ms. Spencer. And when you left her that night, she was fully clothed was she not."
"Yes."
"And when you came back she was undressed, was she not?"
"Objection, your honor. We saw the tape so we already know what condition Mr. O'Neill left Ms. Spencer and the condition he found in when he came back."
"Sustained, Mr. Roswell get to the point."
"Yes, your honor. Mr. O'Neill, when you returned to the room and found Ms. Spencer lying where you left her, fully clothed just moments before, were you not curious as to how she got undressed?"
"No, I was still drunk. I was thinking about the particulars of the situation. She was there and from what I understood at the time, she was willing."
"One last question, Mr. O'Neill. How many women would you say that you've been with over the years?"
"Objection, your honor. Council is trying the witness."
"The question goes to the witness's credibility, Your honor. By his own reputation is known as a ladies man."
"Objection is sustain and the question will be stricken from the record."
"Yes, your honor, I have no further questions for this witness." Mr. Roswell says, sitting back down.
"Your Honor, redirect." Chris says, standing up.
"Granted." Judge Jefferson.
"Mr. O' Neill, over the years since the night in San Cristobel. Have you ever forced a woman to have sex with you?"
"No, of course not."
"And when you returned to the room that night and found Ms. Spencer awake, what was the impression that you received?"
"That she was aware of what we were doing and that she as much as I wanted those moments to happen."
"And from the moments what was the result?"
"Our daughter Ava was conceived."
"And the next morning when you were approached by the officials from San Cristobel…."
"I was never approached by anyone from the San Cristobel government." Jeffrey says.
"If you were never approached by anyone within the San Cristobel government, how did you know that you were being accused of rape?"
"Mr. Ditkins came to my room that I was staying at on the island. He told me that if I didn't agree to join his agency, I would be arrested and charged with rape and aiding the delinquency of a minor. He told me that the penalty under San Cristobel's law for such offenses was twenty five years in the National prison. He said that the San Cristobel authorities were prepared to drop all charges if I agreed to join the agency. I didn't want to spend the next twenty five years in prison for something I wasn't entirely sure I had done."
"After you joined the agency, did you ever request to be released from service?"
"A few times, I approached Mr. Ditkins about being released from my contract and service."
"And what did he tell you?"
"That if I was ever released the government of San Cristobel would press charges against and I would be convicted and sent to prison, he made it sound like my only option was to continue serving my country or face prison."
"If I may ask, how did you gain your release?"
"After events that happened in Europe after my partner was presumed killed, the agency decided to release me from service."
"Within your agency, is it customary to silence agents that have left the agency?"
'It depends on their security risk."
"What do you mean?"
"If an agent is deemed to be a threat to national security with the information they know, or can find out, it is possible that the agent could be terminated."
"Is there a standing order for such actions to be carried out?"
"No, it's on a case by case basis, and you have to discuss it with the director before any actions are carried out."
"Why were you not deemed to be that sort of threat?"
"The agency knew that I would never compromise other agents or national security if I was released from active service, besides the fact that I wasn't released from service completely. It was a forced leave of absence. If I wanted to I could go back. Most agents that are 'burned' are agents that voluntarily leave the agency and are deemed to be a national security risk."
"So, there was no reason for Mr. Ditkins to assume that you were a threat to the agency or national security?'
"No." Jeffrey says.
"Thank you, I have not further questions." Chris says, sitting back down.
"Mr. Roswell." Judge Jefferson says, turning to the defense.
"No questions, your honor." Mr. Roswell replies,
"Then Mr. O'Neill you may step down." Judge Jefferson says, as Jeffrey nods and stands up.
"Since it is close to lunch, we'll take an hour recess and be back here at one o'clock." Judge Jefferson says, picking up the gavel and banging it twice on the bench.
Everyone starts to stand up and as Jeffrey walks across floor to leave. Chris stops him for a few moments and then Jeffrey walks back to Sam, who is waiting at the end of their aisle. Putting his arm across her shoulders, he pulls her to him as they walk out of the courtroom.
After finishing the meeting with the ladies from Laurel Falls, Cassie walks into Olivia's office. "Lydia, is she in?" Cassie asks.
"Yes ma'am." Lydia replies, as Cassie nods and then walks over to Olivia's door. She knocks once before she opens the door and Olivia looks up.
Cassie walks in and closes the door behind her. Walking over to her desk, she sits down across from her as Olivia asks. "How did the meeting with the ladies from Laurel Falls go?"
"You could have warned me?" Cassie replies, settling back.
"Yes, I could have, but I'm sure you handle them just fine."
"I did, but it took all day?" Cassie replies. "How did the meeting with Mr. Marshall go?"
"The meeting with James went fine. He was disappointed to not be meeting with you."
"Did he withdraw the offer?"
"No, we discussed his idea and he left me with his information." Olivia says, handing Cassie the information that James had given to her.
"Did you look over it?"
"Some of it."
"What do you think?"
"It seems like a very feasible plan?"
"And?"
"And it could be profitable to both of us."
"So, what are you not telling me?"
"It's something he said when I told him that you wouldn't be coming to the meeting."
"What did he say?"
"Something to the effect that you're just like someone… He didn't finish the statement, I presume because he remembered that I was there because he looked up at that point. And when I asked him about when I was about to leave, he said it was nothing, that he was only talking out loud."
"Do you think he's hiding something serious?"
"I don't know that he's hiding anything. He might have only been talking to himself."
"What about the proposal?"
"It's a good deal. We'll both make a lot of money of it."
"Do you think he's committed to it or is he using this as an excuse?" Cassie asks, curious to know if Olivia felt the same thing she had felt when he had made the suggestion."
"I think he is committed, but I did ask him what would happen should he get bored with the deal, and he strongly assured me that he wouldn't get bored." Olivia says.
"So, you think he's serious."
"Yes, I do. And I think we should both look over the information he gave us and then discuss it some more, maybe with him again."
"Alright, if you think we should do that, then I'll take this home and look it over." Cassie says, holding up the folder and Olivia nods.
Standing up, Cassie says. "I'm leaving for the day. I've got to pick up the boys and we're meeting Richard to take them to buy school clothes this evening."
"I'll be here for a few more hours." Olivia says, picking up the folder she was working on when Cassie walked in.
"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow." Cassie says, walking out the door as Olivia nods.