A/N – Thanks for the comments! I am such a klutz. I had an eye accident earlier. Hopefully, it's not a scratch. I think I'll skip posting tomorrow so I can rest it. It's really irritated for the last hour and a half. Sigh.
Chapter 52
Elizabeth and Jason walked into her apartment. "Diane really didn't look happy at the end."
"I noticed. The jury seemed swayed by what Hugh said."
"I know she was kicking herself."
"That's the tough part about court, you never know what could happen."
"She'll get him back. I have no doubt."
"Me either." He pulled her into his arms. "I'm hungry."
"Really?"
"Uh—huh."
She studied him for a moment and then smirked at the lustful look on his face. "For what?"
"You."
"Then what are you waiting for?"
His mouth crushed hers, something he wanted to do since the moment he saw her in the suit. When she had crossed her legs in court and bit her lip, she was lucky he hadn't thrown her on the desk. "You look very sexy in a suit."
She smiled against his lips. "You think so? Claudia helped me pick it out."
"I know so. I'll have to thank her."
"I think you'll like me even better out of it."
His eyes darkened and then he cursed under his breath when someone knocked on the door. "Ignore it."
"Elizabeth! It's Diane."
Liz made a face. "Damn." She ran to the door and opened it.
"Sorry, but we have a lot to go over for tomorrow. There can't be any more mistakes when you get on the stand."
"Okay. You want me to order something for dinner?"
"That's fine."
Elizabeth started to move, but Jason held his hand up. "You talk to her and I'll go get the menus."
"Okay."
They ended up ordering Chinese and worked until late and then she left. Elizabeth yawned.
"Come on. I'm putting you to bed."
"But…"
"You're tired and truthfully, so am I. We need to be well rested so we stay one step ahead of Hugh."
She pouted and he brushed her bottom lip with his thumb.
"I'll make it up to you."
She sighed. "You better."
He took her hand and led her to the room. She was practically asleep before her head hit the pillow.
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The next day, when Epiphany walked into the hospital with her scrubs on, everyone practically lost their minds. She was swarmed and got so much love. Patrick filmed the festivities.
Andrea embraced her warmly. "I can't stay because I have to get to court, but I'm so happy to have you back."
"I feel so blessed. I needed to be back here before I drove Patrick crazy."
Andrea smiled. "I really don't think he minds."
"He's been so good to me."
Jolene squealed and hugged her. "I'm so glad you're here. Steven is out of control and Leo is picking up his bad habits."
Steven frowned. "Jolene!"
Piph chuckled. "You can tell me all about it on our walk." She was only going to work half a day and would mostly be sitting.
"Deal."
"Unbelievable…"
Amelia pushed by Steven. "You don't even understand. He had Mrs. Cook doing the dance move that Kylie taught him. I thought she was going to break her hip."
"That woman still does yoga. She's limber."
"She's ninety!"
Epiphany shook her head. "Steven Webber!"
He looked around at the sea of annoyed female faces and grabbed Leo's arm who had just walked up to the group, "Let's make a run for it." He pulled him towards the hallway.
"Hi, Piph!" Leo yelled before disappearing.
Epiphany laughed. "God, I missed you guys."
Emily embraced her. "We missed you too."
After a few minutes, she made them get back to work and took a seat behind the nurse's desk. It felt good to be back.
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Kylie got settled into her room. Some of her mom's friend had painted it and put a new comforter on her bed and she loved it. At first, she was still sad, but then Danielle surprised her by having a few of her friends spend the night and Kylie was so happy to see them. They stayed up late as Kylie told them all about what happened.
Danielle was happy that Kylie was starting to adjust, finally starting to feel okay about her decision to come back home.
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Elizabeth clasped her hands together as Diane approached her.
"Elizabeth, please tell us what it was like to be trapped."
"Well, Jason heard the storm first and we ran, but we just weren't fast enough. When I woke up and realized that I was pinned under him, I was just really scared. He was unconscious and only woke up when I was yelling for help. They sounded so far away and the wind was still whipping around us. I really didn't think I would make it."
"And Jason?"
"When he woke up, he didn't remember who he was. So, I tried to explain the situation to him and told him to keep still because I didn't know how bad his injury was."
"Did he remain conscious?"
"No. He'd go in and out. I was just so scared. When they sent the dog, it was a relief that they could hear us, but they couldn't get to us."
"Did you think you were going to die?"
"At times I did. When they were moving things around, things shifted and luckily we weren't hurt."
"That must have been terrifying."
"It was."
"What was it like for you when you were rescued and afterwards?"
"It was scary being lifted in the air. I just wanted it to be over with. I was lucky to have Roy beside me. Once they got me checked out and put in a room, the pain set in and I feel asleep. Due to my nightmares, they had to give me a sedative."
"How long did the nightmares last?"
"A few weeks."
"Did you have one last night?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Talking about it just makes me remember all the horrible moments. I could close my eyes right now and smell the metal. I still hear all the sounds." A shudder ran through her body, hammering it home for the jury who were raptly listening to her.
"And afterward Jason was well enough to go home, he went to your place. Why?"
"I felt like I owed him. It was my project and he was hurt. He still had no memory and we had bonded. I wanted to take care of him until he decided what he wanted to do. He also had to keep his broken leg raised and needed help getting around."
"That was very noble of you."
"That's just the kind of person I am."
"No further questions."
"Your witness," the judge said.
Hugh approached the witness box. "Ms. Webber, can you explain why you wouldn't settle with Mr. Lansing?"
"He was negligent and walked off the job."
"And you want to punish him?"
"You mean like he tried to punish me by abandoning the project and then not returning my calls?"
"Did you give him a reason to behave that way?"
"No. We argued because of deadlines and bottom lines, but it was not enough to illicit that kind of response."
"Don't you think you are being unfair? You demanded an impossible deadline."
"When Francis Corelli and his team took over, while I stressed the importance of finishing the project, I never asked them to compromise the quality of the work and would have worked with them if they couldn't meet the time schedule. I would never endanger the children."
"Ms. Webber, did you not tell Mr. Lansing that you were done with him when you argued?"
"I may have. I don't remember it word for word, but I do know that I was done with our conversation."
"Were you being unreasonable?"
She had to remind herself to stay calm. "No. I hired him under the condition that the job would get done within a specific time period. I even offered bonuses if it were finished on time. A few days that week, they didn't even show up. That was the basis of the argument."
"Did you bother to ask why?"
"Yes, but I didn't receive an answer."
"Mr. Lansing stated that he told you his men were sick."
"He never said that to me."
"Would you say that you're a truthful person?"
"I try to be."
Hugh leaned on the wood in front of her. "Isn't it true that you kept a secret from everyone because your family asked you to lie about it?"
"Objection!" Diane said loudly. "Elizabeth's personal life is not on trial. Whether she chose to keep private events in her life private, which are no one's business is irrelevant to this case."
Hugh smirked. "I withdraw the question. Ms. Webber, would you agree that your schedule was too short and that you didn't give Mr. Lansing and his crew adequate time to perform their job?"
"No."
"And just maybe, because of that rigid schedule, mistakes were made that otherwise wouldn't have occurred."
Elizabeth gasped. "Absolutely not!" There was no way in hell she was going to take the blame for what happened.
"No further question your honor."
Diane got up. "May I redirect?"
"Yes
"Elizabeth, how many bids were made for the job?"
"I received five."
"And did all five companies agree that they could make the deadline and that it wouldn't be a problem?"
"Yes. I have it in writing."
"Why did you go with CCC?"
"They had a good reputation and Sonny convinced me that they were the best in the area."
"Do you still believe they are?"
Liz looked at Sonny and then back at Diane. "Honestly, I think your crew is only as good as their leader. Unfortunately, Ric failed them."
"Objection!"
"Substained. Please strike her last sentence from the record."
"No further questions."
She slowly walked out of the box and sat next to her dad. That was brutal.
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Andrea watched curiously as a man with a brief case walked up to her in the lobby. She had to leave the proceedings because she had a consult, so Jeff had taken her place.
"You look exactly like your pictures. Hello, I'm Trevor Dillon."
She smiled and shook his hand. "It's nice to meet you."
"I wish it were under better circumstances. Is there a place that we can talk?"
"Sure, we can go to my office. Follow me."
He followed her down a corridor and then into a room. "This is nice."
"Thanks. I tried to make it homey since I spend a lot of time here. How was your trip?"
"It wasn't too bad. You must have a lot of questions."
"Some. Did you supervise my mother's exit?"
"Yes. I took the key from her and changed the locks. She was upset and may have said a few derogatory things."
"Of course she did. She's not my real mother, by the way."
Trevor made a face.
"According to my not so adoring father, she is not my mother and the secret of who is lies hidden somewhere in the house."
"I have all the keys locked in a safe at my office. When are you planning to visit?"
"I made plans for Friday night. I figured I go to the house on Saturday morning."
"I can meet you there."
"I would like that. I just want to get this all over with."
He nodded and placed some papers in front of her. "There need to be signed. I already had Diane look them over. I want you to know that I'm neutral in all of this."
"I'm glad to hear that. You seem like a very down to earth guy?"
"I like beer and sports, so I guess you could say that."
"You are not the type my father would have liked considering he was no fun at all."
Trevor grinned. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"You should. I'm sorry that he dragged you into all of this."
"I'm fine."
"Good. I was also informed that I have a brother out there somewhere."
Trevor frowned. "Seriously?" The Webbers were an interesting lot. There was enough drama there to give someone a headache and he really hated drama.
"Yeah. Supposedly, that's locked up too."
Trevor shook his head. "If you want, go over them with Diane and then just give them back to me on Friday."
"How long are you staying in the area?"
"I have some family in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania."
"How nice. I'm not rushing you back am I?"
"No. I'm just staying tomorrow night and then flying home."
"So you're not going there tonight?"
"No, I leave in the morning."
"Then you are having dinner with my family tonight. It's the least I can do."
Trevor smiled. "Do they like beer?"
"Some of them. You tell me what kind you like and I'll make it happen. My husband's step-mom is an awesome cook."
"Alright, you sold me. I'll drink anything."
She scribbled down the address.
"What time?"
"Is six okay? We usually have it a little later, but Elizabeth was in court today and I know she'll be tired."
"I read about that case. I hope she wins." Trevor hated scum buckets like Ric.
Spinelli stumbled into the room. "Oh—sorry—I can come back."
"No!" Andrea said startling him. "Come in Spinelli."
Trevor stood. "I'll see you in a bit."
"Bye."
Spinelli sat and put his computer on her desk. "I have the information you wanted."
"Great! What did you find?"
"I don't think it was Helena. The information can be traced to a coffee shop phone in Denver."
Andrea pursed her lips. "Go on."
"Given the close location to your former mother, I would say it was more than likely her."
"That's what I thought. Leak her information in Colorado. I want it fed to every major news paper and on online. If she wants to be a low down bitch, then I'll give her a taste of her own medicine."
Spinelli smirked. "As you wish." He started to rise and was handed an envelope. "What's this?"
"You have done a lot of extra work for my family in the last few months. Consider that a bonus. Go buy yourself a new computer or something."
Spinelli's eyes grew big. "Wow!"
"We really appreciate your help."
He slightly blushed and pushed his hair back off his face. "Thanks."
Once he was gone, she called Audrey to let her know one more would be coming over.
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At the courthouse, Diane had called several more witnesses including building inspectors and was about question another worker.
"Mr. Roth, were you working around the time that Mr. Lansing walked off the job?"
"Yes, I was."
"Did he give you a reason?"
"He complained about Elizabeth being difficult and that he was tired of it."
"Did he always complain?"
"No. She's a beautiful woman. It was one of those love, hate things."
Diane watched a juror smirk at the look on Jason's face and discreetly gave him a look to smile, which made Edward chuckle.
Jason closed his eyes. Just the idea of Ric anywhere near Elizabeth was pissing him off.
"Did she seem enamored by him?"
The man slightly smiled. "No, I don't think so."
"Objection," Hugh said, standing. "Is this leading anywhere?"
Diane caught the judge's eyes. "I'm trying to establish what the relationship was. I think it's more than relevant."
"Overruled. You may continue."
Hugh plopped back down into the chair dramatically.
"Were you there during the final argument?"
"Yes."
"Can you tell us what you heard?"
"Elizabeth was complaining about the absence of the guys during the week and Ric was making excuses."
"Were you absent?"
"I was one of the days. When I got the word that a lot of the guys had called in after partying late the night before, I called in too."
"Go on."
"Well, Ric told her that she was being difficult and Elizabeth wasn't having it. She wanted to make sure that the men were committed to the project and instead of ensuring her, he got mad and she told him that she was done."
"Did you see the interaction?"
"I saw some of it. When I heard their raised voices, I walked towards the office."
"And what did you see?"
"Elizabeth was backed into the front of the desk and Ric was standing really close, talking to her angrily."
"Did she look uncomfortable?"
"Yes."
"Did she look scared?"
"Objection!" Hugh yelled.
"Overruled. Everything he said was relative as to what he saw."
"Thank you, your honor. Mr. Roth, why do you think she looked scared?" Diane asked.
"She flinched."
"Then what happened?" Diane asked.
"He stepped backwards, so I walked away."
"Did you like working for Mr. Lansing?"
"He was okay. We knew when he was in a mood to avoid him."
"Thank you. No further questions."
