I never thought I'd write 30 chapters of this…and I'm still not done!
Thank you for all your wonderful reviews and suggestions, I hope you keep them coming…yes, I'm a review-slut, I admit it…
A special thanks to Stayce for her help and patience and for letting me steal names even though their RL counterparts are totally different. Thanks Babe!
Disclaimer: Nope, still not owning anything but Teddy.
Rating: PG13
Spoilers: None directly, up to TS implied
Living on a PrayerChapter 30
Ranger took a downtown exit and pulled over at the end of the ramp. He put the car in park and turned to me, taking both of my hands in his.
"You okay?" He asked. I focused on our hands because I still couldn't meet his eyes. "If I say 'no', will you take me away to a tropical island instead of the court house?"
He smiled and freed one of his hands to run his fingers over my jaw line. "I won't let anything happen to you, Babe. I need you to believe that."
I nodded, but then I sighed. "I really want to believe you. I'm just nervous, I guess," I said.
"It's okay," Ranger soothed, "nothing wrong with being scared. I got your back." He was stroking my cheek with his thumb and all I could concentrate on were the sparks of electricity his touch triggered. Damn it, I had to get a grip on my newly-awakened hormones, even though I suspected they were just the denial du jour, the convenient thing to worry about.
"You promise?" I asked softly, even though Ranger's word was every bit as good as a promise. He nodded and snaked his hand around the back of my neck to pull me closer until our foreheads touched.
"He cannot hurt you. Not now, not ever again," Ranger said, suddenly serious. I bit my lip. I knew he was right, but a nagging voice inside that sounded a lot like fear told me he couldn't know for sure, he was just guessing. "I got your back," Ranger repeated and shook me lightly to get my attention.
My eyes filled with tears and I was afraid a full-blown nervous breakdown would be next. Basically, it looked like after the nicest dream the night before, my worst nightmare would become reality: I would finally lose my grip on sanity.
I took a couple deep breaths to keep my heart rate under control, but some tears spilled over and ran down my cheeks. Ranger swore, clicked first his and then my seatbelt open, reached over and with one smooth movement lifted me up and onto his lap. He put his arms around me and his head on my shoulder.
I don't know what it was about this position, completely enveloped by him I felt absolutely safe. Like, I would feel safe if he held me like that during World War III. I couldn't explain it, there was something about his body heat seeping into me that made me feel stronger.
It worked again this time.
"Listen to me," Ranger said. He pulled his head back until he could look into my eyes and cupped my face in one of his hands. "Chances are, yes, Gardner is gonna be at the hearing. But he cannot touch you. He cannot hurt you. Don't even look at him, look straight ahead at the judge or look at the DA. I will never be more than a few steps away from you, I'll protect you." He ran his thumb over my cheek bone and made sure I was really listening.
"Why do I even need to be there?" I asked and my voice sounded pretty whine-y to my own ears. Thomalla had said I was the prosecution's only witness, and I didn't like the thought of it at all.
Ranger blew out a breath. "They're trying to determine if they have a strong enough case to send him to trial," he explained, "His lawyer filed a motion to dismiss the case altogether so-"
"He what?" I yelled and tried to pull out of Ranger's grasp, but he held on to me, anchoring me.
"So it's real important the prosecution makes a strong case," Ranger finished. He ran his hands down my neck to my shoulders. "I believe you can do it, just don't hold anything back. Tell the truth."
I've encountered my share of sickos, especially since I became a bounty hunter, but this would be the first time I had to face them again in a court room. And, okay, Teddy was the first one who'd collected my bodily fluids, so he definitely ranked first on the gross-list. The bottom line was I really didn't want to see him alive ever again. But I didn't want his case dismissed either, obviously. I wanted him to fry on the electric chair, but probably the chances were slim for that to happen. Alternatively, I wanted him to rot in jail for the rest of his life, and it sounded like that wouldn't happen without my input either. So I figured my escape to the Caribbean would have to wait.
I took a deep breath and tried a smile. "I'll try. I'm not as sure as you are that I can do it though. How come you're not a witness, huh? You were there!"
"Because he's up for the kidnapping and assault on you. I wasn't there for that, remember?"
"You were the one who found me!" I argued. I had a real problem with being the only witness now. Ranger shook his head slightly, squeezing my shoulders, "I'll be there, Babe. You will not be alone."
Our eyes held for a moment longer, as if Ranger was waiting for another argument from me. When I didn't say anything, he kissed my nose and nodded.
I sighed and scooted back to my own seat. Ranger put the car in gear again and drove us to my place. We took the stairs up to my apartment and he did his usual walk-through before he waved me in. I couldn't wait for this to be over. I wanted my apartment to be mine again.
It was almost 10:30, but since I'd already taken a shower, I just needed to pick the right clothes and do my hair and make-up. I chose a navy blue skirt suit and a white blouse, since I figured it couldn't hurt to look respectable, even though I didn't feel like it. I even put on panty hose and put on my matching blue pumps before I stalked back to the bathroom. My foot was already protesting, but I was determined to suck it up.
I doubled up on the mascara and put my hair into curlers while I finished my make-up, then I applied a third coat for courage.
I took the curlers out and did my hair. The end result impressed even me, I looked like a secretary. Or maybe a school teacher. Respectable but bland, if I had to sum it up, just the look I was aiming for.
I fed Rex and checked my answering machine. It was thankfully sicko-message free, only my mom had called a couple times.
Ranger was waiting for me in the living room. He stood up when I entered and gave me the once-over, then he almost-smiled.
"What?"
"I take it, this is your witness outfit?" he asked.
"Something wrong with that?" I challenged him. Ranger did a palms-up and didn't try to hide his smirk. "Just checking."
I immediately hobbled back into the bedroom to check myself in the full-size mirror at the door.
Witness Stephanie looked a lot like E.E. Martin Stephanie, with less make-up. Since I'd always had to look sophisticated as a lingerie buyer, I figured I looked okay now. And sweating over what to wear was a great way to deny why I was wearing it. I sighed and told myself to pull myself together already, that there was nothing to fear but fear itself and all that crap. But I didn't leave the bedroom until Ranger knocked on the door gently and told me it was time to leave.
I checked on Rex and promised him I'd return with more permanent housing soon. He apparently hadn't forgiven me yet, as he never even moved in his soup can, not even for the grapes I'd dropped into his food dish. Oh well, I'd have to fix this one later.
We took the elevator down because of my foot and got into Ranger's car without a word. But the closer we got to the court house, the more I felt my control slipping. My palms got sweaty and my heart rate sped up with every block.
I was close to a panic attack when Ranger pulled into the parking lot.
He parked right next to two black SUVs, and four Merry Men got out of them when Ranger killed the engine. I smiled at him warily, "Strength in numbers?"
"You bet," he said, "You ready?" He took his gun out of his holster and pushed it under his seat, then he removed two knives from his ankles and shoved them away as well. I just put my purse down and decided to leave it in the car for now so I wouldn't have to worry about weapons.
I really doubted I'd ever be ready, so I settled for "As ready as I'll ever be." Ranger took my hand and squeezed it. "You're readier than you realize," He assured me and let my hand go to get out of the car.
Tank, Junior, Bobby and Cal had taken their spots around Ranger's car. My own body guards. I didn't know if Ranger thought there was a danger I'd get hurt, I just appreciated the buffer zone between me and the real world.
I may have thought I was as ready as I'd get, but my body wasn't sharing the feeling. After a couple minutes, Ranger came around my side of the car and opened the door for me. He held out his hand and I finally took it. If I refused, he would probably carry me in.
Probably there hadn't been much publicity for this hearing, not like a real trial, so there were no gawkers or reporters outside. The Trenton court house was the other half of the building that housed the Trenton PD. And as many times as I'd been here, I'd never entered the blocky red-brick building from this side. Probably it was a good thing, because the cop shop held way too many memories, and in my state, I would choose reminiscing about the past over facing the present. The hearing was held here, the trial itself would be at the big one on East State. And according to Ranger, it was my job to get us there. Oh joy.
Ranger was leading me up the front stairs by the elbow, two Merry Men on each side shielded me from…well, everything. Inside it was all beige marble floors and white walls with paintings depicting important-looking people on them. Footsteps echoed because of the high ceilings and overall, the place seemed to have been decorated with the goal of intimidating people and making them feel uncomfortable. And that's definitely how I felt.
Ranger walked us straight to a group of men in expensive suits who were standing near the entrance. The tallest of them turned when he heard us approach.
He looked at Ranger, who must have given him some sort of signal, and then he extended his hand.
"Miss Plum?" he asked, "I'm Tobias Jeter, the assistant DA on this case. It's nice to meet you." He took my hand and shook it and I smiled mechanically. Now I noticed Thomalla separating himself from the group as well and coming over to us.
He put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. "Thank God you're okay," he said, "I was so worried about you." He pulled me away from Ranger and his men and I reluctantly followed when Thomalla explained that they had to go through the screening first, metal detectors and such. I knew they had left their weapons in their cars, so I hoped this would be quick. I trusted Thomalla, but he couldn't replace Ranger. Thomalla bent his head so that his mouth was close to my ear. "This is not about Morelli," he whispered, "IA is still dealing with that, so don't worry. No dirty laundry here today." Actually, I hadn't thought about that part of the trial until he mentioned it, but I was still relieved. And I felt guilty I hadn't spent any time searching for the damned CD that could be nothing or the missing piece of evidence.
Jeter nodded at the guards and motioned us past security, apparently I looked safe without my pocketbook. We went down a hallway into a small conference room to brief me, only Thomalla was allowed inside.
I turned to make sure Ranger saw where I was going, and he nodded his acknowledgment. When had I turned into a frightened little mouse that didn't dare move without Ranger's attention? Probably right around the time my mind wouldn't let me deny I was mere steps away from Teddy, was my guess.
Jeter looked to be in his mid-thirties. He was wearing a grey suit that almost matched his eye color, his blond hair was cut short. He wasn't unattractive, but something about him bugged me. The ring on his finger told me not all women thought so.
Thomalla sat down next to me, Jeter took the chair across the table. He took a number of files and his pen out of his briefcase and put them on the table, then he looked up to make eye contact and laid it all out for me.
"Gardner is charged with kidnapping, assault and battery and resisting arrest," he held up a hand when he saw I was about to protest, "That's what you have to focus on. The lawyers put their heads together and decided they wanted to launch separate suits, and I tend to agree. But you need to make sure you only focus on what happened to you, what led up to it, and how you got away. You think you can do that?"
I wasn't sure I could do that. Joe's murder, the threatening phone calls and him kidnapping me tied right into the attacks in Point Pleasant and the showdown at Val's house. As usual, my emotions were displayed on my face, so I didn't have to answer the question.
Jeter sighed and looked at Thomalla before he continued, "I know it's hard for you, Stephanie, you know and loved all the ones who got hurt." He reached out and covered my hand with his. I resisted the urge to pull it away, but just barely.
"He killed Joe," I said, my voice a little shaky, "Isn't anybody gonna accuse him of that?"
Thomalla inhaled audibly, but Jeter cut him off, too. "There's not enough evidence to make a case at this point," he stated.
I closed my eyes to count to ten, hoping it would calm me down. It didn't work. I took a deep breath and looked Jeter in the eye.
"I believe you have received a copy of the message he left on my answering machine. Yesterday, he left…" my voice broke at this point and Thomalla put his arm around me.
"Shhh, Steph, it's okay," he soothed, "I'm sure Toby was just about to explain how he is still building the case for that, isn't that right, Toby?" he was talking to me like one would talk to a hysteric five-year-old, but I still appreciated the effort.
Jeter ran a hand through his hair and returned his attention to the files on the table. "One case at a time," he said, not looking up, "I want to make sure he stays behind bars. Once I know he's not going anywhere, I can focus on the evidence, see where it leads me," he looked up again, "There's too much hearsay at the moment, Stephanie, no judge in the country would let it go to trial. That's why your testimony is so critical. There are no witnesses that would put him at the scene of the murder, but you can put him at the scene of assault and battery."
But no pressure, right? Jeez, I thought, Jeter should retake the course on witness preparation. I was more nervous now than when I'd arrived.
He went on to explain that there was going to be him and another assistant DA, and Teddy and his lawyer, and the judge. No jury. Thomalla would assume the role of a bailiff, he'd requested it specifically, and I was grateful his request had been approved.
Usually, the public wasn't allowed to the hearings, but the judge was going to allow RangeMan to provide my security detail, since Jeter had stressed how 'weak and fragile' I still felt. Hey, if that little fib meant Ranger could stay in the room, I wasn't going to argue with it.
I was also told I'd have to wait outside until I was called in. That worked for me, because it meant less time in the same room as Teddy. Jeter asked if I had any questions, but I didn't have any about this hearing. He'd be hearing from me afterwards so he wouldn't forget working on the other case, the murder. How he figured my kidnapping was more important was beyond me.
"You're ready?" Jeter finally asked. How about no? Or better yet, hell no! "Uh-huh," I nodded slowly and hoped it was good enough. But Jeter had already moved on, scribbling notes and earmarking files, before he ushered us out the door.
Ranger was waiting for me right outside the conference room. Tank and Junior stood across the hall, wearing their 'don't mess with me' faces. I was sure Bobby and Cal had taken a similar stance not far off.
I took a deep breath and straightened my shoulders. "Here we go," I said because I couldn't come up with anything appropriate. Ranger's upper lip curled into a smile and he tucked a stray curl behind my ear. "You'll be fine," he assured me again and led me over to a wooden bench outside the court room.
"Tank is staying with you, I'll be inside," he said and put a finger over my mouth when I started to protest. "The hearing isn't open to the public, and unless I'm there from the start, I won't get in. So Tank is going to keep you company out here, Bobby and I will have your back inside, okay?"
What he said made sense, but that didn't mean I liked it. A voice inside me piped up and told me to grow up already, so I nodded bravely. "Okay," I confirmed. Ranger brushed his lips over mine and squeezed my shoulder before he nudged me onto the bench. Tank appeared behind Ranger, ready to take over.
I was way to nervous to sit still, and a couple minutes after Thomalla, Jeter, Ranger and Bobby had gone inside, I jumped up and started pacing. It hurt, and I winced with every step, but it was still better than sitting. "Are they inside?" I asked Tank and motioned towards the court room. Tank lifted an eyebrow in a silent question. "The judge, the lawyer, Teddy. Are they already inside or will they walk past us?" I wasn't sure I could stay calm if Teddy walked by a few feet away. Tank had sat down on the bench, his long legs crossed at the ankles, his arms over his chest.
"They're probably in by now, they took another way though," he said to answer my question. I was relieved but didn't stop pacing. I wondered about that 'other way' and if the Trenton cop shop had a bunch of secret passage ways and such. Maybe it was full of catacombs.
By the time my name was called, I was so lost in my denial thoughts that I jumped a foot. Cal came from out of nowhere to stand at my side, and Tank got up to stand at the other.
"Good luck," Tank whispered, "Go get 'em," was Cal's advice. I swallowed and stalked into the court room through the door that Thomalla was holding open for me.
I tried to follow Ranger's advice and looked straight ahead. But the room wasn't big enough to avoid looking at anyone. We weren't in a big court room with pews for spectators and a partition for the jury. This room 2B was just big enough for a couple rows of chairs for visitors to the left and right of the center aisle, a desk on each side in the front for the counselors, and a huge desk for the judge facing the room. Next to the judge was a chair, probably for the witness. The court reporter, a mousy-looking woman in a grey suit, sat next to that at a small table that held her machine. The walls were paneled in dark wood about halfway up, the rest was painted white. The desks were mahogany and added to the dark vibe I got from the room. All in all, I doubted more than 20 people could fit into the room comfortably.
I focused my eyes on Thomalla's back until he turned and showed me to the seat next to the judge's desk. I spotted Jeter out of the corner of my eye on the left desk, so Teddy would be sitting at the right desk, right in front of me. Thomalla positioned himself between me and Teddy and I smiled at him gratefully.
The sign on the desk told me Judge Leuck was presiding, I hadn't met him before. He looked to be in his late fifties, with grey hair and a chubby body that the black robe covered like a tent. He glanced at me when I sat down.
I wanted to find Ranger, or Bobby, I knew they were there but I didn't know on which side and I didn't dare look up. I'd felt Teddy's presence as soon as I'd entered the room and I was hanging on to my composed exterior by a thin thread.
"State your name and address for the record," Thomalla said and I flinched at the sound of his voice.
"Stepha..." I croaked. I cleared my throat and tried again. This time I made it through my name and address before my voice gave out again. Thomalla rushed to the DA's desk and filled a glass of water for me. I kept my eyes down.
I took a sip of water and held on to the glass since there was nowhere for me to put it. Thomalla picked up a bible and held it right in front of me
"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?" He asked and I confirmed that I did. I'd never been a witness before, but I'd seen my share of movies, I figured I knew the motions.
Jeter got up and stood in the same place Thomalla stood before, between me and the defense's desk. I knew this wasn't coincidence, but I wondered if they'd thought of it themselves or if Ranger had given them the tip.
"Miss Plum," Jeter began, "In your own words, can you recall for us the events of November 17, the day you stayed in a room at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City?"
I chewed on my lower lip for a moment. It wasn't that I didn't recall what had happened, I was wondering how to say it, when to start. I didn't even know it was November 17 until Jeter had told me earlier.
I took another sip of my water, "I opened the door because someone had knocked, and as soon as the door was open, T…Mr. Gardner forced his way in." I didn't have to make up anything to show what a nutcase Teddy was, I realized.
Jeter stepped aside. "Is the individual you call Mr. Gardner present in this room and can you point at him for the record?"
I forced my eyes up and looked straight into Teddy's. My blood ran cold before I realized what was different about him. He had two black eyes, his nose was swollen and bruised, and his lip was split. He was wearing a smart suit that did nothing to make him look like a decent human being in my opinion. I swallowed hard and lifted my hand to point at him. I couldn't speak, the simple gesture was all I could handle. In here, I couldn't rely on adrenaline to drive me, like at Val's house. In here, I was alone with my panic.
"Let the record show that Miss Plum pointed at the defendant," Jeter narrated for the court reporter and stepped back between Teddy and me. I let out the breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.
"Then what happened?" Jeter asked and I locked eyes with him as I told my story. I might have added a couple things that I didn't recall saying, like 'Go away' or 'Leave', but I knew I'd at least been thinking them. "…then he pushed the door open so hard that it hit me in the head and I passed out," I finished the first part and took another sip of my water.
"Objection!" a male voice shouted, obviously Teddy's lawyer. "The witness couldn't possibly see the defendant push the door if she was on the other side."
The judge just looked in his direction and raised his eyebrows for a second. "Overruled," he said without waiting for Jeter's response.
"So to sum up," Jeter said, "Would you say it is correct to say the defendant forced his way into your room, threatened you and eventually knocked you unconscious?"
"Objection!" Teddy's lawyer interrupted again. "Leading the witness!"
"I'm just summing up what the witness already stated on her own," Jeter argued and the judge overruled the objection again. I wanted to believe this was a good sign, that the judge already leaned our way, but I told myself not to get my hopes up.
"What is the next thing you remember, Miss Plum?" Jeter pulled me back into the present. I closed my eyes for a beat, trying to get my heart rate back to normal, but I couldn't help reliving it as I talked about it. That was the exact reason I didn't talk about it!
The court reporter typed busily next to me as I told them how I'd woken up in the trunk of a car, no, I couldn't recall the make and model, and I hadn't recognized where I was taken, although I slipped in that I'd later learned it was Shiloh. I told the truth when I said I couldn't identify the second man, although I had a feeling he'd helped Teddy in Point Pleasant as well. The defense objected a couple times, but they were overruled just as often.
I described the house and the room I was kept in and I was able to keep my voice steady until I was asked to describe what happened in the house. I figured 'indescribable terror and humiliation' was not what Jeter wanted to hear.
My eyes darted across the room until I found Ranger and once we made eye contact, I was able to continue. By the time I'd recalled my escape, tears were flowing down my cheeks and my fingernails had left deep gashes in the palms of my hands. Finally Jeter told the judge he had no further questions and I let out the air in a big whoosh.
Judge Leuck asked the defense lawyer if he wanted to cross-exam me, but he declined. Probably he hadn't found enough to work with for his side, because there was nothing. The judge thanked me and I was excused.
I knew that meant I was allowed to get up and walk out of the room, but I was frozen in place.
Jeter had gone back to shuffle papers on his desk and Thomalla stood off to the side. I tried hard to avoid looking at Teddy, but I couldn't help it. That was the weakness he'd been waiting for, he immediately waggled his eyebrows and smiled creepily. His tongue darted out between his split lips and I gagged.
And that's when he sprang into action. Literally. Jeter was busy making notes, talking to his assistant. The judge was distracted somehow and Thomalla wasn't by my side. The uniform by the exit wasn't anywhere near me. Teddy couldn't have chosen a better moment if he tried. In a split-second, he lunged over the desk and threw himself at me.
I didn't have time to even panic, I screamed in anticipation of the impact, my eyes wide open in shock.
But before he reached me, he jerked to the side, his eyes widened a little, and then he crumbled to the floor. Behind him stood Thomalla, with the smoking gun. Or in this case, a sizzling stun gun.
I caught a glimpse of Ranger, going for his gun instinctively. Since he wasn't carrying, he jumped over the chairs in his way to get to me.
Bobby was already hunched over Teddy's unconscious body cuffing him with a knee pressed into the small of Teddy's back. After a long minute, the judge came out of his stupor enough to order the counselors to his desk.
Ranger put an arm around me and led me outside, Thomalla made sure he stood between me and Teddy again. I was shaking so hard, I couldn't walk straight, and my vision was blurred from the tears that had once again started to flow. I didn't even realize Ranger all but carried me outside; I was convinced I was trying to walk. He walked us over to the bench outside and gently put me down. I took in the air in big gulps and slowly felt my heart rate return to sub-stroke level.
Ranger handed me a bottle of water and I emptied it in a few swigs. The Merry Men had formed a half-circle around the bench and were all regarding me with worried expressions.
"Let's get you out of here," Ranger suggested and reached for my hand, but I shook my head violently. "I'm going to stay until I find out what's gonna happen to him!" I argued, hating the way my voice shook. No way was I going home not knowing if Teddy would walk or stay in prison!
Ranger let out an exasperated breath and sat down next to me. He signaled Bobby and Cal, and they left. Tank resumed his bodyguard position at the opposite wall.
I closed my eyes and concentrated on breathing, telling myself it was over, I made it, I was safe, Ranger was next to me. Finally, I calmed down.
"So how much longer do you think it's gonna take?" I asked, gesturing at the closed door of room 2B.
Ranger moved one shoulder a fraction of an inch, his version of a shrug. "No way of knowing," he said and checked his watch, "They started at noon it's only 1:30 now. Could be a while." He tried to suppress the smile that crept over his lips and I pretended not to notice. I knew what he was thinking, I'd run out of patience before they were done.
True, the excitement of the morning had left my stomach in a tight knot and I was exhausted now that the adrenaline had worn off, but wild horses wouldn't be able to drag me away from here before I knew, one way or the other.
Ranger and I sat next to each other on the bench, our legs stretched in front of us, arms crossed over the chest. To some people, it may be the ideal thinking position. I however felt like jumping up after a few minutes and I only stayed in my seat so I wouldn't prove Ranger right.
I tried the thinking thing for a bit, but all I could think about was Teddy. Teddy and Morelli. Teddy killing Morelli. Teddy cuffing me, touching me.
I shook my head to clear it and noticed both Ranger and Tank were watching me. Probably I had expressed my disgust out loud.
Finally, it seemed like hours to me but the clock only read 2:16, the door opened and Jeter emerged, followed by Thomalla. I jumped up. They were both wearing their unreadable cop faces.
"Well???" I shrieked when neither of them spoke. Jeter took me by the elbow and led me back to the small conference room.
"I need to talk to you."
TBC
A/N: Now Teddy is going to be locked up and they throw away the key, right? Right? Nothing else could possibly happen, right? What would you like to see happen?