Laws of Motion – Book 3
Written by: Ms. Maggs/Edited by: KJT
Chapter 19
Monday – October 3, 2005
The Vartanns
3:44 pm
With the incriminating evidence in his jacket pocket, Gil parked his truck in the circular drive and walked toward the front door of the impressive home.
After pressing the doorbell, he listened to the opulent chimes while tucking his sunglasses in his jacket pocket. Being in work-mode, he almost forgot that the players in the day's drama were not strangers but friends. The stress had taken its toll, and he craved a precious ten minute break from it all.
"Hey, Gil," Tony greeted the CSI upon opening the door. "You were so cryptic on the phone, you have me curious as hell. What's goin' on? Why did you want me to meet me here to pick up a suspect rather than at the locale?"
"Is your wife home?" Gil queried as he glanced over the detective's broad shoulders.
"No, she's at your townhouse watching Greg sleep in the guestroom while his dad signs closing papers on the house."
"Good, I was hoping she was gone." Gil stepped inside and was immediately taken with the decor. "Wow. This place looks like a museum." He breathed deeply through his nose. "And it smells good too. What is that?" He sniffed harder. "Green chilies?"
"Thank you, Becca's the decorator, I'm the chef." Tony shut the front door. "What you smell is the Santa Fe Chicken I put in the crock pot this morning before leaving for work."
"My mother had a crock pot."
"I like home cooked meals, but I'm too beat to cook from scratch when I get off work…that's where the crock pot comes in handy." Tony walked towards the kitchen. "Even my kitchen-phobe wife can cook with one now that I've taught her all you do is dump ingredients and flip a switch. We made the Santa Fe chicken together this morning. Becca chopped the onions herself." He smiled at the memory of his nudist wife wearing only the apron his mother had given her and a pair of strappy red heels. "I'll get a bowl, you can try it. If you like it, I'll give you a recipe."
Happy to get the break he had been fantasizing about, Gil took a seat at the island. "Don't mind if I do."
"Too bad we can't crack open a beer while we're at it." As he scooped a ladle of sauce with onions, Tony's drama-drained mind filled with happy thoughts of his wife…
"Look, Honey! I'm chopping!" Becca proudly announced. "The right way, just like you taught me."
"Way to go, Becks! See…I told you you're a natural chef." Tony clapped while enjoying the sight of his nudist wife's tanned hide peering through the space at the rear of the apron. "At first when you showed up in that get-up for your cooking lesson I thought it was a bit much, but now I realize it allows me to enjoy two of my favorite things…cooking and your body." He forced himself to resume loading the dishwasher. "If only I didn't have to go to work."
"Oh, Detective," She melodiously sang, "You don't have to leave to fight crime, because there's one to solve right here. A cube of sugar has been reported missing, and I think it would be prudent to perform a body cavity search on the girl with the scandalous reputation."
"The stuff you come up with," Laughing, he wiped his hands on a dishtowel. "I wish I could, Honey, believe me."
"Just tell them you were hard…at work fighting crime."
"Yeah, but I wouldn't want to rush things and leave you hanging."
"Don't worry about me…bad girls shouldn't be rewarded. I'll take care of myself in the solitary confinement of a hot shower."
"Becks, you're killing me with these lines."
"Is that a yes?" When he shook his head, Becca pouted, "Sometimes, it sucks being married to a grown up." A second later she dropped half an onion on the ground. "Oops!" With her high-heeled feet shoulder width apart, she giggled and bent over to retrieve the lost piece. "Silly me."
"That did it." Tossing his dishtowel, Tony darted over. "I'm a newlywed, they'll forgive me. Did you take your pill this morning?"
"No. Since you cured my OCD and we don't need them for protection, I decided to toss them in the trash like you suggested. You're not lying to trick me into getting pregnant, are you?"
"I wish I was..."
"Lying?"
"Able to."
"Seriously, you'd want me to be the mother of your kids?" she asked in surprised as the pace quickened. "Why? I'm certifiable. I think you're just saying that because you know you can't impregnate me."
"I can't believe…"
"How good this feels?"
"That all this emasculating talk about my dysfunction…isn't making me…impotent." Suckling her neck, Tony groaned, "You're that hot, Baby."
"I'll stop talking."
"Always a good strategy in this position." After a short silence, Tony rasped in his wife's ear, "I confess…I really have been lying to you, Becca."
Without missing a beat, she went along with the surprising role play. "I knew it!"
"Do you want me to stop?"
"No," she squeaked as the heat between them built to a frenzy. "Don't stop."
"There's no turning back," he panted, "are you sure!"
"Yes!"
As they caught their breath, Tony asked his flushed wife, "What the hell was that! Jesus Christ, and you think you are the only one with issues around here? I'm fantasizing that I've been lying to my wife about being infertile and then forcing myself on her to get her pregnant with my kid. I think we're still within annulment range, Honey…run."
"You didn't force me," Becca sweetly laughed as she turned around to study her husband's face. "I was begging you."
Taking her in his arms, he laughed, "That's what made it so damn hot."
"Was it really?" she sweetly queried while gazing into his eyes. "Hotter than when…"
"More than all the times combined when I was trying for real with…The One We Do Not Speak Of."
"Ha! You got that from when we watched The Village last night."
"I'm trying to curb my foul language around you, remember?" He laughed. "All the other names are vile."
"Thank you."
He gave her the kiss that logistics hadn't allowed earlier. "Thank you for indulging me in that crazy fantasy."
"Which one?"
"What do you mean, which one?"
"You're not the only intuitive one in this house, Detective." Her voice changed to a whisper. "I know you still think about having a baby. So are you thanking me for indulging you in the role play or…for saying 'yes' when you asked me if I'd go for it?"
"You only said 'yes' because you knew it couldn't happen… right?" With baited breath, he waited for her answer. "Honey…are you…are you thinking down the road a year or so that maybe you want to…I mean not that there's a guarantee the IVF would work, but…"
"Wow! Look at the time, Detective!" Becca winked and sauntered away smiling. "You need to zip up and get to work," she reminded him from the doorway. "We'll have to continue this totally terrifying conversation later. And don't worry about the mess there…I'll take care of it."
"Detective…" Gil prodded after swallowing the last bite of chicken.
"Huh?" On a day chock full of marital strife, the recollection seemed particularly endearing and he couldn't wait for the conversation to continue later that night. "Sorry…" Snapping out of the memory, Tony cleared his throat. "How was the chicken?"
"Not as good as whatever you were just thinking about."
"Oh." Tony laughed. "I was thinking about the wife and me cooking together this morning. You know…it's been a shitty day and it was nice to think of something happy."
Gil smiled, "Now I'm certain I'll buy a crock pot for Sara."
Tony resumed eating his chicken. "Are you ever gonna tell me why we're here?"
The sound of the front door caught their ears.
"Marcella?" Vartann called as he walked toward the kitchen entrance.
The forty-nine year old maid's shriek tore through the house. "Mr. Vartann…" She placed her hand over her racing heart and spoke in broken English, "I no think you home."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." Returning to the kitchen with her, Tony said, "It's Monday though." She only cleaned on Tuesdays and Fridays.
"Your wife…she call." When Marcella saw another gentleman she nodded politely. "She call and say kitchen need cleaning." She struggled to translate the rest of the words. "Table and floors they is messy."
Tony couldn't believe Becca's version of 'Don't worry, I'll take care of that' was to call the maid. "Uh…" It just seemed wrong. "Here." He opened the cabinet under the sink, fetching a new pair of rubber gloves. "Para usted." His Spanish, other than police commands, was a bit rusty. "Para trabajo bueno todo dias la casa hermoso y usted es azúcar."
For good work all day the beautiful house and you are sugar? "Gracias." Marcella smiled and accepted the odd gift from the nice man and wondered why he would think she didn't have a pair of her own. "Porqué..."
"Oh!" Tony grabbed his wallet and handed the woman a twenty dollar tip. "Porque vine aquí hoy."
Gil's face spread into a smile. "Did you really mean to say 'because I came here today' or were you trying to thank her for coming here today?"
"Recientemente casados," the maid laughed as she tugged on the gloves. Since the usually tidy couple was paying and tipping her very well, she really didn't care if they had an accident every now and then. Working housekeeping in Sin City hotels for several years had made her oblivious to such things and the Vartanns were far nicer than most wealthy people she had met. They were night and day to her newest customer, Marlene Rodgers.
Looking at Tony, who was flushed red, Gil translated, "She understands that you're newlyweds." He stood. "How about we take our conversation into the living room?"
"Yeah." Tony followed him laughing. "Life is a lot different with Becca around…I'm not used to having a maid."
"I thought you were going to say you weren't used to experiencing romance in the kitchen."
"Nah, I've been doing that since high school."
"I never thought you had a life," Gil blurted. "What I mean is…I never thought about your life in a personal context. I keep finding myself surprised when I realize people I've known for years have a life beyond what I know of them at LVPD."
"That's okay." Tony took a seat on the dark leather couch. "I always thought you were a freak who raced roaches."
Gil laughed, "Where'd you get a crazy idea like that?"
"We hear a lot of weird shit about you CSIs."
"I'd love to hear more about that another time." From his pocket Gil pulled a folded piece of paper. "As much as I hate to end the pleasantries, we better get down to business." Handing over the paper he said in a discontented voice, "I know who is behind the video. I spoke to the delivery man and he described her to a T. I also got the plate off her sports car."
Excited to have an answer, Tony hurriedly opened the paper. "What the…" He looked up at Gil in disbelief. "I…I don't understand. Why would she…"
"That's why we need to talk to her."
The Townhouse
4:04 pm
"Becca?" Scott called out as he walked through the living room with her cell phone. He had found it ringing in her purse. "Honey…Tony's on the phone for…" When he saw her sound asleep on the bed next to his snoozing son, he whispered, "It seems as though she fell asleep watching Greg sleep."
"Jeez, she makes a pretty crappy bodyguard."
"She looked drained when she got here, so I'm not surprised. Do you need me to wake her or would you like me to give her a message?"
"Let her sleep," Tony replied. "But don't let her leave without calling me first, okay? Unless you're planning on leaving again before…"
"No." After gently shutting the door Scott replied, "I'll be here waiting for the movers to take the furniture to the new place."
Renaissance Apartments – Tawny's New Place
4:09 pm
"This is the last kitchen box," Drew said as he lifted a carton onto the kitchen counter of the bright and airy one-bedroom apartment Scott had rented for Tawny. He had been helping her unpack for the last hour. "While you put these dishes away, how about I run and get you some groceries? There's a store right around the corner."
Still in shock from everything happening at light-speed, she softly replied, "Okay, but take the money from the envelope Nick gave me from Scott, don't use your own. And don't buy chocolate or flowers or anything…"
"Just the basics, I got it." He opened the envelope and took a hundred. "You have my cell if think of anything special you need."
"Thanks."
"No problem." He checked his watch. "I don't have to be home until five forty-five to take Cassie to her ridin' lesson. Then, I'll check in on you tomorrow on the way to the office, if you want."
"Okay." The thought of spending the night alone in a strange apartment depressed her further still.
At the front door, Drew said, "But if you need me to come back later, after I do story time with the kids…I could come back here. I don't mean to sleep with you, in case you're worried. I mean…to see if you need anything moved or..."
"I don't think that's a good idea," Tawny replied as she loaded the last of the dishes in a cabinet. "The last thing either of us needs is opportunity when we're both feeling vulnerable."
"Good thinkin'. Yeah." Lowering his head, Drew confessed, "You look so sad, I've already fought off the urge to hug you a dozen times. I imagine that urge would only get worse after sunset." Opening the door, he said, "I'll be back shortly with the groceries."
When he was gone, Tawny moved to the living room, where there were several boxes scattered around between the couch, coffee table, and entertainment center Greg had selected for her to keep from their furniture collection. She still couldn't believe the events of day weren't part of a nightmare from which she couldn't wake. Feeling misty, Tawny knelt down and opened one of the boxes. Much to her distress, right on the top was her copy of Moulin Rouge on DVD; she quickly figured it had been placed there for effect. She knew the trick worked when the memory of their first date came flooding back…
Gleeful that Greg was staying, Tawny flitted across the room. "Wanna snuggle in bed while we're watching the movie?"
"If you twist my arm!" He disrobed immediately.
"The boxers stay on!" she warned. "Because you're armed, dangerous and not in control of your piece."
"Deal." Greg laughed and cringed simultaneously while following her to the bed in the far corner of the studio apartment. "So what are we watching?"
"What do you think?" She held up her copy of Moulin Rouge. "One of your favorite movies."
"Excellent." While sliding under the covers he asked a favor, "If you bump into any of the guys I work with, don't tell them I like romantic movies. And while we're on the subject, don't tell them about me not having control over my piece…could you um…not tell anyone that actually." Fluffing the pillows he anxiously awaited her arrival.
"Don't worry…" After inserting the DVD she strolled over to the bed grinning. "Have you forgotten what I do for a living? During lap dances vulnerable men tell me their secrets all the time. I'm a pro…even your deepest secrets are safe with me, Greg Sanders." Slipping under the covers she smiled. "Care to spoon me?"
Sporting a goofy grin he replied, "I'd be honored." Holding open his arms he invited her and when she burrowed against him he enveloped her. "I'm really glad you didn't kick me out,"
"I'm really glad you stayed." She nestled a little deeper into the embrace. "Will you come back again tomorrow?"
"You want me to come back tomorrow?" he responded in shock. "You mean this isn't a mercy snuggle because I'm a hapless idiot?"
"Greg," she cried, holding the movie box. "I'm the idiot. You were always too good for me, but you didn't know it." Her tears returned and soon she was sobbing so hard, she didn't hear the front door open.
"Got all the way to the Hummer and realized I forgot my…keys." The sight of Tawny curled up in a ball crying made Drew's stomach knot. To hug, or not hug. To say 'Don't worry, Honey, everything will end up okay' when he wasn't sure the sentiment was true. "Uh…" He opted instead to just hand her a tissue.
"This was our movie," she squeaked. "He sang me the song when he proposed. He sang to me in front of the whole club! And he gave me this beautiful ring that a girl like me totally doesn't deserve. Four months ago I was shaking my tits for pigs to earn cash and Greg took me away from all that and enrolled me in community college and made me think I could be a career woman like Carrie or Sara. Who was I kidding? Look how pathetically stupid I am.
"Hey, now…" Drew knelt down next to her. "Remember, you promised to stay calm for the babies."
"I'm trying," she admitted after a deep breath of air. "I know you and me are responsible for the kiss, but I just want to kill whoever sent him that damn video and ruined all our lives! Why couldn't they just send it to us and then give us a chance to make things right! Why did they have to rip Greg to shreds! The only reason you're still calm is because you haven't had to deal with Lissa yet! For all you know, Lissa could be watching that video on her cell phone right now! When was the last time you checked in with her?"
"Ten minutes ago. She was fine. I asked Marta to turn off Lissa's cell because I was gettin' harassed on mine by some idiot and I was afraid he'd start callin' her too. I told her not to tell her, because I wouldn't want her to get scared. Lissa never uses her cell unless she leaves the house and she's in for the day."
Drew and Lissa's
4:15 pm
"Yes?" Marta, the nanny, warily spoke through the front door as she stared at the gentleman on the front steps. "How may I help you, Sir?"
"I'm Gil Grissom…a friend of the family. I'd like to speak to Mrs. Stokes."
"One moment."
The criminalist checked his watch, wondering how Sara was and counting the minutes until he could hold her and rejoice that their marriage was rock solid.
"Gil?" Lissa Stokes greeted the family friend. "What brings you here?"
"A beautiful woman," he answered while watching her wavy brown hair shine in the late afternoon sun. "I was hoping she'd go to the movies with me."
"What?" she chuckled. "I believe my husband might find it odd if I went alone to a dark movie theater with a married man."
His gaze fell to the gorgeous diamond ring on her left hand and then moved upward to her bracelet made of various gems. "Actually, the movie I want to watch with you isn't playing in theaters."
"What kind of movie is it exactly?"
He removed the DVD from his jacket. "Look familiar?" He stepped forward and sniffed the air. "Is that mango-scented shine spray? Becca wears it too. I think I'll get some for Sara. Where do you buy it?"
"I'm sorry" she flustered. "You're actin' really odd and suddenly I'm not comfortable with this visit at all. If you'll excuse me…"
"I know it was you who sent the TV and the DVD to BPAC." He showed her the license plate check he had run. "The messenger service you used was robbed last month. They've since installed surveillance cameras in the back where you were told to drive around with the TV so it could be loaded into the messenger's truck. There's a perfect shot of you and your Jaguar." When he saw her surprised reaction, Gil said, "Kind of ironic that you were exposed by the very technology you used to expose others, isn't it?"
Lissa released the doorknob and lowered her head. "If you've watched that DVD then you know I'm not the real guilty party. My husband and that gold-digging slut are the ones you should be lookin' at like lepers, not me."
"I need you to go to the station with Detective Vartann for questioning."
"Questioning!" Glancing beyond the CSI, she saw Tony leaning on a sedan in the driveway. "I…"
"Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!" Cassie joyously yelled on approach. "Oh." Her excitement evaporated when she saw it wasn't her father. I heard the doorbell from my room and thought Daddy was home early to take me ridin'. I woulda been here sooner but I was playin' with my hamster and I had to put him away first."
"Sorry to disappoint you," Gil told the little girl in the sweetest voice he could muster. "Lissa…"
"Marta!" Lissa's body began shaking. "Would you get Cassie ready for her ridin' lesson, please. I forgot I had an engagement this afternoon. Now please!"
"C'mon, Cassie." Unsure of what was transpiring, Marta took the little girl's hand and whisked her away. "Let's see how those new boots fit that your daddy bought you."
"Gil," Lissa pleaded, "do I really have to…"
"I'm afraid so." Gil motioned for her to follow him. "Let's go."
"How long will we be?"
"At least a few hours."
County Courthouse
4:22 pm
After spending the last five hours on the Sally Wells Campbell debacle, Carrie was thrilled to leave the stuffy building, turn on her cell phone and give Nick a call. "Seventeen messages?" She panicked. I hope nothing's wrong.
Tawny's Apartment
4:25 pm
"What's wrong?" she asked Drew when his face grew pale.
"That was Marta," he distantly replied. "She said Gil came to the house and had Lissa taken away in a car driven by a man in a suit wearing a badge."
"Why?"
"She didn't…" Drew glanced down at his ringing cell phone. "It's my brother." He flipped it open. "Hey, Nicky, what's…"
"Mr. Andrew Stokes…your presence is being requested at the North Trop Station of the LVPD."
"What's goin' on, Nicky? Marta just said Gil came to the house and Lissa…"
"Mr. Stokes, as the President of BPAC, your presence is needed because earlier today you reported to Criminalist Gil Grissom that the BPAC offices were entered illegally and cameras were installed without your knowledge. We need additional information from you regarding this pending investigation. We have detained a suspect, who we know for a fact, paid the AA Messenger Service to deliver a TV and DVD to the BPAC offices this morning. We believe this suspect may or may not have had a key to the BPAC offices or access to your keys. That person of interest is en route with Detective Vartann of the LVPD and Criminalist Gil Grissom. I'm afraid that's all I'm at liberty to say in regards to this pending investigation. Thank you for your cooperation. We expect to see you shortly."
The click of the phone sent Drew plummeting further into the rabbit hole.
"What's going on?" Tawny rose to her feet.
"I think…" He stared at the phone as if it would confirm his thoughts. "Uh…my brother just unofficially told me who sent the DVD."
"Who!"
Drew met Tawny's wide eyes. "Lissa."
It was the last name she expected to hear. "Lissa!"
LVPD
4:51 pm
"Melissa Lexington Stokes," Tony stated for the record as he took a seat across from the suspect. "Criminalist Gil Grissom and I have some questions for you regarding the delivery of a TV and envelope to the BPAC offices at 55 Washington Avenue earlier today."
"Do we have to pretend like we don't know each other?" she snipped. "You were my guest for brunch, Detective. This feels ridiculous. I'm bein' cooperative, stop treatin' me like a common criminal…which I'm not. The only reason I'm here is so we can get you to drop this BS and leave me alone."
Grissom fielded the question. "I asked Detective Vartann to join me on the case because I knew he was already aware of what happened and he would conduct himself with the utmost discretion. If you'd like a less formal tone, we can oblige you. The process however, must remain formal."
"Lissa," Tony said, "as you've been advised, you can request legal representation at any time."
"Yes, please just get on with it."
Grissom opened his file and took over. "We have surveillance footage of you at AA Messenger Service. Here is a photo of you standing at the rear of your vehicle…note the license plate is in full view."
"Good Lord," she studied the picture growing more mortified with each passing second. "I look big as a house."
The two men exchanged curious glances, both surprised that the woman would focus on her appearance and that she would consider herself large."
"We also have a positive ID of you from Joe, the messenger who removed the TV from your trunk. We have handwriting samples and fingerprints too if…"
"Look…I'm not denyin' I was there or that I had that man deliver the TV and DVD to BPAC, but since when is havin' a TV and DVD delivered a crime?" Lissa's laughter filled the room. "Just because I'm a model who dropped out of school at sixteen does not mean I'm stupid. It wasn't packed with explosives."
"I disagree," Grissom stated. "That information was explosive in nature. It destroyed Greg and damaged Tawny and Drew too. However, we're not in the business of civil law, only criminal. It's how you acquired the footage to make the video I'm interested in. How did the camera get into Tawny's office?"
"It's my husband's place of employment. I borrowed his work keys and went there on Sunday while he was at church with the kids." Smiling she said, "I went there to drop off some plants for his office as a nice surprise."
"Did you ask him to borrow his work keys?" Tony pressed.
"I just told you it was a surprise. If I asked him to borrow the keys he would have asked why and that would have made it impossible to surprise him with the plants."
"Is that when you installed the camera?" Tony asked. "After you dropped off the surprise plants?"
"I don't know anything about a camera."
"That's funny," Grissom said as he slid over a piece of paper. "Because your fingerprints are on one found in the ceiling of Tawny's office and another found in the ceiling of your husband's office."
"I never gave you my fingerprints," she snipped. "How do you know they're mine?"
"Your fingerprints are in the national database for a little issue that occurred when you resided in Miami years ago." Grissom handed over a copy of the police report. "You were arrested for breaking and entering as well as assault."
Lissa rolled her eyes. "I found out my boyfriend was screwin' my supposed friend. I went in through a window and got a little angry with him and a beer bottle accidentally hit him in the head in the process. It's not like I served time."
"Back to the present." Grissom calmly showed photos of the cameras. "Did you install these at BPAC?"
"Yes, I did, and as you can see I was well justified." Her ire soaring, Lissa snapped, "I really don't understand why the police department is involving themselves in what is a very personal matter. I suspected my husband was cheating on me. I suspected that disgusting slut, Tawny was throwin' herself at him every chance she got. I installed the cameras and I got proof of my suspicions. Why are you crucifyin' me here? I'm not the bad person! I'm the innocent wife!"
"Has your husband every physically abused you, Mrs. Stokes?" Tony asked. "Has a beer bottle ever accidentally come in contact with your head?"
"No." After a deep gulp of air, Lissa stated, "Drew has never harmed me physically, only mentally, like screwing a sleazy blonde named Tawny for example and putting me through a scandal. When I threw him out of our bedroom last year, I made it clear that I didn't mind if he sought sex elsewhere provided it was never public, that he practiced safe sex and guarded himself against disease and unwanted pregnancy, so that our children would never be subjected to germs or half-siblings, and that he never brought the women anywhere near our children. I was perfectly happy with the arrangement, but Drew had to go and pick a fight with his little brother and bring his whole damn family in the middle of our marriage and humiliate me, leavin' me no choice but to ask for divorce. I was so ticked at him for doin' that. As if there was any doubt he'd kick Nicky's ass in the first place. Just another example of Stokes men bein' cavemen."
"I don't understand," Grissom remarked. "All that was in the past. What made you put the cameras up on Sunday?"
"Oh no…it only seemed like Drew and Tawny put it in the past because they're both skilled liars. My daughter came home from McKenna Blake's house one afternoon and told me she saw her Daddy cuddling up to Tawny on the couch. That's when my suspicions were raised and the more I watched, the more I saw it between them. I put the cameras in there to confirm my suspicions and I didn't have to wait long, did I? I was drivin' to the gym and checked in via my cell and sure enough…they're gettin' it on. I race there to catch them in the act, but they're done when I'm there. I ask that scheming bitch if she kissed my husband and she lies to my face. That was it…I was done."
Tony interjected, "So you believed it was going on before that kiss?"
"Hell, yes…maybe just mentally, but what difference does that make? It's still cheatin'. All this time he's been tellin' everyone that he's workin' hard to reconcile with me when in reality, he's dreamin' of bangin' the skinny girl with the big tits up against the wall every chance he gets, and that blonde bitch is goin' on and on about Chuckles when that wuss is nothin' more than a cover, so no one suspects she's really a gold digger after my husband. I bet she was really depressed when the paternity test didn't go the way she wanted…not that it seems to matter to my husband if she has another man's babies growin' inside her." Lissa seethed. "She sure looks like a hero doesn't she…the gorgeous girl lovin' the poor geek when she could have any stud in her sights. The fact that anyone believed she'd rather screw him than my husband is hysterical, but I suppose people always love a good underdog story. She makes me sick."
Tony shook his head, "So why send the video to Greg if you feel sorry for him already?"
Lissa laughed in the detective's face, "Because Chuckles is Nicky's best friend. I knew if he was destroyed because of Drew's actions, then Nicky would never forgive him and Drew would be shunned from his family for life this time. You don't get two second chances from the Stokes clan, it's a miracle you get one. Family is everythin' to Drew. My God, he spends every free moment dotin' on our kids…horseback ridin', waterparks, soccer, football, story time…you name it. To lose all that time with his own kids, as well as his siblings and parents…that's hell on Earth for Drew." After a quick sip of water she whimsically said, "I heard Chuckles was suicidal once. Today I thought…can you imagine if he was driven to desperate measures because of somethin' Drew did to upset him? Oh yeah, Nicky would kill him for sure."
Fighting the urge to yell 'you vicious bitch' at the suspect, Tony coldly said, "So Greg is just a casualty of the war between you and your husband…a war that your husband thought was over."
"Look…alerting a man that his wife is a cheating bitch isn't a crime either, Detective. In the long run, I was helpin' Chuckles, that's how I justified it…and I didn't think he'd really manage to kill himself, just try."
"Lissa…" Removing his glasses, Grissom asked, "If you loathe your husband so much, why didn't you just go through with the divorce when you had the chance? As I understand it, Drew violated the terms of the pre-nup and you were set to get sixty percent of the marital assets and primary custody of the kids. You already suffered the humiliation, why go through all the hard work of reconciliation if you really didn't want him?"
Lissa smiled at the supposed genius. "Why settle for sixty, when you already have one hundred percent? And what fun is it to let my husband get a divorce and screw all the skinny bitches he wants? Skinny bitches that he'll bring around my children to make me look like an old cow in comparison. Seriously…who is my daughter going to think is beautiful after spendin' the weekend with Daddy and his twenty two year old bimbo who wears a size zero? No way in hell was I about to let that happen, gentleman!" Sitting back in her chair, she calmly explained, "The much better plan was to remain married, keep one hundred percent of the assets, total control my children, and torture my husband's over-active penis by denyin' it twenty two year old puss and makin' it settle for me…when I'm in the mood, or want to buy somethin' substantial…but never in the mornin' when he likes it best. Stokes men are brainwashed not to fail. I knew he'd never ask for a divorce." Snickering she said, "Want to know the secret to a really bad BJ? Aside from biting, because that's too obvious to get away with."
"No," Grissom and Tony simultaneously declared while thanking their lucky stars that they had wives who indulged, not tortured their penises.
As Lissa sat in her chair smirking with self-satisfaction, Tony asked, "Don't you think your husband is going to be outraged when he hears all this? And I really doubt his family is going to shun him when they learn how manipulative you've been."
"You think they're gonna believe you over me, the twice-hurt wife?"
Grissom and Tony locked eyes, and then Grissom moved his gaze to Lissa. "You do realize you're being taped, right? There are huge signs outside and in here as well and you signed the paperwork acknowledging…"
"Yes, gentlemen, but you were so focused on givin' me grief, you forgot to bring in the tape recorder."
"The cameras are in the ceiling," Tony guffawed. "You of all people should have figured that out. Oh my God, supermodels really are…" he stopped himself just in time. "Here's the thing Lissa…you said you borrowed your husband's keys on Sunday without asking him so you could surprise him by placing plants in his office, right?"
"Yes."
"You know how people line up dominoes on end and then knock down the first one to watch the others fall?" Vartann smiled, "For the last fifteen minutes we've been setting dominoes on end, now it's time to knock down the first one and see what happens. Lissa…if you borrowed the keys without authorization, then you did not have permission to enter the BPAC offices. Without permission to enter the offices, you were entering illegally. While you were there illegally, you installed cameras without the consent of the person in authority over the premises, therefore the installation was also an illegal activity." The detective quietly enjoyed the building 'oh shit' look on Lissa's face. "Covert surveillance without audio is legal under many circumstances and yet, you managed to find a way to do that illegally too. When the person in authority over a premises has not consented to the installation of surveillance equipment on the premises, covert surveillance done with the illegally installed equipment is illegal." After giving the panicking woman a chance to catch up, Tony continued, "And for the last domino…vandalism. You altered and damaged the infrastructure of the office during the installation process which constitutes vandalism of private property."
"But…" Lissa stiffened and looked to Gil to see if he'd say something different. "Is he right?"
"Yes, but there is some good news," Grissom announced. "There is a way for all of that to disappear."
"How!" The desperate woman pleaded.
"If the person in authority over the premises decides not to press charges. Earlier today he was very adamant that the perpetrator should pay for his or her crimes, but perhaps he'll have a change of heart when he hears who we're about to arrest."
Lissa's momentary relief vanished. "You mean my husband?"
Grissom nodded. "He's in a waiting area here at the station. Would you like us to ask him if he'll consider not pressing charges, or would you prefer to go to booking?"
Recalling the two torturous nights she spent in a Miami jail years ago, Lissa lowered her head and subserviently replied, "I really don't want to go to booking. I don't my kids to have their momma in jail. Maybe…maybe if Drew listens to why I was so angry…if you play him the taping of what I just said and he hears the pain in my voice…he'll understand why I was so angry and have mercy on me. You know…sorta like a video confessional type of thing. Could you do that?"
"Yes. I'll have it downloaded and brought here while I'm retrieving your husband." Grissom left the table and headed for the door.
"Gil!" Lissa called out. "Sorry…um…when they're downloadin' my confessions, could you ask them to edit out the part about the bad BJs and manipulative sex?"
Nick and Carrie's
5:22 pm
"You're sure they didn't have sex?" Carrie asked her fiancé as her heart continued to break. Having just watched the clip, she found it hard to believe. "I mean I know they told you they didn't and you said Becca believes they didn't, but…they're all people who have lied in the past, so…"
"Yes, I'm positive."
Sitting on the couch facing him, she read his eyes. "How do you know?"
"I watched it a bunch of times, and if you look close you'll see the waistband of Andy's pants." Nick replayed the scene again as he approached the TV. "Right here." He pointed to the image frozen on screen. "His belt is still tight around the pants and they're up. If he just pulled it out through the zipper, there'd be a mess afterwards and my brother isn't the type to walk around lookin' like he dribbled in his pants. He's not the type to have sex through his zipper opening either."
"If you say so." Carrie pulled Binda on her lap to snuggle.
"Furthermore…my brother is over six feet tall and Tawny is only five three. Even if she's wearin' three inch heels, for penetration to occur in this position, she would need to be elevated. Remember in Flagstaff when we…"
"Nicky…I don't want to think of us having fun when our best friends are..."
"My point is…I had to lift you or I would have been havin' sex with your belly button." He pointed to the screen. "If you note the position of Tawny's breasts against Andy's chest, you can deduct that she is still on her feet."
"You're right."
"Another clue is that the video cuts off abruptly without showing any definitive proof of penetration. Why? My guess was because it didn't occur and this snippet was the most incriminating."
Wishing it could all be explained away, Carrie pointed out, "But they're still kissing and your brother is half naked."
"My brother always takes his dress shirts off before doin' messy stuff," Nick explained. "I wondered if maybe he had his shirt off when a heat of the moment type of lapse in judgment occurred. I thought…maybe what I'm seein' here is a split second of vulnerability and bad choices." He clicked off the TV. "That's what I told Greg that finally calmed him down."
"How bad was it?" Carrie asked as she held Binda tight.
"Horrible. I drove him straight here from scene and when we got inside the house he went ballistic. I couldn't think of anything else to do, so while Greg showered, I put the video onto a DVD and watched it play by play on TV looking for some straws to grasp. When I figured all that out, I brought Greg in here to tell him."
"Greg!" Standing in the Family Room in front of the TV, Nick gripped his buddy's shoulders. "Did you hear what I said? How I explained it? They are not having sex in that video!"
"All I saw was my wife shoving her tongue down your brother's throat and…"
"Look at me. Greg! Look at me!" When he didn't, Nick grabbed his hysterical friend's face and forced him to make eye contact. "Whoever sent that message to you wants you to think they had sex. If they could prove it, they would have shown you definitive proof. They're not having sex in that video. They're kissin' and that's devastating, but there's a really good chance it was a heat of the moment thing and afterwards they felt terrible and swore it would never happen again. I'm not excusin' it, I'm not taking their side, but as hard as it is after watching that, I want you to step back and think there's a really good possibility that Tawny said 'stop, I'm married to Greg, don't ever do that again'. Do that for me, please."
"I …"
"Hey! You can't run away to Hawaii and become a beach bum and give up women forever like you said you wanted to on the drive here. That's not an option when you have two babies on the way. You do remember that you have babies on the way, right? Greg…I know your heart is breaking, mine's right there with yours, and so when I say this, know that I'm sayin' it because I care about you…buddy, you have to stop bawlin' your eyes out like a kid, take a few breaths, and deal with this like a man. Okay? You don't have to do it alone, because I'm right here with you, but you have to do it."
"Okay," Greg choked out in between gulps of air. "I'll try harder."
"Good job." Feeling bad for yelling when it was obvious that Greg was overwhelmed and in shock, Nick guided him to the couch. "Have a seat and we'll think things through."
"Okay." Greg plopped on the edge and sat with his heavy head resting in his hands.
"Let's go with it being a kiss in a moment of weakness and the next thing she said was 'stop, I'm married to Greg, don't ever do that again'."
"But that's the thing…she's married to me, she's having kids with me…what if she's realizing now that the proposal, wedding and honeymoon are over…that she doesn't really love me? What if now that it's back to reality, and we're moving in with my dad because I can't afford a place…that she suddenly realized she was kidding herself and ran to Mr. Perfect."
"First off…my brother can't be Mr. Perfect if he's cheatin' on his wife. So, just push that image of him right out of your head. Yeah, he's built like a moose, hung like a horse and has a bank account full of cash, but those aren't the most important things in life. Until I got that settlement money, I wasn't any of those things and still believed I was a hell of lot better than Drew. Still am."
"It's always been about her being with me because she had to be, not because she chose me. We've had that argument a bunch of times and every time something big happens and we get all emotional and romantic and pledge our love…come what may. I call her Princess and we convinced ourselves we were living a fairytale, but today…maybe this morning she woke up and the spell was broken. Then she went to work and there was SuperDrew and he looked at her and she looked at him and they fell into each other's arms thinking about old times and started kissing each other. Maybe during that kiss they both realized it felt much better to be with each other than their spouses."
"But Tawny said 'stop, I'm married to Greg, don't ever do that again'."
"But what if she's thinking about that kiss when she comes home to me tonight? And tomorrow and the day after that." Greg took another deep breath. "I don't want to spend the rest of my life wondering if she'd rather be with him, but she's staying with me for the babies…or out of obligation because of her vows or the things I did to help her. As a boy who wants a gorgeous girl with the big boobs on my arm I could live like that and not care, but as the man you want me to be…I can't, because I don't just want the hot chick anymore, I want a wife who really loves me. I want what you have with Carrie or what Grissom has with Sara. I don't want to cop out, I've been doing that my whole life. I don't want her to just say it enough times to convince me, I want to know without an ounce of doubt that she wants me over him…or the next guy with more money and a house not paid for by his daddy. I need to feel it in my bones, not just convince myself she's telling me the truth."
"Greg…"
"No." With pain building in his voice, Greg pointed to the TV. "Tawny and I have never kissed like that…ever. I'm the guy she has fun with in bed. He's the stud who rocks her world. You have no idea what it's like to see your wife be that passionate with another man when she's never been that passionate with you. You have no idea what it's like to watch a man who is bigger and stronger take your wife in your arms and kiss her like you've never kissed her." Biting back his tears, Greg explained, "Remember that online chat Tawny had with Carrie and Sara?"
"Yeah."
"She told Carrie to go ahead and try sex against the wall with you, that with your strength and stamina it would be great. We had never done it like that and I wanted to try it, but she kept making excuses. It didn't make any sense, it's not like she hadn't let me try anything else. Today, I finally figured it out…it was their thing, Drew's specialty, and there was no way I'd come close to doing it to her like he did."
Remembering how insecure he felt after reading that chat transcript, Nick said, "I know some of that stuff was a little disturbing, but they were just jokin' on that chat…exaggerating."
"She called me a freak…a lovable freak to be exact. My nickname is Chuckles and she thinks I'm a clown…a lovable one, but still. I'm a great guy to have around when you need a laugh…or want to steal a penguin, but Drew…he can feed your kids, buy you a safer car and a beautiful house…and take you to Maui on his own dime. It seems so obvious, she was so into me getting that club membership this weekend and having a nice house. She wants the finer things in life and she gets them all from Drew plus hot sex. Come on, Nick? What woman wouldn't want him over me?"
"A woman who doesn't want to worry that her husband will go to work and kiss his co-workers."
"Yeah, well…I went to California and kissed Becca, so…maybe she doesn't believe I wouldn't kiss someone else." Crashing back on the couch Greg released a tortured sigh. "Being married to a lovable freaky clown gets old. I thought the buzz would last a little longer than a month, but it got expedited by your brother making a move and promising her the world in that kiss. She probably was doing so well settling because she believed he wouldn't want her once the babies were mine…and because he was trying really hard in his marriage, but now that she knows he wants her as much as the kiss shows he does…she's done clowning around."
"So you think you can never trust that she wants you more than my brother?"
"Would you if you were me? Honestly…if that was Carrie kissing Drew would you be able to resume life together and believe her if she said that was nothing and she really wants you?" When Nick kept his eyes on the floor he prodded, "Look at me, Bro…right in the eyes."
"No." He shook his head. "I couldn't. I can't imagine living with her…lookin' at her would be hard. I'd want her out ASAP. I'd pack for her…but I wouldn't leave her without support because of the babies. Maybe after some time apart…maybe after she had the chance to live alone and choose to not be with him when she could be…maybe then I could think about building somethin' back up again…maybe."
Rubbing her temples, Carrie said, "So the plan you came up with him is to ask for a separation and financially support her, then wait to see what she does…stay faithful to him or run to Drew at the first chance?"
"Can you think of a better way to find out for sure?"
"Not really…no."
"Me either."
"But what if she really does run to Drew?"
"Then that's where she's meant to be and Greg's spared years of pain livin' with someone who doesn't really love him. He deserves better than that, Carrie. They both do…the babies too."
"That's what you just said about us when we were fighting."
"Yeah," his voice softened. "I meant it then too."
"Since we lost the baby, we could break the engagement right now without much trouble." Gulping hard she said, "Other than house and some assets, we…"
"Is that somethin' you want to think about or do? Because you're right…it would be easy as hell to walk away now that the baby is…gone."
"No," she replied before her lips spread into a loving smile. "That's the last thing I want to do. What about you?"
"Hell no." Cupping her face, he whispered, "Doesn't it feel good to know we don't have to be together but are because we love each other and can't imagine either of us thinkin' about kissing someone else?"
"Yes," Carrie murmured as her first tear fell. "Fantastic."
"Greg needs to know that feeling too…whether it's with Tawny or someone else." In between kisses brushed over fiancée's parted lips, he whispered, "There's no substitute for real love, Sweetheart. I can vouch first hand. It feels incredible when you know you've found your soulmate."
The Townhouse
5:36 pm
"Becca," Scott called from the kitchen, "it's Tony!"
"It's about time!" she scolded upon pressing the phone to her ear. "I left two messages. I'm worried."
"I was in a meeting…still am. We're on a fifteen minute break. I heard you were worried. So worried, you fell asleep bodyguarding Hoj…nice going. Thankfully he didn't run out and kill Drew."
"HA! When I felt myself dozing, I bound my wrist to his with one of Scott's ties. So there! He wasn't running anywhere on my watch."
"Good thinking, Honey."
"Is your meeting about the video?" she whispered while running for the bathroom for privacy.
"Yeah, we cracked the case, but before you ask, I can't tell you anything…not that I want to, because it's all so friggin' depressing. That's why I called, to say I love you…even though you called the maid to clean up our wet spot."
"Uh…is that something I shouldn't have done?"
Sighing he replied, "I love you even though it didn't enter into your mind to grab a couple of paper towels and a bottle of cleaner and do it yourself."
"Oh! Okay, I thought there was some kind of law against hired help cleaning up biologicals or something." Into the phone she giggled, "I was about to say…I'll turn myself in, Detective. You'll find me handcuffed to the bed when you get home."
After a laugh, Tony said, "That's just what I needed. I love you, Baby."
"About that…baby thing." Leaning on the bathroom sink she said, "I'm officially thinking about thinking about it someday."
"Why?" he replied without disguising the surprise and concern in his voice.
"Because it's something I always wanted to do, but never found the right guy to do it with. Today I realized, without an ounce of doubt…that guy is you."
Author's Notes:
Becca is innocent! LOL…well, she's still very naughty, but she didn't make the DVD!
I hope Greg's reaction and decision to remove Tawny from the house makes more sense now. I was hoping it read a bit like 'Stokes Tough Love Mentality' and some would think that it was a plan, but I didn't want to show the thinking through it until after all the other scenes. If you're a Greg and Tawny fan, I really think (hope!) you'll love what's ahead. There are definitely some tough times, but I really believe it's healthier than going through life always asking 'did I make the right choice'.
I hope you found the chapter interesting and that you love me for managing to sprinkle in future angst DURING a chapter full of it. In case you missed it… "Working housekeeping in Sin City hotels for several years had made her oblivious to such things and the Vartanns were far nicer than most wealthy people she had met. They were night and day to her newest customer, Marlene Rodgers." Yeah, Marcella the maid is Mike Rodgers's maid too.
Next Chapter: the outcome of Lissa's fate and much more…. Posting: Friday, September 9, 2006
Thanks for reading!
Maggs