Adelaide... Two months later.
Stevie sits beside Bryce for the fifth day in a row as the opposing lawyer calls for yet another expert.
Her thoughts aren't on the proceedings as she holds no hope for acquittal.
The evidence is strong against her especially after Sandra and Fiona took the stand.
Fiona's evidence was particularly damaging.
...
Bryce's questioning of Fiona had only made things worse.
The scorned woman looking for revenge was dismissed quickly.
Her credentials were impeccable.
It was inconceivable she was out for money as she was independently wealthy to begin with.
Coupled with her lying , conniving personality strung together with her ability to manipulate the situation basically sealed Stevie's fate.
...
Focusing back to the courtroom Stevie wants to yell enough.
Put me out of my misery.
Toss me in jail and throw away the key.
But the voices drone on.
Finally the witness is released.
"The court calls Alexander Ryan to the stand."
...
A gush of air from the back of the room draws Stevie's attention away from the departing witness.
Her heart sinks as Alex quietly walks towards the front of the room.
Leaning over to Bryce she whispers. " I don't want him here, please stop this."
Bryce puts his hand over hers and replies softly. " It can't hurt Stevie."
"Yes it can, his life has been dissected enough. Please stop it."
...
Alex takes his seat and the formalities as done.
Bryce stands and moves forward.
"What is your name ?"
"Alex Ryan."
"Your full name."
"Alexander Marion Ryan."
"Harry Ryan was your step father?"
"Yes."
...
"What is your relationship to Miss Hall?"
Alex looks at her and replies. " She's my best friend."
A rumble of voices rolls around the room.
Quiet is called for.
...
"Miss Hall is accused of poisoning your stepfather and yet you have requested to speak on her behalf why?"
Alex looks around the room and replies. " Because Stevie would never have hurt Harry."
"But all the evidence points to a different conclusion. What makes you think she wouldn't harm him?"
"Harry was important to me and she would never do anything to hurt me."
"But she hated him. I'd say that may have changed things."
"No she didn't hate him, she didn't like him because of the things he said to her and because he often hurt my feelings but she didn't hate him."
"It's common knowledge there was no love loss between them."
"Harry hated her because.." Alex stalls.
...
"Alex no!" Stevie calls.
"Please refrain from interrupting Miss Hall." The judge warns.
Bryce speaks to her and she sits arms folded .
Her face blank.
...
"Continue Mr Ryan why did Harry Ryan hate Miss Hall?"
Alex inhales searching for the right words.
His life is about to be laid open.
"He hated her because she was in love with me and he didn't want her as a part of our family."
Again mutterings ripple around the room.
Stevie bows her head.
Bryce asks several more questions then sits as the opposing lawyer takes his turn at questioning Alex.
...
"Mr Ryan you've just told us that Miss Hall was in love with you."
"Yes."
"And that was why your step Father hated her."
"Yes."
"Were you aware of that fact?"
"No I wasn't. He warned her off."
"Doesn't that give her a motive to get rid of Harry Ryan?"
" No it doesn't." Alex states.
...
"How can you possible think it doesn't?" The lawyer pushes.
"He made her think she wasn't worthy and that I'd be much happier without her in my life."
"You married someone else so you must have been happier without her?"
"No that's just it, I wasn't. "
"So you married someone else anyway. Perhaps she was angry that you discarded her?"
"No you don't understand it wasn't like that?"
"Well how was it?"
Alex looks anxiously around the room then his gaze falls to Stevie.
"Mr Ryan how was it?"
" She's my friend, my best mate . We've been through so much together. I didn't think she felt that way about me so I tried to move on." He replies then hesitates.
Stevie lifts her head and looks at him.
"I'm in love with her... Stevie would never do anything to hurt me. She stood by and watched me marry someone else because she wanted me to be happy. She loves me that much. My heart was ripped out when Harry died , she would never inflict such pain on me. Never..." Alex confesses.
The courtroom erupts with noise.
Silence is called for.
...
"I'm sorry." Alex offers sadly.
Stevie looks at him as tears slip down her cheeks.
" No further questions your honour." The lawyer states.
Alex stands.
Stevie drops her head, her heart is mush.
...
As he passes her he lays his hand on her shoulder.
She doesn't move.
"We'll stop for a short break so Miss Hall can compose herself." The judge states.
Stevie is aware of someone whispering to Bryce.
Her world swirls.
She lays her head on her arms and gives into the hopelessness.
...
"Your honour may I approach the bench?" Bryce calls standing and moving away from Stevie.
Tess and Nick had returned to support both Stevie and Alex through the trial and had taken turns to be in the courtroom along with the Drover's girls and Dave.
"Stevie?" Tess says from behind her.
Stevie turns as Tess places her hand on Stevie's shoulder and offers a tissue.
"Something's happening Stevie." Regan suggests.
...
Stevie looks up and watches as the two lawyers speak with the judge.
Nick arrives beside the girls and whispers. " Fiona's just been arrested."
"What? Did she kill Harry?" Tess questions.
"No she ran over Sandra out in the car park." Nick replies sounding shocked.
"What? How?" Regan asks.
...
Nick doesn't get a chance to answer as the Judge calls for order.
Bryce sits back down with an almost gleeful look on his face.
"What's happening?" Stevie asks.
Bryce looks at her and with a sly grin replies. " Shhhh listen."
