Chapter 11

Knowing how things turned out the last time Ben was at the Mission Father Antonio was quietly relieved that nothing had gone wrong this time and had noticed his brother's absence and drew the service to a close by blessing Ben and Maria's wedding vows and asking Benjy to join the group so he could bless the whole family. Afterwards the congregation clapped and greeting them as they turned towards them and they all walked out of the Mission.

At the entrance people mingled talked briefly before going and only close friends and family were left Maria checked round she had the two extra friends Benjy had chosen and gently aimed everyone in the direction of the Shock Wave. Annie watched her friends bursting with happiness that all her scheming had been right and her two friends were back together again. She nodded as she heard her Aunt Bette call out she needed to leave to get her piece off to the editor before the deadline. As she followed them Carmen looked around the group proudly although she was still cross that her son had missed everything, she knew she'd been right all along. Now all she had to do was find out why he never turned up and get him away from that slut Gabi after that her family would be all right.

In the Shock Wave Joan was serving Vanessa and clearing things away when she noticed a rather odd group come in. Odd because they were trying to blend in with everyone else and not succeeding because she recognised one as DA Steel, the other could have been a judge by the way the DA reacted to him. Perhaps the rest were lawyers or something and they were going to discuss a case over coffee, so she'd better get over and serve them. She hesitated as the group broke and sat at different tables and swore she could feel a change in the atmosphere from chatty to chatty a slight feeling of anticipation bit like waiting at the dentist or even perhaps actors waiting for the play to start.

She then realised that a couple of the men who'd just come via the far doors really did want to get out of sight, they were discussing where to sit with a man who looked as though he was in charge but trying hard not to. She knew the seat round the corner where they just sat down was the best not quite out of sight but good enough. And started to feel a little edge and hoped Sara and Casey would come in for their break that would at least stop Hank from moaning. He'd done that most the day but more since someone had told him a camera crew were going to turn up, perhaps that was it they'd all heard about the crew coming and wanted to be in the shots.

Feeling a bit happier she turned round and bumped into a white haired gentleman coming thorough the doorway. As he steadied himself he greeted her. "Good evening Mrs Cummings I would like some coffee and some cakes please. How is Meg ?"

Joan puzzled showed him to the nearby table and replied, "There's a seat here... I'll bring them to you... Meg's well, thank you... I'm sorry but I don't recognise you."

As she put the coffee and cakes on the table, the man gave her the money and replied. "Meg and Ben stayed at my Inn last year at Thanksgiving I'm sorry to hear they have separated. I won't keep you as I can see you are busy, perhaps later?"

Joan smiled agreement, turned and bumped into Sara as she came bursting in showing Joan her ring. "Oh goodness, that's good news. But you should wait a while to tell Hank he is in a bad mood."

She kissed Sara and smiled at Casey who followed Sara in and asked. "Could you save the day and help with the things in the store room? Goodness, are these the cameramen?" Looking at Rick and Simon coming behind Casey. "I really don't know what is happening; everyone seems to want to be in here." She noticed that Casey was looking serious and asked. "Everything alright?"

Casey quickly covered his slip. "Yes, it's the thought of meeting Hank." and laughed as he went off.

Joan smiled and carried on. "Sara, can you let these men in and help behind the counter. I want to move some things outside I thought Benjy might want to play out there if any of his friend come that will let Ben and Maria have a drink in peace. Don't look like that, I know you're not happy about it; neither am I, but we do have to live in the same town."

The cameramen mingled and snatched a passing coffee and the atmosphere became more relaxed. Sara went over to Vanessa to show her the ring, and was greeted with hugs and laughter of delight.

Meanwhile back at the police station, Ricardo had taken out the pieces of paper from the envelope.

On the top was a short note to say information came from a private hospital, as well as from the record of births. The conclusion was that Tess Marin Evans had given birth to a baby boy, who was immediately adopted by Maria Torres Evans, and that Derek Evans was the father of the baby. The date of birth given was a month later than Benjy's known birth date.

He could not believe what he saw. He felt sick; he looked up at the others to see what their reaction was.

It was shock and disbelief.

Spencer was the first to react. "I know the DA will want these now!" he said. As he started to pick the things up, Ricardo stopped him. "What do you mean?"

Spencer took a deep breath he didn't know a lot and knew Ricardo could be stubborn when angry. "All I can tell you is that something is going on about Maria and Ben down at the Shock Wave. The DA and some agents are down there. Just after lunch, she wanted to have the files on everything that had happened to Ben, Maria, Meg and Derek; the drowning and kidnapping etc. I was not meant to tell you as she is your sister. But I think after finding this lot the DA will understand. Shall we go!" Spencer got out the car keys and, as Ricardo could not think of anything to say, finished gathering up the bits and followed. Gabi grabbed her bag and followed them too.

A jostling crowd of kids and adults came into the Shock Wave. Joan greeted them "Hi Maria, Tess. Everything went well? Would you like Benjy and his friends to have ice creams at the outside tables? One of girls will look after them. There are a few stools by the counter if you grab them quickly."

"Thanks Joan," Maria replied happily as the kids, laughing and talking, pushed their way through to get outside again. She looked around for Derek and saw he was still talking to Antonio as he followed him through the door way and went over to grab the two stools by the counter.

Just as Derek passed the first table, the white haired gentleman sitting there rose to get his attention and said. "Are you keeping well Ben? Could I have a word about the Inn I've been trying to contact you?"

Still half a mind on Antonio's last words Derek didn't like the interruption, which sounded like work and from a stranger at that and said a bit sharply. "Perhaps later, you can see I'm busy at the moment." And moved towards Maria at the counter.

The man watched absolutely stunned by his word till he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder and a man who'd followed to group in slipped into the space beside him and said quietly. "Let's sit down a moment I think we need to talk. You know Ben …..

Joan, who saw the whole thing, was now sure something strange was going on; especially as Ricardo, Gabi and Spencer came rushing in and as they reached to doorway and Spencer's commanding whisper to Ricardo, "Not a word until the end what ever happens." Then they tried to look as if nothing had happened and found the last free chairs.

Ricardo nodded and put the box on the floor beside him, ordered coffee then seeing Carmen knew he had to avert a scene. "Mama sorry I couldn't attend we got an urgent call at work. We'll talk later when the family have gone."

Carmen huffed a bit seeing he meant it and asked rather pointedly. "Gabi with you by choice or only car?"

Ricardo heard the intended insult and said turning away from her "By choice we're together at work and at home."

Joan quickly stepped in. "Carmen your tea and that one's Antonio's would you mind taking it over." She watched Carmen hesitate then take the drinks to the table as she turned back to get the other drinks she couldn't help the feeling that Ricardo was really somewhere he'd rather not be and was deeply troubled.

There was the bustle and settling down now people were in groups and had their drinks. Amongst it all Hank and Casey had brought in some stores and were now stacking them behind the counter. Sara was with Joan, washing up and drying some cups and glasses etc both pleased that the two men looked almost happy they knew that two really happy men would have been too much to expect.

At the counter Maria and Derek were enjoying a private joke, Tess half listening and, watched the cameraman scanning the crowd then seemed to be coming back to them and started to feel unsettled, she didn't like to be watched in that way.

Annie toyed with her drink as she was feeling left out, Derek and Maria were happy quietly drinking after the joke and Tess who was next to her was no company at all. She started to look for something to do and spotted Sara and wondered if she could annoy her after all Meg was obviously too chicken to come and was just going to. When her attention was caught by a man in his late 40's and rather good looking with a definite air of command get up from a table and start to walk to wards them. She started to get into a possible pick up mode but caught the ripple of anticipation of something expected and saw the man who was near to Ben shift his position so he could see what was going on better even moved his cup out the way and knew by instinct she was not the centre of attention.

John stopped in front of the group and said clearly so it caught not only the couple's but everyone else's attention "Maria Torres Evans?"

Maria automatically moved round and took the paper John held out to her then looked at him questioningly when she realised the paper was blank. Derek carried on drinking but listened.

John took several paces back and carried on speaking and clipped a police identification badge to his top pocket. "I am arresting you for fraudulent marriage and the attempted drowning of Ben Evans…"

She spluttered "Is this some joke!"

John carried on as if nothing had been said "...Obtaining and trying to obtain money and property under false pretences, assistance in the kidnapping and attempted murder of Ben Evans."

Maria was shocked, she looked at Tess and Derek, then back at John and spluttered out "But Ben is here... there must be some mistake!!"

Derek put his cup down louder than he meant to, his thoughts racing wildly. How could he cover himself? He could feel anger rising, he had to keep cool; he had to be like Ben! Trying to keep surprise in his voice and anger out, he chipped in just as she finished: "What is going on? What do you mean attempting to murder me!"

There was a low murmur from people around. Sensing a story Vanessa quietly got out her note book to make notes and switched her recorder on pleased she was never without them.

Ignoring the outbursts, John turned to Tess who was next to Maria and said in the same tone. "Tess Marin, I'm arresting you for aiding and abetting Maria Torres Evans and Derek Evans in their fraudulent activities." Some of the people did not realise the name John had used.

Derek got off the stool. John turned and faced him. "Derek Evans I'm arresting you..."

"I'm not Derek! He died last year!!!! He went over the damned cliff!!!" Derek shouted and started to move angrily towards John, the agent beside Derek grabbed his arm and pulled him back onto the stool and commanded quietly. "Just let him finish Derek!" keeping hold of Derek's arm so he could not get up again.

Derek looked angrily at him and John, but kept quiet, the pressure on his arm was enough warning.

There were gasps from the people around as they realised the name had not been a mistake. Derek was meant. Carmen felt a shiver go down her spine and knew why the card readings had been clouded. She would have done anything she could to have stopped this, but fate had to run its course, and it was her family which was to be broken not Meg's as she'd thought. She looked for reassurance from Antonio but got none, just a look of stunned sadness, and Ricardo looked shocked, his fears were being confirmed.

John, taking a deep breath, continued: "Collaboration in the attempted drowning of Ben Evans, five murders, kidnapping and attempted murder of Ben Evans, impersonation of Ben Evans on two counts and in collaboration with Maria Torres Evans, Tess Marin and two others the kidnapping with a view to the murder of Ben Evans." He turned slightly towards the judge: "I ask that the accounts and businesses in the names of Tess Marin, Maria Torres Evans, Ben and or Derek Evans and Benjy Evans be frozen and handed over to the courts."

There was silence. Even Derek was speechless. Maria broke it, desperation and confusion sounding in her voice as she yelled at John "I know this is Ben Evans! I married him because I love him. Ask anyone here who knows us!! We have just had our marriage blessed! What the hell do you think you are playing at?!!"

The Judge spoke with a voice that commanded attention and asked. "Can you prove that this is Derek Evans and not Ben Evans?"

John replied showing him a piece of paper from the table where he had been siting. "I have Dr. Tyus Robinson's statement that he is treating Ben Evans at present in South Bay hospital and that Ben Evans is in a coma and so cannot be here himself."

There was a general gasp. Sara quietly but excitedly pulled at Casey's arm and said "That's where Meg is isn't it?... you've known and didn't tell me!..." Casey hushed her. Joan looked questioningly at them.

The white haired gentleman near the doorway got up and walked towards John and stopped, so he was facing both Derek and John. But, turned more towards Derek, he spoke in a gentle but clear voice. "I would like to know if you recognise me?" John waited wondering what was happening guessing that Pete, his agent obviously knew something as he had let the man come forward.

"You're the owner of the Inn Meg and I stayed in last year at Santa Barbara." Derek replied trying to sound confident remembering that Maria had said Ben and Meg had been there and really connected by hadn't got any more details. He'd never asked Ben about everything had never been able to ask all the right question in any case he could only remember so much and it had been Ben and Meg not him and Meg who he knew he could not have.

The man continued. "Do you remember the conversation you had on the second evening of your stay, it was with me and Judge Jones?"

Derek knew he was on shaky ground, but kept his voice steady replied. "Of course I don't remember every conversation I had with you and other guests. The main thing I remember is the lovely time I had with Meg, and it is a beautiful Inn."

The man looked puzzled and continued: "You took a lot of trouble to make sure Meg was not with us at the time, and would not be suspicious of anything going on."

He gave a short pause hoping it would trigger a memory and Ben would butt in he didn't so carried on starting to really believe what was going on. "So you don't remember signing a cheque for a half a million dollars, so that I could finish alterations to the Inn, semi-retire and have a manager in. The only stipulations were that the style of the Inn would stay the same and that your room would be available this Thanksgiving. Also within reason, a room would be available so you could surprise the family with a short break when the alterations were finished. Meg was not to be told about it, so only you would make contact.

But you didn't come at Thanksgiving, and didn't contact us so I came to see why."

He stepped back and turned towards the Judge and continued. "Granted there is no contract your honour it was only a hand-shake, witnessed by the Judge. But, the Ben Evans I met then would not break his word for anything, especially where Meg was concerned"

Everyone was speechless, and Sara was having a hard job to controlling a yelp of glee - it was typical of things Ben would do.

Derek erupted, cursing his brother and lashed out; hitting the agent beside him who had relaxed his grip on Derek's arm as the man was speaking, turning the table nearby on its side, knocking over the stools. The people around moved, some to get away and others towards him. Eventually he was subdued and handcuffed, the stool was righted and he was told firmly "To sit on it".

While this was going on, Tess had tried to leave but was stopped by Joan and then by another officer.

When some peace had been established, the debris of broken china tidied but left on the floor, the Judge said to John: "You have your orders. Here are the written notices for The Deep, Java Webb and Liberty Corp., also for the Bank Manager and Ben's accountant and lawyer."

Everyone realised then this had been arranged, the Shock Wave had become a kind of court room to put the official seal on everything. John went over to Spencer and asked him to issue the orders, and handed the others to Ben's lawyer and accountant who had come out of hiding. "What the hell are they doing here!" Derek yelled seeing them for the first time, and watched as they handed over some files to the Judge and then sat down.

Maria let out a yell of horror / disgust, as if she just realised that it was Derek she had been sleeping with and slapped Derek across the face.

Derek had seen it coming and moved slightly ahead of it, so it sounded good and he looked suitably shocked and hurt by it as she carried on yelling. "You bastard !!!... What have you done to Ben!... How could you!!!" Looking and acting as if she had been punched in the stomach, gasping and tears starting to fall she sobbed. "My God! Meg was right I should have listened to her!!!"

John had moved back to his table, watching with fascination. It was a good performance and he had to admit they made a fine couple together. As Annie moved towards Maria to comfort her, he decided it was time to put an end to it and switched the tape on.

As Maria continued her sobbing performance, her light bubbly voice suddenly came on: "Hi Ben, darling, I hope they are treating you well. Oops! I forgot you can't speak..." She stopped as if frozen in time and realised that it was over, they had lost it all. She felt numb.

Annie stopped just in front of her, not believing what she was hearing.

Derek sat stunned, gradually realising how the police had got the tape.

Everyone else listened realising how they had all been deceived.