AN:
I swear this chapter tried to kill me. Hopefully the next update goes smoother.
~Kelly~
Chapter Two
Alexis reluctantly sat her briefcase on the table. She'd spent most of the night reviewing the evidence against Ric. They had managed to build a pretty solid case in twelve hours. So solid that Alexis doubted her ability to get bail.
Looking over at Ric she felt terrible. Her ex husband looked like hell. Not surprising given the circumstances. Being arrested had this way of waking people up. Too bad the effects usually didn't last. "You know Scott is going to fight bail?"
Ric nodded his eyes scanning the packed courtroom. He was hoping that Elizabeth would show up. It was silly but her belief in him gave him hope. "I know, Alexis. Did I thank you for doing this? I know believing me couldn't have been easy."
"You're right it wasn't. But... no matter what our differences were that's all in the past. The only thing we can agree on is how much we both love Molly. I have to believe you'd never risk hurting her."
"I wouldn't I swear."
"Elizabeth told be about what happened after Johnny Zacchara went to prison." Alexis said quietly. She hadn't been totally surprised that her ex had been tempted. After all destroying Sonny had been his dream for so long. Only Ric let the opportunity pass him by. "It doesn't make sense for you to be Julian's boss after that."
Ric had temporarily forgotten that Alexis was dating the other man. He hated that so many people were being hurt over a lie. "I'm sorry about the two of you."
"Me too." she admitted shaking her head. Alexis hated what Julian was doing. Even if part of her understood why. She really did have the worst taste in men. "I think I've learned my lesson about mob guys."
"For Molly's sake I'm glad."
Elizabeth waited until the hearing had started to slip into the courtroom. She was surprised that she hadn't been called to testify. Maybe Scott had enough against Ric without using her. That wouldn't last if the case went to trial. Of everyone she knew most of Ric's terrible deeds.
Sitting the back she was surprised to see Nikolas on the stand. Elizabeth listened as he described Ric framing him for murder. She was torn between guilt and anger. Sure Ric had done it but it was only to protect her. She might not like what he'd done but she understood.
Nikolas on the other hand was doing this because he hated Ric. This was his way of keeping her from her ex. Elizabeth had to admit that it might work. She doubted the judge would grant bail after his testimony.
Listening to the rest of the evidence Elizabeth wanted to cry. She had no idea how Alexis was going to win the case. Whoever was helping frame Ric had done an amazing job. Still she refused to believe that her ex was guilty. She couldn't forget the look of shock when Anna knocked on the door. Or how sincere his promises had been. She wanted to believe he wouldn't lie to her again.
However there was this tiny bit of doubt. The part of her that was jaded by her past. Elizabeth had been lied to so much giving Ric her complete trust was proving difficult. Maybe if she could just talk with him that would help.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"You want to see Ric Lancing?" Anna asked trying not to immediately deny the request. She felt terrible about what Elizabeth went through last night. The young mother didn't deserve to be humiliated like that. "I"m not sure that's a good idea."
"Please Anna? I have all these questions running around in my head. Ric... he's the only who has the answers. Just for a few minutes." Elizabeth pleaded trying not to sound as desperate as she felt. She couldn't take the uncertainty any longer. All she wanted was the truth.
"Alright you can see Ric," the police commissioner slowly agreed. Maybe letting Elizabeth see him wasn't such a bad thing. By seeing Ric locked up Anna hoped it would serve as a wake up call. "I'll have an officer escort you down to holding."
"Thanks," Elizabeth said clearly uncertain about the idea of going into the cells. Anna could see her plan was already starting to work. Now if Ric would just confess all of the would be over.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Ric laid back on the uncomfortable cot and tried not to worry. This wasn't his first time in jail. However he was determined to make it his last. That was if he managed to beat the charges against him. Being denied bail was almost expected. Scott was too smug about bring the so called head of a crime family down to allow him bail. The situation would be amusing if it wasn't ruining his life.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a door opening. Ric closed his eyes hoping the cops would ignore him for once. A knock on the bars told him that wasn't going to be the case. "Get up Lancing you have a visitor."
Lifting his head Ric immediately frowned. What was Elizabeth doing down in holding? This was the last place he wanted her to see him. Not that he wasn't happy she was standing in front of him. "Does Anna know you're down here?"
"It was her idea." Elizabeth said wringing her hands together. Somehow seeing Ric in a cell made things feel so much worse. "I wanna believe you're innocent, Ric."
"But..." he prompted sitting up slowly. He hated every single thing about this situation. When this was over Julian Jerome was going to pay. "Elizabeth you can ask me anything. I hope you know that by now."
"I don't want to have doubt but I do. The past... it's taught me not to trust. Make me believe you, Ric, please."