Chapter 21
Monday January 9th, 2006
1:45 p.m.
San Francisco County Courthouse
"The State calls Jessica Harrison to the stand."
Jessica entered the courtroom as her name was being called and made her way up to the witness box, raising her right hand and swearing to tell the truth before taking her seat and facing Tanya.
"Ms. Harrison, you worked with the San Francisco Crime Lab in 1999 did you not?"
"I did."
"And you worked the cases known as the Birchwood Rapes?"
"Yes, along with my partner."
"Ms Sara Sidle?" Tanya asked for clarification.
"Yes, that's right," Jessica agreed.
"Please tell the court about those cases."
"The Birchwood Rapist, as he came be known, had a total of thirty victims over a span of eight months, the first victim being found on March 11, 1999," Jessica said, not taking her eyes off Tanya. "After the last victim, he simply disappeared."
"Thank you, and were you able to find any identifying factors about the 'Birchwood Rapist'?"
"The only identifying marker we ever found was his DNA, which was gathered from the semen found in each of the victims, with the exception of the final victim, Hannah Allworth. Along with the semen collected from her we also found a single black hair next to Ms Allworth's bed. We were able to match the DNA from that hair to the DNA found in the semen, linking this attack to all the others," explained Jessica.
"And at the time were you able to find any suspects to match the DNA?"
"Unfortunately not, as we were unable to match the DNA to anything already in the system. The cases were left unsolved."
"Thank you," Tanya answered before making her way to her desk and picking up a folder. "Would you tell the court about the events of August 16th of last year?"
"Objection," John's lawyer spoke up. "The last victim attributed to the Birchwood Rapist was in 1999, why are we moving to 2004?"
"Your Honor, if I would have but a bit of patience on behalf of the court, everything will be made clear," Tanya asked turning to the judge.
"Objection overruled. You may have your leeway Ms. McCoy but tread carefully," instructed Judge Douglas.
"Thank you, your Honor," Tanya smiled before turning to Jessica. "Miss Harrison? If you please..."
"I was called into a meeting with my supervisor Andrew MacWhitter where I was informed that he had received a call from the night shift supervisor of the Crime Lab of the Las Vegas Police Department. Apparently, they had had a string of attacks very similar to that of Birchwood. They requested that someone from the San Francisco Crime Lab that had worked on the Birchwood cases come out and assist them," replied Jessica.
"And did you go to Las Vegas?" Tanya prompted.
"Yes I did. I went not only because I was the lead CSI on the Birchwood case but because I was asked to go by Sara Sidle."
"Of course," Tanya nodded. "What happened in Las Vegas?"
"I checked in with Gil Grissom, the supervisor that had called and requested assistance. I supplied him with the DNA evidence from the Birchwood cases so that he could determine if we were dealing with the same serial rapist. While the DNA was being compared, he allowed me to go over the evidence from the Night Stalker cases to see if I could find a pattern that matched Birchwood. At first glance I could not determine any connection between the two until one of the other investigators asked me a question, which triggered a memory about the Birchwood victims, giving us one connection between Birchwood and Night Stalker. The DNA gave us the other, more conclusive evidence. Birchwood was Night Stalker."
"Thank you, Ms. Harrison," Tanya nodded. "Did you ever find the Birchwood and Night Stalker Rapist?"
"Find him how exactly?" asked Jessica needing clarification.
"When did you locate a suspect that you were able to genetically link to the Birchwood and Night Stalker Rapist?"
"October third, 2005."
"And what suspect did you locate?"
"The defendant John Harwood."
"Thank you," Tanya answered before returning to her seat.
"Mr. Stevens," the judge prompted before the public defender rose and made his way to Jessica. "Ms. Harrison, you earlier mentioned a letter from Ms. Sidle that led to your trip to Las Vegas in August of 2004."
"I did," Jessica replied turning her attention to the public defender.
"And how did this letter lead to your decision to go to Las Vegas?"
"In the letter Sara warned me that I would probably be getting called into MacWhitter's office in the near future and that I needed to do as he asked. I needed to go to Las Vegas and help her team," offered Jessica.
"I see, so you went to Vegas because of Ms. Sidle's letter and not because you're supervisor ordered you to then? Does that mean that you care more about Ms. Sidle's wishes than that of your supervisor?"
"Objection," Tanya spoke up not believing he had said that.
"Withdrawn," Stevens answered, "I have no more questions at this time, but reserve the right to recall this witness at a later time."
"You may step down Miss Harrison," the judge instructed before turning back. "This court is in recess until 9:00am tomorrow morning," he said hitting his gavel as Jessica made her way over to Tanya's desk.
"Well that went well, for the most part," Tanya mused as they watched John and his attorney leave the room.
"I hope so," sighed Jessica in response. "I'm just afraid of what John's attorney might try to pull with Sara."
"Well, he can only go so far with his questioning after all," Tanya pointed out as she packed up her stuff.
"True," Jessica agreed warily. "I just have a bad feeling is all."
"You and me both," Tanya admitted. "But why don't you and Sara get out of here. She's not going to be called until Wednesday, and I don't expect to see her until after five tomorrow night so..." Tanya shrugged slightly. "Go relax and have fun. And don't worry about the trial."
"I'll try but I make no promises," Jessica said as she walked out of the courtroom
Monday January 9th, 2006
3:30 p.m.
San Francisco, California
Best Western Canterbury Hotel
Harrison - Sidle Suite
"When are you getting to town?" Sara asked with a sigh as she sat down.
"My plane lands tonight at ten. Laura and Jack are going to meet me, and we're all on the docket for Wednesday I believe," her brother explained over the phone.
"Ah, of course," she nodded as Sahidi dropped his head on her lap. "So, you're plane should be taking off any minute..."
"'We will now begin boarding Flight 439 to San Francisco...' What is it with you and your timing Sunshine?" Chris teased after the announcement for boarding sounded on his end and over the phone.
"It's a gift," Sara grinned. "See you soon brother mine, have a good flight."
"Of course sister dear, give the Duchess a hug for me and have a good night."
"She's going to kill you if you call her that, you know."
"That's life, besides, she can't kill me. I'm family."
"And that's going to stop her. Jess did deck you once for that nickname."
"Yes, but that was before I became the gorgeous specimen of male perfection I am today, I'll just smile and she'll forget she's angry."
"God definitely screwed up when he was giving you your ego, it's way too big for your own good. But shut up and say goodbye so you can get on the plane."
"Goodbye so you can get on the plane," Chris echoed as she laughed. Hanging up she shook her head.
"Sahidi, my brother is a complete, utter nut."
"Hey," Jessica said as she walked into the suite, walking over and scratching Sahidi behind the ears before collapsing on the couch.
"Hey you, Scor says hi," Sara smiled as she turned towards her best friend.
"When does he get in?"
"Ten. Laura and Jack are meeting him."
"You going to be okay seeing your parents?" Jessica asked, concern tinting her voice.
"I think so, I mean, I know they weren't involved and everything, but at the same time, it was so easy with Scor, I can't imagine it will be much different with them. Things will probably never be like people expect a normal parent-child relationship to be, but then again, we were never normal according to the world's standards," Sara smiled softly. "So yeah, I think I'll be okay."
"Well, you know I'll be there if you need anything."
"I always know that, Jyn girl," Sara answered. "So how was it? Did they drive you absolutely batty? Of course you have to answer this without giving me any information about what you said, but you know what I mean."
"I'll just be glad when it's all over," sighed Jessica. "You know I hate having to testify in court. I just find the whole experience way too stressful. I like the quiet of working with evidence."
"I know Love. And hey, I'm right there with you after the fiasco that was the Halivand case."
"Don't remind me. How does room service and movie night sound?" asked Jessica as she reached for the room service menu.
"Heaven. I vote for pizza if they have it. But we should probably get separate what with my weird fruit and veggie combinations," Sara grinned. "That is if you even want pizza to begin with."
"Pizza sounds good to me, and they do in fact have it available. How's chocolate cake with a side of strawberries sound for dessert?"
"Heaven," Sara moaned. "Okay then, for mine I want black olives, pineapple, mushrooms, tomatoes, and double cheese. If they have all that stuff of course," she added with a smile.
"I'll see what I can do," Jessica laughed as she rose and made her way to the phone that was in her bedroom.
Tuesday January 10th, 2006
6:15 p.m.
San Francisco County Courthouse
"Ah here we are," Tanya spoke as she spotted the group waiting in the hallway of the courthouse. "Seems like you have company waiting for you Sara."
"I do?" Sara asked glancing at her. "Well I suppose that makes the last hour of preparation worth it," she smiled before turning back to pat Sahidi's side.
"Mr. and Mrs. Sidle, Mr. Sidle, Jessica," Tanya greeted the group sitting in various chairs around the hallway.
"Hello," Laura Sidle replied with a smile as Jessica rose and made her way towards the two women.
"Hey Sara," Jessica said walking over to her friend. "Hey Sahidi."
"Evening Love," Sara smiled. "So see you tomorrow then Tanya," she continued to the A.D.A.
"Of course. Goodnight everyone," Tanya replied with a smile before leaving.
"Well then, if you don't mind Duchess, I would like to see my kid," Chris spoke up from behind Jessica.
"Hey!" Sara cried indignant.
"What? I haven't seen my baby in months," Chris replied as if it was the most obvious thing in the world as he dropped down to say hi to Sahidi.
"Rude," Sara grumbled before he rose.
"Hey Laura, didn't I learn how to be rude from your daughter?" he called to their mother.
"I so did not just hear that come out of your mouth Scorpio," Sara glared in his general direction.
"Duchess?" asked Jessica with a raised eyebrow. "Remember what happened the last time you called me that Scor?"
"Ah, but you love me, besides, you can't hit me in the courthouse, too many witnesses," Chris answered with a smile.
"But you forget that I can deal with you later, when nobody is looking and I'm sure that Nick would be more than happy come help me deal with a little problem I'm having," argued Jessica. "And we could do it without getting caught."
"Laura Love, didn't these three leave their teen years some twenty years ago?" Jack Sidle asked glancing at the three.
"I thought they had," Laura shrugged before leaving his side to push her son out of the way. "Hi Princess," she greeted as she stood in front of Sara, Chris behind her making faces at her back, until she turned and thumbed the bridge of his nose. Turning back to Sara she grinned. "How are you, Girl Child?"
"Good, and you?" Sara asked softly as she tilted her head to regard her mother. "Oh and Scor, stop making more faces, she'll smack you again you know," she called and he stopped to stare at her.
"Now, I know you're blind as a bat, so how the hell did you just know that I was making faces?"
"Because that's how you work, and how you have worked since you were a teenager," Jessica spoke up with a smirk.
"Oh shut up," Chris replied sourly.
"See, still acts like a fifteen-year-old," Sara sighed dramatically. "Except I do hope he's stopped hiding Playboys under his bed so he can spend quality time with them and the brownies," she mused.
"HEY!" Chris yelled before both his mother and father turned to look at him.
"You hid playboys under your bed!"
"You raided my brownies!"
"Why the hell did you find the need to hide them Scorpio God of Light!" Laura continued.
"Yeah, and why the hell didn't you invite me!" Jack added with a growl and roll of his eyes.
"Suddenly I'm very afraid of introducing the gang to my family," Sara mused to Jessica as Laura and Jack continued to yell at Chris about hiding things and not inviting him to these 'quality time with his brownies' parties.
"And I was worried about Nick learning the truth about me," Jessica replied with a slight shudder. "I feel sorry for Gil."
"Oh God yes," Sara sighed softly.
"Hey! What's this being afraid of introducing us to people!" Jack spoke up turning towards them before Laura and Chris followed his movements.
"Oh crap, they're looking at us with those looks aren't they. Those Sidle looks that say you are screwed and I am going to go up one side of you and down the other with a ten foot whip and don't even think about running..." Sara asked looking at Jessica with wide eyes. "That look I always used on Peter and Hodges..."
"Oh yeah," agreed Jessica as she took a hold of Sara's hand, that was not holding onto Sahidi. "Ready?" she asked quietly.
"Run!" Sara answered before they turned and Sahidi wisely managed to follow their actions and run along with them.
"Hey! Get back here!" Chris yelled after them.
"What do you think? Bathroom? Family version? Where we can lock the door and lock them out?" Sara suggested as they moved.
"Bathroom, it's closer," Jessica replied as she navigated the corridors for both of them.
"Oh God, I forgot how nuts my family is when all of us are together," Sara groaned as she fell back against the wall after they had entered the room and Jessica locked the door.
"You're telling me," agreed Jessica, falling back against the wall next to Sara. "And I thought the lab in Vegas was crazy, but they don't hold a candle to the Sidle family reunions."
"Don't you love being part of the family," Sara grinned at Jessica.
"Which one?" Jessica asked smiling back. "And I thought Nick's family was insane when I met them at Christmas. Remind me never to get the two in the same room with each other."
"Well all of them, but you've been a surrogate Sidle longer than either of us have been members of the Vegas Night Shift family, combined," Sara smiled. "That reminds me, we've never compared our Christmases yet..."
"Oh it was great, met the sister-in-law from hell but other than that, Nick's parents are really sweet, accepted me immediately, hassled Nick about not telling them sooner but I managed to explain the situation," commented Jessica as they could hear banging on the other side of the door.
"Well that's good," Sara agreed as her cell phone rang. Digging it out she turned it on. "You rang?" she asked with a smile. "Oh Gil, sorry thought you were someone else," she grinned as she looked over at Jessica, just as a particularly loud smack sounded on the door. "Yeah, Jess and I are hiding out in the bathroom at the courthouse, my parents and Chris are the ones making the banging noise...No, they're on the other side, they want in...Nope, they just want us dead that's all," she continued as Jessica shook her head, fighting laughter. "Yeah I know, my family's insane, way too much free love and way too many brownies...what kind of brownies?" she paused with a look of 'only Gil Grissom would ask that kind of question to a daughter of hippies'.
Jessica lost it then and broke down in a fit of giggles, sinking to the floor as she laughed.
"Well it was an honest comment after all, I told Jess I was afraid of letting my parents and brother near all of you. She especially agreed when it came to you, I supported the statement and my family weren't exactly thrilled..." she paused with a shrug.
"Sara Marie Sidle you can't hide in there forever!" Chris hollered.
"Yes, he does realize we're in a courthouse, but I don't think they particularly care," Sara spoke as she rolled her eyes. "Why do you want his phone number?" she asked confused as she glanced down at Jessica perplexed. "Okay, sure," she continued before rattling off the number then hanging up.
"I think Gil is calling Scor," Sara spoke up with a frown.
"Sara?" Chris called hesitantly through the door a moment later. "Umm, just want to apologize and ask you to come out so we can go to dinner."
"Damn that man is fast," Sara laughed.
"Remind me to give Gil a kiss when we get back to Vegas," Jessica said as she rose and dusted herself off.
"That better be a kiss on the cheek," Sara teased as she straightened.
"Of course Sara. Don't worry, Gil is not my type and besides I've got my own science nerd remember?" Jessica said as she unlocked the door.
"Hi," Chris spoke up with his head down when he saw them.
"Hello Loves," Sara grinned. "So what did he tell you anyway?"
"He threatened us with bugs," Chris answered with a shudder. "Damn Sunshine, you got one hell of a scary dude on your hands."
"Only when it comes to protecting me, Darling Brother mine," Sara smiled. "So, dinner then?"
"That would be good," Laura agreed with a smile of her own.
Tuesday January 10th, 2006
8:45 p.m
San Francisco, California
Best Western Canterbury Hotel
Harrison - Sidle Suite
"Alright, we have the chips, chocolate, soda, and Jesters board set up," Jack announced as he sat down on the floor around the coffee table amidst a few dozen pillows.
"Yup, and pass the Mint Oreo's," Sara answered before taking a sip of her coke.
"Hmm," Jack bobbed his head back and forth before nodding. "Fine, you can have a few."
"Few my foot, hand over the box," she ordered.
"Thank God I only eat those white chocolate Oreo's, I would not want to be involved in that argument," Laura smiled from the hallway.
"You and me both, agreed Jessica as she walked passed Laura to put more food down on the table, her cell phone ringing at the same time. "Hello? Hey Love," she said into the phone. "Hang on a sec okay? I just want to get into a different room here and away from the Sidle family reunion," she said with a smile as she walked towards her bedroom, closing the door behind her.
"Ah Nick," Sara smiled.
"Ah yes, the famous Texas boy," Laura nodded in understanding as another cell phone rang. "Want me to grab that Chris?" she asked looking towards her son.
"Go for it Laura," he answered as he grabbed a handful of Cheetos.
"God, we are the strangest family on earth," Sara laughed as Laura answered the phone, heading back towards another room as well.
"You're telling me Sunshine," Chris agreed with a grin.
"Damn that man! Damn him to hell!" Laura yelled as she came back into the room, pacing like a caged lion. If anyone from Vegas could see her they would know exactly where Sara got her temper from.
"Laura?" Jack asked in concern as Jessica came running back into the room.
"Nick? I'll have to call you back," Jessica said before hanging up. "Laura? What is it? What's wrong?" she asked in concern as she tried to get the woman to stop pacing.
"Damn that stupid Stevens man," Laura continued to rant.
"Laura please!" Sara pleaded getting her mother to stop as she turned to look at her daughter.
"McCoy just called, she's been arguing a motion of that stupid Defense Attorney's. And the man actually won," she yelled the last word.
"Laura, Love of my Heart, what are you talking about?" Jack asked as he stood and made his way to her side.
"Stevens, he's won a motion that bars the lot of us from attending each other's testimonies. Even after we've testified. Jessica, you, Chris and me. None of us can attend the testimonies of the others."
"What?" Sara asked shocked. "Wait, what of me. I'm to testify tomorrow, can I attend your testimonies after that?"
"No," Laura sighed.
"Well that just sucks," Chris announced shaking his head. "Idiot that lawyer, and I thought the people in the breeding world were insane."
"What's he trying to prove by not allowing us in the courtroom after testimony?" Jessica wondered. "I've never heard of a defense attorney pulling something like this nor a judge going along with it and I've been in my share of trials."
"What was the point of bringing the whole family here?" Sara began softly. "To show the jury the man that John is, the man he was growing up, to explain the man he's become." Pausing she glanced away from them and across the room as she thought. "Perhaps there is something he wishes to learn from us, that he does not wish the others to know before he is ready to ask it of them. It's how we work in interrogation, divide and conquer," she shrugged before glancing at them. "Come on guys, let's not worry about this now. John is guilty as hell, the state knows it, and hell the world will know it given the time. Let Tanya fight Stevens, all we can do is enjoy the time we have together and wait for this trial to be over."
"Sara's right," Jessica sighed in agreement as she walked over to the coffee table and sunk to the floor. "All we can do is pray this doesn't work to Stevens' advantage."
"Right then," Sara agreed. "Pass the cards already, I want to get this game started."
"Yes ma'am," Chris answered before starting to deal the cards.
Thursday January 12th, 2006
9:15 a.m.
San Francisco County Courthouse
"Thank you Ms. Sidle. I have no more questions for this witness your honor," Tanya spoke to the judge as she made her way back to her seat.
"Mr. Stevens?" Judge Douglas prompted.
"I have no questions at this time, but reserve the right to recall her at another time."
"So noted," Judge Douglas agreed before turning to Sara. "Ms. Sidle, you're excused, but remember that you're still under oath."
"Of course your Honor," she spoke softly. The bailiff joined her a moment later and led her from the courtroom back out to where the others were waiting.
"How did it go?" Chris asked concerned as the bailiff left her with her family and Jessica.
"Interesting, things with Tanya went according to plan, and Stevens didn't ask me a thing," Sara shrugged.
"Odd," Jack mused.
"His right," Sara shrugged once more. "Come on, let's get out of here. I have the urge to go spend the afternoon at Fisherman's Wharf."
Friday February 3rd, 2006
1:13 p.m.
San Francisco County Courthouse
"Ms. Harrison, you're parents died when you were a child, did they not?"
"Objection! Your Honor, significance?" Tanya pointed out.
"Your Honor please, it goes to the relationship between Ms. Harrison and the Sidle family."
"I'll allow it, to some extent," Judge Douglas replied after a moment.
"Thank you," he nodded before turning back to her. "Ms. Harrison, as I was saying, your parents died when you were a child, didn't they?"
"They did," replied Jessica warily
"And you met Sara Sidle when you were seven?"
"No I didn't."
"Oh? I'm sorry. So how old were you when you did meet Ms. Sidle?" Stevens asked with an innocent look.
"Ten"
"That's right," Stevens nodded as if suddenly realizing something. "You were seven when you're parents died and ten when you met Ms. Sidle."
"Your Honor," Tanya began
"Mr. Stevens, do move on," Judge Douglas responded giving the lawyer a look. "I won't have you wasting my court's time."
"Of course, your Honor," Stevens nodded before turning back to Jessica. "So you met the Sidle's three years after you lost your parents. You became close to them?"
"Close how?"
"Well, did you spend a good deal of time with them? It's quite obvious the two of you are still friends today, so one would assume that you have been close friends."
"I did, we have been and we still are friends," replied Jessica, answering all three of his questions.
"Of course. Did you spend a lot of time with the family? Sleepovers at her house and such?"
"Your Honor?" Tanya asked once more as she rolled her eyes slightly.
"Mr. Stevens, I'm giving you some leeway, but if you don't get to the point soon..." Douglas trailed off.
"Of course your Honor, just a few more questions." Stevens answered before looking back at Jessica. "Ms. Harrison?"
"We were young girls who were the best of friends, what do you think Mr. Stevens?"
Stevens nodded and smiled. "So the Sidle family became like a second family to you."
"I had guardians to look after me Mr. Stevens but if you want to put it that way then yes. In a way, the Sidle family took me under their wing."
"Of course. So Sara was like a sister to you then?"
"Yes she is. I know what you're trying to do Mr. Stevens but it won't work," Jessica informed him coolly
"You do?" he asked with mock surprise. "Ms. Harrison, I have no idea what you mean, but please, enlighten the court. What is it you think I'm trying to do?"
"I'm a highly educated woman Mr. Stevens, you're little tricks to try to get me to change my story won't work on me."
"Ms. Harrison, I have no idea what you think I'm trying to do. But let me assure you, getting you to change your story is the least of my intentions," he replied with a smile. "But you were saying the two of you are like sisters. You'd do anything for her, would you not?"
"Anything, with the exception of what you're implying. I do have my integrity Mr. Stevens, both as a person and as a criminalist," replied Jessica, coldly.
"I'm not implying anything Ms. Harrison," he replied before turning and going back to his desk to look at some papers. "You knew Ms. Sidle from the time she was fourteen correct?"
"I believe we've already established that fact."
"Of course," he replied with a nod. "So, you would spend time at her home when her uncle lived there."
"Your Honor," Tanya spoke up exasperated. "Haven't we already established that she spent a number of sleepovers there, therefore she had to have been there when John Harwood was there?"
"She's right Stevens, stop asking the same questions."
"Sorry your Honor. Ms. Harrison, you obviously spent a lot of time there when my client was there. Did you ever notice anything out of the ordinary?"
"Yes I did."
"And you never spoke up about these things?" Stevens continued.
"I did."
"You did? Whom did you tell?" he asked smoothly.
"My guardians Clair and William Matthews."
"Did they do anything?"
"Of that I do not know, Mr. Stevens. You have to realize that Clair and William had been with my father's family since he was a child. By the time I had come into their care, they were already well on in age and I was still a very young child. If they did something they did not inform me of it," offered Jessica.
"Of course. So basically you knew something was wrong, but nothing was ever done to help your sister. That must have been a hard fact to live with all your life."
"We all have demons in our past that are hard for us and our families to live with Mr. Stevens."
"That's true Ms. Harrison, but you are no ordinary person. You have a great deal of power at your fingertips, figuratively speaking, and yet you could never do a thing to help quite possibly the most important person in your life."
"Objection your Honor," Tanya said standing up. "There was no question there, your Honor. Mr. Stevens is making an argument."
"Sustained," Douglas agreed. "Mr. Stevens, if you have a question, ask it.
"Of course your Honor," he replied apologetically. "Ms. Harrison, it must have been difficult to be unable to help your sister with all of the things you can do in this world. After all, only a few months ago you managed to convince the Sheriff of Clark County to make right a mistake that occurred there to your co-workers did you not?"
"Objection your Honor!" cried Tanya in frustration. "What does what happened a few months ago have to do with anything that may have happened while Miss Harrison was a child?"
"Your Honor, the fact that Ms. Harrison lost her family at an early age helped her attach herself to the Sidle family. And the events of a few months ago only show just how powerful Ms. Harrison is. I am only curious to find out how it must have been for her to know she could never help this woman she considered family all these years when it's obvious she has the ability and available options at her disposal."
"It's okay, your Honor, I'll answer the question," Jessica said before the Judge could respond. "Mr. Stevens I was not aware of what Mr. Harwood was doing to my friend when I was a child, all I knew was that I got a bad feeling every time I saw him watching Sara. And yes I did use my influence to help my friends that were being unjustly persecuted by a man obsessed with petty jealousy. But I would never do what you're suggesting."
"Of course, Ms. Harrison," Stevens interrupted her. "You would trust Ms. Sidle with your life would you not?"
"Of course."
"She would never hurt you would she?"
"Not intentionally no."
"Part of the reason you are so close, why you'd do anything for her, she'd do anything for you?" he clarified.
"Almost anything."
"Of course." he replied as he made his way back to his desk to pick up a folder. "How would you feel though if you found out that your best friend, your sister, was having a relationship with your fiancé? That would hurt, wouldn't it?"
"Of course."
"Would you be willing to lie for her then?" continued Stevens as he opened the folder and laid four pictures on the stand in front of her. The picture on the far right was of Nick and Sara, during her blonde stage, about the time of the explosion. Both were dressed up and laughing as they watched something, her arm was slipped through his and his hand rested on top of hers. The second and third were obviously from the same day, they were intimately hugging, one a full shot, one a close up of their faces, both looking happier than she had seen them in any pictures Sara had ever shared with her. And the final picture was a close up of the two of them, Nick was kissing the side of her mouth, and Sara was smiling that smile that Jessica knew so well. The one she wore when she was unbelievably happy.
"I have not, and never have, lied for Sara Sidle in regards to anything," replied Jessica, wiping away an escaped tear.
"Of course, Ms. Harrison," Stevens answered as he gathered the pictures. "No more questions, your Honor."
"Miss Harrison would you, or have you, done anything that goes against your position as an objective third party in the investigation of the Birchwood Rapist?" asked Tanya standing behind her desk.
"No."
"Thank you Miss Harrison, No more questions your Honor," Tanya finished retaking her seat.
"You may step down Miss Harrison," Judge Douglas said dismissing Jessica.
"Thank you, your Honor," Jessica replied quietly before getting down off the stand and making her way out of the courtroom. Instead of heading back to the hotel she started walking in the opposite direction, not paying too much attention to where she was going, ending up at the end of Fisherman's Wharf where she stood looking out over the Bay.
Friday February 3rd, 2006
8:48 p.m.
Best Western Canterbury Hotel
Harrison - Sidle Suite
"Alright, Jesters is set up, and I think that's the pizza," Chris spoke as he made his way to the door to answer it, finding room service there with a number of pizzas, soda, breadsticks, and cinnamon breadsticks that would last them for the next few hours.
"I'll get it," Sara called as the phone next to her rang. "Hello?" she asked hoping it might be Jessica, they hadn't heard from her all afternoon, but her phone was on so...
"Sara, it's Tanya."
"Hey Tanya what's up?" Sara asked as she looked up and listened as everyone set up the food.
"Just got out of Judge Douglas' office. He's declared Stevens insane, but wanted to let you know, everyone is allowed to attend your testimony tomorrow if they want to."
"Huh?" she asked confused. "Wait, wasn't he keeping us apart?"
"That's what Douglas and I said. But he claims that he realized that it was a mistake and wanted to make things right. Douglas looked at him like he had grown a second head before agreeing. And informing him that if he tried to pull this stunt again, he better think twice before coming to him about it."
"Interesting," Sara mused as she thought about why he was doing this. None of them were allowed to hear each other's statements, so they had no idea what his theory was, nor could they compare notes. But now he didn't care if they heard her's. This left such a bad feeling in her stomach. "Okay Tanya, I'll spread the word. Dinner just arrived."
"No problem Sara. See you tomorrow."
"See you then," Sara answered before hanging up.
"Who was that?" Jack asked.
"Tanya, change of plans for tomorrow."
"Oh?" Laura asked concerned.
"Yeah, all of you can be in the courtroom. Stevens just pulled a one-eighty."
"Odd," Jack mused.
"Yeah," Sara agreed as she rose. "So, where's my pizza and let's get this game started," she smiled as she made her way to the table. "We'll deal with Stevens and his mess in the morning. Right now, I'm more concerned about where Jessica is."
"You and me both Sunshine," Chris agreed softly as he reached over to squeeze her hand. "She's fine though, she needs us, she'll call."
Moments after Sara sat down, Jessica walked into the suite, making her way through towards her bedroom, not saying a word and not looking in Sara's direction at all, in fact she wasn't looking at a single person in the room, keeping her head down.
"What..." Sara spoke, looking up before looking towards her family. "That was Jess right?"
"Yeah," Chris answered after a moment.
"Ten minutes, then I'm going after her." Sara spoke softly before turning back to the game. "And move me eleven," she added as she threw down a joker.
"Aww man," Chris groaned when she knocked him off.
Ten minutes later Sara stood outside Jessica's room and knocked once. Getting no reply Sara knocked once more before opening the door. "Jyn? What's wrong?" she asked concerned when she heard crying. "Jess honey? Where are you?" Sara asked even more concerned as she stepped further into the room, shutting the door behind her.
"Go away," came a quiet request from the far corner of the room.
"Jyn? What's going on? Did something happen in court? Did something happen in Sonoma or at home?" Sara asked as she carefully made her way towards the voice.
"Just leave me alone," sniffed Jessica in reply.
"Jessica, you know me better than that. Talk to me, please," pleaded Sara.
"It all makes sense now," mused Jessica sadly.
"What are you talking about?" Sara asked confused as she sunk to the floor somewhere near where Jessica's voice was coming from.
"Why every time Nick looks at me, he sees you," snarled Jessica, her voice full of pain and hurt.
"What?" Sara repeated in shock. "Jessica, what are you talking about?"
"I saw it Sara. I saw for myself the way he looks at you. I was right to walk away from Nick all those months ago."
"Jess, what are you talking about?" Sara pushed, completely confused. "What do you mean the way he looks at me? Who Nick? He's like my brother..." she trailed off completely and utterly confused.
"That's not the way he looked at you in the pictures Sara," snapped Jessica, standing up and walking over to the window, stepping over Sara in the process.
"What pictures?"
"The ones of you and Nick. The ones where he's holding you, like the two of you were lovers. The one where he's kissing you," offered Jessica coldly.
Sara blinked towards her for a few moments completely lost. "Umm, where did you see these pictures?"
"What difference does it make Sara! I saw them all right. I saw the look in Nick's eyes. The way he looked at you," Jessica argued, her voice starting out strong but slowly fading the longer she went as more tears fell.
"Jyn, I don't know what you saw. But Nick and I don't care for each other that way. Call him if you don't believe me."
"Well, it sure as hell didn't look like it in court today Sara," cried Jessica. "My God, why didn't you tell me that there had been something between you and Nick. So that, oh I don't know, maybe I'd be prepared for it when Stevens decided to throw my fiancé's past in my face."
"Because there was nothing ever between me and Nick," Sara snapped back lightly. "And what do you mean he threw it in your face?" she asked softer before holding up a hand. "No, you can't tell me anything, stupid man. But God girl, you should know both of us better. I've only loved, truly loved two men in my life. You know that. And you know both of them personally, and have been around when I dated both of them..." she trailed off with a sigh.
"I know Sara," Jessica said sadly slumping down onto the floor up against the balcony door. "I know that in my heart Sara but my head, after seeing those pictures, is telling me something different."
"Then call him love. Beat some sense into your head with his help. And hey, once we're back there, we'll figure out just where the pictures came from."
"Would you hand me the phone then?" Jessica asked quietly. "It's on the nightstand about two feet to your left."
Sara found the phone and left it with Jessica before making her way back from the room to give her friend some privacy, before she left though, she called back softly. "If you want, we have pizza and Jesters. Oh and Tanya called, all of you can be there tomorrow."
"Alright," Jessica replied quietly as she dialed Nick's number. "Nick?"
Shutting the door Sara made her way back out to the rest of her family and sighed softly as she joined them.
"Everything okay?" Laura asked concerned.
"Stevens pulled some crap, but I think we'll be okay," she replied softly.
"Damn straight. Now go, it's your turn and Jack is convinced he can stop me from going in," Chris smiled as she rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Sara grumbled with a smirk before throwing down a card only to hear Chris yell in shock. /-/Good move Sidle,/-/ she mused to herself.
Monday February 6th, 2006
10:15 a.m.
San Francisco County Courthouse
The next morning found Sara taking her turn on the stand with Stevens, a place she wasn't entirely sure she wanted to be. The night before had been rather uneventful after the craziness that was those first few minutes, Jessica had stayed in her room, only to emerge the next morning, things a lot better than they had been when she disappeared the night before, other than the fact she was a bit quieter than normal. After a quick breakfast the group had made their way to the courthouse, where James had met them to keep Sahidi until they were done in the courtroom. And now Sara found herself back on the stand waiting for Mr. Stevens to begin his questioning.
"Ms. Sidle, you told the court that your uncle quote "molested me from the time I was three until I was thirteen," at which time he began to rape you?" Stevens asked as he approached her.
"Yes," Sara answered as she tried to place him in the room.
"A regular occurrence, wasn't it? This 'rape'?"
Sara paused for a moment; suddenly wishing her family wasn't in the courtroom. "At least once a day."
"I see, and you never told anyone about it?"
"No, until I was twelve I never realized that there was anything wrong. Sexual abuse was not something talked about during the seventies and early eighties. It's not even something talked about today, though it's not as much a stigma as it was then," she replied evenly.
"And after you were twelve? That would have been in 1983, wouldn't it? During the early seventies the new rape laws were implemented. Wouldn't that have taken away from the 'stigmatism' of it?"
"Yes, it's true that the new Rape laws were implemented in the seventies, but regardless of that, it was still something not nearly as talked about as today. You often read about women who had accused their rapist only to have the trial turned around on them and they ended up with the blame for their attack. I was twelve-years-old Mr. Stevens, even a normal twelve-year-old would not know what to do in the situation, and even twelve-year-olds of today's society have issues coming forward after they have been attacked. When it is a family member, that makes it that many times worse for the victim, you no longer know who you can trust."
"And are you talking from the perspective of the child you were, or the law enforcement officer that you were for a decade?" he countered smugly.
Sara frowned. "Both. The facts I know from my time in law enforcement, but I can tell you this, when I was twelve, I was a very confused child. Something no one can hold against me. I've made mistakes, everyone does."
"Of course," Stevens interrupted her. "But you still haven't addressed why you remained silent after you were twelve."
"Why did I remain silent after he had stepped it up a notch and I was old enough to know the difference?" Sara repeated before shaking her head. "Mr. Stevens, I grew up with my uncle doing what he did to me, justifying everything he did with bible passages. When I was thirteen, he declared us married before God. Married. Can you honestly say that if you were in my shoes, you would have the courage to go talk with someone, anyone, to inform them that you are a thirteen-year-old girl who is 'married' to her uncle, a man who has been doing the horrible things he did to her since she was only three-years-old."
"So, you weren't willing to tell anyone," Stevens summarized.
"What thirteen-year-old wants the world to know that she is married?" Sara countered evenly.
"I see. Ms. Sidle, your uncle testified that you were a willing participant to the things you did together, can you deny that?"
Sara froze. /-/Dear God, why did he have to ask that question...of all the questions in the world, why that one...Okay, come on Sara, you can do this. Gil knows the truth, it won't be a shock to him...but they don't. And they're the ones that are here...God, why is he even asking this.../-/
"Ms. Sidle?" Andrew Stevens prompted and she looked up at the sound of his voice before sighing softly.
"No I can't," she replied, only to hear a gasp filter across the courtroom. /-/Oh yes, let's make the poor blind woman feel even worse about her past./-/
"So you're saying that you were a willing participant, perhaps even wanted the relationship," Stevens jumped in.
"No, that's not..." she started to argue.
"So you wanted the relationship with your uncle, then when he left, you must have been hurt, angry, furious even..."
"Objection your Honor," snapped Tanya jumping to her feet. "He's badgering the witness."
"She's right Mr. Stevens," Judge Douglas agreed.
Stevens nodded and took a minute to rethink his plan. "This man had been your lover for the majority of your life, then he leaves without a word. Time went by, he never looked for you, you went away, away from your family's watchful gaze and still he never came looking for you."
"I could have cared less..."
"Of course, you went to San Francisco after your years at Harvard, got involved in law enforcement, became a CSI. Then the Birchwood Rapist struck, didn't he?"
Sara remained silent having no idea what the hell he was trying to say anymore, and completely confused.
"Your Honor is there a point to this line of questioning or is Mr. Stevens just enjoying hearing himself speak?" interjected Tanya.
"I do indeed have a point your Honor," Stevens spoke up.
"Then get to it," the Judge answered evenly
"Of course. Ms. Sidle, you left Harvard and became a CSI did you not?"
"After five years in the Coroner's office, yes," she replied with a slight frown.
"Of course, so five years after you left Harvard, did you ever hear from your uncle in that time?"
"No I did not, th..."
"And then the Birchwood Rapist struck, did he not?" Stevens interrupted her.
"Yes, in April of ninety-eight."
"A decade after you had last seen your uncle wasn't it?"
"Just about." /-/Where the hell is he going with all of this?/-/
"For ten years you hadn't heard from the man who had been your lover, your husband before God. That must have made you angry."
"No."
"Angry enough to want revenge on him."
"No."
"And then he came to town, and you saw him. Made you angrier, after all this time he shows up now. But it gave you a chance to get your revenge."
"I never wanted revenge, I just wanted to forget!" she snapped.
"Ms. Sidle, what woman wouldn't want revenge when their lover scorns them," Stevens asked in a condescending tone. "
"Many I suppose, but I'm not one of them," she replied evenly.
"Objection your Honor!" cried Tanya in outrage as she rose to her feet. "Mr. Stevens is continuing to badger the witness."
"Change tactics Mr. Stevens," Douglas warned, clearly exasperated as well.
"Of course," he smiled before going back to his desk and picking up a file. "Who was Lennie Benson?"
"Excuse me?" she asked totally thrown.
"Leonard Benson, does the name ring a bell?" Stevens asked with a smile.
"Yes, we dated my last year at Harvard." Sara replied before mentally groaning. /-/Oh great, of all the things to dig up./-/
"What happened on the fifteenth of March that year?" Stevens asked raising one eyebrow at her.
"I was raped, by Leonard Benson," she replied evenly. /-/Great, he's going to pull that card. Just great. God damn this man./-/
"Did you press charges?"
"Yes, but they were dismissed. My word against his wasn't enough for a trial."
"What happened two months later Ms. Sidle?"
"Leonard Benson was found dead," Sara answered. /-/Bastard, you're going to spin this to go with your story and keep the rest of the story from the jury./-/
"You were a suspect, were you not?"
"Not officially. I was cleared less than twelve hours after his body was found," she ground out.
"I see, why were you cleared, might I ask?" he continued sweetly.
"I had a clear cut alibi, not to mention I was innocent."
"Of course, you were a physic's major then. And had made the decision to work in Criminology. So you would have had the knowledge, at least in a small way, of how to cover evidence."
"Objection!" Tanya spoke up, not believing what he was saying. "Your Honor please, hasn't he badgered the witness long enough with things she has already answered."
"She's right Mr. Stevens," Judge Douglas agreed.
"I'm sorry, your Honor," Stevens answered before looking at Sara. "In your work, you often carried evidence to the lab did you not?"
"Yes, every CSI does," answered Sara warily.
"So it was nothing out of the usual for you to deliver evidence you had collected on the Birchwood Rapist to your DNA lab. Evidence including semen and hair?"
"No, but I am not the only person who handled that evidence. Other CSIs did as well, all within protocol regulations."
"Of course. One last question Ms. Sidle. Have you ever imagined getting revenge on your uncle? In any way, shape or form?"
Sara looked towards him for a moment before answering. "What normal human being wouldn't imagine that, for a single moment in time," she replied evenly. "Just because I might have imagined his life being hell, doesn't mean I would do anything to make his life hell."
"Of course. No more questions your Honor." Stevens answered before returning to his desk.
"Miss Sidle," Tanya began rising from her seat for her chance to re-question the witness. "Mr. Stevens questioned Miss Harrison on her willingness to cover for you out of some sort of misguided loyalty to you and your family. Have you ever asked Miss Harrison to do such a thing? More importantly in relation to the Birchwood Rapist."
"Of course not. I'd never ask her to do anything like that for me, especially not in relation to any of our cases. I have more respect for the victims and their families than to let their attacker go free simply for my revenge," she finished shaking her head.
"Mr. Stevens also brought up a Nicholas Stokes in his questioning yesterday believing that revealing his relationship with you to your best friend and Mr. Stokes fiancée would somehow make her see the light and stop protecting you. Would Miss Harrison have any reason to protect you? And perhaps you could clear up this 'relationship' you have with Mr. Stokes for the court. Is it platonic or is there something more to it?"
Sara blinked at Tanya for a moment before glancing towards where the other attorney sat. /-/Bastard!/-/ "Nick and I are close friends, we worked together at the Las Vegas Crime Lab for five years until I left the city. Our 'relationship' is strictly platonic, and any who would think otherwise is quite frankly, off their rocker. We are like siblings," she paused to shake her head. "And Jessica has no reason to protect me, nor have I ever asked her to protect me in any way shape or form, something I'm sure she would be the first to agree with as well."
"Thank you Miss Sidle. I have no further questions your Honor," Tanya said returning to her seat.
"You may step down Ms. Sidle," Judge Douglas spoke softly and Sara nodded as the bailiff came to escort her from the room.