PART SEVEN

After a quick trip by BART back to San Francisco, Joan exits the station and heads for a bus stop. She sees a familiar figure waiting there for her…Old Lady God.

"Good morning Joan, dressed a little fancy for Thursday morning aren't you?"

"Like you don't know why I'm still wearing my little black dress. I'm…I'm really sorry about David Bloom."

"As am I. Basically a good man, he should have had another thirty years ahead of him."

"It's my fault he's dead."

"Really Joan, are you confessing to his murder?"

"No, but if I hadn't been so distracted by…ya know."

"Lust?"

"Yeah, that. Then I would have spotted the killer right off and stopped him."

"That is one potential scenario, but last night could have played out in many ways. The situation was highly in flux, and your involvement might not have prevented that murder."

"But I didn't get the chance to try because all I could think about was sex…plus my anger over Adam tossing me out of his apartment to be with another woman, or so I thought. If I had been alert, on my game, David Bloom wouldn't be dead. It's my fault."

Old Lady God sighs. "Joan, reel in the ego. I may have given you a few spiritual gifts, but omnisience and omnipotence weren't among them. You are not responsible for the ills of the world, nor do I expect you to go about saving every person in need. No human can, and to try to do so, to take on that burden, will crush your soul. Joan, try to remember, you're on vacation. The one you begged for, and the one you needed. I'd like you to give a little more effort to relaxation and rest."

"You call this a vacation? So far, I've been miserable. I would have been better off staying in Arcadia running assignments for you. First there was that horrible mess in Los Angeles, with the devil gloating because he has found a weak link in my protection that he can exploit… Wait, this situation isn't about that, is it?"

"No. All that is happening here was in motion before you arrived in San Francisco. What happened last night, and other matters associated with that event, are the ripples of people's choices. The reaping of the words and deeds they have sewn. Your vacation, and your quest to lose your virginity, are unconnected to those events—unless you choose to involve yourself in them."

"So…I shouldn't feel guilty? About my 'quest'?"

"Well, you know you have free will to make your life choices, good or bad."

Joan chuckles. "Here we go. I suspected it all along. You've been pulling the strings behind the scenes to keep me a virgin. Look, if you want me to stay in my current state, why not just say so? I'll take some kind of chastitiy oath and get on with my life of being a lonely old maid."

Old Lady God frowns. "Joan, that is offensive. Why are you doubting me? Why after all of this time do you still not get it when I say, 'free will'?"

Joan blushes and looks at the ground. "Sorry. But, what was that remark about good and bad choices? Even if the choice is mine, are you saying you don't want me to have sex? Is that why it hasn't worked out with Dylan or Adam?"

"Joan, you know my guidelines. You know I only want what is best for those I love. Would a quick affair with Dylan or Adam fall within those guidelines?"

Joan sighs. "Your guideline involves romantic love, and a committed relationship so that we don't end up hurting others or ourselves. Dylan wanted marriage, but I had too many doubts for that. If I had slept with him he would have believed it was leading to us getting married. If I had then walked away…it would have broken his heart. I couldn't do that to him."

"I am glad you realized that, Joan. I would have been very displeased if you had hurt Dylan that way."

"But Adam and I are different. We realize our time for a romantic relationship has passed, but we still love each other, we cherish our friendship and, we are really hot for each other… Sorry."

"No need to apologize, Joan. At the age the two of you are at, hormones are intense. That's worked into the system I designed to keep the species going. But I also gave you minds, and a sense of right and wrong so you could make choices higher than those of animals in heat."

"So that's a recommendation against Adam and me, even though it is our free will?"

"Joan, one day you will look back on this part of your life and be amused by how much pressure you have put on yourself over such a simple, natural matter. If you sleep with Adam, you will have a temporary physical pleasure, and your sense of having fallen behind your contemporaries will be eased, but that will not erase the ripples you will cause."

"Which are?"

Old Lady God smiles. "Not for you to know, but if you think about it, I'm sure you can think of a few scenarios where this might not work out as well as you hope."

Joan pauses as some of those thoughts go through her head. Bad sex? What did she really know of Adam as a lover? Pregnancy? Birth control isn't 100%. Emotional conflict? What if after they become physical, she or Adam wants much more than their agreed friends-with-benefits? You could go crazy trying to guess all the things that could go wrong, but still…

"I'll have to think about this some more, what with it being my free will choice."

"Always a good idea Joan, especially when you are sewing a seed that you do not recognize. Who knows what you might reap. For instance, you are about to receive a call from Adam that will involve some reaping of his own…"

At that moment, Joan's cell phone rings. Old Lady God gets on the bus that has just arrived, giving her usual backhand wave…

"Hey Adam. What…? Arrested? Okay, I'll be right there. Ask for a public defender and say nothing! I'm on my way."

X X X X X

Unable to stand the little black dress another moment, Joan takes the bus to Alamo Square and rushes into Florene's house and then up to the guest room. After a shower and quick change, Joan hurries back downstairs and finds Florene waiting for her...

"Good morning Joan, I thought I heard a whirlwind rushing through the house."

"Sorry, but I'm in a huge rush. How's Kate doing?"

"She's going back and forth between depression and trying to keep busy. Any funeral arrangements will be on hold until David's body is released, and Kate has been trying to block Ashley from using any of David's money, to keep her from hiring a lawyer. No luck with that. I know Kate is furious with Ashley, and I ought to be backing her up, but I just find it hard to believe that young woman could have done something so violent."

"I agree, and when I left David's apartment last night, the police were starting to have a few doubts of their own."

"Really? The vibe I had was that they were sure it was open and shut against Ashley."

Joan briefly wonders about that. Florene is an intuitive person, and that vibe might be very real. No matter how professional they may try to be, the cops would have quickly and firmly decided Ashley was guilty. How much could that subconsciously affect a witness' statement?

Florene continues, "We did finally manage to reach Charlotte and give her the tragic news. The poor thing, she was so happy about finding her missing runaway until we told her about David. Charlotte is waiting for the teenage girl's parents to show up before she heads back to town. So much tragedy... I'm sorry for how this has intruded on your reunion with Adam."

"Thank you, but I'm afraid the bad news keeps on coming. Adam has been arrested for murder."

"Oh God, it can't be true. Not that nice young man..."

"It's not true. I don't have the details yet, but I'm going down to the police station to see how I can help."

"I wish there was something I could do. Normally I'd ask Kate to help, but under the circumstances..."

"I understand, and don't worry. Adam will have a public defender, and I intend to give that lawyer all possible help."

Joan exits the house, and as she rushes toward the bus stop, she spots her tutor standing in the park, staring down at her with a self-satisfied smirk. She flips him the bird.

X X X X X

Hanson North, respected public defender, wipes sweat from his brow and tries to clear his head. What was wrong with him? When this pretty young girl asked to have a moment alone to talk about her accused boyfriend, he never expected...this. Hanson gulps nervously as he experiences a curious madonna/whore thing. On one hand he feels an overwhelming urge to protect this lovely young woman, to serve her in any way she desires, but on the other hand, he can't get these wildly erotic images out of his mind. The slightest nod from her and he would be pulling down those tight jeans and... Hanson again shakes his head, trying to keep his thoughts clear.

"Miss Girardi, what you're asking is impossible. There's no way to include you as a part of the defense. You're not a lawyer. You're not even a law student who might be given permission to observe as an intern."

Joan forces a smile as as she feels her stomach turn at what she is doing to this man. This is not the first time she has used the ability of sexual charisma to sway someone in a time of crisis, but each time the experience gets worse for her. She can fully feel Mr. North's passion, confusion and self-loathing for being so turned on by a girl half his age. Worse, he has a genuine interest in someone, and now he is doubting himself about that too. No wonder she is the only instrument of God to ever resort to this now despised ability, but Joan has learned some hard lessons about the end justifying the means. She knows that it is usually wrong, but what can she do? Adam needs her, and she has already been warned by the police about not interferring in their cases.

"Mr. North, as Adam's defense attorney, you have the right to hire any consultant you might need for your case. Such a consultant enjoys full lawyer/client priviledge, and has as much access to evidence as you see fit."

Hanson nods, trying not to stare at Joan's breasts, but failing miserably. "Y-Yes, but such consultants are usually specialized experts. What subject are you an expert in, Miss Girardi?"

"Adam Rove."

Again Hanson nods, knowing he should ignore such a ridiculous request, but for this enchanting young woman...anything. "I can draw up a contract..."

"No need. A verbal agreement will do since we are pressed for time. Give me a dollar."

Hanson reaches into his pocket, automatically obeying. He hands Joan a dollar and she hands him back a sheet of paper.

"What's this?" he asks.

"A receipt that says I have received full payment in my capacity as your new expert consultant."

"You knew in advance that I'd agree to this?"

"I had a hunch. Shall we join the others?"

Hanson follows Joan out of one of the small interview rooms and goes with her to the one next door. Joan allows Hanson to enter first. Hanson sees his client, Adam Rove handcuffed to a table. On the other side are Inspector Lindsay Boxer and his former girlfriend, Deputy D. A. Jill Bernhardt. This morning Hanson would have given anything to be reunited with Jill, even though he knows she is now in a relationship with some ER doctor. Now, with Joan on his mind, he wonders why he has ever been interested in any other woman.

"It's about time, Hanson. We do have other things on our schedule besides waiting for..." Lindsay pauses as she sees Joan following Hanson into the interview room. "Miss Girardi! What are you doing here? Did I not make myself clear that you were not to interfere in police matters?"

Hanson quickly intervenes. "Inspector, I have hired Joan Girardi in the capacity of an expert consultant. She will be assisting me in every aspect of Mr. Rove's defense, including this interview."

Adam and Joan share a brief hug, and she reads what she already knew in her heart. Adam is innocent. Joan takes a seat between Adam and Hanson and smiles at the annoyed detective.

Lindsay asks, "Jill, is this legal? Can he do this?"

Jill Bernhardt glares at her former lover feeling a curious mix of anger and jealousy. Normally when they were in a room Hanson couldn't take his eyes off of her, but now he is staring at Joan's boobs like they were as big as Ashley Bloom's. What is wrong with him? What's so special about her? Is it because she's younger? Hey, I'm still under thirty, and you're twice her age...

"Jill?" Lindsay prompts again, taking note of her friend's obvious jealousy and Hanson's revolting obsession with a teenage girl. She has never liked the man, but this...?

Jill swallows hard and replies, "Mr. North is correct. Technically he can hire experts to help his case, he can give them full access to all that we have, and he can obviously make a fool of himself!"

"Jill!" Lindsay warns as she points at the microphone that is recording the interview.

Jill takes a deep breath and tries to calm herself. Remember, you have Luke now. He's a doctor, as well as being younger and better looking than Hanson. So why has your old lover never seemed so appealing? "My apologies. Yes, both sides can use hired experts such as psychologists, forensic specialists and so on. What use Mr. North can find for a pretty college co-ed, I can only guess at, and what this will do to his reputation as an officer of the court...? Well, that's not for me to judge."

Lindsay quickly says, "Okay, let's get started. Mr. Rove has been read his rights and is being questioned in the presence of his attorney Hanson North, and a consultant whom I expect to keep quiet. Mr. Rove, at seven fifteen this morning you were found by uniformed officers Martinelli and Cox, responding to an anonymous call of a gunshot, in the office of Otto's Tyrolean Cafe. The owner of that restaurant, Mr. Otto Schneider, was on the floor dead with a small caliber bullet wound to the back of his head. You were holding a .25 caliber automatic pistol that is registered to the victim. No one else was present, and the wound Mr. Schneider received was fresh - no more than a few minutes old. Would you care to explain these circumstances?"

Adam opens his mouth, but Hanson holds up a warning hand. "Adam, remember our discussion. All answers go through me. Inspector, Mr. Rove gave the arresting officers his statement at the scene. I would have preferred to have consulted with my client before then, but we will stand by that satement. It is the simple truth."

Jill snorts derisively. "Counselor, your client's fingerprints are the only ones on that gun. He had gunpowder residue on his hand, and he was alone with the victim - a man he was having an on going dispute with over money. Do you really want to stick with: he found Otto like that and picked up the gun when he heard someone approaching because it might be the killer coming back? I've heard better alibis from spaced out junkies."

Hanson smiles. "As have we all, which is why Mr. Rove's story has the ring of truth. Did you verify Mr. Rove's claim that he received an early morning text message from Otto to come to the restaurant so he could pay Adam the full amount he was owed?"

Lindsay replies, "We checked both the victim's and Mr. Rove's cell phones. That message was sent from Otto's phone. We are not disputing how Mr. Rove happen to be at the restaurant so early in the day."

Hanson adds, "And that he found the service entrance door unlocked and proceeded to Otto's office to receive his payment?"

Lindsay replies, "The door was unlocked, that's how the Unies entered. But as to what happened after that? What happened Mr. Rove, did Otto change his mind? There was no 400 dollars in cash present for your payment, and you didn't have it with you. Did you lose your temper? Was their an arguement or a struggle? It was Otto's gun. Maybe he pulled it to scare you, and you tried to get it away and then...?"

"I..." is all Adam can get out before Hanson intervenes.

"No Adam, it's a trick. An old trick. They offer you what seems to be a reasonable way out to get you to change your story, and that makes you look guilty. Especially after they point out it couldn't have happened that way since Otto's fingerprints weren't on the gun."

Lindsay smiles at Hanson, acknowledging a point to him. "The bullet has already been removed by the medical examiner, Dr. Washburn, and has been sent to ballistics. When we get that report, and when it confirms the gun you were holding was the murder weapon, you will be formally charged, Mr. Rove."

Jill adds, "Since only your prints were on the victim's own gun, that makes it look premeditated. You brought the gun with you in case Otto backed out again on making his payment to you."

Hanson asks, "Why would Adam believe Otto was going to renege on his promise to pay? And how would my client have posession of Otto's gun?"

Jill replies, "Recently, and for over a month, Adam Rove worked after hours in the Tyrolean Cafe on a very beautiful mural. For all of this work, he agreed to be paid the paltry sum of 500 dollars. Alone in the restaurant so often, Adam could have easily found Otto's gun in the bottom drawer of his desk. We questioned Otto's three nephews who worked with him, and they say it was common knowledge Otto kept a gun in case of robbery. They also confirm Otto's long standing habit of promising to pay and then changing his mind. All who worked at the restaurant knew of Adam's angry dispute with Otto over the unpaid 400 dollars of what he was due. Tell me Mr. Rove, was it because Otto was such a much larger man that you felt the need to bring along a gun?"

"I didn't..." Adam begins, but once more Hanson signals his client to be quiet.

Joan feels Adam's fear, and a touch of guilt. Apparently a violent thought or two had crossed Adam's mind regarding the money grubbing Otto Schneider, and now he regrets them. Adam is at near panic level, and it won't take much for the experienced police inspector and Deputy D. A. to force an unfortunate slip of the tounge. Joan also senses the presence of that persistently flirty reporter, Cindy Thomas, behind the two way mirror. To Joan's surprise, Cindy is experiencing genuine distress over Adam's circumstances. It seems the pretty red-head is developing real, deep feelings of affection for Adam. Joan does her best not to let her concentration slip due to jealousy.

Jill continues, "Alright Mr. Rove, in light of your youth and spotless record, we are willing to make a deal. Second degree murder with a recommendation for leniency. If not, we will push for murder one, and that includes the death penalty. You have until that ballistics report arrives to make up your mind. We will allow you time to talk it over with counsel."

Looking grim faced, Jill and Lindsay leave the room. Adam puts his hands over his face and groans...

"Oh God, oh God, this is a nightmare. Jane, I swear..."

"Adam, I know you're innocent."

"Yeah, but innocent people get sent to prison all the time. Even I can see how bad it looks for me. I had some very public arguments over the way Otto was treating me."

Hanson asks, "Did you threaten him?"

"I...I don't know. I can't remember. Maybe I said something that might be thought of as threatening...but I'm not sure. Could I really get the electric chair?"

"Gas chamber, but death penalties are quite rare in a case like this. But if convicted of first degree murder, you could easily get life without parole."

Joan asks, "Is that possible? They have to prove pre-meditation."

"Adam's access to the gun, and there only being his fingerprints would convince most jurors that Adam had the gun when he went to see Otto. Add to that the fact Otto was shot in the back of the head... Well, it looks bad."

Adam asks, "Are you saying I should take the deal? Second degree murder and serve how long?"

Hanson shrugs. "We can ask for a medium security facility, you could still work on your art - they have programs that encourage that - and with good behavior, you might be out in ten years."

Adam gulps hard and echoes... "Ten years."

"Adam, no! Don't lose hope. You asked for my help, and you know I can give it. I swear I'll prove the truth. I'll find the real killer." Joan says.

As Adam mulls Joan's words, Hanson asks, "How? Miss Girardi, even if you can find the real killer, you have to get proof of his guilt. How will you accomplish that?"

Before Joan can reply, Jill Berhardt and Lindsay Boxer return to the interview room. Lindsay is carrying an evidence bag holding the .25 caliber automatic, and she has a report with her.

Jill says, "Well Mr. Rove, it's the moment of truth. Do we have a deal? Because when I hear Inspector Boxer read that ballistics report, my hands become tied. The deal goes off of the table, and I have to push for the maximum. What do you say, Adam?"

Adam looks nervously from Hanson to Joan. He is sweating and scared, but his mind holds on to one anchor. Joan Girardi is amazing, and if she says she can get him out of this, then he will believe her. In a surprisingly clear and steady voice, Adam replies...

"No deal. I'm innocent, and I know these charges won't stick."

Joan squeezes Adam's hand as Jill sighs heavily. She tried, but if this young man insists on being foolish... Jill nods to Lindsay.

Lindsay opens the report and reads the first few lines to herself. "Okay, just as we all suspected, it was Otto's own gun that killed him. The gun you were caught holding Mr. Rove. The one with your fingerprints only..." Lindsay pauses as she reads further. She gasps. "What the hell? This gun, Otto Schneider's gun, is also the one that killed David Bloom!"

"What?" Jill reacts as she quickly reads over Lindsay's shoulder and confirms what is written there. "But...the balloons? I thought that gun went up, up and away."

Lindsay grimaces as she realizes they have been tricked. "Apparently, the balloons were someone's idea of a clever diversion. So, Mr. Rove, this makes two murders of men shot with the same gun. Two murders where you were present. Now I'm wondering just how involved are you in both murders? We know you didn't shoot David Bloom, but some how the murder weapon ended up in your hands. The lack of that murder weapon was always going to be a sticky problem in the prosecution of Ashley Bloom..."

Hanson protests, "Now wait, we are here to discuss the Otto Schneider killing. My client, by your own words, couldn't have shot Mr. Bloom."

"No, but there is always the possibility that someone was hired to kill Bloom. An amateur by the way things turned out. Someone tall and with dark hair. An amateur who needed a gun, and Adam just happen to have access to a gun that was casually stored in an office desk. I wonder Mr. Rove, do you know a young man who is decidely tall and with dark hair...?"

Joan gulps as she remembers Adam's room mate, Wil Speake, fits that description.

Hanson counters, "But why? David Bloom was a friend and mentor to Adam. Why would he conspire to kill the man?"

Lindsay smiles. "Mr. Rove also has been painting the irresistable Mrs. Bloom while she was nude. Maybe she was getting tired of accomodating a man twice her age. Maybe she found someone younger, cuter and more exciting. Like a talented, promising young artist. Tell me Mr. Rove, what exactly is the nature of your relationship with Ashley Bloom?"

To Be Continued. Please review.