Bright, Shiny Futures - Chapter Thirty-Seven

Lee drew himself up to his full height and looked Bridges in the eye. "No, I didn't kill him."

"But you know he's dead."

Lee paused a moment, knowing Bridges was trying to trap him. "I suspect he's dead if he hasn't been found yet and no one's communicated with Kara or the police to let them know he's been kidnapped."

"How do you know there's been no word?"

Lee pressed his lips together. He hated being pushed into a corner. "I don't fore sure, but I was with Kara till this morning and she'd heard nothing. I assume the police would tell us if there was any news on their end."

"Don't assume anything." Bridges' eyes narrowed slightly. "Did you have anything to do with his disappearance?"

Lee paused a beat. "No."

Bridges took a deep breath and let it out slowly, all the while keeping his eyes on Lee. "Look son, you're going to have to be honest with me if you want me to get you off. I've read the statement you gave Detective Nelson and I have to say, it sounds like you had an awfully good reason to dispose of this man."

"I didn't do it," Lee blurted out. "Just because I love her doesn't mean I'm willing to kill to get her."

"I've been around a long time and I've developed a sixth sense that helps me 'read' my clients."

"I didn't kill him," Lee repeated stubbornly.

"I know that son. But you know who did and you're protecting that someone. You'd be better damn sure it's someone you're willing to die for because if they find the evidence they need, no jury is going to let you off. Now you're new here and probably aren't familiar with the laws. They're very strict where murder is concerned. You will get the death penalty if you're convicted of killing this man. So I'll say it again, you're going to have to be honest with me if you want to walk."

Lee stood and began to pace the room. He'd known from the moment they'd buried the body that there would be a chance he'd get caught. He'd known in theory that an eye for an eye might well be the punishment on this world. He'd been prepared to take the blame and let Kara and the children go on without him. But now there was a chance he might be able to be set free to join them ...

No, he couldn't do that to Sam. Cylon or not, the man had been his buddy for a large chunk of the last decade. They'd been through hell and back and had survived it together. They'd had each other's backs, figuratively even if not literally. There was no way Lee could turn on him now.

He stopped pacing and turned to face Bridges. "No. I don't know who did it," he said stubbornly, jaw sticking out slightly the way it always did when he'd made up his mind about something.

Bridges slapped his folder shut angrily. "Only a miracle can save you now," he said as he stormed out of the room.

XXXXX

"Is something wrong?" Roslin asked the Vice President politely, noting his nearly apoplectic face.

He let out a sudden chuckle that sounded almost more like a snort. "That was your Kara Thrace on the phone."

"Oh?"

"Apparently she has a 'plan' to deal with the situation." The sarcasm was biting.

Adama began to laugh.

"It's not funny. A civilian daring to tell us our business."

Adama's laughter deepened and Roslin joined him.

Helo chuckled briefly then swallowed his laughter. "I'm sorry Mr Vice President. You don't know Kara Thrace very well. She's a very unusual person."

"My apologies." Adama wiped his eyes as he cleared his throat. "I apologize for Kara's forwardness." He smiled. "As the Major says, she's a very unusual woman. She frequently told us our business even when she was just a Lieutenant. Her plans often sounded crazy. The thing is, she was always right. That girl has always had a sense for seeing the big picture and figuring out how all the players should be moved."

"Really." The Vice President began to look interested rather than insulted.

"Really." Adama met the other man's gaze straight on. "I often went with her suggestions, against my better judgement, only to find her judgement was better than mine. I would recommend you give her a chance and see what it is she's come up with."

The Vice President nodded. "I trust your judgement Admiral. We'll see what she has to say. But I make no promises."

"There's one other thing you might want to know about her," Helo added. "She has been known to have a little bit of a problem with authority ... "

The Vice President's eyebrows rose. "Oh?"

Adama cleared his throat. Hmm, yes. She was once well acquainted with Galactica's brig ... "

XXXXX

Sam stood proudly as he faced the police officer in front of him. There was barely an inch difference in height between them and their eyes were level.

"Let me get this straight. You're confessing to killing Michael Smith and disposing of his body."

"That's right."

Their eyes battled, blue against brown. "I don't believe you," he said finally. "My partner's brought in someone we're sure is responsible ... "

"He's not. I am," Sam interrupted.

"How the hell do you know who I'm talking about?"

"He's a friend. Lee Adama. He's not guilty despite whatever evidence you might have against him."

The detective grunted. "We don't have any evidence but I've a gut feeling he's involved."

"He isn't."

The detective stared at him, perhaps trying to intimidate him. "Are you willing to take a lie detector test?"

"What is that?"

The detective explained.

"Yes," Sam said without hesitation.

The other man gave a large sigh. Then he walked over to the phone on the wall and picked it up. "Swenson? Tell Nelson to begin the release paperwork for Lee Adama but don't let him go until I authorize it. Understood?"

He hung up the phone and turned back to Sam. "Make yourself at home. It looks like you'll be here a while."

XXXXX

Adama slipped an arm around Roslin's shoulders as he felt her snuggle up against him.

"You doing okay?" he whispered.

She chuckled softly. "How can you possibly tell something's wrong with your eyes closed?"

"Magic." He smiled and leaned his head down to rest his cheek on her hair.

She snugged in closer. "Nothing's wrong. At least, nothing new. I'm tired and we're on the verge of nuclear war. I'd say that 's a good enough excuse for a woman to be jumpy."

"I'd say so too."

She listened to the even, steady rhythm of his heart and let it calm her like it always did. "Do you really think she can do it?" she asked, voice soft enough so that only the two of them could hear it.

"Kara?"

"Mmm."

Adama took a long breath in and let it out slowly. "I hope so. I hope there's still enough Starbuck left in her to pull it out of the fire again."

"What do you think she's got in mind?"

"If I were her I'd definitely push the diversionary tactic. Make a big noise somewhere while we put the real plan into action somewhere else."

She looked up at him seriously. "And what would you do if you were you?"

"Get to my ship and get the hell out of here as fast as I can."

"Nice. Whatever happened to elaborate plans and schemes?" she teased.

He smiled. "I'm an old man Laura. I don't have time for the circuitous route anymore. Just get me where I need to go as quickly as possible."

"What about everyone else?"

Adama sighed. "Hopefully Kara will supply that part of the plan."

She smiled. "I'm sure the two of you will manage to come up with something brilliant."

"Perhaps." He returned her smile. "The question is whether or not the people in charge think we're brilliant."

"Point."

"It's the downfall to being a subordinate. No responsibility but you don't get to call the shots either."

"Maybe we'd best find ourselves an empty planet to colonize so you and I can still be in charge."

"Perish the thought! I just want to find someplace quiet where I can live out my days in solitude." She nudged him. "With you of course."

She was silent for a time. "We're almost back. Let's try to stay positive."

"Have I ever told you what a good influence you are on me?" He squeezed her closer.

"I've just had a lot of practice staying positive in the face of near-impossible odds." She cleared her throat. "And I'm still here."

"So you are." Adama dropped a kiss on the top of her head.

XXXXX

"It's a good plan." Sharon nodded approvingly. "The only difficulty might be in finding people willing to sacrifice themselves."

Kara looked up and met her eyes.

"You know we're with you." Sharon answered the unspoken question. "So long as our girls are taken care of."

"I'll make sure they are," Kara assured her.

"Well then you can count on me and Karl. I'm sure there are several others who'll be willing but the hardest part is going to be getting to them and letting them know the plan."

"Why can't we do that now?" Kara objected. "We're here, they're here ... call them in and we'll have a meeting."

"You don't want to wait until the others get back?"

Kara's cheeks burned. "Honestly? No. I want to tell them and hopefully get help on the inside but I'd rather we were ready to go ahead with the plan even if they veto it." She coughed. "That's also why I've created Plan B." She pulled out another sheet of paper. "Just in case things don't go well."

Sharon studied it then lifted her head. "It's good. What made you think of doing that?"

Kara shrugged. "I've seen how good plans go awry when one stupid person who doesn't understand won't go along with it. I've learned to always have backup."

"Do you really think the government isn't going to figure it out? It would surprise me if they didn't. I would assume that as soon as we go ahead they'll attack."

Kara nodded. "Most definitely. I'm counting on it. But they won't be expecting Plan B so they'll need time to mobilize their defense. We'll have the element of surprise on our side so we should be able to make it work."

"People are going to die," Sharon said matter-of-factly.

Kara nodded again, face sad. "I know. But we're all fighters, even the civilians. They'll be willing to take a chance at life and freedom when they know the only other option is to stay here and die."

"Mom, are you planning something dangerous?" Hera interrupted.

Both women turned, suddenly remembering there were children in the room.

"Yes," Sharon answered honestly. "You all saw the danger we face and know what we have to do. It's not going to be easy though."

Zach and Sara, holding hands, crossed the room to stand with Kara. "Are we going to make it?" Zach asked in a small, scared voice.

Kara nodded. "Yes we will," she said firmly.

"How? I don't understand."

She knelt down and put her arms around both of them. "I can't explain it all so you'd understand, so you're just going to have to trust me, okay? Listen to everything I tell you to do and do it without asking questions. Even if I ask you to go with someone else."

Both children nodded.

"Promise me."

"I promise." They spoke in near unison and it gave her chills. She pulled them in closer and hugged them hard. "I love you," she said softly.

A knock on the door interrupted the quiet. It was Tyrol.

"Dad, we need to get off this planet," Nicky said excitedly, running to the door to meet his father. "We need to get to Galactica!"

They embraced. "I know son," Tyrol said quietly. "I know."

The room was silent for a moment as they all digested the implications. Tyrol and Sharon stared at one another and Kara could almost see the understanding and acceptance flow between them. Something in her heart that had always resisted suddenly gave and she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Cylons and humans were destined to live together peacefully. If they didn't manage it ... no one would survive.

"Chief, we're going to need your help," she said softly.

His face turned her way and he nodded, seeing that she knew and understood. "Whatever you need. Just ask."

"Sharon, who can we call on to help?"

Sharon grabbed a pen and a fresh piece of paper. "I'll make a list."

XXXXX

"So that's it," the detective said skeptically, poring over the confession Sam had just given him.

"That's it," Sam said, then he took a deep breath. "I killed him."

The detective stared at him through narrowed eyes. "I still want you to take a lie detector test."

"You don't believe me?"

"Frankly, no."

"Why not?"

"Most murders are crimes of passion. Mr Adama has already confessed to being in love with Ms Thrace and several people have confirmed those feelings."

"I love her too. We were married for frak's sake!"

"Perhaps. But it wasn't like she left you for another man. According to her story, she disappeared and ended up here on Earth. Your marriage ended because she wasn't there to be a part of it."

"Her story is true."

"I'm not the sort of man who believes in that sort of science fiction story, but if it iis/i true then it just bears me out."

Sam was sure the man would have spat if they'd been outdoors. "Regardless of whether or not you believe it, it's true. And Kara was going to leave me. She all but said so several times. I don't know if she was going to hook up with Lee as he was married to someone else at the time, but our marriage was rocky right from the start and though I was trying to keep it together, I could feel it was coming to an end."

The detective wrote some notes in the margin of the confession. "Fine. We have motive then. Means and opportunity?"

"I can give you the gun I shot him with," Sam said softly.

The detective whistled as his eyebrows rose. "Well that will certainly help. How 'bout a body?"

"That too."

The detective closed his clipboard. "Let's go do a lie detector test first then you can tell us where to find the evidence."

XXXXX

"Did you leave the Wyatt Sheraton Hotel between seven and ten o'clock on the evening of July seventh?"

"Yes."

"Did you talk with Michael Smith that evening?"

"Yes."

"Did you threaten him physically?"

"Yes."

"Did you harm him?"

"Yes."

"Did you shoot him?"

"Yes."

"Was the action yours alone?"

"Yes."

The officer performing the test knocked at the door and poked his head in. "All his answers were clean sir. He's definitely guilty." He withdrew.

The Detective punched his fist through the air. "Goddamit. I was so sure Adama was guilty. Or at least involved somehow." He seethed audibly then turned to his partner. "How did you know?"

Nelson shrugged. "Just a gut feeling."

"Finish getting Adama's paperwork ready."

"Done."

The older man shrugged somewhat helplessly. "Then let him go."

XXXXX

Sam counted to twenty as he inhaled and exhaled slowly. A single bead of sweat crept down his back.

TBC