Following a Trail- Part I
"Thanks for inviting me over to spend time with your friends…" Rory tells Trina appreciative manner.
"No problem…" Trina tells him. "Aidan appreciated the extra guests. He wanted as many participants as possible and of course our honest opinion on his recipes…" She tells him as they get into his car and head away from Cam's house.
"Well, my honest opinion…" Rory remarks buckling up. "Is that food was darn good…" He rubs his stomach. "I may have gained a couple of extra pounds there…" He laughs.
"Me too…" Trina tells him smiling. "That was a decadent spread that Aiden prepared for us…"
"It reminds me of dinners we have sometimes when my family gets together. Especially during the holidays…" Rory informs her.
"Oh yeah?" Trina asks.
"Yeah…" He nods. "My mom and Grandmother, big sisters and aunts all get in the kitchen and it's a big event…" He responds, thinking of his family gatherings. He laughs again. "I have a couple of uncles that try and get in there too, but they are chased off because they can't cook…" He nods his head as they begin to drive away. "They don't have the skill set that the women in my family do…"
"Can you cook?" Trina asks him teasingly.
"I can do a little something…" Rory responds giving her another smile.
"A little something?" Trina asks.
"Okay maybe more than a little something…" Rory tells her. "But I don't want to brag…" He laughs again. "And I'm nowhere as a good as my mom and sisters, but I've hung around them enough to pick up some really good tips and sustain myself…"
"Picking up tips, good, sustaining yourself even better…." Trina responds giving him an amused look.
"Maybe one day I will show you how good my skills are…" Rory tells her slyly.
Trina gives him a look. "Maybe…" They share a smile. Trina leans back in her seat thinking a little more.
"You really are close with your family?" She asks curiously.
"Definitely." Rory confirms. "And you with yours?" He inquires. "I saw how supportive your parents were of you in the courthouse and how protective both your parents, especially your father seems of you…"
"Yeah…" Trina nods. "We are close. I mean I do not have any siblings or anything, but I am close with my parents and my Aunt Gia…" She informs him.
"That's cool, I'm glad to hear that." Rory tells her sincerely. "Having the support of your family behind you during the good and the bad times…" He remarks giving Trina a knowing look. "Is huge and will carry you through…"
"Yeah…" Trina nods thoughtfully. "I really do love my parents…" She admits to him. "And I will miss them and our family gatherings if I go to prison…" She sighs and closes her eyes dreading the possibility of going to prison. Especially for a crime she was not guilty of.
"Well, hopefully you won't…" Rory tells her in a supportive tone. "You still have your trial, and it seems like you have a pretty good legal team in place, I've heard that your attorney Scott Baldwin is a good one."
"Yes, Mr. Baldwin is a good attorney…" Trina responds. "And he's also Cam's grandfather…" She informs him.
Rory nods as he listens to her and continues to drive.
"But the evidence is stacked against me Rory…" She tells him in a worried tone. "Esme really set me up and I'm afraid…" She pauses as she gathers her thoughts.
"You're afraid...?" Rory presses.
"I'm afraid I may not be able to prove my innocence." She tells him her eyes widening. He quickly glances over at her and then returns his eyes to the road. He reaches over and rests his hand on her leg for a moment giving it a squeeze. Trina smiles at his gentle touch after he does that.
"You definitely have a chance…" Rory tells her encouragingly. "I know it seems like the deck is stacked against you right now…" He tells her. "But Justice being carried out and served the right way is a real thing, Trina…" He assures her. "I haven't been a cop for very long, but I've seen and heard of enough situations to know that can be the case…"
"Yes, but you've probably also seen or at least heard of cases where the bad guy gets away…" Trina responds giving him a knowing look.
Rory sighs. "Yes, there have definitely been cases where someone that we all thought or truthfully knew was guilty, but something happened, and they got off…" His voice trails off for a moment. Rory wanted to comfort Trina, but he also knew it was important to be realistic as well.
"Sometimes things can't be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, and sometimes a technicality gets in the way of things…" Rory informs her. "There are situations where a guilty person can get away with something..."
"Yes, and it's even easier for a guilty person to get away with something if they aren't the one that is on trial…" Trina frowns. "And I could see that happening with Esme. I can see her getting away with what she did, while I possibly go to prison…" She shakes her head in frustration. "I know she is guilty as sin Rory. She is the one that needs to be locked up."
"Seems like that may indeed be the case…" Rory agrees.
"Though that may be hard to prove…" Trina finishes for him.
He nods. "It may not be the easiest thing in the world… but like I said you have a good legal team and the most important thing for you to focus on is your defense." He reminds her. "And proving that people believe you aren't the guilty party regardless of what happens with Esme."
"That would be easier to do if I could just prove it, was Esme." Trina responds strongly. "If I could just show everyone what a twisted, terrible person she is. If I could just take her down…" She continues getting more riled up when she thought of Esme and her behavior. "If I could just figure out some way to take her down..." She repeats, her voice trailing off as she looks at Rory. Trina becomes quiet for a moment.
"I'm sorry..." She apologizes. "I probably shouldn't be talking about how I want to take Esme down..." She sighs. "Right now, whatever I may think of her, I am the one who will be standing trial. I am the one who has legal and collegiate woes..."
"You're understandably frustrated..." Rory responds knowingly.
"Yes..." Trina agrees. "And well... I shouldn't be mentioning all of this to you, because well you're a cop..." She points out.
"I am, but Trina..." Rory glances at her quickly again. "I'm also someone who is getting to know you..." He points out. "I would like to think we are at least becoming friends..." He remarks, hopeful.
Trina gives him a look. "Yes, we're becoming friends..." A smile breaks across her face after she admits that.
"Good." Rory responds firmly. "I understand you need to vent, and you can do that with me. You don't have to worry so much about me being a cop..." He tells her. "And you aren't doing anything illegal, you have the right to try and use whatever methods you legally can to prove your innocence." He states. "You believing that Esme is guilty and possibly figuring out a way to prove that doesn't necessarily go against any rules..." He states. "Though of course you may only want to share some of your thoughts and ideas with your attorney." He comments. "Honestly, that would probably be in your best interest..." He tells her in a serious tone.
"Are you giving me that advice as a cop or as my friend?" Trina asks looking at him.
"Both..." Rory smiles. "It's something you should take to heart." He advises her. "Nothing wrong with looking out for yourself, Trina." He encourages her. "You should. Just..." His voice trails off in a warning tone.
"Just what?" Trina asks.
"Don't get caught in over your head." Rory warns. "Try and stick to whatever your plan is." He cautions her. "Or is going to be, if you believe it to be sound." He states firmly. "It's always good to try and keep a level head when you feel you're onto something." He states. "That's what my superiors and fellow officers who have been around longer than I have, have been preaching to me at the PCPD." He reveals. "That's something I definitely try and keep in mind especially as I progress with my career." A thoughtful expression appears on his face. "Especially since I want to become a detective at some point." He declares. "I would like to promote to detective at some point...'
"Yeah?" Trina asks.
"Yeah, I would love to help solve crimes and get justice for people on that level..." Rory confirms. "I think I could do a lot of good in that position, whenever I get there."
Trina nods as she listens to him. "I think you could too..." She agrees.
"There is a lot of responsibility that comes with being a good cop and potentially good detective..." Rory continues. "But I hope I can get there..." He remarks as he continues to drive. "And another thing I've learning that may be of use to you regarding Esme..."
Trina turns to look at him. "What's that...?" She asks curiously.
"Is that often times a criminal will leave clues and tell on themselves after they commit a crime..." Rory informs her. "Though I know you've heard that before..."
"I have..." Trina acknowledges.
"But it bears repeating..." Rory remarks. "And sometimes when they are trying to cover their tracks they also slip up, especially when people are on their trail..."
"I would love it if Esme slipped up, it would make things that much easier to take her down..."
"Who knows she might, you just have to watch her and focus on whatever plan you have regarding her..." Rory advises. "If you do that, maybe the truth about her role in things will come out..."
"I sure hope so, I really don't have too much time left to fool around with Esme..." Trina sighs. "I have my trial and the Title IX decision looming over my head..." She frowns. "I could end up losing a whole lot because of that girl, Rory..." She sighs again. "It's really weighing on my mind..."
"I can understand that." Rory responds sympathetically. "But I have a feeling it will work out..."
"How can you be so sure?" Trina asks.
"Because like I told you, I am an optimist." He quickly glances at Trina again and they share a smile. He continues to drive.
"You know if you don't mind taking a detour, before I take you home, I can take you someplace where I go sometimes to clear my mind..." Rory states. "Whenever it's heavy for some reason..." He explains. "Like possibly due to work or whatever..."
"Hmm..." Trina sits up in her seat. "Okay I'm game, take me to your peaceful place..." She instructs him.
"As you wish my lady..." Rory tells her. He then drives a bit more and makes a turn. Trina watches him curiously wondering where he was taking her. They drive for a bit longer and then they arrive at a parking area. They park.
"Let's get out..." Rory instructs Trina.
"Where is this?" Trina asks curiously.
"The Port Charles Wildlife Park and Nature Trails." Rory informs her. "Well, it's located right across the street." He tells her. "This is home to a lot of wildlife. There are different types that hang out here during the various months of the year." He informs her. "I like walking the trails sometimes and observing the wildlife." He admits to her. "It can be pretty relaxing and can help get my mind off of complicated or stressful matters."
"Oh, so you're into wildlife?" Trina teases.
"I have an interest in it, I like to conduct research about different animals. And I do love to watch National Geographic and Animal Planet sometimes." Rory admits. He smiles. "I take it's not something...you've had a heavy interest in before..."
"Well, we've had a showcase with National Geographic before..." Trina admits. "We did a showcase with Joel Santore.." She smiles at Rory. "It was the Photo Ark." She informs him. "Have you heard of him? And that project?" She inquires.
"I have..." Rory acknowledges smiling.
"So, I have a little bit of background knowledge due to that exhibit..." Trina admits. "Though not a ton of knowledge beyond that..."
"Well, I'm glad you have some prior knowledge of this subject." Rory replies. "Let's go explore this trail and see some sights for a little while. Get your mind of things..." Rory encourages her.
"I could definitely use a good distraction...Okay let's do it." Trina agrees. They open up their car doors and get out of Rory's vehicle.
"Come on..." Rory tells her as they head across the street.
"Wait a minute..." Trina pauses for a moment as a thought crosses her mind. "There isn't any dangerous wildlife or anything like that up on this trail or anything?" She asks. "Because I don't do bears or anything like that..."
"No nothing like that." Rory assures her. "I think you'll enjoy this trail You're safe with me. I promise." He tells her.
"Okay..." Trina responds deciding to trust him.
Rory reaches out his hand for her to take. She looks at it for a moment thinking. She decides to reach out and take it. They walk hand in hand to the beginning of the trail, Trina curious and interested in what they might see on the path together. She takes a breath and enjoys the fresh air, thankful to be doing something that would give her an escape from her problems regarding Esme at the moment. Trina and Rory enjoy the peaceful atmosphere around them as they began to walk on the trail together, enjoying the nice evening and each other's company.