Alphina - Thanks for that - you know how many issues I've been having with these!

miss wizard of oz - are you still confused, because I'll rework things and try to explain them better if needs be!

RK9 - If it makes you feel better, I didn't want to take a hiatus - that was all the fault of real life! Gah! This is my first weekend off since the beginning of Septemeber!!

demolished-soul - I will actually do an actual boys night in at some point. I'm intrigued too, namely because I can't remember what I wrote!

sparkyCSI - I hope your head's alright!! How was the xmas party - it looked like you had fun! I don't think she's going to have one.

meadow567 - here ya go! I'm sorry it took so long!

Still some slight spoilers for Sleight Out Of Hand - but with my take, of course. And also, many thanks to sparkyCSI for betaing!

What The Eyes Can't See

Chapter 139: Too well dressed for the witness stand

It took Taylor no more than fifteen minutes to wash and pull her suit on – the gagged ghost seemed in no hurry to leave, and nor did Maddy et al to return. Fuming silently at the ghosts, Taylor crept downstairs and was surprised to find Lindsay seated at the table nursing a cup of coffee.

'You're up early,' Lindsay muttered offering a mug.

Taylor shook her head. She was wide awake now and on top of that, the top part of the ghost which was stalking her periodically slid around on her bottom half, thus removing Taylor's will to consume anything. 'So are you,' Taylor counted.

'Couldn't sleep,' Lindsay shrugged.

Taylor nodded. 'That's understandable. When do we need to get going?'

'A little while. Ben and Katy aren't going.'

'Does that mean we get the front of the truck?' Taylor took a seat at the kitchen table, pointedly making sure her back was to the ghost.

Lindsay smiled. 'Don't worry. We'll be going in my car. Ben said he checked it over last night, so it should still be working alright.'

Taylor eyed her suspiciously. 'Why do I get the feeling it was built at the turn of the century.'

'Which one?' Lindsay teased her.

Taylor rolled her eyes. 'Back in days gone by when most people travelled by horse and carriage.'

'It's not that old. Although it was my first car.' Lindsay drained the dregs of her coffee and sat back, staring out of the window. 'I called Danny.'

Taylor's eyes widened in disbelief. 'You called who?'

'Danny,' Lindsay repeated, her cheeks reddening slightly. 'He was driving back from a scene. He'd gotten called in. He was sulking actually, because he was supposed to be playing poker with the guys.'

Taylor nodded. 'So that's what Don was telling me last night!' she exclaimed. 'I called him after you left, but I think those sleeping tablets were still floating around in my system because the majority of that conversation remains a mystery.' She shook her head and shifted in the chair. 'How is he?'

'Don?' Lindsay asked her with a small frown.

Taylor rolled her eyes. 'No, Danny.'

'Adamant that he would have rinsed everyone of their pocket change. His words, not mine.'

Taylor pursed her lips. 'That's not exactly what I meant.'

'I didn't tell him,' Lindsay admitted. 'I don't want him worrying. Besides, he was busy with work, and that's a conversation which would need some time.'

Taylor nodded.

'Look, I should get dressed,' Lindsay sighed.

Taylor watched her leave. She looked like she hadn't slept a wink.

-------------------------------------------

Lindsay's car was a little Fiat from the eighties, and whilst it took a while for the engine to turn over and start, it did get going. The pair of them rode the journey to the courthouse in silence. Taylor stared at the mountainous scenery go by in the seemingly inappropriate bright sunlight – the mood in the car was much more somber.

Finally, they drove into Bozeman, heading along the main street to the courthouse. They pulled up on the street parking and vacated the car. As Taylor was straightening out the skirt to her suit, the gagged ghost appeared again. Pursing her lips, Taylor stared at her, glanced at her watch and looked up at Lindsay who was staring down the street lost in thought.

Taylor sighed, glancing over Lindsay's shoulder, which was when she spotted the Sherriff's office. She frowned and glanced back at the ghost who was still trying desperately to convey some form of message with her eyes.

'Lindsay, would you mind if I met you in there?'

Lindsay nodded, distracted, and walked into the court case, wringing her hands nervously.

Taylor glanced at her watch again. She had twenty minutes tops. It was time to perform a new record in getting people in believing her. She started to run across the street, realized she couldn't in the heels she was wearing, and slowed to a hasty walk.

Taylor opened the door to the police station and walked in, surprised at the size of it – all things considered, she was expecting a bigger station.

'Can I help you?'

Taylor looked over at the owner of the voice, surprised to find someone so young waiting patiently for her response. 'I'm looking for a detective.'

The officer smiled. 'Sorry, ma'am, you won't find any detectives in this station. Just me and the other deputy.'

Taylor blinked. 'Oh,' she frowned.

'Is it something I can help you with?'

Taylor glanced at the clock which was just visible behind his blonde hair and sighed. 'Ok, I'm on a deadline here, so forgive my bluntness, but I have this ability to see dead people. There's one standing next to me at the minute, actually. Speaking of, I don't suppose you could give me the location and/or the detective in charge of a homicide where the victim was a blonde woman, quite literally sawn in half?' she asked him politely.

The officer stared at her, his eyes narrowing. 'I knew the heat drew out the crazies-'

'I'm not crazy,' Taylor quickly interjected, biting her tongue so as not to say something which would probably get her arrested.

'Ghosts?' the officer repeated skeptically.

Taylor shut her eyes, took a deep breath and released, taking a different approach. She sat down heavily in one of the waiting chairs looking at the floor, hoping that the fake sob she was attempting was sounding realistic enough. 'She's dead. And I think I know who did it. I just,' she faltered, trying to think on the spot. 'I just don't want him coming after me. I mean, look at what's happening in court today.'

The officer had actually sat down next to her, offered her a tissue and put a reassuring arm on her shoulder. Until the mention of the courthouse. At which point he jumped to his feet and glared down at her. 'Which paper are you with?' he demanded.

'I'm not here for a story,' Taylor exclaimed, forgetting she was supposed to be on the verge of tears. 'There is a dead girl!'

'Ma'am, I can assure you that there have been no deaths reported in this city or county today. Human or otherwise.'

Taylor threw her arms up in exasperation. 'Look, so I didn't witness it. But I really do see ghosts. I can describe-'

She was cut off by the officer grabbing her arm, pulling her to her feet, and all but pushing her out of the door. 'I suggest you leave and don't come back,' he fumed at her. 'Unless you want me to throw you in the cell. I am not going to release any information, regardless of how you dress up the questions. If you want answers you'll hear them the same as everybody else.'

Taylor's mouth dropped open. She spun around, and literally had to jump out of the way as the door went flying shut at her. She glared at the ghosts as she walked through the door, joining her on the steps. 'I am so glad you've been gagged,' Taylor hissed at her. She turned and stalked back across to the courthouse – just who did that officer think he was? If she actually did want information about the case, she certainly wouldn't have made up some story about ghosts. And she would have dam well got the information too!

Taylor walked into the courthouse, allowed for her eyes to adjust from the bright sunlight, and spotted Lindsay, heading over. She sat down on the bench next to Lindsay, slightly flustered at the dashing around, but Lindsay didn't seem to notice. 'You alright?'

Lindsay nodded. 'I think so.'

'Do you want me to wait out here with you?'

Lindsay quickly shook her head. 'I need you to tell me what the defense said later.'

Taylor bit her lip but nodded. Still ignoring the ghost, she placed a reassuring hand on Lindsay's arm. 'You sure you're alright?'

Lindsay gave her a brief smile. 'I've got to ring Stella.'

Taylor nodded and watched the petite woman rise, walk a couple of paces and pull out her phone. Which was when the ghost decided to step into her line of sight. Taylor sighed. 'Look,' she whispered, hoping no one was watching. 'I have already made a fool of myself this morning. You have got to give me something to go on.'

The ghost coughed and the red material which was being used as the gag, fell to the floor. Taylor stared intently at it before she realized the white squiggle was actually a rabbit in a top hat. 'Thanks,' Taylor muttered.

Jumping at her own phone ringing, Taylor pulled out her phone and grinned cheerfully at the sight of Flack's name. 'Morning,' she sighed into the phone.

'What's the matter?' Flack asked instantly.

'What makes you think there's something wrong?' Taylor asked in surprise.

'Taylor, I think I know you well enough by now to know when something's not right with you.'

'Casper,' she admitted.

'They found you in Montana?' Flack asked in disbelief.

Taylor nodded, and then, realized Flack couldn't actually see her, agreed verbally. 'I think it's a safe conclusion that I'm never going to get a vacation.'

'Sorry babe. Can I do anything?'

Taylor smiled. 'Not really. Not unless you can tell me what words to use to get the deputy to believe him.'

'I wish I could. How's Lindsay?'

Taylor glanced over at her. She looked terrified, but she was still chatting with Stella. 'I don't know,' she admitted.

Flack sighed. 'Give her my love.'

'I will. So who won the poker?'

'I was certain you were asleep when I told you that.'

Taylor smirked. 'Who won?'

'It was Adam when I was left. I got a call. You should have seen it. Actually, it's probably a good thing you didn't. We've got some whacked out magician…'

Taylor stopped listening. Lindsay was rooted to the spot like she was actually petrified. Taylor turned to see what she was staring at, the door bursting open as reporters bustled into the room, all crying out for a comment from the man in chains in the midst of them.

'I've got to go,' Taylor muttered into the phone, flicking it shut and cutting of Flack's concerned protests, unheard. 'Linds?' she asked her friend gently.

Lindsay snapped out of the trance as Taylor stepped between her line of sight of the guy, and she quickly said goodbye to Stella.

'Linds?'

Lindsay flicked her eyes to Taylor. 'That's him,' she whispered.

Taylor looked back at the man as he was escorted into the court room. 'Are you sure you don't want me to stay out here with you?'

Lindsay shook her head.

-------------------------------------

'What you will hear in the next few moments are the opening statements of the lawyers. What the lawyers say is not evidence. The purpose of the opening statement is to foreshadow or predict for you what the evidence will actually be. It will be up to you after hearing all of the evidence whether either side has proved or correctly predicted what the evidence will be. I caution you that what you hear in opening statement is not evidence. The evidence will begin when the first witness begins to testify.'

Taylor took a breath and settled back into the chair, taking notes. It was going to be a long day. The fact that Casper the not-so talkative ghost was staring at her was her first clue to that. The judge's monotone voice was the second.

She was also freezing. Almost to the point she was sure it was a supernatural chill, but the only ghost around was the blonde two-piece. She pulled her jacket tighter to her and listened to the opening statements.

First of all, I want to say a HUGE thank you to all of you for sticking with me on this! I know my updating has become sparse, and it really is killing me. I think my beta will agree I'm never online any more - I am not only working two full time jobs (don't ask me how - I beginning to think there's a reason for sleep) and now, I am also keeping an eye on my rabbits. Jack got neuted - he's sulking. Luna gave birth! Yes, I am a grandparent! At 23! Woot! Thus far, they are all buried in the nest, furless. The should be all hoppity by about Wednesday!