co-written by RatedrKjErIcHo
Stephen stood in the living room of the Laurinatis house and stared across at the couple as they sat on the couch. He'd just asked them about the events the day Joey died and was awaiting their answer when he heard one of the crime scene techs call his name.
"We got something." Stephen walked over. "Blood. And lots of it."
"Really? After all these years?" Stephen asked.
"Yep. It's been cleaned but luminal still picked it up." The tech said.
Stephen looked back at the Laurinatis'. "Your son lost this much blood and you didn't take him to the hospital right away?"
"He was always faking something." Eve replied.
"You can't fake this." Stephen said. "I don't understand how a rupture bowel could cause this much blood. It's unusual."
"Do we take pictures?" The tech asked.
"Yes. Photograph everything in the room and all of this." He turned to the Laurinatis'. "I'm recommending this case be reopened and charges filed against you."
Eve looked over at her husband. "Johnny..."
"You can't do that after all these years."
"Actually we can. Eve Laurinatis, you're under arrest for child abuse, child neglect and murder in the death of your son. John Laurinatis, you're under arrest for child abuse, child neglect and murder in the death of your son. You both have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand these rights as I have given them to you?"
"Yes." Johnny said. Eve nodded as they were handcuffed and taken out of the house and to the police station.
Amanda was doing an autopsy when her phone rang. "Dr. Rollins?"
"Hey, Amanda, it's Stephen."
"Hey, what's going on? You better not have me a dead body." She kidded him.
"Actually I wanted to let you know we arrested the Laurinatis' on murder and child abuse. We had some evidence that says they hurt their son. We are going to interview them and go from there. I just wanted to let you know."
"Thanks Stephen for everything.'
"You know I would do anything for you. I'll call you if I have more."
"Thanks." She said as she hung up. She knew she needed to tell John and Leah. She knew John was home so she headed over to his place. She wanted to tell him in person.
She pulled up to his place and knocked on the door. "Hey, I wasn't expecting you." He said when he answered the door.
"Is this a bad time?" She asked.
"What? Of course not. Come in." He said moving to let her in. "I just wasn't expecting anyone and I'm afraid you caught me."
"Caught you doing what exactly?" She asked as she walked in the living room. She looked at the coffee table. "Really John?"
"I know. No one knows but you."
She laughed and walked over and sat down on the sofa. She picked up the book. "I never pictured you as the type to scrapbook."
"And you don't look like a medical examiner."
"Touché." She smiled.
"So, what brings you here? Besides you wanted to spend time with me."
She smiled and leaned in and kissed him. "I have some news that I think you will like."
"What kind of news?"
"I heard from my friend on the police force and he said they were arresting the Laurinatis and charging them with murder. They have more to investigate but they are being charged." John looked at her and let out a long sigh. "Are you okay? I mean you wanted to know the truth. Are you sorry you know? Do you regret getting this started?"
"No. Not at all. I'm just glad Joey's going to get justice."
She took his hand in hers. "He is. I'm sorry you didn't get to meet him."
"Me too. I always wanted to know him. My mom would talk about him a lot and I thought, I want to meet my brother." Amanda smiled at him. "I can't believe he died so young and we never knew. My mom died not knowing he was dead."
"I know. She should have been notified."
"I guess that's how the system works."
"Yeah. So, did you want to wait until tomorrow to tell Leah and Adam? I figured you would want to do that."
"Yeah. Tonight, I just want to spend some time with you." He said before leaning in and kissing her. He wrapped his arms around her and led her over to the couch. They spent the rest of the night locked away together.
The next morning, John and Amanda both headed over to see Leah and Adam. Amanda hadn't heard anymore from her friend about what was going on with the police.
"Hey guys." Adam said as he answered the door. "Just a warning, Leah's a little nuts this morning. She's been having morning sickness all night."
"Let me go see her." Amanda said walking in the house. She headed toward the bedroom. "You okay in there?"
"No, this sucks." Leah said from the bathroom. "Can't you help me? You're a doctor."
"I'm an ME and unless you're dead, I can't really help you."
"I feel like I'm dying. Does that count?"
"No." Amanda smiled. "You have to be dead. Have you tried peppermint tea and dry toast?"
"Yes." she said walking out. "I'm ready for morning sickness to be over."
"You only have, what a week or two, until you're in your second trimester"
"Stephen called me. They found evidence of blood, lots of blood in the Laurinatis' basement. They're being charged with murder and child abuse. Among other things."
"That's great." She said as they walked out into the living room. Leah looked at John. "I'm glad they're getting what they deserve."
"Well there will still be the trial but it looks like it."
John hugged her. "Thank you for everything. Without you, none of this would be happening now."
"I'm just glad it seems its all working out." She smiled.
"Well, I have more than that to be thankful for." He smiled and looked at Amanda.
"I'm a matchmaker." Leah smiled. "And I couldn't be happier that you guys are together."
"Funny, I thought you were a lawyer."
"Ha, ha Cena. I happen to be both." She smiled.
A.D.A. Matt Striker looked over the file on Joey Lauranitits and his family. His boss, Jim Ross, wanted him to take it to trial as soon as possible. He was confidant with the evidence. But he knew the case would be tough. After all it was over twenty years old. He made sure he had everything in order and had both ME reports. One from the original ME Paul Heyman and the other one was the new report. The police were in the process of interviewing more witness as to the treatment of Joey by the Lauranitits'. He'd also gotten the case notes from Leah. He felt it was enough to win the case but there was no guarantees. He could only do his best and hope it worked out. He looked at the picture of the little boy and decided that he needed to talk to John. He needed to get inside his head and get to know him if he was going to give Joey an accurate voice.
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