What You Won't Do for Love
Wednesday
DA Monroe's office buzzes with activity and tension. The gag order remains in effect for the department and their offices. Fortunately, on Tuesday, she and Trainee Rosita were able to secure the warrant through Judge Ezekiel's courtroom.
Now she faces the daunting task of presenting a criminal case against a popular judge as well as a formal complaint to the Georgia State Bar and Ethics Panel. She subpoenaed records this morning and now she is conducting her second interview of the day-court recorder, Lori.
The knock on her door causes Deanna to rise from behind her desk, "Please come in…have a seat," she retrieves her notepad and gestures to the conference table.
"I hope I can help," Lori offers without prompting.
"I am sure you can," Deanna replies with a warm smile. "How long have you been assigned to Judge Blake?"
"Six years."
"During the past six years, how often do you recall an attorney being held in contempt of court?"
"Hmm, maybe three or four times," Lori answers honestly.
"Do you remember the outcome of the previous contempt charges?"
"Usually a fine," she replies.
"The penalty of a fine was not issued in this case. What was different?"
"Well, she was very disrespectful…argumentative. Even I thought she might get violent the way she struggled with the bailiff and security," Lori lies and exaggerates. She will definitely get in trouble.
Deanna studies Lori. Why is she lying? There is not one piece of evidence or testimony thus far to support her claims.
"Lori, as an officer of the court you know you are subject to prosecution for perjury?"
"Yes."
Deanna pauses, "Thank you for your time," Deanna abruptly ends the interview.
Lori stands in shock, "Will we have a follow up interview?"
"Possible, but I am still reviewing all the evidence," Deanna replies politely.
"Do not hesitate to call. I want to help," Lori encourages with a polite smile. Once she reaches the elevator she sends a text: Created as much doubt as possible.
Daryl waits for Sasha to arrive. He has a knot in his gut. She enters the room and sits across the table but refuses to make eye contact. "It is okay if you won't look at me, but I have to keep you safe so you have to listen."
Sasha nods quickly.
"First, FBI agents will be assigned for your personal safety and will remain until this case is solved. Second, we can still talk and text but outside of required meetings in secure buildings we cannot see each other." Daryl watches her nod in understanding wiping at her eyes and his heart begins to ache. "Come here Sweetheart," he pats his thigh.
She climbs into his lap and he holds her tight. "I love you more than anything in this world. I know this is hard-it's killing me, but…"
Sasha stops him by placing her hands against both sides of his face, "I love and respect you and I will cooperate. Just…maybe, could we have one more night-please," she finally looks up with hope filled eyes.
"I'll try," he smiles.
She jumps up on the table and lifts her ankle to his mouth, "For luck."
Daryl parts his lips and places a smoldering kiss beneath her fresh crossbow tattoo.
She responds in like fashion on his wrist below his Bowie knife ink. Finally, Sasha guides his hand up her dress so he can feel the blade strapped to her thigh.
"Good Girl," he sighs.
"Philip Blake, I am Dr. Choi. I treated you when you arrived," he explains.
No response.
"You have permanent vision loss in the right eye, a broken nose, two bruised ribs and we were unable to salvage your left testicle. You also sustained a concussion and you will experience erectile dysfunction. Only time will tell if the ED is permanent. Do you have any questions?"
Still no response but Dr. Choi waits before exiting the room.
Philip reaches for the phone only to recognize the shackle that secures him to the hospital bed railing. He places a call, "Fix this or else."
Silver stars hang from the ceiling and the table was decorated in teal and white. Jesus, Quinn and Xavier sit at the head of the conference room table each wearing a sash and bright smiles: Daddy, Mommie and Papi. The side table holds every flavor of wings and fries. Presents are stacked in every corner of the floor. The laughter and focus on a new life is a welcome distraction for Aaron. I could be happy beyond my job. He excuses himself to the hallway and places a call, "I miss you."
Rick, Daryl and Abe huddle in the waiting room. Michonne showers preparing for discharge. "Bring me up to speed," Rick requests.
"Captain wants briefing tomorrow and beta one field testing on Friday now that we have the warrant. Gag order still in effect," Daryl reports.
Abe checks for bystanders, "I got a guy-Veteran like me. He's treating Blake," he pauses to allow his words to register.
Rick's body goes rigid. He spent the morning holding her hand during her interview with state police. The details of what she endured and how hard she fought strained his sanity and restraint. "Continue," he pinches the bridge of his nose and squeezes his eyes shut.
"Still shackled-loss of vision, bruised ribs, broken nose, dick nothing but hanging meat and she stomped off one of his nuts. Shit ain't death-its worse," Abe concludes.
Daryl tries to hold it together but he can't. He knows it is the stress but he laughs inappropriately. "I'm sorry," he tries to stop.
"You got that meat just hanging there and one ball. You can't take that into the prison showers or step up to the batting cages," Abe continues.
"Batting cages?" Rick questions.
"Yeah, urinals-plus over time it will shrivel up. Now you got a cocktail weenie smaller than the lonely nut."
Rick joins in the laughter. The dark humor provides temporary relief from the stark reality of the past few days. He turns to Abe, "Thanks."
"Anytime Brother," he smiles-grateful he can provide some comfort.
They coordinate a plan to leave the hospital discreetly.
The ADA Office is closed and Carl needs a distraction. He decides to surprise his friends at lunch with root beer floats, "What's up?" he places the drink trays in the center of the table. He sits next to Justice straddling the bench. "Hey Angel," he kisses her temple. She leans against him, "Hey." They make plans for the weekend 'Block Party'.
"Josh will meet us at the shuttle," Sophia shares.
"Find out if they have the batting cages this year," Carl inquires.
"Why are you asking?" Enid and the Girls look awkward.
"I'm going to teach Justice," he beams.
"No…please don't," they shake their head and she folds her arms defiantly, "I can do it," she huffs.
Noah and Carl look at each other and back toward the table. "What happened," Noah asks.
"She let's go of the bat every single time," Sophia exclaims.
"Broken windows, people on the ground. You are risking public safety," America explains.
Carl and Noah laugh wildly. Justice swats him, "Stop laughing at me. I have a small strike zone," she offers as explanation.
"How does that keep you from holding the bat?" Noah asks in confusion.
"America, shut your man up," she quips. They all erupt in laughter.
Rick carries Michonne into her house and tucks her into the couch. He secures windows and doors-he is a man on a mission. She watches him for a full 20 minutes before she intervenes. "Rick," she calls through the house. He arrives at her side in a matter of seconds. Michonne pats the cushion next to her and he slides in. "Look at me," she takes his face in her hands resting her thumbs on his cheeks with the rest of her fingers buried in the curls at the back of his head.
"Do you know how much I love you? I never knew I could love this big but I do. I know you are terrified, but you were with us the whole time. Your love is empowering and steady. I have unwavering faith in what we have built together. I can be a warrior because I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you will be there to catch me if I stumble or fall," she wipes his tears.
He heaves in relief and lays his head against her chest soothed by her heartbeat. Hours later Rick wakes and watches her. She sleeps with the side of her head resting against the back of the couch and her legs across his lap. Michonne is cocooned in his hoodie with her locs pulled back in a ponytail. Rick covers her belly with a series of kisses. "It's Daddy again. I am not sure you heard me at the hospital because of your Mama's giggles but I am really glad you are here. I have a whole world I cannot wait to show you."