A/N – Thanks for the comments! I always mess up on the holidays…sigh. Sorry, I'm late. I will probably have to post Thursday's chapter late Wed night because I have to wake up very early on Thursday (leaving 4:15 am) and make a 6-hour drive to southern CA for my daughter's wedding.

Chapter 10

Spinelli handed Liz some water. "So, how can I help?"

"Find me proof that Ric invited the media to the courthouse today."

"What will that solve?"

"It will show the lengths that Ric will go to disparage Jason. It could also plant a seed that Ric may have been involved in the ambush."

Spinelli smiled. "That is a great angle."

Johnny leaned against the door as they talked. He has to admit, this new Liz surprised him. She went from unsure to confident in a flash, but he certainly likes this version a lot more. He's proud of her.

"We need to give Diane everything we can. I also left Amelia a message to see if she's willing to sign a statement as to how she was made aware of the transfer. It was broadcasted that it was happening and to stay tuned, which gave the shooters ample time to plan. They should have blocked off the street or brought him in another way. Instead, they endangered people's lives."

"I understand the assignment and will have something to use by the morning."

"Thank you, Spinelli."

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Amelia listened to her message and then left Diane one stating that she'd be willing to testify if necessary or sign anything she wanted.

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Liz bumped into Sam in the lobby. "What are you doing here?"

"I want to speak with Spinelli."

Liz rolled her eyes. "He's busy."

"You don't have a say."

Johnny moved forward. "But I do. You're not going up there." He turns toward the guards and announces that Sam is not allowed upstairs.

"All of you are so self-righteous."

"Maybe we just don't trust you. I swear, if you get up on that stand and make things worse for him, you will go down."

Sam smiled. "Oh really? Bring it…"

"Don't underestimate me, Scammy. It will be the last thing that you do."

Sam is stunned as Elizabeth sauntered away with a grinning Johnny behind her.

"Ms. McCall, you need to leave," Micah said firmly.

"Unbelievable," she muttered. Elizabeth Webber is going to pay for this. While she has no plans of throwing Jason under the bus, because she's trying to make it seem like she isn't a woman scorned, she has a plan to bring them down if Jason is let go. They are messing with the wrong person.

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The following day, Diane and Ric gave their opening statements as Sam and Elizabeth were seated in the jury holding room.

"Well, look who it is," Sam said.

Liz rolled her eyes. "My day just got worse."

"How's Lucky?"

Liz sat on the chair next to her. "I wouldn't know."

Sam is very much aware they are no longer together. "I finally realized what a lying bitch you are?"

"Pot-kettle."

"At least I don't lie about who I am?"

"Really? I'm quite sure there are plenty of bad things you are hiding being a con woman and all."

"I did what I had to do."

"I'm sure you enjoyed it."

"I wonder who will hurt him worse today, me or you."

"Well, if it's me, it would be unintentional. You, on the other hand, seem determined to hurt the one person who stood by you and did so much for you because he had the audacity to get me pregnant when you weren't even together."

"He lied."

"How many lies have you told?"

When Sam didn't respond, Liz smirked.

"That's what I thought."

The door opened as Sam was called, so Liz turned up the television.

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After Sam was sworn in, Ric slickly questioned her and managed to make Jason look like a thug, but Diane pulled no punches.

"Ms. McCall, when you lived with Mr. Morgan, did he pay all the bills?"

"At first, yes—but."

"So, the fact is that Jason Morgan has supported you for most of the time that you were together."

When Ric objected, the judge allowed it.

"Yes."

"Did you think you were going to marry him?"

"Yes, we were engaged."

"And are you still engaged?"

"No."

"But you still live in his home?"

"It was ours."

"Yes, because your name is on the lease?"

"No."

Diane leaned forward. "That shooting incident you mentioned earlier, left you unable to have children, right?"

Sam paused, unable to believe that Jason would allow that question. "Yes."

"Have you and the district attorney ever slept together?"

When Ric objected, the judge overruled.

"Yes."

"And it was when he was still married to your mother, right?"

Ric objected again.

"I'm trying to show the reasons for bias by the D.A. and Ms. McCall."

"Overruled. Answer the question."

"Yes."

"And then you went back to Mr. Morgan so that he could continue to pay your way. Correct?"

"Yes."

Diane hammered away for a few questions and then finished with the witness as an upset Sam left the courtroom.

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Later, Diane and Ric argued about showing the tape of the ambush.

"No charges have been brought against my client because he was acting in self-defense. My client was brought to the courthouse handcuffed and shackled. The press was invited, so everyone knew that Mr. Morgan was going to be there, and a guard lost their life because the D.A. attempted to put Mr. Morgan in the worst light."

"There is no way she can prove that," Ric yelled.

"Your honor, Ms. Amelia Joffe, who was outside when the shootout occurred, signed a statement that she received an invite to be there from the D.A.'s office. Who's to say that Ric, being biased against my client had something to do with it?"

"Your honor, this is ridiculous and slanderous."

"If we checked your phone records, what would we find?"

Ric is stunned.

"Ms. Miller, Mr. Lansing isn't on trial."

"No, he isn't, but his actions caused my client to almost lose his life and force himself to defend himself and others who were there. It caused death and injury."

Ric is livid. "The tape proves Mr. Morgan's character and the jury needs to see who he is with their own eyes."

"The tape is irrelevant to this trial, and I will not risk the chance of a mistrial. Mr. Lansing, I do think that the entire situation could have been avoided if you had used some common sense."

Diane slightly smiled as she sat.

"I call Elizabeth Webber to the stand."

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It was decided to continue the next day, so they put Jason in an interrogation room temporarily and Ric visited.

"You know, you could stop this so that Elizabeth doesn't have to go on the stand."

Jason glared at him.

"Is your freedom more important than sacrificing her?"

"Haven't you done enough damage to her?"

"Imagine what the jury will think when I ask her if she ever slept with you and if little Jake Martin is yours."

Elizabeth moved into the room. "So, that's your plan?"

Ric spun around. "Elizabeth, what are you doing here?"

"I had to drop something off, but I find it very interesting that you are taunting him."

"I'm just giving him a taste of what is to come."

Liz shut the door. "By asking about sexual relations when it has absolutely nothing to do with this case?"

"Oh, but it does."

She moved closer as Jason shook his head. "If you pursue that line of questioning, consider this your last case, because I will bring you down."

"Are you seriously threatening me?"

"Imagine when your actions regarding the ambush and your phone records are subpoenaed what the bar will think? And that's just a start."

His eyes narrowed. "You would do that?"

"I never thought that you'd involve my child after your actions took one from me. You fuck with my child, I fuck with you, and this time, I will never forgive you."

"Elizabeth…" Jason said.

She held up her hand as she continued to face Ric. "You have gotten away with almost killing me, kidnapping, and drugging me. You should be in jail, but here you stand acting all smug like your shit doesn't stink and I'm sick of it. Don't make me and Carly press charges. It still can be done, and let's say I have more evidence than you realize." She doesn't, but she'll freaking make it up if need be.

"Wow. I never thought you'd stoop this low to protect a criminal."

"It's not as low as what you have done, so think about that before you drag my son into this."

Ric stalked out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

"You shouldn't have done that."

She glared at him. "He's a prick."

Jason bit back a smile. "I know, but they could have been recording."

"They aren't. Spinelli checked."

He shook his head.

"What?" she said, crossing her arms in front of her.

He wanted to tell her that was hot but didn't have the balls to go there. "Nothing. Thank you for defending me."

"Do you think it will work?"

"I hope so. What are you going to do if he calls your bluff?"

"I don't want to lie. Look how much damage it has already caused."

"I know, but—"

"Too many people already know. We'll protect him, and then we will destroy Ric."

His brow rose.

"Don't look at me like that."

He finally gave in and smiled. "Who are you?"

She winked. "I'm Lizzie, get used to it because you ain't seen nothing yet."

Her hips swayed as she left, and he couldn't help but think how beautiful she looked when she was being so fierce.

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Lucky sat at the back of the courtroom as Liz was sworn in. Ric is a wildcard, and Elizabeth had warned him that Ric could ask about Jake.

Ric moved in front of her. "How long have you known Mr. Morgan?"

"Maybe ten years."

"Do you think of him as a friend?"

"Yes."

"Where were you on the afternoon in question?"

"I was at the hospital because I had just given birth to my youngest son."

"Did you see Mr. Morgan that afternoon?"

"Yes."

"Did he receive a phone call while in your presence?"

"Yes."

"What was the call about?"

"I don't know."

"Did you hear any part of the conversation?" he said as he shifted his weight.

"Yes."

"What did you hear?"

She glanced at Jason as she spoke. "Jason said that he was on his way."

"Do you know who the phone call was from?"

"No," she said as she shook her head.

"Have you ever dated Mr. Morgan?"

Jason had to take a deep breath to calm himself.

"We tried a long time ago, but it didn't work out."

"I see. You have helped him a lot in the past when he was injured."

Diane scowled. "Is there a question in there?"

"I agree. Mr. Lansing, get to the point."

"Would you do anything for him?"

"No."

"Would you lie?"

"Objection!" Diane yelled.

"I'll allow."

"No, he wouldn't want me to."

Ric smirked. "And if he asked?"

"If it didn't break the law, and it was important, maybe."

"No further questions, your honor."

Liz is stunned that he didn't push further.

Jason touched Diane's leg and shook his head when it seemed like she was going to question Liz.

"No further questions, your honor."

Liz quickly made her way to the hallway.

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For the next two days, the trial forged ahead. Spinelli met with Diane in the evening.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Spinelli?"

"I received evidence. The note said that they also sent it to the D.A."

Diane's brow rose. "Is it good or bad?"

Spinelli grinned. "It's very good."

He opened his computer and pressed play.

Diane's jaw dropped when he saw Lorenzo in the bank. Several videos are time-stamped showing that he is alive.

"Oh, my God."

"I have emails proving that I asked the bank directly. I'm sure the court will require it to be analyzed, but I also have this." He pulled up a digital newspaper from South America, where it clearly showed Alcazar meeting with some officials.

"This will buy us some time. I just need to get the judge to allow it because it proves doubt. This is outstanding."

Spinelli yelped when he was hugged.

"Now, you said that it was also delivered to Ric?"

"Yes."

"Good, because I'm sure he won't report it, but it will look bad that he doesn't."

Spinelli handed her a disk and a folder. "Everything is on here, and there are printouts of the website pictures." The length that Luke's contact went to was outstanding.

"Your Mr. Stone Cold, we will be back home soon. I promise."

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Across town, Luke grinned when he saw the paper. He picked up his phone. "I knew you couldn't stay away."

Helena rolled her eyes. "I came through on my end. Now, where is my reward?"

Luke smiled. "See what happens when you use your powers for good?"

"You bore me."

Luke chuckled. "Have someone come by in an hour."

The phone clicked and he reached under the bar shelf and pulled out the stone before muttering, "I don't know what she wants you for, but hopefully, you don't bring down civilization as we know it."

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The next day, Diane allowed Ric to question Sonny and Kate and then laid her bomb. Ric was still reeling from the scathing reporting from Amelia the night before implying that his actions regarding the prison transfer were criminal. There were a lot of murmurs as he entered the building this morning. Hopefully, he'll be able to sue her since she has no proof.

"Your honor, may I approach the bench?"

He nodded, so Diane moved toward him with Ric on her heels.

"I received several photos and videos that raise doubt that Mr. Alcazar is dead."

"Your honor, this is highly irregular," Ric pleaded.

"I beg to differ. We were informed that Mr. Lansing received the same evidence and said nothing."

The judge's eyes narrowed. "Is this true?"

"I don't know what she's talking about."

"Funny, you signed for the package."

The judge held up his hand. "Let me see it. I will go to my chambers."

When he left, Diane smirked.

"You think you won but I'm sure that forensics will prove it was all staged," Ric whispered.

"You keep thinking that."

About ten minutes later, the judge returned.

"I will allow the new evidence."

Ric sighed heavily.

With pleasure, Diane shared the videos and photos with the jury. It was enough to place doubt since there was no proof that Lorenzo was dead.

The judge dismissed everyone so that an expert could review the legitimacy of the new information.

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Carly walked into the hotel room. "Luke came through."

Liz smiled. "Yes. Between that and me threatening Ric, our plans seem to have worked.

"I still can't believe you did that."

"Jason doesn't belong in jail. Tomorrow should be the end of it. Ric has nothing else to go on and he knows it."

"We are moving forward with destroying him, right?"

"Oh yeah. I'm more committed than ever after he was willing to expose my son to danger."

"I had the penthouse fumigated," Carly said making her laugh. "I'm serious. The bed in his room was burned. I didn't want to take the chance. I got him the same leather couch too, just in case."

"You're too much."

"I didn't think you'd want to be around the skank's germs."

"Thank you. I don't know that I want to live there."

"The kids should have a backyard to play in. You know that Jason will get anything you want."

"I don't want anything crazy. It's too hard to clean."

Carly rolled her eyes. "It's called a maid."

You would have thought Carly hit her when a gasp escaped Liz's lips.

Johnny and Francis laughed just as Spinelli walked in.

"What did I miss?"

"Nothing," Liz said before hugging him. "Thank you for everything."

He blushed. "You are quite welcome, maternal one."

"Now, we focus our energy on bringing down Ric."

"Your wish is my command."