The Accused.............part 2

Police Headquarters. Bo has been arrested for the murder of Sam Rappaport. Sykes leads him into one of the
interrogation rooms and he takes a seat.
Sykes: Bo, I'm really sorry to do this, but we have evidence and this evidence leads to you. I think you should call a lawyer, and now. We'll give you time to obtain one before we start.
Bo: You're kidding right? I didn't kill Sam. He wasn't my best friend but...
Hank: Bo, stop. Don't say another thing until you have a lawyer. Call one now, please.
Bo: Hank, you think I killed Sam?
Hank: We have to go by the evidence Bo. Call a lawyer, will ya.
Bo is stunned by this turn of events. They want me to call a lawyer. They think I killed Sam. All he could think about is having Nora by his side, but how could he call her. He was being accused of killing her Sam. There was a knock at the door. Sykes got up and opened it.
Sykes: Hi
Nora: What the hell is going on in here? Someone at Viki's heard you arresting Bo for Sam's murder. Is this true?
Hank: We have evidence Nora. We had to.
Nora: Are you out of your minds? Bo would never kill anyone. Bo didn't kill Sam.
Hank: We wouldn't have brought him in if we didn't think we had a case. It certainly isn't anything I thought I would ever have to do. But the evidence all points to Bo.
Nora: I want to talk to my client. Would you leave us alone for a while?
Hank: Your client?? Are you sure you want to do this Nora?
Nora: Yea I'm sure. Now get out. I'll let you know when we're ready to discuss this so called evidence. Right now I just want to talk to Bo. Would you mind bringing us in a couple of coffees?
Sykes: Sure thing - I'll be right back
Hank: I'll be back soon too...I'm glad you're here Nora
Nora: Yea

Bo sat in stunned silence, his head hung low. Nora sat down beside him and took his hand.
Nora: Bo, I need to hear where you were the night of Sam's murder
Bo: I didn't kill him Nora
Nora: I know. Of course you didn't. And we'll prove it. Together. Now tell me all about that evening.
Bo: I had had a rough day. I went to Rodi's for a few beers. Sam and Ben were there and they were looking at me and sneering. It got to me, so I went over to their table and asked what the joke was. Sam said that he was telling Ben about his visit with you and Matthew and we got into a heated discussion. He really made me mad - I guess I grabbed him and said some things I shouldn't have and Ben pulled me off of Sam. I left my car there and took a cab home. That was about 10:00 pm. At about 11:00, I got a call from the station about a body being found. I walked to the site and stayed there till there was nothing more to do, and I walked over to Rodi's and got my car and drove over to your house. You know the rest.
Nora: Can anyone give you an alibi for the time you left Rodi's to the time of the call from the station? From 10:00 - 11:00?
Bo: The cab driver maybe. But I was alone when I got home and I didn't make any calls
Nora: So, the last time you saw Sam was in Rodi's before 10:00 and he was with Ben when you left.
Bo: Yes. That was the last time I saw him alive.
Nora: Alright then. Let's see what this evidence is. Don't say a word unless I tell you to, ok?
Bo: Ok. Then what. The arraignment?
Nora: Yea. It probably won't be today, but I'll try. You'll have to spend the night in lock up Bo.
Bo: I'm sorry Nora. I didn't kill him... Umm.... Thanks for being here. I know this is not a good day for you and I really appreciate you being here.
Nora: I know you didn't do it Bo. Now let's hear what this evidence is all about.

Nora poked her head out of the interrogation room. Hank and Sykes were standing, waiting to be called back in. They all took a deep breath and pulled up chairs around the table.
Nora: Bo is innocent. He was at home at the time of Sam's death. Why don't we just all go home and we'll forget about this whole thing?
Hank: I wish we could Nora, believe me. But we can't, so let's get started. Bo... where were you on the night of Sam's death?
Bo repeated everything he had told Nora.
Hank: What about an alibi for the time between the time you left Rodi's until the time you got the call?
Bo: What I just told Nora. I was alone at home. Maybe the cabbie will remember taking me home. That's all.
Nora: Bo was at home and I believe him. What possible evidence do you have to arrest him?
Sykes: Ok. First of all, when Bo grabbed Sam at Rodi's he threatened him. Ben is a witness to it. Bo, do you
remember what you said to Sam?
Bo: Not exactly
Sykes: Ben will testify to the fact that you said "Your days are numbered PAL. I'd watch my back if I were you"
Bo: But I didn't mean that I was gonna kill him
Nora: Bo, shhh. What else, John?
Sykes: When Bo and I drove over to Nora's together, I sat in the back seat cause the front passenger seat was loaded with junk. When we got back to the station I grabbed the wrong bag from the seat beside me. I thought the bag held the box of donuts that I bought for the gang at the station, but when I got there the bag contained a box with shoes in it. Something was funny about them. They looked brand new, but they had dirt on the soles. I had just got the forensic report about the footprints at the murder site. The size and tread were just as was described on the report. I took a sample of the dirt on the shoe. It matched that of the murder site.
Nora: Circumstantial - what else
Sykes: Bo's car was found in Rodi's parking lot
Bo: So what, I...
Nora: Not another word Bo. Thank you gentlemen. If that's all, you can leave now. I want to talk to Bo alone again.

Nora: I guess we've got a bit to discuss!
Bo: I can explain everything except the shoes. I had just bought them that day. I've never worn them. How could they have dirt all over the soles?
Nora: And your car?
Bo: I'd had a few drinks. I didn't know if I was too loaded to drive home safely so I left my car and took a cab
Nora: What about the threat you made to Sam?
Bo: It's not what you think
Nora: Well?
Bo: I didn't mean that I would kill him. I meant his days with...ummm...do I have to tell you?
Nora: I think you do Bo
Bo: Ummm....I meant that his days with you were numbered. We were discussing you at the time.
Nora: I don't understand - what do you mean his days with me were numbered - Sam and I weren't seeing each other, we were just friends, and he was Matthew's father.
Bo: Nora, Sam thought he had a major tie to you because he was Matthew's father. He rubbed my face in it all the time.
Nora: But why should that bother you. You never once showed any sign of interest in me - why would you care if Sam and I were just friends or more than friends
Bo: For two reasons. One, after you returned home I went to talk to you alone but every time I tried you and Sam were together - I wanted to discuss a lot of things with you but I backed off because of Sam and two...
Nora: Go on
Bo: I said that Sam's days were numbered because he and I both knew that he may not have been Matthew's real dad
Nora: Excuse me
Bo: We were going to tell you when you were stronger - actually I wanted to tell you the news right away but Sam kept stalling
Nora: What the hell are you talking about?
Bo: The DNA tests may have been tampered with. We don't know for sure but they may be wrong and I may be
Matthew's father. I wanted to have the tests done again and of course Sam didn't because of what the results might say.
Nora: Sam kept pushing for the three of us to move back to Chicago - right away. So now I understand why. Well... I see. You should have told me Bo
Bo: I tried, I really did, but Sam stopped me at every turn
Nora: And why do you think the tests are wrong?
Bo: Lindsay
Nora: Ah!
Bo: Will you still defend me Nora? Please
Nora: I'll see you in court.

The next day: Courtroom 6, Judge Barbara Fitzwater presiding.
BF: Well this is interesting isn't it. The defence attorney is defending her ex-husband, against another ex-husband, regarding the murder of her ex-fiancé
Nora: Hysterical. Your honor, we are here today to discuss whether or not Mr Buchanan should be free on bail
pending a trial. Even though, I don't in my wildest dreams believe that this trial will be necessary as the real murderer will be found before such date, I request that Mr Buchanan be free until that time. He has family in Llanview, he has been acquitted of every accusation ever made against him, and he is innocent of this charge- so why should he flee?
BF: That of course is for the court to decide. Mr Gannon?
Hank: I request that bail be set at $100.00. I know that Mr Buchanan is not at risk of jumping bail but I believe one should be set to remind him of the severity of this charge.
BF: Hummm Mr Buchanan is free to go at this time. Bail is set at $100.00. This case will be heard three weeks from today.
Hank and Nora: Thank you your honor.

To Be Continued