The Accused.............part 4
******* I have taken liberties with the legal process and courtroom scenes, mainly because I don't know what the heck I'm doing - please ignore the obvious errors********
On the phone: Bo? Nora - I just got
the report on the car prints - nothing but yours I'm afraid
Bo: Then whoever got in the car used gloves right?
Nora: I guess so
Bo: Actually I was just going to call you. My gym bag is missing
from the car.
Nora: What was in it?
Bo: My old grey track suit. You know, the one you said I should've
thrown out years ago
Nora: Oh that old thing...ummm that is strange. Someone is definitely
trying to frame you Bo
Bo: Why? I can understand someone wanting to kill Sam but why
frame me? - oh sorry Nora, I shouldn't have said that
Nora: No.... someone knew that you and Sam were at odds...someone
who thought they could kill two birds with one stone, so to speak
Bo: Someone wanted to get rid of Sam and have me pay for it
Nora: Exactly...wait, I've got a fax coming through
Nora didn't get back to Bo for several long minutes
Nora: Bo are you still there?
Bo: I'm here
Nora: I have to follow up on something for a few days - this might
be a wild goose chase, but I have to see where this leads
Bo: What is it Nora?
Nora: I'm not sure yet - I just received a report of all the incoming
and outgoing calls made to Sam on the day he was so upset
Bo: And...
Nora: I'll see you at the end of the week. Keep up your end of
things - follow any leads you may think of.
Bo: Where are you going?
Nora: Bye Bo
Bo went crazy waiting for Nora to
return. He tried to keep himself busy but the days lasted forever.
Everyday, he takes Matthew out for a walk - one day the park,
one day the zoo, and so on. At least she could phone, but she
never did. Late one night there was a knock at his door.
Bo: Nora...am I glad to see you
Nora: I'm sorry this took so long
Bo: And...
Nora: PAYDIRT
Bo: What are you saying?
Nora: I know who killed Sam
Bo grabbed Nora and hugged her. He twirled her around so hard
that she lost her balance when her feet hit the floor.
He reached out for her just in time to break her fall and kissed
her. She pulled away immediately.
Bo: Sorry I didn't mean that, well I did, but I didn't if you
know what I mean
Nora: It's ok Bo. I've got some interesting news for you
Nora sits down on THEIR couch and waits as Bo gets her a drink.
His hands are trembling and he spills a bit on the floor. He dries
it by rubbing his sock over it.
Bo: Please tell me. I can't wait
Nora filled Bo in on all the details of the past few days.
Bo: So how did you get the confession?
Nora: I didn't exactly. But I could tell that I'm right. Facial
expressions and body language are my specialties! I can only guess
why you were framed. Here's what I think...
Nora continued on with her story. Bo was stunned with what he
heard.
Bo: It all makes sense Nora. You've gotta be right. What next?
Nora: I let it be known that coming forward and telling the truth
was the only way to go. I said that I would be there to help if
any further action had to be taken. I also said, that if there
wasn't a voluntary confession I would see to it that there would
be no mercy from Hank or the court.
Bo: But Nora, why can't you just go to Hank with this news?
Nora: I know this is hard to understand, but I'd like to wait
and see - just a little while longer. I'm hoping for a
voluntary confession - trust me on this one
Nora was hoping against hope that the outcome of this would go
as she thought. She had no real clue if the right thing would
be done - but she had to give it a chance.
One week later: Neither Bo or Nora
could come up with anything other than that major lead. They spent
long tiring hours together going over everything and anything
that might help. Bo tried to get Nora to open up and talk to him
about their personal lives but he was shot down at every chance.
One day when Bo was in Nora's office he couldn't help but notice
that Nora was nervous, organizing her desk over and over.
Bo: Something's up. What is it Nora? And where is our so called
murderer?
Nora: Disappeared
Bo: What?
Nora: I've tried to make contact - nothing. Absolutely nothing.
I'm sorry Bo - I think I've blown it. I shouldn't have waited,
I see that now. I'm so sorry... I don't know what else to say.
(Tears formed in her eyes)
Bo: Oh Lord. What are we going to do? We don't seem to have anything
else other than circumstantial evidence...is that enough?
Nora: I'll just have to make it enough won't I. Bo, I'm going
to see if I can get somewhere face to face again. Please, don't
give up hope, please.
Bo: I've gotta admit that I'm terrified but I trust you Nora.
I know it hasn't looked like that much in the past, but I do.
Nora: Hold down the fort Bo. I'll call you with any news, OK?
Bo: Would it help if I came with you?
Nora: You know you can't... just don't give up... not yet.
Nora did everything she could think of to try to find the culprit. She had no success. The worst part about it was having to tell Bo. He really did believe in her, and once again, she was about to let him down.
The courtroom: Nora vs Hank. Both
had wanted some last minute evidence to surface to clear Bo of
the charges.
None had come.
Both opening statements were given and a recess was called.
Bo: You were great, as usual. Everything Hank has is circumstantial
and we can prove it
Nora: Lord, I wish we had a witness to the crime. It's just going
to come down to who the jury believes more, me or Hank... It seems
neither one of us has many witnesses. This is gonna be fast and
dirty
Bo: Is that good?
Nora: I think it's in our favor. You sure you want to take the
stand like we discussed?
Bo: I'm sure. I want the jury to see me for who I really am -
sweet, adorable, lovable and most of all Innocent!
Nora: Well... one out of four ain't bad.
Court will come to order. Mr Gannon are you ready to call your
first witness?
Hank: Yes your honor. I call Ben Davidson to the stand.
Ben takes the stand and swears on the bible. He sits down and
glares at Bo.
Hank: Mr Davidson, Sam Rappaport was your brother, am I correct?
Ben: Yes.
Hank: And you were with your brother shortly before he was found
dead in the alley?
Ben: Yes, we were at Rodi's having a few drinks
Hank: Did anything unusual happen there?
Ben: I guess you could say that - Sam and I were sitting at our
table quietly when all of a sudden Bo Buchanan came over from
the bar and started physically and verbally abusing Sam.
Hank: What exactly did Mr Buchanan do?
Ben: He came over to our table asking what we were laughing about.
He then lifted Sam up by the shirt and started yelling at him
Hank: What did Mr Buchanan shout out?
Ben: Something like Sam's days were numbered and that he should
watch his back
Hank: Did it sound like a threat?
Nora: Objection - Mr Davidson is not a mind reader
BF: Objection sustained
Hank: I withdraw the question your honor. Did Mr Buchanan say
anything else?
Ben: No, I pulled him off of Sam and then Mr Buchanan left the
bar
Hank: Then what happened?
Ben: We finished our drinks and we walked out of the bar together.
Sam said he left his cell phone on the table and then he went
back in to get it. Meanwhile, I got in my car and left - it, it
was the last time I saw Sam alive
Hank: Are you aware of anyone who would want Mr Rappaport dead?
Ben: No, other than Bo Buchanan
Hank: Thank you Mr Davidson. I'm finished
BF: Ms Buchanan, do you wish to cross examine this witness?
Nora: Yes, your honor. Mr Davidson, is it possible that Mr Buchanan
meant something other than death when he said to Mr Rappaport
that his days were numbered?
Ben: Well yes, but...
Nora: That's all your honor. I have no further questions
Nora gave Bo a sideways glance - they had to smile, that was so
easy!
You may step down Mr Davidson. Call your next witness Mr Gannon.
Hank: Thank you your honor. The commonwealth calls Mr Jim Grey
Hank: Mr Grey, you are the head of forensics for Llantano County,
am I correct?
Grey: Yes I am
Hank: And you personally worked on this case?
Grey: Yes
Hank: Let's talk about the footprints found at the murder scene.
There were two different prints, correct?
Grey: That is correct.
Hank: One set belonging to the deceased, Mr Sam Rappaport?
Grey: Yes
Hank: And the other set matched the prints from shoes found in
a box in Mr Buchanan's car?
Grey: Yes
Hank: That's all I have at this time for this witness your honor.
BF: Ms Buchanan?
Nora: Thank you your honor. Mr Grey, the prints match those of
the shoes found in Mr Buchanan's car
Grey: Yes they do, as I just told Mr Gannon
Nora: Yes, I'm sorry to ask again, but, the prints may match those
shoes, but it doesn't mean that Mr Buchanan was the one wearing
them. Does it?
Grey: No I guess not
Nora: Thank you. That's all
Hank was getting frustrated. You could tell by the continuous
tapping of his pencil. He gave it up after a piercing stare from
Babs.
Hank called several more witnesses. Some were easy for Nora to
discredit, others not quite so easy. When the last witness left
the stand Judge Fitzwater called a recess until 10 the next morning.
Bo actually talked Nora into having dinner with him. He didn't
want to be alone that evening, at least that was the excuse he
gave Nora.
The Palace restaurant:
Bo: So....
Nora: What?
Bo: Ummm, any word from the real killer?
Nora: I'm sorry...I've phoned and phoned and phoned and nothing.
But it won't be over until this felon is behind bars and you are
free...if you are found guilty that is
Bo: Well, tomorrow is ours - you get to present your witnesses
and put me on the stand
Nora: Hank's gonna be fighting mad. He didn't come out looking
too good today. Please now Bo, you've gotta keep calm, no matter
what he says to upset you. You can't come off looking angry or
revengeful.
Bo: You're going to bring up Matthew's paternity right - to discredit
my so called threat
Nora: I don't see how I can't...by the way Bo when this is all
over, we need to talk about that
Bo: When you're ready... Nora, we don't have to talk about this
if you don't want, and I know that Sam's death was a huge shock
to you, even tho you weren't really together... but, what are
you going to do if I am Matthew's father. I mean what are we going
to do.
Nora: You know something Bo, this isn't your priority right now
Bo: I understand what you're saying, but I'm very anxious to know
if Matthew is my son, our son
Nora: You are?
Bo: Yes, of course I am. Sharing that wonderful boy with you would
mean the world to me
Nora let those words sink in. It was
the first time in a long time that she allowed herself to even
think about it. Sharing Matthew with Bo. But she had made a pact
with herself... she would devote the rest of her life to her children
and her work. She had pushed the thought of Bo being back in her
life on the backburner but here it stood, showing it's face again.
She had taken Bo's case to prove something to herself - that she
was over him. They could live in the same town, even work together,
care what happened to him, but she was over him. And now this!
Nora: I better get home Bo. I want to go over my stuff for tomorrow
Bo: Sure. You're not going to sleep tonight are you? You never
do before you present your case
Nora smiling sadly: You know me, don't you Mr Buchanan
Bo: Just about everything there is to know, and I still love you!
Nora: You do?
Bo: Yes I do.
To Be Continued
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