As Time Flies.....Chapter 12
Last time: Sam reacted badly to the news that Matthew might not be his son, then realized his life parodied a cheap talk show. Sam refused to help Lindsay with her legal woes. Bo pigged out at the diner and bonded with Ben. Asa got a couple of digs in.
Llantano County Courthouse
It was time for the arraignment. The courthouse was packed to the brim. The morning papers had carried the news that Nora Buchanan was alive, and that Lindsay Rappaport and Colin MacIver were accused of kidnapping and attempted murder in regard to her disappearance. There wasn't a seat to be had.
Bo got to the courthouse early. He had gone to the hospital first, but there was no change. Nora was still unconscious. Larry reassured him and told him not to worry, that it was still too soon. The news made Bo even more determined that Lindsay and Colin were going to pay. Judge Fitzwater was the presiding judge, so he thought it looked like a real possibility. Fitzie was tough. He was tired of feeling sorry for Lindsay. He wanted a little justice for a change, and he didn't want to see either of their faces around his town.
As people arrived, they swarmed all over him, congratulating him on his heroics. Those who knew him well congratulated him on the fact that Nora was alive. Kevin and Kelly arrived early, since they were covering the arraignments and the following press conference for their respective papers. They each gave Bo a hug, and Kelly had tears in her eyes. Asa and Renée followed shortly, and Renée gave him a bear hug. She was crying openly. Viki and Ben arrived, and Ben shook his hand. Viki gave him a hug. She was crying, too. Bo didn't think that Viki looked well, but he attributed it to her late night and the excitement over Nora. He didn't think Ben looked too hot either, but then again, last night Ben had said something was bothering him. Ben became a focal point of the press' attention, and he was swallowed up in the crowd before Bo could give it any further thought.
Sam arrived and took a spectator seat. He saw Bo from across the room and glared at him. He was in no mood for the White Knight. He looked around the room, and when he turned back, Ben was sitting next to him.
"Hey, Sam. How are you doing? You must be ecstatic about Nora! Sorry about Lindsay, though. That must be rough." Ben put his arm around Sam.
"I'm fine, not like you care. How come I didn't hear from you yesterday? I would've thought the first thing you'd have done would be to call me! It's not every day you help to rescue the love of your brother's life and the mother of his child!" Sam glared at Ben.
"Whoa, take it easy, Sam. It wasn't like that, not at all. I had to give statements to the police and drive Bo's car back to Llanview. Then I went to the hospital to check on Nora and I spent some time with Larry. After that, I returned Bo's car and we wound up going out for a bite to eat. I was just exhausted afterwards, and I barely made it to bed. What a day! I'm sorry, Sam. I didn't mean to blow you off." Ben smiled at his brother.
In spite of himself, Sam smiled back. He loved Ben, and he was very grateful to him for saving Nora's life. Sam had also been to the hospital that morning, but Larry had told him there was no change. After last night's fiasco, Sam didn't even ask if he could see her this time. He knew there'd be plenty of time for that later.
"How is Nora today, Sam? Have you seen her?" Ben asked.
"The same. I checked on her this morning, but no change. I'll be going back later. I wanted to see what happened with Lindsay at the arraignment. Would you believe she had the nerve to think I was going to represent her?" Sam sneered.
"She did? Unbelievable! That woman needs her head examined, but I've been telling you that for a long time, haven't I?" Ben chuckled. "Hey, do you think that'll be her defense?"
"Ben, I have absolutely no idea. Since I refused to represent her, I wouldn't know, and frankly, I don't wanna know!" Sam laughed this time. Ben laughed too, but Sam thought something seemed off. Ben seemed a little pale today. He was probably just tired from all of the excitement. Sam had thought on more than one occasion lately that Ben seemed a little off-kilter, but when he tried to talk to him about it, Ben sloughed him off.
"Ben, are you okay, pal? You haven't seemed like yourself lately. Is everything okay with you and Viki?" Sam looked concerned.
"Fine, Sam. It's nothing. Some other time, okay?" Ben had a lot he wanted to talk about with Sam, but now was not the time. He didn't know if there would ever be a right time to tell Sam that his fiancée had breast cancer and oh, by the way, he wasn't really his brother after all. Ben did agree on one thing, and that was that he didn't feel like himself. Maybe he was coming down with something.
The last minute arrivals shuffled into the courtroom. Hank Gannon sat down at the Prosecution table along with Jared Hall. A lawyer Sam didn't recognize sat down at the Defense table, then another joined him. Sam figured they were public defenders. The courtroom fell to complete silence as Lindsay was escorted in. She was handcuffed. Colin walked in behind her, handcuffed as well. The bailiff unlocked their cuffs, and they each sat down at the defense table. Lindsay glared at Colin while Colin looked at the floor. The courtroom started buzzing again.
"Oyez! Oyez!" The bailiff shouted. Silence again. One could hear a pin drop. "Please come to order. The State of Pennsylvania vs. Lindsay Rappaport and Colin MacIver, case #00-426, arraignment proceeding, will now be heard. The Honorable Judge Margaret Fitzwater presiding. Everybody please rise."
Everyone stood, and the door to the judge's chambers opened. Judge Fitzwater filled the door frame. She was a domineering presence. She took her seat and banged her gavel. "You may be seated."
Hank rose. "Hank Gannon for the State, your Honor. The charge for Mr. MacIver is kidnapping in the first degree."
One of the defense lawyers rose. "William Lane for Mr. MacIver, your Honor. My client pleads not guilty."
"Before we get to that Counsel, I would like to say how happy I am that Mrs. Buchanan is alive. She may have driven me completely crazy on occasion, but she's both a fine lawyer and a fighter. I hope she pulls through." Judge Fitzwater smiled. Lindsay looked like she wanted to throw up. Colin kept looking at the floor.
Hank stood up. "Your Honor, we would like to request that you deny bail for Mr. MacIver. He's a flight risk, as he's not even a resident of Llanview. This is a very serious charge."
"Yes, Mr. Gannon, it is, but this is Mr. MacIver's first offense. I think we can set bail at $500,000.00. Trial will be set for 90 days from today, 9:00 a.m." Fitzie banged her gavel. Hank didn't look too pleased.
Melanie was devastated. Where was she going to get her hands on $50,000.00? She hated the thought of Colin in jail, but how could she raise that kind of cash? She'd have to mortgage the house to pay for the bail bond. Her security. Did she trust him? She looked over at the defense table, and Colin met her gaze. He looked hopeful. Melanie decided to think about it.
"The charges against Ms. Rappaport are kidnapping in the first degree, and attempted murder, your Honor. We request that bail be denied. Ms. Rappaport's son is a fugitive from justice, and the State feels Ms. Rappaport would be very likely to aid, abet, and possibly join his run from the authorities if she's not in custody." Hank glared over at Lindsay. He hated that woman!
The other defense lawyer rose. "Greg Craig for Ms. Rappaport, your Honor. My client pleads not guilty to both counts, and we would like to say that Ms. Rappaport has family ties here in Llanview, despite the fact her son is a fugitive. Her ex-husband and her sister both reside in Llanview now, your Honor. Ms. Rappaport runs an art gallery here, she's lived in Llanview for several years, and she's an upstanding and respected citizen. We respectively request that bail be set for my client."
Sam elbowed Ben in the ribs. He couldn't believe it! He hadn't recognized the face, but when he heard the name it dawned on him.
Ben grimaced in pain. "What, Sam?"
"Do you know who Greg Craig is? He's a big-time Washington attorney! He's represented President Clinton and many other famous people, too. He has a fabulous record! He must cost a fortune, though! How the hell did Lindsay pull that one off?" Sam was amazed.
"Beats the hell out of me, Sam! Lindsay always has something up her sleeve, doesn't she?" Ben rolled his eyes.
Fitzie looked unimpressed. "Mr. Craig, the charges against your client are very serious. They are her first offenses, although I do remember your client being involved in a trial not too long ago. However, I agree that with her business and family ties here, she's not likely to flee, but I'm not going to take any chances. If she can afford you, she can afford a very high bail. Bail is set in the amount of 5 million dollars. Same trial date as Mr. MacIver." Fitzie banged her gavel once again. She stood up, and the courtroom stood with her. She exited through her chamber door.
The courtroom went wild. Lindsay looked triumphant. She couldn't wait to get home. Thank God for Dorian! One phone call, and her friend came through, just like Lindsay knew she would. Dorian would probably feel guilty over Jessica's hit-and-run for the rest of her life, lucky for her!
The bailiff handcuffed Colin and Lindsay and started to lead them away. Lindsay was glad she was going back to that miserable cell for only a little while longer, just until that hotshot lawyer could post her bail. She had things to do.
To Be Continued…
|
|
|
|