From llhalbl@indirect.com Sat Feb 17 11:24:27 1996 Received: from soda.CSUA.Berkeley.EDU (soda.CSUA.Berkeley.EDU [128.32.43.52]) by shellx.best.com (8.6.12/8.6.5) with ESMTP id LAA26067 for ; Sat, 17 Feb 1996 11:24:22 -0800 Received: from ns1.indirect.com (ns1.indirect.com [165.247.1.3]) by soda.CSUA.Berkeley.EDU (8.6.12/8.6.12) with ESMTP id LAA24659 for ; Sat, 17 Feb 1996 11:23:52 -0800 Received: from Laura.hollyberry.com (s26.abq-dialin2.hollyberry.com [165.247.25.26]) by ns1.indirect.com (8.6.12/8.6.6) with SMTP id MAA16882; Sat, 17 Feb 1996 12:16:04 -0700 Date: Sat, 17 Feb 1996 12:16:04 -0700 Message-Id: <199602171916.MAA16882@ns1.indirect.com> X-Sender: llhalbl@mail.indirect.com X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Version 1.4.3 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" To: patricia@epix.net, Raymond_Prososki@notes.pw.com, jhood@lib.law.du.edu, wheless@sunchem.chem.uga.edu, bsmith@raven.cybercomm.net, Dame_Myra_Hess@msn.com, spring@levy.org, perrys@server.iadfw.net, 103107.220@compuserve.com, sheffler@connect.net, amurphy1@shrike.depaul.edu, llhalbl@indirect.com, trish@swsmail.atlanta.com, smarcel@utk.edu, doody@u.washington.edu, nnakova@direct.ca, anne@knowles.com, dawndra@metronet.com, MarcEditor@aol.com, cdaveb@csua.berkeley.edu, agilbert@mi.net, U6F1C@WVNVM.WVNET.EDU, fburgess@mail.awinc.com, harpo@bora.dacom.co.kr, stoney@dialin.ind.net, JCLOUTI@mtl.unisysgsg.com, esnyder@leland.Stanford.EDU, waltersm@gusun.acc.georgetown.edu, Lindafff@aol.com, Alan.Hench@mail.utexas.edu, bodacia@tdl.com, JohnsonCR@GANDLF.UINDY.EDU, satw01@interserv.com, sylvi@iglou.com, passalcq@IS2.NYU.EDU, amatthew@gtd.eds.com, Sclaney@aol.com, MLuba@gnn.com, ekeller@ycp.edu, Lilpeste@aol.com, Heather.Blair@netserver.ConnRiver.net, frank@cpi.computerpower.com, MOONC@LOKI.AGECON.KSU.EDU, Patti415@aol.com, GPurdy3507@aol.com, nmnsfld@www.signalsoft.com, longstrs@GVSU.EDU, sstrake@ycp.edu, jfleming@mnsinc.com, 102752.1303@compuserve.com, rjabour@eagle.liunet.edu From: llhalbl@indirect.com (Laura ) Subject: Feb RotSoap: Dead Drunk-Part 2 Status: RO >Dead Drunk - Part 2 > >Previously in Dead Drunk Part 1........ >Annie is found stabbed to death in Ed's office by a pair of antique shears. On Ed's calendar is noted a meeting for 5:00 PM with Annie. Alex discovers the body at around 5:30. Ed claims he was late due to a flat tire. Annie was found clutching a torn piece of paper with the number 12-93. Reva is seen leaving Ed's office at around 5:00. Reva claims to have overheard an argument between Lillian and Annie about her impending suspension for drinking on the job. She claims to have been searching Ed's desk for evidence of her alcoholism. From Annie's calendar, Detective Forsyther finds that Annie had a meeting with A. at 7:00. Detective Forsythe comes upon Josh and Reva at her apartment. He questions her. The phone rings with a call for him. It is the police lab indicating they have lifted some feminine looking prints from the weapon that match others found on the desk. The detective requests that Reva accompany him down to the station. > >Dead Drunk-Part 2 > >Reva turns wordlessly towards Josh. > >"Detective, I'm coming with Reva down to the station." > >"Fine, Mr. Lewis." > >Josh turns to Reva. "I'll call Ross and have him meet us there." The ex-Mrs. Lewis looks at him in bewilderment. "Reva?" > >"He's your lawyer, Joshua." She mutters uncertainly, sinking dazedly into the sofa. > >"This is no time to argue about the ethics of client/lawyer relationships. Ross is the best. You know that. The whole custody thing doesn't matter right now." He kneels in front of her. "Reva, you've got to believe me. It doesn't matter. Marah and Shayne need their mother with them now. You won't do them any good in jail. Let's drop this custody battle, now." > >Reva looks into her former husband's eyes. She sees the earnestness in his gaze. "Ok, Joshua. I trust you." > >Josh squeezes her hand before he moves over to the phone. Detective Forsythe contemplates the scene he just observed. The young Dr. Bauer was right about these two. Their feelings for one another are still strong. But are they strong enough for murder? Josh hangs up the phone after a brief debate with Ross over the legality of his involvement. > >"What'd he say?" Reva asks anxiously. > >"He'll meet us there." Without further conversation, Frank, the detective, Josh and Reva leave. > >At the station, they are greeted by the eager press. The police lead them to a quiet room. > >"I'd like to speak with my client for a few minutes. She'll be ready to make a statement after that." Ross takes calm command of the situation. > >"I'll be waiting outside, Ms. Shayne." Detective Forsythe reminds her as he shuts the door. > >Ross looks quizically at Reva. "Are you ok with this?" > >"You mean having you as a lawyer? Yeah, I'm ok with it as long as you're not commiting any ethical violations." > >"I don't know about that." > >"Well, you are the best Ross." She looks over in the corner at an interested Blake. "What are you doing here?" > >"I've asked her and her brother to do some investigating for me." Ross placates. "She knows all the players in your case, so I think she'll be a real advantage. This detective's new to this town. That'll slow him down. Ok by you?" > >"So you've channeled your instinct for intrigue into a career." Reva remarks. "Your daddy must be proud." > >"Just tell us what happened, Reva." Blake replies cooly. > >With a sigh Reva begins her story. "Joshua came by tonight about 8:00 to tell me that Annie had been murdered. We had just finished talking about how we'd tell the kids, when the detective and the rookie of the year showed up on our doorstep. They started asking me a lot of questions about my visit to the hospital today.....Their evidence is pretty damning." > >"Why d'you go to the hospital?" Ross asks. > >"I took Pops in for his check-up at 4:30. While he was being examined, I went for a cup of coffee. I happened to overhear an enlightening conversation between Lillian and Ms. Dutton. It made me curious. As it happens too curious. Will curiousity kill this cat?" > >"Reva, that's not gonna happen." Ross assures her. "What was the conversation about?" > >"Well, I didn't catch it all, only the good stuff. It seems alcoholic Annie had fallen off the wagon on company time. She found out that Ed was planning to suspend her that evening. She was furious with Lillian. I just heard snippets...words like 'I'd never let drinking endanger my patients' lives....You and Ed will be sorry....Malpractice can kill a career.' It was very one-sided. Annie did all the squealing; I couldn't hear Lillian's response. Needless to say, my personal interest in the implications of that conversation led me to ignore my less than perfect judgement and I went in search of evidence. The search led me to Ed's office and the contents of his desk. I wasn't too careful in my search. I left quite an impression for the detective." > >"What happened next?" > >"I heard someone enter the outside office, so I escaped through the adjoining conference room." > >"Did you see who it was?" > >"No. I assume now, it was Annie." > >"Did anyone see you leave?" > >"Yes. That's why Detective Forsythe paid me a visit this evening. It doesn't look good, huh? Means, motive, and opportunity. The Simpson jury could solve this mystery." > >"Not necessarily. If you did overhear the conversation between Lillian and Annie, your motive disappears. No more need to rid the world of Annie. Of course, the prosecution could make the case that Annie happened on you rummaging through Ed's desk, a fight ensued, and you lost control." > >"Who's side are you on?" > >"We must evaluate all possible scenarios. The prosecution will." Ross pauses. "As to the means, that's easily explained. Do you know what the murder weapon was?" > >"No." > >"It was a pair of scissors Ed left lying on his desk. You could've have touched it while you were searching his desk. No, I think I can create reasonable doubt. But it might not come to that. This detective isn't stupid. He'll spot the holes. What d'you do after you left Ed's office?" > >"I went back to pick up Pops. He wasn't there so I waited around for a few minutes." > >"How long?" > >"Oh...about 10 minutes. He said he had gone to look for me after his appointment. Then, we just went home. Joshua came by around 8:00 and told me the news. The cops came and that leads us to here." > >"Reva, does the date 12-93 mean anything to you?" > >"No...why?" > >"A piece of paper with those numbers on it was found in Annie's hand." > >"Sorry. Doesn't mean a thing to me." > >"Are you ready to talk to the police now?" > >"Yes." Ross opens the door to a waiting Detective Forsythe. > >"Officer Cooper will take you statement, ma'am. Your lawyer may be present if you wish." > >"Detective, will you please show the evidence to my associate?" Ross asks. Out of the shadows, Blake's bright red curls attract Forsythe's attention. Sultry blue eyes turn to his dark ones in askance. The detective stares stupidly for a few seconds. "Detective?" Ross impatiently brings the detective back to the business at hand. > >"Yes...I'll be happy to show her the evidence. Come this way...." > >"Ms. Marler. Blake Marler," she smiles slyly into his bemused face. > >"Nice to meet you Ms. Marler." > >"Call me, Blake." They make their way down one of the many crowded hallways of the police station. > >"Do you enjoy working for your father?" > >"Ross Marler, attorney-at-law is my husband, Detective...." > >"Detective Forsythe...Jason...Please excuse my presumption." A faint blush of embarrassment stains his usually pale complexion. His tries to gather his scattered thoughts. > >"I don't excuse your presumptions, Detective. I expect them from you from now on. Especially on those late nights when we'll be sharing some stake-out duty and my make-up begins to fade and those camoflaged wrinkles and circles appear round my tired eyes. We'll see how easy you are with your complements then." > >"We'll be sharing stake-out duty?" Forsythe asks, in puzzlement. > >"I have yet to work on a case where I don't spend the majority of my nights peering through a foggy wind shield at nothing in particular." > >The detective smiles condescendingly. "I believe you presume too much now." > >"Be careful, Detective. Your swine is showing. Not the sixties cop rendition; the nineties male chauvinist version. Not at all politic for an up and coming police officer." > >"Don't flap your feminist feathers. It's not your feminity I object to; it's your amateur status." > >"I'm a licensed PI." > >"Then you see my point." > >"Is your boorish behavior genetic or do you work at it?" > >Jason studies the lovely but scornful expression before him. "I don't soften my opinions to make them more palatable, Ms. Marler. Doing so would only lead to future misunderstanding and resentment on the part of the listener." > >"I understand you perfectly, Detective. And you may rest assured that your manner is such that no one would long misjudge your character. Now, may I see the evidence?" > >An uncertain Detective leads Blake over to the remains of Annie Dutton's life. She examines the slip of paper with the typed numbers on it, but notices nothing new. She studies the contents of her purse and finds the usual paraphenalia. Blake finally turns her attention to Annie's calendar. She notices the appointment with A. for 7:00. Her mind wanders a few weeks back to a curious incident she had witnessed while working on a previous case. She had been questioning the proprietor of a popular Chinese restaurant in Clayton when she noticed two familiar faces sitting at a secluded table to the rear of the dining room. Annie and Alan Spaulding had been deep in what appeared to be an emotional conversation and had not noticed her interested stare. Then, a few days previously, while she was visiting the Lewis home, Annie had a rather abrupt conversation with an unknown caller. > >Blake's mind tries to recall the conversation. She sees Annie's face, shaken and brittle. Why didn't Blake notice her distress then? "Hello....Yes, it's me....It's not working...Your lawyer can't fix this....I've tried....No, reparation is eminent....Yes, fine....I'll make it. Bye." Annie had intimated that it had been the troublesome service she and Josh had hired to repair the unreliable carousel. But Annie had been very pale and upset. A quick check of phone records would settle the issue. What was Annie's connection with Alan? Surely she had not been drawn into Alan's plans to wrest Reva from a possible reconciliation with Josh. And where did this lawyer fit in? > >Blake stares hard and long at the calendar. Jason is puzzled by her concentrated air. Does she know who A. is? Her heavily lashed eyes are fixed earnestly on the inoffensive page. Her hair encircles the delicate bones of her face. Her kissable mouth is pursed in deep thought. Jason turns away from the enticing picture. It's been a long time since he's felt this uncontrollable, illogical attraction. That had not ended happily and this illicit emotion would not either. > >"Thank you, Detective. I'll be on my way." Her cool words put an end to his reverie. Without a backward glance, she leaves him staring at her determined retreat. > >At the Diner, Hart sips on his second cup of coffee. Blake breezes in nonchalantly. "Damn it, Blake. I've been waiting for over an hour. This had better be good." > >"Let's just say we've graduated from infidelity to murder. Are you interested now?" > >"Who's murder?" > >"Did you know Annie Dutton, Josh Lewis' erstwhile wife?" > >"No." > >"Well, it looks like you'll never get the chance now. We've got our work cut out for us though." Blake proceeds to fill him in on the details. "So, we've got a few threads to pull before our amiable detective catches on." she finishes. > >"Why don't I take Chicago. See what Jake Williams has been up to. You follow up on the phone records, and maybe speak to Lillian about their blow out." > >"Yeah. I also want to find out where Hawk disappeared to. Reva says she waited a good ten minutes for him at the doctor's office." > >"I'll see you tommorrow night sometime, ok?" > >"Ok Hart." She pauses awkwardly. "I'm glad I have a younger brother." > >"I'm glad I have an inquisitve older sis." He gives her a hug, throws some bills on the table, and rushes out the door in unbridled excitement. Blake feels a momentary pang of guilt at the morbid thrill she and her brother are enjoying at the expense of this unfortunate occurrence. Her discomfort, however, is soon overcome by the absorbing work ahead. She leaves the diner, to meet with a pal of hers at the local phone company. Within an hour she has the answer to the mysterious phone call, but it is not the one she anticipated. > >She arrives home to an empty house and an apologetic voice message from Ross saying he has been detained at the station. Slowly she makes her way to bed, tossing restlessly until her weary husband joins her. In an effort to not disturb his sleeping wife, he manages to grapple with every stick of furniture between the door and bed, and match claws with the irritable Morgan Fairclaws. Finally, sinking delicately and tiredly into the soft mattress, Blake ambushes him anew with her own talons, threatening the premature cessation of his heart. Breathing deeply, he turns to his playful wife, "Blake, I wish you'd warn me before you attack. One of these days you'll end up with a very dead husband on your hands." > >"Sorry, I didn't think you could possibly believe that I slept through your genteel entrance. So what happened?" she adds eagerly. > >"Nothing much. Frank interviewed her. The enigmatic Detective Forsythe joined us for most of it. Afterwards, Josh started throwing his weight around when it appeared the police were intentionally delaying Reva's departure. Needless to say, this did not endear him to our new detective. He hauled Josh in for another lengthy interview, which ended about an hour ago. Our detective appears to be immune to histrionics, affluence, charm, and humor. Reva attempted the two latter approaches after Josh's outburst, to no avail." > >"He impressed me as being rather dull and boorish." > >"Your charms failed too, huh?" Ross surmises with a smile. In retaliation, Blake demostrates the grave error of his assumption which he tortuously admits to after very few minutes of exposure to her unique methods of persuasion. He disappears under the coverlets to further enjoy her many allurements. > >"What's on schedule for today?" Ross asks Blake as they enjoy a belated but leisurely breakfast in bed. > >"Hart went to Chicago. So we should have some information on the mysterious Jake Williams by this evening. I made an interesting discovery at the phone company last night. I'm not certain what it means yet, but I won't be surprised to learn that Alan has not been faithful to his lady love." > >"Alan was cheating on Reva??" > >"Conspiracy is another form of infidelity." > >"What does that mean?" > >"Hopefully, I'll be able to tell you by tonight. But much as I enjoy these love fests, I must go. Unless, of course, this is chargeable to Reva's bill?" > >"Reva's an advocate for true love, but I don't think it extends to her pocket book; especially when her neck is in the noose." > >"Well, then we must delay these pleasures." Bending over to give her husband a very passionate kiss she flounces out of the room with barely leashed excitement. > >The first stop on her agenda is her interview with Lillian at the hospital. Blake spies her at one of the nurses stations. Her face is pale and drawn with exhaustion. "Hi Lil, how you doing?" > >"Things haven't settled down since last night." Her eyes brim with tears. "Sorry. It's been very stressful around here." > >"Do you have time for a cup of coffee." > >"I'll make time." They walk slowly and wordlessly to the cafeteria. After a few envigorating gulps of the dark brew, Lillian's color begins to return. > >"You know I'm working with Ross on this case." Blake begins tentatively. > >"What's Ross have to do with this?" > >"Reva was brought in for questioning last night. Josh retained Ross to represent her." > >"Josh sure didn't let any grass grow beneath his feet." Lillian responds cynically. "Annie knew it too. No matter how hard she tried to deny it, she knew. Everyone knew." > >"Lillian, can you tell me what happened yesterday between you and Annie?" > >"You heard about that did you? Annie found out that Ed was going to suspend her. She'd started drinking on the job again. We couldn't let her continue. She vented her frustrations on me." > >"Did she mention whether she was going to meet anyone or talk with anyone?" > >"No, just Ed. She was furious and, I think, drunk. She knew exactly how Josh felt about Reva. I think she's known for months." Lillian's mind wanders back to Annie's desperation. "She died then." > >"Lillian, I'm so sorry. I know how close you were." Blake sqeezes her hand gently. > >"Yes. We were good friends. Friends are so rare. You need to protect them; even when they don't think it's for their own good." > >"You did all you could Lillian. Don't blame yourself." > >"No. I'll be ok. Thanks for the coffee but I'd better get back now." > >Blake next tracks down the elusive Hawk. She finds him stealing an extra donut at the Diner counter. "Your doctor's appointment must have given you a clean bill of health." > >"Damn it, Blake. Don't sneak up on a man like that. You'll give him heart failure." > >"So I've been told. I need to talk to you about Annie's murder Hawk." > >"You're helping Reva, right?" Blake nods her head. "Well, I'm willing to answer any questions to help my little sister." > >"Reva took you to the hospital yesterday for your check-up?" > >"Yep. Right at 4:30. Of course, these doctors don't give a damn about your own time. We had to wait 15 minutes before they called me into the examination room. Then I had to wait another 10 minutes for him to show. Said the ticker's doin fine, though. Don't have to go back for another six months." > >"Reva wasn't there when you came out?" she prods him. > >"No. She wasn't there. But that don't make her no murderer. She's not the murdering type; more the watch-you-suffer type when she's been crossed. She wouldn't have murdered Annie. She would've wanted Annie to be around when Josh finally surrendered. And he would've surrendered. Everyone knew it; even Annie." > >"Where did you go, when Reva wasn't there?" Blake persists, bored with the undying love routine. > >"Why?" Hawk hedges. > >"You had means, motive, and opportunity too, Hawk. We have to explore all the possibilities." > >"Now just a dog gone minute. I done a lot of low things in my life, but I ain't never killed a woman. So if that's what your implying, you can park your caboose somewhere else." > >"Just answer the question." > >He eyes her thoughtfully, "I'll tell you as long as you can keep your trap shut. It ain't got nothin to do with the murder." He pauses, she waits impatiently. "I went out for a smoke." > >"That's it??" > >"I ain't supposed to smoke. Reva'll skin me alive. But HB sent me these fancy Cuban cigars awhile back and I didn't want to waste them." > >"Did anyone see you?" > >"That weren't the idea, Blake." > >"So you don't have an alibi." > >"I told you I don't kill females." > >"No you're more of a donut thief." she admits with a sigh. "Thanks, Hawk. But I might advise you to dig up someone that can verify your story." Distractedly she leaves the diner. Now, for the long wait for Hart to return. Then, they had some business to take care of tonight. > >Hart arrives at the diner at 7:00. He is accosted by an unusually attired Blake. Without giving him a chance to sit down, she whisks him out of the restaurant. "What's the hurry?" > >"We have a little break-in job to do." > >"Not that it's important, but may I know what I'm breaking into, so I can answer the arresting officer's questions accurately?" > >"We're going to break in to the law office of one Althea Templeton." > >"Why?" > >"The phone conversation I overheard between Annie and the mysterious caller, came from that office." > >"Who's Althea Templeton?" > >"She is allegedly representing Reva in her custody battle case. But I have my doubts." > >"Why would she have that kind of conversation with Annie?" > >"Inquiring minds want to know. Hence the shoe polish." She hands him a small round tin after she smears some of it's contents over her face. "I've got your burglary clothes in the car." She opens the back door to him. > >"Don't you want to know about Jake Williams?" he asks as he is shoved none to gently into the back seat. > >"Tell me on the way." as she gets behind the wheel. > >"Well. It's pretty dull. I found Jake in a drunk tank in south Chicago. He's been there for two days. Police officers make pretty reliable witnesses." He peels off his shirt and puts on an oversized black turtleneck. "Where d'you get this stuff?" > >"K-mart. I guessed at your size. The less we spend, the more we keep." The rest of the ride was filled with grunts and groans from the back seat as Hart makes his hasty change. > >Blake slows the car to a stop. The offices across the street are dark. "That's it. The coast looks clear. You ready?" > >"Haven't finished my make-up." > >Blake turns to inspect him. "You'll do. Let's go." They make their way quietly to the rear of the building to what appears to be an abandoned exit. At Blake's gentle persuasion, the door swings open. > >"How d'you do that?" Hart whispers. > >"This afternoon I did a little reconnoitering." > >"You're good at this." > >"Thanks. I'm glad I can turn my talents to law-abiding purposes." > >"This is law-abiding?" Hart asks sceptically. Blake decides not to answer the question. > >"Follow me." They make their way quietly to the second office on the right. Blake hands Hart a small black kit. "This is where your talents come in." > >Hart works deftly at the lock for a few moments. The door swings open easily under his expert touch. In silent agreement she heads for the file cabinet while he searches the desk. Minutes pass to the sound of softly shifting papers under tiny pen lights. > >"Whoa-ho. Jackpot Hart." Blake hands a file to him. > >"Alan Spaulding?" > >"Read on. It seems that Alan was paying Althea double Reva's fee to throw her case. Annie must have known about it. I'd bet my fee for this case, that Alan was the one that called Annie from this office. She must have been working with Alan to keep Reva and Josh apart." > >"What could she do?" > >"Good question. We may never know. I can't believe she turned to Alan. She must've been desperate." In front of the building a car pulls up. Quickly Blake and Hart swith off the flashlights. Silently they make for the rear door of the building, just as the lady lawyer herself begins to unlock the front entrance. Hurriedly they rush to their car as they see the light go on in the recently vacated office. Without bothering with headlights, Blake revs the motor and peels away from the curb. > >"That was close." Hart breathes deeply with a grin. "But fun." > >The diner is empty when they arrive. They still where black, but the offending shoe polish is gone. Both are in high spirits. "Coffee for the house." Hart requests euphorically of the puzzled Eleni. > >"So what does this all mean?" Hart asks but pauses as Eleni brings over the two cups. > >"If Annie knew of Alan's dirty little secret, she could've threatened to reveal all. She was pretty hopeless about Josh." > >"And her mind was fogged with liquor." Hart added. "She had a meeting that night with him. He could've moved it up, confronted her in the good doctor's office, lost his temper when she threatened to expose him, and wham.... end of Annie." > >"Do you think we're getting a little too much pleasure out of this?" Blake asks uncomfortably. > >"Sorry, Blake. It's all the excitement. I know she was a friend of yours." > >"We weren't close, but I do feel kind of callous. Although, how often does a case like this come around." > >"Let's not talk about it anymore. We'll just celebrate the success of tonight and confront Alan tomorrow." Blake nods in agreement. The door to the diner opens admitting the tall, forbidding detective. He makes his way resolutely over to a hostile Blake. > >"Black becomes you." He eyes her attire. > >"I like it." > >"Your friend likes it too." he spares a glance at the curious Hart. > >"What's on your small mind, Detective?" > >"Althea Templeton's law office was broken into tonight." > >"I guess we're now supposed to ask who Ms. Templeton is." Blake pretends indifference. > >"Among other things, she was representing Ms. Shayne in her recent custody battle." > >"Hope nothing was missing." > >"Ms. Templeton assured us nothing was taken." Blake and Hart share a glance. "How long have you been here?" the detective continues. > >"Oh, we got here only a few moments ago. Hart just got back from Chicago and we were comparing notes." The detective looks sceptical. > >"Would you like to join us for coffee?" Blake feigns politeness. > >"Thanks. I will." He pushes Blake over and takes the seat next to her in the booth. "I don't think we've met. I'm Detective Forsythe." > >"Hart Jessup. Blake's brother." > >"So....what were you doing in Chicago? Checking up on Mr. Williams?" > >"As you probably already know." > >"What else have you two detected?" > >"Shouldn't we amateurs be asking the professional?" she counters. But before he can answer, the beginning strains of the electric guitar to "Johnny Be Good," blare from the juke box. Blake pushes the Detective out of the way and grabs Hart's hand. The duo swing to the jitterbug in uninhibited enjoyment. Blake's eyes sparkle with life and merriment and the same fire is reflected in her brother's eyes. The detective watches silently as Hart spins Blake around the diner. That Blake loves her brother is obvious; that Blake detests him, is equally obvious. > >The music winds down and the softer strains of "I Only Have Eyes For You" mellow the mood. Blake rests her head on her brother's shoulder relaxing securely in his arms. Hart feels a determined tap on his shoulder and she is roused from her comfortable position as the detective claims her hand. They dance slowly to the stirring melody. The detective stares enigmatically into the beautiful but bewildered face before him. He spins her around, drawing her closer, until she relaxes against him. Their steps slow to gentle undulations. They continue to sway to an imaginary melody long after the music ends. His eyes capture hers in a hypnotic gaze. His head begins to descend when the door of the diner rouses them from their reverie. > >Blake pushes him away and rushes with guilty eagerness over to her newly arrived husband. Ross looks questioningly at her before his eyes drift to the detective who quickly assumes his reserved facade. Seconds of awkward silence pass before Hart rescues his unusually flustered sister. > >"How 'bout a cup of coffee Ross, before you and Blake take off. We'd like to fill you in on the latest. Detective, you'll excuse us?" he ends pointedly. The detective nods and exits the diner quietly. Hart maintains a steady monologue while his sister regains her normal aplomb. He reviews with Ross the trip to Chicago and Blake's converstation with Lillian and Hawk. As he begins to relate their nocturnal escapade, Blake has recovered enough to take over with enthusiasm. > >"Why was the detective here?" Ross asks after her passionate recitation of the last few hours. > >"He was nosing around about the break-in. But Ms. Templeton claims nothing was taken." Hart adds significantly. > >"That's interesting." Ross muses. "We better get going, honey. We'll see you tomorrow, Hart?" > >"Yeah. Blake and I have some questions to ask the intimidating Mr. Spaulding." > >"Blake can handle him. She was married to him." Ross adds with a certain amount of censure in his tone. > >Anger flares is Blake's eyes at the subtle slur. "We'll see you tomorrow, Hart. 10:00?" > >"Fine." > >Ross and Blake ride home in silence. They enter the empty house, and their bedroom, with equal reserve. Ross is the first to break the quiet. "Are you going to tell me what that was all about?" > >"What what was all about?" she feigns ignorance. > >"I thought you detested our mysterious detective." > >"I never said I hated him; I said he was dull." > >"You didn't seem to find his company boring tonight." > >"What do you think was going on?" she challenges angrily. > >"It looked to me like my wife was about to be soundly kissed when I walked in....and she didn't appear to be resisting." > >She pauses thoughtfully before she responds. "I don't know what happened, Ross. One minute he was treating me with contempt and the next minute....." > >"And the next minute..." > >"And the next minute, he looked like he wanted to kiss me. Are you satisfied?" > >"No, I'm damn well not satisfied." > >"Ross, he caught me by surprise. I didn't expect it. My compliance was the result of shock not attraction." > >"Are you going to tell me you don't find him attractive?" Ross asks skeptically. > >"No. I'm going to tell you that while there are many men I find attractive, there is only one man I love." She slowly winds her arms around his stiff neck. "Now how can I cure this unusual bout of jealousy?" She places gentle kisses along his neck, feeling the muscles begin to relax. The collar of his shirt hinders her tender wanderings; Ross struggles to remove the barrier. Pushing him back onto the bed, Blake takes over. > >Blake and Hart arrive at the Spaulding mansion at exactly 10:30 the next morning only to find Detective Forsythe close on their heels. > >"Following us, Detective?" she asks cooly. > >"No, Ms. Marler. I had an interesting late night conversation with Mr. Lewis. It seems Annie Dutton had occasionally been seen in the company of Mr. Spaulding.....Mr. Alan Spaulding." > >Netty answers before Blake can respond. She ushers all three into the den. Alan Spaulding sits at the desk berating some poor hapless individual at the end of the line. The phone is slammed down in anger. Turning around he is surprised by his audience. > >"Mr. Spaulding...Detective Forsythe, Ms. Marler, and Mr. Jessup to see you sir." > >"Thank you, Netty." he dismisses her sarcastically. "What do I owe this pleasure?" > >"Mr. Spaulding...I'm Detective Jason Forsythe of the Springfield PD. I have some questions to ask you concerning the death of Annie Dutton." > >"Why me?" > >"You were acquainted with the deceased?" > >"I knew her, yes." > >"Have you seen her recently?" > >"I don't remember." > >"How about a couple weeks ago at the Szechuan House in Clayton?" Blake interrupts. > >"What are they doing here?" he asks the detective. > >"They have been retained by Ms. Shayne to look into this matter." the detective replies. "They can wait outside if you like." > >"I have nothing to hide." Alan replies defensively. "Yes, I saw Annie a couple weeks ago." > >"What about a phone conversation you had with her a couple of days ago." Blake interrupts again. Surprised, Alan admits to the conversation. Blake continues, "Why were you calling from Althea Templeton's office?" The detective's admiring glance now turns to surprise. > >"How do you know that?" Alan stalls. > >"Phone records, Alan. Answer the question." Blake persists. > >"She's my lawyer. Why wouldn't I use her phone if I happened to be there for an appointment. Who's in charge of this investigation, Detective. You or Blake?" > >"Would you like to answer these questions downtown, Mr. Spaulding?" Jason threatens. > >"Is that all you have to say, Alan?" Blake continues. > >"What are you driving at, Blake?" > >"We have reason to believe that you were conspiring with Reva's lawyer to throw her custody case." > >"What?" > >"I have proof, Alan." > >"What proof?" > >"I have records that show Althea Templeton was being paid by you to throw Reva's case. Records of conversations, bills. That kind of proof." > >"So. It's not illegal." Alan dismisses. > >"No. Not for you, but the ABA may have some questions for Ms. Templeton. I also gives you a strong motive for getting rid of Annie." > >Alan's releases a loud guffaw at this supposition. "Now, that would be the last thing, I'd want. I wanted Josh and Annie to stay together. Murdering her would have defeated the purpose." > >"Not if she was planning to reveal your involvement." Jason picks up the thread. > >"Why would you think she'd know about my dealings with Ms. Templeton?" > >"I was there, Alan, when Annie got your phone call a couple of days ago. I have a great mind for remembering conversations. Annie told me it was some service men. We found out later it was you. Her words were enlightening when taken in that context." > >"Ok, she knew. But I didn't kill her." > >"Why not? You've attempted it before." Blake responds vengefully. > >"Because, it wasn't worth murder." > >"Do you have an alibi?" Jason asks. > >"No. I don't have an alibi." > >"Did you plan to meet her the evening of her murder?" > >Alan weighs his response carefully. "Yes. I did. But she didn't show. I know why now. You can ask the owner of that Chinese restaurant. I was there at 7:00." > >"But where were you at 5:00?" > >"I went out for a drive in my car. I like to take long drives alone." > >"You'll have to do better than that." > >"Well, I can't. Are you going to arrest me?" > >The detective studies him closely. "No. But don't take any long drives. I may want to speak with you again." > >"I'll show the detective the way out, Alan." Blake says smugly. The three leave a worried Alan staring after them. > >"Quite a haul last night." Jason comments as they make their way to the cars. There is grudging admiration in his tone. > >"Detective, may I see the evidence again?" Blake asks, not registering his words. > >"Sure." he stares at her, perplexed. > >"We'll meet you at the station." she responds absent-mindedly. > >"Why do you want to see the evidence again?" Hart asks as he pulls out of the drive. > >"He didn't do it." > >"Alan?" > >"Yes. He didn't do it. I know him too well." > >"If he didn't, that leaves us with a whole lot of suspects, including our client. We have Reva; she was at the hospital, at the scene, at the right time. We have Hawk, also at the hospital, at the right time. Josh could've have gotten there easily. Alexandra was there too, although I don't see her motive. Ed Bauer claims a flat tire; that's easily manufactured, but no motive that I can see. Rick Bauer was in love with her and very close to seeing her free of Josh; very weak motive in that he killed her in a jealous rage. Lillian, well she and Ed were going to suspend her. I could see Annie going for Lillian and Lillian killing her in self-defense, but that's pretty weak too. Have I missed anyone?" > >"No, that's it. I hope we've missed something, because Reva looks like the best candidate right now and I'm sure that detective knows it." Hart looks thoughtfully at his sister. She appears to have forgotten last night's incident. They pull into the station parking lot. Meeting Jason Forsythe at his desk, they are escorted down to a private room where he has already placed the evidence. Carefully, they all pour over Annie's meager belongings. Blake studies the piece of paper hard. Plain paper with some seemingly innocuous numbers. She begins to set it aside, when the remains of a small, barely observable pattern along one jagged edge catches her eye. Her mouth drops in astonishment. The detective, who spent the majority of the past half hour examining her rather than the evidence, notices her reaction. She quickly hides her emotions. > >"Well, I don't see anything here. Maybe we just need a break. Give our minds a rest. Thanks, Detective. Hart why don't I call you later?" > >"Sure, sis." > >Blake stands up nonchalantly and strolls out of the office with Hart. The detective looks speculatively at her retreating figure before picking up the piece of paper to study it once more. > >At the hospital, Blake makes her way to Ed's office. He's there consulting with one of his colleagues. She waits restlessly in the outer office for him to finish his meeting. The door finally opens and Ed sees his guest to the door. > >He turns expectantly towards Blake. "This is a surprise." > >"Hi, Ed. I was in the neighborhood and thought you could do a favor for your favorite relative relative." > >"Anything, almost daughter of mine." Ed responds warmly. > >She follows him into his office. "I was wondering if you could look up the perscription I received the last time I had an appointment. It worked great and a friend of mine wanted to ask her doctor about it." > >"Sure, honey." Ed sits down at his computer and quickly types in his user identification and password. Within a few minutes he has the information printed out. > >"Thanks, Ed. I see they allowed you back into your office." She pauses. "How are you and Rick doing?" > >"I'm ok. Rick's taking it hard. But he's keeping busy." > >"How 'bout I buy you lunch?" Blake offers. > >"Best offer all day." Ed answers happily and they make there way to a little deli a few blocks away from the hospital. > >The hospital is quiet at 11:00 at night. Hart and Blake are attempting another break-in. Blake had been able to note all but the last character of Ed's password. Ed's office, situated out of the stream of steady traffic makes the perfect location for the attempt. Thanks to Hart's magic touch, Blake flips on the computer in the dark office. > >"There's gonna be a lot of records, Blake. We don't even know what those numbers stand for. It could be a date. It could be anything." > >"Then we'll come back tomorrow night. I need to find out what this means before we tell the police. Ed's like a father to me." After several unsuccessful tries, the combination works. Blake pulls up the first of many databases. > >The office light goes on. Detective Forsythe stands in the doorway. "Detective. What are you doing here?" Blake stalls for time. > >"The same thing you are, I believe. I took a closer look at that piece of paper after your transparent performance this afternoon. Those curly lines in the corner do look like part of the Cedar's logo. Breaking and entering is not required however. Dr. Bauer gave us permission to review back data files." > >"What did you tell him?" she asks apprehensively. > >"Nothing. I just told him that some of the records may help us with the murder investigation. He was very obliging. What have you found so far." > >"Nothing." Hart adds. The three work tirelessly for hours. Searches on every field that contains the pattern of 12-93 are performed. Financial records, pharmaceutical inventories, nothing appears unusual. Browsing through patient records, Hart notices a similarity in the pattern with the patient identification number. Blake hastily types in the wild card search with the matching characters. The patient's name appears. Blake gasps softly. > >"What is it?" the detective asks. > >"I knew that patient." > >"Anything unusual about the records? Ms. Marler?" Blake rouses from her reverie. > >"Sorry. Let me look." She pauses, then says defeatedly, "It looks like there's some records missing. The dates don't match." > >"Which ones?" > >"I don't know. I'm not a doctor." > >"We'll find out." He goes over to the phone and calls the information systems manager for the hospital. The conversation is short. "He's sending someone over." Jason states as he hangs up the phone. Hart and Blake wait nervously for a quarter of an hour. Finally, in the doorway appears a tired-looking, dishevelled man. > >"Detective Forsythe?" > >"Yes." > >"Name's Brian Parnell. My manager says you need my help." > >"Yes. We need some information about these computer records......." > >Ed's office is bright the next morning, with no trace of the murder that occurred only a few days before. All the suspects are present. Detective Forsythe holds the floor. "We've made a breakthrough in the case." he begins. "It seems that a lot of people had reasons to kill Annie Dutton. She was the only thing standing between Mr. Lewis and his former wife. She had spurned her former husband for a man who didn't love her. She conspired with others to prevent any reconciliation between Mr. Lewis and Ms. Shayne. Her conspirator didn't want anyone to know. It might cost him is own happiness." The detective pauses to look at Alan. "Annie knew a lot of things people didn't want known. In the end that's really what killed her. Reva, you said on the day of the murder that Annie was arguing with Lillian about her suspension." > >"Yes. I'd say she was drunk with rage." > >"Lillian, what did she say to you?" > >"She said she didn't deserve it. That she'd never hurt her patients." > >"What else did she say?" > >"I don't know what you mean, Detective?" > >"What did she say about malpractice?" > >"I don't remember." > >"She said malpractice can kill a career." Reva answers. > >"That's right, Ms. Shayne. What did she mean by that, Ms. Raines?" > >"I don't know what your talking about." Lillian answers defensively. > >"Annie knew about a patient here at the hospital that had received questionable treatment." the Detective explains. "She was threatening to expose the person if she was suspended wasn't she?" Lillian maintains her silence. "Ms. Raines, were you involved in the treatment of a patient by the name of Eve Guthrie about a year ago?" > >"Yes, Detective." > >"Lillian, don't say anything else." Ed interrupts. "What are you getting at, Detective?" > >"Eve's patient number was CD005789-12-93. We looked her records up on the computer last night. Some of them are missing. However, whoever deleted them didn't know that the records aren't actually deleted; they're archived for six months. A very tired Mr. Parnell helped us locate them. Do you know what those records mean, Doctor?" > >"Why don't you just say it, Detective. They were the records for the last few minutes of her life. But she really wasn't alive anymore. All those tubes and machines kept her heart beating, but it no longer felt love or joy or happiness. She was dead. She was already dead when I turned off all those machines." Ed answers quietly. > >"Dad...." Rick tries to interrupt his father's confession. > >"No. Rick. Secrets cause more pain. I don't want secrets anymore." > >"This one did, Doctor. It was the reason Annie was killed." All faces turn towards him. > >"Where did your car have a flat, Doctor?" > >"Highway 85." Ed responds quickly. > >"Did anyone see you?" > >"I don't know! That road is isolated; I don't remember anyone. No one stopped to help me." > >"So you don't have a witness who will confirm your alibi." > >"No. But I didn't kill Annie. I'd never do that!" > >"We know you didn't. You couldn't have known that Annie knew about Ms. Guthrie. Only Ms. Raines knew." All eyes now focus on Lillian. > >She surveys the curious stares and rests her gaze resignedly on the detective. "She threatened to expose Ed. I couldn't let her do that." > >"We know, Ms. Raines. Mr. Parnell told us who deleted those records. Computers store all kinds of information." > >"I knew those records weren't deleted permanently. But that was the best I could do. When Annie threatened Ed, I didn't know what to do. So I decided to go to Ed's office a little early and try to reason with her. But she wouldn't be reasoned with. She was drunk again. She laughed at me for trying to protect him. I had to protect him." Lillian casts a longing glance at Ed. "You never loved me. But I would have done anything for you. Anything Ed." > >Frank and another officer wait patiently at the door to Ed's office. Lillian rises slowly from her seat to join them. The others trickle out with the exception of the Bauers, the Marlers, Hart, and Detective Forsythe. > >"Ross, I'd like to retain you to defend Lillian." Ed turns to the lawyer still in shock. > >"Sure Ed." > >"Dad, I think you better get some legal counsel too." Rick suggests. > >Jason Forsythe turns to Blake and her brother. "Thanks for your cooperation." he says stiffly. His glance lingers briefly on Blake before he turns to leave. > >Ross bends to kiss his wife. "I'll see you at home." > >"Ross....I love you." > >"I love you." He follows the detective and the Bauers out of the office. > >"It wasn't quite as satisfying as when it began." Blake admits sadly. > >"Do you want to close up shop?" Hart asks. > >"No. But I won't mind those divorce cases as much anymore." > > > > > "It does not necessarily follow that a deep, intricate character is more or less estimable than such a one as yours.....but intricate characters are the most amusing. They have at least that advantage." Lizzy speaking to Mr. Bingley, Pride & Prejudice, Jane Austen