Sweet Schemes (Read 8,703 times)

[sudsyclassix]

“The jury is dismissed until further notice," announced Judge Craig, "and I urge you not to let this outburst color your perceptions of this matter!"
Even as the jury filed out, shouts of “Bastard!” and “Son of a bitch!” still came at Aiden from all directions. Shane flashed his ISA credentials and rushed to Sami’s side, blocking the feral-looking mother’s descent from the stand. Steve stood in a lunge, ready at a second’s notice to guard Will, whose bicep was in his husband’s protective grip.
“One more sound and this entire gallery will enjoy the hospitality of my holding cells,” boomed Judge Craig. “And believe when I tell you your individual $1000 fines will not go toward your comfort!”
“Your Honor, opposing council just engaged in blatant witness intimidation.”
“I noticed, Mr. Kiriakis, which is why councilors will be joining me in my chambers. As for the rest of you, court is in recess until ten o’clock tomorrow and I expect  more decorum than I saw today.”

Eve sighed in irritation. She had been hoping to catch Paige in the courthouse parking lot, but Brady had pulled the Kiriakis car around before Eve managed to get a word in. Now the only sound she could hear was the annoying echo of heels hitting blacktop. "For heaven's sake, Theresa, will you stop chasing me?"
"As soon as you quit stalking Paige."
"I don't know what you're babbling on about."
"Sure, you don't. Consider this a piece of sisterly advice, okay? Let it go, because trust me, empty nest syndrome is looking desperate on you."
"This from the aspiring fashion designer. Why don't stop playing house with my daughter and go back to playing Barbies?" Eve suggested, looking impatiently at her phone screen.
"And the claws come out! Wow, this really is getting under your skin. Why don't you call that john back and see if he can make you feel better? Ta-ta, Eve."
"Bitch!" Eve fumed, anchoring her phone to her shoulder as she slammed the car door.
"Temper, temper, Evie." She could just see Drew wagging his finger at her from whatever pub he was sitting in. "As a matter of interest, who are we talking about?"
"Theresa."
"Who?"
"Jeannie."
"Ah, never did get around to meeting her. I was a bit occupied, wasn't I?
"Just as well, she thinks you're my john."
"I thought you were through with that," said Drew, real concern tingeing his tone.
"I am," Eve growled, "That's just what Theresa and Daddy think. They almost caught us talking the other day."
"Can't have that, can we now?"
"Cut the phony Irish brogue, Drew. Do you want to hear about court, or not?"
"Oh, goody, I'm sure you're testimony was just riveting."
"Didn't get that far. Sami Brady was the first witness, and he couldn't get through cross without threatening her kids. Now, he'll probably get himself thrown off the case."
"Come on, Evie, give us a smile. You go on worrying like that you'll be a gray as your father. My hair, on the other hand, is still black as a bear's behind. As for Jennings, well, indentured servitude in an archaic practice, but the servants have one thing in common: self-preservation. He can't very well roll over and play dead, so he gives us a jolly good show for our money. I only wish I were there to see it live! No more worries, love, you just sit back and trust Uncle Drew to deliver a 'smashing' finale."

[sudsyclassix]

“Will,” Shane gazed at the image on his laptop screen, about an hour later. “Sonny, I sincerely hope you’ve thought my offer through.”
“We’ve talked about it,” Will began, “and thanks, Uncle Shane, but I really think you shouldn’t worry about giving us an ISA detail if it means taking an agent off of Mom and the kids.”
“You are still my kid!” Sami reminded her firstborn, “and what about…what about Arianna? Honey, you need to listen to me, please reconsider. Jennings was a shark before, but now he’s—”
“Different,” Vanessa supplied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Desperate, almost. So either he’s defending Weston because he’s under someone’s thumb, or he’s actually completely lost it, both of which are dangerous.”
"If you ask me, he's always had a screw loose," Steve muttered.
Sonny nodded in agreement. "That's why Uncle Vic sent some of best people over to the house. There's gonna be a guard here 24/7."
"Fine," sighed Shane. "We'll let Victor's people handle it on your end."
"Fine?" Vanessa repeated. "Since when are you a member of the Victor Kiriakis Fan Club, Captain?"
"Far from it," Steve assured the young agent with a shake of his head. "The crap that's gone done between us and Kiriakis over the years, now there's a history book for ya."
"Then why?"
"I realize you're new here, Agent Lennox," said Shane, his formality betraying impatience, "but trust that my reasoning is sound. You know as well as I do that there's been a rash of rogue agents, recently. Well, the DiMera Task Force is notorious for moles. Three years ago, that snake, Agent Harmon almost got half the town blown up."
Sami nodded in confirmation.
"So, we do what?" Vanessa asked, "Trust the devil we know?"
"Two of my grandchildren are living at his house, Lennox, I have no choice but to trust him."
"Is Theresa going to bring Tate to the Halloween party at the hospital?" Will wanted to know.
"I doubt Theresa would want to spend any more time there than she has to," Shane replied, "but Kimberly is in the kitchen discussing it with Johnny, Allie, and Sydney."
"She is?" put in Sonny. "I didn't know the three of you had changed your minds about that."
Steve shrugged. "If we're gonna let the kids be kids, at least the hospital's a contained place to do it."
"Besides," Sami declared, "after what happened in court today, I want all four of you within calling distance."

Eve sat watching the costumed children, as they chased each other through the square and ducked behind the decorated pillars. It was much better than sitting in the apartment wallowing over memories of Halloween with Paige. Every year, Eve would sew a costume in secret and leave it on Paige's bed for her to wear. Cowgirls, fairies, and a doctor of course. Paige had made such a beautiful fairy, Eve recalled, as she automatically stooped to pick up something that had clattered to the ground, and placed it in a little girl's outstretched hands.
"Thanks."
Eve knew her by voice. She was Kimberly's niece, her brother's little girl... But all Eve could see was a miniature Paige.
"Y-You're welcome," she stuttered, saved from further speech by a kind laugh from behind her.
"Nice horns, Ciara. Couldn't decide between a witch and a devil?"
"Maleficient isn't a witch, she's an evil fairy."
"Ah, well, whatever you are, I hope you get lots of candy tonight."
"Oh, I will. Bye, Cousin Justin. Look out, Chase!"
"She's something else, isn't she?" Justin smiled as they watched her run off. "Actually, Eve, running into you saves me a trip. Do you have a minute to sit down?
"Sure." Eve headed to one of the empty cafe tables. "I hope the judge threw the book at Aiden Jennings for the stunt he pulled today."
"That's just what I wanted to talk to you about. Judge Craig went through both of our cases with a fine-toothed comb, to make sure there were no more surprises."
"And?"
"And he threw out your testimony. Said it was inadmissible."
"Inadmissible? I'm the mother of one of the victims, damn it!"
"But you weren't there during the commission of the crime, so you can't bring evidence during the trial phase. You still have a powerful and important point of view, only now you'll speak during sentencing."
"Is there is a sentencing."
"I fully intend for there to be a sentencing.
"And what verdict do you intend to ask for."
"The only one that's fair, death by lethal injection."

[sudsyclassix]

Wednesday Preview:
Aiden shows his cards during Roman's testimony.

[heroicmuse]

Sweet scene with Eve's memories of Paige.

I'm not sure I agree with Justin about the death penalty, on general principles, but it'll make for interesting drama.

[sudsyclassix]

I spent Wednesday thinking about the dropoff in feedback this story has seen for a while. I'm wondering if I should change my posting schedule so you all have time to absorb the content before adding another. Thoughts?
 "Feel free to call your next witness. Mr. Kiriakis. I know everyone is well-rested and cooperative..." Kim held in a laugh as she watched Don Craig stare the courtroom into submission. It was the same look of steely determination that had scared Kim to death on the day the young lawyer had expressed a wish to wipe Salem's streets clean of prostitutes. At the time, she had been working for a faux-French madam.
"The prosecution calls Agent Sebastian Watts to the stand."
"Doesn't look happy, does he?" Steve whispered to Kim, as the man mumbled his oath through gritted teeth.
Justin must've been thinking along the same lines because he said, "You were subpoenaed as a hostile witness, were you not?"
"You bet your ass. Can't be parading myself in front of criminals with 'DEA' stamped across my forehead. You know how word gets around on the street. How am I ever supposed to go undercover again?"
"Do you do much undercover work now that you're in a supervisory position?"
"No."
"And were you the supervising agent who decided to put Jack Deveraux Jr. undercover?"
"I was."
"And what exactly did JJ do under your instruction?"
"I told JJ to get close to Kyle Southern, a senior dealer in Weston's ring. We like to use people like JJ, they fit in."
"People like JJ?" Justin repeated. "Could you clarify?"
"Former drug dealers."
"Nothing further," Justin announced, inviting Aiden forward with a sweep of his hand.
"Why thank you, councilor, you've done such a good job of shining your nephew's halo that it almost pains to ask this..."
"I suggest you ask before I reach retirement," Judge Craig warned sternly.
"Yes, Your Honor. Agent Watts, was JJ under your instruction when he interfered in the arrest of Clyde Weston, allowing another suspect to flee?"

[heroicmuse]

This is such a better use of these characters than what we got on air. Looking forward to seeing Agent Watts' answer.

[sudsyclassix]

“Right there,” Watts stuck his finger in Aiden’s face, “right there is the problem with you lawyers. You think the world’s as black and white as your little law books, but what ya need to do is come out of your hobbit hole and live. Then you’ll see different, you mark my words.”
Aiden’s lips twitched into a patronizing smile. “I beg to differ, this question is very simple, Agent Watts.”
Watts looked at Aiden with intense loathing before turning pleading eyes to the sighing judge, “Answer the question, Agent Watts.”
“Well, no but—”
“Nothing further,” said Aiden triumphantly.
Justin raised a hand. “Redirect, Your Honor, I’d like to hear this. Please, continue, Agent Watts.
“I was trying to say that this was a joint investigation between the DEA and the Salem PD. I may not have agreed with Commissioner Brady’s decision, but Deveraux wasn’t going rouge. As I understand it—”
“Objection, what the witness understands cannot be submitted as evidence under the hearsay laws.”
“Sustained. If that’s all, Agent Watts, you may step down. Mr. Kiriakis, let’s move this along.”
“ Of course, Your Honor. The prosecution takes great pleasure in calling Benjamin Weston to the stand.”
Jennifer clasped her daughter’s hand, resisting her own urge to retch when Ben sent a wink Abigail’s way.
No one noticed the disturbance in the gallery, however, because Clyde had sprung to his feet. “Why, you yellow-bellied traitor. How dare you put your hand on that Bible and lie, boy.”
“Sit down Clyde,” Aidan hissed.
“Councilor, control your client.”
“I understand, Your Honor.”
“Good, look this way, Mr. Weston, don’t look at your father.”
“Sorry,” Ben mumbled, turning to Justin. “Ask away, Esquire.”

[sudsyclassix]

The schedule has moved to every Wednesday. Sorry for the cut-down, but I figured it would give people time to have thoughtful opinions and feedback if they only had to consider one chapter a week. Quality over quantity and all that.  

"Ask away, Esquire."

Justin's already strained smile fell from his face at Ben's sarcasm. "Mr. Weston, at what time did your father approach you asking for assistance," he asked.
"A couple hours after it happened. He said he was over at the Horton cabin and if I knew what was good for me, I would help him."
"How did he knew about Horton cabin?"
"I might have mentioned that it belonged to my girlfriend and her family."
"If your girlfriend is in this courtroom, please point her out."
Abigail wished her uncle hadn't said that. Bile that had nothing to do morning sickness rose in her throat as Ben gave her a sick smile.
"Let the record show that the witness has indicated Abigail Deveraux," sighed Justin. "And what did your father say to you when you arrived at the cabin?"
"He said DiMera's bitch wife had pistol-whipped him, and if I didn't help him he would set me up for both murders...that they were his fault but it didn't matter because our DNA was similar enough."
"The prosecution rests their case, Your Honor."
 "Well, that's surprising," Aiden smirked, "because I think there are still a few facts that need to be established. Mr. Weston, you're testifying today as a condition of your plea deal with the DA's office, correct
"Some deal," Ben scoffed. "I wanted immunity, but they wouldn't budge because I-"
"I think the phrase you're looking for is 'aided and abetted a fugitive's unlawful flight from prosecution,'" Aiden supplied.  "Something the DA's can't deny, or else you would have gotten the immunity you were seeking. Specifically what kind of help did your father need?"
"He wanted painkillers for his face."
 "So two fugitives just waltz into Unversity Hospital?" Aiden laughed. "Forgive me, Mr. Weston, but that sounds like the beginning of a very bad joke. Incidentally, didn't Miss Deveraux work there at the time."
"Was Miss Deveraux your accomplice in any way, shape or form."
"Didn't need her. All I needed was  swipe her precious ID card, and Abby had to wave bye-bye to her nepotistic little job."
"And on that particularly hostile note, the defense also rests."
Judge Craig's eyebrows shot upwards toward his hairline. "I'll allow it, Mr. Jennings, but let's make sure we understand each other. Am I to understand that you are waiving your right to present witnesses in your client's defense?"
"I am, Your Honor," Aiden assured him.
"All right, Mr. Weston, let me ask you. You are aware of your right to speak in your own defense?"
"Yep...er, yes, Your Honor, but frankly, after my son's little outburst just now, I think the jury's heard enough."
"Then I guess the last word falls to you, Mr. Kiriakis...assuming you'd like to cross-examine the witness before the jury deliberates?"
"I would. Why embroil Miss Deveraux in this whole mess?"
"Because the little whore is pregnant with someone else's kid!" Ben cried. "Yeah, that's right, you're gonna be a daddy. DiMera! Go in your little room, and deliberate that!"
 

[sudsyclassix]

"Here honey," Jennifer Horton put the plate of Grandma Alice's donuts on the coffee table and placed a warm cup of tea in her daughter's hands. "Drink this, you look like you could use it."
"Thanks," Abigail looked over the rim of her cup with a sigh. "Mommy, did you see Chad's face." She hoped that small detail would make her mother understand just how scared she was. The last time she had deliberately used the word "Mommy" had been right after her father died.
Jennifer took the hint, wrapping her arms around her daughter's shoulders. "Oh, honey," she hummed, kissing the top of Abigail's head like she used to after one of the kids had had a nightmare.  "He was surprised, that's all. I think it's pretty safe to say no one in that courtroom was expecting Ben's little bombshell."
"Yeah, me least of all. But Ben has so much hate in his heart where I'm concerned, I should have expected something like this. How long did I really think we could keep this paternity thing between you, me, JJ and Aunt Kayla? It's amazing no one has guessed before now, I'm showing way too early for this baby to be Ben's"
Last time I visited Gabi, she...oh my God, Gabi!"
"What about her?"
"Visiting hours at the prison are almost over. I've got to go now if I'm going to make it!"
"Well, what are you waiting for? Go, go, go!"
"I will, I'll see you later."
Abigail stood just outside the door catching her breath. She was glad her mother hadn't pressed too hard because retelling Gabi's predicament was the only thing Abigail could think of that would make the day worse than it already.