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Post by André DiMera on Aug 26, 2024 6:32:55 GMT -5
Thank goodness Nat is finally facing some consequences for her stupidity! Loved seeing Saxon squirm. Rubin’s defense is strong, as was Brianna’s testimony. Wonder what Hannah will say. Great chapter, heroicmuse! |
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Post by heroicmuse on Aug 27, 2024 6:11:05 GMT -5
Week 507 - 2
Charley locked eyes with the mean girl.”G-go away,” she stammered. “I’ll tell.”
“Course you will. Babies always tattle.” The mean girl smirked. “What did I walk in on, anyway? Interrupting a makeout session or what?”
Charley’s eyes narrowed. Izzy said under her breath, “Ignore her. It’s not worth it, trust me.” She got up and went to the sink to wash her hands.
“You know your new friend’s just a boy in girls’ clothes, right?” the mean girl said to Charley.
“She is not,” Charley said, but her voice wasn’t forceful enough. “And you should mind your own business.”
“Charley, don’t,” Izzy said. “I don’t care what she thinks.”
“I bet she does, though,” the mean girl said, nodding at Charley. “How would she feel if I told everyone you two are secret lovers?”
“We wouldn’t care, because it’s not true and there’s nothing wrong with it,” Izzy said. “Come on, Charley.”
Charley started to follow Izzy out of the bathroom. The mean girl said, “Oh, so then you won’t mind if I send this to Palpage and seit to public?” She took out or phone. “Unless, of course, you do something for me.”
“That’s blackmail,” Charley whispered.
“Yep,” Izzy said. “Come on.” She and Charley left.
Outside, Izzy grabbed Charley’s hand. “I’m glad we stood up to her but do you think she’s really gonna post that rumor?”
Charley’s eyes widened. “I-I hope not. But I thought you didn’t care.”
“I don’t but if my parents see it they might realize I’m being bullied and take me out of camp,” Izzy said. She sighed deeply. “Maybe it doesn’t matter. Camp was probably a mistake. I mean, we still haven’t figured out what to do about swimming.”
“I know what to do,” Charley said. “We need to tell Sydney all of it.”
“I don’t know,” Izzy said. She pushed her hair behind her ear. “I don’t want to be a tattle-tale.”
“It’s not. It’s getting help.” Charley put her hand on Izzy’s shoulder. “I’ll stay with you the whole time.”
Izzy nodded. “K,” she said. “Let’s do this.”
They walked off together toward the cabin.
Hannah held her hands up. “Don’t look at me. I don’t know what to say.”
Brianna sniffed. “That’s why I asked you. I know you haven’t really forgiven me so I figured you’d be more likely to be honest. Jeremy would just tell me not to beat myself up and Kenneth wants to forgive me everything cause I’m his cousin but after what that defense attorney said, I don’t deserve his forgiveness…” She began to cry. “I hate myself so much, and I’m not just saying that cause I want you to feel sorry for me. Nat’s attorney said stuff that the judge made him stop saying but ever since, I can’t stop thinking about it.”
Hannah pulled a paper towel off the roll and handed it to Brianna, who took it but couldn’t stop crying. Hannah couldn’t help feeling bad for her a little. She patted the stool next to her. “I don’t know what happened in there and I’m not sure you’re allowed to tell me, but if that lawyer got in your head, that’s what Nat wanted. Half of this nonsense she’s doing is cause she’s desperate to stay out of jail, but the other half’s her getting her revenge on us. She wants to get all up in our heads so she can break us down without laying a finger on us.”
Brianna sat down, slowly. “That’s not hard in my case,” she said. “What I did was beyond horrible. I klled a man in cold blood. Yeah, he did things to me I don’t ever want to think about again, but he was still a human being and I ended his life. And I didn’t spend more than a night in jail for it, either, or for framing Kenneth.”
“You wanna know something?” Hannah said. “I don’t care about you taking his life nearly as much as what happened to Kenneth and me, or almost happened. I know the Bible says not to kill, but doesn’t it also say an eye for an eye? That man… the things he did to me when I was barely more than a little girl… and to you too, from the sound of it… he deserved what he got and more. But Kenneth’s another story. He’s all about singing in the church choir and living God’s word and they held us at that courthouse and questioned us for hours, and the only reason he didn’t spend a night in a holding cell’s that Abe Carver didn’t want to make an arrest til he was 100 percent sure he had the right man.”
“And I did that,” Brianna said. She stared down at the ground. “I don’t blame you for not forgiving me.”
At The Second Chance home, Mrs. MacGregor walked Chanel into the day room. Everyone was sitting on bridge chairs that were set up in a circle.
“Okay, Chanel,” Mrs. MacGregor said. “Sit right here facing Molly. I want you to look her in the eye and tell her, all of us really, what you were doing in her mailbox and why you thought it was a good idea.”
Chanel’s eyes widened. “I got an idea, maybe, but it’ll have to wait til we get back home.”
“God only knows when that’ll be,” Hannah said.
“Actually, it might not be too much longer,” Paul said, coming in. “Andrew’s making some calls to find out if it’s safe for you guys to go home now that you’ve both testified and the judge yanked Nat’s bail.”
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Post by Kpatch on Aug 27, 2024 8:27:24 GMT -5
Are Chanel and Briana the same person? I see both names. I get confused easily.
Funny that Charley knows what blackmail is. Must be her Kiriakis roots. LOL.
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Post by André DiMera on Aug 27, 2024 11:01:09 GMT -5
Glad Charley and Izzy stood up to that bully. Hopefully Sydney will be able to help. Wonder what Brianna’s idea is. So glad it looks like everyone might be going home! Great chapter, heroicmuse! |
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Post by heroicmuse on Aug 28, 2024 6:18:13 GMT -5
Are Chanel and Briana the same person? I see both names. I get confused easily. Yes, Chanel is Brianna Hansen, Nan's daughter that was switched at birth, and recently told the other people in the safe house she wants to change her name legally back to Brianna because she associates the name Chanel with her previous bad behavior. |
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Post by heroicmuse on Aug 28, 2024 6:19:19 GMT -5
Week 507 - 3
Eric held up his hand. “Wait a second. Mom. You said you got some blood work done and then immediately changed the subject. That means there’s something you’re not telling me.”
“That’s a fact,” John said, “but that’s cause your mom, she doesn’t want to worry anyone when there’s probably no reason to.”
“And anyway,” Marlena said, “I told you, my iron is a bit low, that’s all. No cause for alarm at all.”
“Yet you’d rather I not know about it. That doesn’t add up.” Eric crossed his arms. “You’re not the only shrink in the family anymore, Mom. I can tell when someone has the weight of the world on their shoulders, no matter how hard they try to hide it. Especially when it’s my mother.”
“Eric,” Eve said. “You’re being as harsh with her as you were with me when you found out that lie I told about Jill all those years ago. There’s no reason to talk to your mama like she’s the subject of a police interrogation.”
“”You’re right,” Eric said. “I’m sorry. I’m just worried about you, that’s all.”
“Don’t be.” Marlena smiled slightly. “Look, after I talk to Kayla, if there’s something that needs to be said, of course I’ll share it with you. But honestly, I want to just savor every moment I’m blessed enough to have with my family. That’s why I want to talk about wedding dresses with Eve. Let’s focus on the positive.” She patted Eric’s hand. “I’m so glad to spend time with you and Eve, and I’ll be even more grateful to be abel to be at your wedding. So tell me. Have you set a date yet?”
In her chambers, Judge Hildebrand gestured toward the chair across from her desk. “Have a seat, Mr. Saxon.”
Saxon sank down into his chair. “Why do I feel like a kid that just got sent to the principal’s office?” He chuckled.
Judge Hildebrand didn’t smile back. “I called you in here because I am concerned about what I’m seeing in my courtroom.” She leaned forward. “As a judge, I can’t say anything to you in private that could influence how you handle this case moving forward, as you know. However, I also have noticed certain things that are setting off alarm bells and that I cannot, in good conscience, remain quiet about until the end of this trial, even if it means risking you use it against me to file some ridiculous appeal when all is said and done.”
“I don’t understand what you mean.” But Saxon was fiddling with his tie, straightening it over and over.
“Your body language says otherwise.” Judge Hildebrand crossed her arms. “In my courtroom, you have vacillitated between saying outrageous things that you know are doomed to fail and getting so flustered you can hardly speak. Now, I cannot prove it, but I suspect the inflammatory statements you are making are at the direction of your client, and that you know on some level that your behavior is not as professional as it is supposed to be.”
Saxon swallowed hard. “This is coming awfully close to an ex parte communication. No disrespect intended.”
“I suppose I am touching a nerve, then.” Judge Hildebrand leaned forward. “I will say only this. If your client is threatening you or otherwise coercing you to do her bidding, that would create a conflict of interest for you of self-preservation versus your duty to provide her with the best possible defense. Therefore, if you were to decide to file a motion to withdraw as her counsel on these grounds, I would most likely grant it as well as sanction her further for this newest misconduct.”
Saxon squirmed in his seat. “Are you telling me to quit?”
“I’m only speaking in hypotheticals.” Judge Hildebrand pushed her glasses up. “If you were an intern, I am sure the supervising attorney would tell you that no client is worth sacrificing your career for. Also hypothetical, of course, as you are no longer an intern. However, this next thing is not hypothetical. YOu’re on thin ice in my courtroom. These purposely inflammatory statements and attacking witnesses are unacceptable behaviors, and continuing them will result in sanctions and posisbly a referral to the bar association to consider whether your behavior merits the loss of your license. I will not warn you about this again. It is up to you whether you remain the defendant’s attorney of record, but if you do, I strongly suggest you stop letting her call the shots, because you will end up losing your career if this inappropriate behavior continues. Hae I made myself clear?”
Saxon nodded, his face very pale. “I really need to talk to my client before she’s transported to Salem City Jail for the night. May I be excused?”
“We’re finished,” Judge Hildebrand said, not looking up from the file she had just opened.
Saxon mumbled his thanks and hurried out.
Judge Hildebrand said to herself, “If I were a betting woman, I would put money on Natalie Simmons intimidating him into trying the case her way. But what can I do besides what I have already done?” She picked up her phone to call someone.
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Post by Kpatch on Aug 28, 2024 7:08:42 GMT -5
Are Chanel and Briana the same person? I see both names. I get confused easily. Yes, Chanel is Brianna Hansen, Nan's daughter that was switched at birth, and recently told the other people in the safe house she wants to change her name legally back to Brianna because she associates the name Chanel with her previous bad behavior. Thank you. Sometimes the chapter said Chanel and sometimes it said Briana. That's what confused me. |
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Post by André DiMera on Aug 28, 2024 9:12:36 GMT -5
Hopefully Marlena really will tell Eric what’s going on after seeing Kayla. Love that the judge confronted Saxon! Wonder who she called. Great chapter, heroicmuse! |
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Post by Kpatch on Aug 28, 2024 9:44:37 GMT -5
Marlena is changing the subject. LOL. Eric needs to let Marlena have her space.
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Post by heroicmuse on Aug 29, 2024 6:18:27 GMT -5
Week 507 - 4
In her office, Nicole leaned her phone on her ear. “I’m glad you’re thinking ahead. You can’t be too careful, not if there’s a police cover-up involved. The guy being named Prescott doesn’t make him safe. But keep me in the loop too, all right? You can’t have too many people watching your back, I always say.”
She sighed deeply as she hung up.
“That our girls?” Sally asked, looking up from her computer.
Nicole nodded. “I hope sending them to Chicago was the right thing to do. This is JJ all over again, having to worry whether I’m going to get two kids killed because they don’t know the difference between searching for the truth and putting a target on their back. This is why I never wanted interns in the first place. Too much responsibility.”
“Truth-telling’s a dangerous profession, but someone’s gotta do it.” Sally smiled slightly. “The good news is these two aren’t the way JJ was. He never found a dangerous situation that didn’t call his name. Alison and Emily are level-headed. They aren’t going to go jumping into the fire feet first and worry about getting burned later.” She swirled her mouse around to wake up her computer. “You think this is gonna lead to something that can expose that Sloan Petersen for what she is?”
“The chances are… well, so small they’re almost non-existent. But she did prosecute Josh McCarthy’s case, so maybe there’s something there.” Nicole sighed. “In addition to hoping they stay safe, I also have to worry about what happens if it turns out this is all a wild corrupt cop case and Alison’s brother was passed out in that car because he drove with off-the-charts levels of alcohol in his system.”
“I doubt that’s the case,” Sally said. “You know how I feel about cops. Besides, that tox screen didn’t wander off by itself, so chances are someone hid it for a reason.” She smiled slightly. “Now come on, leave your worries at the door and let’s get to work on today’s show before we have to go with what Miles wants to do.”
“I’m sure there’s some obscure anniversary he’d love to run with,” Nicole said, “so I guess we’d better not let him.” She pulled her chair closer to Sally. “I’m sorry, Sally. My mind’s all over the place with this situation with Rafe and now the girls being in Chicago…”
“I get it, believe me. But that’s what you have me here for. To keep you safe and on-track.”
Nicole nodded as she looked over Sally’s shoulder at the schedule on her screen.
At Salem Kunivenile Correction, the boy known as Snake was brought to a visiting area in handcuffs. Two guards sat him down in a chair before taking off the cuffs.
He stared across the table at Trask, who was sitting there waiting for him. “Who the hell are you?”
“Your lawyer,” Trask said, and lowered her voice to add, “if anyone asks. In reality, just a friend.”
“Yeah, whatever.” Snake crossed his arms. “If you’re here to pressure me to snitch on the Fire Lions, I told the cops back in Salem I wasn’t gonna, and that ain’t changed, so…”
“I’m not.” Trask leaned forward. “I’m here because we have an enemy in common. YOu were arrested because of Daniela Olsen.”
“Who?”
“Her.” Trask held up a pritnout of a photo of Dani.
“Oh. Right. Sad-Eyes, that’s what we called her, cause when she gets a little booze in her she gets weepy.” Snake laughed, then his face got hard. “You telling me she got the cops on me on purpose that day?”
“No, no, nothing like that. But I need some info on her.”
“WHat for?”
“Let’s just say she’s standing between me and something I want very badly.” Trask leaned forward. “I know she’s on probation. I need to know what kinds of things she might do to break the law so I can keep my eye out.”
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Post by André DiMera on Aug 29, 2024 11:16:44 GMT -5
I’m glad Nicole has Sally. Ugh, I hate that Trask is teaming up with Snake! Great chapter, heroicmuse! |
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Post by heroicmuse on Aug 30, 2024 6:11:51 GMT -5
Week 507 - 5
“You sure you’re going to be okay doing this?” Emily asked. She and Alison had decided to go to the prison where Josh was being held, before they tried to talk to the cops. If they could get Josh’s side of the story, it would make it easier to convince Gerald Prescott and whoever else in the police department who was involved with Josh’s case to talk to them.
Alison tilted her head up and stared at the visitor’s center building from the outside. It was as sterile and prison-like as any other part of the complex. The barbed wire and brown bricks amde it clear this was a prison.
“Just a sec,” she said. “I have to finish making the visitor request online before they’ll let us in.” She pressed a few buttons on her phone. “There.”
Alison put her phone away and she and Emily made their way to the visitor’s center. There was a phone outside the door and they had to pick it up and identify themselves and tell the guard who they were here to see before being buzzed in. Then they had to show the guard at the desk two forms of ID each and go through security, which included a pat-down as well as going through a metal detector and putting their things through the x-ray machine.
Phones and purses were not allowed, so they had to put those in lockers on the other side of the metal detector. They were allowed to keep a pen and paper, though a guard checked to make sure the pen wasn’t sharp enough to hurt anyone with.
“All right, ladies,” the guard said when they had finally gotten finished with all the security. “Have a seat and we’ll let you know when we’re ready to escort you to the visitor area.”
“Wow,” Emily said as they sat down pn hard, plastic seats. “I didn’t think the security would be this bad.”
“It’s prison,” Alison said flatly. “Believe it or not, this is mild. If he was in SuperMax…”
“Well, yeah, but still. All this cause he supposedly passed out drunk in his car?”
“And supposedly drove up onto a median and could have klled someone,” Alison said. “Not that he did any of it.”
Emily patted her hand.
A guard came up to them. “Emily Anderson?”
“That’s me,” Emily said and stood.
“Come with me to see your prisoner,” the guard said. Alison started to stand too but the guard said, “Not you, Miss. You’re not on his approved visitor list, so you’ll have to wait here. Sorry.”
“I’m not on his list?” Alison said, confused. “There has to be some mistake. I’m his sister.”
“You can write him a letter and ask him to include you for future visits, but I can’t let you see him today. Have a seat.” The guard turned toward Emily. “This way, Ms. Anderson.”
Alison sunk back into her seat. “This makes no sense,” she said to herself. “What are you doing, Josh? Why don’t you want to see me?” She blinked back tears.
“Thank you for seeing me so quickly,” Marlena said, sitting down across from Kayla. “I assume you got my test results since I got them.”
“Yes,” Kayla said. “I did. As I’m sure you know, you have deficiencies in both vitamin b12 and iron, which explains your fatigue and difficulty concentrating.”
“Right,” Marlena said. “I’m also aware that there are multiple causes for this type of problem, so let’s address the most serious one right away. Do you have any reason to believe these are early markers of dementia?”
Nat was meeting with Saxon in an interrogation room.
“Look,” he said. “I’m not going to sugarcoat it. You’ve run our case into the ground. The judge hates us, so if a jury finds you guilty, which they probably will, she’s not going to be lenient. Our best shot is to get the DA to agree to some kind of deal.”
Nat’s eyes narrowed. “That’s not what I hired you to do. How much am I paying you again?”
Saxon leaned forward. “You need to listen to me. You not doing that has ruined this trial. Now, you saw how hard I came at that girl who shot Marcel Simmons. The jury isn’t going to be impressed with that, especially because all they’re going to remember is you throwing a tantrum that landed you in jail.”
“Which you didn’t fight real hard, did you?” Nat crossed her arms. “Can’t you get the judge to go since she’s obviously biased?”
Saxon rubbed his temples. “Unfortunately, that’s not how the law works.”
“Find a way.” Nat locked eyes with him. “I’m not making no deals with the Devil. I want an acquittal and I’m willing to do whatever it takes for one. Are you?”
Saxon looked away. He straightened his tie nervously and said, “O-of course I am.”
“Then act like it.” Nat stood and knocked on the door. “Guard! I’m done here.”
The guards came in. Nat didn’t resist as her hands were cuffed behind her back and she was turned around and led away.
“Now what?” Saxon said to himself as soon as she was gone. “WIthdrawing is a death sentence but I’m not stupid enough to threaten a judge on her behalf, especially not this one.” He put his hand to his chin, thinking.
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Post by André DiMera on Aug 30, 2024 7:36:45 GMT -5
Wonder why Josh wouldn’t approve Alison for his visitor list but approved Emily. Something doesn’t seem right. Hopefully Marlena’s just overreacting. Can’t wait to find out her results! Nat really is stupid if she thinks there’s any way she’s getting out of this. Can we please have previews, heroicmuse? |
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Post by Kpatch on Aug 30, 2024 8:05:03 GMT -5
Ugh cliffhanger! I want to know what Kayla thinks of Marlena's question.
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Post by heroicmuse on Aug 31, 2024 8:28:19 GMT -5
Thank you André DiMera and Kpatch for your comments this week! Things take some interesting turns next week. I'm especially excited for a scene that surprised me as I wrote it. Coming Up on Breaking Ties...Although Rubin tells Andrew that she thinks Nat is digging her own grave, she also has disappointing news for Andrew: there's a reason that she can't authorize the safe house residents coming home just yet, and she has to talk to Kenneth about it. Elsewhere, meeting with Sydney about the bullying leaves Izzy more anxious, while in Salem, Kayla's reassurances aren't enough for Marlena, as the cause of her issues is still a gigantic question mark and she must go through more testing to get an answer. Finally, Judge Hildebrand is surprised and confused by her emotional reaction after a dinner meeting with a colleague, Emily's conversation with Josh involves a surprising and confusing revelation, and JJ and Paige both come home with the same idea about Mariposa. |
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