Breaking Ties: An Ensemble Story (Read 252,323 times)

[André DiMera]

It makes sense that Emily’s a bit shaken after what happened. Glad she went with Alison, either way.

The new program does sound exciting!

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[heroicmuse]

Week 510 - 5
Marlena hesitated, thinking about it. She remembered that she had told John she would rent a wheelchair from the mall if she felt she needed one, but she wasn’t quite ready to throw in the towel and admit she couldn’t muster the energy to walk through the stores. On the other hand, it wasn’t really about that. She was slowing everyone down.

“Oh, I don’t know,” she said. “It just seems to me your mother wants everything perfect so she can take pictures for her PalPage. You know how she is.” She smiled slightly.

“It wouldn’t ruin the pictures,” Paige said, “and if she said anything I’d stand up for you. Besides, all we’d have to do is threaten to call Eric and she’d back down.”

“Speaking of which,” Marlena said, “I’m surprised she didn’t invite Sami. You know, as a peace offering.”

“That’s probably not a good idea,” Paige said. “You know how Sami is when it comes to Eric. No one’s ever good enough for her brother.” She crossed her arms. “Anyway, you’re changing the subject.”

“I suppose I am.” Marlena sighed. “I know as a psychiatrist, I should be a good role model, and I should never let my own emotions get in the way of making sound decisions, but I just can’t abide the idea that I can’t keep up with you young people because if that’s the case… well, then, it means I’m old, doesn’t it?”

Paige shrugged. “I obviously can’t speak from experience, but I’ve heard that with age comes wisdom. Look at how Doug was up until almost the end. And Julie too. He never let his age be something to be ashamed of and neither does she. Besides, I heard that Stefano Dimera was in a wheelchair permanently toward the end. If it’s good enough for the man who sent waves of fear through the entire town just by saying his name…”

“All right, all right,” Marlena said. “You made your point.”

Eve came over just then. “There you two are. Now what could you possibly be gossiping about that has gotten you so distracted that you’re way back here?”

Paige raised her eyebrows at Marlena. Marlena said, “Oh, nothing. It’s just, we were wondering… would itb other you very much if I rented one of those wheelchairs? I’m afraid I can’t walk as fast as I used to, and I don’t want to hold everybody up.”

Paige put her hands on her hips and shot her mother a look, praying she didn’t say something that embarrassed Marlena just when she finally seemed open to the idea if using a wheelchair.


Saxon came slowly up to the witness stand. “Commissioner Carver,” he said, but there was no passion in his voice. He seemed to be going through the motions. “You said a lot about what Hannah Martin claimed Natalie Simmons did to her, but did you witness any of this behavior yourself?”

“I saw the bullet holes in her kitchen window,” Abe said, “and my team dug bullets out of the floor of her family’s apartment. We are lucky that her mother had quick reflexes and used them to knock Hannah to the floor and cover her or we might have had to wash her blood and brains off the walls.”

Saxon’s eyes widened. He rubbed his temples and said, “No one’s doubting what a tragedy that would have been. But Commissioner, do you have any evidence that Natalie Simmons shot that gun?”

“She ordered it,” Abe said. “The shooter told us about the pressure she put on him to shoot to kill.”

“So all you have is the word of a would-be killer who didn’t want to go to jail.”

Abe leaned forward. “I think you underestimate the courage it took to flip on Natalie Simmons. She demands loyalty and just like she ordered him to kill Hannah Martin — “

“Allegedly, since the only proof you have is this shooter’s word, isn’t it?”

Abe sighed. “Yes, that’s true.”

“And if you trust him so much, why isn’t he here testifying today?”

Rubin stood. “Objection, your Honor. The witness has no control over my choices in this trial.”

“Sustained,” Judge Hildebrand said.

“Actually,” Abe said, “I would like to say something, if I may.” The judge nodded and Abe said, “I can’t speak for the district attorney, but there is a very good reason the shooter is not on the witness list. Dead men can’t talk, and Darren Brown was fatally stabbed in prison only two weeks after serving a reduced sentence in exchange for his testimony about Natalie Simmons’ role in the crime he committed.”

Saxon squeezed his eyes shut. “Jesus,” he whispered. He opened his eyes again and said, his voice flat, “But you don’t have any proof that Natalie Simmons was behind that, do you?”

“No,” Abe said. “It happened during a fight in the lunchroom and nobody will tell us what it was about.”

Saxon nodded. Taking a deep breath, he said, “As for the plot to kidnap Hannah Martin, how do you know that that happened?”

“Hannah Martin reported it to me,” Abe said. “I could see the fear in her eyes as she told me that se was being forced to choose between her boyfriend’s freedom and safety and her own. To make matters worse, it was Christmas Eve and she was scared to go to her own family’s Christmas party because she thought Natalie Simmons might attack her there.”

“So… her word, then, and your interpretation of her body language. Isn’t it possible that she was afraid because she was lying about this so-called threat?”

Abe crossed his arms. “We arrested Ms. Simmons outside of the warehouse where Kenneth Hansen was being held, so I’d say it’s likely that she was part of this plot.”

“Maybe,” Saxon said, “but you can’t prove that she planned to abduct Hannah Martin, can you?”

“Actually, I can,” Abe said. “At the time of her arrest, we found her car keys on her. That car was parked behind the warehouse. In the trunk, we found duct tape and zipties, suggesting she was planning on restraining and gagging Hannah Martin and putting her in the trunk of her vehicle.”

Saxon’s eyes again widened, but he recovered, saying, “That’s, um… that’s a leap of logic, isn’t it? How can you prove that she planned to use those items on Hannah Martin?”

“Because I am a police officer with years of experience, and because I have the brainpower to make inferences from obvious facts,” Abe said. “She threatened Hannah, she was helping guard the hostage her brother already had, and she had materials in the trunk of her car that could be used to restrain another human being during an abduction. Do I know for certain that Hannah Martin was the intended victim? I suppose not. But given the other evidence, to think those were meant for someone else is not only not a defense to kidnapping, but quite frankly an insult to the intelligence of everyone in this room.”

Saxon flushed visibly and his jaw tightened, but he said only, “I see. Nothing further, your Honor.”

“You may step down,” Judge Hildebrand told Abe. “Ms. Rubin, are you ready to call your next witness?”

“I need a five minute recess to make a phone call,” Rubin said.

“In that case,” Hildebrand said, “while we take this recess, Mr. Saxon, I will see you in my chambers.”

[André DiMera]

Glad Paige convinced Marlena to use a wheelchair. I just hope Eve doesn’t dissuade her.

Loved Abe’s answers, especially towards the end! Wonder what Judge Hildebrand wants to see Saxon about now, and who Rubin’s calling.

Can we please have previews, heroicmuse?

[Kpatch]

Maybe Marlena should just go home if it's too much for her. Someone will have to push her. Or she can get one of those motorized scooters. And yes Marlena, you are old compared to the others. Marlena has always been very vain so I'm sure it's hard for her to admit these things.

[heroicmuse]

Thank you André DiMera and Kpatch for your comments this week. We are fast approaching the Season 10 premiere of Breaking Ties in January, and I'm so honored that you have stuck with this story for so long!

Meanwhile, there's plenty of drama this week. Read on for spoilers.

Coming Up on Breaking Ties...
Not everyone is excited about Mr. Woods' new initiative. Vicki is frustrated that her friends don't understand her hesitation about it, while across town, Ruby is already nervous about starting high school and the email she gets about internships doesn't help any.

Meanwhile, Nat's case moves forward now that Kenneth is ready to testify. However, a conversation with Andrew reveals that there is ISA interest in his testimony as well. Andrew tells Kenneth he can't explain the reasons, and he's being literal, as later Andrew and Paul try to figure out why the ISA is so interested in what Kenneth has to say.

Before Kenneth testifies, the judge issues Saxon a strong warning that leaves him stuck between a rock and a hard place. Kenneth holds his own during cross-examination, and then the prosecution rests, leaving the safe house residents to discuss their anxiety that Nat will somehow wriggle out of trouble and their plans for when they finally get to go home. Hannah and Brianna are supportive of one another now, leaving Brianna with an important question about whether Hannah has finally forgiven her.

Elsewhere, Marlena makes a decision after talking to Eve and Rafe lets Lucas know what Kate has been up to.

[André DiMera]

Myself, I’m excited for Mr.. Woods’ plan, but we’ll see what happens with the kids.

Wonder why the ISA is interested in Kenneth’s testimony. Either way, I can’t wait for his testimony! Glad to see Hannah and Brianna getting closer.

Hopefully Eve won’t make this a big issue. Wonder how Lucas will react to what Kate’s been up to.

Thanks for the previews, heroicmuse!

[Kpatch]

I don't think Lucas has any sway over Kate's behavior, at least he hasn't up to now, but we'll see.

Interested to know what Marlena will decide.

[heroicmuse]

Week 511 - 1
Vicki had video called Allie and Claire to tell them about this development. “Now that we’re in eleventh grade, I guess everything’s changing,” she said.

“I think it sounds exciting,” Allie said. “Did your uncle give you a list of where we can get internships?”

Vicki looked away. “I didn’t ask.”

“Why not?” Claire said.

Vicki shrugged. “He said there were no forensics labs, so what do I care what there is?”

“Maybe there will be something else,” Allie said. “I never thought I’d say this, but I can’t wait for school to start. Is it just our grade or are younger kids eligible too?”

“How do I know? I just said, I didn’t ask.”

“All right, all right,” Allie said. “Don’t bite my head off. I was just thinking about Syd, that’s all. She was really excited to be a junior counselor at camp, but if she can’t do internships like us when she gets to school, she’s going to be super upset.”

“I’ll give her my spot,” Vicki said.

“Hey!” Claire said. “Stop being so negative. This is gonna be a great year. You’ll see.”


Saxon straightened his tie nervously as he sank into a seat across from Judge Hildebrand’s desk. “W-what can I do for you, your Honor?”

“You seem awfully nervous,” Judge Hildebrand, “almost as if you have regressed to some childhood experience of being sent to the principal’s office.”

“That’s what it feels like, your Honor,” Saxon said. “I know I didn’t do great in there, but…”

Judge Hildebrand held up her hand. “We can’t discuss the specifics of what happened in my courtroom, including my opinion of how well you did or didn’t do. But if you think you are not doing your best work, it confirms a concern I have.”

Saxon swallowed hard. “What concern might that be?”

Judge Hildebrand sighed. “Last time we spoke, I informed you that if you chose to withdraw as counsel for Natalie Simmons, I would not oppose it. However, you declined to do so.”
“Yes, and I still decline. And if you’re pressuring me to change my mind, that comes very close to an ex parte communication.” Saxon’s eyes darted all over the place.

“That would not come close. It would be an ex parte communication. Fortunately, I have the sense not to engage in such behavior.” Judge Hildebrand leaned forward. “However, I must say this. Since you have chosen to retain this client, you are expected to put forth an honest effort at defending her.”

Saxon wriggled. “Of course, Your Honor.”

“I’m glad we are in agreement on that point. However, that is not what I saw in the courtroom today. I saw you distracted, not paying attention during direct examination, passing over obvious opportunities to object to the prosecutor’s questions.”

“That was a strategic choice. If the jury sees too many objections, they start to think your side has something to hide.”

“Perhaps. But that does not explain your flat, weary voice when you cross-examined the witness or the two minutes you spent staring into space before you began.”

Saxon bit his lip. “Again, I’d be careful of ex parte communications if I were you, Your Honor.”

“And I’d be careful of disrespecting a judge who has already given you far more leeway than you deserve,” Judge Hildebrand said, her voice hard. “Let me be clear, Mr. Saxon. Not only could I choose to hold you in contempt for your tone to me just now, but I could start proceedings to have you disbarred over your conduct in the courtroom this morning.”

“M-my conduct?” Saxon pulled on his tie. “Look, with all due respect… you advised me not to let my client call the shots and now that I’ve done that you’re threatening to take my law license.”

“Stop the BS.” Hildebrand raised her voice slightly, making Saxon jump. “Ah, good, I finally got your attention. You know and I know that ‘not your best work’ doesn’t quite describe what happened in there. Here is what it looked like to me, Mr. Saxon. It looked like you have had enough of Natalie Simmons and lack the courage to fire her as a client, so instead you are deliberately tanking the case so that you’ll be removed from it. Either that, or you’re hoping she can appeal on the grounds of ineffective counsel because it’s the only move you have left after how badly things are going, and again, in service of that aim are tanking the case.”

“I’m not,” Saxon insisted.

Judge Hildebrand held up her hand. “I can’t prove it objectively, but I saw what I saw in there. So let me be perfectly clear: either decide this case is not for you and withdraw or decide that it is and give it your all. Do not try to play both sides by hanging onto the case and then deliberately sabotaging it. That is a violation of Ms. Simmons’ rights, it’s grounds for appeal, and it’s grounds for you to lose your license, and I will report you to the State Bar Association if I even suspect you are trying to throw an easy win to Ms. Rubin. Do I make myself clear?”

Saxon stared at the ground. “Y-yes, your Honor.”

“Good. Now go back out to the courtroom, and when we start again, I expect to see you bringing your A game, not your F- game.”

“Understood.” Saxon rose slowly and shuffled away.

Judge Hildebrand frowned as she watched him go. “What in the world has gotten into that man?” she said to herself. She sighed deeply as she picked up a case file, preparing to leave her chambers.

[André DiMera]

Glad at least Allie and Claire are excited.

I’m so glad Judge Hildebrand told Saxon off! Even if I don’t like him or Nat, or if he doesn’t, Nat still deserves a fair trial.

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[Kpatch]

It's nice that Vicki's friends are trying to keep her positive about this opportunity.

[heroicmuse]

Week 511 - 2

Andrew handed Kenneth a tie. “Here,” he said. “This has been approved by the ISA. It not only will make you look court-appropriate, but has an internal microphone so that thre can be no question that you will be heard properly.”

Kenneth frowned. “Was that a problem for everyone else?”

“No, but you never know when they will try it.” Andrew crossed his arms. “I’ll level with you,” he said under his breath. “The state isn’t the only one who wants Natalie Simmons. We think your testimony will be invaluable in pinning some crimes on her that the ISA is very interested in.”

“No pressure or anything,” Kenneth said as he put the tie around his neck. As he tightened it, he asked, “What exactly are you guys looking for?”

“I can’t tell you that. It would influence your testimony. But I can promise you that Nat is going to pay for everything she did. Now turn around and let me see how you look.”

Kenneth obeyed, reluctantly. “Whatever you’re not telling me, it’s gotta be something big.”

“Oh, it is,” Andrew said. “I promise.” He looked over Kenneth’s gray suit and light yellow tie. “Perfect. If you’re ready, I’ll have Paul set up the video feed and then we’ll let DA Rubin know she can go ahead.”

Andrew left to get Paul. Kenneth sank down onto his bed, wondering what he’d just gotten involved with.


At camp, the girls were having lunch. “I can’t believe we’re finally going home tomorrow,” Charley said, smiling widely.

“That’s the first time I’ve seen you smile this whole time,” Ari said. “Was it really that bad?”

“At first it was,” Charley said, “but it was okay, I guess. I mean, archery was fun.”

“And she’s good at it,” Izzy added. “She hit the target 8 times.”

Charley shrugged. “I got lucky.”

“I bet you’ll win the trophy,” Ari said. “I’m probably getting one for horseback.” She turned toward Izzy. “My dads will be more proud that I went a whole summer without getting in trouble, though.”

“You don’t seem like a troublemaker,” Izzy said.
Ari reddened. “I don’t do it on purpose. Most of the time, anyway. Besides, I’ve grown up a lot now that I’m going into middle school.”

“Oh, you’re a sixth-grader,” Izzy said. “I thought you were seventh at least. I’m going into fifth.”

“I’m the baby,” Charley said. “I’m only a fourth-grader.” She took a sip of her water. “I’ll miss you at school.”

“Brookville isn’t that far,” Izzy said. “We could hang out, maybe… I mean, if you want to.” She went bright red.

Yep, Charley thought. Definite crush. She swallowed hard, not sure what to say.


Lucas had met Rafe at the cafe.

“Thanks for coming,” Rafe said. “I know we’re not exactly close, but I did have something I needed to talk to you about.”

“Is it about your case?” Lucas said. “Yeah, it is, isn’t it? I can see it written all over your face.” His smile faded. “I heard about the testimony the other day. Is my mom going to get arrested soon? Is that what you’re telling me?”

“God, I hope not. This thing is already enough of a mess.” Rafe sipped his coffee. “But it is about your mom. She came to see me the other day, which was really not the best idea considering I’m accused of conspiring with her to cover up a crime.”

“Yeah,” Lucas said. “She does cornball stuff like that. Unfortunately, I can’t do anything about that. I can get through to Sami better than I can to her, believe it or not.”

“That’s why I needed to see you,” Rafe said. “Your mom had some choice things to say about Sami.”

“Course she did,” Lucas said. “What’d she say this time? She can’t believe I married someone who is as crazy as she is and is just as good at justifying harebrained schemes?”

“Something like that,” Rafe said. “Her latest idea is that if she pleads guilty, they’ll leave me alone, which isn’t how it works, by the way. I checked with Justin to confirm.”

“Yeah, I figured that,” Lucas said. “So… do I want to know how Sami’s name came up?”

“Probably not, but I’m gonna tell you anyway.” Rafe wrapped his hands around his coffee cup. “See, when I didn’t go for it, your mom… well, she tried to convince me by offering to break you guys up so that I could swoop in, as if I didn’t already have a girlfriend not named Sami that I’m in love with.”

Lucas raised his eyebrows, not sure what to say to that.

[Kpatch]

I can't wait for Charley to tell her parents about her experiences at camp.

I'm glad Rafe gave Lucas a heads-up.

[André DiMera]

Wonder what Nat did that the ISA is interested in.

I’m not sure whether Charley’s right about Izzy having a crush on her or not, but I hope she agrees to hang out sometime.

Wonder how Lucas will react to that!

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[heroicmuse]

Week 511 - 3
In their private bedroom, Paul said to Andrew, “You gave him the bugged tie?”

“Yeah,” Andrew said, “and I told him it was so we could make sure the sound quality is good when he testifies, but he didn’t buy it. I had to tell him that the ISA has an interest in the case.”

“You did what you had to do,” Paul said as he typed something on the computer. “He doesn’t know why we’re doing what we’re doing, that’s what counts.”

“Right,” Andrew said. “Though I really don’t get it. My dad didn’t do any better a job explaining it to me than I did to Kenneth, which makes me think that whatever is going on, it’s way above my pay grade.”

“Yeah, mine too, cause I don’t know much more than you do.” Paul sat down on the bed next to Andrew and began rubbing his shoulders. “All I know is, the ISA was interested from the moment Kenneth Hansen was kidnapped.”

Andrew frowned. “They don’t think he’s compromised?”

“That wouldn’t make sense. He was the victim. What I know of the case is that Kenneth was taken randomly, in some harebrained scheme by Marcel Simmons to force the government to drop their case against him, and then when he learned he’d kidnapped Hannah Martin’s boyfriend, he and Nat came up with a further harebrained scheme to force Hannah to surrender herself in exchange for Kenneth. Why the ISA would care about any of that, though, is beyond me.”

“Hmm,” Andrew said. “The only way this makes sense is if there was an ISA informant involved. But if it was one of the Simmonses, why would Kenneth getting abducted trigger anything? And why wouldn’t they have come forward before now to say hey, we have an interest in Natalie Simmons and we’re taking custody of her?”

“I don’t know,” Paul said. “But then we have the fact that the person who shot Marcel Simmons turned out to be Kenneth Hansen’s long-lost and presumed dead cousin, who was herself kidnapped at birth, and nobody ever found out how that happened, as far as I know.”

“My Uncle Steve looked into it,” Andrew said, “and concluded it was an honest mistake. A clerical error where someone put the wrong ID number into the computer system so the wrong baby was declared dead.”

“That sounds awfully suspicious to me,” Paul said, “and as soon as this is over, I’ll ask if I can look into it. Even with how much tech has changed in the last 25 years, there has to be a digital trail, and if someone mixed up those records on purpose, I can find out.”

“Right,” Andrew said. He patted Paul’s hand. “Okay, so let’s say someone stole Brianna Hansen and threw her into the foster system on purpose. Why would the ISA want to be able to listen in on Kenneth’s testimony today? Brianna’s only going to come up in the context of her being coerced into silencing Marcel Simmons permanently. And Brianna herself testified about that, so…”

“That’s what doesn’t make sense,” Paul agreed. “The baby switch could have been part of a black market baby scheme gone wrong. The ISA was looking into one a few years ago and discovered that Nicole Walker’s baby had been taken and sold to Milo Harp. But again, what does that have to do with Kenneth?”

“I don’t know,” Andrew said, “but if you can get into the feed my dad has agents listening in on, I’d like to hear it. We’re supposed to be making sure no one influences Kenneth’s testimony anyway, so if anyone should be eavesdropping, it’s us, and maybe if we find out what’s being said, we can work backwards to figure out what the ISA is really after.”



Meanwhile, Kenneth glanced at the bedroom door, which was closed and locked, before turning toward the monitor Paul had set up for him.

Rubin had him state his name and spell it for the record. Then she said, “When did you and Natalie Simmons first cross paths?”

“If you mean, when we actually met, it was after I was kidnapped,” Kenneth said. “I didn’t see her, mind you, cause they had me blindfolded, but I heard her voice, arguing with Marcel about what to do with me. But I heard of her plenty before that cause of all the things she did to Hannah, my girlfriend.”

Saxon made a note on his pad but didn’t object. Rubin, ignoring him, said, “Let’s back up. I know this is difficult, but I need you to tell the court about your kidnapping.”

“Yeah, okay.” Kenneth swallowed hard. “It was a couple years ago, about a week before Christmas. Marcel Simmons was on the loose so maybe I should have known better than to take the trash out at night but I was trying to help out my uncle and I didn’t want to live in fear, so out I went, and, um, he grabbed me from behind and he had a gun. Told me to keep my mouth shut and put my hands up or I was dead.” He blinked. “Long story short, he forced me back into the house and he tied up my uncle and stole his car keys before tying me up too. Only reason he didn’t get my baby sister is she heard everything and hid upstairs but he heard a noise a-and went looking and if he’d got her… I don’t even wanna think about what he would have done to her cause we all know he likes forcing himself on young girls.” Kenneth let his breath out slowly as a murmur went through the courtroom.

“Quiet, please,” Judge Hildebrand said. “Mr. Hansen, do you need a minute?”

“I’m all right, thanks.” Kenneth took some water. “Anyway, eventually he tied me up too and blindfolded me and then like I said he stole my uncle’s car. I don’t know to this day exactly where I was held. They say it was a warehouse, the cops found me tied to a pipe and him passed out on the floor after Nat poisoned him.”

Saxon made another note, but he saw the judge looking at him and knew he had to be more aggressive than he felt like being. He stood and said, “Objection, your Honor. The witness is speculating about what happened to his kidnapper.”

Rubin said, “He might have been blindfolded, but he could hear what was going on.”

“If he can’t speak directly to what happened to Marcel Simmons, that will surely come out in cross,” the judge said. “Go on, Ms. Rubin.”

“Thank you, your Honor,” Rubin said as Saxon sat down. “You’re sure Natalie Simmons was there?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Kenneth said. “I heard her talking to Marcel all the time, and she’s the one who fed me. They never untied me or anything but she’d take the gag out and feed me like I was a baby. She was real soft spoken and she acted like she was on my side, but I know she wasn’t cause of what happened with Hannah.”

“What happened?” Rubin asked.

“Hannah called Marcel. I guess that was one of the ransom demands or whatever you’d call it. She said she wanted to know I was okay and if she was satisfied she’d trade her own freedom for mine.” Kenneth’s voice shook. “They let me talk to her for just a second and I tried to tell her no, don’t do it, but no sooner did she hear my voice than Nat stuffed the gag back in my mouth and told Hannah it was a deal. Hannah begged her to let her have Christmas with her family and Nat acted like she was doing her this big favor by saying she’d call her when it was time and she’d have to leave the party and surrender to her. And the… screwed up thing is, I don’t think she was gonna let me go. I think she was gonna hold us both there and God only knows what she and Marcel would have done to Hannah if Nat hadn’t got arrested before it all went through.”

“What happened after that?” Rubin asked gently.

“I sat there for I don’t know how long, feeling helpless cause that’s what I was. There was nothing I could do to protect Hannah from that monster, not when they had me tied to that pipe and blindfolded and all that. Couldn’t do anything but worry. But the next morning, I heard Nat come in and I heard her tell Marcel he’d better drink the coffee she gave him, and then I heard a thud like something heavy falling to the floor. Next thing I know, there’s all this noise outside, people shouting, ordering her to freeze. I was pulling hard against those bonds, thinking something even worse was coming my way til the police burst in and I heard Abe Carver identifying himself and telling me he’d have me out of there in a minute. He freed me and then he had some EMTs take me and Marcel to the hospital. Marcel was cuffed to the gurney. I wasn’t.” Kenneth stared into space, remembering what he had just described, the fear he’d felt when Nat was arrested, how hard he’d struggled, determined to free himself even though it was impossible. How hard he was breathing and begging through the gag when the cops burst in, how badly his eyes hurt when they took off the blindfold and got him out into the world after being held captive in that dark warehouse…

“I know this isn’t easy to talk about,” Rubin said. “I just need to ask you a few things about the aftermath of this kidnapping that Nat and her brother orchestrated. Were you given a clean bill of health at the hospital?”

“Physically, yeah. I was dehydrated and hungry and they had me on all kinds of IVs. But mentally…” Kenneth gulped. “I was so disoriented that when they told me it was Christmas, I thought a whole year had passed instead of a day and even after that passed, well, let’s just say I was messed up in the head and I did things I wasn’t proud of.”

“Like what?” Rubin asked.

“I bought a gun,” Kenneth said. “My mom didn’t want one in the house with my sister, but I kept it locked in my room and had it on me when I went out. I know how to shoot and everything, my dad taught me before he passed. Anyway, I had it on me when I was with Hannah and she got mad when she found out cause it was violation of her probation to be around weapons. We almost broke up cause I wouldn’t get rid of it even though I was putting her freedom and my sister’s safety at risk. I-I know it doesn’t make sense, but after Nat and Marcel… I felt like I had to have it to protect myself. I thought, if I’d had it on me maybe he wouldn’t have taken me and I wasn’t gonna let it happen twice, so…”

“And the gun you bought, did you buy it legally?”

“Not exactly.” Kenneth gulped. “I bought it at a gun shop that didn’t bother with the background checks you’re supposed to have, and later I found out it was stolen property.”

Rubin nodded. “What happened to that gun, Kenneth?”

“My mom found it and confiscated it right around the time Marcel was shot. She brought it to one of those programs at the police station to return guns for cash and that was the end of it.”

“But your gun wasn’t the one used in the shooting, is that correct?”

“No, it wasn’t. Nat forced my cousin Brianna, she was going by Chanel then… anyway she made her shoot Marcel with a gun Nat gave her and then she made her put it under my seat in the court to try to get me arrested for it.”

Saxon got up again. “Objection! The defendant didn’t have firsthand knowledge of any of this other than that the gun was found under his seat.”

Judge Hildebrand sighed. “I’m tempted to let you make that point in cross, Mr. Saxon, but you are correct. Mr. Hansen, please stick to only the facts you know, not those you have been told by others.”

“Yes, ma’am. I apologize.” Kenneth rubbed his temples. “I was framed and later my cousin Brianna turned herself in for shooting Marcel and putting the gun under my seat.”

Rubin nodded. “In the meantime, were you arrested?”

“Technically. It’s all kind of a blur. I was sitting in the front row waiting for the trial to begin and they brought Marcel in and suddenly there were these loud pops and he went down. Security jumped into action and they made us line up with our hands behind our heads, men on one side, women on the other. Anyway… once they got us to this big room for questioning, a couple cops checked my ID and pulled me aside to talk privately. I wasn’t under arrest but not allowed to leave either, and they pretty much interrogated me for hours, and after they finally released me I learned the only reason I was allowed to go home was Abe Carver said he wasn’t pressing charges without more solid evidence. But I was also told to stick around Salem in case they had more questions, so I knew if I didn’t clear my name quick, it was a jail cell for me. If they hadn’t been able to prove the gun used in the shooting wasn’t the one I bought, I’d probably have been locked up within a few days.”

Rubin nodded. “Have you had any more encounters with Natalie Simmons since that terrible day?”

“I got a couple calls the last few weeks, mostly telling me to tell Hannah not to testify if she knew what was good for her.”

“And the reason you’re testifying from an undisclosed location instead of court is?”

“Cause we were all moved to a safe house after someone rear-ended Hannah and her family and send her a message saying next time it would be more serious if she went ahead with her testimony.”

“Thank you,” Rubin said. “Nothing further.”

She sat down, triumphantly. Saxon smirked as he got up, though he was moving more slowly than usual toward the monitor, as if his heart wasn’t really in this.

[André DiMera]

Wow, so even Andrew and Paul don’t know what the ISA wants with Kenneth. Interesting. Glad they’re looking into it.

That must have been hard for Kenneth to go over all that again, but his testimony so far has been great!

Great chapter, heroicmuse!