Roswell Fanatics

TITLE: 'Guilty Until Proven Innocent"
AUTHOR: Itzstacie
DISCLAIMER: I don’t own anything., I am only borrowing the names of the characters. Tristin I do own, its the name of my nephew and just had to use it
PAIRINGS: ML,MM
RATING: ADULT
SUMMERY: Liz Parker is wrongley accused of a crime, Max Evans the lead prosecutor finds himself battling between his heart and the oath he took when jumping on the chance to take the case. Max and Isabel are not brother and sister.

This story is based on a challenge by Tequathisy. If you would like to read it, you can find it here. Its challenge #137

http://www.roswellfanatics.net/viewtopi ... &start=250

AN: Some of you may have already read this when I started it back in August, because of Hurricane Katrina I wasnt able to continue it until now, so I thought I would just start over and repost the first chapter again. I am working on the next chapter which should be ready in a couple of days. I want to thank everyone for your prayers and thoughts going thru this horrible ordeal. Still have along way to go before things are back to normal for me but I am at a point where I am ready to start writing again, so I hope you all havent forgot about me and enjoy this story. Like I stated before this is the first time I am doing a challenge so I hope I do it justice.

I had two lovely ladies make banners for this story and I couldnt decide so I am posting them both this one time.

banner is done by dreamer<3



banner is done by mrsjbehr



Part 1

Maria Deluca blew a strand of hair out of her eyes as she and her partner pulled up to the mansion. She just recently got promoted to detective and what is the first assignment her captain sends her out on…a homicide.

‘You know if you don’t think you can handle it, can always have the captain put you back on desk duty’ Tristin Jones her newly appointed partner smirked from the drivers side.

‘Bite me Jones’ she muttered as she threw open the door ‘let’s go’.

Walking up to the sectioned off police tape she flashed her new shiny badge and walked up into the mansion. Her first thought was it looked like a zoo in there, officers were everywhere taking pictures, bagging evidence.

She walked straight to the victim’s body covered in a white sheet ‘what do you have for me Valenti’.

Kyle Valenti known coroner for the police department smiled up at her ‘they finally let you join the rat race, no more pushing pencils’.

“What is this pick on Deluca day’ Maria growled.

‘Awe don’t worry honey we just making sure you ready to get your boots wet’ Tristin teased.

‘Call me honey again and I’ll shove your gun up your ass’ she looked down at Kyle ‘okay give it to me, what do you have’.

Kyle smiled ‘someone’s eager to get her face known’ Maria glared at him ‘victim is female Caucasian, approximately mid twenties, multi stab wounds to torso and upper chest area’.

He pulled back the sheet and she wanted to puke right then and there, quickly masking her expression before they could tease her. She pulled out a pair of plastic gloves and put them on squatting down next to the body ‘weapon’?

“None found, but my guess a hunting knife of some kind and by the looks of it they decided to have fun with it while carving her up’.

‘Shit do you realize who that is’ Tristin exclaimed wide eyed.

Maria looked back down to the body her brows creasing; she did look kind of familiar.

‘Oh come on, don’t tell me you don’t know Theresa Harding’ Tristin said.

‘No shit your right…press is gonna love this’ Kyle said.

‘Any signs of rape’ she asked.

‘Panties still on, doesn’t look like but I wont know for sure until I get her on the table’ he answered.

‘You have a time’ Maria asked studying the corpse, she could make out bruises along the neckline and she glanced around for the source of it.

‘About eight or nine hours’.

“Who found her’ Maria asked looking back over her shoulder making sure Tristin was writing the information down.

‘Don’t know have to ask Blake, heard he was the first one on the scene’ Kyle said.

‘Was he the one who removed the device used to strangle her’ she asked?

‘Huh…what’ Kyle said looking back down at the body ‘well I’ll be dammed’ he said studying the neck.

Maria smiled ‘looks like your slipping’ she stood up and pulled off the blood covered gloves and put them in a bag to dispose of later, slipping on a new pair she walked towards the officers standing there talking.

‘Where’s Blake’ she asked?

‘Got called back to the station’ one of the rookies answered.

She looked around the room ‘anything missing’?

‘Not that we can tell, money, credit cards look all there. Doesn’t look like a robbery’.

‘Any forced entries’?

‘No, everything is still intact’.

Tristin looked at here ‘probably knew the attacker’.

Maria nodded and walked around the room looking for anything out of the ordinary; she pointed towards two wineglasses sitting on the table ‘she had company’.

Tristin nodded his head motioning towards an officer ‘bag them and send it to forensics for prints’.

“Yes sir’ the officer answered and carefully picked up the glasses and depositing them inside evidence bags.

Walking over to the coffee table she started looking through the papers laying there, out of the corner of her eye she spotted a yellow envelope marked confidential. Picking it up she dumped out the contents onto the table to discover surveillance photos along with a business card.

‘These are interesting’ Tristin said picking up the photos and looking at a dark hair woman along with a sandy hair man. There were about twenty photos of the two talking, hugging and some of them looked like they were sharing an imitate kiss. “Wonder what these are for’.

Maria picked up the business card twirling it in her fingers ‘Guess we will just have to ask Mr. Brody Davis private investigator’.

She scooped up the pictures putting them back into the envelope ‘that should be our first stop’ she said.

“Or we could just go straight to the source’ Tristin said holding up a black date book full of credit cards and one drivers license ‘belongs to one Elizabeth Parker’.


~~~~~


Twenty-six year old Max Evans ran a hand through his hair as he leaned back against the wall of the elevator waiting as it rode up to his floor. Graduating at the top of his class he expected to be doing something more.

Sure he was a successful prosecuting attorney and people feared him in the courtroom, but he wanted more. He wanted to be district attorney and the way things were going lately he was never going to get that title slapped onto the end of his name.

His track record was excellent being the top prosecutor with only one loss under his belt, he felt like he just needed one small break to get his path in the right direction. His goal was to run for office and he just needed one good case to ‘seal the deal’, as he liked to call it to put him ahead of the candidates.

The elevator chimed and the doors slid open alerting him he reached his floor, flashing his million dollar smile he made his way towards his office, greeting the sectaries and other attorneys. He made his way to over to his assistant who was standing by the coffee machine ‘morning Pam please tell me we have something big coming’.

He met Pam Troy while attending law school; they became good friends and when she graduated seventh in the class he offered her a position in the company after taking it over from his father when he graduated.

Pam smiled and started following him into his office ‘morning to you too’.

‘So what’s the scoop’ he asked sitting down and firing up his computer.

She took a seat across from his desk, crossing her legs she put her coffee cup down on the desk ‘how do you know there’s a scoop’?

He looked up and smiled ‘because your wearing your I got a inside scoop smile’.

She laughed ‘you know me to well’.

‘So what is it and please tell me it will make my day’.

‘It will make your day’ she said.

‘Well tell me already’.

‘I just happen to find out that one famous actress by the name of Tess Harding was brutally murdered last night in her home’.

Max’s eyes lit up ‘are you serious…do they have a suspect’?

“They are working on a couple of leads, should have one in custody soon’ she said.

“I want this case’ Max said leaning forward ‘this is just what we need…are you sure your source is correct’.

‘Yes I’m sure, it’s legit’.

‘Oh right, keep forgetting you like to play with the boys in blue’ he teased.

‘Its only one and if I didn’t you wouldn’t have had half of the cases you did’ she glared.

“Joking’ he said ‘I know I am forever in your debt’.

‘Trust me I’ll make you pay someday…now get on the phone with daddy and have him pull some strings to get us on this case’ she said standing up and picking up her coffee cup.

‘You know my dads retired and we can get this case on our own’ he said.

She just looked at him and proceeded to walk to the door ‘call him’ she said before walking out.

Max leaned back in his chair and smiled, this is what he had been waiting for. Whoever this suspect was had better watch out he was going to make their life a living hell.

Oh yeah he thought by the time he was through with them, they were going to wish they killed themselves right along with Miss Harding. He smiled even bigger as he picked up the phone and called home.

Thank you everyone for your feedback, I got done early so here is the next chapter

Part 2

“Hey Brian, please tell me the shipment has arrived for the Amedee wedding’ Liz Parker pleaded with her assistant on the phone.

‘No can do boss, truck driver called and said he broke down right outside of town, has to wait for a tow truck’.

‘Great just great, Mattie is going to flip out’ she stated.

At twenty six years old Liz Parker could say her life was anything but ordinary. Her life seemed to be never ending with running a small flower shop just inside town.

Business was always good and kept her extremely busy. Her stepbrother Alex would always tell her that she was going to run herself into an early grave if she didn’t slow down and take time to enjoy life.

‘Want me to call her’ Brian asked?

“No I’m walking in the door right now, I’ll handle it’ she said hanging up the phone.

Cursing under her breath she walked into her small shop and instantly put on a smile when she saw customers looking around ‘Good morning’ she greeted them as she walked past.

Walking into the back she placed her coffee and cell phone down on the desk, Brian followed her in and sat down ‘Want me to take the truck and go pick up the delivery’.

She smiled ‘please would you...you don’t know how much I was dreading having to call her and tell her the flowers wouldn’t be here on time’.

‘No problem doll, just let me finish stocking the balloon display and I’ll be on my way’ he said.

‘Thanks Brian you’re a lifesaver’.

He smiled and left the office, finishing up her coffee she walked back up front to take over the register while Brian was finishing stocking. Ten minutes later the door chimed and she looked up to see two customers walk in.
“Good morning can I help you’ Liz asked, her eyes widened when they pulled out two badges and flashed them.

‘Are you Liz Parker?’

‘Yes’.

“I’m detective Deluca and my partner detective Jones, we’d like to ask you a few questions’.

‘Okay’.

‘Miss Parker do you know a Theresa Harding’ Tristin quickly jumped in taking over.

Liz fumed ‘Look tell that waco that I haven’t broken any laws, I’ve stayed true to the restraining order’.

Maria and Tristin looked at one another, Maria quickly wrote down in her pad to pull the order up later and see what its about.

“Miss Parker where were you two nights ago around ten pm’.

‘At home...why’ she asked?

‘Can anyone vouch for you”? Maria asked.

‘No...what’s this about’?

“Miss Parker I’m going to need you to come down to the station please’.

‘I’m not going anywhere...what the hell is going on’ she demanded.

Tristin stepped closer ‘we can do this the easy way, or the hard way, now we’re asking nicely to come with us’ he stated.

“Fine just let me tell my assistant’ she stormed off before they could protest.

‘Brian call Michael and have him meet me at the police station’.

‘Everything okay’ he asked.

“ I don’t know, just call’ she said before leaving.

She was seated in a small room with a rectangle table and four chairs, the walls were stark white except for a mirror placed on the wall. She knew it was two way mirror that they were using to watch her.

She sat there tapping her nails on the table wondering what the hell was taking so long. The door opened and Detective Jones walked in holding a folder. Walking up to the table he turned a chair around and sat backwards on it across from her slapping the folder down on the table.

‘What was your relation to Miss Harding, Liz...may I call you Liz’.

‘No you can’t and we weren’t anything’ she sniped out.

He pulled out a file from the folder ‘it says here she had a restraining order against you’.

‘That’s because she is psycho’.

‘It states that she was afraid for her life, that you threatened her...why is that’?

“I don’t know’ Liz answered.

‘I think you do Miss Parker, and I also think she had good reason to be seeing how she was murdered two nights ago’.

Liz’s eyes widened ‘what do you mean she’s dead’.

‘Just what I said’ he opened the folder and tossed out the photos taken of her body. Liz covered her mouth to stop from throwing up. The grotesque pictures made her stomach churn and she had a hard time trying not to gag.

‘Why are showing me these’ suddenly it dawned on her ‘you think I did this’ she yelled out.
“Tell me Miss Parker did you hate her that much, did you enjoy stabbing her over and over’ Tristin sneered.

‘I did not kill her’ she screamed.

The door opened and Maria walked in with a brown paper bag ‘Jones captain wants to see you’.

Tristin stood up and leaned over the table ‘I’ll be back’.

The door closed behind him and Liz looked up at Maria ‘let me guess you’re the good cop she said sarcastically.

Maria smiled and sat down ‘actually I am’.

Liz folded her arms over her chest ‘Yeah well I’m not saying another word until my lawyer gets here’.

‘That’s fine we’ll just sit here then’ Maria said and placed the bag on top fo the table, opening it up she took out a plastic bag marked evidence.

“While we’re waiting want to explain how this was found at the crime scene’ she asked.

Liz gasped when she saw her date book inside the bag ‘I don’t know, I lost that a week ago’ she hid her hands underneath the table so noone could see her trembling.

Maria raised her eyebrow and just looked at her, Liz exploded.

‘Its true call the damn bank and credit card companies, I reported that stuff stolen three weeks ago’.

The door flew open again and in walked a tall brown haired guy, Maria looked him up and down appreciably. She had to admit she had never seen someone that good looking before.

“Liz don’t say another word’ he turned towards Maria and his breath got caught in his throat, he actually forgot what he was saying.

‘And who the hell are you” Maria asked standing up.
‘What do I look like, I’m her lawyer Michael Guerin’.

He just had to open his mouth she thought ‘they let anybody be a lawyer these days’ she mumbled under her breath.

‘What was that Blondie’ he remarked.

‘Blondie’ she stomped over and poked him in the chest ‘you better watch yourself buddy, or I’ll throw your ass in the slammer’ she fumed out.

Michael quirked an eyebrow and folded his arms over his chest ‘on what charge’ he smirked.

‘Being a pain in the ass’ she stated.

‘Bite me’ he mumbled.

‘What did you say’ she asked.

Liz sat there with her hand over her mouth trying to hide her smile, these two had it bad for each other, she never believed in love at first sight before, but these two were proving her wrong.

Michael narrowed his eyes at Maria ‘I’d like a word with my client...alone’ he stated.

Maria rolled her eyes ‘whatever you say spiky’.

He went to open his mouth but Liz beat him to it ‘sit down Michael’.

His eyes followed Maria until she was out of the room, once the door closed he finally sat down.

‘Oh God Michael they think I killed Tess’.

‘Did you’?

‘Michael this is serious’.


‘I’m kidding, relax I know you didn’t...When was she killed’ he asked.

‘Two nights ago...Michael she had my date book the one I lost three weeks ago, and I was home alone when she was murdered without an alibi....what am I going to do’ she cried out.

Michael reached over and took her hand ‘Liz it’s going to be okay...its circumstantial evidence, they don’t have anything’.

Liz pulled her hand away and covered her eyes ‘I can’t believe this’ her shoulders shook as she started to cry harder.

‘Liz just don’t say anything else, I’ll handle it’ he said, he stood up and walked around leaning down to her level ‘hey...sh. don’t cry things are going to be okay’.

Liz sniffed and wiped her eyes nodding her head. Michael stood up and walked to the door as both detectives came back in.

‘I want my client released right now’ he demanded.

‘We are not done talking to her’ Maria stated.

‘You have nothing to hold her here...either arrest her or let her go, either way she is done talking for the day’ he said.

Liz’s eyes widen and Michael’s mouth dropped open when Tristin walked over and pulled her up out of the seat. Turning her around he placed both of her arms behind her placing handcuffs on them.

‘Elizabeth Parker you are under the arrest for the murder of Theresa Harding. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to be speak to an attorney, and to have an attorney present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you at government expense’.

wow thanks for the respones guys,,,don't worry all will be revealed

vampyrax
POM
RhondaAnn
begonia9508
icequeen
madroswellfan
nibbles2
Erina
Alma
Drogyn
kittens
Ellie
Natz
tequathisy
Antarian Chick
FaithfulAngel24
cherie

Thanks for all the feedback.

Chapter 3

‘Mr. Evans statement please’ the reporters crowded around him as strode up the stairs to the courthouse.

‘Mr Evans is it true they have arrested someone involved with the murder of Miss Harding’ another reporter shouted out.

Max turned at the top of the stairs smoothing out his newly cleaned suit, he flashed his million dollar smile ‘Call me Max please, Mr. Evans sounds like your calling me my father’.

‘Max’ a red-headed reporter stepped forward, thrusting out her chest to show off her cleavage smiling at him ‘would you answer a few questions please’ she said batting her eyelashes.

He winked at her ‘only a few’ he flirted.

‘Can you tell us who is in custody’ a reporter shouted from the back.

‘At this time I can not say...but I will say this I will make sure this person pays harshly for their crime, I will not rest until Miss Harding’s murderer is brought to justice, and you can quote me on that’.

He turned to walk into the courthouse ‘Mr. Evans...Max’ the reporters shouted trying to get his attention. He keep walking “no more comments at this time’ he stated. Walking inside he met up with his assistant Pam.

‘You are so bad’ she said falling into step with him.

‘Got to keep then on their toes’ he smiled.

She rolled her eyes as they continued to walk ‘did you find out who the defense attorney is yet’ he asked.

‘Yes your gonna love this....its’ Michael Guerin’.

He stopped and looked at her ‘are you serious’.

She nodded her head ‘your going to have to be on our toes with this one’ she said taking out several folders.

‘I can handle him’ he said taking the folders from her.

Pam smiled ‘whatever you say boss’ they walked thru the double doors leading to the court room.

****

Maria pulled up in front of the three story building, parking she made sure she had her badge before getting out of the car. Squinting she looked up at the ratty old building, why is it that private investigators always worked out the worst places she thought.

Tristin followed behind her ‘why are we still investigating this, we have our killer’.

Maria looked at him ‘something just not right...if you want to back to the station go ahead’.

Tristin shook his head ‘Deluca your going to be trouble’ he muttered.

She smiled at him and walked thru the door ‘didn’t they warn you, my middle name is trouble’.

‘Great...just great’ he stated as he followed her into the elevator.

They rode up to the second floor, stepping out when the doors opened. Maria shook her head at the filthy hallway and searched the doors looking for one in particular, she found it and knocked against the glass.

‘Come in’ a male voice called out and they opened the door to see a blonde curly haired man sitting behind a desk talking on the phone.

‘I’ll have to call you back’ he told the caller hanging up the phone, standing up he asked ‘can I help you’.

Maria pulled out her badge “I’m detective Deluca and this is detective Jones, we would like to ask you a few questions about on of your clients’.

“I”m afraid I cant do that..I do have a client confidentially you know’ Brody answered.

Maria took a seat across from him “I’m sure you’ll want to talk when your handiwork was found at a murder scene. Now I know you wouldn’t want to be any trouble, or slow the investigation any’ she said.

‘Murder’ Brody croaked.

Maria nodded her head ‘that’s right, these photos along with your card was found at Miss Harding’s house, now what I want to know is why you were following this women’.

She showed him the pictures of Liz, he studied the photos a bit and handed them back to her ‘I wasn’t following her’ he answered.

Maria raised a brow at him and gave him a look like she didn’t believe him, Brody reached forward and tapped the picture “I was following him’ he said.

“Why and who is he’ Tristin asked taking the photo from Maria.

‘Miss Harding hired me to follow him, she said he was her boyfriend and suspected that he may have been cheating on her’.

‘His name’ Maria asked.

‘James Khivar’

‘So he was having an affair with this women’ Tristin asked as he tapped the photo of Liz and James.

Brody shook his head ‘no not that I could tell, they were just friends’.

Maria took the picture back from Tristin and looked at it ‘looks like they were from this picture’.

‘Funny how pictures can be deceiving’ Brody said ‘if you look closely you can see he’s whispering to her’.

‘Looks like they are kissing to me’ Tristin said as he took the picture from Maria.

“Look at it again’ he instructed. Mara snatched the picture and looked at it again, this time she could make out the slight tilt to her head and his mouth close to her ear, she had to admit at first glance it looked like they were kissing, but you could tell they weren’t if you looked closely.

Putting the photo back down ‘what was Miss Harding’s reaction when you showed her these’ she asked.

“She was outraged...but if you ask me I think she was a little out of the box to begin with’ Brody answered. “It was like she was obsessed with him or something, she would keep mumbling about how that bitch wasn’t going to steal this one away’.

Maria stood up ‘thank you for your time Mr. Davis, you’ve been a big help, if we have any more questions we’ll call’.

She picked up the photos and grabbed Tristin by the elbow dragging him out of the office.

‘Where to now’ he asked?

‘Back to Miss Parker, I want to know exactly what her relationship to Khivar was’.

‘Thinking maybe a jealousy thing got out of control’ he stated.

‘I don’t know’.

**

‘Docket number 116 state verses Liz Parker, charged with murder in the first degree’ the bailiff called out sliding a folder onto the judges desk.

Max Evans stood at the podium ready to do battle, that is until the defendant walked in to the court room being lead by security. He stood staring at the petite brunette, she had on a simple grey skirt that came just above her knees and a matching silky gray shirt to go with it. Her hair flowed freely down her back and he could have sworn he died and went to heaven.

He had never seen someone so beautiful before, his stomach flipped flopped wildy and his heart actually skipped a beat. Good lord this was the person he was sending to jail for life.

She raised her head and her eyes met his, his mouth went dry and he felt dizzy from being sucked into the depths of her eyes. There was no way he was going to survive this he thought.

A swift kick in his shin sent him whirling back to reality and he snapped his head glaring at Pam. She motioned towards the front, he turned to see the judge looking at him clearly not amused, out of the corner of his eye he could see Michael smirking bastard he thought.

‘Mr. Evans so glad to see you back in the land of the living now can we carrying on I haven’t got all day’ the judge declared.

‘Sorry your honor’ Max said opening his folder.

‘Miss Parker you have been accused of murder in the first degree, how do you plea’ the judge asked.

‘Not guilty your honor’ Liz replied.

Max faltered a step back, her voice was like heaven too, did she have to speak he thought. He felt his heartbeat picking up, this woman was going to be the death of him he swore.

‘Max what is wrong with you’ Pam hissed in his ear.

He shook his head ‘I’m fine ‘ he said, get her out of your head he told himself. He focused back on what he was doing.

Michael opened his mouth ‘your honor Miss Parker is a well know citizen who has never been in trouble with the law, anyone can tell you she is the most caring, most loving person there is around. The defense request that Miss Parker be released from these ridiculous accusations that the state has made’.

“Miss Parker brutally murdered Theresa Harding, stabbing her repeatedly with a knife while strangling her’ Max barked out.

Michael spoke louder ‘no murder weapon was found and the only evidence the state has is all circumstantial’.

‘Your honor we have an eye witness that will account to seeing Miss Parker at the time of the murder’ Max interrupted.

Michael looked at Liz as her eyes got wide ‘I wasn’t there Michael I swear’ she whispered.

‘Sh. calm down’ he whispered back.

‘Bail set at twenty-five thousand, court date is set two months from now. Bailiff please escort the defendant back to her cell’ the judge ordered with a snap of his gavel dismissing them.

‘Oh God’ Liz cried out as they walked forward to put the handcuffs back on her.

“Don’t worry Liz’ Michael reassured her ‘I’ll get you out’.

Max watched the scene unfold as he gathered up his belongings, he sucked in his breath when Liz lifted her head and looked at him with tears streaming down her face, he didn’t understand why he suddenly felt a stabbing pain in his chest. He turned his back on her so he couldn’t look at her, this was his job and no pretty face was going to interfere with him getting what he wanted he told himself.

Thank you all for your feedback, so anyone have any suspects yet lol.

pLANETv33n3ss-Happy New Year to you too, hope you had a good one.

vampyrax-Nope its not, he's going to have a hard time.

Ellie-you get a small insite in this chapter, but more will be revealed later.

POM-I'm glad you enjoyed the first glance.

begonia9508-Thanks

Erina- they will start soon.

RhondaAnn-You'll find out soon, most likely the next chapter.

Natz- Glad you liked it

madroswellfan-hope this is soon enough for you.

icequeen- he's going to be thrown for a loop a few times.

tequathisy-this chapters answers that somewhat.

Grace52373-t The Duo will team up, I'll tell you that much.

Alma- the jealously begins this chapter

cherie-so glad you are liking this, I hope everything is okay for you soon and your back posting where you belong.

FaithfulAngel24- More Scabbles next chapter

nibbles2-Thanks for the feedback.

and thanks to the lurkers for reading too, here you go

Chapter 4

Maria walked down the stairs leading to the jail cells carrying two cups of coffee. Stopping in front of cell block four she blinked; then looked up to make sure she had the right one. Cursing under her breath she ran back up the stairs.

‘Where is Parker’ she demanded, Frankie looked up from his paperwork ‘made bail about an hour ago’.

“Who made it’ she asked, he turned back to his paperwork ‘don’t know ask up-front’.

Maria turned and stomped towards the front dumping the coffee cups in a nearby trash can. Before she could get to the main desk, Kyle stepped out in front of her.

‘Hey anyone ever tell you, you look hot when your pissed’.

‘Valenti, get out of my way before you find yourself laying on your own autopsy table’.

‘Now you know its not nice to make threats to your fellow officers’ Kyle teased.

‘Do you have something for me or are you just wasting my time for nothing’ she growled putting her hand on her holster.

Kyle held up his hands ‘alright sheesh, nobody ever wants to talk to me. My only friends are dead people, and they don’t even talk to me, they just lay there’.

‘Kyle-

‘Okay...okay put that gun away, yes I have something for you if you would step into my office’.

“This better be worth it’ she said following him down to the morgue.

Kyle walked to the desk and grabbed a folder, plopping down on a stool he handed Maria the folder.
‘It seems our Miss Harding had sex with a few people in the course of a day’.

Maria’s eyes widen ‘did you give the samples to forensics’.

‘Already taken care of doll’.

“You’re the best Kyle’ Maria grabbed him by the cheeks and planted one on him ‘don’t let that go to your head’.

‘Which one’ Kyle smiled.

Maria rolled her eyes ‘not even going to comment’ she read over the report ‘twenty-seven stab wounds, strangulation, man someone really hated her’.

‘Yeah and she didn’t even fight back, no skin or hair under fingernails, there was nothing but the several different sperm samples’.

“Any matches’ she asked looking over the report’.

‘Only one..the names on there’.

Maria raised her eyebrow when she saw the name ‘thanks Valenti’ she said closing the file and slipping it under her arm.

“Anytime...now if you would excuse me I have a date with a stiff’ he said shooing her out of the room.

Maria walked up the stairs out into the open area ‘Hey Deluca, Blake is back from leave’.

‘Thanks Mike’ she said and headed towards Blake’s desk ‘You have some explaining to do’ she said sitting on the end of his desk.

He looked up and leaned back in his chair ‘Look I already had my ass chewed out by the captain, okay I don’t need you busting my balls either’.

‘You removed physical evidence off of a murder victim’ she started but he cut her off.

‘I already explained myself okay, you still have the nylon so no harm done. Now excuse me I have work to do’ he said picking up the phone and proceeding to ignore her.

Maria scowled and walked towards the front desk ‘who bailed Parker out’.

The rookie picked up the clipboard and read thru the names ‘Michael Guerin’ he answered.

“Great Spiky is just full of surprises isn’t he’ she mumbled under her breath.

***

Liz curled up on the end of the sofa with a cup of hot tea staring out the window. She fought to keep the tears at bay, her whole life was falling apart and she felt helpless to stop it. Brian had called and said three clients dropped their appointments and to make matters worse someone had spray painted Killer on her front door.

Michael had immediately taken her back to his place and told her to stay there until the trial was over and her name was cleared. He then called Alex and told him to get on the first plane out here. Raising her head she watched as Michael growled as he hung up the phone.

‘We have a meeting with the prosecutor, he’s going to try and offer a deal. We are not going to take it’ he said.

‘Why’ she asked turning to face him.

‘Because anything he offers is still going to cost you jail time, and your not going to spend any time there when this is over’ he said taking a seat next to her.

Liz gave him a small smile ‘Michael thank you for everything, and I promise I’ll pay you back every cent when this is over’.

Michael looked at her “Liz I don’t want your money, if it wasn’t for you and your family I wouldn’t even be here right now. So consider this a favor, nothing more, nothing less okay”.

“Okay’ Liz smiled.

‘Good now go get ready so we can go meet with the devil’s reject’.

Liz stood up laughing ‘what’s the deal between you two’.

‘Remember when I first started out I was working at Regan’s law office, Max was a colleague there. We just never got along’ he said.

‘Was he the one that tried to get you fired by misplacing files’ she asked.

‘Yeah but I could never prove it, but I know it was him. He was just jealous because the senior partners paid more attention to me than him, now go we don’t have much time’ he said. She nodded her head and went upstairs to change.

**

Max paced back and forth in the room, he knew he made a rash decision in calling this meeting. He had no intentions of offering anything, but he just had to see her again.

Her brown eyes haunted him day and night, dreams of her long dark hair covering his body, her luscious lips consuming him invaded his mind He couldn’t wait for this trial to start to see her again, so he drew up a proposal and sent it.

Maybe Pam was right when she told him he was getting in over his head, and this case was going to be his doom instead of his victory. He checked his watch for the tenth time, they should be here any minute. Taking a seat he picked up a pencil and started fiddling with it trying to act casual.

Pam opened the door and led Michael and Liz in the room, she shook her head when she caught Max staring at Liz like a love sick puppy. She took a seat next to Max and waited for the two of them to sit.

Liz sat down directly across from Max and he snapped his pencil in two. She raised her eyebrow at him and smiled at the glazed look on his face. Pam kicked him hard under the table and he snapped his head towards her ‘what’ he stated rubbing his shin.

‘Their waiting’ she stated.

He shook his head ‘right...uh...where were we’ he asked looking at Pam.

Pam shook her head and pointed to the papers in front of him, when he looked back down she raised her eyes to the ceiling he was going to lose this case.

Michael looked directly at him ‘we weren’t anywhere, so can you get on with it and tell us why your wasting my clients time’.

Max glared at him, then turned to Liz offering her a smile. When she didn’t return the gesture he frowned then cleared his throat ‘okay then, we are willing to take a lesser plea, manslaughter 8-10 your client never goes to trial’.

‘No deal’ Michael stated.

Max scowled ‘it would be in your clients best interest to take the deal, if this goes to trial she will get life. The jury wont be lenient’.

‘My client didn’t do anything, and the jury will see that all you did was waist peoples tax dollars’ Michael growled.

“Michael’ Liz whispered and placed her hand on his arm missing the shooting daggers that came out of Max’s eyes as he stared at Michael’s arm.

Turning back to Max, she looked him in the eye ‘Mr. Evans’

‘Max please’

‘Mr. Evans, there will be no deal. I am innocent and the jury will see that, I know there is a chance that I can lose but I have faith and I will take my chances with the jury. Now if you would excuse me I have things to do’ she stood up grabbing her purse and walking out.

Max slumped back in his chair covering his heart with his hand checking to make sure it was still beating, she actually talked to him. Pam picked up a pad of paper and whopped him in the head ‘what the hell are you doing, are you trying to blow your chances at becoming D.A.’

Max rubbed the sore spot on his head ‘relax, I have everything under control’.

Down below on the streets Liz slipped into the passenger side listening to Michael call Max everything under the sun.

‘You have to admit he is good-looking’ she said fastening her seatbelt.

‘Liz have you lose your mind’ he huffed starting the car.

‘What I’m just saying’

Michael shook his head muttering about crazy women as he put the car in drive and sped off.

Thank you guys for all your feedback, I am really enjoying reading your reactions to the characters. I hope I am doing the challenge justice.

Chapter 5

Maria pulled up to the two story house ‘I’ll talk to you later I’m following up on something’ she could hear Tristin sigh on the other end ‘when are you going to let this go, they got a solid case against her’.

‘Maybe’ Maria said ‘I gotta go’ she hung up the phone and stepped out of the car. Pulling up her shades she studied the house ‘what do you know, monkey boy’s got taste’ she said pulling her shades back down and walking to the door.

She knocked three times and waited for someone to answer. Inside she had hoped it would be him, even though she thought he was a pain in the ass he was easy on the eyes. A petite blonde answered the door, sure he had a girlfriend she thought.

“Yes...May I help you’ she asked raising an eyebrow.

Maria raised one right back at her ‘I’m looking for Liz Parker’.

“She’s not seeing anyone’ she answered and proceeded to shut the door in her face, Maria put her hand out stopping her. ‘Excuse me’ the blonde sneered.

‘I suggest you go get Miss Parker’ Maria stated thru clenched teeth.

‘Sarina what’s going on’ Liz asked walking up to the door, her insides started shaking as she squeaked out ‘Dect. Deluca’.

Serena’s eyes widen ‘I’m so sorry..I didn’t know’

“You bet your sorry’ she said to Serena then looked at Liz ‘I need to talk to you’ and proceeded to walk thru the front door.

Serena looked at Liz as she gave her a reassuring smile ‘it’ll be okay’ she said. She walked into the living room taking a seat across from Maria ‘what can I do for you’ she asked.

Maria turned and looked at Serena ‘do you mind leaving us alone’.

Serena folded her arms across her chest and leaned against the door frame making it clear she wasn’t going anywhere. Liz sighed ‘Serena could you please get us some drinks’. Serena huffed ‘fine’ and stormed out of the room.

Maria looked at Liz ‘I want some answers’ she stated.

“I told you everything’ Liz replied ‘you’ve ruined my life, what more could you possibly want from me’.

Maria pulled out a pad and flipped through it ‘there are a lot of unanswered questions, like who is James Khivar’.

‘He has nothing to do with this, leave him alone’ Liz started to get angry.

‘See that’s where you are wrong, Miss Harding thought he was her boyfriend, she was having him followed. So I say he’s a very big part of this’.

‘What do you mean he was followed’ Liz panicked.

‘Miss Harding hired a private investigator to follow him, claiming he was her boyfriend and that he was cheating on her’ Maria tried to judge her reaction but Liz’s face was blank ‘you were in a lot of those photos that were taken’ that did it Liz’s eyes got wide. ‘Now I’m asking who is he and where can I find him’.

Serena walked in carrying a tray of drinks ‘he’s our brother’.

‘Serena’ Liz warned.

‘Brother’ Maria raised her eyebrow ‘his last name is Khivar, yours is Parker how is that possible’.

Serena sat the tray down on the coffee table ‘yeah and my last name is Benoit, so what’.

Liz could tell Maria was confused, sighing softly she spoke ‘my parents take in foster kids and raise them. Serena and James were two of the kids I grew up with, so they might not be blood but they are like family to me’.

Maria nodded her head and wrote it down ‘so how did Tess and James meet’.

‘I honestly don’t know, James works as a bartender for a catering business he could have meet her thru that’ Liz stood up and grabbed one of the drinks taking a sip.

‘Where is he now’ she asked.

‘He’s away’ Serena answered quickly and gave Liz a look which didn’t go unnoticed by Maria.

‘Away where’.

“He went back home to help my father with some business, I can’t necessarily leave the state so he went in my place’ Liz answered.

The front door opened “LIZ’ they could hear Michael shout, walking into the living room he stopped short ‘what are you doing here’ he turned and looked at Liz ‘what the hell is she doing in my house’.

Maria stood up ‘relax spiky I came to ask a few questions’.

Michael stomped over until he was nose to nose with her ‘lets get this straight, this is my house. You don’t just show up here without my knowledge do you understand’.

‘I suggest you back up a step before you find yourself flat on your back’ she said poking a finger in his chest.

He grabbed the finger ‘Its my hou– OOF’ he found himself staring up at the ceiling, hearing a clicking noise he turned his head looking at his arm which was now handcuffed to the leg of the couch.

Liz covered her mouth wide-eyed trying to hide her smile, while Serena and the other person busted out laughing “So Liz how have you been’ he asked.

‘Been better Alex how about you’ she smiled and threw her arms around his neck ‘I’m so glad to see you’.

Maria walked over ignoring Michael’s demands to let him go ‘Hello I”m Maria Deluca’ she stuck out her hand.

Alex shook her hand ‘Alex Liz’s brother’.

Maria turned her head towards Liz ‘Another foster’ she asked.

Liz shook her head ‘no he’s blood’.

‘Nice to meet you’ she said to Alex, ‘same here’ he looked over at Michael ‘are you going to let him go anytime soon’.

‘I”m going to sue your ass’ he yelled pulling at the handcuffs ‘you hear me Blonde’.

Maria rolled her eyes and looked back to them ‘look I’m going to say this once. I-

‘THIS IS POLICE BRUTALITY’ Michael screamed

‘Would you shut up’ Maria turned and stomped towards him.

‘Let me go you...you...you ditz on sticks’.

Liz gasped walking over there “Michael would you shut up your only making things worse’.

“I will not shut up, I’m being violated in my own home’ he yanked on the handcuffs again.

Maria bent down ‘oh alright you big baby, but so help me if another word comes out of your mouth’ she turned and looked at Liz while un-cuffing him ‘I can’t believe you have him representing you’.

‘He’s actually really good’ Serena said taking a seat on the couch ‘even if his actions show otherwise’.

‘Shut up Serena before I stick your ass back on a plane home’ he stated rubbing his wrist where the handcuff was.

‘In case you forgot, I’ve lived here for the last five months you moron’ she said sticking her tongue out at him.

‘Guys please’ Liz pleaded.

Maria looked at Liz ‘how did your parents handle all these kids’ she asked amused.

“It wasn’t as bad as you think’ she said helping Michael up.

Maria looked at Michael ‘we at least it explains some things’

Michael stalked up to her ‘what is that suppose to mean’.

‘Nothing...nothing’ she said raising her hands up in defeat.

‘That’s it’ Michael went to grab her elbow but stopped when she gave him a look ‘Its time for you to go’ he said.

‘I’m not done yet’.

‘Oh yes you are’.

‘Who Says’

‘I do, now take your pad and go’ this time he grabbed her elbow and started pushing her towards the door ‘you’re not getting anything else from us’.

Maria swung her elbow back hard hitting him in the gut ‘Look you idiot, I don’t think she did it okay’.

He stopped short and looked at her ‘what do you mean by that’.

‘Just what I said, I don’t think she did it’.

‘Well why did you let your partner arrest her, why the hell didn’t you say something sooner’ he demanded stepping closer to her.

‘My hands were tied okay, that’s why I”m doing this on my own. My partner and everyone thinks she’s guilty. I don’t so stop busting my ass because I’m trying to help her’ Maria yelled taking a step closer to him.

Liz walked in the hallway to see them standing toe to toe, she felt like screaming kiss already. It was clear they were both attracted to each other. She cleared her throat and they both turned to towards her.

‘I only have one more question for right now, then I’ll leave okay’ she said taking a step towards Liz.

‘Okay’ Liz stated.

‘Where can I find your assistant Brian’

‘At home...why..what does he have to do with this’ Liz asked worrying.

‘Because’ Maria stated ‘he was sleeping with Miss Harding’.

If it gets to confusing with the jumping around let me know and I'll think of something else.. I added it to the summary but to let you know Max and Isabel are not related in this fic. Thanks guys for all the feedback.

Tanya** I had to do it lol, Luv ya babe


Chapter 6

Max folded the newspaper placing it on his desk and leaning back in his chair he stared out the window.

‘I see you finally got your head out of the clouds’ Pam stated walking in and taking a seat across from him.

‘I told you I had everything under control’ he said glancing back at the black and white picture in the newspaper.

Pam shook her head ‘you’re falling for her’ she said leaning forward and snatching the newspaper. He jerked his head up ‘no I’m not’.

Pam raised her eyebrow ‘yes you are, admit it’ she said looking the photo of Liz in the newspaper. Max stood up and yanked the paper from her ‘okay so maybe I am, but she’s a murderer. I would be stupid to try something’.

‘Do you really think she did it’ she asked. Max looked at her like she was stupid ‘I wouldn’t be putting my ass on the line if I thought she was innocent. She’s going to rot in jail when I’m done, and just because she has a pretty face and a great body it doesn’t get her off’ he argued.

**
Liz stormed through the front door of her flower shop, locking the door behind her she leaned against the closed door closing her eyes as the tears started to swell. Everywhere she went people stared and made comments, some even set up shop in front of her store holding picket signs.

She peeked out of the window at the people picketing failing to notice she wasn’t alone ‘It’s been that way ever since the bail hearing’ startled she jumped and turned to see Brian sitting in the dark behind the counter.

‘What are you doing here’ she demanded, she watched as he reached up and grabbed a water bottle from the counter ‘trying to keep the flowers from dying’ he answered setting the bottle back down.

‘I have to ask you something and I want the truth’ she said walking towards him.

‘Okay’ he answered nervously and started fiddling with papers on the counter.

‘How long have you been sleeping with Tess Harding’ she asked.

‘Who’ he asked.

‘Don’t play stupid with me, you know the actress Theresa Harding, the one I’m accused of murdering’ she yelled.

He held his hands up ‘now I know how it must seem but I only slept with her once and I thought her name was Tanya”. Liz looked at him like he lost his mind.

‘I swear Liz, I had just met her that day. She came into the café I was having lunch at, she started flirting with me and well one thing led to another. I didn’t know who she was until I saw her picture in the paper’.

‘Do you really think I am that stupid Brian, that you didn’t know who a big time actress was’.

‘Liz I swear it, you know I don’t watch much tv and I never go to the movies’ he defended himself.

‘Then why the hell didn’t you say anything afterwards’ she screamed.

‘I don’t know...I was scared that you would fire me. You have always complained about Tess but I only knew of her name from you, never what she looked like’ he said.

Liz sighed and sat down on one of the stools ‘Brian you need to talk to the police, you might have been the last one to see her alive that day. They know you slept with her, which also means that you lied to me about not being in trouble before.

Because the only way the police could have your DNA on file already is if you got in trouble in the past, which you told me that you never gotten in trouble with the law before’.

Brain ran his hand through his hair ‘I got caught shoplifting once when I was fifteen, the guy I was with shoved some drugs into my pocket and the police busted me for stealing and possession. I was put on probation seeing as I was a first time offender and I had ratted the other guy out.

I don’t want it to affect me getting this job, I never stole anything else in my life...I swear it. I”m a good guy Liz you know that’.

Liz stood up ‘I don’t know what to believe anymore, my whole life is falling apart right in front of my eyes and I can’t do a dam thing to stop it’.

‘I’ll go talk to the police, I’ll tell them what happened. Please Liz just don’t fire me, I need this job’ he begged.

Liz started walking towards her office ‘I think for right now you need to take a leave of absence until this whole trial is over with’ she went in and closed the door. Walking to her desk she sat down in her chair and buried her head in her hands and started to cry.

**

Maria sat at her desk looking over the report again, things were just not adding up she kept repeating looking for something she might have missed before.

‘When are you going to give it a rest’ she heard and snapped her head up to find her partner standing in the doorway.

‘When I”m ready too’ she growled and looked back down at the papers.

Tristin sighed and came in sitting down across from her ‘even if you find something your going to be too late, just heard they are bumping up the Parker case. She goes to trial in three weeks’.

‘WHAT’ she screamed.

‘Evans must want that promotion pretty badly, he’s managed to get the judge to bump the case up. The people want justice and with elections coming up...well you know’.

‘Shit....shit...shit I got to go’ Maria jumped up quickly and ran for the door, just as she cleared the doorway she collided with a strong body, two arms reached out and stopped her from falling backwards.

‘Son of a -

‘I’m sorry ‘ she looked up to find herself looking into a pair of blue eyes, ‘Do you mind’ she yanked herself out of his hands.

He shook it off ‘can you tell me where I can find Dect. Maria Deluca’ .

Maria raised her eyebrow ‘I’m her and you are’.

‘My name is James Khivar, I believe you are looking for me’.

***

Michael hung up the phone cursing, that stupid bastard he thought. He looked up to see his assistant looking at him.

‘Isabel I may need you to stay longer a few nights, that asshole somehow managed to get Liz’s trial moved up”.

‘He never quits does he’ she asked shaking her head.

‘No but no worries I am going to knock him down a few pegs and make sure he understands that he will never beat me’ he said picking up some papers.

‘Michael are you sure this is not going to backfire on you, I mean I like Liz and all but what if you lose this, this can ruin your career’ she asked.

‘Do you really think Liz could kill someone Isabel’ he asked.

She shook her head ‘no I don’t think she is capable of that, I really believe someone is setting her up and I don’t know why, because Liz is one of the most nicest people I know’ she said.

‘I know and we will win this, now I have to go. I need to let Liz know what’s going on’ he stood up and grabbed his briefcase “Hey why don’t you come by for dinner, I think Liz needs all the support she can get right now’.

Isabel smiled ‘sure I’ll be there’.

‘You know the way’ he said then headed out the door.

thank you everyone for your feedback, as I said last night here is the next chapter, and those that missed my authors chat..Shame on you lol...JJ its enough for me that you are even reading this. Love You Guys

Behrsgirl77-*Muah* You know I love you girl, I knew that would make you smile lol.
Ellie-Yep there is three, but if I say who they all are now wouldnt have anything to use for the trial
RhondaAnn-nope she comes to him
begonia9508-Thanks
tequathisy- Nope will find out more about him later, there is some secrets there.
Erina- Max is going to have a hard time
Drogyn-I'll take that as I'm doing a good job leaving you all guessing.
Icequeen-Its going to be interesting lol, trial will start next chapter.
g7silvers-Yep lol and they are some tough decsions
vampyrax-your wait is over next chapter.
cherie-all will be revealed, still have a few more suprises in store
FaithfulAngel24-wont be seeing that much, but will find out more about it later.
madroswellfan- Thank You




Chapter 7

Michael eyed the extra plate sitting at the table ‘why is there an extra plate’ he asked.

Liz shrugged her shoulder like it was no big deal “I invited Maria to dinner’.

He blinked several times ‘why’.

‘Because I like her Michael, and she’s trying to help us’.

‘Okay, but why is she sitting next to me’.

‘I thought you two could talk’.

‘Why would I want to do that’.

‘Because you like her’ Liz said smiling at his got caught with hand in the cookie jar expression.

His mouth opened and closed several times before busting out ‘I do not’

‘You do too, she’s sweet’ she said.

‘She’s too perky’.

‘She’s pretty’ she argued.

‘She’s got a loud mouth’.

‘She gets to you’.

‘She beat me up’ he yelled.

Liz rolled her eyes ‘she did not beat you up, she merely detained you and besides you deserved to be handcuffed with the way you were acting’.

Meanwhile Alex opened the front door to find Isabel standing there, his palms begin to sweat immediately and he wondered if he was going to pass out because all the blood seemed to be rushing to his head.

‘Hello Alex’ she smiled.

‘Hi’ he squeaked out then cleared his throat ‘what brings you by’ he asked secretly hoping that she knew he was in town and came to see him.

‘Michael invited me’ she said straightening her purse strap.

‘Oh’ he said ‘well that was nice of him, you two haven’t crossed that mixing business with pleasure thing have you, which would be none of my business by the way and I really really hope that is not the case. Okay I’m going to stop rambling now forget I said anything, please come in’ he said opening the door wider and proceeding to smack himself with the door.

Isabel reached out ‘oh are you alright’ she asked trying to hide her smile, she reached up and ran her fingertips over his forehead.

‘I am now’ he breathed out, then realized he said it out loud, pointing to the dinning room he hitched his thumb ‘I’m just gonna-‘ and hightailed it out of there leaving her standing there.

Isabel laughed and closed the door following him into the dinning room, she smiled when she saw him pretending to be busy setting glasses down ‘Hello’ she said to Michael, Liz and Serina.

‘Hey Isabel glad you could come’ Liz said walking up and giving her a hug.

‘Hey Isabel excuse me for a moment, have to take care of something’ Serena said excusing her self from the room.

The doorbell rang and Alex left to answer it, coming back they saw Maria walk in. They were surprised to see she wasn’t alone ‘what are you doing here’ Liz demanded walking up and dragging James to the side.

‘Did you really think that I was going to let you go through this alone’ he answered.

“James I told you to stay away’ she whispered to him.

He touched her arm ‘I couldn’t Liz, your being framed for something you didn’t do, I couldn’t sit there and not do nothing. I had to try and help’.

‘That was in the past James, how is that going to help anything. How much did you tell her’ she asked looking over his shoulder making sure they weren’t being listened too.

‘Everything’ he said.

She closed her eyes ‘what about your business, I lied and told her you were a bartender James, when the senior partners find out they are going to fire you’ she said worried.

‘Relax Liz if they do then so be it, you are more important to me’ he said.

Liz nibbled on her bottom lip for a minute ‘maybe they wont find out, if we can keep Michael from putting you-

He cut her off ‘they are going to find out, because I am going to testify with or without your approval’.

Tears swelled up in her eyes ‘but everything you worked for’

He put his arm around her hugging her ‘it will all be okay you will see’.

‘Everything okay over here’ Maria asked walking up and interrupting them.

Liz nodded her head as she quickly wiped her eyes. ‘Everything is fine’ he said staring at Liz.

‘Good, I want you to know he did the right thing Liz, and I honestly believe he will help your case’ she said reassuring her.

Liz blew out her breath ‘I know I just really wanted to avoid people finding out some things and now-‘ she changed her sentence ‘I’m going to go check on dinner’ and left the room.

Maria turned and walked towards Michael ‘I need to talk to you for a second’ she said leaving him no room for argument as she dragged him out of the room.

Once in the study she closed the door ‘can’t this wait I’m hungry’ he whined.

‘No it can’t so suck it up’ she said locking the door.

‘I need you to keep an eye out for Liz’ she said seriously.

He raised his eyebrow ‘what do you think I’ve been doing all this time, playing dolls with her’ he said.

Maria sighed ‘look before I came here I left something in my office and had to go back to get it, while there I got a threatening phone call’.

Michael’s expression changed to worry ‘are you okay’.

‘I’m a big girl, I can handle myself’ she said.

‘Fine you do that, what did they say’ he got frustrated.

‘They told me to stop meddling before I found myself like Miss Harding’.

‘Did you trace the call, did you recognize the voice, how can you be calm about this’ he fired off running a hand through his hair.

Maria smirked ‘never knew you cared so much’.

Michael gave her a pointed look that clearly said to stop playing around, she rolled her eyes ‘no I didn’t get the trace the call they hung up before I could say anything really’.

‘Was it a male or female’.

‘I couldn’t tell they had their voice muffled, I didn’t want to say anything in front of Liz. She has enough to worry about, but this clearly shows that someone doesn’t want me poking around anymore’ she said.

“I don’t think you should either’ he stated.

Maria looked at him ‘a phone call is not going to scare me off, this is my job and no one is going to tell me how to do it’ she said taking a step closer to him.

‘It isn’t worth risking your life’ he screamed.

‘Hello I am a cop, risking my life is my job you moron’ she said breathing heavy from being flustered.

Michael stared at her for a minute and couldn’t help himself, he grabbed her arms and planted his lips on hers, he was going to pay for it later but right then he just didn’t give a damm.

It didn’t take Maria long to respond, she wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. He walked them back until she was leaning against the door tightening his hands on her waist he pinned her to the door kissing her like there was no tomorrow.

When air became a necessity he quickly jumped back ‘I didn’t mean to do that’ he stammered.

Maria just smiled ‘sure you didn’t buddy, but if it will make you feel better we will just say you tripped and your lips landed on mine’.

Before he could reply, someone banged on the door startling both of them ‘lets eat guys were starving here’.

‘This isn’t over with’ Maria said opening the door and following Alex in the dinning room where everyone was already sitting. Liz raised her eyebrows at Michael who was avoiding looking at everyone.

She looked to Maria who just smiled and sat down in her seat, she went to grab a roll and Michael stopped her ‘that’s mine, touch it again and I’ll stab you with my fork’.

I am so sorry guys for the long wait, I've been feeling like crud the last two weeks and just didnt have the willpower to really write. I hope this part makes up for it and I hope it came out okay..I know nothing about the court procedures or how they are handled so I did my best. Thank you all for the feedback and I love reading about who you suspect.

on a side note I did start posting a new story if you are interested, but you can only find it at my site and have to be registered member and be granted access into the forum..just click on my sig banner and it will take you there.

now to what you have been waiting for.

Chapter 8


Outside the court house it was a mad house, reporters lined the stairs while other people protested waiting on Liz Parker to arrive.

Inside the court house Max Evans sat nervously waiting to see his goddess, he couldn’t stop thinking about her, the way her hair shined, the way her eyes drew you in, and those lips he wanted so badly to find out if they were as soft as they looked.

He was so tempted to just do it before they took her away, just walk up to her and kiss her. She might even thank him for giving her; her last kiss before she was whisked off to jail. He hit himself on the forehead you moron you’re the one sending her to jail, you’d be lucky if she even looked your way ever again.

For the first time in his life he hated his job, it was the first time in a long time he actually was attracted to someone and it was just his luck it was the person he was putting on trial. He almost called the whole thing off but then he remembered he work his butt off to get where he was and he truly believed she was guilty,

**

Liz stared at herself in the mirror as she set her hairbrush down, closing her eyes she took a deep breath, this was it...it was either the beginning of her life or the end. Her life now rested in the fate of twelve people, twelve people who would determine whether or not she ever roamed the streets free again.

Alex walked in behind her and put his arm around her ‘everything is going to work out, believe in Michael’ he said placing a kiss on her forehead.

‘I do’ she replied ‘I just can’t believe this is happening to me’.

‘Your innocent Liz and soon everyone else is going to know that too, you have a lot of people who believe in you’.

James appeared at the door ‘hey you have some visitors downstairs’ he told her.

Liz raised her eyebrow ‘who’ she asked.

He smiled ‘just come on’ he said taking her hand and leading her down the stairs.

She walked into the living room and burst into tears at the sight of them ‘what are you doing here’ she asked as she ran into their arms.

They stood in a three way hug ‘your our daughter why wouldn’t we come’.

“I am so glad you are here’ she cried into their arms.

‘Shh’ her mom soothed ‘its all going to work out, we know you didn’t do anything Liz’.

‘It’s time’ Alex said breaking up the moment, Liz nodded her head and took hold of her fathers hand as they walked out the door.

‘Where’s Serena’ James asked as they got in the car ‘I swear that girl has been acting strange lately’.

Alex shut the door ‘she said she would meet us there’.

They pulled up into the front of the court house and Liz got nervous, so many people standing around. ‘You ready’ her mother asked.

She nodded her head and stepped out of the car, James and Alex each took a side as he r father took to the front, her mother behind they walked up the stairs.

‘Just keep looking straight and keep walking’ whispered James.

Alex took hold of her hand and they started walking up.

“Miss Parker...Miss Parker why did you do it’ the reporters screamed.

‘I hope you rot in prison’ other people yelled.

‘Miss Parker what do you have to say for yourself’.

“No Comment’ James yelled out as they kept pushing their way into the court house.

Once inside they saw Michael and Isabel outside the door waiting for them, when Michael saw them he walked over and hugged them ‘mom...dad, don’t worry I am going to get Liz out of this’.

Jeff put his hand on his shoulder ‘I have faith in you Michael’.

Michael nodded his head and turned towards Liz ‘just remember to be yourself in there, look the jury in the eyes; don’t let them see you afraid’.

She nodded her head ‘I’m ready’.

Alex took her hand and led her into the room with Isabel and Michael bringing up the rear ‘you ready to piss some people off’ she asked.

They walked into the courtroom and everyone turned their heads to look, Liz held her head up high and walked straight to her table sitting down.

Pam looked over at Max ‘get it together, you can’t afford to lose this’.

He looked at her then glanced at Liz ‘don’t worry’ he stated.

After a few minutes the side door opened and they watched as a mixture of twelve men and women walked out and take a stand in front of the chairs in the jury box.

‘All rise. This court is now in session, the Honorable Judge Rauch, presiding” the bailiff called out standing in front of the room.

A middle aged women in a long black robe walked out and took a seat at the front of the courtroom “Please be seated’ she stated

‘This is the case of the state verses Liz Parker charged with murder in the first degree...Mr Evans your opening statement please’ the judge said

Max stood up and walked to in front of the jury ‘ladies and gentlemen of the jury it is your job to bring justice to the people, your duty to make sure this city stays safe. To show the world that just because you have a pretty face’ Max paused and looked at Liz.

‘You can’t get away with murder, I’m sure you all will agree that she is gorgeous but that does not give her the right to get away with brutality murdering someone.’

Michael rolled his eyes and looked at Liz who was blushing ‘oh come on your not actually falling for that crap’ he whispered.

Liz looked sharply at him ‘no’.

She looked at the jury to find Max still staring at her.

‘The state will prove that Miss Parker broke into Miss Harding’s home and stabbed her repeatedly while straggling her, the state will prove with out a doubt that this was premeditated, that she showed no remorse for the victim or her actions’.

He walked back over to his table ‘that state rests your honor’.

She nodded her head ‘thank you’ she turned and looked at Michael ‘Mr. Guerin’

Michael stood up and approached ‘Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen, I am here to tell you that the state is wrong, I am here to prove to you that this so called evidence is circumstantial and someone is trying to frame Miss Parker.

Miss Parker is a upstanding citizen who has never been in trouble with the law, she donates generous amounts of time and money to charities, she runs one of the most successful flower shops in this city, and all her clients will tell you what a sweet, caring person she is.

I will prove that Miss Parker had nothing to do with this murder and by the time we are done the question you will need to ask yourself is how this city will be able to make up to Miss Parker for putting her through this ordeal. Thank you’.

Michael walked back over to the table and sat down giving Liz a small smile he waited for it to begin.

The judge looked at Max ‘Mr. Evans your first witness please’.

‘The State calls Mrs. Alberta Martinez’.

A older looking Spanish women walked up to the witness stand and turned to face the courtroom. The bailiff walked forward “please place your hand on the bible’ he said presenting her with a black bible.

She placed one hand on the bible and raised the other

“Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? So help you God.”? he asked.

‘I do’ she replied.

‘Please state your full name for the record’.

‘Alberta Renee Martinez’.

‘Thank you’ the bailiff stated and walked away.

The judge looked at Max ‘Prosecution you may begin’.

Max stood up and walked forward ‘Mrs. Martinez what was your relationship to Miss Harding’.

‘I’ve been her housekeeper for the last seven years’

‘Would you say you had a good employer/ employee relationship with her’.

‘Yes Miss Harding was very nice to us and caring, she was a pleasure to work for’.

‘Could you please describe to us what you saw on the day of March Seventeenth please’

“I came to polish and vacuum the house, Tuesdays was the day I did those things. When I arrived I noticed someone running from the house, they were dressed all in black and had a knit cap pulled over there face, but I could see brown hair sticking out of the cap”.

‘Did you get a good look at the assailant’ he asked.

‘No sir, they were running to fast’.

“What happened next’

‘I thought they might have been a robber so I went into the house and called out for Miss Harding, when she didn’t answer I went looking to see if anything was missing’.

‘Was there anything’

‘Not that I could tell, then I went into the room’ she started to cry ‘and there was Miss Harding laying on the floor..there was so much blood...I tried to wake her but she wouldn’t move, so I called 911 ”.

‘Thank you Mrs. Martinez no further questions at this time”

The judge looked at Michael ‘Defense you may cross examine”.

Michael looked over at Max and smirked before getting up and heading towards the stand.

‘Mrs Martinez I only have one question for you’

She nodded her head.

‘Isn’t it a fact that you were fired from Miss Harding two days before the murder for stealing”.

‘No sir I was not’

‘Remember you are under oath’ he stated, he walked back over to the table and walked forward ‘defense exhibit A’ he showed the report to the judge and she nodded her head. Michael walked over an placed the document in front of the witness.

‘Please tell the jury what that is Mrs. Martinez’.

She started to shake on the stand ‘a contract’ she whispered.

‘A contract of what Mrs. Martinez’

‘A contract stating that if I resigned peacefully she would not press charges against me for stealing’.

“And is that your signature on that contract’.

She glared at him ‘Yes’

‘So if you were fired and banned from the property, what exactly were you doing there that day Mrs. Martinez”.

‘I wanted to ask her to forgive me, I wanted my job back’.

‘Why would you think she would take a thief back into her home’.

‘I don’t know I had to try’

“No more questions’ he said and walked back over to the table.

The judge looked over ‘the witness is excused’ turning back to the court room ‘Prosecution your next witness”

Max stood up and glanced at Liz briefly just soaking her in, his heart was racing a mile a minute just being next to her, this was the longest he had been a room with her and he couldn’t get his palms to stop sweating, he cleared his throat then began ‘the state calls Officer Blake Roberts’.

Blake walked up to the witness stand and waited as the bailiff did the normal procedure. Once swearing his oath he sat down looking everywhere but at the jury.

‘Mr Roberts can you tell us what aspired on the night of March Seventeenth" Max began.

‘I was on patrol when a 911 call came in over the radio, I was close so I said I would take it’ he answered.

‘What was the call”?

“It was a code seven’

‘And what is a code seven Mr. Roberts”

‘It means a dead body’.

‘Please tell us what you found when you arrived on the scene’ Max asked.

‘The maid was going on and on about blood everywhere, I asked her where, and she pointed to the back room. I walked back there and discovered Miss Harding laying on floor, it looked like she had been strangled and stabbed serval times’.

‘Did you see anyone”

‘No, I asked the maid and she told me that she saw someone running from the house’.

Michael interrupted ‘objection your honor, hearsay’

‘Sustained…jury please disregard that last remark’. The judge declared.

Max glared at Michael before turning back to the witness ‘Was there anything out of the ordinary that you found’.

“No nothing appeared to be stolen ,and there were no signs of a forced entry’.

Max walked back over to his table and looked at his note pad ‘Now Mr. Roberts you were currently on suspension for removing a piece of evidence from the victims body, can you please tell us why you removed the device used to strangle her with’.

Blake shrugged his shoulders ‘I don’t know,, I just thought she was too beautiful to have that around her neck.”

Michael shook his head is that the best the kid could come up with.

“Thank you Mr. Roberts no more questions at this time’.

The judge looked at Michael ‘Defense your turn”.

Michael approached the witness stand ‘Mr. Roberts just have a few questions for you, how could you be the closet to the victims residence when your route was clear across town that day’?

Blake’s eyes got big as he stammered ‘I...I um was coming off of lunch on my back to my route’.

‘Mm-hm Mr. Roberts how well did you know Miss Harding’?

‘She was a famous actress everyone knows who she is’ he stated.

‘Isn’t it true Mr. Roberts that the real reason why you got suspended and have been assigned to desk duty is because not only did you remove evidence you were sleeping with Miss Harding too’.

Max spoke up ‘objection your honor’.

‘Overruled”.

Blake sat there like a deer caught in headlights as Michael went on ‘isn’t it true Mr. Roberts that you slept with Miss Harding the day of the murder, and because your daddy is the Mayor you got off with a mere slap on the wrist until this whole thing blows over”.

Max stood up ‘Objection your honor he is badgering the witness’.

The crowd in the courtroom went up in a roar, everyone was gasping and talking loudly to one another, reporters were snapping pictures.

‘Order...Order in this court...Mr. Guerin refrain from the track you are on’.

Michael nodded his head ‘no more questions at this time your honor’

The judge looked at Blake ‘the witness is excused’ she turned back to everyone ‘Court is in recess until tomorrow at ten am’ she slapped her gavel down onto the block and got up leaving the room.

Liz looked at Michael ‘why didn’t you tell me’ she said, Michael looked at her ‘you just worry about what you are going to do after we win this, leave the details of the trial to me”.

They started to exit the courtroom when Max stopped him ‘hope you don’t think that little stunt you pulled is going to win you this case’ he said.

“As long as you don’t think your going to win with these piss poor witnesses you are sticking on the stand’ he said then walked out of the courtroom.

They snuck out the back to avoid the reporters, once in the alley Nancy looked at everyone ‘I say this was a good day, let’s go somewhere to eat’.

‘I like that idea’ Alex said.

‘You guys go ahead, I’m just going to take a cab back to Michael’s and take a nap, I’m really tired after today’ Liz replied.

‘Are you sure Liz’ Jeff asked ‘do you want us to come home with you’.

She shook her head ‘no you guys go ahead I’ll just meet you back at the house’.

Isabel reached into her purse and pulled out some keys ‘go ahead and take my car Liz, I’ll just ride with someone over there, and if he wouldn’t mind maybe Alex could bring me home’ she smiled.

‘Would be glad too’ he squeaked out.

“I have some things that have to be done before dark, so I am going to decline and meet you all back at the house too’ James said.

“Okay I guess its just us’ Michael said looking at Isabel, Alex and his parents.

Nancy walked up and hugged her daughter ‘you go get some rest honey, I’ll come check on you when we get back’.

She nodded her head and headed off towards Isabel’s car.

*****

Maria grumbled as she walked up the worn out building, she had been assigned to desk duty that day and she was pissed. Everyone knew the trial started today and she had wanted to be there.

Her Captain told her she could see the trial when it was her turn to testify, she wanted to kick him in the balls after that comment.

She supposed she shouldn’t complain because she finally located one of the buildings that some of the pictures were taken from by Mr. Davis.

She wrinkled her nose when she stepped inside to see the place covered with cobwebs and dust, who in their right mind would come here she thought.

Taking out the flashlight she brought she turned it on and started looking around the place, she came to a set of stairs and climbed them, surprised at what she found at the top ‘Holy Shi- was the last thing she said before all went dark.

There's a small sentence that I used from Pride & Prejudice (Man I love that movie) I switched it around some

Chapter 9

The slow steady beeping sound reached her ears as she slowly started blinking her eyes open, groaning against the harsh light she felt like she was hit with a lead pipe. Bringing her hand up to her head she noticed the plastic tubing sticking out of her arm.

‘Man I hope I got the license plate’ she joked to her self, squinting her eyes she looked around the room and her eyes landed on the figure sleeping awkwardly in the chair, ‘knew you couldn’t stay away’ she smiled.

She tried calling his name but found her throat burned, looking at the pitcher of water next to her bed she eyed it longingly to tired to pour herself a glass. Opting for the second option she reached over and picked up the little plastic cup, aiming for his head she pitched the cup.

Smiling slightly when he jumped up startled, he looked around the room wildly before his eyes came to a rest on hers ‘your awake’ he said surprised slumping back in the chair.

‘Do you mind’ she rasped pointing to the water, he nodded his head and poured her a glass of water, helping her sit up he brought the cup to her lips letting her take a sip.

‘Thank you’ she said.

‘No problem’ he answered.

“How long have I been out’ she asked.

“Three days.’

Her eyes widen ‘Three days, what the hell happened to me?”

‘You don’t remember?’ he asked.

She frowned trying to think back, her eyes widen placing her hand on his ‘Michael where is Liz?’

Michael stared down at her hand as his heart starting beating triple time, he felt the tingles all the way up his arm.

Maria stared at him waiting for an answer, when she noticed his dumbfounded expression she reached up and plucked his forehead.

“Hello anyone in there?’ she asked joking.

“Hey...ow!” he exclaimed reaching up to rub his head ‘quit it.’

“Well then stop staring at my hand, its not going to bite’ she laughed.

He glared at her.

‘Where is Liz’ she demanded.

She watched his glare turn into a frown, ‘she’s being held until the trial is over.”

‘What’ Maria shrieked.

‘They think she attacked you’ he explained.

“That’s crazy’ she said.

He jerked his head up ‘do you know who hit you?”

Maria shook her head ‘no I was hit from behind. Why do they think she did it, I mean she was with you at court right’

Michael looked down at the floor ‘no the judge called a recess, she went to lay down. The rest of us went to eat, I should have made her come with us...I should have gone home with her.’

Maria reached over taking his hand ‘Hey its not your fault.’

“Yes it is! I should have done something and now they are holding her for not having an alibi” he turned his head away when he felt the tears swell up.

Maria squeezed his hand ‘Hey I know Liz didn’t do this, and I’m going to help you prove it’.

She jumped startled when he lifted his eyes to hers in a heated gaze ‘what were you doing at that warehouse, you scared the crap out of me when they came to question Liz and told me what happened, you made my heart nearly jump out of my chest...I haven’t slept in three days’ he yelled.

Maria smiled raising her eyebrow she folded her arms across her chest ‘I didn’t know you cared so much.’

‘Of course I care’ he shouted ‘from the moment I laid eyes on you, you have been under my skin and on my brain constantly’.

Maria unfolded her arms and hooked a finger ‘come here’ she beckoned.

He shuffled closer to her ‘what’ he mumbled out feeling stupid for blurting that out.

‘Closer’ she whispered.

He reached the side of her bed, and she reached out hooking her finger into his loop on this jeans pulling him down next to her, she reached up cupping his face and kissed him.

He pulled back dazed and she smiled ‘you get to me too’ she said.


****

Liz wrapped her arms around her knees burying her head in the crook of her arms to silence her tears, she couldn’t get the look the judge gave her out of her head. The way she glared at her and refused to tell her if Maria was even okay. She had hoped that Michael had some good news to tell her when he came.

Her heart broke for him, she could tell he had been devastated when he found out what happened, she kept telling him to go to her sooner, but he refused determined to stay by her side as the judge sentenced her to be detained for the rest of the case.

Michael was the one who held her up as her knees buckled and she started crying, but what threw her for a loop was those amber eyes that actually looked sorrowful as Detective Jones stepped forward and put the handcuffs on.

Lifting her head she scrubbed her eyes to find those same eyes staring at her from the other side of the bars. Placing her feet on the floor she stood up shakily ‘what are you doing here Mr. Evans’.

“Max please’ he whispered, his heart was pounding loudly in his ears, he didn’t know what compelled him to come here. He told himself over and over not to do this, but ever since he watched them take her away he felt this binding squeezing pain in his chest and he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

‘Mr. Evans if you want to talk to me you have to wait for my lawyer, you know that’ she stepped closer to the bars.

She missed the way he frowned when she refused to call him by his first name.

“I’m...I’m not here about the case’ he stammered out.

Her eyes widen as her heart started picking up speed ‘what...what are you doing here?’

“I can’t stop thinking about you’ he confessed.

“Excuse me’ she squeaked out, this was not happening she told her self, this couldn’t be happening, she looked at him to find herself getting sucked into the depths of her eyes.


“ I can’t fight it any longer. I had to see you. I have fought against my better judgment, my family's expectations of me, the oath I took when I swore to be a prosecutor. I have all these feelings for you and I have to know if you feel an ounce of what I feel for you’ he said wrapping his hands tightly around the bars.

A small chuckle escaped her, then she laughed out loud ‘oh my God’ she cried covering her mouth with her hand ‘Are you serious’ she asked disbelieving.

His grip tightened more until his knuckles were turning white “I’m very serious.’

'What the hell does your family have to do with this?' she asked

'They expect me to make DA, they think I'm crazy for falling for you' he answered.

Liz reached up and ran a hand through her hair ‘I can’t believe this’ she started pacing back and forth in the cell. Inside her stomach was flip-flopping like crazy, she couldn’t deny that she was attracted to him and maybe something could of happened if she wasn’t going through this. She couldn’t let him know though, he might use it against her.

Max watched her pace back and forth mumbling to herself, closing his eyes he leaned his forehead against the bars, what the hell was he thinking coming here. He jerked back when she slammed her hand on the bars.

‘Why could you possibly think I would feel anything for you, when you are the reason I’m here’ she demanded.

‘I know you must hate-

‘You are ruining my life’ she stated.

“You don’t understand, I’m just doing my job. I hate it and I wish to God that you were innocent’ he pleaded.

She looked up at him ‘I don’t understand how you could have feelings for me and still think I’m guilty’.

‘The evidence-

‘Your evidence is shit, tell me something Max what does this tell you’ she asked pointing to his heart.

He shook his head ‘I can’t let personal feelings get in the way of the duty I swore to uphold’

‘Then what are you doing here, what did you hope to accomplish by coming here’ she asked

‘I don’t know, I just...

‘I think you should go’ she stated cutting him off.

“Liz”

“Please go, whatever it is you think you feel for me. Forget about it I’m nothing but a criminal remember’ she turned her back on him and wrapped her arms around herself.

“I really wish things could be different.’ he whispered dejectedly as he shoved his hands in his pocket and walked out broken hearted missing her whisper of “me too’.

***

Two days later Max kept his eyes glued to the table as they brought Liz in from the back, he felt like such an idiot for confessing his feelings. Reaching up he wiped his eyes wishing this trial would hurry up and get over with, he didn’t know how much more his heart could take.

Looking out of the corner of his eye he frowned when he noticed how Michael held his arms around her, jealously surged through him and he wanted to reach over and yank Michael from her arms.

They took their seats and waited for the judge to make an appearance. Michael leaned over and whispered something in Liz’s ear and Max groaned, he couldn’t take it anymore. Pam leaned over ‘are you okay’ she asked.

Max frowned ‘no...I can’t do this anymore’ he stated.

Pam stared at him ‘its kind of late now don’t you think, Max you have to finish this’.

He sighed “I know...I know’.

“All rise’ the bailiff called out and everyone stood waiting for the judge.

Once seated she looked at Max ‘prosecution you may proceed with your next witness’.

Max blew out his breath standing up ‘The state calls Vicky Delaney’.

Liz’s eyes widen and she looked at Michael ‘what the hell could she possibly have to do with this’.

Michael looked at her ‘don’t worry’.

Once the oath was sworn, Max walked towards the box making sure to keep his eyes on his witness, if he looked at Liz right now he knew he would lose it.

‘Miss Delaney what is your relationship to Miss Parker’ he asked.

‘I was one of her roommates in college’ she answered.

‘And would you say you got along?’

“At first we did’ she stated.

‘What happened’.

‘She stole another roommates boyfriend’

‘I did not’ Liz blurted out.

‘Order’ the judge declared.

Michael placed his hand on Liz ‘let me handle this’ he stated.

‘Who was your other roommate Miss Delaney’ Max asked.

‘Tess Harding’

The courtroom went into an uproar, as the judge tried to get everyone under control.

‘Order or I will clear the courtroom’ she demanded.

Everyone quieted down, Max turned and looked at Liz who was leaning closer to Michael and he fumed. He turned back to his witness ‘Miss. Delaney how do you know Miss. Parker stole Miss. Harding’s boyfriend?’

“Because Tess told me’

“Objection your honor...hearsay’ Michael stated.

Max glared at Michael before turning to the judge ‘your honor seeing how Miss. Delaney was living with the two in question, I would say that her answers merit the background I am trying to establish between the two.”

Michael stood up fuming ‘Just because Miss. Delaney states it does not make it true, your prosecutor should know better than that.’

Max turned and shot daggers at Michael ‘She was there.’

‘Counselors’ the judge warned.

Michael ignored the warning “I was too and I say she didn’t steal anyone’

Max took a step closer “I guess you would’ he scoffed.

‘Counselors approach the bench’ the judge ordered.

‘What the hell is that suppose to mean’ Michael demanded standing toe to toe with Max.

‘I guess you would say anything to defend the woman you are sleeping with’ Max blurted out.

The courtroom went in an uproar again as Liz gasped and covered her mouth from crying out.

“You son of a bitch’ Michael roared and balled up his fist swinging and connecting with Max’s jaw.

‘Bailiff detain them now’ the judge screamed.

Two officers stepped forward one taking hold of Max before he could get a swing out and the other grabbing Michael.

The judge banged the gavel down ‘CLEAR THIS COURTROOM NOW’ she turned and looked at the two ‘MY CHAMBERS NOW’.

The guards led Michael and Max both into the chamber, taking a seat they glared at each other and the judge removed her robe.

‘You two have managed to turn my courtroom into a three ring circus, I find you both in contempt of court. Let’s see how well you behave after spending a night together in jail.’

‘Your honor’ Michael protested.

‘Add a five hundred dollar fine to your contempt’ she looked at Max ‘would you like to add anything Mr. Evans’.

Max rubbed his jaw ‘no your honor’.

‘Good’ she looked at the officers ‘get them out of here’.

Hey everyone sorry it took so long to update..Time to write seems to be getting harder and harder and with this progressing with the house I really dont have any spare time..Will try to do better.

RhondaAnn--Oh she's not going to worry, quite opposite
begonia9508-- I know what you mean lol I think I've watched that movie a million times already.
Tequathisy--You get to visit them in this chapter lol
SweetnSpicy- Thanks for the feedback
madroswellfan-Glad you liked it
salcombe_girl- I had fun writing that part
candycane14-They will soon
icequeen- Read On
Luzser1800-lol I dont think she's quite ready to pucker up
kittens- So true
Alma-Glad to see you back Alma
Erina- Max isn't thinking clearly
Lashon-Thanks for the Bump
L-J-L 76-Glad you are enjoying it.



Chapter 10


Liz sat on the cot with her knees drawn up and her arms wrapped tightly around them. Sighing softly she placed her head on the top of her arms. She couldn’t get over what happened in the court room...Max Evans had clearly lost his mind.

Feelings my ass she mumbled how could he have feelings for her and yet accuse of her of sleeping with Michael of all people.

‘This is so wrong’ she heard and looked up to see Maria opening the doors to her cell.

Quickly jumping up Liz ran to her ‘Maria what are you doing here, are you okay, they wouldn’t tell me if you were okay or not...how did you get out of the hospital’ she fired question after question.

Maria held up her hand smiling ‘whoa and I thought I babbled’.

Liz smiled sheepishly ‘I’m sorry I tend to do that when I’m excited’.

Maria laughed ‘don’t worry I do it all the time’.

‘I’m so happy to see you’ Liz said hugging her.

‘Same here I can’t believe they stuck you in here. I’m going to go talk to the judge as soon as I can find knucklehead, you don’t know where he is do you?’ she asked.

‘You don’t know’ Liz’s eyes widened.

‘Know what..I’ve been on bed duty remember’ Maria said.

‘Michael and Max got into a fist fight in the middle of the trail, the judge threw them in jail for contempt of court’.

Maria started laughing ‘are you serious, what the hell were they thinking.. I have to go pay them a visit’.

“Maria its really not that funny’ Liz said.

Maria shook her head ‘come on Liz admit it, can you just picture the two of them locked in a cell together..what did they fight about anyways’?

Liz rolled her eyes ‘that pompous ass accused Michael and I of sleeping together’.

‘He didn’t’ Maria shook her head.

‘Guess what else he did, he had the nerve to show up here and tell me he had feelings for me, can you believe that idiot’.

Maria watched Liz’s expression how she seemed to blush talking about it, she raised her eyebrow ‘you like him’.

‘Like who’ Liz tried to play dumb.

‘Max’.

“I do not’ Liz huffed folding her arms over her chest.

‘You do...it’s written all over your face, oh my God you actually like him’ she smiled.

“Maria he’s trying to send me to prison for the rest of my life, I would be crazy to have feelings for him’.

‘Besides that you have to admit he is pretty hot’.

‘Maria!’

‘Okay, okay’ she laughed ‘but tell me if he wasn’t prosecuting you could you see yourself with him’.

‘Maybe but that doesn’t mean anything...anyways how did you get out of the hospital’ Liz asked changing the subject.

‘I walked out’ Maria turned serious ‘Liz I really need you think...is there anyone you know that might hold a grudge against you’.

‘Why’ Liz asked confused.

‘Someone is seriously setting you up babe’.

*******


‘I can’t believe this shit’ Michael muttered as he flung himself on the top bunk.

‘Hey I was taking the top’ Max demanded.

Michael shot him a look that clearly said to back off ‘you’re the reason we are in here, so I am taking the top bunk...deal with it’.

Max fumed ‘you hit me first you jackass’.

Michael leaned up on his elbow ‘you provoked me you moron’.

‘Whatever’ Max scuffed and turned his back on Michael flinging his arms through the bars he rested his head against the cool metal.

‘Why the hell would you accuse me of sleeping with my sister in the first place’ Michael asked.

Max turned and looked at him ‘your sister? Your sister’s name is Beth’.

Michael shook his head ‘and I thought you were supposed to be the smart one ‘Elizabeth...Beth...Liz its all the same’.

‘You always called her Beth’ Max stated trying to process this new information.

‘So she goes by Liz now, still the same person’

‘But you kissed and hugged her?’

Michael swung his legs over the bunk ‘Yes some families do that’ he said being sarcastic.

Max huffed ‘I know that asshole, I just meant you two seemed awfully close for siblings and besides you both have different last names’.

Michael shook his head ‘we are close, and no there’s not any incest going on. Not that’s it any of your business I was a foster child okay’.

Max looked down at the floor “I didn’t know’.

Michael shrugged ‘how would you, I never told anyone, and back when we worked together you were too busy trying to sabotage my career’.

‘I was not’ Max defended.

‘Yes you did, you were the one who taking my files and hiding them’.

Max walked forward “I never did that Michael, I actually looked up to you when I started there. You were the one with a stick up his ass who thought he was better than everyone else’.

‘I never walked around with a stick up my ass’.

‘Well you had something shoved up there tight, because no one could approach you without getting their head bit off’.

Michael leaned back against the wall of the cell ‘I guess you would too if someone was out to get you’.

Max sat down on the bottom bunk ‘well it wasn’t me.

They were both silent for a moment before Michael spoke ‘answer me something, why are you pushing this trial so hard...do you really think she did it, or are you just trying to get elected?’

Max was silent for a minute ‘When I first took the case I truly believed she did it, I don’t know when it happened but now I’m not so sure anymore’.

Michael creased his brows thinking, then suddenly leaned over the top bunk ‘you like my sister don’t you’ he stated.

Max looked guilty at him and Michael laughed ‘man that’s too classic the prosecutor falling for the defendant’.

Max sighed ‘shut up okay, I know how bad this is’.

‘Stay away from her’ Michael demanded.

‘Its not like she would give me the time of day anyways’.

‘Did you try and make the moves on her already’ Michael asked.

When Max didn’t say anything Michael jumped from the top of the bunk to look at him ‘you really are something aren’t you’.

Max stood up stalking past him angrily ‘look okay yes I told her I had feelings for her, she told me to leave her the hell alone’.

Michael shook his head ‘what the hell did you expect you’re the one trying to send her to prison for the rest of her life’.

Max banged his head on the bars ‘I don’t know okay...I don’t know anything anymore. Six months ago I was sure I wanted to become district attorney. I thought this case would be my bargaining chip.. I never expected to be turned inside out the moment your sister walked into that court room.’

‘She tends to do that’ Michael said walking closer to the bars.

He rested his arms thru the bars ‘Liz could always make the heads turn whenever she walked into a room.. Liz is many things but she is not a killer I can tell you that. Someone is setting her up, I don’t know who yet but I will find out’ he vowed.

‘With the way you keep degrading my witnesses, I’m sure you will’ Max said.

‘Does that mean you think she may be innocent?’ Michael asked.

‘If even I do there’s nothing to be done about now, I drop the charges it would be the end of my career, I would never live it down’ Max sighed and walked back over towards the cot flopping down on it.

Michael turned and looked at him ‘maybe....but maybe if we played our cards right’.

Max sat up looking at him ‘what did you have in mind?’


********

After leaving Liz, Maria high tailed it over to the county jail where they were holding Max and Michael. She smiled as she trotted down the stairs to the holding tanks.

Walking up she spotted them both sitting on the bottom bunk talking ‘well if isn’t Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum’ she said smirking.

They both looked up at her ‘I hope he’s dumb one’ Michael said pointing to Max and walking towards her ‘shouldn’t you be in a hospital’.

‘Shouldn’t you be at home’ she countered.

‘Don’t start with me okay’ he warned.

She shook her head ‘oh but this is so classic...by the way moon-doggie I just came from seeing gidget way to get under her skin’ she said teasing Max.

Max looked down embarrassed as Michael put his hand on her arm ‘how is she’ he asked.

‘She’s not doing so good’ she said

Max stood up and walked closer and Michael worried ‘what happened?’

‘I tried to tell you earlier but never got the chance...the reason I was at that warehouse was to investigate it...Tess Harding owned it and when I got there the top floor was covered in pictures of Liz...someone really hates her Michael. The pictures were all cut up with vicious words written on them’.

“What did you tell anyone, where are the pictures, this could be the thing to get Liz off’ Michael demanded.

Maria held up her hand ‘that’s the thing Michael, I told Tristan about them when I was in the hospital. He went there and there was nothing....someone removed everything that was there and there wasn’t a fingerprint to be found’.