Dreams Come Alive In Coral Valley

“So as you can see ladies and gentlemen of the jury, while the defense team would like to fill your head with fairy tales about Grady Denton being framed and conspiracy theories, the fact remains that we need to follow the evidence as it’s the evidence that will lead you to the right verdict--the only verdict--guilty,” Carly finished her opening statement with the same grace and determination that had surrounded her from the moment she’d started speaking to the jury.

Now as Carly returned to her table, Avery knew she had an even more difficult challenge ahead of her. Carly certainly had a presence about her and that made her someone Avery would have to contend with. She could see now that Carly had made an impression in the minds of the jury, but that wouldn’t be enough to let her win. Avery couldn’t let it be enough. Taking in a slow breath, Avery rose from her chair ready to begin her opening.

“Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, while the prosecution would like you to believe that Grady Denton is some kind of stain on society, the fact is that he is far from that myth they are trying to weave. Grady is an upstanding citizen with a desire to help those who are less fortunate than him. His contributions to those in Coral Valley speak for themselves, just like the supposed facts that the prosecution has launched at you. In this setting we’re always encouraging you to follow the truth--to use the evidence as your guide towards a verdict, but unfortunately for the prosecution there is no evidence. Sure, they’re going to present you with a few forensic experts and talk about what they believe happened to Kipp Mahoney the night of his accident, but unfortunately for the prosecution they are missing a key ingredient in this trial. There was no murder simply because Kipp Mahoney isn’t dead. There is no evidence to support their theory that my client murdered Kipp Mahoney let alone anyone else for that matter.”

She cast her gaze over the jury before stepping towards them, “While the prosecution would like you to believe in all of her theories, the truth is that there is no validity in what she’s saying. There was no murder to begin with. Yes, Kipp Mahoney certainly experienced a situation that brought him to the hospital, but my client was not responsible for that. Throughout this trial I intend to prove to you that the only thing my client is guilty of is being a good man with a big heart who opened his professional services to someone who was set on making his life miserable. Not only was my client put on this man’s hit list, but I’ll introduce evidence to show you just how far a madman will go to try to ruin my client’s life.”

“Objection,” Carly piped in with a scowl, “she’s out of line.”

“Withdrawn,” Avery waved her hand at Carly dismissively before she appealed to the jury again, “Throughout this trial, Ms. Matthews and I are in agreement. I do want you to follow the truths and the evidence which support my client’s innocence. By the time this trial is over I will have you believing that not only is the supposed hard evidence nothing more than an illusion, but that my client is an innocent pawn in someone else’s game. Grady Denton is innocent and by the time this trial is over, I intend to show you the truth. You’ll hear all about the real turn of events leading to this moment and by the time I’m finished showing you the truth, you’ll have no choice but to do the right thing and come back with a verdict of not guilty.”

With that Avery took a step back returning to her table. She could see the worry evident behind Grady’s eyes and as she thought of the way in which the jury responded to her, she felt some promise. They’d responded well to Carly, but they’d also responded well to her from a first glance. She just hoped that trend would continue long enough for her to get Grady out of jail once and for all.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Kyle searched through each file that was on Russ’s old computer taking in all the information. He rubbed the back of his neck stressfully not finding anything that would help him in the slightest bit.

“Come on, there has to be something here,” Kyle growled going back to the first file he looked through reading the words over slowly before getting frustrated.

He searched through each file over and over again wanting so badly to find something, but in the back of his mind he knew he wouldn’t. He leaned back in the chair looking around the room for anything else that could possibly help him. He jumped at the sound of his cell phone ringing in the quiet room.

“Hello?” he questioned answering his phone quickly standing up and pushing his chair in.

“Kyle,” Heather took in a deep breath wrapping her finger around the cord on the phone slowly, “It’s Heather.”

“Heather? What are you doing? Where are you?” Kyle wondered slightly confused on how she was calling.

“I will explain everything to you later,” she hushed him as he sat on the edge of the desk.

“Okay,” he nodded to himself slowly thinking of what she needed, “So what is it?”

“I need you to come to the Ashford Mansion,” she informed him hearing him laugh.

“Why would I want to do that?” Kyle questioned taking in a deep breath thinking about that jerk that Avery married.

“I need to talk to you,” Heather replied as he nodded slowly to himself.

“Well, go ahead and talk,” Kyle tried getting her to go on before hearing her sigh.

“Kyle, I need you to come to mansion…that’s where I am,” Heather explained as Kyle rubbed the back on his tense neck slowly.

“Wait a second,” Kyle paused listening to what she was saying, “Heather are you trying to tell me that you’re at the Ashford mansion right now? How the hell did that happen?”

“Look it’s a long story, but I promise I’ll explain everything to you later if you only…” she began urgently.

“I don’t believe this. I’m sure whatever it is you’re doing there is going to be nothing but trouble. Heather, what is with you?”

“Look I didn’t call for a lecture Kyle,” she replied sharply, “I called because I need to see you and…”

“And I’m sure whatever it is that’s on your mind is something I’d be more than curious to hear, but I’m doing some research on this whole Grady thing and right now I need to do a few things.”

“I understand that, but Kyle I need to see you,” she insisted firmly.

“Heather I…is it that important?” he questioned looking back at the computer screen. “I’m working on trying to clear Grady’s name and…”

“And that’s what this has to deal with,” she informed him catching his attention quickly.

“What do you mean by that?” he quickly got out before standing to his feet slowly.

“I can’t do it over the phone, but I promise this will help you out,” Heather declared before Kyle went over to Russ’s old computer turning it off.

“Okay, I will be there in a little bit, but you‘re going to have a bit of explaining to do,” Kyle, agreed with her before hanging up the phone and closing the office door behind him.

“Hey, did you find something?” Mindy questioned seeing him shake his head slowly.

“You keep looking and I will call you back later with some information,” he smiled slightly before seeing her nod.

As he went to walk the door Mindy called out to him, “Kyle?”

“Yeah?” he questioned stepping backwards slowly looking over at her.

“Don’t get into too much trouble,” she laughed before seeing him smile.

“Oh believe me, I will,” he nodded before waving goodbye and leaving.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“So according to your forensics team, the only prints on the gun were those of Grady Denton. Is that correct?” Carly continued her examination of Dave as he sat on the witness stand.

“Yes, but…” Dave started.

“A simple yes will do Chief Warner,” Carly paced around the floor laying out her pattern like a cat stalking it’s prey, “and the other evidence found at the crime scene also links Grady Denton and Grady Denton alone to the shooting as his prints were the only ones found on site.”

“That’s true, but that doesn’t necessarily mean…” Dave began only to feel her cut him off again.

“In your professional opinion given the evidence that your officers have brought into this case, would you say that you’re confident in the fact that the evidence speaks for itself,” she questioned seeing his eyes flicker a bit.

“I’d say that the evidence paints a clear picture, but…”

“But what?” she questioned, “You said it yourself that your forensics team is the best of the best around here. I believe that was one of the first answers you gave me.”

“Well yes, but at the same time…” Dave piped in again.

“So given Grady Denton’s violent history especially with those involved in Stone Corporation topped off with the obvious evidence your officers found at Kipp Mahoney’s apartment, it’s pretty much a given to say that Grady is guilty as sin,” Carly demanded from him.

“Objection,” Avery leapt up from where she stood, “She’s feeding him his testimony.”

“No, I’m just stating the facts,” Carly replied with an icy glare in Avery’s general direction.

“Objection sustained. Watch yourself Ms. Matthews,” Paula warned her simply.

“I have nothing further at this time,” Carly stepped back paving the way for Avery to begin her cross-examination with Dave.

“Chief Warner, you say that your forensic team has an almost one hundred percent rate in the field yes,” Avery started off taking a step towards him.

“That’s correct,” Dave nodded folding his hands in his lap.

“Yet this statement proves to be false given that your team is not only inaccurate with what you’ve presented today, but furthermore they aren’t able to decipher whether or not a person is alive or dead,” Avery began reaching for a folder she’d brought with her, “I’d like to admit defense exhibit thirteen A which is the forensic report on Bruce Mathis that clearly shows a falsification in Chief Warner’s statement about his forensic team.”

“Objection,” Carly snapped up to her feet again, “this is irrelevant.”

“There is a point,” Avery appealed to Paula as she held out the folder.

“Then make it quick Ms. Morrison,” Paula warned her sharply, “Objection overruled.”

“Thank you,” Avery turned to Dave again, “Isn’t it true that your forensic team filed a report in there claiming that Dr. Bruce Mathis was pulled from Lake Cardinal a few months ago and presumed dead? That he was murdered at the time of his death when in fact the truth was that not only was Dr. Mathis still alive, but still roaming around Coral Valley committing homicide right under your nose?”

“That’s correct, but…” Dave shifted uneasily in his seat.

“But what? You just sat here before the court and told us that your forensics team has an almost perfect record,” Avery continued, “Yet when it came down to determining whether or not a man was alive or dead, your team was absolutely inaccurate in their conclusions…”

“My team wasn’t heading up the investigation and the FBI had come in and…” Dave started to explain himself.

“So now the FBI is to blame for the mistakes your department has made,” Avery took a step away from him, “Interesting.”

“Objection,” Carly piped in again, “this has nothing to do with the matter at hand.”

“It has absolutely everything to do with the matter at hand. If the police chief says that his forensic team is the best of the best, then why weren’t they able to determine that a serial killer was alive and roaming around Coral Valley? How is it if they were so accurate about things that they were busy trying to find a murderer for a man who had never died?” Avery let out an ironic laugh, “That doesn’t do much to instill confidence in those living in Coral Valley with the accuracy of the police department’s forensic team, now does it?”

“Objection,” Carly sneered.

“Withdrawn,” Avery circled around the front of the room, “Now Chief Warner, you hinted before that while your team came up with this supposed evidence, you had your doubts about their validity, isn’t that right?”

“Yes, I did and I still do,” Dave confessed with a nod, “While I’m well aware of that the tests said, I have a feeling that the evidence was planted.”

“Objection,” Carly roared from where she sat, “this case isn’t about the police chief’s feelings, but more about facts. I mean really does he expect us all to go on his intuition there? The witness is here to talk facts.”

“The fact is that the police chief believes there’s more to this than meets they eye and given his professional background in the area of solving crimes I believe he has some information to back up his feeling,” Avery looked to Dave again, “Now don’t you?”

“I do have information that leads me to believe that someone else played a hand in what happened to Kipp Mahoney, yes,” Dave nodded in response, “As there was information that came to light after Grady was brought into custody.”

“And just what information was that?” Avery questioned.

“A video tape showing Cameron Stone at Kipp’s apartment the day of the shooting,” Dave explained simply.

“Objection,” Carly shouted, “this is completely irrelevant since it’s been stated that Mr. Stone was Kipp’s employer there. It’s not out of reason to think that he would stop by to check on his employee.”

“Really and just how often does the DA come over to see how it’s going with you?” Avery spun around to glare at Carly.

“Both of you, if you keep this up, I’m going to hold you both in contempt,” Paula replied with obvious distain, “Ms. Morrison, you’re walking a very thin line here, so I suggest you stick to the case at hand.”

“I will your honor,” Avery nodded, “Chief Warner the reason I mention Cameron Stone today is because it’s true that he and my client haven’t had the best of history with one another.”

“That’s correct,” Dave nodded, “It was brought to my attention that the two had a falling out.”

“Over what exactly?” Avery questioned.

“Over the fact that Mr. Stone was threatening Grady and Jade Alexander,” Dave replied point blank.

“Objection,” Carly roared, “I’m sure this is all hearsay. The chief hasn’t seen a direct confrontation between the two men so this is hardly relevant…”

“Oh would you just quit already,” Avery glared at Carly finding her annoyance level rising with each passing second. Suddenly it felt as if all professionalism was out the window with the both of them with Carly and her bickering.

“I warned you both,” Paula glared at both women, “this isn’t a gossip session, but rather a courtroom. My courtroom and if you two can’t conduct yourselves professionally, then we’re going to have some issues here…”

“I’m sorry your honor,” Avery replied quickly realizing that she needed to stay in control if she was going to have a chance at helping Grady.

“I apologize as well,” Carly added before leaving Avery to continue with Dave.

“So let me get this right, in your professional opinion you say that you believe someone is trying to set my client up,” Avery questions further.

“That right, I do,” Dave nodded, “Given that when Grady was in jail someone tried to have him killed, there is no doubt in my mind that someone is trying very hard to set him up for this crime.”

“So then you’re saying that you believe that my client is innocent, yes,” Avery replied.

“Objection, Chief Warner isn’t here to assign a verdict, merely to offer up his thoughts about the facts in this case, not to indulge the defense and her outlandish theories,” Carly remarked sourly.

“Sustained,” Paula finally blurted out, “Ms. Morrison, I suggest you get to your point fast.”

“In your professional expert opinion, do you believe that Cameron Stone had means and motive to frame my client for what happened the night of the shooting?” Avery questioned bluntly.

“I believe that Cameron certainly had an agenda,” Dave cast a glance across the courtroom at Cameron, “He’s been tied to a great many crimes in this town and I wouldn’t doubt that this hands are dirty in this one as well.”

“And one crime in particular you feel he played a hand in was that of my client’s stabbing in jail, isn’t that right?” Avery added.

Dave nodded, “Yes, I believe that Simon Dubois was able to penetrate the security in the station and stab Grady under direct orders by Cameron.”

“And just how would he be able to do such a thing?” Avery asked.

“I had put Grady into isolation to keep him from being exposed to any of the threats Cameron may have posed. Earlier in the week that I’d put him into isolation, Cameron had found a way to sneak into the back of the station and I found him engaged in a dispute with Grady.”

“I see and it was then that you believed Mr. Stone was out to find a way to silence Grady forever, yes,” Avery replied with a pointed expression.

“That’s right,” Dave nodded, “and if I hadn’t intervened, then I have no doubt in my mind Cameron would’ve found a way to do that. If anyone is responsible for what happened to Kipp, then it’s Cameron Stone, not Grady Denton.”

“Thank you,” Avery nodded, “Nothing further at this time.”

With that Carly sprung up from her seat, “Now you say that Mr. Stone has been linked to a great many crimes in this town, but how many of those supposed crimes has he been linked to by evidence?”

“Well none, but…” Dave started.

“So there haven’t been any convictions where Mr. Stone has concerned,” Carly continued at him, “You’re just merely letting your own personal bias about Mr. Stone’s character come out in this courtroom today isn’t that right?”

“I’m telling you what I know to be true,” Dave replied his voice raising with obvious emotion as his eyes turned to Cameron, “That man is a murderer and even though he’s been able to weasel his way out of being put to jail where he belongs, that doesn’t change the fact about his true nature.”

“You mean it doesn’t change the way you feel about his true nature, huh?” Carly remarked.

“Objection,” Avery called out.

“Withdrawn,” Carly waved her hand dismissively before pacing around the courtroom. She was putting on a show and it was obvious in her movement, but Avery couldn’t quite figure what was next from her until she spoke up once again.

“Chief Warner, in your professional opinion, have you ever known the forensic evidence to lie aside from when the FBI was running the Mathis investigation,” Carly leaned in closer to him, her words reaching through the courtroom.

“No, not in my time as police chief have I experienced a case in which the forensic evidence has proven false, but in this particular case…”

“In this particular case, you’ve obviously got a bias here, now don’t you? Given what lengths you’ve gone to in order to help the defense and Grady Denton, you’d say just about anything right about now to help him get out of jail, wouldn’t you?”

“What?” Dave blinked back at her.

“Let’s face it, you’ve been giving special privileges to special inmates, isn’t that right?” Carly accused catching the surprise that registered behind his eyes.

“I…” Dave stammered.

“Isn’t it true that you went out of your way to help the accused fake his own murder so that he could be on the run--away from the hands of justice?” Carly tossed out at him catching him off guard.

“There were extenuating circumstances and Grady Denton’s life was on the line,” Dave argued with her.

“Is that your personal or professional opinion?” Carly began her attack making her way over to the table to pull up a few files she‘d had waiting for this moment, “According to the documents I have here, it was Mr. Denton who had lashed out at Mr. Stone and not the other way around as you’re spinning it. From what I see here, Mr. Stone was the one to first press charges against Grady for his violent outburst at Stone Corporation in front of a room of witnesses. I see nothing here about things being the other way around written in this report.”

“Well no, but after I’d had a chance to speak with both parties involved…” Dave offered up quickly.

“You decided to take the side of a long time family friend rather than seeing the truth as it was. I mean clearly your father and Elliot Denton were best friends before your father died, isn’t that right?” Carly tossed out a piece of information that Dave hadn’t expected.

“Well yes, but that had absolutely nothing to do with my doing my job here,” Dave snapped back at her, “I’ve always been fair in my position and I don’t abuse the power that’s been given to me…”

“I beg to differ on that one given how you worked with the defense to make the world believe that Grady Denton had died in your jail,” Carly assaulted him with her words, “You were the one who played a hand in putting that little farce together, now weren’t you?”

“I was trying to conduct an investigation and I had reason to believe that his life was in danger after the attack,” Dave replied sharply, “I followed my instincts and I won’t apologize for that.”

“No, of course you won’t, but then again I suppose an apology really isn’t going to be in order when the review board takes your little ‘favor’ into account,” Carly shook her head at him, “It’s pretty sloppy if you ask me.”

“Objection,” Avery blurted out, “She’s badgering the witness.”

“I’m merely showing the jury that this witness has a predisposed bias to the accused and his family your honor,” Carly explained herself.

“We get that Ms. Matthews, but it’s time to move on,” Paula warned her.

“Alright,” Carly turned to Dave again, “Now you say you had reason to believe that Cameron was the one who had Mr. Dubois go to the jail to stab the accused, but in the same respect if you would’ve done your homework you would’ve saw that Mr. Dubois worked for the Ashford family, not Mr. Stone.”

“Yes, but there was reason to believe that Mr. Dubois received a payoff from Mr. Stone and…”

“And do you have proof of this supposed payoff and what it was for,” Carly questioned watching the color drain from his face, “I didn’t think so. I have nothing further at this time your honor.”

“Ms. Morrison,” Paula looked to Avery, who shook her head.

“Not at this time,” Avery replied realizing that things were not looking good. She heard a sound coming from the back of the courtroom and as she turned her attention to the door, she watched Jade rush out. She noticed Paula about to tell Dave to step down when a thought occurred to her, “On second thought, I do have a few more questions…”

“Make up your mind Ms. Morrison,” Paula frowned down at her.

“Yes your honor,” Avery nodded politely wondering if there would be any damage control she could pull together to try to salvage Dave’s professionalism in the matter at hand.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Jade slowly walked out of the bathroom door taking in a deep breath. This had to be from the stress, yeah that was it. This whole time she has been worrying about Grady was making her worry so much that she was making herself sick. She started to walk back to the room before feeling someone grab her shoulder. She turned around slowly to see Cameron behind her smiling widely.

“What do you want?” she questioned seeing him shrug and tilt his head slightly.

“I was just wondering if you were enjoying the show,” he smiled widely before frowning. “What’s wrong Jade? You feel bad because you know Grady is going away forever?”

“Shut up Cameron, Grady is not going to jail,” she snarled before seeing him nod slowly and raise and eyebrow.

“So how has it been looking for Grady lately?” he questioned before seeing Jade look the other way, “That’s exactly what I thought.”

“They know he is innocent, Avery will prove that,” Jade stated before hearing him laugh.

“You are kidding me right? Grady has nothing that will help him get out of this,” Cameron pointed out before seeing Jade shake her head slowly.

“I know you have something to do with this. Someone is going to find out and then you will be the one put away, not Grady,” she informed him before seeing him nod slowly.

“You see I would believe that, that is if you had any information, but you don’t,” he started to explain getting the smug grin on his face again, “Grady is going down Jade and there is nothing you can do about it.”

“You’re wrong,” Jade shook her head again, “Grady did nothing to Kipp. They will see that he is innocent and they will let him go.”

“You know, I know you wish that I was wrong,” he declared before shrugging.

“Stay away from me Cameron,” she yelled before starting to walk away as he grabbed her shoulder.

“You know I am right. Deep down you know that every word I say is true and that you will never get to be with Grady,” Cameron explained slowly before seeing her frown.

“Don’t ever touch me Cameron, I don’t care what you have to say,” she replied before seeing him nod slowly.

“Okay, but I just want you to watch what is going to happen to Grady,” Cameron stated slowly, “I want you to see that I am right and Grady will be in jail forever.”

Jade said nothing as she glared at him for a few seconds before shaking her head in disgust and turning around to go back to the court room.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

There was no denying the tension that crept in over Avery’s shoulders as court was in recess. Sure she’d known that she’d have a battle ahead of her, but she never thought it would turn out like this. Carly was good and she knew that she would have to put out her best work if she was going to have a victory in this one.

“Hey, you don’t look so good,” Grady broke through her thoughts brining his hand out over hers for a moment, “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” Avery lied taking in a slow breath before sitting up straighter.

“You’re lying,” Grady frowned, “What’s going on Avery?”

“Nothing,” Avery admitted before realizing it was no point to hide the truth from him, “I was just thinking about the case…”

“You’re starting to worry about how this is going to turn out, aren’t you?” Grady questioned sensing the truth behind her eyes.

“Grady, I want to find a way to get you out of this. I need to do that and as long as we keep fighting for that goal, then we can win this,” Avery replied glancing over at the empty jury box.

“Then why do I get the feeling that we’re only going to wind up in over our heads,” Grady questioned with a heavy sigh.

“If I recall correctly that was always something you thrived on,” Avery attempted to make a small attempt at humor despite the fact that she was rather distracted about the situation at hand.

“Yeah well that was then, but this…” he paused shaking his head at the thought, “This is too much.”

“I know, but we’ll find a way to fix this,” Avery promised squeezing his hand gently, “You have to have faith in that.”

“I’m trying,” he admitted with a small smile before turning his attention to the half empty courtroom, “Hey, have you seen Jade?”

“Not since she walked out earlier,” Avery admitted with a small frown. “Maybe she ran to the bathroom.”

“Maybe,” Grady shrugged his shoulders before growing suddenly serious, “although I’m worried about her Avery. If things don’t turn out like we’re hoping…”

“They will Grady,” Avery cut him off abruptly. “I mean I know we’re not off to such a great start, but trust me on this one. We will win this.”

“I hope you’re right,” Grady replied with a heavy sigh searching the courtroom for any signs of Jade all the while fearing that this was the beginning of the end for him.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Carly stood in the hallway near the drinking fountain thinking about the way things went when Dave was on the stand. After Avery had finished with him, he’d stalked out of the court not leaving Carly a chance to apologize for her actions. While she wasn’t intending to hurt him with her questioning, she knew that she’d struck a nerve. In the back of her mind she knew full well what she was doing in discrediting him on the stand, yet at that moment all she could think about was winning.

“Oh Dave,” Carly sighed leaning in against the wall, “what have I done?”

“You’ve done one hell of a job in there today,” Susan blurted out with an amused smirk, “I have to say that I’m impressed with your technique. Despite the fact that I once thought you were useless, I realize that I could learn a thing or two from you there I’d have to say.”

Carly opened her eyes to see Susan and she frowned, “Is that right?”

“That’s very right,” Susan offered her hand, “what do you say we let bygones be bygones with us…”

“How about we cut the bullshit Susan,” Carly refused to take her hand, “What can I do for you?”

“I just wanted to extend a professional courtesy to you for what you did in there. Don’t get me wrong, I realize that my ex-husband is the one on trial, but the way in which you cut Chief Warner down, well that was mighty impressive. Even I wouldn’t think to sink to that point with a former lover. Although with Dave, he’s been hassling my client for a long time with his wild speculations and ridiculous half baked theories, but after what you did in that courtroom, well I think people will finally see that he’s clearly biased…” Susan explained with a pleased expression.

“I was just doing my job and that wasn’t for Mr. Stone,” Carly remarked sourly, “I’m well aware of your client’s presence in this town and if he sent you here to issue any kind of thank yous, well you can save them. I’m not interested.”

“Oh but you might be,” Susan approached her again, “as Cameron is very interested in getting to know you better. He wants to set up a meeting between the both of you in the near future…”

“Hmm, well gee isn’t it a bitch to want,” Carly rolled her eyes pushing her way past Susan, “I have to get back to court.”

“Run now, but sooner or later, I will find a way to get you exactly where we want you,” Susan vowed watching Carly’s return to the courtroom with a twisted smirk.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“You are doing great,” Brant touched Avery’s shoulder lightly trying to assure her that she is doing fine.

“Are you watching the same case I am?” Avery questioned angrily before turning around seeing the stumped look on Brant’s face.

“Yeah, I think you are doing great Avery,” Brant replied before seeing her shake her head.

“No, she is kicking my ass out there,” Avery pointed out before rolling her eyes and rubbing the back of her neck slowly.

“You are going to come back, it is just the beginning,” Brant assured her before smiling slightly. “You always come back, I know you do.”

“I know, but I just don’t want to ruin something for Grady,” she explained slowly before sighing deeply, “I know he isn’t responsible for this and I don’t want to be the reason he gets stuck in jail the rest of his life.”

“You wont,” Brant promised with a slight smile, “Believe me you are going to get Grady out of this.”

“I wish I had as much confidence as you did,” she slightly laughed before looking back at Grady for a second.

“You should, of all people Avery, you were always that one person who had the most confidence in yourself,” Brant reminded her with a frown, “So what is holding you back right now?”

“I don’t know,” she sighed lightly before shrugging, “Maybe it is the whole thought of letting someone else down.”

“You see, that’s not going to happen,” Brant declared with a smile, “I’m looking at you out there and I think you are doing great. Just keep up what you are doing and you will show her who the boss is.”

Avery laughed before nodding slowly, “Okay, I am doing the best I can at the moment.”

“And that is great,” Brant agreed before smiling, “Think like this, when you get Grady out of here, he will be praising the ground you walk on.”

“No he wont,” Avery laughed before seeing him nod and look over her shoulder at Grady.

“Okay, well he may not be all out on the floor,” Brant started to explain caught on his words, “But I do know he will be really grateful.”

“I can believe that,” Avery smiled agreeing with him before sighing slightly, “I just want him to be happy.”

“He will be, that’s why you have to stay strong through this whole thing,” Brant began as he rested his hand on her shoulder lightly, “With you being strong, that makes him strong.”

“Thanks Brant,” she thanked him before leaning forward and hugging him lightly, “You being here to support me this whole time means something to me.”

“Hey it is okay,” he hushed her before running his hand down her back soothingly, “I wouldn’t want to be any other place than right beside you.”

Avery closed her eyes before stepping back, “Yeah, well I think you are great for being here with me and I really appreciate everything you have done.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“How are you doing so far?” Elliot questioned wrapping his arm around Grady’s shoulder.

“I don’t know,” Grady sighed slightly before looking into his father’s worried eyes.

“Why so down?” Elliot wondered frowning slightly seeing Grady shrug.

“I don’t know, I just have a really bad feeling that something isn’t going to turn out good,” Grady replied telling his father about the sick feeling in his stomach he has had since the beginning of this whole thing.

“I know how you are feeling, this whole thing must be pretty creepy for you,” Elliot started to explain thinking for the words to say, “But by now you should know that you did nothing and Avery is going to prove that.”

“It isn’t that I don’t trust Avery,” Grady started before getting stuck on the thought of him being ruled guilty and him going to jail for the rest of his life, “It is just that fear that you get when you are worried about something that you don’t know how it is going to end.”

“I’ll tell you how it is going to end,” Elliot declared with a grin, “It will end with you walking out of here an innocent man.”

“I want to believe as much as you do,” Grady began before running his hand through his hair, “Right now I don’t think my chances look as good as I was hoping.”

“It may not look that good right now son, but Avery is going to pull this whole thing together,” Elliot promised before smiling slightly, “You just have to have a little faith and that will get you through this.”

“I’m trying, believe me…I am really trying,” Grady replied before looking down to the ground until Jade walking towards them caught his attention.

“Hey,” Jade smiled wrapping her arms around him tightly as he sighed in deeply. “I have missed you so much.”

“I have missed you too,” Grady stated before holding her tighter to him thinking that this could be one of the last times he could ever have her in his arms.

“I can’t wait until they say you are an innocent man and you can come home,” Jade smiled before kissing him lightly.

“Me too,” Grady nodded before looking over at Avery seeing her looking as stressed as he was.

“You and Avery are doing great,” Jade assured him as his eyes looked up into hers, “You will be out of here in no time.”

Grady nodded slowly before closing his eyes shut tightly. He wanted to believe what everyone was saying. There was nothing that was helping him, the only thing he could do was hope that Avery pulled something out quickly. That was his only hope of getting out of this whole thing.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Sorry for the delay,” Avery began returning to the courtroom after getting herself a quick drink. Her nerves were shot and she was on tension overload especially after she and Brant had had their talk. She had to find a way to show to the jury that Cameron was the one responsible for what happened to Kipp. One way or another she would have to prove that if Grady was going to stand a fighting chance at freedom.

“That’s okay,” Jade turned to look at Avery with a small, relieved smile, “I think this is getting to all of us.”

“Tomorrow will be better,” Avery tried to assure Jade and Grady despite her own lingering doubts. Turning her attention to the front of the room as Judge Carmichael returned, she just hoped that somehow things would get better. They had a few more witnesses to work through today so maybe the disaster in the morning would spin itself around. At least she hoped so now that court was back in session.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Kyle knocked on the doors of the Ashford mansion waiting for someone to answer as Annie the nanny showed up at the door.

“Hi, I am Kyle Houston,” he smiled reaching his hand out taking her hand in his lightly, “I believe that Heather, the woman staying here is expecting me.”

“I knew she was,” she nodded with a slight smile, “Come in.”

“Thank you,” Kyle grinned widely as she led him up the stairs to her room.

“This is the room she is staying in,” Annie pointed to her room as Kyle nodded slowly.

“Alright, thank you,” Kyle replied before winking at her and walking into the room slowly.

“Kyle,” Heather smiled before walking up to him, “You made it.”

“Yeah, I told you I would,” Kyle nodded before thinking back to Brant and frowning, “So why exactly are you here?”

“Brant got me out of that horrible place,” Heather stated with a slight smile.

“He what?” Kyle questioned with a snarl thinking of how Brant would do something like this.

“That’s not why I asked you here,” she began to explain grabbing his arm catching his attention, “This whole thing with Grady.”

“What about it?” Kyle questioned raising his eyebrow slowly as he folded his arms out in front of him.

“You have been working on this and I think I might be able to help you out,” she declared before writing something on a sheet of paper and folding up and placing it in Kyle’s hand slowly.

“What is this?” he wondered opening it up and looking down at the numbers before him.

“That is Cameron’s security code to his house,” Heather gulped before starting up again, “I believe what you are looking for, you will find there.”

“How do you know that?” Kyle questioned slightly confused before seeing her nod slowly.

“You just have to trust me on this one Kyle,” she started with a frown, “I know in the past that was kind of hard, but I am positive you will find what you need.”

“Okay,” Kyle nodded slightly speechless before thinking back to Cameron, “How do you know that he isn’t home?”

“He should be at the trial right now, so you have to hurry up,” Heather insisted nodding slowly.

“Alright,” Kyle agreed softly before going to walk away and the sound of her voice caught him off guard.

“Kyle,” she yelled out making him turn around slowly and she hugged him tightly, “Be careful over there, I don’t think you realize how dangerous Cameron really is.”

“Hey,” Kyle hushed her lightly before smiling, “You have nothing to worry about. When was the last time you had to worry about me?” Kyle smiled as she was speechless, “Exactly, so I will be fine.”

“I know you can take care of yourself, but I am being completely serious,” Heather explained softly, “Just be careful.”

“I will,” he assured her before nodding, “Thank you.”

“You should get going,” she declared motioning him to leave as he walked out the door of the room. Heather took a deep sigh thinking to Grady, if anyone could help him it would be Kyle. She just hoped she wasn’t too late.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*