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Arson 2 Episode 1 written by Pammie
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| Disclaimer: The
characters in the following fan fiction do not belong to me. They belong to CBS and Viacom
and other powers that be. I am only using them for the purpose of writing this story. No
money is being made from this writing it is for entertainment purposes only. And now on
with the show...
Mark and Steve, too shocked to move, were only faintly aware of being moved towards an ambulance by the paramedics. Steve swayed slightly as he was helped to his feet. The paramedic steadied him, and led him to a stretcher. Grateful to have a place to sit, Steve voluntarily complied. Mark stood by the stretcher and studied the deep gash on Steve's head. He could tell by Steve's expression that the only thing on his son's mind was Amanda and her well being. Both men watched as firemen entered the house, looking for Amanda. Meanwhile, the paramedics worked to clean up the cuts and abrasions Steve had managed to get in the explosion. The sting of the antiseptic made Steve turn his attention from the fire to his arm. "Sorry, Detective." Steve was now only aware of the multiple cuts on various parts of his body. Captain Newman walked to the side of the stretcher and laid his hand on Mark's shoulder, as he looked to Steve, "What happened?" "I was running towards the house and when I got close, it exploded." Before the captain could ask anything else, Steve saw the firemen carrying Amanda out of the house. Steve tried to get up from the stretcher, but his father, his captain, and the paramedic made sure he stayed put. Mark ran over towards the waiting ambulance. The paramedics motioned his closer. Mark looked down to see that Amanda was awake. Amanda noted the worried look and tried to calm him down, "Mark, I'm fine. I was downstairs when it happened." The paramedic backed her, "She's going to be fine. She got hit from falling debris. Minor burns, several cuts and abrasions, and a broken arm." "I'll meet you at the hospital." Mark watched as the paramedics loaded Amanda into the ambulance. He made his way back over to his anxious son. "How is she?" "She's fine. Minor injuries," "Thank goodness," Steve replied as he leaned back, his adrenaline fading. Captain Newman nodded to the paramedics, and they moved Steve to the ambulance. "Dr. Sloan, I'm going to get protection for you and your son. Connor seems to be on a mission, and we're going to try all we can to end it." -------------- Mark sat in Steve's room later that day. Exhausted, his soon had fallen asleep earlier, the events of the past few days catching up to him. Mark quietly left the room and headed towards Amanda's room. He opened the door and found Amanda picking at her dinner tray. "How are you feeling?" "Pretty good. Ready to get out of here, even if that does mean moving into a hotel." "You can always stay with me you know." "Yeah I know. And I may just take you up on that offer." "So have you told CJ and Dion yet?" "Yeah, my mom brought them by earlier." Amanda paused a minute, "I'm just so thankful that they weren't home. Captain Newman told me that the fire bomb was in CJ's room." Amanda lowered her head, lump forming in her throat. "That man tried to kill my sons." The reality of the whole situation was finally setting in. Mark sat on the edge of the bed and hugged Amanda. "And if they had been home..." Mark continued hugging her, "But they weren't. That's the important thing. They're both fine." After a few minutes, Amanda had stopped crying. "So how's Steve?" "Physically, he'll be fine. But he's so angry with Connor. And now, more so than ever. He is willing to do who knows what to find him and put a stop at all this." ---------------------- The file was sitting on the table across the room. Steve wanted to read it. Getting out of bed was too much effort-his body was aching all over, and it hurt too much to even think about moving. Between the fall and the explosion, Steve's muscles were stiff and sore-too painful to move. Soon his want to read the file won over. He summoned all his strength and pushed back the covers. He slowly swung both his feet over the side of the bed. Grimacing, Steve stood, his muscles burning in pain. Mark walked in the door just as Steve stood. "What do you think you're doing?" Steve turned and looked at his father, "I was wanting to read that file." Mark walked to his son and eased him back down to the bed, "That's what the call button is for." Steve leaned back against the pillows and closed his eyes. "I didn't want to bother them for something like that." Mark pulled the covers on Steve," So how are you feeling?" "I'm fine." Steve noted Mark's look, "Alright. I'm sore, and it hurts to move." "And that's the precise reason you should stay in bed and rest." "I have to find him Dad. If he isn't caught soon, he's going to hurt more people." "You are in no condition to go anywhere right now." Steve knew there was no use to argue with his father. Both of them had a stubborn streak, and Steve wasn't up to arguing right now. "Can I at least read the new case file then?" Mark smiled at his son's insistence, "Yes, you can still read the files." "In that case, unless you want me to get up again, could you hand it to me?" Mark retrieved the file and handed it to Steve, "Now after you finish that, please try to rest." --------------------- The next day... Steve was sitting up in bed and was reading some papers when Captain Newman walked in, "Interesting reading, Detective." Steve looked up as his captain continued, "How are you feeling?" "I'm fine. Just sore." Steve changed the subject, "Any new findings?" Newman shook his head, "Nothing new." "Any idea where Connor is hiding?" "No idea. But we've got teams looking for any clues that may lead us to him." Steve leaned his head back against the pillow, "And I don't think he's finished yet." "Something is going to turn up." "Let's hope so." "Look you just rest. Take it easy for a few days. I'll let you know if something turns up." Steve nodded, "Yeah, okay. Thanks, Captain." ------------------ Two days later, Steve sauntered up the steps of the beach house. Still sore, Steve slowly topped the stairs. Jesse was asleep on the couch and Amanda was dozing in the chair. For the first time since the ordeal began, Steve smiled. The house looked like it had been turned into an infirmary for the walking wounded. "And poor Dad," Steve thought, "has to deal with 3 very difficult patients." Steve quietly made his way to the kitchen. Mark was washing dishes and looked up when Steve walked in, "What's that smile for?" Just thinking about the mini-hospital you have out there," Steve replied as he poured himself some coffee. Mark smiled, "Do you want something to eat?" "Nah, I'm not really hungry. Did Captain Newman call?" "Yeah, he called about an hour or so ago." "Anything new?" "Yeah, Connor's been hiding out at some hotel up the coast. He was gone before the police got there, but they did find some plans for a fire." "Did he say where it was going to be?" Mark shook his head, "The planes didn't name any specific place, but some of the general details are being checked." "I keep trying to think back to our conversations about the fires for some kind of hint as to a target, but I can't remember anything like that." "Steve..." "I know this next target is going to be big and have a big meaning-something that shows just how deep his desperation is." The phone rang and Steve picked up the receiver, "Sloan here." "Slaon, Captain Newman. Did you father tell you about Connor?" "Yes, sir. Have you determined a location yet?" "No we're still working on that. But we have found Connor. We haven't arrested him yet, but we have a tail on him. We're waiting to arrest him until we know where his next target is. Some of the details, sparse as they are, hint that the firebombs have already been set. And maybe this way we can find the location before they are activated." "Let me be on the team that is following him." "Sloan, I don't..." "Captain, I've been on this case since almost the beginning. Let me be there when it's finished." There was silence and then, "Okay, but be at the station in 30 minutes." Steve smiled, "Yes, sir." He hung up the phone. "That was Captain Newman." "Good news?" Steve nodded, "They've found Connor and they have a tail on him." Steve got up. "Where are you going?" "I'm going to the station and then Newman is taking me so I can be a part of the tail." Mark thought for a second about trying to dissuade his son but knew that it would only be a waste of breathe, "Please be careful and call when you can." "I will. Bye, Dad." --------------- Steve walked into the station and was immediately met by his captain, "Come on Sloan. He's on the move." The two men hurried to the captain's car. They drove down streets and soon reached a small quiet neighborhood. Newman explained to Steve, "He's hauled up in an empty house around the corner." Newman took out his radio, "Madison, what's going on?" "Sir, he's just now leaving the house. He has a briefcase and a satchel with him." "Okay, follow him, but be sure to keep your distance. We'll stay a mile or so back out of site. Keep us informed of your direction." -------------- The radio croaked, "Sir, we're approaching Lyman Elementary and Middle School. And he's turning into the lot." "Park on the side street out of sight. We'll pull around so we can watch him. Be prepared to move." "Yes, sir." Newman and Steve pulled into the lot just in time to see Connor entering the school. Newman radioed to Madison, "Get prepared to go in." Steve spoke up, "We need to pull the fire alarm and get all those kids out." Newman nodded in agreement, "You do that when we go in." ---------------- Steve was the first to crawl through the window. He saw no sign of Connor and pulled the nearest fire alarm. Within seconds the hallways were crowded with students and teachers all anxious to get outside. Once the students were safely outside, the search team entered and began their hunt for Connor. They knew he was inside the school, but there were so many rooms to search and more places to hide. It was going to be a long search. They cautiously searched the building and soon the group had split apart. As Steve approached the second hallway, Connor jumped from around the corner. Before Steve had time to fire his gun, Connor swung a bat and it contacted hard with Steve's head. Steve dropped his gun and fell to the ground as darkness overcame him. Connor dropped the bat and tucked Steve's gun into his pants. He pulled Steve towards the nearest room, but stopped when he saw another police officer down the hall. So Connor quickly changed direction and dragged a still unconscious Steve to a storage closet. He tied Steve's hands together with some wire he found in the closet. Connor sat down and thought about how his almost perfect, almost flawless plan had been destroyed. He was supposed to place 3 firebombs around the school and get out of there before anyone saw him. But he was so focused on getting the job done that he hadn't even noticed that he was obviously being followed. The cops had pulled the fire alarm to empty the school and had covered all the exits. They were even watching all the windows to eliminate all possible exits. He couldn't get out, and now he was trapped in the school with an unconscious hostage. Time was running out-he had to find a way out. ------------------ Captain Newman sat in the communication van, "Sloan, check in." Still no answer. "Madison, any sign of him?" "No, sir. Not yet. We're still looking." ----------------- Steve moaned and blinked against the light. He saw the figure of a man sitting by the door of the small room. Connor. Trying to move, Steve realized his hands were tied. Connor looked back, "Nice to see you awake, Sloan." Steve struggled to stay focused, "Connor, this whole building is surrounded. Why not just give yourself up?" "You've got to be kidding? After all this, you think I'm just going to give up that easily?" "We don't need anybody else to get hurt." "Would you just shut up. You don't know anything about any of this. You have no idea what this is like." "You're right. I don't know what it's like losing a wife and a child, but I do know that this is no way to go about righting a wrong." Steve kept going, "and why a school? Why put so many children at risk?" "It's miserable to lose a child. Worse thing that could ever happen to anyone." "Then why try to put all these parents through that?" Connor thought for a minute. He wasn't really sure himself why he wanted to hurt so many innocent children, "Revenge. Why else?" Connor finally answered. "They never caught the guy that set the fire that killed my family." "I thought it was an accident?" Connor looked at the floor, "It was no accident. It was some guy who got bored one day and decided to set a fire-our house was just a random pick. The guy got away on lack of evidence." "Connor, none of these kids had anything to do with what happened to your family." "No, but that man's two kids go here. And he has to know what it feels like to lose the things he loves the most. I need...," Connor's voice lowered, "I need to know that he pays for what he has done." A few minutes later, the two men heard voices, and as the voices got closer, Connor whispered to Steve as he pulled the gun from his pants, "Don't say a word." The door began to open and Connor stood and pointed the gun to Steve's head. As the door opened wider, Connor spoke up, "Just back on out slowly." When Connor was satisfied that the men had moved back, he opened the door and made Steve walk with him, the gun still points at Steve's head. "Just go on or I'll shoot him." The three policemen lowered their weapons, and Detective Madison spoke up, "Connor there is no need for any of this. Let him go before someone else gets hurt." "Why don't you three just get out of here before I decide to hurt you." "Alright, we'll go, but take this phone so that we can keep in touch." "Just leave it on the ground and I'll get it." The officer slowly placed the gun on the floor and he and the other two backed slowly away from Connor. Once the men were around the corner, Connor loosened his grip on Steve. Steve, being dependent on the support, slumped towards the floor. The extra weight too much to bear, Connor released his hold on Steve. Steve slumped to the floor. The room was spinning and he no longer had the energy to stand. Connor retrieved the phone, and walked back to Steve. He pulled Steve to his feet, and half dragged him back to the closet. "Just sit down and don't say anything." Steve closed his eyes and soon faded off. A safe distance from the room, Madison spoke into his mouthpiece. "Captain, we found Sloan. Connor has him and he's got Steve's gun." "Was Steve okay?" "Well, there was what looked like a deep gash on his head, and it was bleeding quite a bit. Any other searches turn up anything?" "No. No sign of any fires or firebombs, but we're still looking. Where was Connor in the school?" "In a small storage room. No windows and only one door." "Get one of your groups to keep watch on the door, and then the rest of you keep searching. And be careful. Don't let him know anything is going on-remember he has a hostage. Keep me informed." "Will do Captain." -------------------- Connor looked at his watch. 1:35. The bombs were set to explode in 10 minutes. He had to figure out a way out. The only way he could get out without getting shot at would be to take Steve with him. He walked over to Steve and kicked at his midsection. Steve groaned, but only after the second kick did he open his eyes. "Come on, get up. We've got to get out of here." Hands still bound together, Steve struggled to his feet. Connor, showing no mercy, yanked Steve towards the door and held the gun to Steve's head. --------------- "We've got movement. Connor has a gun and is pointing it towards Steve's head." "Which direction?" "East towards the main hall." "Follow them, but stay out of sight. We're coming that way." -------------------- 1:42. He was cutting it too close. He had to get out of there. He made his way to the nearest door. He looked out and saw several police cars. Head throbbing, Steve tried to focus, "Just go out and you won't get hurt." "That's not how this is going to end." Connor turned around and saw the other officers. "Get out!" Connor yelled. "Let us take Steve with us." "And lose my only lifeline? I think not. Now, get out or he's dead." The officers slowly backed out the door, and Connor pulled Steve back against the wall. "You know I have no reason to live anymore. Why bother trying to get out alive when I have nothing but jail time ahead of me." Connor sat down. Steve could see he was tired both physically and emotionally. "Connor, let's get out of here. Where did you set the bombs?" "In the art room and the library. And there's one in that closet down the hall." "Look, dying is not the way to go about this. You can get help." "You know I never meant for that man to die or for that little girl to get hurt. That was never part of the plan." "Then that's what you need to tell them out there." "I truly am sorry. I know that doesn't mean much, but I am. The pain of my wife and little girl and the thought of the justice that was never served just finally caught up with me. I didn't know what else to do." Connor was falling apart, and Steve could only watch as his friend suffered. "I wanted revenge, but all I got from all this was more bad memories." "Then finish all this. Don't do something else that you will only regret later." Connor was shaking, "I can't go out there. I can't face all those people out there. I'm supposed to save people and help them through tragedy. But I hurt so many people. I can't bear the thought of all the looks of disappointment, shock, and horror on the faces of all those that I used to work with." Connor waited a minute, angry evident. "Come on." Steve stood slowly. The room was spinning. But Connor grew impatient and dragged Steve down the hallway. "Connor, where are we going?" "I refuse to go out there and face all the shame that I know is waiting. I would rather die. And since I see no other way, then that's what it will be." Steve realized that probably meant him too, "Then you don't need me anymore." "The hell I don't. If I let you go, they'll be in here sooner than I can blink my eyes." They continued down the hall and then all of a sudden, there was an explosion. ---------------- Newman heard and saw the explosion, "Do you have a visual?" he asked through his radio. "No, sir. We lost it in the explosion." He thought for a second, "Let's go in." ---------------------- Connor opened his eyes, and rolled over. There was fire all around him; he couldn't see more than a foot or two in front of him. After a couple of minutes, he heard movement and voices. With little time, Connor crawled into a room near him. However his refuge only provided protection for a few minutes. Two firemen scanned the room, and spotted Connor near the window. As the firemen approached him, one radioed to the Captain, "We've got Connor in custody. We're on our way out." "Any sign of Steve?" "We didn't see him, but the other search teams are looking." "Alright. Just bring Connor out." In a matter of minutes, the two firemen appeared at the doorway-Connor being led by them. Once closer a paramedic scanned Connor, "He's got some nasty looking burn. He needs to be treated at the hospital." Newman nodded towards the stretcher, "Cuff him to it. And stay with him. He is not to be out of your sight." Just as Newman finished, a voice came through on his radio, "Sir, we've found Lieutenant Sloan." "How is he?" "Unconscious, but he is breathing and he has a pulse. There's a boulder trapping his leg." "Can you guys lift it off manually?" "Yeah we think so. Hang on." Captain Newman waited and within a few moments the officer radioed back, "It's off. We're on our way out." Newman had a stretcher waiting as the men came out of the building. The three firemen lifted Steve to the stretcher and let the paramedics take over. One paramedic put on oxygen mask, as the other one began an IV." "Guys, how does it look?" "Broken leg, 2nd degree burns, and looks like a concussion." "Let's get him to the hospital." -------------------- Mark and Amanda sat at the kitchen table. Mark was waiting on a call from Steve, and Amanda was trying to calm the anxious father. Mark's phone rang and he quickly answered, "Steve?" "This is Captain Newman. Steve is on his way to the hospital. He's hurt, but he should be fine." "And Connor?" "We got him. He's alive and on his way to the hospital too." "Thanks, Captain." Mark was so relieved that he couldn't think of anything else to say. ---------------- "He's going to be fine, Mark. We're getting some tests, but it looks like his most serious injuries are a concussion and a broken leg." "Is he conscious?" "Yeah, but he's still kind of disoriented. You can go on in if you want to though." Mark followed the doctor through the trauma room doors. Mark went to the head of the bed and laid his hand on Steve's forehead, "Steve." Steve opened his eyes and blinked against the light. "Dad," he whispered, "what happened...Connor?" "They got him. He's alive. He got burned, so he'll be up in the jail ward as soon as they've treated the burns." Steve smiled, and Mark could see the relief that covered Steve's face, "you just lie back and rest. As soon as they finish up with the tests, they'll take you upstairs to a private room." Steve's eyes closed, "Okay, Dad." ------------------ After a while, Steve was transported to a private room. Outside the room, Dr. Reynolds gave Mark a run-down of Steve's condition. "He has a concussion and a broken leg." "What about smoke inhalation?" "Yeah, but it's nothing more than a little irritation. He's also got several minor burns, abrasions, and bruises. Most probably caused form the debris during the explosion. Go on in and see him." "Thanks, Paul." ---------------------- Steve opened his eyes and found himself in another room. He could tell he was in a private room compared to the noisy emergency room. He wanted to raise the head off his bed, but he decided that it took an effort that he didn't have, so he just laid where he was and tried to remember what all had happened in the last few hours. When the door opened, Steve looked over and saw Mark coming into the room. Mark looked at his son, "Hey there. How are you feeling?" "Sore." Mark sat on the edge of Steve's bed, "Really, Steve, are you in any pain?" Steve knew he couldn't fool his father, "Well, my head and leg are hurting." "Want something for the pain?" "Nah, I'll be fine." "Well, if it gets worse, let somebody know so that they can get you something." Steve nodded, "So how bad is Connor hurt?" "Well, he's got several bad burns on his legs and arms. And while he's still at risk for infection, his prognosis is that he will be fine." "Was anybody else hurt?" Mark shook his head, "Nobody else was in the building or close enough to get hurt." "That's good." Steve closed his eyes and grimaced as he moved in the bed. Mark noticed, "Easy son. Just take it easy. Try not to move too much." The door opened slightly and Amanda entered the room. Steve opened his eyes and saw her at the door, "Hey Amanda." Amanda smiled at him, "How are you feeling?" "Other than being sore as hell, not too bad." Amanda moved closer to the bed as she talked, "That's good..." She was cut off by a noise at the door, "Thanks, Amanda. I can get it myself." Jesse was balancing on one crutch as he tried to push the door open further. Amanda smiled, "Sorry, Jesse." She helped Jesse maneuver to a chair near the bed. He looked up at Steve, "Hey Steve." "Jesse..." Steve couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, sure just laugh at m. I'm still trying to get used to them." "Yeah, but how long does it take. It's not rocket science." "Ha, ha. Very funny. But I wouldn't laugh too hard. In a few days you'll have to use them too." "Yeah, but I know how to use them." "Well, some of us haven't had the luxury of being able to practice with them as often as others," Jesse retorted in his defense. Smiling, Amanda moved between them, "Separate sandboxes children." Mischief in their eyes, Jesse and Steve smiled at each other and then looked to Amanda, "Yes, Mommy." "Oh you two just need to hush." Steve smiled a weak smile as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. Mark noticed the movement, "Headache getting worse, son?" Steve leaned his head back, "Yeah." "Let me get you something for it." Steve barely hesitated, "Okay." "I'll be right back." As Mark left, Amanda walked to the bed and adjusted the covers over Steve, "Steve, we're going to get going so that you can get some rest. You take it easy." "Thanks, Amanda. I will." Mark returned with some pills, "Here you go." Steve lifted his head and took the pills from his father, and as he put the pills in his mouth, he took the cup of water from Amanda. As he swallowed the pills, Amanda draped her purse across her shoulder, "You get some rest. We'll see you tomorrow." "Bye, Amanda." Amanda helped Jesse to his feet and they walked towards the door. After a few minutes, Mark patted Steve's arm, "Is it easing up any?" "Yeah, some." "Good, just close your eyes and get some rest." With his eyes barely opened, Steve looked to his father, "Why don't you go on home too?" "I will in a while. You just worry about taking care of yourself right now." "Okay." Steve was soon asleep, so Mark walked to the doctor's lounge to get a cup of coffee. Amanda was already in there sipping her own coffee. "I thought you were taking Jesse home?" "I was, but he had to get something from his locker. So, is Steve sleeping?" Mark sighed, "Yeah, he is. Maybe now that Connor has been caught, he can finally get the rest he needs." "And what about you?" "What about me?" "How are you doing?" "I'm fine, Amanda." "I'll believe that when I see you get some rest yourself." "I'll head home in a little while. I want to make sure Steve is settled." "Mark, he's asleep and with the medicine he's on, he will probably stay like that the rest of the night." "Alright you talked me into it." "Good," Amanda sounded pleased, "and since I'm staying with you, I'll even let you ride with me so that you won't have to drive." "That sounds like a great idea." -------------------- The next morning, Mark walked into Steve's room and found Steve sitting in a chair, his leg propped on a second chair. A nurse was checking Steve's vitals. "Good morning." "Hey." Before anything else was said, the nurse made a notation in Steve's chart, "Everything looks good here. Dr. Reynolds will be by in a little while during his rounds." Steve nodded, "Thanks." As the nurse left, Mark took a seat on the foot of the bed, "So, how are you feeling this morning?" "Not too bad. I'm sore and I've got a headache. But overall, I don't feel too bad." "That's good." "So, have you heard how Connor's doing?" "Yeah I checked before I came in here. He seems to be holding his own. Vitals are stable, and so far no sign of infection. He should be released in a few days or so." The door opened slightly and Captain Newman entered the room. "Good to see you up." Steve nodded as Newman continued, "I was up to see Connor a little while ago. He only wants to talk to you. Won't say anything to anybody else." "Why me?" "He said that he needed to talk to you before anybody else. Do you feel up to it?" "Yeah I guess." Captain Newman turned to Mark, "Do you think we can arrange a way to get Steve up there?" "Yeah we can get a wheelchair for him." "Great. Just let me know when you're ready to go, Steve." "Whenever is fine with me." Mark got up from the bed, "I'll go see if I can find a wheelchair." -------------------- When Mark returned, Dr. Reynolds was talking with Steve. "Everything's looking good. I do want to get another CAT scan in the morning, but if everything checks out okay with the scan, I see no reason why you can't go home tomorrow after the test." "Great. Sounds good. Thanks Doctor." "And please be careful on this little field trip." Steve smiled as the doctor left, and Mark pushed the wheelchair over to Steve, "Your chariot awaits." Steve slowly moved his injured leg off the chair. And with his father's help, Steve stood. The room spun slightly, and Steve was grateful that his father was standing beside him. He turned and sat down in the wheelchair. Mark raised the leg rest so that Steve could rest his leg on it. Captain Newman opened the door for Mark, and he pushed Steve into the hall. The three men headed towards the elevator. Once reaching the top floor, Mark followed behind Captain Newman. They received clearance and they headed towards Connor's room. Captain Newman entered ahead of Mark and Steve, and a few moments later he motioned Steve into the room. Mark wheeled Steve inside, and he and Mark left the two men alone. "Okay Connor. Why was it so important for you to see me?" His voice raspy, Connor answered, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything. Nobody was supposed to get hurt. I needed to tell you that, however insignificant it may mean." "Connor, you were going to start a fire in a school filled with innocent children." "I hate the man I've become. And I still remember that fire that took away my life. Twenty years and I still can't let them go. And I still hate the man took it all away from me. There's no excuse for any of those fires I started, but at the time it seemed like a good idea." Steve wheeled himself to the bed, "Connor, I just wish you had said something. We could have gotten you some help." "I'm the first to admit that I'm a prideful man. Up until recently I thought that I had everything under control. Now look at what all I've caused. I'm not even sure when everything fell apart, but I do know that I thought that getting revenge would help." "Did it?" "No, it didn't. Only made things worse. And the worse thing about all this is the fact that I killed a man and hurt a little girl." Connor's eyes were glistening with unshed tears. "And I sure as hell wouldn't have started those fires if I'd have known somebody was going to get hurt, much less get killed." "Look, I know you and don't think that you ever meant to hurt anyone. I'll make sure that you get some help. You can't get through something like this by yourself." "Steve, you're a good friend. I'm sorry I couldn't be the same to you." ---------------------- Steve wheeled himself into the hallway. Newman was waiting just down the hall. "Well, what did he have to say?" "Mostly remorse." "What?" "He was apologizing. And even explained why he did what he did. Sir, I'm no therapist, but that man has issues that run deep. He needs help." "Yeah, his lawyer is getting a psychiatrist to analyze him. The DA knows and is pretty sure that the defense will have a good case for mental instability." Steve nodded, his emotions mixed-the police in him hoping Connor was found guilty, while the friend in him knew that desperation and depression were the factors that had driven Connor to do all that he did. ---------------------- Several days later, Mark, Amanda, Steve, and Jesse sat in the living room watching the news. The reporter stood in front of the downstairs courthouse, "Reports released from the district attorney's office this morning reveal that Connor Martin, the suspect accused in several recent arson fires, will be charged with 8 counts of arson, one count of manslaughter, and several counts of reckless endangerment. Another report released by Connor Martin's attorney states that the accused will plead mental instability on all counts. The trial is set to begin later this month." Mark turned the TV off, "So, they're only trying him for manslaughter?" Steve nodded, "Yeah, there's no evidence that he purposely killed that guy. They would never be able to get a first-degree murder conviction. And as far as anyone has been able to determine is that he had no intention of killing him." Jesse joined in, "What about the school? He had set off those fire bombs to go off while the children were inside." "Since the police intervened, there is no evidence showing that he planned to keep the kids inside the school or not." A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Mark went to answer it. When the door opened, a man introduced himself, "Hi, I'm Dean Blackwell. I represent Connor Martin." Mark moved aside to let him in, "Yes, of course, come on it." As the two men made their way to the living room, Dean told Mark, "I only have a few minutes, but I was wondering if Lt. Sloan was available." "What can I help you with?" Dean looked to Steve, "Is there anywhere where we can talk privately?" Steve headed towards the deck, "Yeah, out here." Dean followed Steve and as both men sat down, Dean began talking about the reason for his visit, "As you probably already heard, I'm Dean Blackwell. I represent Connor Martin." Steve nodded and Dean continued, "We're going for a mental instability plea, and when I asked Connor if he knew of anyone who might could help his case. He gave me your name, but he decided he didn't want to bother you with anymore of this. He doesn't know I'm here. So, my question is this-would you be willing to testify in Connor's defense?" Steve remained silent and after a few moments, "You want me to testify on Connor's behalf?" "Yes, I do. I'm not asking you to try and free him. Connor himself knows that he should be punished. But we both know that Connor wouldn't make it in prison. He needs to be helped, not to be locked up." Steve knew that was true. He looked to the lawyer sitting across from him, and decided that Connor needed his help. "I'll testify." The lawyer nodded, "Great. Well, I'll be in touch. Thank you, Lieutenant." The lawyer rose, shook Steve's hand, and descended down the stairs beside the deck. A few minutes later, Steve headed back inside. He found Mark, Amanda, and Jesse in the kitchen. Amanda was fixing lunch. Mark looked at Steve, "You okay, Son?" "Yeah, Dad. I'm fine." Jesse looked up from the paper, "What did Connor's lawyer want?" "He wanted me to testify for Connor." Mark looked at his son, "What did you tell him?" "I told him I would." At the looks of his friends, he continued, "He's a friend who needs help. I want to do all I can to make sure he gets it." Mark walked over to his son and patted Steve's shoulder. The simple gesture spoke a thousand words. The End.
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