A Snowy Night
Part 10
Michelle had endured over an hour of grilling questions from Ms. Wolfe by the time Danny returned to the courtroom. Danny could tell with one glance that she was barely holding it together. He nodded when she looked at him. Ross turned and saw he was back. He mouthed silently, “Did you take care of it?” Danny nodded back affirmatively.
Finally, Ms. Wolfe finished questioning Michelle. Due to the time, the judge adjourned court for a two-hour lunch break. Michelle immediately turned to Danny and leaned her head up against his chest. Carmen was walking towards them. “Daniel, are our lunch plans still on?”
Michelle looked up at Danny; she could see the controlled, intense anger in his eyes. He didn’t let his voice betray his feelings as he spoke, “Of course they are Mama. Just give me a minute with Michelle and Ross. I’ll meet you in the hallway.”
Carmen replied, “Of course. I know that Michelle’s testimony was trying for you both. Speaking of which, Danny where were you during Michelle’s testimony?”
“He went to meet with an investigator Ross had hired. We were hoping that he would find a new lead,” Michelle answered for Danny without missing a beat. She knew it had to sound perfect to Carmen.
“Well, of course dear. Please let me know if I can be of any help in this matter.” Carmen answered.
Michelle just nodded as Carmen turned and left the courtroom. “Danny, did Ray get Pillar checked in at Cedars?”
“Yeah. Going and helping Ray talk Pillar into signing herself in there – which was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Ray took her over there. He called my cell phone just before I came in to let me know that she had been admitted. They were setting up her evaluation with Dr. Bradford when he called.”
“Danny, have you figured out how to get your mother to confess without baiting her? If it seems in any way like you have pushed her to confess, whatever you learn won’t stand up in court,” Ross stated.
“Actually, Mama isn’t going to confess to me during lunch. I have arranged for one of her trusted confidants to show up at the Towers. It won’t take much for him to goad her into bragging about how well her plan has worked. All we have to do is catch it on the hidden video camera that I’ve lined up,” Danny answered.
“Be careful. I wouldn’t put anything past your mother when it comes to trying to stay out of jail,” Michelle said.
“I will. Now you and Ross need to get to Towers and take your spots in the back of the restaurant.”
“Okay. I love you!” Michelle whispered into his ear a she hugged her husband goodbye.
“I love you, too!” Danny replied. As Michelle and Ross walked out, Danny mumbled to himself, “I love you so much that I’d do anything to save you from my mother.”