A Snowy Night

Part 21-22

By Kellie

David Grant stood outside Pilar’s hospital room. Father Ray Santos had summoned him here, saying he had something important to discuss with him about Michelle’s case. David looked through the glass and saw Ray and another priest inside with Pilar. He was startled when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"David, what are you doing here? I thought the police investigation was closed," Ross remarked.

"Ross, I was summoned here by Father Ray Santos. He said he had to speak with me about Michelle’s case. Do you know what this is about?"

"No, I don’t. He called and asked me to come here also.’ Ross continued, "I’m surprised you would come speak with him about the case – especially since you believe Michelle’s guilty."

"I was convinced of that."

"What do you mean by that?" Ross inquired.

"Well, the other night I was walking past the holding cell Michelle was in awaiting the transfer to the county jail. She was crying about how all of this could have happened to her. I looked at her and said it was because she was guilty and she went off on me – reminded me about having wheel chair races in this place as kids. She reminded me that we were friends and she couldn’t understand how I could believe she was guilty of this. I made some smart remark about her being a Santos and she said something that really opened my eyes."

"What’s that, David?"

"She compared my hatred for the Santos name to racism – told me that the person she grew up with didn’t judge people by appearances. She told me I had changed and not for the better. Well, I’ve spent the last couple of days thinking about our little confrontation and some things Frank had been saying about Michelle’s case all along – then I reread the transcript of Pilar’s testimony and that of your forensic expert. I realized that maybe the wrong person is behind bars. When Ray called, I decided that in order to get back to the person who had been Michelle’s friend growing up – I needed to look past the surface of this case and be willing to hear everyone out to get to the truth."

"I’m glad you’re rethinking everything, David. Justice isn’t served if the wrong person is behind bars for Ben’s murder," Ross commented.

Danny came up at that moment and spoke as he eyed David, "Ross, what’s he doing here?"

"Ray asked him to come and meet with us. Do you know what any of this is about, Danny?" Ross asked.

"No, I don’t have a clue – but I think we’re about to find out," Danny commented as Ray and Father Tomas came out of Pilar’s room. Danny looked through the glass and saw that Pilar was up and walking around her room. He could tell she had been crying. "Ray, is Pilar okay? What’s going on?"

"Danny, she’s going to be fine. She wants to talk to you when we’re finished. Detective Grant, Mr. Marler – thank you for coming," Ray said.

"Father, your call left me with a lot of questions. I assume we’re all about to get some answers," David commented.

"Yes, Detective Grant. Let me see if there is somewhere private where we can speak," Ray said as he looked over at the nurses’ station.

"Let me have Rick paged. I’m sure we can go to his office," Ross remarked.

A few minutes later the group joined Rick in his office. Danny spoke first, "Ray, why do you need to speak with us all in private."

"Because Pilar just gave me permission to reveal what she said to me at confession the day after Ben’s murder."

Danny looked up at Ray in shock, "You mean that you’ve known what Pilar said on the witness stand before she broke down all this time."

"Yes, Danny. I couldn’t say anything because of my vows. I have spent all this time trying to get Pilar and your mother to come forward with the truth. When Pilar took that stand, I had no idea that her mental state was so fragile. After you came by the church the night of the conviction, I went to Father Tomas and talked with him about what I have known all this time. It was his idea to get Pilar to give permission for me to tell you what I know."

"Ray, what exactly did Pilar tell you that day?" Ross asked.

" She told me how she had set it up for Carmen to find her in a compromising position with Ben. Then she told me that Carmen shot Ben. About a week after that, Pilar called and asked me to go to the house to see her. She was upset about Carmen’s plans to frame Michelle. Carmen came in while we were discussing it. I confronted Carmen, but she reminded me that everything Pilar had said was protected by the sanctity of the confessional. I was trapped. I couldn’t reveal to anyone what I knew."

Danny looked up; "You’ve spoken with my mother about all of this?"

"Yes, Danny."

"Ross, will any of this help Michelle’s case?" Ray asked.

"It could, but the judge may not allow your testimony because of Pilar’s mental state. The DA could argue that Pilar is delusional and that she convinced you to believe what she said. Unless Vanessa wakes up, our best hope to help Michelle is to get Carmen to confess," Ross said sadly.

Danny slammed his fist on Rick’s desk. Rick leaned against the wall and closed his eyes as he muttered, "There’s no end to this madness, is there?"

At that moment, David spoke, "Ross, could we wire Ray and send him in to speak with Carmen?"

Danny and Rick looked over at David in shock. "I thought you believed Michelle was guilty. Why would you want to help us now?" Danny asked.

"It’s a long story. Let’s just say an old friend opened my eyes and showed me what a judgmental jerk I’ve been. I owe it to that friend to uncover the truth and set her free."

----

Michelle sat in her cell looking at the box the guard had just brought her. Danny had brought her a gift when he came earlier, but the guards had taken it to search. It had been a few hours since he left. She found herself wishing she had gone ahead and told Danny about Dietz’s visit as she picked up the letter in top of the box. She looked underneath to find the Sandra Brown novel that had been sitting on the dresser since fall. Michelle unfolded the letter and began to read:

My dearest Michelle,

I saw this book you bought months ago sitting on the dresser. I know you never got around to reading it. You were always too busy with school and when you were at home – Well, let’s just say I kept you occupied during your free time. I thought maybe you would like to have this to read – maybe it will help you pass the time. Of course, I’m planning on you being back home before you can finish reading the first chapter.

I’ve been sitting here looking at photos of us from our honeymoon in San Cristobel. You were so sexy in the moonlight as we walked on the beach with our arms around each other looking at the stars. I started thinking about how we didn’t start out like most couples – never went on those getting to know you dates. It hit me that we never wrote any love letters to each other as I looked back through that box of letters we read together the other night. I decided it was time to remedy that little oversight.

I’ve laid awake most of the night staring at your empty pillow. When I close my eyes, I dream of wrapping my arms around you. You are so beautiful – just thinking about you takes my breath away. I imagine running my fingers along the inside of your arm and the soft giggles that come as you tell me how that tickles right before I press soft kisses on your shoulders and neck. I can’t wait until your back home and back in our bed – Well, you know exactly what I have planned when I get you there.

Your love has made me a better person. You saved my life – if you hadn’t come along and shown me that I deserved a better life than the one I had – Well, I’d hate to think about the person my mother would have pushed me into becoming. You have filled my life with more joy and happiness than I ever thought I could feel.

I promise that somehow I will find a way to get the truth out and free you. In the meantime, I’ll work on getting our house at Laurel Falls built. I can’t wait to explore every room with you. We will have the life we’ve dreamed of – TOGETHER. You’ve filled my life with love and hope. Hold on to our love and don’t lose hope – that is what will give us the strength to make it.

I love you with all my heart and soul,
Danny

Michelle wiped a single tear from her eye. "Danny, I love you with all my heart. I will hold on to that and to hope – for you," she whispered to herself.




Part23

Home