A Snowy Night
Part 26
By Kellie
Ross got off the phone and
looked at Blake. "That was Frank. He and Bill are with Vanessa and Matt.
Vanessa’s awake – and she was the second shooter."
"How did that happen? I don’t see Vanessa killing anyone in cold
blood." Blake remarked.
"According to Frank, Vanessa went to Ben’s room to try and stop Pilar
from carrying out her plan. She found Ben crawling towards the phone when she
entered his suite. He asked her for help because Carmen had shot him. Vanessa
was so angry with him over the whole mess with Bill that she picked up
Carmen’s gun and confronted Ben. All she wanted was for him to confess that he
had set Bill up. Ben grabbed at the gun and they struggled and it went off –
killing him."
"Ross, are you all right? I know Ben wasn’t your favorite person, but he
was your brother and Vanessa is Dinah’s mother. This has to be a shock."
"Yeah, I’m okay. I need to call David and Ray. We don’t have to get
Carmen to confess at lunch tomorrow. We’re going to confront her in court.
I’ve got to go see the DA and contact the judge. I want to line up a hearing
for tomorrow. With Vanessa and Ray’s testimony to back up what Pilar said on
the stand, the verdict should be overturned. Michelle will be home tomorrow
night if things go as planned." Ross grabbed his briefcase and headed
towards the door. He turned looked at his wife. "Wait, that TV crew is
going to be here in a minute to interview you about the book. You need me to
keep the kids out of the way."
"Go on. I’ll call Abby and see if she can come give me a hand with the
kids for a few minutes. She can be here in ten minutes. We’ll manage. Getting
Michelle out of jail is a lot more important than you being here for my TV
debut."
Ross walked over and gave Blake a kiss. "I love you Darlena La Croix."
Blake playfully swatted at him, "I love you, too. Now get out of
here."
Ross started dialing his cell phone as he walked out the door. A few minutes
later Blake walked over to the phone and dialed the Bauer house. She was
surprised when Danny answered. "Hi Danny. I’m surprised you’re not on
the phone with Ross. Is Abby around?"
"Actually, Ross just called and told me Vanessa’s awake and he’s
working on some details about a new hearing. He’s going to call me back when
he knows more. Abby’s at the hospital. She and Rick are visiting Lizzie while
Phillip, Harley, Jim, and Beth go to Susan’s school play."
"Oh. I was hoping she could come help me with the kids for a few minutes.
Is Aunt Meta home?"
"No, she’s gone to a meeting at the church. Is there something I could
do?"
"Well, I’ve got a TV crew coming to interview me about my book in a
half-hour. I wanted Abby to come help me keep the kids entertained in their room
while the camera crew is here. I’ll try to get hold of my mom. I’m sure she
can help me out."
"Blake, after everything Ross has done to help Michelle – I’d be glad
to come help you out for a few minutes.’
"Danny, are you sure it’s not an imposition?"
"Actually, it would be nice to have something to do besides sit here and
think about Michelle sitting in that damned jail cell or all the cruel and
vindictive things my mother has done. If I sit here and think about what I
learned about my mother tonight – Well, I promised Michelle I wouldn’t do
anything about it. If helping you out frees Ross up so he can make sure Carmen
gets what coming to her – Let’s just say I’d be thrilled to help."
"Okay, I’ll take whatever help I can get at this point. Can you be here
in fifteen minutes?"