A Snowy Night
Part 9
By Kellie
After Ross had finished with his questions, he asked for a short recess before turning Michelle over to Ms. Wolfe for cross-examination. The judge granted the request and gave them a fifteen-minute break. Danny was up ready to tell Ross what he'd found out as soon at the recess began. Before he spoke, Danny looked to make sure that Carmen was well out of earshot of their conversation. He wasn't surprised to see her walking towards him. "Hello, Mama."
"Daniel, how is everything? Any luck on finding evidence to clear Michelle?"
"Nothing yet; but I'm not giving up. Listen, Michelle and I really need to speak with Ross right now. I have to talk with you later. Maybe we could have lunch together, Michelle will be busy with Ross during the lunch recess."
"That would be wonderful. It's been too long since we had a meal together. I'll speak with you then."
"Fine, Mama."
It had been all Danny could do to conceal his anger, but he knew that he couldn't let Carmen have any inclination that he was on to her. "Ross, can we speak alone in the conference room. I don't want anyone to overhear what I'm about to tell you."
"This way," Ross said as he led Danny and Michelle towards the defense conference room. Once inside, Danny filled Ross and Michelle in on his visit with Pilar and her deteriorating mental state.
"Ross, there's no way Pilar could be a credible witness in her current state of mind. I know what she's saying is the truth, but Ms. Wolfe would tear her to shreds. I don't think she could emotionally survive testifying."
Michelle put her hand on Danny's shoulder as tears flowed from her eyes. She knew Carmen was capable of framing her for murder, but she had no idea that Carmen's actions were destroying Pilar's sanity. "Ross, what do we do now?"
"First, we need to get Pilar admitted to Cedars for an evaluation."
Michelle couldn't help the shudder that went through her at the thought of the psych ward. "Ross, is there any other way. Being locked up in that place - I just can't go along with putting her there."
"Michelle, Pilar truly needs the help they can give her. It wouldn't be like when Rick locked you up there. You didn't need mental help. From what Danny has said, Pilar does," Ross replied. "Danny, the best way to do this is if someone in your family takes her to Cedars and Pilar signs herself in. If we can't get her to do that, then a doctor could admit her involuntarily."
"Considering how I've messed things up with the trial, I probably shouldn't be involved in this, should I Ross?" Danny asked.
"It would be better if we could keep you out of it in case Pilar is found to be competent enough to testify by the psychiatrist. Is there someone besides Carmen and you who could take her?"
"My cousin, Father Ray. Pilar has been staying with him at the church. I'll go call him right now."
After Danny left the room, Michelle sank down into a chair. She couldn't help the sobs that overcame her at that moment. Ross sat in the chair across from her. "Michelle, you heard Danny's plan to get his mother to confess everything. You've got to pull yourself together and make it until the lunch recess. I know the hardest part of your testimony is next. Just stand your ground and stay calm with Ms. Wolfe. Listen to her questions carefully and only say the bare minimum. Make her dig for answers to the questions. That will give Danny the time he needs to get his cousin to take Pilar to Cedars without Camen knowing."
Michelle wiped her eyes and nodded at Ross. "Okay, let's get this over with."
Part
10