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EPISODE EIGHT

“DOWNFALL”

Scene: Covington Bay Courthouse. Evan Maitland is at the prosecutor's table writing in a notebook. An attractive, well dressed black man rushes up out of breath.

Man: Evan, I'm sorry I'm late. Traffic was terrible.

Evan: (as the man sat down) Patrick, don't worry. Everybody's a little behind today because of the traffic jam. As you can see, the trial hasn't started yet.

Patrick: You must be chomping at the bit to get things going.

Evan: Oh, I can't wait to get this show on the road.

Patrick: You're not the only one eager to see Nathan James pay for what he's done. I think you've got an entire town ready to see justice done.

Evan: Oh, he'll pay all right, no doubt about that. I'm certain we can win this case. But it’s not going to be easy. Sabrina Collier is good and will no doubt bring her ‘A’ game to court. It’s going to be a quite a battle. (He smiled, glancing over at the dark haired woman) And I’m going to enjoy taking her down a peg or two. I owe her one or two and it’s time I collected.

(Then a slender young man with close cropped dark brown hair walked up to the prosecution table)

Man: Hello, Mr. Maitland.

Evan: (looking up) James, how are you this morning?

James: Fine; eager to get started. (He looked around) I'm surprised this hasn't gotten underway.

Evan: It will soon enough. (Pause) James, I'd like you to meet my assistant, Patrick Jackson. Patrick, this is James Greyhawk. He was Candice Dailey's fiancée.

Patrick: (shaking James' hand) It's nice to meet you Mr. Greyhawk, I'm sorry about your loss.

James: Thank you.

Evan: How are you holding up?

James: It's been tough. I still miss Candice. I know it's been a few months since she died, but it pain is still so fresh. (He grimaced) Well, at least now there's going to be some justice and Nathan James can pay for what he's done.

(A few feet away, Nikki and Richie were sitting in the courtroom, talking)

Nikki: (surprised) James Greyhawk? You think James killed Candice?

Richie: I'm almost certain of it.

Nikki: But why? Look, considering my family’s history with the Greyhawks, he's certainly no fan of mine, but why would he kill Candice?

Richie: Because he somehow found out about her relationship with Nathan. She told me and Nathan that he was furious and said horrible things to her.

Nikki: Like what?

Richie: She wouldn't elaborate, but it was obvious whatever he said scared her. Still, she planned to end it with him and call the wedding off and she left to do just that. Since she acted so frightened before, Nathan wanted to go with her, but she said she could take care of it alone. A few hours later, they found her dead.

Nikki: But that hardly means James killed her. He says he never saw her that day. And he insists there was no relationship between she and Nathan so she would have no reason to break it off with him.

Richie: Of course he'd say that, he's lying.

Nikki: What proof do you have?

Richie: None, it's just a feeling.

Nikki: But no evidence, huh? Richie, none of what you've said paints James as a killer. He found out the woman he loves and plans to marry is in love with someone else. Naturally he's going to be upset, say some frightening things. And since Candice didn't give you all the details of the conversation, you don't have anything to work with. Now I know this is what you’re going to testify to and it certainly does create reasonable doubt. It could help to free Nathan, but it won’t do anything to get James convicted or even arrested for that matter.

Richie: I realize that. But there must be some way to get at the truth. Maybe we could talk to your cousin A.J.. He's a good investigative reporter. He believes Nathan is innocent. Maybe he'll look into it.

Nikki: There's nothing to look into. I don't think A.J.'s going to want to even bother with it without some hard facts to go on.

Richie: (sighing) You're probably right, but what do we do? I certainly can't forget it.

Nikki: I'm not saying we should.

Richie: What does that mean?

Nikki: It means that we know Nathan didn't kill Candice, so we have to start looking at who did. If you think James is a possible suspect, then he should be checked out.

Richie: But, the police think they have their man and you already said your cousin wouldn't be interested. Who's going to look into this?

Nikki: Who else? Me.

* * * * * *

Scene: A stairwell in the courthouse. Sabrina Collier and Michael Tamakai rush into it, followed by Jerry Nyland. A guard is at the bottom of the staircase, standing over Nathan's unconscious body.

Sabrina: Oh, God! What happened!?

Guard: He fell down the stairs.

Michael: What!? Have you called an ambulance? He could be seriously injured.

Guard: No, we haven't yet.

Sabrina: What do you mean you haven't yet? Why not!?

Guard: He may not be hurt all that bad.

Sabrina: He's unconscious, damn it! You should've called for medical attention immediately. He obviously needs to be taken to the hospital. We need to call an ambulance.

Jerry: (to the guard) Take care of that. I’ll stay here.

Guard: Of course. (He rushed up the stairs and went through the exit door)

Sabrina: I also saw Zachary Dailey in the courtroom. Maybe he can help. (She looked up Jerry) Jerry, I need you to go get him. I’m sure you’ve seen Dr. Dailey and know what he looks like. He’s visited Nathan plenty of times over the past few months.

Jerry: I know who Zachary Dailey is, but I can't leave the prisoner alone.

Sabrina: He won't be alone; we're here.

Jerry: (suspiciously) You're his lawyer, aren't you?

Sabrina: Yes, but I'm certainly not going to help him escape, assuming he could even move.

Jerry: I'm sorry, but I can't take any chances on losing this prisoner.

Sabrina: (annoyed) Fine. (She glanced at Michael) Michael, get Zachary.

Michael: Of course. (Michael rushed up the stairs and went through the exit door as Sabrina and the guard shared looks of suspicion and distaste)

* * * * * *

Scene: The courtroom. A.J. Lassiter is sitting down, the dark haired reporter busy making notes on a small pad. Dr. Glenn Dailey slides into the seat next to him.

Glenn: Hello, A.J.

A.J.: Glenn, hi.

Glenn: I see the trial hasn't started yet. Has there been some sort of delay?

A.J.: (nodding) Yeah, but I'm not exactly sure what the problem is.

Glenn: Well, I'm glad it hasn't started yet. I don't want to miss a minute of seeing that James kid getting what he deserves.

A.J.: Glenn, I can understand you feeling that way, but. . .

Glenn: Don't start on how innocent Nathan James is. He killed Candice and I don't need you to tell me otherwise. I get enough of that from my son.

Zachary: (sliding into the row of seats in front of Glenn and A.J.) And I have no idea of changing on that score.

Glenn: What are you doing here?!

Zachary: (bitterly) What do you think?

Glenn: So you did actually show up to support that killer!? Didn't your sister mean anything to you!?

Zachary: Of course she did, but I'm not going to stand by while an innocent kid goes to jail, especially one who loved Candice so much. She meant the world to Nathan and he loved her too!

Glenn: It's bad enough you betray your sister's memory by siding with that murderer, but to believe they were lovers is ridiculous! She was engaged to James Greyhawk; he belongs to one of the finest families in the country. She would never leave James for someone so obviously beneath her.

Zachary: Nathan is a great kid. Sure, he's a little rough around the edges, but he was getting his life in order. I know you never liked him, but what was it about him that really bothered you? Was it that he was poor, came from the wrong side of the tracks or that he was black?

A.J.: Look guys, I really don't think this is the place to hash this out.

Glenn: I couldn't agree more, but it's so like my son to start a scene in public.

Zachary: You didn't answer my question. What was it about Nathan that bothered you most?

Glenn: You would accuse me of racism just because I didn't like the kid and he happens to be black.

Zachary: I never accused you of racism. I just set it forth as a possibility. But the fact you picked up on that tells me all need to know.

Michael: (rushing up) Zachary, I need you to come with me immediately.

Zachary: Michael, what's wrong?

Michael: It's Nathan. He's been hurt.

Zachary: Oh, my God.

A.J.: How? Is he all right?

Michael: We don't know yet. Come on, Zachary.

Zachary: Of course. (Zachary and Michael rushed out of the courtroom)

A.J.: I wonder what that was all about?

Glenn: (a wicked smile on his face) I don't know, but it could be the best news I've heard all day.

* * * * * *

Scene: The fifth floor nurses station. Natalie Lassiter and Dana Cooper are there behind the desk.

Natalie: I wonder how the trial is going?

Dana: Who cares as long as Nathan James is convicted as quickly as possible? I'm more interested in the fact I'm about to go on break.

Natalie: (sarcastically) Dana, don't hold back, tell me how your really feel.

Dana: Look, I don't like the kid and I think he's a killer. Is there anything wrong with that?

Natalie: No, I'm just glad you're not on the jury. The poor kid wouldn't have a chance.

Dana: Believe me, he doesn't deserve one.

(Then, the elevator doors slid open, and Nikki and Richie rushed off of them)

Nikki: Hi Aunt Natalie.

Natalie: Nikki? Richie? What are you two doing here? Should you be in school?

Nikki: (hesitating) Uh… we heard there was an accident at the courthouse and that Nathan was hurt.

Natalie: Hurt? How?

Nikki: We don't know, they just said downstairs he was brought to this floor.

Dana: Well, we haven't heard anything.

Richie: Are you sure?!

Dana: (coolly) Yes, we are.

Richie: (angrily) He has to be somewhere in this hospital! Don't you people know what you're doing!? (He stalked away, going to the elevator)

Dana: That brat is so rude! (Pause) Natalie, I think now is the perfect time for me to take my break. (Dana walked away)

Nikki: Sorry, he's just upset.

Natalie: I understand.

Nikki: Thanks Aunt Natalie. (Nikki walked over to Richie, rubbing his shoulder) Richie, calm down, it's going to be all right.

Richie: Oh really, what makes you think that? Nikki, this whole thing is just getting worse and worse. First Nathan is put on trial for a murder he didn't commit and how he could he badly hurt. My best friend is going through all this hell and there's nothing I can do to help him.

Nikki: You're wrong, there is something you can do.

Richie: What, huh? You tell me!

(Then the elevator doors slid open and James stepped off. Richie looked up at him, his eyes blazing with rage)

James: (barely containing a smirk) Richie, hello.

Richie: You bastard! This is all your fault!

* * * * * *

Scene: Nearby the third floor nurses station. A.J. is standing a few feet away, talking on his cellular phone.

A.J.: All I know is that he fell down the stairs, I haven't gotten any details, not yet. (Pause) I'm working on it, I'm working on it. I haven't let you down yet, have I? (Pause) Talk to you later. Bye. (A.J. hung up, then spotted Melody Sorensen coming off the elevator and walking to the nurses desk)

(He walked over to her as she was handing a nurse a file)

Melody: Make sure you take care of that, okay?

Nurse: Of course.

A.J.: Hello, Mel.

Melody: (startled, looking up at A.J.) A.J..

A.J.: We need to talk.

Melody: Not now. (She started to walk away)

A.J.: (grabbing her by the arm) Why? What's the hurry? You got a patient to cut open?

Melody: Actually, I just don't want to talk to you. I'm not ready to deal with this, A.J..

A.J.: Well, get ready, because you and I are going to settle this right now.

* * * * * *

Scene: The third floor lounge in the hospital. Sabrina is on her cellular phone.

Sabrina: I don't know, David, we haven't heard anything yet. (Pause) I'll talk to you later. Bye. (She hung up and slipped the phone into her purse. She then paced the floor for a few minutes before Michael walked in)

Michael: I just spoke to someone at the courthouse. They said Nathan's family showed up and were told what happened. They're on their way here.

Sabrina: Good.

Michael: Any word on him?

Sabrina: No, but I'm sure Zachary will be out as soon as he knows something.

Michael: I hope it's good news. He looked pretty bad.

Sabrina: I know, Michael, I know. I just hope the poor kid pulls through.

Michael: So do I. I may have my doubts about Nathan's innocence, but this accident is the last thing I would've wanted.

Sabrina: Yes, if it were an accident.

Michael: What do you mean if it was an accident? Certainly you can't be saying someone did this on purpose?

Sabrina: I’m not sure, but there’s something about this whole thing that just seems… off.

Michael: What do you mean?

(Zachary walked in with a young black man wearing green scrubs)

Zachary: Sabrina… Michael.

Sabrina: Zachary, any word on Nathan? (She nodded towards the black man, Dr. Darian Jackson) Darian, are you involved in this?

Darian: Actually, I’m Nathan’s regular doctor and since I was here in the hospital when he was brought in, I’ve taken over the case.

Sabrina: That’s good. So how is he? Will he be all right?

Darian (sighing): Well, I'm afraid we've got a real problem here.

to be continued. . .

Next time, in Covington Bay. . .

· Sabrina is thrown by the news about Nathan.

· Nikki is stunned by Richie's odd behavior.

· A.J. and Melody have a heated encounter.