On The Prowl Chapter 7 (standard:mystery, 3169 words)
Author: Sarah Spenser	Added: Jul 07 2006	Views/Reads: 3167/2289	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
See what happens to Allie as the plot thickens and the stakes get higher!

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

him. They were all in shock too; Price arrived dressed in an expensive 
suit. "Good morning, Detective. Who am I defending?" "My wife, Allison. 
Harrigan Grayner was found shot tonight. Allie was there; she had a gun 
in her hand! But I know she didn't do it, Price. I just know it!" 
"Okay, is Grayner dead?" "No, he's in critical condition at Fallwood 
General." "Where's Allison?" "In there." Connor said pointing to the 
interrogation room. Price knocked ant entered swiftly. He closed the 
door and sat across from Allison. "May I confer with my client?" 
"Surely." Bryan said, both he and Bob excused themselves, as Allison 
was beautiful, Price was enchanted. Her blue eyes had a far away look 
and he felt sorry for her as he took Allison's hand. "Allison, your 
husband sent me to speak with you. I'm Price Harmont. Can you tell me 
what happened?" "I don't know! I remember going over to Grayner's to 
ask him about Francie." "Who's Francie?" "My daughter, she was 
kidnapped a few months ago by a madman! He calls himself The Eagle. He 
tormented us for months about Francie's whereabouts, one day he called 
and told me that he had killed her. I lost it, and was committed to 
Fallwood's psychiatric unit. I was convinced that Harrigan Grayner my 
psychiatrist was The Eagle. He drugged me and tried to sedate me every 
time I'd bring it up. Connor got me released and I went home. Then, 
last night, I had a dream that Francie was being chased by The Eagle. 
He had Grayner's face. So, I went over to his place to ask him if he 
had her." "Had you asked him before?" "Yes." "What did he say?" "He 
said he didn't have her and that I was crazy." "What happened when you 
entered?" "I don't remember." "You don't remember? Or you don't want to 
tell me?" "I don't remember!" "Was he shot when you got there?" "I 
don't remember!" "Allison, if I'm going to defend you, you have to give 
me something to work with. Either you killed him or you didn't." "I 
don't remember!" "Okay, I'll see what I can do." Price opened the door 
and Bryan and Bob entered. 

They questioned Allison for hours, but got nowhere. She truly didn't
remember anything, and Bryan believed her. The phone rang breaking the 
icy silence of the room. "Sutten." Bryan said authoritatively. "Mr. 
Sutten, this is Meghan Soyer. I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but I 
have news on Harrigan Grayner." "Yes, what is it?" "He just passed on. 
We think from two gunshot wounds to the chest." "Thank you, doctor." 
Bryan hung up and looked gravely at Allison. Her eyes seemed glazed and 
Bryan wondered if she had been drugged. "What's wrong?" Allison asked 
timidly. "Allison, that was the hospital. Grayner didn't pull through." 
"In other words, you're upgrading the charges." Price said flatly. 
"That's correct, Mr. Harmont. Allison Cassidy, I'm charging you with 
the murder of Harrigan Grayner." 

Allison was booked and finger printed. Then she was taken to a holding
cell until morning. Price promised that she would be arraigned in the 
morning. Connor was allowed to see her. She looked distant and it 
further confirmed his suspicions that she didn't kill Grayner. "Allie, 
I love you. Be strong, sweetheart. I know you didn't do this." "You're 
the only one who believes me, Connor!" she said through her tears. "I 
believe you, sweetness. I have no reason to doubt you. You said you 
didn't do it, and you didn't. It's as simple as that. Listen, try and 
get some rest. Price will have your hearing in the morning." "What 
happens, Connor?" "Well, the prosecution and the defense go in front of 
a judge and argue over bail." "I used to know all this." She said 
softly. She knew hearings and procedures from being an investigative 
reporter for so long. But when you're in the thick of it, you don't 
necessarily remember. "Connor, I love you." He touched her fingers 
through the bars. "I love you too, Allie. I'll see you in the morning." 
"Oh, I have to ask you something." 

"I don't know what happened." She sobbed. "No, not that, you do believe
me don't you? I didn't call the cops on you, Allison. I love you." "I 
believe you, Connor." He touched her hand again before he left. 

The night was long and lonely. Connor kept glancing at the hands on the
clock and thinking about Allie. She hadn't been herself in days, but 
she certainly wouldn't kill Grayner. He knew that better than anyone. 
She had trouble killing insects, never mind a human being. The way 
Grayner was shot had been brutal in nature. Not only because of the 
blood loss, but also because of the style and fashion of the crime. 
Allison wasn't brutal, not by any means. 

Allison couldn't' sleep. She kept thinking about the events that had
transpired, and couldn't remember killing Grayner. Maybe she didn't. 
She had proclaimed her innocence to Connor, Bob and Bryan, maybe she 
was right. She couldn't remember anything after she left the house to 
visit Grayner. The next thing she remembered was Connor tapping her on 
the shoulder and asking her what happened. She tried to think, but she 
couldn't. The guards opened the cell doors electronically, and all the 
inmates stepped out. Allison followed the procession to breakfast. The 
women in the holding cells were worse than the men. They snickered at 
her and one of them named Venus tried to push her way passed. 

Allison waited anxiously for the bail hearing. Price and Connor arrived
promptly at 8-30. Connor brought her a change of clothes as Price 
prepared her defense. They were escorted into court promptly at 9 AM. 
Judge Judith Eckert sat straight and erect as she banged her gavel. 
"This court is now in session. The first case on the docket today is 
The state of Connecticut versus Allison Cassidy." Prosecutor Tom 
Parsell stepped forward. "I will now hear arguments on the matter of 
Mrs. Cassidy's bail. What say you, Mr. Parsell?" "Your Honor, Allison 
Cassidy has shown this court time and again that she is a violent 
woman. She murdered Harrigan Grayner in cold blood last night. Although 
the lab reports are not back as of yet you will ..." "Mr. Parsell, this 
is not to determine Mrs. Cassidy's guilt or innocence. What do you find 
on the issue of bail?" Judith inquired impatiently. "Your Honor, I find 
that Allison Cassidy is unsuitable for release. Based on her past 
history and current mental status, we feel that Mrs. Cassidy is a 
flight risk. This matter is further complicated by the fact that her 
husband Connor, is a detective on the Cold Case Unit." "All right, 
thank you. Mr. Harmont, may I please hear from you?" "Certainly, Your 
Honor. I disagree with Mr. Parsell's recommendation. Allison Cassidy's 
guilt has not been proven. She has been cooperative with the 
investigators on this case, and has provided as much information as 
possible to aid them in their work. Mrs. Cassidy poses no risk to this 
community, she was recently released from Fallwood General's 
psychiatric unit. Mrs. Cassidy has been through a lot in the past few 
months, and the best place for her is home with her husband and people 
who love her." "Thank you, Mr. Harmont. Court will recess for half an 
hour." The gavel banged and everyone stood. Allison's handcuffs were 
removed and she held Connor's hand. "How are you?" he asked concerned. 
He could tell she hadn't slept and was worried. "Well, I could be 
better." "You didn't sleep did you?" he asked looking into her eyes. 
"No, how could I?" "Allie, I'm worried about you." "Besides the fact 
that the entire town thinks I killed a man?" "I'm worried about you. 
Not this damn town! I know you didn't do it! I know that! I'm going to 
find out who did this and bring them to justice." "Have you heard from 
Eagle?" "No, I would've told you. Just remember whatever happens, I 
love you." He kissed her firmly letting his lips linger on hers. "I 
love you too, Connor." Lynn, Thelma and Clint sat with them in the 
front row. Court reconvened and Judith spoke sharply as she rendered 
her decision. "I have had time to ponder this matter. With regard to 
Allison Cassidy's bail, it is denied. Mrs. Cassidy is remanded to the 
custody of the county jail until her trial date." Judith banged her 
gavel signaling the case had concluded. "I can't believe it." Allie 
said softly starting to sob. "Don't worry, honey, we'll get you out." 
Connor said soothingly stroking her hair. "Sorry, these are a 
precaution." The guard said placing the cuffs around Allison's wrists. 
Connor watched as she was led away. "Price, what the hell are you 
doing?" Connor whispered so the whole room wouldn't hear. "Detective, I 
tried. Judith Eckert is a tough judge!" "Don't give me that! Just get 
her out! She doesn't need to be in prison! She can't handle it." "It's 
the county jail!" "That's even worse! She is going to lose it for sure 
if they put her in there." "I'm trying, Connor. I'm going to ask for an 
extension, but I know Judge Eckert isn't going to give it to me." 
"Great job!" Connor said sarcastically. 

Allison was moved to the county jail shortly after her hearing. She was
put into Cell Block B, which housed women offenders. They were tough, 
and much more savvy than Allie, she felt dirty and defiled being with 
them. But she thought of Francie and Connor every time she got 
discouraged. The woman in the next cell was named Xena. She had a hard 
look and Allison was afraid of her. "What did you get?" Xena asked 
gruffly. "What do you mean?" "What are you in for?" "Murder. But I 
didn't do it." "Yeah, that's what they all say! I really murdered 
someone." Xena said lighting a cigarette. "You're not supposed to have 
those in here." Allison said not believing her ears. "Oh, I'm shaking! 
I murdered someone. A cop no less, honey! You think I'm scared of some 
wimpy guard?" Allison shook her head. "What's your name?" "Allison." 
"I'm Xena." Allison overheard a conversation between Xena and another 
woman on the block. They were planning to break out. Allison remembered 
as much of it as she could and talked to a guard during dinner. Little 
did she know that Xena had found out about it and planned to get 
revenge. "Phone for you." One of the guards shouted. Xena followed the 
guard to the phone located at the end of the corridor. All the women 
made noise and shouted as she walked by. Allison had been given one 
phone call, and she was going to call Connor. When Xena hung up she was 
next in line. The guard left momentarily to visit the rest room. Xena 
saw her opportunity and dragged Allison in to an unsecured part of the 
corridor. "You snitch! You snitched on me!" "I ..." "You little witch! 
I'm going to bust you up for that! You're going to pay!" Xena shouted 
pummeling Allison with her fists. She took out the weapon she made at 
dinner and beat Allison into unconsciousness. Once finished, she left 
her there. 

Connor was having dinner with Price to discuss his strategy for
Allison's case when the phone rang. "Hello?" "Connor, this is Mac down 
at county jail." "Yes?" "Allison escaped." "Escaped?" "That's what I 
said. We can't find her anywhere." "She's not here." "Are you sure 
about that?" "I'm positive!" "hang on, Connor." Mac put down the phone 
and looked at the guard who was standing before him. "We found her, 
Mac." "Is she all right?" "She's unconscious." "Connor, can you get 
down here right away?" "What's wrong?" "We found Allison, she's 
unconscious." 

Connor entered the infirmary quietly. A nurse was standing by the door
awaiting his arrival. "What happened? How is she?" "She's not awake, 
she's been unconscious since she was brought in. Blunt head trauma." 
"How'd this happen?" "I don't know. One of the guards found her in an 
unsecured part of the corridor." "They thought she'd escaped." Connor 
said shakily. His eyes were bleak, he thought of poor Allie. His Allie 
was lying there unconscious. There wasn't a damn thing he could do to 
help her. "I know, I'm sorry, sir." "Can I sit with her?" "Sure, If she 
wakes up, let me know." Connor took a seat by Allie's bed. He touched 
her hand tenderly and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "Allie, it's 
me, honey. You have to wake up for me. I love you, I'm sorry about all 
this. I'll get you out of here, I promise! Just come back to me, 
darling. We have to find Francie, honey. We will find her, we'll find 
her together. Allison, come back to me." She was still, too still. 
Connor touched her hand again, and gently stroked her fingers. He told 
her stories and funny events that had happened in the past. But she 
still hadn't regained consciousness. He worried as he watched the hands 
on the clock indicate the passage of another hour. 

"Say this isn't true!" Bob Frank said slamming his fist on his desk.
"I'm sorry, sir. I'm sorry." "You idiot! I can't believe this, 
Madeline!" Madeline Redding looked at him through hazy eyes. He 
respected her as one of the foremost medical examiners, now she had 
even lost that. "I'm sorry, Chief." "Just stop you're whining and tell 
me who we do have in front of us!" "We don't have the body of Harrigan 
Grayner. The body we have is his brother Hoover." 


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