Last Words 

Author: Romantique
 
Email: dolph1n@sbcglobal.net
 
Rating: NC 17 - Adult language.
 
Summary: This story begins with a child custody hearing, and
Nick's recommendation could be his last.

Classification: Nick Angst and Torture.
 
Distribution: Archive anywhere, but please e-mail me 
 
--+--

Allegheny County Courthouse
Family Court
Monday, November 25, 2002
10:45 a.m.

From the witness stand of Judge Shelton's small Courtroom, Nicholas
Fallin testifies on behalf of his client, four-year-old Samuel
Sutton, Jr. The Department of Human Services recently removed the
small boy from his father's home after a complaint had been filed
with Child Protective Services. Samuel Sutton, the boy's father was
arrested for the assault of his then girlfriend, Lila Kennison, while
Samuel Jr. was in the home. The assault charges were later dropped,
but the boy remains in the temporary custody of the Department
pending the outcome of this hearing. Due to the child's young age,
Samuel Jr. is not present in the courtroom.

Nick cuts a striking figure as a man, standing out among the other
moderately attired in the Courtroom. They say that "Clothes Make the
Man," and Nick is wearing an impeccably cut, charcoal Hugo Boss
suit. Known in the Courthouse as a "triple threat," he is wealthy,
incredibly good-looking, as well as extremely brilliant. His
Courtroom adversaries know all too well that this "triple threat" is
a reckoning force with a quiet charisma. People naturally want to
hear what he has to say.

As the Guardian of Samuel Jr., Nick testifies to the Court with an
air of confidence and authority. "Mr. Sutton has repeatedly
demonstrated that he is unable to control his temper, even around his
young son. Instances of his rage and the resulting psychological
damage to the boy are documented by both the report from Child
Protective Services and Dr. Geller's psychiatric evaluation of this
family. Although Mr. Sutton is to be commended for seeking therapy
to treat his problem with anger, he simply hasn't been in treatment
long enough to change his aggressive behavior with any degree of
certainty."

Judge Skelton is a stern, slender, middle-aged African American
woman. Nick has appeared before her on several previous occasions.
She speaks directly to the young attorney, "For the record Mr.
Fallin, what is your recommendation for custody of the minor child,
Samuel Sutton, Jr.?"

"That a treatment plan for anger management, a plan approved by this
court, be successfully completed by Mr. Sutton BEFORE placement of
the boy with him can even be considered. In the meantime, temporary
custody should be awarded to Samuel Jr.'s maternal grandparents, Mr.
and Mrs. Steven Bassinger. They are present in the courtroom and
willing to accept temporary custody of their grandson."

Mr. and Mrs. Bassinger are seated in the last row of the courtroom.
Holding hands, they give a slight nod to the Judge, indicating their
affirmation of Nick's recommendation.

Judge Skelton thanks Nick for his testimony and excuses him from the
witness stand. She is ready to make her ruling. "This Court will
place the minor child, Samuel Sutton, Jr., in the temporary custody
of his maternal grandparents. The boy's father, Mr. Sutton, is now
receiving treatment for anger management in a Court approved
treatment program and will be given a schedule of regular, supervised
visitation until such time as this issue of custody is revisited.
Let's set another hearing six months from today to re-evaluate Mr.
Sutton's progress in therapy."

Next, Judge Skelton turns to direct her remarks to the boy's
father. "Mr. Sutton, you are to be commended for taking
responsibility for your behavior and seeking treatment for yourself.
This ruling is not intended to be a punishment to you, sir, but it is
in the best interest of your son to live in a safe environment while
you go through your treatment program for anger management. Keep up
the good work."

The Judge then quickly adjourns the session by slamming down her
gavel.

Mr. Sutton is shocked, utterly blown away by the Judge's decision.
She is so nonchalant in dispensing her life-altering justice, as if
she does it every day of her life. Perhaps it is commonplace for her
to take children away from their homes without so much as the blink
of an eye; but for him, a forty-five-year-old man who has already
lost so much, her ruling is devastating.

Samuel Sutton's large, blue eyes glisten as they fill with tears.
He's often been told his son has his eyes. "You told me if I
voluntarily entered this treatment program, I would get my son back,"
Samuel's voice quivers in disbelief of the outcome. He is clearly
upset with Sherry Holden, his young, attorney who is standing beside
him. His lawyer attempts to comfort him by telling him this isn't
the end of this issue; that in essence, the Judge gave him a very
supportive ruling. She adds that they will come back to Court in
full force in six months. The young woman truly feels bad for her
client. She reaches over to give him a comforting pat on the
shoulder.

Suddenly, Samuel grabs the petite woman with his left arm crooked
under her chin and around her neck, and he backs away from the
defense table with her in tow. Upon seeing this action, the
Courtroom bailiff slowly moves toward Mr. Sutton, his hand inching
toward his hip holster.

"Give me the gun!" Samuel yells at the older, overweight man in
uniform, while clenching his arm tighter around Ms. Holden's neck.
He removes his belt with his free hand. Once removed, he pulls the
end through the buckle and slips the leather loop over Ms. Holden's
head. The belt becomes a makeshift noose, and he pulls it taught
around her neck until she begins to choke.

"I said give me the damn gun!" Samuel repeats to the bailiff at least
two times louder than the first time he ordered the gun. "Take it
out of the holster with your thumb and forefinger. Two fingers! Do
you understand?"

The bailiff continues to slowly inch for his gun, until Samuel yanks
the belt so tight around Ms. Holden's neck, the attorney's face to
turn red as she gasps for air. In response to Samuel's escalating
aggression, the bailiff does as he's told.

"Slide it over here, on the floor!!" Samuel yells as he hankers down
toward the ground, pulling the attorney down with him.

The bailiff bends down on one knee and slides the revolver towards
Samuel. The distraught father immediately grabs the weapon and
points it directly at the bailiff, who immediately puts his hands in
the air, remaining kneeled to the ground.

As Samuel continues to back away, he commands Mr. Bassinger, his
former father-in-law, to lock the doors in the back of the courtroom.

"You're never going to get away with this," Judge Skelton says calmly
from the bench. "You're being watched on closed circuit."

Samuel looks around the room until he spies a camera in one far
corner. Dragging Ms. Holden behind him, he walks over to the camera
and fires a shot into its lens, blowing it into little pieces. At
that instant, the bailiff begins to charge. Samuel turns and fires
another round square into the chest of the Court officer. The blast
catapults the heavy-set man backwards and onto the floor.

Gasps are heard from around the room. In addition to Samuel's former
in-laws, Ms. Holden, Judge Skelton, Nicholas Fallin, and the bailiff,
Laurie Solt is also among the group of unfortunate souls who just so
happened to be in this Courtroom on this particular morning.

"Okay, all of you. Get on the floor, against the door." And Samuel
directs everyone seated in the back of the Courtroom to line up
against the closed doors, creating a human barricade between him and
the outside world. A look of dread spreads among the faces of the
hostages, as they anticipate this mad man's next move. He's already
shot one man and is choking his lawyer. Is he now going to massacre
the rest of them along the doors?

Laurie's life flashes before her eyes. If she had to choose the
biggest regret in her life, it would have to be Alvin, Alvin
Masterson. He has never been anything but kind, loving, and
sincere. And all she ever did was push him away. She hurt Alvin,
and she knows it. She regrets pushing him away, over and over
again. And is she lives through this, she intends to set things
right with him.

Nick simultaneously reviews his life. Why does he always argue with
those he loves? The last words he said to his father were, "I don't
need you; I don't need your money. Just stay out of my life!" The
argument was over a case; it was just a stupid case. In the grand
scheme of things, it means nothing. And when he last saw Lulu Archer
two days ago, he accused her of being a tease, of trying to ruin his
life! It suddenly occurs to him that he is the one who pursues her.
She doesn't ask for his attention. She doesn't encourage it. In a
moment of clarity, Nick recognizes that he only wants what he can't
have.

Each person in the room is having thoughts of their lives coming to
an end. What were the last words each one said to his or her spouse
or lover? Do their children know how much they are loved? What if
that was the last time they would ever see their loved ones?

Their private thoughts are interrupted when Samuel hurls his attorney
to the floor near the others, as if she were a bag of garbage. She
grabs her neck and rubs with both her hands, struggling to breathe.
Slowly, she positions herself against one of the doors with the
others.

"Take off your belts and your neckties," he commands to Nick and his
former father-in-law. With wide eyes, they do as they are told.

"Now, tie the door handles together."

"This is not going to keep them from coming in here," Nick protests
under his breath as he ties his necktie around and through the door
handles.

"Shut up! No one wants to hear your opinion now, Mr. Fallin," Samuel
yells with disdain in his voice.

While Samuel is chastising Nick, Judge Skelton quietly crawls on all
fours in the direction of her fallen bailiff. Once she reaches him,
she places her hand on his neck to take his pulse.

"He's dead," she announces, her eyes wide with the rush of adrenaline.

Samuel walks toward her and grabs her by the hair, leading her back
to the others. Then, he gets right in her face. "I've had to listen
to your big mouth all morning, Judge. Now, you are going to listen
to me! You better stay right there with the rest of these folks,
unless you want to be next!" And he brandishes the gun for all to
see.

"Hey, Golden Boy," Samuel directs his remark to Nick, who is sitting
on the far end of the assembled line of hostages. "Walk back there
and secure that other door." Samuel points to the door which goes to
the Judge's Chambers. "Do exactly as I say and then come back over
here or your Judge friend is going to get it between the eyes."

Nick's eyes dart over to the meet those of Judge Skelton. For
someone who has just witnessed her bailiff being killed before her
eyes, she appears to be in control of her emotions and as dignified
as ever. Nick takes a deep breath and does as he's told. Then,he
returns to join the others and kneels to the ground.

"Tying the door handles with belts and neckties is not going to keep
the Police from barging in here," Nick comments as he takes a seat
near the others. Knowing the desperation of this man, Nick
continues, "Let us help you figure a way out of this, please!"

The already unstable man snaps upon hearing Nick's unsolicited
opinion. "You are a know it all, you know that?" Samuel shouts. "If
it weren't for you and your `know it all ways,' none of us would be
here. I would have gone home with my boy, and the rest of you would
have gone about your day. The truth is . . . for a "know it all,"
you don't know shit!"

Samuel face is now fuming with anger, and he walks over to Nicholas
Fallin and slams the butt of the gun into the back of Nick's head.

"Man, you don't know shit!" Samuel repeats his tirade to the young
man now lying unconscious at his feet.


Allegheny County Courthouse
Outside the courthouse
Monday, November 25, 2002
11:10 a.m.

Within fifteen minutes, the entire Courthouse had been evacuated.
The staff of the Courthouse had practiced evacuation drills many
times before for just such an event. The evacuation worked
perfectly; however, the fact that two gunshots had been fired and the
camera in the courtroom was taken out of commission was clearly a
scenario that had not been rehearsed or anticipated by Security
personnel. Several Court Security Officers now asked out loud, how
did a gun get past the metal detectors? The answer was that it would
have been impossible to get a gun past Security.

A heavy Philadelphia Police presence is now evident, as marked
cruisers are lined up from the Courthouse entrance, all the way down
the street. The Police quickly try to determine exactly with whom
they are dealing, as they call in their tactical unit.

Evacuated from the third floor of the Courthouse, Alvin Masterson and
Lulu Archer have stationed themselves near the Courthouse entrance in
an effort to obtain more information on the unfolding events. By
now, the police have determined that Judge Skelton's courtroom on the
north side of the 2nd floor was the location of the gunshots. And
Alvin and Lulu have ascertained that both Nick and Laurie were in
Judge Skelton's Courtroom for the Sutton case at the time of the
siege.

Lulu reviewed the file on Samuel Sutton's custody case before giving
it to Nick, and she fills in Police Sergeant Ron Solomon on the
details. "Samuel Sutton has a history of violence," Lulu speaks
quickly, trying to make sense, trying to hold it all together. "He
was in jail six years ago for violently assaulting his apartment
manager for not repairing a water heater. And he was recently
charged with an assault on his girlfriend."

"Some of our colleagues were scheduled to be in Judge Skelton's
Courtroom for the Sutton hearing," Alvin interjects, nervously
rubbing his fingers through his hair. "In addition to Judge Skelton
and her bailiff, one of our attorneys, Nicholas Fallin, and Laurie
Solt, a caseworker with the Department of Human Services would have
been in that Courtroom this morning. There may be others."

The Sergeant listens intently, making copious notes in his Palm Pilot.

Lulu goes on to explain that she's very concerned as to what Mr.
Sutton might do . . . how far he might go. "He most likely went to
court earlier this morning and lost custody of his son because of his
history of violence. This guy lost his wife during childbirth, has
been unable to hold onto a job or a relationship since his wife's
death, and now he's probably lost his son. He has nothing left to
lose!" she tries to convey her fear of Mr. Sutton's desperation to
the Sergeant.

Sergeant Solomon thanks the two for their assistance and then decides
to place a call into the Judge's chambers, in an attempt to make
contact with the Courtroom. From his end, a frustrated Sergeant
Solomon hears the phone ring and ring and ring.


Allegheny County Courthouse
Inside the Courthouse
Monday, November 25, 2002
11:35 a.m.

The air in Judge Skelton`s courtroom has become cool, yet stale and
stuffy. It is becoming quite obvious the heater and the fans have
been shut off, allowing the chilly November temperatures to seep into
the building. The phone rings from the Clerk's counter at the back
of the Courtroom, yet everyone remains in their respective
places . . . no one dares to move to answer the phone. Finally, it
stops ringing. A moment later, Nick's cell phone begins to ring from
inside his jacket pocket.

"Turn off that phone!" Mr. Sutton yells at the group. Laurie, who is
seated nearest Nick, approaches her downed colleague and gently rolls
his limp, unconscious form onto his side. Then, she gasps at the
sight of blood oozing from the back of his head.

"Look inside his coat and turn that damn thing off!" Samuel loudly
repeats his demand.

Laurie quickly reaches into Nick's inside breast pocket and pulls out
the phone. She presses the button on the top of the unit, until it
shuts down.

"Now, each of you, turn your cell phones off and slide them over here
to me," Samuel orders.

One by one, each takes out his and her respective cell phones from
coats and purses, turns it off, and slides them across the floor
within the reach of their captor.

Laurie's attention quickly returns to Nick. As Samuel scrambles to
collect the phones, Laurie speaks up with a slight quiver in her
voice.

"Mr. Sutton, this man needs immediate medical attention," she nods
her head in Nick's direction. "He's bleeding heavily." She pleads
for help with tearing eyes. Nick coloring doesn't look good.

"And why should I care about him?" Samuel walks over to the front of
the unconscious man and gives Nick a hard kick into his ribs. "That
man convinced the Judge to take my son away from me."

Startled by the kick, Laurie gasps and brings her hands up to her
eyes. "Oh, God, please don't. Please don't hurt anyone else." And
she swallows down the hard that has formed in her throat, awaiting
the repercussion of her extemporaneous outburst.

Samuel surveys the room, looking at the terror in the eyes of the
people lined up against the door, blocking him from certain police
capture. They sit very close to one another for warmth, as it is
becoming quite cold in the room. Samuel is unprepared to see the
pained expression on the face of his former mother-in-law. He has
seen that look before, the day he had to tell her that her daughter
had died. Brenda Bassinger has aged tremendously since he last saw
her. The loss of her daughter has clearly taken its toll.

Locking eyes with Brenda, Samuel takes in a deep breath and speaks
very slowly, "As long as you people do exactly what I tell you to do,
no one else needs to get hurt. But let me warn you. I don't want to
hear any more opinions from any of you. I've heard enough opinions
for one day."

A few moments of silence are broken when Nick's breathing becomes
labored. He doubles himself up, drawing his legs into his chest. He
appears to be regaining consciousness, and he moans in pain.

Samuel flashes Laurie an irritated glance, and he shouts, "You care
about this guy so much. Think of a way to shut him up fast because
if he makes any more noise, I'll shut him up myself." Again, Samuel
brandishes the revolver to give credence to his threat.

Laurie leans over Nick and grabs the perfectly folded white
handkerchief from his front coat pocket. Upon her touch, he lets out
another painful moan. "Shhhhh," she whispers in Nick's ear as she
lifts his head and gently places it back down onto her lap. Another
moan escapes is lips, only louder this time. Laurie is literally
shaking in fear; she is afraid she will not be able to keep him
quiet. She firmly applies the handkerchief to the back of his head.

Nick has lost most of his coloring. Laurie believes that he may have
internal injuries, possibly a punctured lung. She fears he won't be
able to hold on much longer without medical attention.

"Shhhhh," she whispers again, but more sternly this time. "You're
okay, Nick. I've got you. You are going to be okay." She tries to
reassure the young man by gently stroking his shoulder down his arm.
Her rhythmic touch seems to calm him.

"That's right," she whispers. "You're going to be okay. You're
going to be okay." Laurie softly repeats the phrase over and over
again as if it were a mantra, as if she could make it so.
 
Allegheny County Courthouse
Judge Skelton's Courtroom
Monday, November 25, 2002
Noon

Laurie's tan skirt is now covered with the blood pooling from the
right side Nick's head. She shivers as she tries to offer what
little warmth she has to the stricken young man. She has applied
steady pressure to the deep wound behind his ear for at least ten
minutes now. Although the bleeding has slowed, the once white
handkerchief is totally saturated with the warm, red liquid.

She looks up and makes eye contact with her captor. Slowly, she
holds up the drenched, red piece of cloth. In a soft but steady
voice, she asks, "Does anyone have another handkerchief or piece of
cloth I can use?"

Steven Bassinger immediately reaches into his coat pocket, until
Samuel flashes him a look to stop his movement.

"I have a clean handkerchief, if you'll allow me to get it," the
older man explains.

Samuel nods to indicate it is okay. His former father-in-law reaches
into his coat and retrieves his handkerchief.

"Go ahead. Give it to the lady," Samuel instructs the older
gentleman.

Mr. Bassinger crawls forward about five feet until he is able to hand
the handkerchief to Laurie. Then, he returns, crawling backwards to
his former position, next to his wife.

With the clean cloth in hand, Laurie resumes applying pressure to the
wound. Nick begins to stir as his head slowly turns from side to
side. He is still trying to regain consciousness.

"Nick," Laurie whispers softly and repositions his head so that she
is now looking into his face. "Can you hear me?"

She takes his face into her left hand, as her right continues to hold
the compress on the wound on the back of his head.

Nick's eyes slowly flutter open. Laurie can feel the others behind
her, almost willing him to remain quiet.

"Laurie?" he mutters weakly, trying to focus his eyes. "Where am
I?" Then, he winces and brings his legs even more tightly into his
chest, and he begins to cough.

"Shhhh," Laurie softly pleads. "You have to remain quiet, Nick,
or . . . or Mr. Sutton promised to shoot you."

Suddenly remembering where he is, Nick looks up to see a very
irritated Samuel Sutton standing over him. Laurie is clearly telling
the truth. With every ounce of his remaining strength, Nick holds in
an overwhelming desire to cry out in pain. His ribs hurt beyond
belief; they must be broken. He hugs himself around the ribcage,
holding his side, as he hears himself wheeze. Stifling another
cough, Laurie sees blood coming from Nick's mouth.

"Nick, lie still," Laurie softly instructs the young man. "Try not
to cough. Try not to move."

In less than a minute, Nick passes out again from the pain.


Allegheny County Courthouse
Outside the Courthouse Entrance
Monday, November 25, 2002
12:15 p.m.

Sergeant Solomon holds his headset close to his ear to listen to the
latest report from his mobile team. Using sophisticated, heat-
sensitive imaging equipment, the team was able to pick up a total of
eight persons inside the Courtroom, but one and possible two of the
eight are dead.

As the Sergeant repeats the message beck to his team for
confirmation, Alvin and Lulu look at one another in horror upon
hearing this information . . . one, possibly two dead.

Both Lulu and Alvin know Judge Skelton and the bailiff, John Morton,
as well as Sherry Holden. In fact, Alvin tried a case against Sherry
Holden last week in Judge Skelton's Courtroom. And there is Nick and
Laurie to consider; Nick who holds a special place in Lulu's heart,
and Laurie who holds special place in Alvin's. The thought of losing
anyone in that room is difficult to comprehend. Both Lulu and Alvin
are secretly praying for the same thing: "Please, don't let it be
one of our own . . . not Nick . . . not Laurie." Until now, Lulu
has been able to stay strong. But upon hearing that Nick could be
dead, she begins to sob.

Alvin puts a fatherly arm around her shoulder to offer her
comfort. "They don't know with any certainty that anyone is dead.
You need to hold a good thought. It's the only way you'll get
through this."

"You don't understand," Lulu sobs harder into her boss's shoulder.
She tries to gain enough composure so that she can speak. "The last
time I saw Nick, we had a fight. I told him I . . . I hated him, and
that I never wanted to see him again. I was going to talk to you
this afternoon about reassigning him to work with someone other than
me." Now that her secret was out, she sobs even harder.

Alvin lets out a deep sigh as he tries to console Lulu. Under his
breath he says, "Funny you should say that. I saw Laurie earlier
this morning, and we had a serious disagreement. God, I would hate
to think my last words to her were words that stemmed from my own
foolish pride."

A large crowd has now assembled in front of the Courthouse, including
the local media. Pushing his way through a sea of people and
cameras, Burton Fallin makes his way up the sidewalk and spies a
familiar face, his old friend, Alvin Masterson.

"Alvin," Burton calls above the crowd.

"Over here," Alvin hails Nick's father over to join them, as Lulu
quickly wipes her eyes and tries to pull herself together.

"Sergeant Solomon, this is Burton Fallin, the father of one of the
hostages," Alvin makes the introduction.

After a quick handshake, Burton wastes no time in getting straight to
the point. "Sergeant, my son may be in there. I need to know, what
is going on in there?"

"At about 10:50 to 11:00 this morning, a man took a group of people
in Judge Skelton's Courtroom hostage. We've reviewed the video tape
recorded in Judge Skelton's Courtroom just prior to when the
perpetrator rendered the camera inoperable. We know there were eight
persons in the Courtroom, including the perpetrator. I can confirm
that your son is among the hostages. And I can confirm that two gun
shots have been fired since the siege began and after the point where
we lost video contact," the Sergeant reports.

"Then it's true," Burton exclaims. "Nick is in there."

"Yes, sir," the Sergeant reconfirms.

"Do you know if they are alright?" Burton asks.

"I'm going to shoot you straight, because if that were my kid in
there, I would want to know," the Sergeant continues. "Our technical
team informs me that they believe there is one, possibly two bodies
in the room."

The Sergeant shakes his head. "If you will excuse me, I will let you
know the minute I know anything more," and he leaves to join a group
of Special Weapons officers.

Burton Fallin stands there in silence, reeling from the news he's
just received. Alvin grabs his friend's arm to steady Burton's frame
which is also reeling.

"I'm sorry, Burton," Alvin speaks to break the silence. "We have
several colleagues, including Nick, that were in that Courtroom this
morning. They were there for a custody case."

Finally, Burton is able to speak. "Do you know who the perpetrator
is?"

"We don't know him personally, but we believe it is a father who may
have lost custody of his son this morning," Lulu freely gives the
information to the worried father.

"The Sergeant said something about two gun shots. How was this man
able to bring a gun into the Courthouse through Security?" Burton
searches for answers in their eyes, as he tries to make sense of this
senseless sequence of events.

"We don't know," Alvin responds, looking down.

"Is this guy desperate? I mean, is he desperate enough to hurt
anyone?" Burton continues his probe.

"We believe it's possible," Alvin answers quite honestly. "Mr.
Sutton has a history of violence, and he has suffered several major
losses in his life. While I'm not a mental health professional, Lulu
and I are afraid he really doesn't have anything left to lose, or at
least that's the way he may be feeling right now."

"And you say he may have lost custody of his son today?" Burton
continues to probe for answers.

"Yes," Lulu quickly reconfirms the information. She notices that
getting the information seems to calm him. Mr. Fallin needs to know
everything.

Burton takes in a deep breath. "Why was Nicholas there?"

"To testify what was in the best interest of a four-year-old boy,"
Alvin answers.

As tears well up in his eyes, Burton asks the question he is afraid
to ask. "Did Nicholas testify for or against this man, the boy's
father?"

Alvin steels his friend again. "He would have testified against the
father."

Burton buries his face into his hands, as Alvin continues to shore up
his old friend.


Allegheny County Courthouse
Outside the Courthouse
Monday, November 25, 2002
12:45 p.m.

After the initial shock of learning the status of the situation
passes, Burton Fallin comes back with a vengeance. He cannot bring
himself to believe his son is dead, and he is not about to leave his
son in that room to die. There were too many things left unsaid
between this father and son. Burton owes his son an apology. Once
again, he had allowed business to get in the way of his relationship
with Nick. Yes, he owes his son an apology. Now, all he wants is
the chance to deliver it.

He continues to probe Alvin and Lulu for more information. "You said
the Police have tried to make phone contact but no one answers the
phone?"

"That's right," Lulu confirms. "Alvin and I called Nick's cell and
Laurie's, too. All we get is their voice mail."

"Yes, I've had the same experience," Burton remarks. "You've told me
that this man has nothing to lose, and yet he loves his son. He is
probably devastated over the loss of his son. So, why don't the
Police just give him what he wants? Why don't they just give the man
his boy?"

Burton receives a sudden flash of insight as to how he knows this man
Sutton feels about his son. It's because Burton feels the same way
about Nick.

"They can't turn over a little boy to a mad man who is holding people
hostage. Do you know how many disgruntled parents would then try
tactics like this to get their way in Court?" Alvin retorts, then
catching himself as he knows Burton is upset over his own plight.

Burton laughs a little. "I didn't mean to get you impassioned over
the children, Alvin," and he gives his friend a reassuring pat on the
back. "What I meant is this; why can't they make this man THINK they
will give him his son?"

"Mr. Fallin," Lulu interrupts. "That is not a bad idea. Let's find
the Sergeant."

And the three begin to push their way through the crowd, searching
for Sergeant Solomon.


Allegheny County Courthouse
Judge Skelton's Courtroom
Monday, November 25, 2002
1:20 p.m.

The Courtroom phone rang and rang every five minutes; until finally,
Samuel took the receiver off the hook.

Laurie convinced Samuel to let her take some coats from the others to
give Nick some warmth. She is afraid he is now going into shock.
All she can do is to keep him quiet and warm.

When the next five minutes of silence passed, it turned into six
minutes and then seven minutes, the extended silence was noticeable
too all . . . until the silence was broken.

"Samuel Sutton, this is the Philadelphia Police. We have yourson,
Sam, and we want to arrange for you to see him," Sergeant Solomon
wails over a bullhorn.

"They have Sam? What are they talking about, they have Sam?" Samuel
begins to pace.

The voice on the bullhorn continues, "Please pick up the phone! We
need to talk. We need to get you back with your son."

"What the hell is he talking about?" Samuel asks rhetorically. "I
just killed a man. I'm not going to be seeing Sam for a long, long
time."

"That's not true," Judge Skelton speaks up. "You will be able to see
your son. You are entitled to regular visitation."

"Visitation? From a jail cell?" Samuel quips. "Yeah, right."

"Yes, from a jail cell," the Judge continues. "It happens more than
you know."

Laurie concurs, "It's true. As the boy's natural parent, you are
entitled to visitation with your child . . . even if the parent is
incarcerated."

Samuel looks into the eyes of Brenda Bassinger. Sometimes she looked
so much like her daughter. "You would never allow Sam to visit is me
in jail."

"You are his father," she answers the tired, disheveled man. He's
already lost his mother. You're all he's got, except for Steven and
me. It's not our place to keep you and your son apart."

"We didn't come here to take Sam away from you, Samuel," Steven
Bassinger informs his former son-in-law. "The Department of Social
Services informed us that you were undergoing treatment and asked us
if we would be willing to keep Sam with us until you were ready to
take him back."

The voice in the bullhorn returns. "Samuel, if you're not going to
answer my calls, then pick up the phone and dial 911. The dispatcher
can patch you through to me. My name is Sergeant Solomon; ask the
operator to patch you through to Sergeant Solomon. Let me hear from
you within the next five minutes."

Laurie is seated at the far end of the lineup, with Nick still
unconscious and lying in her lap. She slowly speaks to her
captor, "The Bassingers are you telling the truth. They did not come
to Court today to take Sam away from you. They only came to help
you."

"Then what was the deal with the Golden Boy? You heard his
testimony!" Samuel retorts.

"Mr. Fallin was only doing his job," Laurie defends the young
lawyer. "He felt that Samuel should not live with you until you
completed treatment. He felt he was doing the right thing by the
boy."

She looks down in her lap at Nick's pale face and motionless body,
and she gently strokes the side of Nick's face. She can't help but
think how far he has come over these past months. There was a time,
not so very long ago, when she wouldn't have been able to trust him
to do the right thing. She bends down and whispers in his ear as she
continues to stroke his face, "No matter what, you did the right
thing, Nick." She hopes he can hear her.

Mrs. Bassinger adds, "I know how rough it's been on you since you
lost Linda. My life hasn't been the same since she died. I can only
imagine your pain. After all, she was your wife." Brenda pauses and
then continues, "You and Sam are the only family Steven and I have
left. We haven't seen you in such a long time, but that was not our
doing. If you want a family, Samuel, you have one . . . right here."

Mr. Bassinger nods his head.

"Even if I go to prison?" Samuel asks, his voice choking with
emotion.

"Yes, even if you go to prison. Sam will be waiting for you when you
get out," Brenda tells him with tears of sincerity in her eyes.

Tears fill Samuel's eyes as well, and he walks over to the front of
the Courtroom. "I can't ask that of you. I can't ask that of Sam,"
he sobs. "Oh, God, what have I done?"

And Samuel brings his hand up, puts the revolver to his right temple,
and fires, blowing off half of his face. Immediately, screams of
horror envelope the small room.


Allegheny County Courthouse
Outside the Courthouse
Monday, November 25, 2002
1:40 p.m.

"Shots fired!" Sergeant Solomon radios his tactical team. "Get in
there, now!"

Burton, Lulu, and Alvin gather close to the Sergeant to see if they
can hear anything, anything that might tell them what was happening.

In less that a minute, the Sergeant receives information that
hostages are running out of the Courtroom, screaming. Several
minutes later, the first of the group is escorted out of the building
by Police, as more officers and two Emergency Medical Technicians
enter the building.

The first hostage to emerge from the Courthouse is Sherry Holden,
followed by the Bassingers. The ashen look on their faces is one of
sheer horror. Quickly, they are pushed into marked cars and whisked
away. Less than two minutes later, Judge Skelton emerges from the
building and is also whisked away.

Burton moves his position as close to the entrance as he is allowed,
craning his neck for a look inside the building, looking for
Nicholas. Lulu and Alvin clasp hands as they also move closer toward
the entrance. They wait for Nick and Laurie, knowing full well that
three gun shots have been fired this morning . . . knowing full well
that both Nick and Laurie may have had a hand in Mr. Sutton's loss of
custody.

After an eternity, the EMTs exit the building carrying one victim,
and Burton immediately recognizes Nicholas on the stretcher. He
looks so pale.

"Nick," he shouts as they pass by. "That's my son. Please, that's
my son!" And the elder Fallin follows them to the street and jumps
in the back of a waiting ambulance, after his son is loaded in.

"Thank God, he's alive," Lulu utters upon seeing Nick. Maybe it's
not too late to make amends. "Where do you think they are taking
him?" she asks Alvin.

"Probably to Allegheny General," Alvin replies, preoccupied. Then,
Lulu and Alvin see Laurie walk out of the building under her own
steam with a Police officer at her side. She is covered with blood.
Alvin gasps at the sight, fearing the worst.

Laurie immediately notices Alvin standing there waiting for her and
is both touched and comforted by the concern written on his
face. "I'm okay," she mouths to him. "I'm okay." And she gives
Alvin a weak smile. Then, Laurie is also taken to a waiting car
which speeds away.

"They're alive. They are both alive!" Alvin exclaims to Lulu with
great relief and amazement. Both Lulu and Alvin have tears
glistening in their eyes, but they are tears of joy.

Alvin continues, "We've been given another chance to make sure our
last words are words of kindness. How lucky we are, indeed!"


EPILOGUE

Bailiff John Morton was laid to rest the day after Thanksgiving. His
widow later accepted a posthumous award of the City's highest citizen
honor for valor.

Nicholas Fallin was released from the hospital the week after
Thanksgiving. He fully recovered from his injuries and returned to
work in mid-December. Despite his father's strong objections, Nick
continues to work off his sentence of community service at Alvin
Masterson's firm. Nick did hear and accepted his father's apology.
Nick, in turn; offered an apology of his own to Lulu Archer which
Lulu also graciously accepted. They are both working to establish a
new relationship based on mutual respect.

Laurie Solt returned to work after taking a week off from work. She
and Alvin are presently sorting out their relationship, but Laurie
now takes great care to guard Alvin's feelings.

Mr. and Mrs. Bassinger were awarded full custody of their grandson.
Sam is doing very well in their home.

Sherry Holden also returned to work after taking an extended leave.
She is seriously considering changing her specialty from family law
to business law.

Judge Skelton returned to the bench, immediately following the
Thanksgiving holiday where she continues to administer justice.

The lives of all, as well as the lives of their families and friends,
have been forever changed by the events in Judge Skelton's Courtroom
on the morning of November 25th. The biggest change is that they are
all now careful to utter only the kindest last words.

~fin~