In the conference room

 

Mark: Good to see you Jack. I’m sorry this is not a social visit. (smile)

 

Jack: Good to see you Mark. I would like you to meet Renee Becky Cabot. She needs a miracle and I told her you could deliver. (megawatt smile)

 

Mark: Thanks for putting more pressure on me. As if I don’t get enough from work already. Just so you know, I got called into my boss’s office today and found out I will be prosecuting the case against Fernando Bottcelli on the murder of Mr. Brinkman.  But I still need to find the little girl who could be my star witness. Any luck with that?

 

Jack: Actually, that’s why I wanted you to come here and meet Renee. Her niece, Grace is the star witness you have been looking for. (megawatt smile)

 

Mark: Great news. So where is she? (smile)

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Renee: I’m picking Grace up later. She wanted to stay and play dolls with her friend.

 

Jack: Here’s the thing. Renee is charged with kidnapping. But we have reason to believe that Grace’s father killed her mother. It’s a long story which you will get to read all about it once you decide to take her case. (smile and raise eyebrows)

 

Mark: If she’s charged with kidnapping, why isn’t she in jail? (perplexed expression)

 

Jack: Like I said, we may have new evidence that points directly to Simon Stewart being the real criminal and he is the only person who should be behind bars. Renee only did what she thought was necessary to save Grace from her father. (megawatt smile)

 

Mark: Do you have tangible evidence to back up your theory?

 

Jack: As a matter of fact, I do. I got a call from Mr. Jamison. He lived next door to Simon Stewart and he has given me new detailed proof to convict Simon Stewart. This is where you come in. (megawatt smile)

 

Renee: How did you find Mr. Jamison?

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Jack: Actually, he found me. As I was saying, he remembered you talking to him about me at one point when you lived in Florida. Mr. Jamison is coming forward now because his wife passed away and he wants justice for you, Grace, and Charlotte. (megawatt smile)

 

Renee: I’m sorry for Mr. Jamison’s loss. But I’m so thankful he told you what I’ve been saying all along about my ex-brother-in-law. (smile)

 

Mark: Okay. Assuming what Jack and his team uncover are all true, it still doesn’t justify kidnapping your niece. The court is not going to see it your way.

 

Renee: What about the fact that I am turning myself in. Doesn’t that count for something?

 

Mark: I’ll see what I can do. But it’s a long shot. First, I need to talk with Grace. Find out what she remembers about Mr. Brinkman’s murder. Then I can talk to the judge about your mitigating circumstances and cooperation with Jack’s team. That will go a long way to help your case. (smile)

 

Renee: I’m sorry I lied to you again, Jack. Grace is not here. She is somewhere safe. I had to do what I thought was best for her.

 

Jack: What are you talking about? Where are you hiding Grace? (exasperated expression and raise eyebrows)

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Renee: I can’t give you that information. Go ahead and arrest me. I deserve it.

 

Jack: I thought you trusted me to protect you and Grace. Now you pull a stunt like this. (exasperated expression on his face)

 

Mark: Jack’s right. You are going score really bad points with the judge if you walk in the courtroom without Grace by your side. The judge will throw the book at you along with me. Tell Jack where he can find Grace. You and Grace are more in jeopardy this way.

 

Renee: What if Grace is returned to her father? I can’t in good conscious let that happen to her. I made a promise to my sister.

 

Mark: Look, I’ll be honest with you. There is no way to know for sure how this will all play out in court. There is no guarantee when you walk in the courtroom.

 

Jack: But the best you can do; is have faith…that you are doing the right thing for Grace. Have faith that justice will prevail, faith in you and me. Have faith in Mark, if that’s who you want to represent you in court. He’s your best bet. (megawatt smile)

 

Mark: Jack’s right. I am a tough lawyer and I will fight tooth and nail for you to keep Grace. No hedging your bets this time. It’s all the way or nothing. You make the call.

 

Renee: Okay. You both argue extremely well. I guess I should be glad that you’ll be defending me. And Jack’s on my side rallying behind me. I’m going to call my friend and tell her I want to pick up Grace first thing in the morning. (smile)

 

Mark: Good. You made the right decision. And Jack’s team doing most of the legwork; providing new evidence for me to work with. We have a very good chance. I should be able to get Renee out on bail provided she doesn’t skip town, buddy.  (smile)

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Jack: That’s good news. Renee, you have my word that I won’t let anything happen to Grace. And I would be happy to take care of her until you get things squared away in Florida. (megawatt smile)

 

Renee: Thanks, Jack. I think Grace would really like that a lot. The only question that really matters now is…what’s going to happen to me and to Grace? Will I be able to get a reduced sentence or an acquittal of all charges against me? Or am I asking too much for some kind of miracle? (hopeful smile)

 

Mark: First, there will be an extradition hearing. And then you will return to Florida and face kidnapping charges there.

 

Jack: Every case he works on, he creates a list of best and worst case scenarios. It’s all planned in his head. I can see the wheels turning right now. Isn’t that right, Mark? (megawatt smile and laughs)

 

Mark: Gee, don’t give away all my secrets buddy. Yes, Jack’s right. I like to be prepared for anything in court.  I think you’re going to like my best-case scenario. (smile)

 

Renee: I could sure use some good news considering my future is still in doubt. (smile)

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Mark: This is the easy part. The best-case scenario has the D.A. in Florida dropping all charges against you. The D.A. finding that there is new evidence, credible enough to reopen the investigation into your sister’s death. Mr. Jamison’s testimony will corroborate why you felt justified to run off with Grace in order to protect her. As a result, the D.A. will bring child abuse charges against Simon Stewart. We get an impartial judge to listen to the new evidence with an open mind. We have an excellent chance of winning the case. And the best part is you get to keep Grace. (encouraging smile)

 

Renee: Wow. You dream really big. You’re not just saying that to make me feel better, are you? (hopeful smile)

 

Mark: No. I really believe it could happen. (encouraging smile)

 

Renee: Okay. I’m ready to hear the worst-case scenario.

 

Mark: That’s too bad. Because I don’t have a worst-case, I don’t intend to lose. I have never been more serious. (self-confident smile)

 

Jack: This time the right people who needed to listen are going to hear you loud and clear because you have the law on your side. (megawatt smile and his signature wink)

 

Mark: I’m going down to Florida and prove that you are not a criminal but a loving mother. The only mother Grace has really known. I’m going to make you a promise right now. You are going to get full custody of Grace. And Simon the Jerk will spend the rest of his miserable life in prison. I have a few contacts who owe me big favors in Florida. It’s about time I collect. (smile)

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Bobby: Hi, sorry to interrupt your meeting but I thought you would like to know we have something. (smile)

 

Jack: Your contact came through. I bet he found our smoking gun. What was hidden in the garden? (megawatt smile and raise eyebrows)

 

Bobby: A torn slip dress and a heart locket with Grace’s picture inside. The lab confirms Charlotte wore the dress the night she was killed. And I haven’t even got to the best part yet. They found hair fiber and DNA that belongs to Simon.

 

Jack: We got him good. He can hire as many lawyers as he wants to, but it won’t change the fact that he killed Charlotte. The judge is not going to allow Grace to go back and live with Simon not after he hears all this. (megawatt smile)

 

Bobby: I do believe we have a slam-dunk against Simon Stewart. (smile)

 

Mark: Guess it’s my time to play knight in shining armor. Call your friend tell her you want to pick up Grace right now. Then I will accompany you to Florida. We are going to get this situation resolved. No time like the present. (smile)

 

Renee: Okay. Grace is in Norwich, Connecticut. Let’s go get her. (smile)

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