The Deception

by Marina Martindale

  "Yeah, but I'll see if I can get out of it."

  "Okay, but if you can't, don't worry. She'll probably go for hours before she delivers. We'll take her home as soon as the hearing's over, and we'll stay with her until you get back. If you're still in court by the time she needs to go to the hospital, we can take her. If we do, I'll send you a text message."

  "Thanks, Jonathan. I appreciate it."

  They entered the courtroom. As they took their seats in the gallery, she noticed another man seated nearby, accompanied by two women. She was shocked once she realized it was Scott. He looked as if he'd aged ten years. His face was pale, he'd lost a good forty pounds, and his salt and pepper hair was nearly all gray. He, too, looked surprised when saw her and noticed she was pregnant. A few news reporters were also there, but so far they'd not approached them. Alex noticed them as well.

  "Don't worry, Carrie-Anne," he whispered. "If they try to bother you I'll take care of it."

  The doors opened, and three deputy U.S. Marshalls entered with Maggie Andrews, in shackles and dressed in a black and white striped jail suit. She was led to one of the two tables in front of the bench, where she was joined by her attorney.

  "You've got to be kidding me," Carrie whispered to Alex. "That little snip of a woman is Maggie Andrews?"

  "Hard to believe, isn't it?"

  All were ordered to rise as the judge, Virginia Jarrett, entered the courtroom.

  "Be seated," she said as she took her seat at the bench. The case was called, and she asked for the record if Maggie Andrews had agreed to change her plea to guilty.

  "She has, Your Honor," replied her attorney.

  The judge went on to explain that a sentencing hearing was less formal than a trial, and that each of the three victims would be allowed to speak freely before she handed down her sentence. Carrie was called first. As she approached the bench, she was asked to state her name for the court.

  "My name is Caroline Daniels Montoya."

  "Please go on, Mrs. Montoya."

  "Thank you, Your Honor. About a year and half ago, before I was married, I met Scott Andrews at an art gallery opening. He presented himself to me as a single man, and yes, I did have a relationship with him. Then, once I began to suspect that he wasn't single after all, I immediately ceased all contact with him, and I deeply regret that I was an unwitting party to his infidelity." She turned to face Maggie. "However, that does not give you the right to do what you did to me. You stole my identity to make it appear as if I had plagiarized another photographer's work, and I admit that you did succeed, at least for a time, in turning my world upside down. In fact, you made my life a living hell, which was your intention all along, wasn't it? Then the truth came out, as it always does, and when it did, you attempted to kill me, along with child I'm carrying. You're idea of revenge is sick and twisted, and in the end, all your little plots have backfired. But don't you dare try to blame any of this on me. You're the one who did it to yourself. I want you to understand that I don't hate you, but I'm incredibly relieved knowing that you'll be behind bars for many, many years to come." She stopped and looked at the judge. "Thank you, Your Honor. That's all I have to say." She turned and went back to her seat.

  "Bravo, Carrie-Anne," whispered Alex. "You just made me very proud."

  "Thanks, Alex." She reached over and squeezed his hand.

  Jonathan Fields was called next.

  "It's kind of a strange story, Your Honor, of how I got to be here. Mrs. Montoya is my daughter." He stopped for a moment to give Scott Andrews a strong look. "I'm also the one who traced all the Internet activity on Scott's computer that day, Mrs. Andrews. No doubt you thought you were being clever, but in reality, you're a rank amateur. I knew, then and there, that it was only a matter of time before we got the goods on you. I was also in Carrie's office the day she got the threatening letter you sent her, and I don't take kindly to anyone who threatens one of my kids." He turned to face Scott again.

  "And as for you... I've read each and every one of the emails that you sent to my daughter, you son of a--" Jonathan caught himself before he finished his sentence. He turned to face the judge. "I apologize, Your Honor, I guess I got carried away."

  "The court understands, Mr. Fields. Please continue."

  "Actually, I think I'm about done, Your Honor. That day, when we left this very courthouse, I saw her standing in the plaza. She just didn't look right, so my radar immediately went up. As soon as I saw her reach underneath her overcoat I knew what she was going to do, so I did the only thing I could do. I took the bullet for my daughter. That's why she and my grandchild are still here. If it was up to me, I'd send her to the gallows and I'd pull the lever myself. Thank you."

  Jonathan returned to the gallery and Carrie stood and embraced him. As they took their seats, Judge Jarrett called Scott Andrews. He cautiously approached the bench.

  "Thank you, Your Honor. In spite of being a victim myself, it seems I've also been made out to be one of the bad guys, and unfortunately, there's some validity to what they've said about me. Yes, I cheated on Maggie, and yes, I mislead Carrie into thinking I was single when I wasn't. Maggie had every right to be angry, but instead of venting her anger on me, she chose to vent it out on Carrie, in spite of the fact that I'd already left her my present wife." He turned to point out Nancy to the court, along with his sister.

  "Now, I know what a big mistake I made. I was living a double life, and for a time there I really thought I had the best of both worlds. I'd chase after other women, and when I was through, I went home to my wife. The problem was, with the exception of Nancy, I didn't think of those other women as human beings. Her father's right. I was a callous son of a bitch. I have a daughter myself. She's going on seventeen, and if someone did something like that to her, I'd be furious, so father to father, I apologize to you, Mr. Fields."

  "Whatever," mumbled Jonathan to himself.

  "Anyway, I'm happy knowing that Carrie's now married and is about to start her own family. She's entitled to any happiness coming her way. That said, I've paid a high price for my infidelity. I was hauled off to jail for a crime I didn't commit. I lost my job, my dignity, and I nearly lost my life as well."

  He was starting to become emotional. He stopped for a moment to compose himself.

  "Don't get me wrong. Maggie did what she did of her own free will, and she knew what she was doing was wrong. That's why she tried to frame me for it. She most certainly deserves whatever punishment the court decides to hand down to her. I'm just saying that my own actions were, unfortunately, the catalyst for her to do the things she did, and for that I take full responsibility. Thank you, Your Honor."

  "Thank you, Mr. Andrews." Judge Jarrett turned to Maggie. "Is there anything you wish to tell me, Mrs. Andrews, before I hand down your sentence?"

  "Yes, Your Honor, I do."

  "Then go ahead."

  "Well, this has all been very touching, in a saccharine sort of way." Everyone could hear the venom in her voice. "So, Daddy's Little Girl gets to walk away free and happy and isn't that nice? Well, I did what I did to make a point. Scott always assumed that I was an imbecile. I wanted to prove to him that I wasn't, and what better way to do it than for me to bring down the Mercer's Markets girl."

  The judge slammed down her gavel. Maggie ignored her and kept talking.

  "I wanted the whole world to know that the innocent little girl from those old TV commercials grew up to become a whore."

  Again the judge slammed down her gavel. Her attorney tried to speak, but Maggie cut him off.

  "But hey, Carrie, it wasn't all bad. I arranged it so you'd get the prize money from the photo contest and you were getting five grand out of the deal."

  The judge banged her gavel again. "Control your client, Counselor."

  "I'm trying, Your Honor, but she won't listen."

  Maggie began shouting over her attorney. "I figured as long as you were a whore you might as well be paid for being one, but no, you had to be a cry
baby and go running off to the cops, didn't you? This is all your fault, Carrie. You can stop banging that gavel now, Judge, because I'm done."

  The room went silent. Carrie cringed with another back spasm. Everyone could see she was in distress.

  "Are you alright, Mrs. Montoya?"

  "I'm not sure, Your Honor. I'm nine months pregnant, and I woke up this morning not feeling well."

  "I understand." She turned to address Maggie. "Margaret Constance Andrews, you've plead guilty to all the charges against you, and you've shown no remorse for what you've done. In fact, you've done just the opposite. You've gone out of your way to demonstrate your contempt for the victims of your crimes. Therefore, I'm sentencing you to thirty years in the federal prison for each of the four counts of attempted first-degree murder, thirty years for the one count of forgery and identity theft, plus a fine of two-hundred fifty thousand dollars, and another five years for the one count of mailing a threatening communication."

  She went over a few last-minute details before she banged her gavel and turned her attention to her clerk. As the other people in the gallery started to leave, the deputies hauled Maggie away.

  "It's all over, Carrie-Anne." Alex stood up to leave. He bent to down kiss her on the cheek. "I have to go over to the superior court and take care of business, but I should done by lunchtime at the latest. Are you sure you're all right?"

  "I'm fine, Alex. I'm still a little shaken by the things she was saying about me, so I'd like to stay here for a few minutes and pull myself back together, if that's okay."

  "That's fine. As soon as you're ready your dad and stepmom will run you home. I'll call you as soon as I'm done."

  Alex said goodbye and made his exit. A few minutes later she felt ready to leave, but as soon as she stood she doubled over. Jonathan and Julia helped her back into her seat.

  "Holy Mother of God, make it stop!"

  Judge Jarrett banged on her gavel.

  "Are you alright, Mrs. Montoya?"

  "I think so," replied Carrie, trying to catch her breath. "For a moment there I thought I was dying. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to disrupt the court."

  "I was watching you during the hearing and I thought something might be happening. I think we need to get you to a hospital. Would you like to have my clerk call an ambulance?"

  "No thank you, Your Honor. For the moment I'm okay and I'd rather have my father take me." A bad memory suddenly flashed across Carrie's mind. "What about Alex?"

  "We'll take care of that," said Jonathan. "I'll send him a text message as soon as we get to the hospital."

  He helped Carrie to her feet and began walking her out of the courtroom. When they reached the door Carrie turned back to face the judge.

  "Thank you, Your Honor."

  "Good luck, Mrs. Montoya, and have a happy, healthy baby."

  Fifty-Four

  Jonathan pulled the white Camaro up to the plaza. Julia walked Carrie to the passenger door and helped her into the passenger seat. Once Carrie was inside, Jonathan briefly stepped out to help his wifeb into the backseat.

  "She had another big one while you were gone," Julia remarked as they sped away.

  "You know, I've really missed this car," said Carrie. "I'm glad it's still in the family."

  "Yeah, but I'm having a hell of a time keeping your brother out of it."

  "Here we go again." She started having another contraction.

  "Breathe, Carrie," said Julia, reaching over the seat to hold her by the shoulders. "C'mon, deep breaths. There you go. That's right."

  As the contraction eased, Carrie looked up and noticed the traffic light ahead was turning yellow.

  "No! Don't change. Don't change."

  "Carrie, calm down." Jonathan reached over and squeezed her hand. "I'll get you to the hospital in plenty of time and in one piece, I promise."

  "Sorry, Dad." She reached into her purse and grabbed her phone. "I need to send a text message to Allison. She's my birthing coach."

  The light changed while Carrie was texting. She knew Allison was in class and wouldn't be able to leave for a few hours. She sent a message to Alex as well. When he didn't reply, she knew it meant he was still in court. Ten minutes and another contraction later, Jonathan pulled up to the birthing center at Sonoran Southwest Medical Center. Julia exited the car on the driver's side, helping Jonathan get Carrie out of the car. Each had their arm around her as they walked her inside.

  "Our daughter's gone into labor," announced Jonathan as they approached the admissions clerk. She handed Carrie the usual paperwork to sign. By the time she finished, someone arrived with a wheelchair.

  "Oh my God, it's happening again," she shouted as they began wheeling her down the hallway toward the elevators. "I don't think I can take this much longer."

  "You'll be fine," assured Julia. "Tell them to give you a epidural."

  "But I wanted natural childbirth. I want to be able to push."

  "Hey, Carrie, it's the twenty-first century, and you don't need to impress us, okay. Take it from me, get the epi. You'll still be able to push."

  The elevator arrived. Moments later they reached her floor and wheeled her into her room. It looked more like someone's bedroom at home instead of a hospital room. Here Carrie would have her labor and delivery, and the baby would stay in the room with her once it was born. Two nurses were waiting, explaining they would be with her throughout the whole process. One of them handed her a hospital gown. She took it into the bathroom to change. Julia went with her to help. She'd no sooner gotten into the gown when her water broke.

  "Oh no! This is so embarrassing. Let me see if someone will bring me a mop so I can clean it up."

  "Carrie, relax," said Julia with a smile. "You're about to give birth so don't worry about cleaning up the floor. They'll take care of it. You just saved them the trouble of having go in and break it for you."

  When they opened the door, Carrie announced that her water had broken. The nurse stepped in the bathroom to take a look. She smiled, saying they'd take care of it.

  "See, what did she tell you? You're fine."

  Carrie glanced at the bed. It had been covered with plastic and disposable pads.

  "If you ladies don't mind, I think I'll go hang out in the waiting room for awhile," said Jonathan. "I'll send Alex another text message. Come get me if you need anything."

  Carrie walked up to her father and hugged him.

  "Thanks, Dad. I love you."

  "I love you too, Cara Mia. I'll be right outside if you need me."

  "She'll be fine, Jonathan," added Julia. "I'll be right here with her."

  He kissed them both goodbye and stepped out. After he left, Julia helped her onto the bed, holding her hand while the nurse examined her.

  "Wow, five centimeters already. Good job."

  Carrie looked at her stepmother. "I'm scared, Julia."

  "It's okay." Julia reached over and smoothed Carrie's hair. "I know it's scary, but you're in the best of hands and you're going to be just fine. I'll be right here with you, I promise."

  "Uh-oh!"

  Carrie started having another contraction, this time she screamed in pain. Once it finally stopped and she caught her breath, she asked for the epidural. An anesthesiologist was summoned, and once it was administered she began to relax. Her pain was under control. She even joked about going out and getting her nails done. Julia sat by her side and held her hand. An hour later Jonathan stepped back in to check on her, and as soon as he left the nurse examined her again.

  "Still five centimeters."

  "You mean there's no change?"

  "Not yet, but don't worry. We're watching the fetal monitor closely and everything's fine. This'll take awhile. It usually does."

  Carrie groaned as she leaned back on the bed. A minute later she heard her phone beeping. Julia handed it to her.

  "It's a text message from Alex."

  They could hear the relief in her voice. She quickly responded to his message, asking him to br
ing her overnight bag. He arrived about an hour later to find Carrie sitting up on the edge of the bed.

  "Carrie-Anne, are you alright? Is everything okay?"

  "I'm fine, Alex."

  "You're sure you're okay?"

  "She's fine," said one of the nurses. "We've given her an epidural, so she's not feeling any pain or discomfort from the contractions."

  "The epidural won't hurt the baby?"

  "No," said the nurse, shaking her head. "It won't hurt the baby at all, and trust me, it makes things a whole lot easier on the mother."

  Carrie started rolling her head around.

  "You know what would feel really good right now? A nice backrub. Right along my neck and shoulders."

  "You got it," said the other nurse, who immediately started to work.

  "We're helping her relax," added Julia. "She needs to save her energy for when the time comes to start pushing."

  "When will that be?"

  "Not for some time," said the nurse. "She's only dilated six centimeters."

  "It's a waiting game," added Julia, "but as you can see, she's doing fine."

  "So how long do these things usually take?"

  One of the nurses started to respond, but Carrie cut her off. "Alex, why don't you go get my father, and you guys can go out and get a pizza, or go to a movie, or a ballgame, or whatever. I'm not on a time schedule. It's going to be awhile. You need to go take a chill pill, and let me do what I gotta do, okay. We'll call you when we're ready."

  "Carrie-Anne?"

  Julia walked up to him and gently pulled him aside.

  "She's in labor, Alex, and even though they've given her something for the pain, she's still, understandably, feeling very anxious, so please, don't take it personally. It'll be sometime yet, so why don't you and Jonathan go grab some lunch? We'll call you as soon as she's ready."