Helios Renewed

by Tawa M. Witko

  “You aren’t allowed to go in beforehand, but I can. You two wait here while I go inside. I will be taking notes that we can go over later today.”

  “Okay,” Madison replied nervously.

  She watched as Elias stepped inside the courtroom. Madison looked around and saw a bench nearby. She and Connor took a seat and watched as people went in and out of the courtroom. Time seemed to be going so slowly. She checked her watch and only forty five minutes had gone by. Her mind drifted to the hospital as she wondered what was happening with Andrew, hoping beyond hope that it was better than last night.

  “Madison Ellis,” A bailiff stated, coming into the hall.

  Madison squeezed Connor’s hand, who tried to smile at her. They both stood and began walking toward the large doors. Steadying her breath, she stepped inside. She was immediately greeted by Elias, who looked upset. She quelled her rising panic and told herself that she needed to do this and get back to Andrew.

  “Remember what I said, Madison,” Elias reminded her.

  Madison nodded as he directed her to a seat in front of everyone. The attorneys for the agency, Mr. Snelling and Mr. Marx, were seated next to another well-dressed man who was talking to them. Then, on the other side of them, was a tall African American man. He looked fierce, not what she expected to see. She had already watched as Nolan, as well as both senators, came and went and she wondered if she was the last one to be questioned. Elias sat down in front and nodded slightly to her.

  “Ms. Ellis,” the man began in a deep and booming voice that commanded attention.

  “Yes,” Madison replied meekly.

  “You are here today to give testimony in the case against Turner & Crawford.”

  “Okay,” Madison replied hesitantly and then added, “I stopped working for them two years ago.”

  The man looked over his glasses and Madison turned to Elias who shook his head.

  He stepped up to her. “Mr. Crawford indicates that you and Kurtis have been managing the STES Program account since its inception nearly three years ago.”

  “How could I be managing something when I was living in California? I have had no contact with Kurtis since moving to California.”

  “You’ve had no contact... at all?”

  Madison glanced at Elias, who stood, “I am renewing my objection to these proceedings. We have been denied the ability to look at any of the evidence against my client and can therefore not determine the validity of its findings. My client pleads the Fifth Amendment on further questions and will not answer these ridiculous claims.”

  “Sit down, Mr. Bennett. This isn’t California where you can showboat and get your way. Your client had ample time to obtain counsel. The lack of planning on her part does not warrant a delay in these proceedings.” The judge turned to the prosecuting attorney. “You may continue, Mr. Lewis.”

  “Ms. Ellis. It’s my understanding that you are claiming to have no knowledge about the project that you have been overseeing for the past two and half years.”

  “WHAT?” Madison asked startled. “I have nothing to do with Bowers or Martine.”

  He casually walked over to her and set a paper before her. “Is this your email account?”

  Madison picked up the paper and furrowed her brows. It was a printout of an email to Kurtis from her Hotmail account, dated four months ago. In the email, she was telling Kurtis what to do with several accounts. There were names listed of what she presumed were agencies under the STES Program and numbers attached to them. She scrunched her eyes, trying to figure out how this could possibly happen.

  “Ms. Ellis, answer the question.”

  Madison glanced at Elias who shook his head. “I don’t think I can answer that question at this time.”

  “Can’t or won’t.”

  “Objection!” Elias stated angrily as he once again rose from his seat. “He’s harassing my client.”

  Madison’s stomach was torn in knots. It was becoming abundantly clear that Nolan had tapped into her account somehow. She knew that she had not sent anything to Kurtis at all but this clearly was from her account. In truth, she didn’t check her Hotmail account often enough to notice anything out of the ordinary. She certainly never checked her sent folder. She looked at Elias who sat back down. The anger was radiating from him with a force that demanded a reckoning.

  “Ms. Ellis, let’s back track a bit. Have you ever worked with Senator Martine?”

  She glanced at Elias who nodded, “Yes, I have.”

  “In what capacity?”

  She once again looked at Elias who nodded slightly. “Prior to moving to California, I helped him consolidate some of his accounts. He was going through a divorce and was trying to ascertain his assets. After that, I transferred the case to Kurtis Nash.”

  “And you had no contact with Kurtis or anyone associated with this case afterwards?”

  She nodded her head. “After I transferred the account, I severed my contact with Martine and everyone. I moved to California not long after and never saw a need to talk with any of them.”

  He stepped to the desk and then walked back over to her. He laid out several documents. Madison looked down at the papers, picking up one. She set it down and picked up another and then another. The documents were various accounts that had her name listed as the principle accountant of record. They did not have her signature on it but these particular documents didn’t necessarily require one. They looked like the financial reports she often did for her clients. She placed her hand over her mouth and tried to thwart the dread that was rising.

  “Ms. Ellis, it appears you have been actively involved in this from the beginning. Would you like to revise your earlier statement regarding your involvement with the STES Program?”

  Madison couldn’t speak, she just shook her head.

  “Can you explain to me and this courtroom why your name is on all of these documents if you have had no contact with Turner and Crawford or Senators Bowers and Martine?”

  She didn’t have to look at Elias to know he was shaking his head. She swallowed, “I can’t answer that question at this time.”

  The man smirked and continued for the next forty minutes. He presented case after case that supposedly documented her involvement with the STES Program. She wished she knew what Nolan had said earlier as it might alter her testimony, but she would have to wait to find out, when she met with Elias. Right now, it was a tiring dance of I don’t knows and snide comments from the prosecutor and then Elias’s angry retorts. By the time the judge released her, she was on the verge of tears. She nearly ran out the courthouse but instead strode determinedly past the empty pews and through the double doors.

  “Madison,” Connor yelled concerned.

  Madison turned toward the sound of his voice and ran to him. She started crying immediately. She wished that it was Andrew holding her instead of Connor but she was thankful she had someone. She was even more worried about all of this. She had a suspicion that no matter what she said, they were going to trial and she feared that Bowers would find a way to have her sent to prison. Connor pulled Madison away and stared at her.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked wiping her eyes.

  “Nothing’s wrong.”

  “Then what is it?” she asked impatiently. She couldn’t handle any more surprises.

  “Andrew’s awake.”

  Tears began to flow again. “He’s awake?”

  Connor nodded. “Aaron called while you were inside. He didn’t tell me a lot. Only that he has been awake on and off throughout the day.”

  “Why didn’t they call earlier?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know. I think things were maybe stressful or something and they didn’t want to distract you before going to testify. Like they knew you would want to just leave and probably walk out of court or something. I don’t know that you would necessarily do that but maybe that’s what they were worried about but either way he’s awake so that’s good, right?”

  “I
t is. Now, let’s go.”

  “Are we, you know,” he glanced towards the closed door, “allowed to just go?”

  “I don’t care, Connor. They already massacred me in there.” She pointed towards the door. “They are convinced that I was the primary accountant attached to this even though Kurtis was, so, at this point I’m screwed no matter what. I’m sure Elias will tell me more tonight, but right now, if Andrew is awake, I want to see him. He needs me.”

  Connor hesitated and looked towards the courtroom again. He wasn’t sure what to do. He was reluctant to take her away from the courthouse without letting Elias know, but, then again, he knew she needed to get to Andrew. He wanted that too. Before Connor had to make the decision, people started emerging from the courtroom doors, Elias included. He immediately marched over to them and directed them to a nearby bench, out of earshot of anyone.

  “Elias, it’s bad isn’t it?”

  He nodded. “It is. Their evidence against all of you is pretty solid.”

  “How? I didn’t do anything.”

  “I think Grayson might have expressed his suspicions to them, maybe linked them with the accounts not realizing that your name was on it.”

  Madison nodded. She could see Grayson doing that. Trying to right a wrong and not realizing completely what he was up against. Madison looked around anxiously. She needed to get out of there and go to the hospital. Andrew would be worried about her. She could either stay here and freak out some more or go to the hospital. The choice was an easy one to make. She turned to Elias who, she realized, was still talking.

  “Elias,” she interrupted. “Andrew is awake. I need to get to the hospital. Can we talk about this later? I really need to check on him.”

  “Of course. I need to do some research on all of this,” he raised his briefcase, which Madison presumed housed evidence. “I will come by the hospital a little later and we can talk.”

  Madison nodded and then gave him a hug. “Thank you for everything. I hope I didn’t say too much.”

  “You were perfect, Madison.” He moved away slightly and looked down at her seriously. “The case may be difficult but that’s what I’m good at. Understand.”

  She smiled. “I trust you.”

  Now, he smiled. “I will drop you two off at the hospital and then I will get to work.”

  23 Help You Mend

  Aaron watched as Andrew started to thrash on the bed. The alarms were starting to go off and nurses and doctors were already entering the room. Andrew’s eyes shot open and he swung his arm, knocking Olivia back. The nurse yelled for an orderly as she tried to control Andrew’s legs. Andrew reached over and immediately grabbed his left arm. He was panting and tears were coming out of the corners of his eyes. He started vigorously scratching at his arm until he eventually yanked the IV out. He tried to move as the doctor and several other people started running into the room.

  “Give him the sedative,” the doctor shouted to the nurse that was preparing the syringe.

  Three more people grabbed onto Andrew. One was holding his feet down while the other two tried to steady Andrew’s flailing fists. Andrew didn’t know what was going on but he knew he needed to get up and get the hell out of there. He wasn’t sure what his plan was but he needed to get some smack, quickly. Except, he wasn’t certain where he was. It seemed like a hospital of some sort. He quickly tried to remember where he was so he could calculate where he needed to go and how fast he could get there.

  “Son... stop,” Aaron stated calmly, coming up to the side of the bed.

  Andrew’s pupils were fully dilated and he was already sweating profusely. Aaron’s biggest fear was coming to fruition right before his eyes and he needed to intervene. He moved the orderlies hand and rested his own hand over Andrew’s. Andrew immediately started scratching again so Aaron placed his other hand on top of it, stopping Andrew’s movement. Andrew looked up at the kind looking man above him. He seemed familiar.

  “Aaron?” Andrew asked hesitantly.

  “Yes,” he brought his hand up and touched his face. “It’s going to be alright.”

  Andrew’s eyes darted all over. There were several people hovering around, including a woman that also seemed familiar to him. His brain felt like mush. His head was throbbing and his arm felt as if it were on fire. Of course, the minute his thoughts went to his arm, he felt overwhelmed with need and a thirst that couldn’t be quenched. He tried to focus. He needed to determine where he was and why. As he was contemplating his next move, he felt something going into his body and shifted his eyes to the nurse who was emptying the contents of a syringe into his arm.

  “Mr. Harrison, do you know where you are?” The man Andrew presumed was a doctor asked.

  “A hospital?” he replied hesitantly.

  “Yes, do you know what city?”

  Andrew shook his head and frowned. Think damn it! They won’t let you leave if you don’t know where the hell you are. You’ll be locked up like a psycho.

  “Can you tell me your full name?” The man asked, forcing Andrew to focus on him.

  He swallowed, thinking hard. “Andrew Thomas Harrison,” he finally said.

  “Where do you reside, Mr. Harrison?”

  He pinched his eyes shut. The medicine was already starting to affect him. He was feeling tired and loopy, unable to connect two strings of thought together. Images started to float in his head. Soon a house appeared to him and he thought that must be where he lived. He could see himself inside so he started walking through it, trying to find a clue. He passed a nice kitchen and dining room and glanced at the pretty living room with a fireplace. He continued down the hall and into a room that had paintings all around. He stepped closer to one of the paintings, a beautiful sunset over the water. He then approached another, this one a huge campfire with a couple behind the flames, holding one another lovingly. He leaned in closer and his eyes shot open.

  “Madison!” he stated, trying to sit up.

  “She’s at the courthouse.” He heard from the woman in the corner.

  “I need to...” he stopped short as pain coursed through every inch of him and he howled in agony.

  “Sir, you need to lie down,” a nurse stated firmly.

  The woman he had seen earlier walked over to him and touched his face. “Andrew, you need to calm down.” She stroked his face lightly.

  “Olivia?” he asked confused.

  “Yes,” she replied with tears streaking her face. “Madison is with Elias and Connor. They will watch over her while you heal but you need to settle down. You’ve been injured and need to rest.”

  Andrew laid his head back, breathing in deeply. His brows furrowed as he tried to make out what had happened and how long he was out. His memory was fuzzy. He tried to think it through. She had said he was injured but he wasn’t sure how that happened. He didn’t understand why he could remember some things and not others. He focused as hard as he could. The last distinct thing he remembered was he and Madison walking back to the hotel. They had been upset that Elias couldn’t make it to New York. That’s it, I’m in New York. He smiled slightly that the name of the city came back to him. His free arm lay over his eyes as he tried to concentrate and figure it out but he felt the medicine taking hold of him.

  “No, I don’t want to sleep. I need to get to Madison,” he mumbled as he unwittingly drifted off.

  ~*~

  The drive to the hospital was endless. It was as if the universe were conspiring against her. When they finally approached the entrance, Madison opened the door before the car had come to a complete stop. She ducked out, waving bye to Elias as she darted through the doors with Connor following close behind. Unwilling to wait for the elevators, Madison slipped her shoes off and made a mad dash up the stairs. Connor had a hard time keeping up with her, quickly determining that he needed to give up smoking. Madison entered the Intensive Care Unit and immediately saw Aaron talking to one of the doctors.

  “Aaron,” Madison whispered as she made her w
ay to him.

  Aaron turned to see her approaching and stopped her before she went inside. “Madison, hold on. We should talk first.”

  Madison tried to move around him but Aaron held on. “No, I need to be with Andrew.”

  She pushed away from him and entered the room. Olivia quickly rose from her seat and Madison could see that she had been crying. She turned to the bed and saw that Andrew was resting. His chest was moving quickly and his arms were strapped to the bed. She frowned and started walking over to him. There was perspiration dripping off his forehead and Olivia quickly patted it down.

  “What’s going on? Why is he strapped down like that?”

  “He woke up craving, badly. They had to give him a sedative to calm him down and when he woke again he pulled out his IV and tried to get out of the bed,” Aaron told her.

  “It’s just temporary, right?” Madison asked.

  Olivia moved out of the way so Madison could be by his side. She dropped her eyes, unable to answer her. Instead, she looked towards Aaron. He walked to her and kneeled down so that he could be eye level with her. He had a kind and caring expression. The way a parent often has when they have to tell a young child bad news. Madison didn’t like this.

  “Most addicts, when they use again, go right back into the same spot they were in the last time.”

  “What do you mean?” Madison asked, not liking the implication.

  “Well, for example. If a person drank alcohol or used a drug every day, their tolerance would increase to the point where they would need more and more to get the same high from it. When they quit using that lays dormant within them. It doesn’t disappear. If they were to start using again they wouldn’t start at the beginning of their addiction. It’s not a do over. They pick up where they left off.”

  “Andrew said he was using a lot before he went to prison,” she choked out.

  “He was,” Aaron stated and Madison could see the moisture in his eyes.

  “Oh God! Aaron, no,” she shook her head and turned to Andrew, tears streaming along her cheeks. “He wouldn’t do that to me... to us.”