WHY

by beckysue_bonner, dwalk1_2002, Patty_Parker60

Summary:

Robert Sullivan finds himself charged with aggravated murder after confronting one of his estranged wife's former sex partners - several elements of state government, the Seattle Police, and even parts of the Fire Service mount a concerted effort to have him jailed for many years...or permanently expunged...

Notes:

• For beckysue_bonner, joli_camarillo, atkinsgenniher, ample_annie, lulu_gee1, dwalk1_2002, lila_luscious1, dirtydiana139, uk_totty1, beckibenhoffer, briget_bee, bichita_36e, danilow1, carolina_beckerj, cedes_92150, LeesyLovesLove, Bacner, collete_is1, CSW1420, da_black_widow, docmartin51, janiecarr_38, JP_goals, Bulle22, bdk_439, Srattan, lara_canon, Alynnroe89, jj_cardenas, KyHasNoLife.

Chapter 1: PROLUGUE-BETRAYED?

Chapter by Patty_Parker60

Carina DeLuca: “I have the results of the paternity test, Andrea…I am unsure of whether this news is positive or negative, however: you are pregnant ."

Andy Herrera: “Dios mio. Dios mio .”

CD prompts: “There is an issue .”

AH smiles wryly: “You can say that ." After a deep breath she continues “A possible paternity issue .”

CD: “Hm. I understand that you and Sullivan are separados ?”

AD sighs self-consciously: “Correct .”

Carina: “Forgive me for asking…am I also correct that you have an idea of who the father might be ?”

Andy lowers her eyes. “Um. I do .”
////

THE NIGHTMARE is a recurring one...for the past 120 days...FIRE is around him: his clothes smoulder; his open-mouthed, all-out
dash down the flaming, metal corridor has him inhaling acrid smoke with each inhale - at the very end of the corridor is a metal
door - Sullivan shucks his now-burning jacket and wraps it around his hands...the knob won't turn and slamming his shoulder
into the scorching hot door does NOTHING...it doesn't budge a single iota. He quickly surveys his surroundings and sees no way
out...and out of nowhere his estranged wife appears, holding a large-caliber chrome automatic.

Robert stares into her expressionless, light almond coloured eyes - asking the wordless question: "WHY ?"
Time comes to a COMPLETE STOP. Robert wants to ask "Why do you want my reputation in ruins - me burned to ashes both
PERSONALLY and PROFESSIONALLY? YOU are the lying whore - shitting on both protocol and the vows that you made?!"

Time lurches to a start again and then she fires...

He awakes in a cold sweat, the coarse King County Jail-issued sheets and pillow soaked through. Little by little he gains
control of his jack-hammering heart and racing breath. He doesn't sleep the remainder of the night with a single though
rattling through his mind: She set me up. The lying, betraying bitch SET ME UP...

 

--CONTINUED IN CHAPTER 2--

Chapter 2: ONE

Chapter by beckysue_bonner, Patty_Parker60

Summary:

THE PEOPLE vs ROBERT SULLIVAN DOUBLE HOMICIDE TRIAL BEGINS

Superior Court Judge Amy Gray takes her seat behind the bench, and after her clerk finishes calling the docket she says
"Thank you, Madam Clerk; appearances please?"

"ADA Michael Plank for the People, Your Honour."

"Julia Santos and Trevor Dillion of Montgomery and Associates for the Defense, Judge Gray."

"Thank you. Opening statements, please, Mr. Plank."

Plank stands, resplendent in a dark Saville Road suit, and says, "If the Court pleases...that man at the defense table - the bald gentleman -
stands accused of two counts of Aggravated Homicide in the Second Degree. Second-Degree Murder occurs when a citizen commits a
violent with MALICE -meaning intentionally and with intent. The People believe that we have enough evidence to prove that accused:
Robert E. Sullivan has the ability, skill, and mindset to overpower, disarm, bludgeon, and turn his attacker's weapons on THEMSELVES...
my learned counsel will likely recite Mr. Sullivan's valorous and unimpeachable service as a Combat Marine in both Iraq and Afghanistan;
The People will not contest those facts as his service records speak for themselves. He was, in fact, a decorated Officer with commendations
for valour and distinguished service--he has received not one but TWO Purples Hearts for injuries incurred on the battlefield - he suffers
from PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to this day as a result. What I've mentioned are possible mitigating factors, and it is up to a
jury - you fine people - to ultimately determine if his actions were those of a man defending himself and his home from intruders with
criminal intent, or a highly-capable and lethally efficient weapon of war who saw his opportunity to take revenge on one of the men who
had cuckolded him"-

Judge Gray barks: "MISTER Plank -one more remark like that and I'll hold you in contempt and you'll need to bring in
an associate to try this lawsuit - DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!!"

Plank says, "I beg the Court's indulgence, Your Honour, Homicide particularly difficult to digest."

"I'm well aware of your family's wealth, Sir, and should you 'slip' again, you may add a healthy fine and a stay in our county correction
facilities which I'm sure will be equally non-amenable to your digestion."

"I understand, Judge."

The Court Clerk says "Judge Gray; the time is 11:48."

"In that case, the Court is in recess until 230 pm."

/////

{Court Resumes}:

Amy Gry resumes her seat behind the bench: "You may proceed, Mr. Plank: CAREFULLY, please."

Plank nods, smirks, and strides to the 'well' - the area directly in front of where the Judge sits. "I was saying that Marines with the
skill-set of the type that the defendant possesses are easily capable of of inflicting thetype of grevius wounds suffered by the men
he unalived when they broke into his residence - again, The People do not contend that Mr. Sullivan had no right to defend himself:
our issue is that once those intruders had been subdued, unarmed, and no longer a threat to him, he saw the perfect opportunity to
exact his twisted vengeance on one of the intruders. At that point, his claim of self-defence evaporated and transitioned into intentional
homicide. Thank you."

Julia Santos stood before Amy had the opportunity to instruct her to begin her opening statement (somewhat improperly) and moved
slowly to the area just in front of the jury box. "Much as you did, I listened carefully for Mr. Plank to say one of the following: 'The People
'SUSPECT'; or the 'STATE CONTENDS'; or INTENDS to SHOW'...what I heard were definitives and forays into my client's mindset,
emotions. and state of mind: I am no Mental Health Specialist and from what I know of the ADA neither is HE...there are a few points he
made that I agree with: Robert Sullivan is a man who selflessly volunteered for two combat tours in Iraq and Afghanstan - he mentioned
a skillset Mr. Sullivan possesses which makes him no different than any other Special Forces Operator...he employed those abilities to prevent
two intruders whom a reasonable adult might conclude weren't there to wish him 'HAPPY HOLIDAYS' or 'SEASONS GREETINGS': let's you
and I agree that that pair of gentlemen intended him harm, based on the type and lethality of the weapons recovered on scene. I did
notice that he neglected mentioning that Robert has also spent nearly two decades in Fire Service - SAVING LIVES - not TAKING THEM.
Robert is known in Seattle as the HERO BATTAILON CHEIF of the Seattle Fire Department. I invite you to come along with me as I explore
the TRUE nature and content of Robert Sullivan's character. Once my closing remarks have concluded and you are deliberating your
vote to acquit or convict, please think back on the totality of Robert's life and whether this good, honourable, and decent man is AT
ALL capable of committing such a crime. Thank you."

Judge Gray said Counselor Santos."

Michael Plank: "Good afternoon, Ms. Herrera-"

Andy Herrera: "Afternoon. And please address me as MRS. SULLIVAN," Andy interrupted.

"Sure, of course!" Plank smirked quasi-agreeably. "In any event...'Mrs. Sullivan: your husband - rather, your ESTRANGED HUSBAND -is
the 'estrangement' a result of violence during your brief marriage?"

Emphatically, Andy replied, "NO."

"The man who lived violence - DAILY- for two plus years in a war theatre never struck you in a PTSD rage: even unknowingly?
During a nightmare perhaps...or when your infidelity was uncovered...or should I say INFIDELITIES?"

"That's IT!" Amy shouted. "Ten thousand dollars, Mr. Plank, and 48 hours in County; you're up, Mr. Armstrong. Take him out, Baliff.

Anyone may have shown at least humility - NOT MICHAEL PLANK! He swaggered out, trademark smirk in place; just as he reached
At the exit, he flipped his billfold to a nearby female court officer. "Fifteen thousand!" Then, to Andy: "Are you fine to continue,
Mrs. Sullivan, or do you need a break?"

"I want to get this over with, Your Honor."

"Very well. You may begin, Mr. Armstrong."

"I apologize for my colleague's boorish behavior, Mrs. Sullivan. I will try to phrase my questions differently." After Andy nodded, he
said, "One might conclude - correctly or incorrectly - that a man accused of this type of homicide is easily capable of losing his
composure over something such as a...let's call it 'paternity discrepancy', shall we? You are expecting a child, yes?"

Andy replied, "I am. Robert and I share a two-year-old son and YES : this child i his as well."

In the third tier of spectator seats, Jack Gibson squirms uncomfortably. "Then you have test results to verify that?"

"'I do. Robert is the baby's father."

"Forgive me, I meant your older son: he was conceived after your...dalliance with Sean Beckett, yes?
Judge, please instruct the witness to respond."

Amy said softly, "You'll need to respond, Mrs. Sullivan."

Andy squared her shoulders. "Yes. And NO, a paternity test was never performed."

"Approaching, Your Honor?" Amy waved him forward, and Andre stepped up with a folder in hand: "If it pleases the court the
People introduce into evidence a lawsuit brought two years ago to compel the witness to have the paternity of her elder child
proven...by a man outside of her marriage."

Julia jumped up in protest. "Where is this going, Your Honor?"

"Mr. Armstrong?"

Armstrong shrugged. "Possible motive for the Defendants actions during and after he was attacked. Jealousy over his wife's
extra-marital wandering."

Amy sat back to consider the arguments. After a while, she said, "We're adjourned until Monday. I'll consider your written arguments
over the weekend."

Continued in chapter 3