ACT THREE, SCENE TWO

SETTING: Jhourdhaun's office. It is a very spacious, wood-accented office with several windows. It is very tastefully decorated and a huge oak desk takes up the middle of the room. Jhourdhaun sits at the desk and Virgil sits in front of it

JHOURDHAUN: Okay. (Looking at some papers) What do we have?

VIRGIL: (Reading from a legal pad) Confirmation of relation, paper trail of Stellas Costas birth, move to Great Britain, return to his father's mother, and a few details about exactly how he obtained his fortune.

JHOURDHAUN: Anything we can use?

VIRGIL: (Looking at the files) We can probably play up some of his shadier dealings. He does have a record. (Shuffling papers) In fact, he was convicted of a charge of battery with intent to kill. (Reading) The young woman later died, but none of the doctors involved in the case would tie the beating to her death.

JHOURDHAUN: Even with the original charge?

VIRGIL: (Shrugging) There was talk of threats.

JHOURDHAUN: (Pointing) We can use that. (Thinking) If we paint him as something other than a murder victim, I think we may be able to sway a jury more to our side.

VIRGIL: So, you are going the self-defense route. Good. (Nodding) I think that will probably be our best bet.

JHOURDHAUN: I didn't say that. I'm just thinking of all of our options. (Steepling her fingers) That is only a last resort. (Pausing) If there is any way possible, I want to get my grandmother off free and clear without anything hanging over her head.

VIRGIL: Do you really think that's plausible?

JHOURDHAUN: Yes, especially after reading the transcript of Miss Highbridge's statement.

VIRGIL: (Smiling) So that's why you called her to come over. (Looking at some other papers) Okay Partner, what did you see in there that I didn't?

JHOURDHAUN (Answering the call button) Just sit back and listen. (Standing and greeting the couple that comes through the door) Thank you for coming, Miss Highbridge. And you must be Mr. Zimmer. (Walking back to her desk) Please be seated.

GENNA: (Nervously) I was a little surprised to get your call. (Twirling a piece of hair) I told the police everything I knew.

JHOURDHAUN: (Reading the file) Yes, I see you said that in the deposition. (Smiling) Speaking of which, there were just a few things I wanted to clarify.

KEELE: Isn't that harassment? I mean, she has told the police everything.

JHOURDHAUN: No, it isn't. You see I have as much right to question Miss Highbridge on her deposition as the police. (Pausing) Of course, if she doesn't want to talk with me, I can wait until she's on the stand.

GENNA: That won't be necessary. I'll be happy to answer any and all questions you have. (Smiling as well) I have nothing to hide.

JHOURDHAUN: Thank you. (Seeming to read the papers in front of her) Now, according to your statement, Mr. Costas just chose you to be hostess because you were the "prettiest piece of fluff at the game." Is that correct?

KEELE: (Incredulous) You were hostess? I didn't know that!

GENNA: (Nervously) It wasn't a big deal. You know how he picks them. (Pleadingly) There wasn't anything else to it.

JHOURDHAUN: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply that there was. Now, if we can return to our original intent. (Reading and making notes) How long had you known Mr. Costas prior to the game?

GENNA: I didn't know him. I had heard of him, but I didn't know him personally.

JHOURDHAUN: (Wrinkling her forehead) That's odd. The statement you made implies a prior intimacy of his actions.

KEELE: (Angrily and staring at Genna) What exactly did she say, Ms. Gillespie?

JHOURDHAUN: I quote: "Stellas always kept excellent records, and he never wrote down anything that wasn't important. He always said that anything other than what was important only clouded the questions and confused the pot."

GENNA: (Raising her voice) I only said what was common knowledge! (Nervously to Keele) Everybody knew that!

KEELE: (Standing) I didn't! (Disgusted) Obviously somebody's been playing me for a fool and it's not a role I enjoy. (Moving to leave) If you have caused me to set up that old lady for a fall, I guarantee it will be a role you will regret ever putting me in. (Walking out the door and slamming it)

GENNA: (Standing, infuriated and without her bimbo accent) How dare you put me in this position! If you have jeopardized my relationship, I ...will... destroy... you! (She attempts to leave)

JHOURDHAUN: (Walking to the woman) Just a moment, Ms. Highbridge. I do believe I am speaking with the real you and not that idiotic version of you. (Blocking her exit with her arm) Since we're enjoying throwing threats around, here's one of mine. (Getting very close) If I should find that you are intentionally trying to harm my grandmother, no rock will be big enough for you to hide under. (Letting the woman push her way out) Thank you for coming. (Closing the door and turning to Virgil) Now that was very interesting.

VIRGIL: (Bowing) I accede to the master. (Chuckling) Did you see her face when you gave your little promise? What really got me was when she dropped that act. I really thought she was a ditz. How did you know?

JHOURDHAUN: When I was looking at her statement, I noticed that she used some very technical terms when describing what she knew. That made me wonder if it might be an act. Couple that with her knowledge of Hampton audio taping her and her clear and concise clarification of several matters without any prompting led me to believe she might have done this enough to know the ropes.

VIRGIL: So, are you thinking of going where I think you're thinking of going?

JHOURDHAUN: (Stuffing her briefcase with the files) Exactly. And, if you hurry, I just might let you in on when I inform Hampton that he has another suspect.

VIRGIL: (Grabbing his things) Why thank you. It will be an honour to watch you make him squirm.

ACT THREE, SCENE THREE

SETTING: The Chief's office. Hampton, Bubba, Jhourdhaun and Virgil are there.

JHOURDHAUN: So, how much longer do you think we'll have to wait for the background check to come through?

HAMPTON: It should be ready at any moment.

BUBBA: Do you really think that this is going to unearth a motive?

VIRGIL: (Nodding) We do. If this comes back the way we expect, neither Genna or Stellas are going to come out smelling like roses.

PARKER: (Walking in) Chief, I have the report.

HAMPTON: (Frustrated) Well, read it, Parker.

PARKER: Yessir. (Reading the report) Genna Highbridge: born December 3, 1969 and died October 19, 1994 of a drug overdose at a big party in Houston.

A chorus of confusion runs around around the room at Parker's statement.

HAMPTON: (Confused) How could that be? She gave us a statement just a few days ago.

PARKER: (Grinning) Well, you see I thought about that, so I cross-referenced some of her latest activities that she gave us and I came up with a Miss Geena Highbridge also born on December 3rd but not dead.

JHOURDHAUN: (Incredulous) Are we talking about twins?

PARKER: Yes, Ma'am. Identical ones, at that! (Reading) It seems that Miss Geena Highbridge is a licensed private investigator with a slightly checkered past and questionable methods of getting her evidence. From what I've gathered, Geena took over Genna's place after Genna died and has been playing her ever since. But that's not the best part.

BUBBA: (Waiting for Parker but getting no response) Parker, if you don't tell us the rest, I swear you will be on meter-maid duties until you retire.

PARKER: (Confused) I was going to tell you. (Pausing) Guess who supposedly was supplying Genna's drugs? (Pausing again) Stellas Costas! It seems she was his boy toy for a while until he moved on. Shortly after her sister's death, Geena dropped out of sight, and, soon Genna started popping up in places saying that there had been a mistake and it was Geena who'd OD'd. (Sighing) This stuff got so confusing that I had to start keeping tally on who was who.

HAMPTON: Good work, Parker.

Dee ushers in Heathcliff Clifton.

HEATHCLIFF: I'm glad that I caught all of you here.

BUBBA: (Offering him a seat) What can we do for you, Mr. Clifton?

HEATHCLIFF: Well, I was trying to remember as much about that night as I could when something popped into perspective. I remember Genna and Stellas going off together during the first break and Genna coming back angry and Stellas coming back smug. I didn't think too much about that until I remember the exact nature of the next break. DeLaine needed a break to powder her nose and I was in need of a respite as well, so I escorted her to the front lavatory and then I went to the rear one. When I was finished, I headed back to see if DeLaine needed my help to get back but I found her at her seat. I assumed that someone else had come up and helped her.

BUBBA: I'm a little confused. What does that have to do with the case and Miss Highbridge?

HEATHCLIFF: The reason I was so concerned about DeLaine is because she didn't take her cane with her to the lavatory. She didn't need it because she had my arm.

HAMPTON: Are you saying, the cane was just left at the table?

HEATHCLIFF: That's correct. By the time I had made it back from the rear of the house, DeLaine was in her seat with a different blouse on and Genna was wearing a completely different outfit and the cane was gone.

JHOURDHAUN: What happened then?

HEATHCLIFF: Keele sent Genna to look for Stellas and shortly thereafter we heard her scream.

BUBBA: (Leaning forward) Mr. Clifton, do you know where Miss Highbridge was during your break?

HEATHCLIFF: No, but I can tell you she wasn't at the table. She was one of the first to leave when the break was announced.

HAMPTON: (Making a note) Thank you, Mr. Clifton. If you can wait a minute, someone will come and take your statement. (Turning to Parker) Now, I need you to do one more thing for me. (Nodding toward Jhourdhaun) If Counselor Gillespie will agree, I want you to get on the phone with Judge Olson and see if we can get a warrant for Genna/Geena Highbridge's arrest.

JHOURDHAUN: (Smiling) Oh, I agree, wholeheartedly! (Turning to Parker) Make sure you specify both names or get two warrants, okay. I want this completely legitimate.

PARKER: Yessir and Yes Ma'am. (Leaving)

ACT THREE, SCENE FOUR

SETTING: The Costas house. Luggage has been placed near the entryway and most of the furniture has been covered. Keele and Heathcliff are in the sitting room drinking brandy.

KEELE: Okay, friend, the deal is I tell you mine and you tell me yours.

HEATHCLIFF: That sounds about right, though it does sound like a game we used to play in grade school. (Sighing) This way, if our information ever comes to light, we can always be there to lend whatever help is necessary.

KEELE: (Extending his hand) Agreed.

HEATHCLIFF: (Accepting it) Good. (Getting comfortable) Well, I'll go first since it was my idea. (Sighing) The reason I didn't want my story to get out was not because I embezzled the money but because my son did. (Sipping the brandy) He had some pretty horrible gambling debts that needed paying and so with his knowledge of accounting, he juggled the books and walked away with nearly a million. I couldn't let him go to prison over a mistake, so I fixed it to look like one of the dead board members had done it.

KEELE: So, how did Stellas find out?

HEATHCLIFF: (Sighing in contempt) Heath just wanted to pay the debt and get on with his life, so when Stellas, who was holding his notes, told him they weren't paid up until he told him how he got the funds, Heath panicked and told him. (Looking up) A right bloody mess wouldn't you say?

KEELE: (Shaking his head) You haven't heard nothing, yet. (Taking a long drink) My first wife had a lot of problems. She heard voices that told her to do things to herself, so she couldn't be left alone. (Staring into his cup) Don't get me wrong. She had her lucid times, but, if she forgot her medicine, nobody could reach her. (His voice clouding up) I don't know what happened that night, but I was in a rare funk and didn't really want to be there, so I picked a fight with her. (Shaking his head) I didn't know she hadn't taken her medication in almost four days. She seemed so ...there. After we argued, I grabbed the nearest and prettiest maid and took off. (Looking out of the window) It was almost two hours later when I returned and found the mess she had made of her chambers and mine. Then, ... I found her. (Clearing his throat) She had gone up on the roof and jumped.

HEATHCLIFF: Good God, man! What a thing to come home to.

KEELE: (Agreeing) Tell me about it, but that wasn't the worst part. I went back into the house and started arranging things so that it looked like we had struggled. I then scratched myself and knocked myself around so that it looked like she had attacked me. Then I went and sat by her body and waited for the rest of the family to come home.

HEATHCLIFF: (Confused) But why?

KEELE: Because there was a stipulation in my wife's will that if my negligence had been at fault in her death, I wouldn't get a thing. So, I painted her out to have been completely mad and out to destroy me. (Finishing off his drink) Everything was fine until Stellas got a hold of the maid I was out with and the rest you know.

GENNA: (Walking into the room and clapping) Brava! (Smiling and pulling a gun) I would just like to thank both of you for your wonderful male-bonding. You see, I didn't get a chance to read either of your packets because I was more concerned with DeLaine's, but now I have enough to ensure I live comfortably from now on. And I do plan on making you both pay. (Seeing Keele move toward her) I wouldn't do that if I were you. I am an excellent shot.

KEEL;E: (Defeated) You killed Stellas.

GENNA: Boy, you're quick! (Directing him further into the room) Of course, I killed him. He destroyed my sister.

HEATHCLIFF: (Standing and moving closer to Keele) And what about DeLaine.

GENNA: (Shrugging) She was my convenient scapegoat. I had had a few paper run-ins that had me jumping through hoops because of her almighty granddaughter back in New York, so I thought this would be a great way to get her running to save her precious grandmother.

HAMPTON: (Walking into the room) Now, that's a great accent, or should I say, lack of accent. (Pointing at her raising the gun) Now, it's my turn to advise you not to do that. We, too, are excellent shots.

GENNA: (Looking around) And who might we be.

LUANN: (Walking into the room with several others with gun in hand) Just your friendly, neighborhood police department.

GENNA: (Dropping her gun) Well, since you put it that way. (Shrugging) I accomplished what I set out to.

BUBBA: (Putting the handcuffs on her) You don't even care about the problems you caused the Ajoulais family.

GENNA: Not particularly. I had one thought on my mind, avenging my sister's death, to hell with anything else. I almost got away with it. (Being walked out of the room) Be sure to thank the bimbo lawyer for me.

HAMPTON: Thank you gentlemen for your cooperation. I assure both of you that we heard nothing in our efforts to capture our suspect.

KEELE: We appreciate that. (Leaving with Heathcliff)

BUBBA: (Walking over to the Chief) I am really going to enjoy booking that She-Devil.

HAMPTON: Me too. What I am not going to enjoy over the next few months is your fiancé gloating about how she solved the case.

BUBBA: (Grinning as they leave) If I have anything to say about it, you and this case will be the furthest thing from her mind.

ACT THREE, SCENE FIVE

SETTING: The interrogation room at the police department. Jhourdhaun and Hampton are waiting.

JHOURDHAUN: You don't know how glad I am that this nightmare is over. (Sighing) I really don't know what I would have done if this had gone to trial.

HAMPTON: (Placing his hand on hers) You would have done exactly what you did now, got her off.

JHOURDHAUN: (Smiling) Thank you. (Turning to the door as it opens and seeing DeLaine and Bubba walk in) Granmere.

DeLAINE: (Walking to her granddaughter) What is the news? Bubba would not tell me anything.

JHOURDHAUN: (Crying as she hugs) You're free, Grandmother. You're free.

ACT FOUR, SCENE ONE

SETTING: The Gillespie home. Harriet, the Sheriff, Bobby, Eric, Lana, Hampton, DeLaine, Angela, Lonnie, Virgil, and Allison are all sitting around a large table.

ANGELA: You mean we missed all of that. Thank God it was worth it or I would have felt disappointed.

LONNIE: (Grinning) Thank God you didn't say dissatisfied.

Everyone laughs and resumes eating.

LANA: Do you guys honestly believe that Jhourdhy and Bubba are actually going to set a date?

HARRIET: (Laughing) They will if they know what's good for them. I can't sit around and wait for them to put off and put off this. (Patting her stomach) I have other things to occupy my mind.

GILLESPIE: Yes, like completely rearranging the house. (Smiling at his wife) They probably don't want to start making plans for fear that you will completely rearrange everything.

HARRIET: Watch it, Old Man.

GILLESPIE: It seems apparent that I'm not that old.

Again, the whole group gets a good laugh.

HARRIET: Well, whatever happens, I hope they decide on soon.

DeLAINE: With the burden of me off of their shoulders, this should be an easy decision.

ANGELA: It was for us.

LONNIE: That's because you couldn't wait to have your wicked way with me.

ANGELA: Exactly. So why wouldn't that make it an easy decision for them?

DeLAINE: I couldn't have put it better myself.

ACT FOUR, SCENE TWO

SETTING: The sitting room in the Gillespie home. Harriet and the Sheriff are talking when Bubba and Jhourdhaun walk in.

HARRIET: It's about time you two showed up. We've been expecting you for hours.

JHOURDHAUN: We know. (Laughing) We wanted to make you squirm.

BUBBA: I don't think squirm is the appropriate word. (Also laughing) More like sweat.

GILLESPIE: Very funny. (Getting serious) Now, when will I be expected to walk you down the aisle?

JHOURDHAUN: (Smiling) Exactly six months from now on June 13th.

HARRIET: (Groaning) Is that a definite date?

BUBBA: Yep. (Putting his arm around Jhourdhaun) We talked to my family and they concurred. We also talked to Minister Thompkins and he and the church are free on that day.

JHOURDHAUN: (Seeing a look pass between Harriet and her father) Okay, what's the problem? Why the goofy looks?

GILLESPIE: (Standing and moving to his daughter) It's nothing. Just that we might have an extra guest by that time.

JHOURDHAUN: (Sighing) Finally! (Hugging him then moving to Harriet) The more the merrier.

ACT FIVE, SCENE ONE

SETTING: Six months later. A huge church vestibule decorated with white roses and ribbons. The Sheriff is dressed in a morning suit and waiting for someone.

LANA: (Coming down the stairs) She's ready, Papa. (Hugging him) She's gorgeous! This wedding is going to knock Sparta on its ear.

GILLESPIE: Yes, well, you best go on into the inner vestibule with the other ladies. Now that she's ready, it's going to move pretty fast.

LANA: (Going to the doors) See ya'll down front!

JHOURDHAUN: (Coming down the stairs) I wonder who's more excited, her or me?

As she moves away from the stairs, the Sheriff can barely take his eyes off of his daughter. Jhourdhaun's dress makes her look like a princess and the small tiara that holds the long veil and the white rose bouquet add to it.

GILLESPIE: (Awed) I am truly a blessed man to have a daughter as lovely as you, and Bubba will definitely think he is the luckiest man on this earth when he sees you coming down that aisle.

JHOURDHAUN: (Walking to him) Daddy, don't. You'll cause me to cry and mess up my makeup. (Giggling) I can just picture Bubba running out of the church at the sight of his raccoon-faced wife.

GILLESPIE: He couldn't run too far considering you're already married.

JHOURDHAUN: I'm still in shock with that little development. (Fixing his boutonniere) I couldn't believe when the minister told us he wouldn't officiate the wedding without Bubba's real name. And, you know how adamant he was that it not become public knowledge.

GILLESPIE: I'm just glad an easy solution was found, or else I wouldn't be about to give my daughter away.

JHOURDHAUN: (Hugging him) Never away, Daddy.

GILLESPIE: You know I wasn't there when you were growing up, and I deeply regret that. But, I can honestly stand here and say how proud you make me even though I don't deserve to. (Lowering her veil) I only hope and pray that God will grant me many more years to make everything up to you.

JHOURDHAUN: There's nothing to make up. We started a clean slate that day in the hospital, and I've never regretted it and I never will. (Pausing) Besides, if it weren't for my finding you, I might be all alone and without Bobby, Eric, Lana, Virgil, Allison, Angela, Lonnie, Hampton, Bubba, Harriet and especially Baby Zachary.

GILLESPIE: I never quite thought of it like that. (Kissing her through the veil and turning toward the door as the wedding march begins) Well, this is it. (Pausing) I love you, my beautiful girl.

JHOURDHAUN: I love you too, Daddy.

They walk to the doors as they are flung open and head into the cathedral.

ACT FIVE, SCENE TWO

SETTING: The wedding. The church is packed and Bubba and Jhourdhaun are standing before the minister.

MINISTER: In addition to the required vows, Jhourdhaun and ... Bubba have chosen to give their own. (Pausing) Jhourdhaun..

JHOURDHAUN: No one who was there at our first meeting would ever have guessed this is where we'd end up. I'm sure they expected us to tear each other apart once we got to know one another. (Smiling) But, who could have guessed that you would become my best friend and confidante. Over the last year you have always been there for me. You've helped me walk when all I wanted to do was collapse; you've helped me go on when all I wanted to do was quit and you've helped me to love when I believed I couldn't. You have been so much to me for so long that I can't think of a time when you weren't there. (Crying) I don't want to think of a time when you weren't there. And, I certainly can't picture my future without you in it. So, (Laughing) in summation, all I can say is, (Taking a ring from Lana) with this ring I thee wed and pledge my troth to honour, love and cherish you all of my days. (Placing the ring on his finger)

MINISTER: And now, ... Bubba.

BUBBA: (Clearing his throat) When we decided to write our vows, fear struck me. All I could think was how I'm not much on speeches. But then, I got to thinking about what and how much you meant to me and the words started to flow. (Taking her hand) Do you know when I started to love you? That day you found out I'd had your background checked. I remember you coming right over to me and slapping me so hard I knew my head spun. (Chuckling) And all I could think was, " He ... I mean shoot, so that's what it took to fall in love!" So that started the conspiracy to win you over to my side. I deliberately made myself invaluable to you because that was what you were to me. I plotted and schemed so much that Tully had to start helping. But, finally that day arrived when you looked at me the way I wanted you to and everything was right with the world. (Kissing her hand) It's been a long road getting here, but nothing I have or will ever have is worth having you. (Taking the ring from Hampton) So, with this ring I thee wed and pledge my troth to honour, love and cherish you all of my days. (Placing the ring on her finger)

MINISTER: Inasmuch as Jhourdhaun and Bubba have committed their love by the exchanging of rings and vows before you and God, I now pronounce them husband and wife. What God has joined let no man put asunder. (Smiling at the couple) You may now kiss your bride.

Bubba raises Jhourdhaun's veil, wipes away her tears, and kisses her.

ACT FIVE, SCENE THREE

SETTING: The master bedroom in the Gillespie house. A bassinet has been added at the foot of the bed and Harriet is sitting up and cradling a small baby.

GILLESPIE: (Walking into the room and sitting beside his wife and son) The limo just pulled up. I suspect it's going to take them a few minutes to realize that, but they'll be up here shortly. (Moving the blanket around the baby's head) So, what were you two talking about so intently?

HARRIET: (Snuggling closer to her husband) I was just telling Master Zachary how loved he is and how wanted he was. (Smiling) I also told him how lucky he was to have a Daddy like you because you had waited so long for him. I was also explaining the significance of his name, so that he would start out early appreciating his grandfather and lost brother.

GILLESPIE: All of that for such a little man.

HARRIET: (Shifting the baby) He understood all of it. (Grinning) He's very bright for his age.

JHOURDHAUN: (Calling from downstairs) Is anyone up there?

GILLESPIE: We're in the bedroom.

HARRIET: (Watching as the couple enter) You two left the reception pretty early. Why?

JHOURDHAUN: (Coming over and kissing her cheek) We couldn't very well leave without telling you and Zachary Adam goodbye. I couldn't go any where without that, Little Mother.

HARRIET: Thank you. (Nodding at Bubba) That was a very beautiful "speech" you made at the ceremony. I cried.

JHOURDHAUN: (Hugging her husband) So did I, but how did you know about it?

HARRIET: Hayley relayed it to me. He did an excellent job at it too. I think he's finally found something he's good at.

JHOURDHAUN: Well, I'm just glad that you got a chance to see it I was hoping that my little wedding present there would hold off until after the wedding to make his entrance but, ... I guess he had other plans.

BUBBA: I think he was just so excited to meet his new family that he just forgot the date and came on.

HARRIET: (Laughing) Now that's a good one. (Yawning) How's DeLaine handling gaining a grandson?

JHOURDHAUN: Pretty well. (Pausing) She thinks he's pretty spectacular.

HARRIET: (Yawning again) No doubt with a little help from her granddaughter, but then again, I think he's something special too.

BUBBA: (Bending over to kiss her cheek) You're not so bad yourself. (Stepping back) And on that note, I think we better let you get some rest.

HARRIET: You promise to be back for the christening.

JHOURDHAUN: We promise. (Moving to kiss her father) The boys will be back with Lana. Tell them we said we'll see them in a month and give them our love. (Leaving) See ya.

HARRIET: (Chuckling) Who was that whirlwind? I seem to recall a very quiet, withdrawn version of her when she first came here. I wonder what happened?

GILLESPIE: (Taking the baby and putting him in his bassinet) Our family happened. (Moving back to hold his wife) That's all it took. (Pausing) Our family.

THE END