"Sometimes the edge serves, as more than a friend . Than you thought it would be and the pages you write. In your journal each night. Are your only release. And the mask you put on. It’s like words in a song. But there’s more to be seen, and the failures you see don’t seem failures to me here at all." -Life Left To Go, Safetysuit

Episode 13: "Life Left To Go" to listen the theme song please click here.
Written By: Kelly Zollo

Scene 1: 1298 Hollow Oak Way; West Lake, NY

The book party is in full swing at Brian McAllister's house and Garrett is somewhere in the crowd with their daughter and the author that has thrust them back into the spotlight. Sharon has been looking over her shoulder for weeks on end, waiting for Richard to come out and gloat about their affair to her husband. An affair that occurred after Garrett had left, an affair that she had went along with thinking that Garrett was dead. Looking back she doesn’t even know what she was thinking, sleeping with the man that sent her daughter to prison.

Knowing that perhaps deep down she does in fact need to just come clean to Garrett to let him know before Richard does. The shame however, holds her back she can’t tell him she can’t bear the thought of him hating her. She is certain that is what it would come too, her betrayal will be the downfall of her marriage. Taking a glass of champagne from the waiter, bring it to her lips to take a drink of the liquid.

“Are you all right Sharon?”

The voice makes her turn around and look at Helen Porter, shaking her head no.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Helen asks.

She has been concerned about Sharon for a few weeks ever since Garrett came home, Sharon became quiet. She doesn’t blame her friend for shutting her out, she had lied to her about Garrett’s condition over the years. Something that she knew would take time to heal, time to work out and time to forgive. However, there is something else bothering her friend at the moment, something deeper.

Taking a breath on the porch and looking out over the water Sharon doesn’t know where to start with Helen, doesn’t even know where to begin. Their friendship has been far from perfect, they have barely spoken over the last few weeks but she has no one else to turn to. Helen waits patiently next to her wanting Sharon to know that she is there as her friend for when she is ready to talk to her about what is going on. The music from the party, filtering outside as the sun begins to set.

“I slept with Richard,” Sharon manages to get out.

Helen looks at her friend shock written on her face at the declaration, her mind is already swirling.

“When?”

“A few months after Garrett left, I thought he was dead that he wasn’t coming back. I met him at the hotel bar, I was drinking soon we were back at his house, I felt so guilty afterwards. It went on for a few months, until I got my senses back.” Sharon says.

Helen closes her mouth thinking of something to say to her friend before Sharon continues.

“I don’t even know what I was thinking, he sent Vanessa to prison, he locked her away for years. He doesn’t care about anyone other than himself and now he is coming around the house, calling again.”

“Have you told Garrett yet? He would understand Sharon you were lonely, it was a mistake.” Helen offers, reaching her arm out to wrap around her friend’s shoulders.

“I don’t even know what to tell him Helen.”

Helen gives her a hug of encouragement, “I think you should start with the truth.”

Scene 2: 1298 Hollow Oak Way; West Lake, NY

Brian McAllister has been waiting for this moment for two years, the book release party where the people in West Lake come out in droves and look at him. Question his motives as they look at the copy of the book on the tables in the house. Austin and James, have taken care of the catering and the hosting of the party and he is already in talks with a few other leads on a new book. His eyes are kept on Vanessa, wanting to make sure she isn’t uncomfortable being there, hoping something triggers her memory.

He stops himself from the thought of using her, reming himself that he does in fact care about her, he would even venture to say he loves her. So far she is managing the crowd with charm and grace, something he is sure people are talking about. His good mood is quickly spoiled as Jacob Donovan enters the party, making his way towards him. The last think that he needs is a scene, at his party with Vanessa’s ex.

“What are you doing here?” Brian asks, when Jake finally reaches him.

“Thought I would come and see what all the fuss was about. Vanessa around?” Jake asks.

His mission became clear that morning he was going to go to Brian’s party and expose him for the liar that he was. His private eye had given him everything he needed, Brian had doctored his last name, where he went to school and had been lying for years. The only thing he wants now was for Vanessa to learn the truth, learn that he had lied to her, worse used her for the book.

“I think you should leave.” Brian replies, jaw clinched.

“Nervous McAllister or should I say Davison?” Jake replies.

Brian can feel his face turn a shade of white as Jake, points out what he has been dreading he knows. He knows about why he is town, about why he chose Vanessa in prison, he knows everything. He quickly begins looking for Vanessa, only to not see her in the crowd. The last thing he needs is Jacob Donovan ruining this by telling her first. He moves to get past Jake only to be stopped by Jake’s even voice again.

“You never went to Berkley, you aren’t from Texas, you’re from California, your mother is a secretary. Your father was Elliot Davison, he used to teach here at the University, you came to town asking about his disappearance. Latching onto Vanessa in the process, hoping that she had some sort of clue for you, hoping that you could force something out of her.”

Brian glares at him anger evident on his face about the mixture of truth and lies Jake is stating, “You don’t know anything about me.”

“I know that you’ve been lying to her for the last two years about who you are, about why you are in town to begin with. I know that you could care less about what that night did to me and my family. I know that you are using her.” Jake says, ready to just grab him by the collar and wail on him.

“Is it true?”

Her voice causes Brian to turn around and stare at Vanessa, standing behind him in the doorway looking at him crushed. He takes a few moments to compose himself, as Jake takes a step backwards. She wasn’t supposed to find out like this if she was going to at all, he was supposed to tell her himself. Without a crowd there, thought they all seem more concerned on small talk than the three of them.

“It’s not like that..” Brian states, only to be cut off by her.

“I trusted you.”

The statement stings more than he thought it would, hearing the utter contempt behind it in her voice. He looks up at her searching for something to say, unable to stay anything before scowling at Jake. The man is insufferable, butting his nose in where it doesn’t belong and causing more problems than are necessary.

Taking a step forward he reaches out to her, “Let me explain.”

“Stay away from me.” Vanessa, manages to get out before leaving the doorway.

Brian watches her walk out of the doorway before turning back to Jake and running a hand through his hair, “You happy now?”

Scene 3: 574 Shoreline Dr. Apt #19., West Lake, NY

Cade has already been to the party, leaving a bit earlier than expected certain that sitting around and talking about Hannah is not what he wants to do for the evening. He has been at the hospital the last few days with Kate, making sure that Austin has what he needs as they wait for word on Austin. Liz is till in and out of it, she sleeps most of the day and is barely conscience. Walking to the apartment, he tosses his briefcase down by the doorway as he hangs the coat on the coat rack.

Turning on the hallway lights, as he notices a faint light on in the living room, grabbing his umbrella just in case he needs it. He stops short of hitting the intruder, staring at Jessica up and down from the doorway. It isn’t the first time that she has been in his home, he is certain it won’t be the last either. Of all of the women he has met, she has got to be the most devious that he has ever ran into and she knows it.

“You really should lock your doors.” Jessica sneers, looking up from the paper at him.

Placing the umbrella down he leans against the door jam at her, “Perhaps I should just call the cops, get them over here for breaking and entering.”

Jessica nearly laughs at him and what she considers his stupidity in the matter, he isn’t going to call just as much as she isn’t going to go away. Cade may be a lot of things but one to call the cops to his place is not one of them. Rising from the couch she walks towards the mantel and the pictures that line it. His sister is prominent, as well as Hannah Donovan and she can’t help but scowl.

“I was thinking that you may want to reconsider my offer. I would hate for your sister to find out the truth, that you and daddy dearest pushed Jake away after the accident. Probably, wouldn’t bode well for any happy family bonding that you are looking forward too.”

Cade can feel his anger at her rising, as she taunts him from the fireplace her words ringing in his ears. He has lied to Vanessa, he may not have wanted to lie to her, but he thought it was for the best. His father thought it was for the best, having his sister’s world crumble with the accident enough to bring to their family. He knew that deep down Hannah would have understood, Hannah would have wanted him to protect his sister.

“So, let me get this straight? You think that by seducing me you’re going to what gain some for of leverage over me? Gain something to help you hang onto Jake?” Cade asked.

“I was just thinking that we could have a mutual beneficial agreement.” Jessica states, hoping that he will bite.

Cade looks at her like she has lost her mind for a bit before speaking, “Not going to happen. Don’t you have someone else that you can stalk or make miserable, really it’s getting tiring Jess. I’m surprised you haven’t upgraded to someone else by now, still trying to fit in where you aren’t wanted,”

He is certain that he can see her blood vessels pop as he turns her down a second time in a matter of a few weeks. She can tell Vanessa, as far as he is concerned he is not going to sleep with her. Normally he probably would have agreed to her twisted little arrangement but he is bound and determined to make things work with Kate.

“Such a shame really. Have to say I do hope dear Kate is worth all your trouble.” Jessica says.

Rising from the couch to make her way out of the apartment slamming the door on her way out. Cade can feel his body flinch at the sound of the door slamming on the way out, looking up at the photo of his sister, Kate and Hannah on the mantel. He has forgiven Kate for things in her past and now determined to not let that define their future. He can only wish and hope that Hannah approves, that Hannah doesn’t hate him or hate her.

Scene 4: West Lake Courthouse, Judge Newman's Chambers

Callie doesn’t know why she is so nervous standing in the hallways of the courthouse, waiting with Tyler Donovann for Judge Newman. She was surprised to get the call at the firm as she was leaving for the day informing her that Judge Newman wanted to see her in chambers. It could either be a good sign or a bad one, depending on what the judge decided to do with their appeal. The butterflies only seem to escalate as Judge Newman emerges from court and waves for Tyler and Callie to enter her chambers behind her.

Picking up her briefcase as Tyler held open the door for her Callie is taken aback by Greg Forrester and and an unknown dark haired man waiting in Judge Newman’s office. Wondering if they have just hit a road block in the paperwork that she and Tyler have filed. The last thing that Tyler needs right now is to have the case derailed again while he is looking for answers in what happened with Hannah. She shakes Greg’s hand, before turning back to Judge Newman, who is going over the warrant.

“Thank you both for coming in, hopefully this won’t take to long. I have asked Sheriff Forrester here in order to make sure the paperwork is in order. This is state’s attourney Simon Hoffman, he has been looking into the cases at Richard’s office for a few years,” Judge Newman offers, clearing up Callie’s confusion.

Tyler is still a little shocked at Simon Hoffman’s appearance in the judge’s chambers, he knows that Greg has been turning over evidence to Richard and the state’s office. He is still a bit surprised to see Simon Hoffman, bothering with making a trip down to West Lake for hands on experience with the case. He waits in silence with the other’s as Judge Newman goes over the search warrant request for Richard’s office as well as his father’s house.

“You are aware detective that your warrant does in fact cover your father's home and place of business?” Holly asks, looking up at Tyler.

“Yes.”

“Yet you have no qualms or remorse for possibly bringing your family into this?”

Tyler looks to Callie for support for a moment before speaking, “With all due respect your honour, my sister was murdered. My father helped or was part of that cover up, I owe it to my sister to find out what happened to her that night.”

Judge Newman pauses at Tyler’s statement taking in the young man’s statue before leaning back in her chair. Folding her reading glasses on the desk looking around the room, the Donovan case always haunted her. At the time no one objected to the evidence that was presented, and Vanessa Harvell was judged by a panel of her peers. Her hands had been tied in the matter of throwing out the case with no seeable objection, from the defense against evidence.

“I would assume that neither of you two have any objections about the warrants in question?” Holly asks, looking at Simon and Greg for confirmation.

“Judge Newman, Tyler has spent the last few months working on this case in his own free time, with my consent. I see no reason as to why the warrants shouldn’t be issued, all the information was obtained legally through the sources,” Greg offers.

Simon Hoffman has been looking forward to this day for years, snagging Richard Weston for being the crook that he has always known. Of course his reasoning being more than just wanting to nail Richard to the wall in West Lake. Once Richard is behind bars someone will need to step into his office and he is more than prepared to make that move. To get closer to his ties to West Lake, rising from his chair adjusting his suit jacket.

“We have no objections to serving the warrants as detective Donovan and Callie Morris have filed. I’m a but curious however why he did go through a private firm on the matter of filing a warrant opposed to the DA’s office.” Simon states looking over at Tyler and Callie.

Judge Newman looks between the two before speaking, “Agreed Simon, I was rather quite curious myself.”

The room falls silent for a moment before Tyler speaks.

“Because I don’t trust Richard Weston or his office as far as I can throw him. I trust Callie.”

It seems to be the answer that satisfies the judge as she signs the warrants and hands them over to Tyler. Greg goes ahead and makes his way to the door with Tyler behind him. Simon stopping Callie from leaving the office.

“You ever want to get out of private practice, give my office a call.” Simon says, Callie takes the card without replying with an answer as Simon’s eyes follow her down the vacant hallway.

Scene 5: 1962 Parkview Ln., West Lake, NY

Unlike most of the rest of West Lake Karen Donovan has opted to stay home for the evening staying away from Brian McAllister’s book party. She has other things on her mind, the first being opening up Alan’s safe. Her senses about her husband and the case in question have been heightened ever since the New Year’s Eve party with the hushed conversations between Alan and Richard Weston. More alarming the conversation that took place behind closed doors a few weeks ago with her husband and Bridgette.

Alan doesn’t know that she knows any of it, he is still stuck on his delusion that she is helpless and grieving. She nearly has to smile at herself and the act that she has put on over the last few weeks. The staff is out of the house as well, as she makes he way to the office door to swing it open. Flicking on the table lamp on the desk for light, searching the desk for the combination.

She is unsuccessful looking up at the Van Gough painting on the wall to move it to the side to reveal the safe, it has been years she she has opened the safe. Normally it is kept for credit cards, social security information, a few things for the company and things that her husband doesn’t trust the bank with. She however knows that there is something in the safe that he doesn’t want her or Tyler to see. Her hand freezes on the lock as she she takes a moment to compose herself, pausing with hesitation wondering if she really wants to know the truth.

Her conscience wins out, as she beings playing with the lock on the safe hoping that the combination hasn’t changed over the last ten years. Placing the last number of the combination in she lets out an exhale as she turns the handle. The safe creaks open, her husband’s secrets bared before her to look through. Her hands are shaking as she begins digging through the paperwork.

She finally finds what she is looking for after making a stack of papers on the desk, Hannah’s camera and the thumb drive that the police were looking for. She also finds a manilla envelope, worn over time from being handled. She braces herself in the comfort of the chair, pausing to take a breath before opening up the envelope. She is unprepared for what she comes face to face with, Hannah in bed with an older man. The pictures are a bit blurred in places, some are barely recognizable probably due to the water damage of the lake.

Hannah was a good kid, kept her nose clean with drugs, kept her grades up in school, helped others. Flipping through a few more pictures she can feel her hand shaking as she comes across Paige's face with the same man in another picture. More pictures of Paige emerge with Hannah and the last one stuns her shaking hand. Three girls on the edge of the lake, in the house the Brian McAllister is now staying in with a heavy object by the dock.

Her mind is swirling a million miles a moment, her vision slightly clouded tears forming in her eyes, her fingers letting the picture flutter to the desk. Her eyes goes back into focus, her hand moving to cover her mouth as she picks up a piece of paper in the mist of the pictures from the hospital. Her eyes cloud over again tears running down her face, as she reads the results of the private DNA test in front of her realizing why her husband covered up what Hannah saw that night. She can feel her hand shaking as she picks up the desk phone and dials Tyler’s number, waiting until he picks up to speak.

“Tyler, you need to get to the house.”

Scene 6: West Lake General Hospital; West Lake, NY

“Do you want me to get you anything from the lounge?”

Austin manages to look up at Kate shaking his head no at her from his chair in the waiting room. Kate nods her head and rises from the chair next to him, going down the hallway towards the cafeteria. He hasn’t moved from the seat in what feels like days, afraid that if he does Liz will wake up. The doctors are calling it a drug induced coma, something they are saying that she may not ever wake up from. He still doesn’t understand what drove Liz, to the drugs in the first place.

Peter is inside her room now running some tests and the only thing that he can do is wait. Instead he is greeted by Peter, as he comes out of the room, white lab coat on to take a seat next to him. Hoping it is good news, he needs some good news given the situation that he is in with his wife.

“She’s awake.” Peter says, folding his hands in front of him, glancing over at his brother in-law.

Austin lets out a deep sigh of relief, unsure of where it comes from or how long he has been waiting for it to happen. Liz, is awake that means that he can now get his answers, rising from the chair a hand on his chest stops him from going into the room. He looks back at Pete who has his hand against him, blocking him from going in.

“Let me in to see her.” Austin says.

Pete takes a moment to compose himself to then look up at Austin, “I need to talk to you about her condition. Her memory is shot at the moment, the cocaine that she got did a number on it. She needs support at the moment Austin, she needs to know that you support her right now. She doesn’t need an inquisition. I want you to convince her to go into rehab.”

“You’ve already talked to her about this?” Austin asks, Peter nods his head.

“She’s confused Austin, she wants to make things right says she’s not going to rehab. We can’t help her after she is released from the hospital, I can recommend an addict program but she could relapse. You want answers, convince her to go to rehab.”

Austin looks at him taking in the information, “I’ll talk to her about it.”

Peter relents his hold on him to move to the side to let Austin into the room hoping that her husband can talk some much needed sense into his sister. The room is sterile and it is the first thing that comes to Austin’s memory, as he looks at Liz’s frame in the bed. She looks pale, regaining some color, dark circles under her eyes, her hands twitching by her sides, no doubt from the medication in the IV line.

“Hey.” Austin says, moving towards the bed.

Taking a seat by her side watching as she turns her head from his view to look at the wall, taking her hand in his. Sitting there for a moment, unsure how he should or shouldn’t bring up the subject with her. He doesn’t really have a chance as she turns her head back to look at him.

“I’m sorry.”

Austin hears his voice waiver a bit as he speaks, “I know. I talked to Pete.”

He can tell that she doesn’t want to speak about it anymore as her hands stiffen a bit and she slightly tugs at her hand in his. His grip remains firm not allowing her to break the contact between them. He glances back over his shoulder to the door and sees Pete there.

“I think rehab is a good idea Liz. I want you to get better. We can talk about it after you get home from rehab about everything.”

“I figured that you’d want to toss me out. That you’d run away or something like that.” Liz offers, her voice quiet.

“I said till death do we part didn’t I?” Austin asks, taking the rehab form from the bedside table to hand it to her.

Liz is unsure if she should sign the paper or not, she is a bit thrown off by his statements about them. Instead she looks up at her husband and her brother behind the door seeing their concern. Reaching for the pen that Austin is holding out, before signing on the line on the form. Hoping that rehab will help her life start over right.

Scene 7: Donovan Cabin; West Lake, NY

She doesn’t even know why she took the cab up to the Donovan cabin after leaving Brian’s house, why her mind has been running for answers. She has tried avoiding it since being out, what happened that night, finding out what she remembers that night. Her mind is still fuzzy on most of it, she remembers going into her father’s office after her last class to work for a few hours. Getting held up at work to call and let Jake know, getting in her car to drive up to the cabin to meet everyone.

The time in between then and driving her and Hannah coming in bits and pieces over the years, still fuzzy at best. She remembers having a few drinks at the cabin, it was a party everyone was drinking. She remembers the feel of the water, being drug from the water by the elderly man who found the car. The lights and the sirens from the ambulance in the distance.

Looking up now at the empty cabin she makes her way up the steps to the door, searching underneath the pot on the porch for the spare key. She doesn’t even know how she remembers that it is there, but she does. Turning the lights on in the foyer of the cabin, this is where it all started that night, she was here the night she got behind the wheel. She hasn’t had the nerve to come up on her own or with Brian, a bit afraid that Jake would show up and freak out.

Grabbing the railing as she makes her way up the stairs to the second floor stopping for a moment as something triggers her memory at the cracked door and Hannah’s voice.

“How could you do this to her? She is my best friend, she trusted you, both of you!”

She is unaware of the sound of a car pulling into the driveway of the cabin, as she opens the door. Revealing Jake’s room.

She can barely focus in on the sight of Jake adjusting the button on his jeans and Kate pulling her shirt back on. The room is spinning as Hannah, makes her way over to her casting a glare back at her brother, tears in her eyes. Something else is bothering her friend other than catching her brother in the act.

“I screwed up V.”

She doesn’t say anything as Jake pleads with her to let him explain, as she takes her friends hand and leads her into the empty room next door. She can barely process how angry she is at Jake and Kate. Hannah is already a mess by the time that she sits on the bed, tears coming out of her eyes. Hands shaking at the drink that she is holding.

“I had left Elliot’s house earlier we’d been seeing each other for a few weeks, I came back Paige was running out of the house. I went to ask her what was going on and we heard the shot. By the time we found him, Jessica was standing over him with the gun. She said that he came after her.” Hannah managed to get out.

The information sends her eyes darting across the room at the revelation that her friend was cheating on her brother with a professor none the less. She can feel her stomach tighten a bit before reaching for Hanna’s cup to take a long drink, before Hannah continues.

“She made us take the body down the pier, my camera was on auto shot...I wanted to go to the police. I didn’t want Cade to find out, I didn’t want my parents to find out. I have to tell them Vanessa, it doesn’t feel right.”

By now her friend is full on crying in her arms and she is stroking her head telling her everything will be alright. Convincing Hannah to turn herself in, assuring her that her father will help her. Hannah is apologizing for Jake, yet she says nothing to it, her brother being a cheating ass is not Hannah’s fault.

“Can you take me to the police?”

Hearing her friend’s plea, she nods her head as Hannah hands her, her car keys.

The body that Hannah told her about the body of Elliot Davison, also known as Professor Davison at the college. E.S.D. the initials on the briefcase that she found at Brian’s house, if everything that Jake said earlier to Brian is true. Brian’s father, her stomach churns for a bit as she makes her way from the room and back down the stairs. Staring at Jake standing the foyer looking at her.

“It’s not what it looked like I swear.” Jake says, reaching out for her hand to take away Hannah’s keys.

She jerks her hand out of his reach as he backs her up against the car, tears threatening to fall. Hands on either side of her, as he tries to compose himself for a bit.

“You’ve been drinking,’ Jake says, pausing for a bit to close his eyes pleading with her, ‘Vanessa. Give me the keys.”

She has always wondered what a broken heart would feel like and looking at him coldly she now knows, “I hate you.”

He doesn’t have time to stop her, as she pushes him off of her. She doesn’t bother to hear his protests, as she gets in the car where Hannah waits. She doesn’t care that the ground looks like it is spinning beneath her, as she adjusts the seat in the driver side. Before starting the engine and pulling out of the driveway.

Her eyes meet Jake’s across the hallway and he knows that she remembers, he can tell by her body language. By the massive amount of tears that she is holding in, he can tell that she remembers what Hannah walked in on. The guilt sneaks up on him, as he watches her sink down the wall opposite of him and let the tears fall. He moves forward to comfort her when her voice stops him.

“Just don’t.”

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