Cui Bono

XXII

Joshua rubbed Robbie's shoulder, and laughed. "Did you hear that, Robbie?"

"I heard, Josh. Probation and community service. They're going to watch me like a hawk, and I need to find someplace to work."

"I can think of at least a couple of places..." Josiah and Joshua exchanged a look.

"I hope you realize and understand the anguish you've caused so many people."

"Not that many people, Professor. The only anguish Dylan Rheims, David Larsen,

Woodrow Dundonald the Third, and their ilk will feel was when they find out Katherine is still alive."

"All the same, Jean, lying about someone dying is major, no matter the reason."

Jean sighed, and nodded at Mark.

"'...Kirk McPeak and several employees of the Penrod Corporation were arrested this morning for their roles in the murder of Vancouver General Hospital intern Dr. Thaddeus Mitchell, and several employees of Neufeld Enterprises are now under indictment or investigation. Dr. Charles Penrod and his daughter, Lavinia, and Benjamin and Reuben Neufeld are also under investigation...'"

Jocelyn turned off the WallVision, and sighed. Then she turned to the mirror, and smiled. Almost everything had gone according to plan, and her life—despite Andreas no longer talking to her and the news she had just heard—would go on as normal.

She exited her room, strode towards the panel and pressed a button summoning a 'Craft and pilot.

Within minutes, she was at the Commodore Ballroom. Clayton and Jean greeted her, and she walked into the crowd. She smiled at everyone she made eye contact with, especially members of high society, all of whom responded with either a blank look or an outright glare. She was baffled by this, but kept smiling, and pressed on.

Then Bianca approached her, and spat in her face.

Jocelyn closed her eyes. When she opened them, Bianca was still in front of her, seething.

She looked around. Everyone was looking at her, glaring, glowering (as in the case of Ryan, Sandra, and Amy), crying (Victoria, for example), shaking their heads (primarily her maternal grandparents); Mark had a stern look on his face, as did Ben and Marian, and Anna Liffey. She eventually made eye contact with Jean, Clayton, Daniel, and Isabella; Jean, Daniel and Isabella smirked, while Clayton's expression was grave.

"Jocelyn Whitford."

Jocelyn turned around, to face a woman she didn't recognize, and two uniformed police officers behind her.

The woman flashed a badge. "Detective Halloran, Vancouver Police Department. You're under arrest for conspiracy to commit murder in the first-degree murder of Dr. Thaddeus Mitchell and the attempted murder of Katherine Curran, assault for the assaults of Georgina Peters and Katherine Curran, and aiding and abetting the escape of a prisoner from a penitentiary in the escape of Sven Ericksen from the Clayoquot Penitentiary. Oh, and you owe the City of Vancouver five thousand credits for making a false police report for falsely accusing Andreas Naslund of committing statutory rape on Bianca Curran."

Andreas shook his head. "Jesus Christ, Jocelyn. Even I have my limits."

"Excuse me, Detective," Frances began, "but there must be some mistake..."

"We'll let a court of law decide that, ma'am. In the meantime, we're taking Ms. Whitford here into custody."

Jocelyn gasped, then shrieked, "No! You can't do this to me! I'll have your badges for this!"

"Better get yourself a good lawyer, Jocelyn," Daniel taunted, as a police officer shackled Jocelyn's hands behind her back.

Jocelyn cried as the police escorted her out of the ballroom.

They were almost at the door when it opened; whoever was behind it must have seen the police, because no one entered. When the entourage stepped outside, Jocelyn gaped, then broke down upon seeing that the late arrival was Katherine, who had an expression of pleasant surprise on her face. As Jocelyn and the police proceeded towards the police 'Craft, Jocelyn turned around and saw Katherine's expression metamorphose into a smile, which made her cry harder.

Katherine watched the police guide Jocelyn into their 'Craft and leave, then laughed as she entered the building.

The murmuring among everyone in the ballroom stopped when they looked towards the salon's entry; the majority of the people were shocked at what they saw.

"You all look like you've just seen a ghost," Katherine quipped.

Jean smiled. "So, how does it feel to be vindicated?"

"Fucking fantastic." Katherine turned to Bianca and Donna. "Happy Birthday. Welcome to adulthood."

"Grazie." Bianca and Donna beamed.

"Hey, Katherine. Way to come back from that brush with death."

"It wouldn't be the first time."

"Oh, yeah. Oh, and congratulations on finally being vindicated."

Katherine laughed. A chance glance allowed her to catch sight of Adam and Lupe. "Hey. Fancy seeing you here.

Lupe embraced Katherine. "Adam invited me. I couldn't pass up a chance to see you in your natural habitat."

Katherine patted Lupe on the back, and winked at Adam.

The sound of metal clinking on glass infiltrated the atmosphere, and all conversations ceased.

"I think we should take a moment to remember Cammy Van Groningen," Bianca announced.

Katherine tucked a corner of her mouth into her cheek.

After the moment of silence, Donna held up a glass. "Bianca and I would like to toast Katherine Curran, for risking her own life and sustaining who knows what injuries and thus making it possible for us and our friend, Marisol Ortega, to live to see this day."

Katherine waved; a few people applauded.

"While we're having toasts and making announcements, Maria Elisabetta and I have an announcement," Jesse said.

"We're having a baby." Maria Elisabetta beamed.

Katherine grinned as everyone around her applauded.

Bianca, Donna, and Marisol approached Katherine. "Thanks for keeping us alive, Kat."

"Benvenuto." Katherine grinned. She looked around the ballroom, feeling hopeful.