Scenes From a Soap Opera

A Framejob

Billy was racked with guilt over his conversation with Adam the day before. He couldn't believe that he had essentially wished death upon Adam and Sally's future child. He genuinely believed that he was better than that; also, the slap that Sally gave him when he ran into her at Crimson Lights helped as well. The youngest Abbott really should have known that Adam would run and tell Sally about their conversation. 

Wow, that redhead could really slap someone, he was feeling the sting an hour later. He made a mental note to apologize to Adam and Sally the next time he saw them. He still believed that Adam didn't deserve a daughter, but the child didn't deserve to suffer.

Billy let out a large sigh as he stepped off the Jabot elevator. The Glo by Jabot team had a meeting scheduled first thing that morning, it was time to launch the next product. He enjoyed his work for the first time in a long time and was excited to brainstorm the next big thing. He had just settled at his desk to get to work when he heard a knock at the door. The executive looked up to see a distressed Chance standing in the doorway. Clearly, Chance would rather be anywhere but Billy's doorway now.

Billy stood up confused to greet his nephew who stated that he was sorry that he had to do this. Now Billy was worried, but before he got to ask Chance what was wrong, Chance told him that he was under arrest for the murder of Ashland Locke. Stunned, he let his nephew handcuff him and lead him out of the building. The rest of the Abbotts had come out of their offices, having heard the rumor that an arrest was happening. They were shocked to see Billy coming out of his office in handcuffs. Jack shouted out to him that he would call his lawyer and meet him at the station.  

Abbott Manor

Billy Abbott slammed the front door of his family home shut angrily. He was so angry in fact that he forgot that his brother Jack was behind him and slammed the door in his face. Knowing how furious and confused his brother was, Jack let it go and followed his younger brother into the house. Both Ashley and Traci ran to hug Billy when he entered the living room. Billy embraced both of his sisters, feeling internally grateful for their support. All the Abbotts had the same thought, how did Billy get arrested for Locke's murder?

"Billy, are you okay? Do you need me to get you anything?" Traci asked him concerned. Billy smiled at her, that was Traci always trying to mother him. He appreciated her kindness and genuine concern for his well-being. His other siblings were equally concerned.

"I'm okay Traci, thanks. Right now, my focus is clearing my name." Billy replied. "I was framed, and I will not rest until I am cleared."

"Who could have done this?" Traci asked.

Billy and Jack took one look at each other and responded together, "Victor"

Ashley scoffed, "Why would Victor frame you for murder? You aren't on his radar anymore and besides; you are the father of two of his grandchildren."

"That's exactly why, Ash. After what Locke did to Johnny, I have a pretty good motive for wanting the bastard dead. I did want him dead."

"But why would he go to all the trouble. Who is he protecting?" Ashley pressed the issue, not wanting to believe the worst in her daughter's father, yet again.

"Victoria. Nick let it slip that the Newmans think that Victoria killed Locke. Think about it, she has the same motive I have, plus all the other things he put her through. Then, there's her erratic behavior. Finally, Nikki dragged her out of the country for an undisclosed amount of time. And if Victor has the choice of sending me or his daughter to prison, we all know who he is going to pick. Everything fits into place."

Following Billy's rant, Ashley had no choice but to agree. She was furious at Victor, damn him, how could he do this?

"But why now?" Jack asked. "What has motivated him to act now?" The oldest Abbott sibling wasn't surprised in the slightest that Victor was behind this. He just wondered why the mustache was acting now; the police had been working on Locke's case for months.

"Two theories." Billy started to explain. "Either the cops are close to figuring it out or Victoria is." He sighed heavily as he sunk onto the couch. He was gearing up to battle for his freedom and he was already tired.

"Does Victoria not know what she allegedly did?" Traci asked genuinely confused. She did not think that Victoria would allow her children's father to go to prison for something that she did, allegedly. The only thing that made sense to her was that Victoria did not know what she had done if she had even pulled the trigger. The way that Victor had moved and how quickly made Traci wonder if he had been the one to end Locke's miserable life.

"My understanding is that Victoria has blocked that entire night out. The last thing she remembers is glaring at Ashland as he left the party he threw. The next thing she knew she was waking up at home in her bed, with no idea how she got there." Billy explained. That made sense to the other Abbotts; what happened that night was very traumatic, it made total sense that Victoria's mind would try to shield her from even more trauma. There was no way Victoria would allow her children's father to go to prison, if she could help it.

The Abbotts continued to strategize while they waited for Billy's lawyer, Amanda Sinclair, to arrive. Billy had asked Amanda to represent him, and she agreed due to their friendship. She also believed his claims that he was being railroaded. Victor Newman framing someone he hated for a crime was not out of the realm of possibility. The family heard a knock at the door and Billy jumped up to get it knowing that it was Amanda. Once the lawyer entered the living room, she asked the family to tell her everything, nothing too small could be ignored. They were going to take Victor Newman down and clear Billy's name in the process.