ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON 14

Episode 120

             Special News Report

This is Lynda Lopez reporting from the news studio. I - 95 is back open  for all those attempting the evening commute back home during rush hour at the moment. St. Paul's Hospital Center is also back open in their ER after that massive twenty car pileup today on I  -95.

At Hyattsville General we spoke to doctors and we have been alerted that Judge Norland has come out of surgery for the gunshot wounds to his abdomen and shoulder and is resting in stable condition in ICU  right now. The other customer who was shot at the A&B convenience store on EastWest Highway, identified as Hyattsville Middle School  math   teacher Cindi Wong , is also reportedly in stable condition at the hospital after being shot in the leg at the store. The eighteen year old cashier, Terry Quinn , was reportedly shot in the chest , and is in stable but critical condition following surgery. Judge Norland is a recent appointee of the governor to the bench and from his first few cases has gained a  very tough on crime reputation already. He is also married to Volkouv Enterprises vice president Nigel Norland , the son of Nicholas Volkouv , and the father of three children as well as foster father to two at risk youth. He is one of only three openly gay judges on the bench in district court at the moment. Cindi Wong is the winner of last year's Teacher of the Year and married to assistant state's attorney Peter Wong and the mother of two children. Terry Quinn is a student at Hyattsville Community College majoring in early childhood education and engaged to be married to his high school sweetheart.

The police are still on the lookout for the two African American teen girls that reportedly participated in this tragic triple shooting and attempted robbery at the A&B convenience store today. One is described as dark skinned in a dark blue hoodie and blue jeans with a baseball hat. The other light skinned in a light green hoodie and blue jeans with a similar style baseball hat. Here we see the very grainy footage from the store right before the shootings. The girls reportedly got away with only fifty dollars in cash and a few of the customers belongings including Judge Norland's cell phone and wallet. If anyone sees the teen bandits please telephone the PG County Sheriff's Department or the County Homicide Unit and ask for primary detective on this attempted murder and robbery investigation Detective Nate Jacks. There is also a prayer candlelight vigil for the victims at the crime scene tonight with Judge Norland's brother Dr. Spencer Norland - Lane expected to attend along with other family members of the victims including Peter Wong . Dr. Norland - Lane is also the survivor of a gun shot wound that left him paralyzed. Dr. Norland - Lane is one of several speakers tonight on the need for stronger gun control laws.

In more lighter news , there has been a another sighting of international and popular Prince Cedric of Eldermere in our area. This time at Hyattsville General Hospital in the ER waiting room talking to a nurse. There is no word if the prince was injured or hurt but here he is in a baseball cap and sunglasses on the hospital security footage. Looks like a lot of his women admirers in the DMV will go to sleep tonight dreaming of a fairy tale wedding.

                 ----------

Spencer Norland -Lane's brother was shot in a robbery ! , Jimmy Klein thought in amazed wonder as he sat along with Jeff Kendall and Ric Ashton on the living room floor of Jeff's family house eating pizza with everything. Then , as the news showed the video footage of Prince Cedric, both his and Jeff's eyes went with much astonishment to Ric who turned pale as he stared at the television.

Jeff said with a laugh ," You're a prince? "

Ric sighed and dropped his half eaten pizza back in the greasy box. " Yes. Unfortunately. My name is Prince Cedric Randolph of House Ashton and the country of Eldermere. I... I guess you won't want to see me anymore? " Unless you want something, Cedric thought to himself with a sinking disappointed feeling to his stomach where the delicious pizza  settled currently like a rock. Why would they want his friendship or whatever otherwise?

Jeff kept laughing. " Are you kidding? I've never known or fucked a prince before. You're not getting away that easily, friend. "

Jimmy shook his head and laughed too. " So , can we keep calling you Ric? Or your highness? Or something? "

Cedric smiled slightly. " Ric is fine."

                   -----------

" Dear Lord ," Harriet Duncan clicked her teeth in distress and disapproval as she in the living room of her daughter's house watched the local news along with Keisha and Justin who sat on the sofa next to her. She sat aside her knitting project of a warm sweater for Jamal suddenly and focused on the tv. " Too much violence these days. Too many guns. That vigil they talking about. I got an email from Pastor about it. You know he loves his emails. He and Mother and a couple deacons will be there tonight along with other churches including that UUC thing you and Nicole keep talking about. Maybe we should go too.  What on earth would make two little girls do such a thing? Wonder who they are ? "

                     ---------

Nicole was in her bedroom,  cross-legged on her unmade bed , doing her homework although her eyes were on her backpack in the corner of her room by the closet and her attention was on the conversation she was having on her phone currently.

" Damn , Rona, " she said in a hushed whisper. " Where that gun come from? You all wasn't involved in that shooting today? Where Judge Norland got shot? And the other ones ? Say it ain't true? "

Rona said roughly," Yeah but I ain't do no shooting. It was all Tina's dumb ass. You know she always doing the most all the time. She got mad cause the old dude was being too slow getting out his wallet. Look. You can't tell nobody. Just keep quiet and hide the gun for us. When it cools down we'll ditch it somewhere. "

" Man , I don't want nothing to do with this shit. My cousin Luci is kinda related to that judge. "

Rona snapped," Ion care who she related to. Keep your mouth shut. We ain't care when you shot the White dude at the courthouse. "

" That was an accident. I didn't mean it. My finger slipped. "

" Yeah? Well , this was an accident too. It was all the old guy's fault for being slow anyway. You better not snitch. If you do we'll tell them you helped us plan it. Then you'll go down right with us , Nicole Duncan. Bet that White people school won't want your wannabe White ass then. "

                   ----------

Richard's eyes fluttered open and the first sight he saw was his husband's face. He smiled faintly in spite of the pain in his stomach and shoulder.

" Did you take your medicine? ," he asked faintly.

Nigel laughed softly as he stroked his husband's strained with pain face. " Of course I did. And, I'm mad at you. Once again you failed to duck a bullet. "

Even as he laughed tears slipped from his eye down his face.

" Don't cry , darling. Where are the children? "

" With your parents. And , Lewis wants to come home. He's worried about you. "

                    --------

After leaving the hospital Jeremiah had just driven around aimlessly. He hadn't wanted to go back to the office and Bliss wasn't answering her phone after texting him earlier about attending some party at Rebel's mansion of all places. She said that Reese Malden and Mother Maddie and River Talbot were supposed to be there too. So after a little while he ended up at Shondie Johnson's townhouse in Hyattsville knocking on the door. After a couple knocks it was opened by the smiling but tired looking woman still in her scrubs.

Shondie said brightly," Well , aren't you a sight for sore tired eyes today, hon ? Come on in. I'll get the necklace for Bliss and we can eat some supper. I got a bottle of wine from the liquor store too. After a day like this I need a couple glasses. "

As he entered the house Jeremiah thought that so did he.

                --------

Tania watched the tv in her bedroom with horror on her lovely face. " Oh dear goddesses and gods. Richard has been shot. Again. He has such bad luck. I should do a protection charm for him. "

Wilson looked over at his wife as he removed his blazer to hang in the closet. He turned away and made a face as he said sharply," Yes. Because he , of all people, needs protection. "