I Believe in You

Total Eclipse of the Heart

Conrad went straight to Atlanta Correctional Facility to check on Nic while I went to my father's office to discuss her case and parole.
"Meghan, there's nothing our family can do about Nicolette's parole. I cannot be involved in releasing a defendant who is being prosecuted by one of my employees." He explained.
Of course, I knew that, but I had to try.
"Can you tell me what her charge is?" I asked.
"Breaking and entering. She was found in a locked doctor's office when the police responded to the silent alarm." He sighed.
"If you were already married to Conrad then you could bail her out but because you still have my last name... It's mostly the way it looks on paper."
I nodded.
"We'll figure something else out."
"I'm sorry, Meghan. I realize that this is probably just another ploy by Lane Hunter but I have to allow my employees to follow the evidence."
"No. I understand, dad. I had to try." I smiled sadly at him.
"Of course you did." He smiled back.
I left my father's office feeling more lost than I had going in.
I knew that Nic made herself a target by investigating Lane on her own but I couldn't help feeling bad that Lane 'couldn't' come after me.
"Conrad. I can't do anything financially for her." I sighed when he returned home shortly after I did.
"I figured that." He looked at me.
"I have an idea but I don't like it and I don't think you will either."
"What is it?"
"We could ask my father."
"We haven't even sat down to talk to him about the wedding." I reminded him.
"That's the part you aren't going to like. We can't ask him to bail out our friend and not invite him to our wedding."
"I am not as against him being at our wedding as you think. I don't want you to punch him during our ceremony or at the reception though."
"I promise to give him a chance. A real chance. I don't want him to hurt you."
"How would he hurt me?" I asked.
"He's just not a very nice person. Sometimes he says things that can be degrading or demeaning. Mostly to me but I know you hate that."
"I'm the bride. I'll just tell him he has to be kind or he'll have to leave... I have an idea. You go ask him on your own. That way when I impose the stipulations I can claim I didn't know about the loan." I sighed.
He nodded.
"I hate that I'm using our wedding as a bargaining chip."
He crossed the room to sit with me.
"Conrad. We're getting married. That's all that matters. As long as I get to spend the rest of my life with you everything else is superfluous."
"I'll always be here." He kissed my head.
"I know." I smiled laying my head on his chest.
Sometime after Conrad left to talk to his father I got a call from Devon.
"Meghan. I found someone who survived Lane's insane treatment. He's willing to testify." He explained when I answered.
"That's a real game changer." I answered smiling a real smile.
"It is. Dr. Bell just called the FBO himself. They're talking about removing Lane from the hospital." He said.
"When? Now?" I asked.
"I'm not sure. The officers just got here and they're reviewing the video from the night Lily was murdered."
I heard the front door open and Conrad's voice from down the hallway. He was followed by Nic and Marshall Winthrop.
"Meghan!" Nic sighed wrapping her arms around me.
"I appreciate you extending an invitation to your wedding to my son. I swear to be on my best behavior. Conrad and I don't always see eye to eye but I recognize now that his wedding or rehearsal dinner is not the place to hash that out." Marshall said extending his hand to me.
I nodded.
"Thank you. I appreciate your saying that. I love your son dearly and I want this to be his dream wedding as well as mine." I answered with a small smile.
"I just wanted to thank you personally. I do have another appointment but wished to speak to you in person." He smiled.
"I do appreciate that."
Marshall bid his goodbyes and left our home.
"We need to get to Chastain." I said after watching Marshall's limousine leave our drive.
"Why? What's going on?" Conrad asked.
"Devon called. The FBI officer is there reviewing the security camera footage from the night Lily died. He thinks they'll remove Lane from the hospital." I explained.
"Let's go." Nic said frantically.
We arrived at the hospital in time to see Dr. Lane Hunter read her miranda rights.
"You are under arrest for the murders of Sarah Bishop and Lily Kendall as well as multiple counts of medical fraud. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed to you. Do you understand these rights as I have read them to you?" The FBI agent asked.
"Yes." She said not taking her eyes off me.
"You'll pay for this, Meghan."
"Do you really want to add threatening the district attorney's daughter to your laundry list of charges?"
Lane shut her mouth but continued to glare at me before she was lead away.
"Conrad. Look." I pointed to where his father walked through the hospital.
"What is he doing here?" He asked to which I shrugged.
We followed him up to the boardroom where Bell was being congratulated for avoiding the public relations nightmare thus saving the hospital.
"We want to introduce you to the new chairman of the board, Marshall Winthrop." Another investor said motioning to him.
Conrad froze at my side.
"It'll be okay." I assured him as Marshall caught my eye.
"We get married in a month, then we'll deal with Marshall and his position in the hospital."
Conrad nodded still clearly in shock.