Frank stood next to his father and Andrew Worth in the hall after hearing the results of the various tests that had been run on Joe. While still concerned about the drugs in his system, Frank was relieved that his brother was, for the most part, all right. Ezra Collig and Con Riley were now updating them as to what they had gleaned from speaking with Vanessa’s treating physician earlier in the morning.

"She still has some swelling on the brain and hasn’t shown any signs of regaining consciousness yet, but the skull fracture isn’t severe so they are hopeful she won’t slip into a coma." Collig related what the doctor had told him. "He also said she has quite a few ‘defensive injuries’. Apparently, she put up a good fight against whoever attacked her. She has bruises on her hands and knuckles and a few broken fingernails. I requested scrapings be taken from under her nails for DNA analysis."

Fenton felt a lead weight in his stomach at the implication. If her defensive injuries matched up with the bruises and scratches on Joe, and the DNA found under Vanessa’s nails also matched his, that would be one more nail Collig could stick in his coffin.

"You realize even if the DNA turns out to be a match with Joe, that doesn’t prove anything." Fenton said tightly. "They live together, for God’s sake. Of course his DNA will be under her nails, on her clothes and skin. Just as hers would be on Joe."

"Of course I do." Collig said patiently. "I requested the DNA test not necessarily to prove Joe is guilty, but more so to see if there is unknown DNA under Vanessa’s nails. If so, that would support Frank’s theory that there was someone else in the apartment and that person could very well be the one who attacked Vanessa.

"However, Joe obviously fought with someone. If his injuries match Vanessa’s unfortunately that would support the theory that he did attack her." Collig sighed heavily. "I’m just trying to cover all my bases here."

"In that case, I’d like to request that you take samples from under Joe’s nails, too." Andrew requested. "If the DNA found under Vanessa’s nails can’t be linked to Joe, but the same DNA is found under Joe’s nails, that would be a very strong indication they were both attacked by the same unknown assailant."

"It’s already been done." The Chief replied with a slight smile. "I really don’t want Joe to be the one who did this."

*****

Joe sat in the chair by the bed staring at the floor, avoiding looking at the guard who was once again seated in the chair by the door. He’d finally been released from the restraints and allowed to get dressed in anticipation of his pending release from the hospital. Once he’d changed into the clothes Frank had brought him, he had been handcuffed and told to wait for his attorney.

Joe hoped Frank and his father had already left and wouldn’t have to see him being escorted out of the hospital handcuffed and under armed guard. He closed his eyes and felt his cheeks flush with the heat of shame. Joe couldn’t imagine anything more humiliating for his father than to see one of his son’s being led away in handcuffs, like the common criminals he hunted down. While he had always been a little wild and somewhat rebellious, Joe long ago swore he would never do anything to embarrass his father and he’d been able to keep that vow – until today.

"I’m sorry, Dad." He whispered softly.

"You say something?" the guard asked.

"No." Joe mumbled without looking up, reclaiming his wall of silence and wearing it like a shield.

Time seemed to move at a snail’s pace and Joe felt as if he had aged several years by the time Andrew finally walked into the room, politely asking the guard for privacy.

"How’s Vanessa?" Joe asked the second they were alone, desperate for any word on her condition. "Any change?"

"No, she’s still the same." Andrew replied, wishing he had better news.

Joe swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded silently. He knew any request to see her before leaving the hospital would be in vain, but promised himself he’d return as soon as his bail hearing was concluded.

"I’ve asked Con to transport you to police headquarters. I know he won’t try and bait you into talking about last night."

"Wouldn’t matter if he did." Joe said bitterly. "I can’t remember anything anyway."

"Just the same, if he tries to engage you in conversation having to do with anything other than the weather or baseball scores…"

"I know – keep my mouth shut."

"I’ll be right behind you." Andrew said, squeezing his shoulder. "Ready?"

Lapsing back into silence, Joe nodded and stood up, following Andrew to the door. The second they stepped into the hall, each of Joe’s arms were gently but firmly taken by an officer and he was led out of the emergency room and placed in the back of a waiting squad car. Staring straight ahead, Joe didn’t acknowledge Con Riley’s subdued greeting and remained quiet during the entire ride to police headquarters.

Upon arriving, Joe was fingerprinted, searched and processed. Con then led him to an interrogation room where Frank, Andrew and Chief Collig were waiting. After Frank explained to Joe that Fenton was arranging his bail and couldn’t be present, Chief Collig questioned Joe. When the questioning was finished, Collig left the room, allowing Frank and Andrew to answer any questions Joe had in private. Once that was done, Joe was taken to a holding cell.

Reviewing the interrogation in his mind, Joe found he was almost glad he couldn’t remember anything more than he had earlier that morning, since his father wasn’t able to be there. Frank had assured him they were be doing everything in their power to prove his innocence, and Joe didn’t want to have to try and recall new pieces of information for his father, as his memory didn’t seem to be cooperating very well.

Sitting on the small cot with his back to the wall, Joe rubbed his wrists, thankful to finally be free of restraints. He spent the next several hours trying in vain to remember anything more from the previous evening, unable to get beyond the knock on the door. Periodically, the disorganized and horrifying flashbacks he had experienced in the hospital would make their presence known, each new revelation a little more grisly than the previous one had been. Unable to discern whether the terrifying images were actual memories or hallucinations brought on by the LSD, Joe wasn’t at all sure whether or not to mention them to Andrew or his father…or even Frank for that matter.

Trying to block out the gruesome visions of Vanessa lying on the kitchen floor, Joe forced himself to think back a few months earlier to Frank and Callie’s wedding. He’d been the best man and Vanessa had been Callie’s maid of honor. Just as it had on that happy occasion, Joe’s breath caught in his throat and he automatically smiled, recalling his first glimpse of Vanessa as she preceded Callie down the aisle. She had taken his breath away, and any lingering doubts he might have had about asking her to marry him had vanished.

Opening his eyes, Joe stared at the dull, gray cinderblock wall, wondering if he’d even get the chance to pop the question. He hadn’t told anyone of his plans to ask Vanessa to become his wife, not even Frank. He had finally made the last payment on her engagement ring, which was tucked securely away in his safe deposit box at the bank. Ironically, Joe realized that was the best place for it, especially now. He’d considered hiding it somewhere in the apartment, but feared Vanessa might stumble upon it accidentally. Had he done that, it would probably be in the hands of the police at this very moment, having been confiscated as some kind of evidence. At the very least, his secret would have been exposed, as he was certain the ring would have been found during what he was sure had been a very thorough and methodical search of their apartment.

Joe felt a heavy sense of foreboding descend on him as he thought of the hotel reservations he had already made for the weekend of Vanessa’s birthday in November. For months now, he had been discreetly trying to pump his father for details about the night his parents had gotten engaged. A small smile crept to his lips as he remembered how enthralled Vanessa had been when Laura related the story of the night Fenton had asked for her hand in marriage. Using every tidbit of information he could pry out of his father, Joe intended to recreate that magical night for Vanessa and make it the best birthday she would ever have. The smile quickly disappeared as he wondered if all his efforts and months of planning would now be in vain. Would Vanessa even live long enough to know he wanted to marry her?

"Joe?" Con Riley’s voice echoed through the cell, snapping Joe out of his trance. "Time to go."

Con opened the cell door as Joe got up from the cot and approached him. Dangling the now familiar handcuffs from one finger, Con shrugged apologetically.

Joe glared angrily at the handcuffs before turning around with a resigned sigh and putting his hands behind his back. Con gently snapped the handcuffs into place and led Joe upstairs and out the back door of the station into a squad car.

The ride to the courthouse only a few blocks away, took less than five minutes. Joe was led through the entrance used exclusively for "prisoners" and found Andrew waiting for him just inside the door. As they walked down the hall together, Andrew gave Joe a brief rundown on what to expect assuring him the whole ordeal would be over in a matter of moments.

Arriving at the courtroom, they had a short wait before Joe’s name was called. After Con removed the handcuffs, Joe entered the courtroom and saw his parents, Frank and Callie seated a few rows back. Meeting Fenton’s eyes, Joe saw nothing but concern for him reflected there. Unable to hold his father’s gaze, Joe quickly looked away, the feeling of shame overtaking him once again.

Just as Andrew promised the proceedings were concluded rather quickly. Andrew had entered pleas of not guilty to all the charges lodged against Joe. The D.A. had recommended a predetermined amount for bail, which Fenton posted immediately. Joe sank a little lower in the chair, wondering how humiliating it had to be for a world renowned and highly respected private investigator to have to post bail for his own son. As Joe began to wallow in self-pity, the judge read off the conditions of his bail.

"You will turn in your passport and agree not to leave Bayport without the express written permission of this court. Finally, you will abide by the restraining order that has been issued against you."

‘Restraining order?!’ Joe’s head snapped up at those words as he was suddenly confronted with a nightmare he hadn’t even considered.

"You are to have no contact whatsoever with the victim, Vanessa Bender. If at any time you are found to be in violation of this restraining order, your bail will be revoked immediately and you will be remanded to the state penitentiary to await trial."

As the bang of the gavel rang in his ears, Joe could only stare open-mouthed, in shocked disbelief.