Mother May I?

By: ioanhoratio

A/N: This is just something I've been kicking around for a while. I wasn't sure how to present this in a believable way, and I'm not a lawyer-though I have researched as much as I could using the internet regarding Montana state death penalty and appeals procedures. I had to make up a lot (you need to see my poetic license? Just don't judge the picture...it was a bad hair day) , but I tried to base as much as I could off of fact. For example, the Innocence Project is real and I used as much as I could off their website. Anyway, I'm not going to give anymore away, you'll just have to read to find out what all that means.

"Um...excuse me, Lindsay? Lindsay Monroe...uh...no, I mean Messer?" a voice called out timidly.

Lindsay spun around in surprise. She had been about to pull her three year old daughter out of her car seat, but hesitated when she heard someone call out to her. Lindsay found an older woman with short, graying black hair staring at her, the skin near her eyes deeply wrinkled and her gaze haggard, but her clothes were neat and clean, though not fashionable, more like something Lindsay's grandmother would have worn-floral print shirt, with white cotton slacks. There was something familiar about the way she looked, like someone Lindsay had once met in a dream.

Despite the woman's relatively normal appearance, Lindsay couldn't help the impulse to protectively raise a hand to her rounded stomach, or to move her body to stand between Lucy and the woman-ensuring her daughter was out of view. Lindsay had spent too many years as a CSI and as a New Yorker to assume that this stranger meant them no harm.

Frowning slightly, Lindsay warily asked, "Yes?"

The older lady's hands moved nervously up and down the cloth covering her thighs, seeming to try and wipe them clean. Her eyes held a slightly panicked look, and her lips pressed together tightly in what Lindsay could only describe as fear.

Unease filled Lindsay's body, and she mentally calculated how quickly she could close the door of the car and make her way back around to the driver's side. Her 25 week-pregnant belly made running less accomplishable, but she was no where big enough that it would keep her from being able to make a quick escape.

Lindsay's thoughts must have shown on her face, because the woman began shaking her head, and she rushed to say, "Wait, don't leave, I...uh...I'm sorry. It's just really hard to say what I need to say."

Lindsay's heart softened slightly at the desperation in the woman's voice, though her caution was still well in place. "Who are you and how do you know my name?" Lindsay demanded, mindful of her impatient toddler who would begin fussing if left in her seat for much longer.

The woman squeezed her eyes shut and took a deep breath. She moved to step forward, but stopped abruptly when she saw Lindsay take a quick step back. Finally, the woman gave a weary sigh and answered, "My name is Justine Cadence, and I need your help to save my son's life."

So a short teaser, but hopefully interesting enough for you to want to read more.

Next chapter is done and will be posted soon. Thanks for reading!