Nayla's Dilemma-The Ends of Justice

Newlyweds Nayla and Benjamin Smith delayed their honeymoon plans for the time being. Albeit the wedding was beautiful it was also spur of the moment. Once they obtained the license and filed the paperwork their careers now stood in their way of any other plans.

The Franklin investigation had become front burner and both were busy trying to build the State's case against Henry Franklin. Neither Cleveland Homicide Detectives nor the FBI had been able to located Anna Dalton and the D.A.’s office worked frantically to build their evidence surrounding the mysterious death of Ramona Franklin. The possibility of Henry Franklin walking away from a murder charge was a risk District Attorney John Kraft was not willing to take but without concrete evidence it was becoming apparent that could very well be the outcome.

Nayla relaxed in the tub soaking off the long hard day. John Kraft had gotten under her skin as usual. Though John and Henry at one time were good friends, John's determination to bring Henry down made it hard for other prosecutors who faced Franklin on a daily basis. Until evidence could prove otherwise, Franklin maintained his status as an active judge.

Ben came home to find the house totally dark. It was unusual for Nayla not to leave the light on in the kitchen when she knew he would be working late. The large Grandfather clock in the family room chimed as midnight arrived. Ben struggled with getting back into the long hours after returning from his leave of absence from the shooting a year earlier. His time off was longer than expected because of a bullet still logged in his body. With Isaac away for at least another week, Ben had been asked personally by the Mayor to handle the responsibilities as acting Chief of Detectives.

Ben pulled a beer from the fridge replacing it after deciding he was dead tired. Heading to the master bath he quietly opened the door trying not to awake Nayla. Hearing the soft roar from the spa tub, he found her fast asleep.

Shaking her shoulders lightly he whispered. “Hey, baby, wake up before you drown yourself.”

“Ben---when did you get home?” She asked groggily removing the eye mask to peek at him.

“About ten minutes ago,” he said leaning down to kiss the top of her head. “How long have you been soaking?”