Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters of The OC. They all belong to Josh Schwartz.

A/N:Sequel to "A Bitter Pill": Bob Stankey, head of the group home Ryan stayed at for six months, is ready to stand trial for second-degree murder due to depraved indifference in the death of a teenage boy in his care. Ryan is set to take the stand and testify against Stankey, facing the man who abused him.

This story takes place three months after "A Bitter Pill" ends. Ryan and Luke are friends and attending the public school while Seth is attending Harbor. I'm taking some "liberties" with the time and understand that it would be more like a year or longer for any trial to begin. But, I didn't want to fast forward an entire year so, in this story, the legal justice system works at lightning speed. :-)

For those readers who are familiar with some of my past stories, you know that I like to find ways to separate Ryan from the Cohens and then have him find his way back again (with the help of Sandy, of course). This story will be no different and, in this case, Sandy and Sheriff Hicks will be at the forefront in their quest to help Ryan.

Thank you for all the feedback and support. I really appreciate it! :-)

Chapter Five

"What in the hell happened, Sandy?"

"I don't know, Mike," Sandy replies to the angry prosecutor. And he doesn't blame him for being angry. He's spent the last three months preparing for this trial, only to see the defendant go free and his young witness arrested for perjury.

"I went through everything with Ryan over the weekend," Mike tells Sandy, not even trying to hide his frustration. "All he had to do was answer 'yes' to my questions. That's all!"

"I know. Believe me, I'm as much at a loss as you are," Sandy says. "But I know Ryan. He would only lie because he had no other choice. Someone got to him."

"Are you saying Stankey got to him?" Mike asks. "That's witness tampering. You had better have some proof."

"I'll get you the proof, Mike," Sandy asserts. "I'm not going to let Ryan go to prison over this. I know there's more to it. I just need to find out what happened."

"You know my office is always open to you," Mike says, his voice more calm as he realizes the man is as much distraught as he is over the recent events. "If you can find evidence of witness tampering, bring it to me. I want Stankey locked up. That man needs to be behind bars."

"I'll find you the evidence," Sandy promises, although he has no idea where he'll get it. His only hope is that Ryan will talk.

"Come on, let's try to find Sheriff Hicks," Sandy tells Kirsten as he takes her hand and steers them both through the horde of people exiting the courtroom.

"Where's Ryan?" Kirsten asks frantically. "Can we see him?"

"He's probably in booking," Sandy replies. "Sheriff Hicks will be able to..."

Sandy immediately stops talking when he sees Bob Stankey in the hallway; the man laughing and smiling, hugging his defense attorney while thanking her for a job well done.

Sandy lets go of Kirsten's hand and immediately makes a beeline over to Stankey.

"You!" Sandy shouts as he pushes the larger man away from his lawyer. "What did you do! I know you're responsible for this!"

"I don't know who you are or what you're talking about," Bob Stankey says as he adjusts his suit and straightens up his tie.

"My name is Sandy Cohen. I'm Ryan's lawyer and legal guardian."

"Aw, how sweet. The kid somehow managed to get himself a guardian," Stankey replies with fake sincerity. "What did he have to do, huh? You can tell me," Stankey says with a sly wink. "Ya know, we'll keep it just between us men..."

"I know you got to him somehow," Sandy says, ignoring the man's last lewd remark. "And believe you me, I will not stop until I find out..."

"Whoa... wait just a minute," Stankey interrupts, holding his hands up in defense, feigning innocence. "I had nothin' to do with that little hoodlum lying on the stand."

"Like hell you didn't!" Sandy shouts back.

"This is what I know, Mr. hotshot lawyer and legal guar-deee-ann..." Stankey says, leaning in close to Sandy while overexaggerating the syllables of his last word. "Judges don't like it when folks lie in their courtroom. Your mangy little foster kid is gonna go to back to juvie or maybe even prison. And a kid like Ryan? I'm sure he'll be real popular amongst the prison population." Stankey leans in even closer to Sandy and with a wolfish grin adds, "Why, he might as well start bendin' over right now."

"Why you sick son of a bitch!" Sandy cries out as he pushes the man up against the wall. Sandy pins Stankey against the wall with one hand firmly grasping his tie. He clenches his other hand into a tight fist and holds it up to Stankey's face. Sandy doesn't think he's ever been this angry as he feels an unbridled rage surge up inside him. As Sandy begins his motion to punch the boorish man in his jaw, a long arm comes swooping down, blocking Sandy's ability to execute his blow.

"Step back, Mr. Cohen!" Ray Hicks orders. "Do not make me have to arrest you for assault. Believe me, it is not worth going to prison over this piece of garbage."

Sandy feels hot tears well up in his eyes. He glares at Bob Stankey. He knows what the man did to Ryan when the boy was in the group home. He'll never understand how anyone could ever harm a kid. Sandy looks over at the sheriff; the man's face stern yet understanding. He then turns and looks at his clenched fist, still at the ready, aching to make contact with Stankey's face.

Sandy then remembers the talk he had with Ryan about fighting. He had told the boy it was wrong to lash out and punch people... how he just had to not fight. Step away. Take a deep breath. It seemed so plain and simple to Sandy back then. But now he wonders, did the boy feel this kind of rage when he lashed out and got into fights?

What kind of man would I be... what kind of role model would I be for the kid if I throw this punch.

Sandy slowly lowers his arm and releases Stankey from his grip. He then steps away and takes in a deep breath. He knows the sheriff is right. He won't be able to help Ryan if he's in jail. He needs to be patient.

"You're lucky I'm in a good mood," Stankey quips as he straightens his suit and tie. "Otherwise, I'd press charges and make sure your ass is dragged off to jail."

"Why don't you quit while you're ahead," the sheriff offers. "Emotions are running high right now. I suggest you leave while you can still walk."

"Is that a threat, Sheriff?" Stankey asks.

"No, just some honest, helpful advice," Ray replies. "Plus, I find your presence is really stinking up the place."

Bob Stankey scoffs at the sheriff, but doesn't take the bait. He ignores the disparaging remark and walks away.

"Sheriff Hicks, can we see Ryan?" Kirsten asks, scurrying over to join her husband. Kirsten immediately takes Sandy's hand into hers, searching for comfort. "Where is he? We need to see him."

"He's being booked right now," Ray Hicks replies. "There's a room you can wait in. Why don't you folks follow me."

Ray Hicks brings the anxious parents to a small room with a couch, couple of chairs and a half-filled coffee pot set atop a formica counter.

"I'll go check on Ryan," Ray says. "You folks wait here. Help yourself to some coffee."

After the sheriff leaves, Sandy immediately takes out his cell phone and begins perusing his list of contacts.

"What are you doing?" Kirsten asks.

"I'm looking for someone I met while at Berkeley. Jay Strasser. He's a defense attorney."

"Is he good?" Kirsten asks. "I mean, have you been following his career? Has he had success?"

"He's won more cases than he's lost," Sandy replies. "But I think Ryan will have to have a good defense attorney. Someone in the private sector."

"But what about you?" Kirsten asks.

"I can certainly represent him, but I'm afraid I may be too personally involved," Sandy explains, still shaken by his encounter out in the hall with Bob Stankey. "I'm not sure I'd be able to keep an open mind. My emotions may get the best of me. Ryan needs... Ryan deserves the best defense we can give him."

Sandy looks up from his phone when he sees Ray Hicks return. "Sheriff, what is it?" Sandy asks when he notices the dour expression on the sheriff's face. "Is Ryan alright?"

"He's fine," Ray replies. "But..."

"But what?" Sandy and Kirsten both ask in unison.

"Ryan has stated that he doesn't want to see you," Ray Hicks replies.

"He doesn't want to see us?" Sandy questions in utter disbelief.

"I'm sorry, but that is the boy's wishes," Ray replies, understanding the man's frustration.

"What else are you not telling us," Sandy says, noting the man's demeanor has become even more solemn.

Ray Hicks lets out a long sigh as he runs his hand through his thinning hair. He knows he must be honest with this family. "Ryan has signed a written confession."

"He what?" Sandy asks, completely dumbfounded. "Who took his confession? Did he have a lawyer with him?"

"I'm afraid Ryan willingly signed the confession. It's all on tape. He declined legal representation," Ray replies. "Ryan did agree to being assigned a Public Defender for the hearing..."

"I want to get him a good defense attorney," Sandy says.

"I understand," Ray states with sympathy. "But for some reason, Ryan seems to want to board a bullet train straight back to juvie. We need to start asking ourselves 'why'."

"He signed a confession and he won't see us," Sandy mutters aloud as he paces back and forth in the small room. He can't make any sense of the boy's behavior.

"There's something more going on," Ray says.

"I believe Bob Stankey got to him," Sandy states.

"I agree," Ray replies. "But we need proof."

Ray Hicks walks over to the distraught parents and gently places his hands on their shoulders. "Why don't you folks go home. It's almost two. Your son, Seth, will probably be getting out of school soon."

"Oh my... Seth..." Sandy sighs. "We need to tell him what has happened before he hears it on the news."

"Before you leave, there is one more thing," Ray says. "Do you happen to know how Ryan got his injuries?"

"Injuries?" Sandy inquires. "What injuries?"

"During booking when he changed clothes, the officer noted cuts and scrapes on both of Ryan's forearms and also a cut and bruise on his knee."

"Maybe he got injured at soccer practice," Kirsten offers. "But why wouldn't he tell us?"

Sandy looks at his wife and sighs. "It's Ryan, remember? He probably didn't want to bother us."

"Listen, Ryan is safe. He's in a holding cell and due to his age, he will not be placed with anyone else," Ray assures. "I'll check in on him. Ryan may not want to talk to me, but he can't refuse to see me. I am the Sheriff."

Kirsten leans into Sandy. She welcomes her husband's embrace as he wraps his arm around her shoulders.

"Let's give the boy a little time," Ray continues. "I will personally make sure he's safe and has everything he needs."

"He's right, honey," Sandy says, although he can't seem to hide the reluctance in his voice. "Sheriff, you'll contact me if anything changes..."

"I will contact you no matter what," Ray assures. "Trust me. Go home and I'll check on Ryan. Talk to your son. Maybe he knows something about Ryan's injuries."

Sheriff Hicks watches Sandy and Kirsten leave, then makes a beeline straight to the Ryan's holding cell. As he approaches the cell, he notices the boy sitting on the edge of the cot, dressed in a blue jumpsuit with his head lowered, deep in thought.

"Ryan, are you comfortable? Is there anything I can get you," Ray asks, hoping the boy will respond.

Ray sighs as silence fills the room. At this moment, he'd give anything to be able to read the kid's mind.

"Well, if you do need anything, please let me know," Ray offers as he begins to take his leave.

"Sandy and Kirsten... did they go home?" Ryan asks quietly with his head still lowered.

"Yes, they've left," Ray replies. "But, they didn't want to leave."

"Would it be possible..." Ryan raises his head and looks at the tall sheriff, still dressed in the suit he wore for the trial. He remembers the first time he met the man.

I was in the hospital... after the model home burned down...

Ryan recalls how attentive and understanding the sheriff was. He thought he was going to be arrested and suffer the indignity of being handcuffed to the bed railing, but he wasn't.

Sheriff Hicks didn't arrest me. He helped me.

"I mean, I was wondering if..."

"Go on, Ryan... It's alright," the sheriff states, urging the boy to say what's on his mind.

"Would it be okay if I made a phone call?" Ryan asks.

"Of course, you can make a phone call," Ray assures. "Who would you like to call?"

"My brother."

"Your brother?" Ray responds, slightly surprised. He was hoping the boy was having second thoughts and wanted to call the Cohen's.

"Yeah... Trey... he's in..."

"Prison," Ray states, finishing the boy's sentence. "I'll arrange the phone call for you. It may takes a few minutes though."

Ryan watches the sheriff leave, then lowers his head again. He rubs his hands on his lap and lets out a heavy sigh. How he hates having to push Sandy and Kirsten away, but it's the only way to keep them safe.

I have to keep them safe...

Suddenly feeling anxious, Ryan abruptly stands up and begins pacing back and forth. He knows his brother will have a million questions to ask him, but there's only one thing he needs to talk about.

"Alright Ryan, I was able to arrange a call with your brother," Ray says, returning to the holding cell. Ray holds up a pair of handcuffs and immediately apologizes. "I'm sorry. I must follow protocol."

"It's alright. I understand," Ryan says as he walks to the front of the cell and places his arms through a wide gap in the bars.

Ray carefully places the cuffs around Ryan's wrists, opens the cell door, then escorts the boy to a small room.

Ryan looks around the room as the sheriff removes the handcuffs. He notes the cement walls painted in drab beige, much of it chipping away due to age and neglect. He breathes in the stale air from a room that has had its door closed more often then opened. A black phone sitting atop a small table with one folding chair make up the minimalist decor.

"Your brother is holding on line one. Just push the button when you're ready to talk to him," Ray instructs the boy. "I'll wait right out here in the hallway. Knock on the door when you're done."

Ryan watches the sheriff leave the room. He sits down on the chair and looks intently at the phone. He takes in a deep breath, then exhales. Ryan picks up the receiver and pushes the first lighted button.

"Ry, is that you?"

"Hey, Trey..."

"What's goin' on? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Trey..."

"You always say you're fine. Tell me, what's really goin' on... The trial started, didn't it? Did you stick it to that creep-of-a-sadist Stankey?"

Ryan sits quietly as he listens to his brother reel off his questions. He waits patiently, then finds a suitable moment to talk.

"Trey, you have to promise me something," Ryan says quietly, lowering his head while he holds the phone receiver close to his ear and mouth, creating a sense of intimacy.

"Promise you somethin'? What do you want me to promise you?"

"I want you to promise me you'll stay safe," Ryan says. "Don't trust anyone. Keep your eyes and ears open. Always look over your shoulder... you know... be safe."

"You know I'm careful, Ry. What's this about?"

"Promise me, Trey," Ryan repeats as he hasn't heard the answer he wants to hear. "Promise me you'll stay safe."

"All right, I'll stay safe."

"Promise?"

"Yeah, I promise."

Ryan listens to Trey's words, promising to stay safe. He can only hope that his brother means it.

"Mmm 'kay, Trey," Ryan says, satisfied with the answer. "I gotta go now..."

"Wait, Ry! C'mon', tell me what's goin' on?"

"'Bye, Trey."

Ryan places the receiver back on its cradle and sighs. There's nothing more he can do. He can only hope that his brother remains vigilant while he serves out the remaining time of his sentence.

Ryan runs his hands through his hair, then down over his beleaguered face.

Sandy and Kirsten should be home soon, Ryan thinks to himself.

Ryan glances up at the clock on the wall and sees its a quarter past two. He knows Seth will be home from school at three. Sandy and Kirsten will be home by then. The Cohen's will be home, safe and sound.

"Seth and Kirsten will be safe," Ryan whispers to himself. "Sandy will keep them safe."

Sandy always keeps his family safe...