Mens Rea

Sage understood what was going on as he watched the mean woman pace around the room. Those drinks hadn't been from his momma at all they had bean from the mean woman, and they had been drugged. Sage carefully shook Ginger again, but she wouldn't wake up. Sage hadn't finished his drink because he thought it tasted bitter. Everyone that had finished theirs had gone to sleep.

Sage knew Ginger was alive because she was breathing but she wouldn't wake up and that worried him. He wasn't strong enough to carry Ginger so how could they run away. Ginger needed to wake up soon. When would his mom and dad find them and save them? Where were they? The woman was scary, and he felt like she was very dangerous and might even kill him and his sister.

Luna paced around the comfortable living room. Even the guest house on this property was luxurious. She had chosen this location because it was very removed from the manor, and no one would suspect that the children would be taken to a house. Luna was becoming desperate. This was taking too long. Her partner should have been here by now to collect the children and get rid of them.

Luna stared at the small boy that was the source of all her problems. If the boy was gone Asher could inherit all of Barrett Group like he was meant to. Ginger could be easily dealt with at any point, as a girl no one would allow her to inherit over a male Barrett no matter what the Heir Documents said. However, her partner was supposed to deal with the children. While the parents grieved, Timothy would be disposed of and then her son would get everything.

Where was her partner? Luna fumed, looking at the boy again and sneering. The Heir Documents had been a joke. Timothy cut her completely off. He left everything to his wife and children and only asked Mia to care for the old battle axe. It was appalling considering his responsibility to account for Asher. Asher was the man's nephew surely a male blood relative deserved more than the five shares he had been paid out.

Why hadn't her partner come? Were they held up in some way or had they left her holding the bag? They were supposed to take care of the children, but the hour grew late. Luna had always had to take care of her own problems and right now that boy was a problem.

Suddenly Luna stalked across the room to the small boy that tried to scramble away. Once Luna reached him, she placed her hands around his throat and started to squeeze the life out of him. A moment later there was a loud crashing sound and suddenly she was hurtling across the room.

*

As those available split up to search the grounds. Timothy and Mia wound up searching together. He would have preferred it if Mia stayed behind due to the possibility that they could find something terrible, and the stress could cause complications in the pregnancy. He would never suggest it however because Mia wouldn't have listened anyway.

They had been assigned the area around the guesthouse. Everyone agreed that it was the least likely spot for Luna to have gone and therefore the best spot for the parents of the children to go and search.

Timothy had told Mia to always stay a few feet behind him so when Tim reached the door of the guest house, Mia was still at the bottom of the porch steps. He looked through one of the small windows in the door and could see Luna clearly across the room. She was strangling his son. Tim's heart skipped a beat, and his breath froze in his lungs. He tried the doorknob, but it was locked. He took a big step back and kicked the door right at the lock with everything he had and heard the frame splinter and the door give way hitting the interior wall with a horrendous bang.

Tim rushed into the house and flew toward Luna. He yanked the woman away from his son sending her hurtling headfirst into a wall. He was on her in the next instant pinning the now bleeding woman to the wall by her throat.

Mia ran inside the room picking up her choking and spluttering son as he gasped for air. Sage's face was red and he was crying hysterically. She saw Ginger lying unconscious on the sofa. Mia glanced at her husband but he was gone in his rage. He would kill Luna without intervention, and she had to take care of Sage.

Mia rushed to the front door and screamed for help as loud as she was able through her own frightened cries. She saw several officers and two of her bodyguards break off from their searches and come running toward her and the house that held the insanity taking place inside.

Detective Gill rushed inside a moment later understanding the situation. Mia walked back to Ginger feeling the girl's body temperature as three more officers and two of the Barrett's bodyguards walked through the door. Ginger felt normal but Mia didn't like that she was completely unresponsive. Mia couldn't decide if she wanted Tim to kill Luna or not. She watched as Luna's face began to turn purple.

"Mr. Barrett," Detective Gill said softly. "The police are here now. Let us handle this you don't need to dirty your hands with the likes of her."

Tim was practically spitting his words. "She was strangling my four-year-old son."

Detective Gill walked a step closer. "I understand but do you really want your wife and little boy to witness you kill someone. They are watching you right now."

Timothy cursed with a quick glance over his shoulder. Mia and Sage were right there. With another curse he heaved himself violently away from Luna. It took a lot of effort for him to let her go. He wanted her dead this minute for her crimes so she could never hurt them again. Tim shook his hands out as he walked toward his family. They still itched for the kill. Timothy stopped beside his wife and son hugging them closely before taking Sage from Mia's arms. The boy was too heavy for her to carry.

Timothy had one of the bodyguards pick up Ginger to carry her back to the house. Mia sent the other guard to bring Dr. Merches to the main house. She let him know that Miss Howard was to stay at the reception. The detective put Luna in cuffs and hauled her up to take her to the unmarked police SUV sitting in the driveway. The little procession began making their way back to the manor.

The bodyguard walked up to Dr. Merches and tapped the man briskly on the shoulder catching his attention immediately.

The guard leaned down and whispered quick words to the man. "There has been an emergency, Mrs. Barrett asks that you come to the main house at once, sir." Nicholas stood at once and Miss Howard moved to follow.

"Not you Miss, please remain at the reception. Only the doctor is requested." The bodyguard told her firmly in a tone that told her she was not to follow. She took her seat looking perplexed. The guard walked away with Nicholas. Seeing the disruption from her seat at the head table, Grandma Laura stood excusing herself and headed out to follow them.

Caleb had been concerned for a while when Timothy and Mia hadn't shown up as the reception began but now, he had a bad feeling that something serious was going on.

Caleb looked at his bride. "I need to find out what is happening." He told her quietly.

Jasmine nodded. "Me too, let's go." Caleb took his wife's hand, and they hurried off. Caleb stopped only long enough to tell Peyton to keep events moving and the guests here at the reception. Peyton told the newlyweds he would, and they headed to the main house.

Mayor Shelbert had a bad feeling about this disruption. Where had Luna disappeared to and why had she been missing this whole time. Now all the most important people at the reception were not at it and he rose to follow his daughter. Peyton attempted to dissuade him, but the mayor knew in his heart that something terrible had happened today and it revolved around his missing daughter.

When the mayor came into the main courtyard by the fountain it was just in time to see Luna being hauled into the back of a police vehicle.

"What is the meaning of this? Let go of my daughter this instant." The mayor reacted.

Detective Gill stepped into the mayor's path. "Your daughter is under arrest, sir. I suggest you take a step back from this situation." Gill knew the mayor well and worked with him on a regular basis. He knew the mayor was primarily a good man but could be a bit naive.

"What are the charges against her?" Raymond demanded, trying to figure out if this was something that he could deal with.

The detective sighed. "Two counts of capital murder, four counts of attempted murder by forcible drugging, and two counts of kidnapping and attempted murder of minor claimed heirs."

The mayor paled looking at Luna. She would be put to death for this. "Luna, tell me you didn't do this?" The mayor demanded hoarsely. Luna stared at her father for a moment then looked away. "I will take care of Asher. He will have a proper upbringing and life. That is all I can do for you now."

The mayor turned away from Luna and with a sad heart started toward the main house to find Jasmine.

*

Nicholas walked into the main house to find a frightening scene. There were people unconscious on the floor. Crime scene investigators around one man taping off the scene. Ginger was lying unconscious on a sofa and Tim was holding Sage as he sobbed and spoke rapidly. What had happened here? Mia came up to Nick quickly wringing her hands. Nicholas pulled out his phone and rang his driver to have him bring him his medical bag from the car. He always brought one because something tended to come up a lot, but not like this.

"What happened?" Nick asked Mia succinctly focusing on her face. She had been crying. Nick took her hands in his to steady her.

"Luna killed people. She kidnapped the twins. She was strangling Sage when we found them, and Ginger won't wake up. Nick..." Mia rambled.

Nicholas touched Mia's cheek gently then headed toward Ginger and Sage. He immediately began to assess Ginger. Her heart rate was a little low but otherwise she seemed alright. Nick had stuff in his bag that would help. He turned his attention to Sage checking the bruises on the boy's throat and asked if his throat hurt. Sage said that it didn't hurt too bad. Nick smiled at his godson thinking the boy was such a trooper. Nicholas walked around to the unconscious staff and checked their breathing and heart rates. Angela's was concerning since it was very low.

Nicholas noted that the newlyweds had entered the house as well as Mayor Shelbert and Grandma Laura. Mia stood with them explaining the events that had occurred to bring them to this point. The police detective had come in and was now questioning Sage and Timothy. Nicholas headed to the open door to meet his driver and retrieve his medical bag. Nick thanked the man and headed to Ginger where Nick prepped a dose of an inhalant and administered it to the girl. Moments later she began to wake, and Nicholas called to Mia so that she could comfort his tiny goddaughter.

Nick went to each of the other three unconscious staff members and administered an adult dose of the same medicine. He paid special attention to Angela and felt relief when her heart rate and breathing improved significantly. After waking all the individuals Nick continued to monitor their progress until the paramedics arrived and began clearing the people affected by Luna's attack. Police were speaking with each person affected and taking their statements. Nick leaned against the wall near Mia and the twins in case they needed him further but kept himself out of the way.