After the Fall – Chapter 1
"Are you gonna tell him?" he asked.
Somewhere in between the main entrée and dessert, CJ had mustered up enough courage to tell the new man in her life that she was pregnant with another man's baby. He took it rather well… almost too well. But that was Gary Pentin for ya. He was the kind of man who took things in stride. He knew when to get upset about something and when not to. Add to the fact he was becoming quite smitten with the new woman in his life. He wasn't about to be the slightest bit critical or unsupportive. He certainly didn't want her to leave his life as quickly as she entered it and run back to him.
"I don't know. A part of me feels he deserves the right to know but another part of me thinks the fewer people who know, the better. I'd have the opportunity to raise this child away from all the dangerous criminals he's always encountering. It was always a concern for us when we discussed having children. He has almost as many enemies as friends. I've lost count over the years how many times I was used to get to him. This child would be a marked target if anyone knew it was related to him."
Gary wanted to help her make the right decision. He prayed the right decision would also be what he wanted.
"Sounds like you've been giving this a lot of thought."
"Yes, I have. I've also been thinking it's time for me to get a place of my own."
His heart sunk with that news.
"Well, I'm glad you're feeling stronger enough to do that, but you don't have to."
"I know it's just that I … I think things may get a little too complicated. You've all done so much for me already. I shouldn't keep burdening you with my baggage."
"Whoa, stop right there! You've been anything but a burden, and in case you didn't notice, my boys and I really like you. And, do you really think it's a good idea for you to be alone at a time like this?"
"Maybe not, but what will your mother say?"
"Are you kidding? She adores you! She'd kill me if I'd let you move out alone in your condition. CJ, I want you to stay, but only if you really want to. Look, if you're that concerned about her reaction, how about you wait until after you talk to her? Then you can decide once and for all."
Carlotta Pentin was the kind of woman who welcomed people with an open mind and arms. In short amount of time she had grown especially close to her. CJ knew she had a snowball in hell's chance to be shunned by her.
"Okay," she said with a smile, taking hold of his hand. He made her life seem so simple at a time when it was rather complicated.
And it turned out he was right about his mother. She greeted her news with a sympathetic hug, and then immediately asked when she'd like to go shopping for baby supplies. His mother was a total opposite of her own.
She could only imagine that conversation. It was bad enough when she had to tell her the wedding was off because Matt cheated on her and chose to marry someone else. Her response was almost as unemotional as when she told her about the wedding in the first place. CJ could have used a little bit of sympathy and understanding from a fellow woman, but she was her same old self. Matt had always wanted her to be closer to her mother, but maybe that wasn't good advice. Conversations with her mother only seemed to upset her, not help her. So, no, she didn't need to tell her mother about the baby. In fact, she really didn't need to tell anyone … from her former life.
Quietly Matt often wondered how CJ was doing. He knew he had no choice but to leave her alone – she made it very clear, yet he still found himself jumping every time he heard the elevator bell or the phone ring. He kept hoping that one day she would just show up or call and forgive him.
Elizabeth loved being married to Matt … most of the time. In a short amount of time, though, she was growing weary of the hours he spent at work. And, it didn't help when a Jack the Ripper copycat tried to kidnap her on the day of their wedding! Fortunately, Matt saved her and caught the guy in time, but it only fueled the fire to her complaints. She started resenting his career, especially when he would be out all night on stakeouts then work a ten-hour day at the office, leaving him tired and ragged. She wished he would turn down some of the cases he was presented with or at least hire an equal partner that could take some of the workload away from him. Roy was a great resource, but truth be told, he was getting up in age.
It wasn't just Elizabeth that was growing weary of Matt's profession. For the first time in his life Matt was beginning to lose interest in the vocation that once impassioned him. Between losing his right-hand woman, partner and best friend, there was Elizabeth's worries and the physical scars he had collected over the years. He was beginning to burn out. He couldn't seem to ever get away from the demands. He had a personal life now and wished to have some balance. He wanted to be a good husband to Elizabeth. He wanted this relationship to be successful and convince himself that he did the right thing in marrying her and letting CJ go.
Suddenly Chris looked up from her desk delighted to see a familiar face walk off the elevator.
"Hi Chris. Is Matt around or is he out stirring up trouble somewhere?"
She laughed. "Hi! Actually, I think he's downstairs taking a nap."
"A nap? Well, don't disturb him on my …"
Before she could finish that plea, Chris ignored her and went over to the stairs, screaming at the top of her lungs, "HOUSTON!"
Matt woke up in a start. Ever since CJ left, Chris had conveniently lost her professional demeanor at times. She had obviously taken sides and was holding a grudge. One of these days he was going to have to sit her down and have a talk.
"What is it, Chris?" he called up.
"You have a visitor."
Matt pulled himself together and hurried up the stairs, his hopes up that his best friend was the reason Chris had startled him. As soon as he reached the top, though, his heart sank. It wasn't CJ. It was a woman he didn't know.
"Hi, Matt."
"Hi … uh, have we met before?"
"Very funny. You can't get rid of me that easily, bro."
"What?"
Chris discreetly signaled their visitor by enlarging her eyes and pointing her finger against her brow.
"Oh, right, the memory loss. I almost forgot… hah! I forgot!"
Chris got the joke and immediately laughed out loud, but Matt turned and glared at her, forcing her to purse her lips together and walk back to her desk.
"Who did you say you were?" Matt said.
Oh, boy. She almost enjoyed Matt's reaction the first time she told him she was his sister. Now she would get to do it all over again. It should be a sin to have this much fun.
"Mind if I pour you a drink?"
"Excuse me?"
"You're gonna need it."
Matt watched as she went right to the bar, picked out a glass and a bottle of Jack.
"Now wait just a minute. Who are you?"
"Zoey Martin. We met on a case a few months ago. I'm your sister."
"WHAT? My sister? I don't have a … ah Chris?"
She had settled herself back at her desk talking to Murray until she heard her cue. She slapped her hands onto her desktop and rose from her chair.
"Yes?" she said, rolling her eyes.
"Can you come here a second and fill me in on Ms. Martin here?"
"I can do it, Big Guy," offered Murray walking towards the bar.
Matt stood with his arms folded across his chest while Murray took a deep breath and told him the story.
"Well, a few months back, back when you and CJ were engaged, CJ took a spa vacation and where two women were murdered. CJ, by the way, was also almost killed, too. You saved her just before her car exploded into a million bits... I'm still dealing with insurance company on that one. Anyway, one of the victims unfortunately was Zoey's sister Janet. And, Zoey, who's also a private detective, was there on the case. The two of you ended up working together to solve the murders. Later, while you and CJ were going through Julia's things you found some photos and discovered that Zoey was related to CJ's friend, Julia Martin. Zoey is in fact Julia's cousin. Julia died from leukemia a few months before. When CJ contacted Zoey and told her about the photos, Zoey offered to meet with CJ. When they started doing research Zoey mentioned that she was adopted and didn't know much about her birth parents. CJ offered Baby's services to find out more information. That's when they found that you, her, and her late sister Janet, all have the same biological parents."
Matt looked at Zoey who was smiling with delight.
"You want your drink now?"
He grabbed the glass from her hand and downed it all.
But Zoey's smile left her face when she saw the concern on Matt's.
"You okay? Matt?"
"Chris … would you please get Hoyt on the phone. Tell him I want him in the office as soon as possible."
"What's up Big Guy?"
"I want to know everything."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm tired of surprises. I want to know everything that happened in the last eight months. All the cases, all the clients, everything."
As he said this he was dialing Elizabeth. He wanted her there as well.
Roy was on his way to the office after receiving a phone call that piqued his interest. He couldn't wait to tell his nephew all the details, but as he walked off the elevator and overheard the tail end of Matt's orders, he knew it would have to wait.
As soon as Matt hung up the phone, he noticed him standing there. "Oh, good. You should be here for this, too."
"Be here for what?"
"A briefing on the last eight months of my life. I want to know all the details."
He nodded. "Okay. Why don't I call Will, too? "
"Good idea."
As Matt waited for Hoyt, Will and Elizabeth to arrive, he had a talk with Zoey.
"Look, you'll have to excuse me for asking this, but do you have any proof of this, that you're really my sister?"
"Yes. I have a copy of my birth certificate back home and the other proof CJ found on Baby. I don't suppose she left any files or anything on it?"
He shrugged. He didn't have a clue.
"Well, she showed me how to use Baby. Do you mind? I'm pretty good with computers."
He motioned for her to go ahead, then watched Flying Fingers Zoey navigate the computer with ease. She was a natural.
"Good with computers, huh?"
"Uh huh."
"How long have you been a private investigator?"
"About ten years. Why?" she said as she continued to type and glance at the screen.
"Oh, nothing," he lied, the wheels already turning in his investigator brain.
A few minutes later everyone on Team Memory was in the office. They all took turns filling Matt in on each case, from Truman Masters to the Five Fingers and everything in between. Chris used Baby to supply the visuals and Hoyt showed him notes from his files. A few hours later, they were finished with the professional stories.
"Well, is there anymore?"
"That's it as far as we know. CJ would know the rest."
Matt nodded while Elizabeth squirmed in her seat a bit at the mention of CJ's name. He could tell by the looks from his colleagues she still wasn't accepted.
"Hold on everybody. I have one more thing to say."
They all looked at him curiously.
"I know some of you have chosen sides with this whole CJ leaving thing. But, I want to make it very clear that if anyone has a problem with any decisions I've made, say it to my face, or don't say it at all. I've seen the looks you've been giving me and Elizabeth. She is my wife and I love her. I want you to treat her with the respect she deserves. Do I make myself clear?"
Chris, in particular, felt bad.
"I'm sorry, Houston, and I'm sorry, Elizabeth. It's nothing personal. It's just that we all loved CJ an awful lot and we miss her."
"I know Chris. But, we have to move on and accept that she's never coming back. I know I had a lot to do with that, and I understand why some of you might be mad at me, but …"
"But, I think that we should all keep what happened to you in perspective," Roy finished.
"Yes, it's been hard for everybody, but mostly you, Big Guy," echoed Murray.
"We're all just going through a huge change right now. It'll take some adjusting, that's all," advised Will.
Roy couldn't wait to tell Matt about his phone call. It was from the office of the president – of the United States. He wanted their help – more specifically Matt's - in Washington and abroad for various "activities." They had heard of Matt's outstanding reputation for solving tough cases. They also knew of Roy's reputation with "The Company." His knowledge of the KGB and experience would come in handy in ending the Cold War.
Later that evening Matt discussed the phone call with his wife. The job sounded very prestigious and a bit more "normal." Matt would be keeping bankers hours most of the days, except for a few overseas trips now and then when he'd have to be out of touch. He would have regular meetings with the FBI, CIA, the President and his cabinet and be needed more for his knowledge than for his muscle. Living in D.C. would also mean they could become part of Washington society. He would still get to visit California from time to time - the President's ranch was close to his own. And, maybe his very capable sister might want to take over Houston Investigations in the interim.
The more he talked about it, the more Elizabeth liked the idea.
CJ still hadn't approached Gary or his mother with her suspicions about Samantha. She wanted to put a little time in between telling him she was pregnant and telling him that his former wife's sister was her best friend Julia. She had a couple of more pages of Julia's journal to read. Hopefully, with that and some of the family photos, she would have the proof she needed to broach the subject with him. That, and large dose of courage.
The next evening she set about accomplishing her goal. She sat in bed reading the last of Julia's entries. As she read it she couldn't believe her eyes.
Julia confirmed CJ's suspicions to her, along with regret that she couldn't ever tell her. There was a very good reason. A reason she couldn't explain at the time of the entry, but one that she said would play itself out in time. She did reveal that CJ's father had in fact had an affair with Julia's mother. A wave of emotion came over as she realized a few things.
CJ wondered if her mother's cold and detached treatment towards her all these years was because of her friendship with Julia. She imagined being in her position, how she would feel if her child grew up to be friends with a child of Elizabeth's and Matt's. She'd hate it.
And she wondered why Julia never told her. What were these reasons she spoke about in such vague terms? CJ thought they had no secrets between them so what could possibly prevent Julia from telling her the truth?
She also imagined what Samantha would have been feeling, or did she even know? And if so, how did she take it? Did she resent the fact that Julia remained friends with CJ? Would she have been so upset that she would leave home, change her last name and join the Peace Corps, never to be heard from and seen by any of her family members again?
CJ knew she had to tell Gary and confirm once and for all that Samantha Martin was his ex-wife. Once she did that, she would need a super computer like Baby, and maybe even assistance from the one investigator she could still keep in contact with: Zoey.
She heard a knock at her door.
"Hey, CJ?"
She quickly put away the journal and pictures.
"It's open."
"Everything okay?" he asked as he walked in.
"Uh huh."
"You sure?"
Her eyes must have gave it away.
"Well ... maybe. Why don't you have a seat."
Gary curiously sat on the edge of the bed as CJ pulled out some books.
"What's this?"
"My friend Julia – it's her journals and photo albums she left in my care."
He looked closer and waited for her next words. She took a deep breath and decided to just blurt it out.
"Julia had a younger sister named Samantha who left home at 18 and was never heard from again by her family. This is a picture of her when she was a child."
He examined the photo and his eyes widened.
"My gosh – this looks so much like Janie!"
"I thought so, too. And, this is a picture of her with Julia."
"Oh, my gosh. It is her!"
"Gary, what was your wife's maiden name?"
"Ah, it was MacKenzie."
Her mind raced. Julia's father's first name was MacKenzie.
"Any chance she changed it?"
"No ... ah, I don't know. I can't believe this."
"I also found out something else."
"You did? What?"
"My father ... he had an affair with Samantha and Julia's mother."
"What? Is there a chance that you might be related to them?"
"I'm not sure. That's why I'm wondering if you can you do without me tomorrow. I need do some research and tie up a few loose ends in L.A."
Gary was still processing this news when he had a rare moment of panic.
"To see him?"
Seeing his concern, she quickly responded. "No, no … he's actually not even in L.A. right now so it'll be a good time for me to go."
"Sure. I can make do without you for one day," he lied. He would be counting the seconds until she returned.
Chris's eyes lit up when she saw her step off the elevator.
"CJ!" she gasped as she came out from behind her desk to greet her with an enthusiastic embrace.
"Hi Chris!"
"Aw, CJ! How ya doing?"
CJ took a deep breath. The last time she was there was three months ago when she bolted out of Matt's life.
"I'm okay. I just came back to gather my things from my office and sign those forms."
"Oh, I put everything together the day Elaine called me. I still can't believe everything that's happened. If there's ever anything I can ever do …"
"I know, thank you Chris. You've been a great help, and an even better friend."
"CJ!" said Zoey. She quickly greeted her and pulled her to the couch to show her what she found out about Samantha McKenzie. It was a good thing that CJ decided to cut off contact with Matt. Between the information about Samantha and his new job with the government, it would have been a major conflict of interest. Now she was faced with another decision.
"Are you going to tell him?" Zoey asked, referring to Gary.
"I'm not sure. Might be safer if the fewer people who knew, the better."
"I can keep working with Baby to see if I can find out more about her."
CJ was about to answer when she felt a pang in her gut. Zoey noticed.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. A little indigestion from the airplane food. I'll be right back."
As she went to grab her purse, a bottle of pre-natal vitamins spilled onto the couch. Klutz, she thought to her self.
Zoey took one look and widened her eyes as she picked up the bottle.
"CJ?"
She didn't know what to say.