This takes place immediately at the end of the Red Eye.
He lay there across the door, two gunshots on his upper body but they weren't that fatal. Lisa stood there beside her father in shock and he saw something in the depths of her stare-pity, regret, but more of bewilderment. She began to gather herself. The paramedics just arrived and they said that they were sure Rippner will make it. But before they dragged him out. Lisa came over and asked him, "Why?" She was very inclined into knowing why such a "gentleman" has a job like that. She really wanted to know why, and her eyes made sure to communicate this to Jackson who was lying on the floor.
"You will never understand!" He said in a very weird hiss, with the hole in his throat. His deep blue eyes were full of grief, rage and confusion, there was pain, but it wasn't really what bothered Lisa. There was something in his eyes that seemed he was tyring to say something though forcing himself not to. This increased Lisa's inquiry and she wouldn't let go without knowing why.
She couldn't handle it for the moment. She went to the Lux Atlantic to check on what happened, and she made sure that after that, she had a word with Rippner.
Indeed, she shared a drink with Cynthia as she was invited by her friend, but she didn't really take that long.
"I have to go"
"Why? We just got here? You have to learn to relax Lisa"
"There's something I need to take care of, bye Cynthia"
With that, she disappeared in the crowd. On her way to the car, the Head of Keefe's security grabbed her by the arm, and she was surprised by the sudden contact.
"Ms. Reisart, you have to come with me"
"I'm sorry"
"We still need you for questioning"
"Look, I can go there, but I still have to check on my dad"
"With all due respect Ms. Reisart, you really have to come with me. The Keefe's are indeed grateful for what you've done but for security measures, we have to know everything that happened and eventually debrief you"
"Please, just let me go to the hospital to check on my Dad"
Keefe came and saw that there was a little disagreement and with a nod, seemed to order the man in the suit to give some space to Lisa.
"I am sorry for that, and Thank you so much for what you've done"
"Your welcome, but I just did what anyone else would have done" I guess. "Can't one of your guys just follow me to the hospital, I really need to check on my Dad." She said this with a mix of emotions in her eyes, and Keefe immediately understood.
"Take your time Ms. Reisart"
Finally, she was alone, and right after the two gentlemen had their backs on her, she wiped away the practiced smile she always had on. She got the keys from her purse and turned the lock. As she got in, she laid her head on the wheel, and just started crying…She really was dumbfounded with the way she held herself that night, on the flight and the fight at their house.
Was he trying to tell me something? What is it? I knew it from the start that he was keeping something from me. He still underestimates me until now. I will never understand? I will, if you tried! Damn it! why am I so bothered by the sight of him lying on the ground. Jackson? Who in the world are you?
As soon as they treat me, I have to get out of here. They have Jesse, damn it! Why did I let that woman defeat me! I should have killed her and her father when I had the chance. Now Jesse's life is at stake. I am as well a victim fighting for survival! I have to get out of here. They can't kill her. Please…
He remembered the look on Lisa's face when he told her that she would never understand. He knew she was coming to talk to him, he understood her through those green eyes of hers. He knew how persuasive that brunette, green-eyed woman is. For following her for the past weeks, before the actual meeting in the airport, there was mystery in her that he really wanted to understand. He immediately threw the thoughts away and focused on how he could get away from the feds and be there fore Jesse. She was his life. Everything he did was for her. Now they have her. As soon as Lisa comes, he'll use her as hostage and replacement for Jesse.
About two months earlier…
"Jackson Rippner"
"Yes" Still with the aura of calmness, security and wit.
"I see you have a very interesting background"
"As a matter of fact, it's as if I am a totally different person in every part of the world"
"I see that, but how come, you only use the name Jackson Rippner"
"It has a certain distinctiveness and impact when you use it as Jack, you know"
"So you also go by the name, Jack the Ripper huh"
"Not exactly, I don't want to steal any aliases, but still, it has a certain degree of being an icebreaker when I speak to the victims"
"I see"
"And you called me here because?" he was still calm as usual, with those alluring eyes of his, deep blue and he did not show that he was really examining the room and the man he was talking to. This man was very suspicious and Jackson made sure that he didn't show that he suspected a thing. He couldn't point out however, what this man had over him. Even though with the years of experience, he couldn;t read this man.
"You have a lot of records that are very impressive, no failures and I see that you are one of those whom most politicians call when they want to get RID of something or someone"
"And you are telling me this because? I am familiar with all of that. I did all of those. So what's the deal"
"I need you to organize an assassination of a certain Mr. Keefe. I know you are familiar with him"
"Sir, I think you are mistaken for choosing me for this job. I work for him"
"I know, which makes you an expert at all of his activities"
"I'm sorry, I have to turn you down"
"Sit down Mr. Rippner!" He said this with a threat and just as he said it, he turned on the TV beside him, and it was a surveillance camera showing a woman who was chained to a wall, where it looked like it was a dungeon from some ancient time. Rippner was still standing though his eyes were examining the screen.
"Now, I have your attention, sit JACK!"
There was a sudden change in Jackson's eyes, but it immediately faded. He was back to the professional, and casual Mr. Jackson Rippner.
"I believe you know her"
"I know a lot of people. What makes her any different"
"Stan, please zoom in the camera to her face"
What Jackson feared for a very long time now has finally happened. He expected it, but not like this. Not with the type of job he is being offered. There was shock in his eyes for the confirmation that it was her.
"So she is something more, huh, Jack"
Damn it! I let my guard down. Stay suave, stay calm Jackson. You are Jackson Rippner. HE held that gaze at the camera for too long that they discovered they got the correct girl.
I've lost this one. I got to give in then. "Start talking"
"She is a very beautiful lady Jack, 22 years old, finishing college with a degree in Literature. Really impressive. Top student, a complete opposite of yours. This Jessica Porter, so"
"Cut to the chase Sean"
"so, I now do have power over you"
"what's the assignment"
"This." He threw over a folder over to Jackson and he read through it quickly. He couldn't quit glancing over at the screen, seeing her there, unconscious, it hurt him so bad. They will hold her for more than 8 weeks and he has to get back to his normal composure. He used both his hands to brush through his hair and held out his hand.
"We got a deal"
Present
Lisa wasn't allowed to see Jackson until the surgery was over, which was about two hours later. She grew weary waiting, and saw some of the men in suits that she recognized were Keefe's.
"Ms. Reisart, I'm Detective Mike Burns. Could I have a word with you please"
"Sure"
Before Burns was able to throw her questions, the men in the suits, Keefe's men, came and showed their IDs and drove Burns away.
"Maybe later, Ms. Reisart" And he bid her goodbye.
"Ms. Reisart, we believe it would be better if you have a word with us first before speaking to anyone of them.
"Okay"
In the Hospital room where Jackson was.
"Is there a Lisa Reisart waiting outside"
"Sir, you don't have to speak too much. Your throat still hasn't recovered"
He replied with a nod. "A Ms. Lisa Reisart?"he repeated to the nurse.
"I'll check. Do you wish to see her"
Again, a nod. The nurse went outside and peeped at the waiting room, asking,
"Is there a Lisa Reisart here"
"Uhm, that's me…"He was expecting me? How?
"We would like to come with you inside his room. You won't be safe if you go in alone." Said the blonde one who as one of Keefe's sent guards to Lisa.
"I think, I can handle myself. I believe I was the one who put him in this condition and having the injuries he has, see no help that I can have from you two"
With that, she went in.