Chapter Three

Lee searched the field until he found what he was looking for, his daughter. She was in between her two coaches; Phillip was kneeling in front of her as Steven Anderson had her arms resting over his. "What happened; I wasn't in the bathroom that long?" He asked as he sat next to Amanda.

Matt answered before his mother got a chance, "Another runner tripped her but as Jennie rolled she ended up tripping the other girl."

"Coach Anderson, can you please tell Coach King that I am fine? No blood, nothing broken, no foul!" Jennie pleaded with her brother and his assistant coach. "Seriously, I wasn't hurt; Phillip, you know I know how to take a fall."

"I know but I still have to run through the physical checks before allowing you to race. Steve let her go and we will see how she is doing."

Steve Anderson let her go and Jennie bounced back and forth on the ball of her feet. Stepping into a clear area she did a backflip as she blew her brother a kiss and a wink before taking her starting point.

"Stetson, you know your cockiness is going to get you in serious trouble on day." Phillip called after her.

"Yes, but as my big brother I will always have you around to save me." She said laughing as she ran to take her mark.

"I know I have only been here a few months but can I ask you, is your sister always so…"

"Yes, she gets her logic and boundless energy from our mother; she gets her no fear cockiness from our dad."

"Your sister has no fear that is for certain."

"The Stetson/King curse; I didn't either until my wife had been kidnapped in high school."

Steve turned his head in disbelief at his boss and as they both turned to watch the start of the race. Jennie started out slow but as she saw her family in the crowd she did as she always did and hit the finish line first, well above her competitors.

Lee walked up to Phillip and asked, "Do you think we can go ahead and leave with Jennie? We want to get something to eat together before we leave tonight."

"That should be fine; she is done with her races today. I have two more girls to race; then I just need to go get my bag from the house and I will be over."

"We are leaving around four that should give you plenty of time to get there. Thanks again for staying with her. Just please remember that she is grounded. She is not allowed to go anywhere except school and practice."

"Got it, Dad, she is on lock down." Phillip said.

"What in the world did she do to get grounded?" Steve asked Phillip as Lee left with Jennie.

"That girl cusses like a sailor and she just happen to do it at the wrong time." Phillip answered as the two laughed as they went to watch the next race involving their team.

He was watching again. He saw when she was tripped but cheered as she knocked over the other girl who was responsible for her own fall. He smiled as she did her backflips to show she was okay and she took her mark. He was worried when she started out slow but cheered as loud as anyone when she crossed the finish line first. Hours later sitting in his car he watched as her mother and father left. They were going to be gone for a week. This was the week he had waited months for. She wasn't alone yet but at some point during this week she would be and then she would be forever his.

Jennie and Phillip were playing a game in the dining room when they heard from the doorway, "I wonder is this a private game or can anyone join in?" They looked up to find Jamie standing in the doorway holding a glass of scotch.

Jennie ran over and gave her older brother a hug and pulled him into the room to sit with them. "Yes, you can join maybe you can help me; Phillip is killing me in this game."

"Monopoly was always one of his better games. I don't think I can help, Princess." Jamie said as he rubbed his sister on her back. "Didn't you have a met today? How did it go?"

"It was our last outdoor met, I won two out of four of my races, and the school won the overall met with the most races won."

"Great job; I guess you have an awesome coach then." Looking at Phillip and smiling.

"We have two awesome coaches. Our new coach, when he was in school he was an all-city and all state winner; he was an Olympic hopeful too."

"Sounds like you have a really good man working with you there Phillip." Jamie said while slowly drinking the warm amber liquid.

"I do; he is really good with the both the girls on the track field and the boys on the football field. He seems to making at least some of my job easier. With it being football season and the end of track it is a hard time. Jennie, you have to go and get ready for bed."

"Phillip, Jamie just got here and tomorrow is Sunday."

"Hey, kiddo, I am going to be home for a while and we have church tomorrow so go get ready for bed and I will make you biscuits and gravy in the morning."

"Can we have it for lunch, I don't eat breakfast."

"I swear you are Dad made over; yes, we can have it after church." Jamie reached over and gave his sister a hug and a kiss. She left after telling Phillip goodnight. Phillip waited until he heard the shower running to ask Jamie, "Mom said you had a couple more weeks in Italy, so what brings you home?"

"I have a court date on Monday." He said as he raised his glass and finished his drink Phillip noticed the ring missing from is left ring finger.

"No wedding band part of the assignment this time?"

"No. I was in Italy strictly on an informational capacity. The missing wedding ring is due to the fact that my wife would like to move her divorce forward. Kendra came all the way to Italy to personally tell me about the court date. I couldn't say I was out-of-town and didn't receive notice."

"So this is really happening; you and Kendra are really divorcing? Can I ask what happened?" Phillip took the glass from Jamie before he refilled it for the fourth time.

"Ask her, not me. I still have no idea what happened. The best thing I can come up with is that I couldn't give her a child. All she would tell me was that our priorities were different. I told her my priorities have always been to her. She said I chose my career along with saving the world over her and our possible family. She forgets that I worked just as hard for us to have a family as I did to save the world as she put it."

Phillip sat and listened and he was taken back to his childhood and remembered things Jamie didn't from their parents' divorce. Their mother was always begging their father to stay with them. His father's response was that his work was making it better for people to have the advantages and families like they had. His mother always cried so hard after their father left.

"Jamie, is there any truth to what Kendra says? Were you putting your assignments above hers?"

"I thought about that; I never meant to, but I guess I did. I have to say that I didn't handle the miscarriages well. I felt like such a failure. It is like everyone in this family can produce children but me."

"Let's not say everyone, the twins are still teenagers and one of mine isn't even in school yet. Just for the record it hasn't been easy for Katie and me to conceive. She miscarried our first child and again in between Jacob and Shana. Miscarriages happen without rhyme or reason."

"Yes, but you were with your wife when you found out you were going to be a father and then lost those babies. The first time I found out I was going to be a father I was in Russia; when I found out I wasn't going to be a father I was in Greece. The next time I found out I was going to be a father Kendra had already lost the baby because I was on a no contact mission. I was less than twenty minutes from her and couldn't tell her. I love my job but I see why Dad just slept around for so long."

"Are you saying you have no part in this divorce?"

"No, Phillip, I am not saying that. I know it takes two to make the marriage work just like it takes two to take it apart. I know I have some blame, but I also know that I didn't go to a divorce lawyer, file papers, and then begin to date someone new. Phillip, she is pushing the divorce because she and this guy want to get married. Kendra is pregnant. She is farther along than she ever was with one of ours. Where is the scotch?" Jamie asked as he looked for the bottle.

"I don't think a government agent on the verge of a divorce should be downing his Dad's fifty year old scotch. I know what your pay grade is."

"No offense big brother my pay grade is still higher than yours; now where is the damn scotch?" Jamie said.

"Jamie, drinking is not going to make this better."

"You are correct, Phillip, but at the same time it certainly will make me sleep better. The flight home didn't do a thing for me."

Phillip gave him the bottle and said, "All I can say is church is still at the same time; try not to be hung over during the service."

Tuesday morning left Lee and Amanda drained. They had just left the service for Emily and Amanda walked around Emily's estate. She seemed surprised when Lee told her they would be staying at her estate. Lee found her in the gardens and said, "This was Emily's first home when she moved from the states. She has a smaller cottage in the country that belonged to her husband; it was the house he grew up in. This one is the one they lived in the most. Working out of the MI5 London office; it made it easier for them to stay in London. When I first met her, she would bring me into these gardens and explain how being an agent was like her flowers. She explained that some flowers take longer to bloom; just like some cases take longer to solve."

"That sounds very much like Emily. Why do I think you didn't take her advice?"

"I took it; with a grain of salt, but I took it. The best advice she ever gave me though was to not let you get away from me, professionally and personally."

"Really, she said that? When did she tell you that?" Amanda asked taking his hand in hers.

"On the Sydney Whitsett case when we turned your house upside down."

"It only took you another year to say anything to me?" Amanda asked.

"Well, as someone very special told me that when you talk about love you have to be patient."

Lee leaned in close to kiss her and as he reached her lips Emily's lawyer came out to the garden, "Mr. and Mrs. Stetson, I need to see you in the study if you don't mind."

Lee looked in Amanda's eyes laughing. As they walked back toward the house Amanda swore she heard Lee say under his breath, "Not funny Melrose; not funny at all."

"Lee, did you say something?"

"Just talking to Billy again; about his sense of humor where our love life is concerned." Lee said as they laughed.

Setting in the study, Amanda sat next to Lee and held his hand as a few other people entered the room. Amanda didn't know any of the other people although Lee knew a couple of them. Amanda and Lee sat for nearly half an hour as the lawyer discussed the different endowments Emily had left to her favorite charities, mostly in the arts and theatre sections. Finally, the lawyer faced Lee and Amanda and said, "There is a tape that Emily recorded for you two. It has a personal message for both of you. Now if you all will excuse us while I continue with Mr. and Mr. Stetson." The room cleared of everyone but the three of them as Emily's face appeared on the TV behind the desk.

"Lee and Amanda, my darlings, it is so nice of you to come. I didn't want our final meeting to be this way but as they say the curtain must come down at some point in the night. I will make this short, sweet and to the point. First off, Amanda, no tears, I have had a wonderful run in this life. Lee, when she does cry, as I suspect she will, hold her close and love her harder. Amanda, you do the same for Lee.

I have never had children of my own, so you and Amanda are it Lee. My children, I am leaving you the rest of the money in my estate as well as this home. My husband left the country home to his family but this home, the one we had together, is now yours. Remember I love you both and know we will meet again." They watched as Emily blew a kiss to them as the screen was fading black.

Silently they sat there and then at the same time looked at the lawyer and said, "She left us this house?"

"Yes and the remainder of money from her estate."

"Remainder of her money, the way I heard what you said that was set up into endowments for the arts." Amanda said.

"No, what I said was a portion of her money was set up for that. The money she left you and your husband will be wired to you in America into your account as soon as you set up the banking transaction with me."

Lee asked, "Not that it is important but how much money are we talking about?"

"After the current rate exchange, the transaction should place approximately five million dollars in your account or accounts."

Lee looked at Amanda and then at the lawyer, "Did you say five million dollars?"

"Yes, Lord Farnsworth was very good at investing. He was already worth millions before marrying Lady Farnsworth. She has supported the arts for a several years but the money her husband left her has just been sitting in an account collecting interest. She lived off the interest."

Lee and Amanda just sat in shock at the news of their inheritance from Emily and what it meant for their family. They went to bed that night knowing that when they arrived home the following evening that their life was going to change in a big way; they just didn't know how big that change was going to be.

Jamie looked over at the lawyer. He had gone to court on Monday and heard the judge make his last decree and all that was left was the signing of the papers. It was eight a.m. on a Wednesday and his marriage was over. He sat looking at his signature. He looked up to see Kendra standing there; with nothing left to be said or done he handed his lawyer the papers and walked out of the office, ignoring her attempt to talk to him as he entered the elevator.

Jennie arrived at her house and went to make the final touches on her parent's room for their return. She was bound and determined that if London had not brought them together, her little room of romance would. She had plans to stay at Phillip and Katie's that night so when her parents came home and saw the room they would have an uninterrupted night of romance.

Just as she finished, she got a text from Phillip saying that he would be late to pick her up. Katie's flight was delayed and running behind. "Not a problem; can I go for a run then?" she texted back to Phillip. "A short one," was Phillip response.

Jennie returned from her run knowing she was in trouble for being gone longer than she was allowed to be. As she got closer to the house she noticed his truck wasn't in the driveway, she knew she was safe.

"Hey, Jennie hold up, is Coach King here?"

Turning toward the voice she said, "Not now, but he should be soon. Can I help you with something?" She asked as she turned to open the door and walk in her house.

"As a matter of fact you can." He said as he walked in behind her and grabbed her from behind.

Jennie began to struggle from his embrace but was having a hard time. ''What in the hell are you doing?"

"Jennie, don't fight me, the first time is always the hardest."

Fear gripped her as his meaning became clear in her mind. His hands reached up from her waist for her breasts. She continued to struggle and as he flipped her to face him. "This would go a lot smoother if you didn't fight me."

"You don't know me very well then, because I love to fight." Relaxing slightly in his arms she gave him the impression of submission. He moved closer and she raised her knee to make contact with his groin but he blocked it and slapped her across the face; knocking her to the floor. Jennie began to crawl away only for him to pull her back to him, tearing her top from her she felt something in her right shoulder pop. She screamed for help but knew that where their house was located no one could hear her. She could handle this she told herself, this is what your dad trained you all those years for.

Matt was across town with his grandmother having dinner when he suddenly felt sick. "Matt, are you okay?" Dotty asked.

"I am, but I don't think Jennie is." Matt stood and called the house; there was no answer. He tried her cell phone; it went straight to voice mail. He dialed Phillip next, the connection was bad and they couldn't understand each other. His last attempt was with Jamie.

"Jamie King, what can I do for you?"

"Jamie, are you near the house?" Matt asked.

"I am at the office now. I can be there in about an hour. Why?"

"I think Jennie is in trouble." Matt said.

"She is at Phillip's tonight, why do you think she is in trouble?"

"I don't know just a feeling." Matt told Jamie. Jamie knew all too well what the twin's feelings with each other were.

"I am getting ready to leave; I will go check on her. Where are you?"

"I am having dinner with Grandma."

"Okay I will call you when I know something." Jamie hung the phone up and paid his bar tab. He hated lying to his brother but he didn't think it was a good idea to tell his younger brother he was in a bar trying to get drunk; which he didn't think worked.

Phillip tried calling his Grandmother back but the reception in the airport was terrible that day. He was waiting on his wife's plane so they could go and pick up Jennie. She had a romantic surprise waiting for her parents and he wanted her out of the house before the 'renew of love' fest began. He looked up from his phone to see his parents walking toward him. 'What are they doing here?' he thought the closer they got to him.

"Phillip, what are you doing here?" Amanda asked as she hugged her oldest son.

"I was just about to ask you them same thing. Your flight wasn't due to come in until later tonight."

"We were able to get an earlier flight. Why are you here? Where are your sister and brother?"

Phillip looked around hoping that Katie would just magically appear. "Well, Matt is with Grandma having dinner. Jennie is at the house waiting for me to come and get her after Katie and the kids' flight gets in. It was delayed but I thought it would have been here by now. Jennie is going to kill me if you two get home before I get there to get her."

Lee looked toward his wife and then at his son and said, "Do you care to enlighten us on what you mean by that?"

Phillip looked at his Dad and said, "She is setting the house up for romance to the extreme. She is making a romantic dinner for you two. She found some old records, set the mood, and she is waiting for me to get her so you can be surprised. She wants to believe that it was worth it; so was her effort worth it?" Phillip asked.

They smiled at him and in unison answered, "Yes, it was worth it."

Jennie fought her attacker at every turn. He reached for her again while pinning her beneath him. She flipped him off her and brought her hands to his face as she clawed at him. He pulled her back to him; tearing the rest of her running outfit from her body. "I knew this was going to be fun, Jennifer. You are a fireball."

Rearing her head backwards and making contact with his nose she said, "Then you are really about to love me forever you son of a bitch." She reared her head backwards making contact with his nose for the second time; blood splattering over her back. He laughed as he pulled her ponytail and pulling her closer. He placed his hand between her legs and he thought he had her broken.

She still had a fight in her as she reached behind her and pushed her thumb in his eye. He screamed out and pushed her forward to the floor. He was done with the foreplay he turned her to him and before she knew what was happening he plunged hard into her small body. The pain was unlike anything Jennie had ever felt. He was too large for her body; she screamed out, "Daddy! Help me!"

"Your Daddy can't help you now just relax and it won't hurt anymore." He continued to push in and out of her against her protests. She continued to try to get away from him. He picked her face up and kissed her; sticking his tongue in her mouth. She bit down and he back-handed her; the last thing she remembered before passing out was seeing the family picture broken just out of her reach, then everything went black.

Matt couldn't sit still, he was pacing in his grandparents living room, driving his grandmother insane. "Matthew Lee Stetson, will you please sit down."

"Grandma, Jamie should have called back by now."

"What makes you think something is wrong with your sister?" She asked.

"I just know; I can't explain it." He picked up the phone and tried the house phone again only to get the machine again. "Damn it, Jennie, pick up the phone." He yelled at the machine.

Jamie sat on the side of the road as the police officer walked toward him. He knew he was about to be busted for speeding and if this was a ball busting cop a DUI.

"Excuse me; can I see your license and registration?" The officer asked.

"Yes, of course Officer." Jamie handed over the requested information as well as his Federal Identification.

"Agent King, do you know how fast you were going?"

"Yes, I was driving about ten miles over the legal limit. My brother called me and he felt like my sister was in trouble and I was going to check on her. She isn't answering her cell or the house phone, which if you know anything about a teenage girl, that is practically unheard of."

The officer thought for a minute he had heard a lot of wild stories from people when he stopped for them for speeding; the only problem was he smelled alcohol.

"Have you been drinking, Agent King?"

Jamie knew better than to lie, "Yes, I have officer."

"Can you please step out of the car please?"

Jamie stepped out of his car then proceeded to begin and fail the roadside sobriety test. Jamie was taken into custody and booked on DUI charges, while his parents, brother, and sister in law reached the house. Lee was explaining to Phillip and Katie about their new home in London. Lee opened the front door; his breathing stopped as he saw the house torn apart and his daughter nowhere in sight.