Chapter 6- a shocking truth
Bill Regan figured he'd never be able to pay Mr Wheeler back what he'd owed him for both his bail and the obtaining of a lawyer. It felt good to be out of the jail, but Bill was conscious of the conditions. He was not allowed near Saunders and had to have supervised visits with Dan.
He felt angry about the supervised visits as it felt like he was already step by step losing his nephew. At least though Matt Wheeler was giving him the benefit of the doubt and keeping him employed. Bill drove himself back to the manor house, looking around carefully for signs of Simon. There were none. He went in to greet all the horses ."We've taken good care of them Regan", Jim told him as he came up behind Bill with the rest of the Bob whites. Dan rushed forward and embraced him and Bill found himself hugging him back intensely. "Uncle Bill, I know you didn't do it", Dan told him fiercely. Bill ruffled his dark hair, "I'm sorry you have to go through this Dan", he remarked with his arms still tightly around his nephew. Dan looked sober, "perhaps if coach had told someone about his wife you would not be a suspect", he told his Uncle softly. Bill's eyes widened, "he was married", he remarked in shock. Dan looked miserable as he slowly nodded, "it seems so", he admitted. Bill looked thoughtful, 'perhaps that was why he never married your mother", he reflected.
Bill looked at Dan and gently patted his shoulder, He knew that Dan found it hard to say anything against the coach. "Agent Hawkins will find out detail sof the ex wife and question her", Dan told his Uncle. Bill looked hopeful, "thanks for telling me Dan", he told dan softly," I know it probably wasn't easy". Dan looked down at his shoes trying hard to suppress the tears. "Daniel, you alright", Greg Saunders came into the stables and looked rather pointedly at Bill. ""He's alright", Regan replied firmly.
Dan kept looking down at his shoes and was rather surprised when Greg Saunders gently lifted his head and queried, "are you really alright". Dan closed his eyes and shook his head. Greg put one arm around him, "whats the matter Dan", he asked gently ignoring Bill Regan who looked ready to protest.
Dan bit his lip took a deep breath and asked the question, "was Simon married".
Greg looked rather startled, "how'd you find out about…", he stopped when he saw the shocked looks on those around him. "Of course you would know something like that", Regan remarked as he glared at Simon's father. "Yes, I did know but frankly it is nobodies business", Greg told them harshly. "It is impossible for her to have anything to do with this case, so naturally I kept my son's personal information private. The others all looked somewhat abashed but Bill wasn't quite ready to back off, "you're sure she couldn't be involved", he asked. "100 percent", Greg told him firmly. "Why did he never tell me", Dan asked haltingly. Greg reached out and gently brushed Dans face with his fingers," the whole issue of his wife is extremely painful to Simon", he told Dan sadly. "He simply cannot bring himself to talk about her, to anyone". Dan looked into Greg eyes and saw a heavy type of grief he nodded soberly, obviously Simons marriage had gone horribly wrong.
Regan bit his lip, "you understand I had to ask", he told Gregs father in a matter of fact voice. Greg looked him up and down slowly, "yes, but now you know, so you don't need to further pursue that line of questioning", he looked rather cross and turned to stare at all of them until they nodded. Then he stamped out of the stables leaving a rather stunned group in his wake.
Bill worked on the horses for the rest of the day trying to shake off the knowledge of Saunders marriage. Obviously Greg Saunders was very sensitive over the case. Regan frowned to himself why after telling them he was 100 percent sure that Saunders wife had nothing to do with recent events he felt like he needed to tell them not to investigate.
Bill began to wonder if perhaps the wife had something in her background that was shocking or embarrassing to Simon Saunders. Yes, that was probably it Regan reflected. Maybe he could go and look at the marriage register himself then perhaps employ some private inquiry agent to find out more about the wife. If the was even the slightest chance that Saunders was hiding something and it could help get him off the hook then he had to take it. Making up his mind Bill said nothing to the Bob Whites. He didn't want Dan to know he was going to do this.
A few hours later Bill made the trip down to the registrars office and requested the marriage records of Simon Saunders. After a twenty minute wait he was presented with a closed document. Bill sat down on a chair and opened it, he glanced at the name, "groom Simon Anthony Saunders, yes this was the right record. Now who was the bride. Bill's eyes scanned the name.
Simon felt lie he'd been through something worse than his poisoning. He said nothing to the agents as the drove him from hospital to his apartment. "We will keep the detail confidential Mr Saunders", Fiona assured him. Simon looked bleak not feeling very reassured.
The agents escorted him inside where they found Greg Saunders making coffee.
"Well be in touch Mr Saunders", Fiona reminded Simon as the two agents left.
Simon slumped into a chair, "they know everything", he stated hollowly to his father. Greg sat beside him, "somehow Bill knows you were married", he told his son. Simon looked frightened. "Don't worry I think I dissuaded him from looking into it deeper", Greg reassured. "You think", Simon remarked in a strangled tone.
Greg didn't reassure him further. Simon tried to calm himself and sip the coffee. He jumped though when a frantic knocking sounded on his apartment door. Greg got up and answered the door to a find red faced rather shocked looking Bill Regan standing there. "I believe you should not be here Bill", he firmly remarked as he stood in the grooms way. Bill Regan was sure the older Saunders was quite capable of calling Molinson and reporting this violation of his bail agreement but that didn't stop him standing his ground. "I need to talk to him, please", Regan begged. Greg stood aside and let him in but followed him closely to the living room. Bill found himself shaking as he looked at the coach, "Look no matter what you think of me, I didn't have anything to do with you being poisoned", Regan stated firmly. He saw Greg Saunders glance at his son intently , Simon was staring him right in the face almost as if he could read his thoughts. Simon then discretely nodded to his father who after another glare at Bill sat himself . Simon of course knew that Bill was not lying but had actually never believed he'd had anything to do with the case, "I don't believe I ever accused you", Simon pointed out to Bill. Bill looked around at everything, "I umm , he looked over at Greg Saunders and flushed. "I'm afraid I didn't listen when you insisted Simon's wife was not investigated further. I went to the registry office and looked up the marriage certificate". "Greg nodded slowly and focused his eyes on Simon who was beginning to look rather panicked, "I see", he remarked glaring at Bill. Bill looked over at Simon and noted he looked exceedingly nervous, "so you know then", Simon whispered, his voice barely audible.
Bill looked at Simon searchingly, "you didn't quite tell me everything when you described how well you knew my sister", he accused, "I'm afraid I don't understand," he looked at Simon intently. "You and Patty were married and that makes Dan your step son. You'd be perfectly entitled to go for custody. Yet you have never mentioned any of this, to either of us."
Simon closed his eyes then looked over at his father, "dad will you leave us alone for awhile", he requested. Greg looked rather reluctant but nodded when Simon added, "please". Bill noted that the older Saunders did not leave the apartment just going into Simons bed room and firmly closing the door.
"Did you notice the date on that marriage certificate", Simon asked softly. Bill had to admit that all he'd noticed was the name and shook his head. "Patty and I were married when I was 16 and she 15. Mom and Dad were very reluctant at first but I convinced them that I loved Patty a lot and wanted to spend the rest of my life with her." Bill frowned, "you married her before Timothy Mangan", he remarked, "Then just a short while later she divorces you and married Mangan, what did you do Saunders", Bill growled fiercely. Simon kept calm even though his heart beat was racing. "She didn't divorce me Bill", he replied calmly. "She didn't, ",Bill was feeling confused, "but she married Mangan", he looked at Simon, "or are you telling me that they weren't married". "Oh she married him Bill, he had no knowledge of the fact that Patty was already married to me", Simon told him. Bill's mind wrestled with the idea, then slowly his eyes widened, "She committed bigamy", he gasped. Simon nodded, 'Yes", he replied. "which would of course make Dan illegitimate. I can understand you not wanting him to know that. But I'm sure his disappointment would be covered by the fact you are his step father", Bill told Simon. Simon said nothing his green eyes just staring softly at Bill as though waiting for something else to be said. Bill 's mind churned, 'I still don't understand", he admitted," why'd she do that, marry you then marry Mangan as well". Simon took some calming breaths, "I suppose it's time to tell you the truth Bill. I was just never very sure whether you'd believe me or not and I also definitely don't want Dan finding out." Bill bit his lip, "if this has nothing to do with your poisoned then I don't need to say anything to Dan", he replied.
Simon nodded, "oh I'm sure it doesn't Bil"l. He got up and grabbed himself a glass of water avoiding loking at Bill Regan. "Patty had that part time job at a café in New York", Simon began. Bill thought back, "yes, I remember", he stated. "That's where she met, him", Simon's voice had taken on a harsh quality. "She didn't want anything to do with Tim Mangan, describing him to me, as a rough character. I think she was a little afraid of him." So I accompanied her to work a few times. At first it was alright as I saw nothing of him. One day though he was there when I arrived with Patty. He came straight up to me and told me that Patty was his girl and that I did not need to see any more of her.", Simon told Bill. Timothy was at that time about 18 and hung out with a rather rough looking crowd. "But I guess I was too in love to listen, I just told him that Patty could make up her mind who she saw." Tim basically grabbed hold of me and told me I better listen or else."
"It was about that time that I decided I needed to get Patty away from that area. So that's when I asked her to marry me. Mom and Dad were going to let us have a small flat on their property. I could still train for the Olympics and Patty could go to classes for what ever job she preferred. Mom and dad would look into adopting you Bill so that we could all be a family". Simon glanced at Bill whos eyes widened at the remark about his parents adopting him. Simon forced himself to keep speaking.
"So that very weekend when you were away at that camp we got married. It was fairly quiet and personal and it wasn't advertised widely because my parents did want any newspapers reporting the story and disturbing Patty or you at the orphanage."
"Patty came back so excited about the future. But we had a few things to settle before we could begin our life together. Patty wanted to work a last few days at the café because the owner had been so nice to her and given you many things. I didn't really want her to go back there but I guess she persuade me it'd only be for a few days. So I took her to work again." Simon paused and looked at Bill, "on the way home, Tim Mangan and two of his friends assaulted me", Simon closed his eyes as he remembered that day, he managed to get one or two of them to back off but unfortunately his ability didn't work with three at once. "When I woke up it was to find myself in hospital"." Mom and Dad were shocked and of course phoned the police, however Mangan and his friends all claimed they were elsewhere and had others support this claim." I had to stay a few days in hospital, but luckily I wasn't seriously injured. Just before I left we received a card telling me clearly to stay away from Patty or the next visit my parents paid to me would be in the morgue", Simon heard Bill's gasp. Simon grimaced, "I wasn't going to listen ",he stated fiercely, "but all these things kept happening to me, mom, dad, my sister Anabella. We naturally reported the incidences but none could ever be traced to Tim. Yet I knew it was him. He was so cocky, taunting me and asking me how I'd feel if I couldn't skate anymore."
"I wasn't going to back down and let him have Patty. I think he sensed this because his threats then moved to Patty and you. He said he could make things happen to both of you if the whole family didn't leave Patty alone. That very day Patty suffered a mysterious accident and I remember that you got food poisoning from some unknown source." Simon stopped and Bill felt his heart lurch as he saw tears, "We had no choice Bill , I'm so sorry." Bill Regan sat in shock as Simon got up and fled the room.
After sitting alone for a few minutes Greg Saunders joined him, "he loved your Patty a lot Bill", Greg said firmly." His mother and I would never have let him marry her if we didn't think he could make a marriage work. Yes he was young but years being a skater had given him a high level of responsibility. We also loved Patricia a lot and were looking forward to having her as a daughter in law. "Patricia in turn loved Simon and in the end it was her that walked away going with Tim Mangan because she couldn't stand to see any of us hurt. We decided to leave that part of town and were going to go through with your adoption however because of the threats and attacks the orphanage turned our application down", Greg stated truthfully his eyes glinting with tears.
He looked at Bill seriously, "I dearsay Simon did not tell you everything Bill. What Mangan did to him was downright vicious."
Bill Regan found himself shaking as a deep hatred built up in side him , "that man was Dan's father", he growled.
"It was never Dan's fault Bill. I could never blame him for what his father did to me. All I felt was sorrow that he'd grow up with a father like that", Simon was back again, his face red and eyes bloodshot as he leaned against the doorway.
"That was why she came to me when Dan was 5 and asked me to be his skating coach. She insisted she wanted a positive male influence. I said no at first because Tim was still alive and if he found out then threats would happen all over again."
Patty though was insistent and actually begged me to do it. She said Tim was out of town and she'd make sure he never found out. " I still wanted to say no, But then she brought Dan over to meet me and I just couldn't refuse", Simon explained. "I never stopped loving her Bill, which is why after he died Patty and I got back together. I could never blame her for what happened. I guess the only person I blame is myself, if I hadn't been… "Regan saw Simon jump as his father grasped his arm firmly, "stop that right now, he told Simon, "it was not your fault son, it's all down to Tim Mangan".
He turned to Bill, "you understand why Simon has never said anything about his marriage Bill. It's because Dan would also want to know why Simon left his mother and while he could certainly lie I'm afraid there are reports in his file about the incidents. If Dan ever chose to follow the same path you have he'd probably find out the truth about exactly what his father was,"Greg remarked.
"The federal agents know, all this", Simon told Bill. "But they will not say anything. However if we don't get you off the hook before a trial there is a chance that the prosecution will use the records of my complaints against Tim against you. They could say that you poisoned me to stop Dan finding out about his father ." Bill shivered and put his head in his hands. He remembered himself meeting Tim Mangan and feeling cold as he looked in the depths of his eyes. Now he knew it wasn't just the imagination of a 7 year old boy, it was a reality Dans father had been an aggressive man and god knows what Patty had endured while she was with him.
"If he had ever hurt her I'd have gotten her away no matter what", Simon seemed to pick up his thoughts ,saying the words with a fierce intensity. "She was his prize, he held my safety over her and hers over me. He had us both exactly where he wanted", Simon muttered. Bill felt profoundly sad and shocked his mind whirling as he tried to take in everything Simon had said. He began to flush as he remembered all the things he said to Simon and how untrue they had been. "I suddenly realize how much you love Dan", he stuttered. "You kept this all private not for yourself but for him and you lost a lot in the process. I could have gone for custody, won and taken him away from you", Bill was feeling more guilty by the second. 'Oh god I said some horrible things to you and you're my own brother in law", he looked haunted, "family", he whispered. "I'm sorry", Bill finished. "I don't expect you to forgive me but….." Bill was feeling so bad he was rambling. Greg looked over at Simon who still leant against the wall, his posture tense and his eyes on Bills face. "Bill, shut up", Simon interrupted gently. Bill Regan closed his mouth quickly his eyes wide as he looked up at Simon. "Both of us have said things we shouldn't have", Simon told him. But Bill was shaking his head, "no what I said to you wasn't true, but what you said to me was. I didn't want to take Dan," Bill admitted finally succumbing to tears. He was rather startled seconds later to find Simon sitting right beside him. "You didn't lie when you said you loved him Bill", Simon remarked, "that is the only thing that matters now." Bill looked up at Simon tentatively, he was a good man and would have been a gentle husband to Patty and a great step dad to Dan. Regan had almost missed the opportunity for Simon to become his friend and ally. Thankfully the coach was a lot more wise than he was." "We need to work together now Bill and find out who poisoned me, we need to insure that certain things are never revealed", Simon remarked.
"I could plead guilty", Regan suggested. Simon looked rather disgusted, "no you won't", he stated firmly. "Most of the town thinks I did it", Regan stated. "But you didn't Bill and that means someone else did", Simon replied. Bill's eyes widened, "you're still in danger", he said to Simon. Simon nodded , "its not like I haven't been there before", he stated ironically. "Well Tim Mangan can't be responsible for poisoning you , because he's dead", Regan stated then he went pale. 'He is dead", he asked shakily. Simon nodded firmly, 'yes, he died in a gang fight". Bill gasped, "you told me it was an accident. "No, Simon admitted I just didn't want you to know that Dan's father was mixed up in something illegal. I do know that much but not the full details. However since he's dead and nobody had made any attempt to do anything to me for years then I'd say its not related. So unfortunately we have nothing to go on", Simon concluded. Bill looked depressed. "Don't worry Bill, we will work it out, the two of us together", Simons hand moved and tentatively it covered Bills. "Hold on a minute aren't you forgetting something", Greg Saunders interposed almost gruffly. Regan began to get worried, Greg sounded like he was still mad at him. "What's that dad", Simon sounded calm as he asked. "It's all three of us", Greg remarked firmly and for the first time he actually smiled at Bill then his hand came down on top of Simon's with one finger touching Bill's. Although he felt besieged by information and despairing of what he'd heard Bill could not help feeling a surge of of hope. He turned to look at his brother in law regarding him with new eyes. Simon was obviously a very strong person and Bill was glad they were now on the same side. "Thank you", he told both of them. Greg smiled at Bill but Simon couldn't seem to even make his mouth move upward. Bill rushed forward and grabbed him as he slid down the wall. "Are you sure they should have released you", he muttered. ""I'll live", Simon replied tiredly. Both Greg and Bill supported him to his room and laid him on the bed. "Look after yourself Simon", Bill stated firmly, " I need the opportunity to make things up to my brother in law". He gave Greg Saunders a nod then left the room deciding it was time to head home. Simon lay tiredly on the bed with his father sitting beside him, "one hurdle down", Simon whispered. "Indeed, I think you'll find Bill is now a fierce ally", Greg stated with a smile. "I have a feeling I might need one", Simon remarked soberly.
Greg felt chilled by the words feeling that perhaps Simon was right and there was more danger to come.