Still not mine!

Chapter 7

Hostage

Cecilia walked into A.J.'s kitchen, stopping short. There at the dining room table was A.J., Rick, and Megan. A.J. rose from his seat. "Mom." He pulled out a chair. "Would you like a cup of coffee?"

Cici nodded her response.

Rick smiled at his mom. "I believe you know Megan."

His mother nodded again, as A.J. placed a cup of coffee down in front of her. `Yes, I do." Sitting across from the young woman, Cecilia rested her elbows on the table, intertwining her fingers together. "I met with Norman Wyler this morning." She studied Megan for a response.

Megan sat her cup down, not quite sure where this was going to go. "He is a nice man."

Cici flushed a little. "Yes, yes he is." She stuck her chin out a little. "I found out that you were making sure Danny got an education, and some financial security."

The young woman nodded. "I wanted something in place before the decision was made as to who would raise Danny." She paused a moment. "Maybe overly cautious, but I didn't want people to want him just for the money."

A.J. took his seat down next to his mother. "Mom, Megan was just filling us in on some information.

Taking a sip of coffee, Cecilia looked at Megan. Suddenly remembering what Norman had said, "...raising him as her own." She set her coffee cup down, and looked at her sons. "Oh? Did she also mention that she is Danny's mother?"

Rick had taken a swallow of coffee, only to cough it back up. A.J. slapped his back, while looking at their mother. Rick choked out the words, "Say again?"

Sitting back in her chair, Cecilia crossed her arms in front of her. "Why don't you, Megan?"

Megan folded her hands together and stared at her fingers for a moment. She could feel all eyes on her. Taking a deep breath, she looked over at Cecilia. "How did you know?"

Mrs. Simon smiled. "Norman Wiley. Oh, he didn't come right out and say it, but some of the things he said and how he said it." Cecilia stopped and shrugged.

Megan chuckled. "Now I know where your sons get their talent." Realizing they were all still waiting, she shifted in her chair, slightly hanging her head. "Let's say, I made an indiscretion just before I turned 20. I was still in school. When I discovered I was pregnant, I called my brother and his wife." Megan paused, taking a sip of coffee.

"Both George and Beth were excited, they had been married for three years and were about to give up. By the time Danny was born, we had everything signed and in place." A small smile crossed her face. "Beth was to be the doting mother, and I was to be the aunt that spoiled him."

A.J. softly cleared his throat. "What about Danny's father?"

A smirk crossed her face. "When I told him I was pregnant, he couldn't wait to sign the papers releasing his rights to Danny." Megan pursed her lips. "That is, until we went to court yesterday, and Jimmy put two and two together. He has since decided that he was shorted his just dues, and wants what is coming to him."

Rick spun the coffee mug in his hands until A.J. reached over and stopped him. "What about Penelope? Does she know?"

Megan shook her head. "Rick, all I know is that I haven't told her. But, she is a sharp lady, and usually gets what she wants."

"And Jimmy?" Cecilia's voice held concern.

"He said he'll be around. Jimmy is the one I am concerned about. He has a history of being a loose cannon." She frowned, shaking her head. "I don't think he cares one bit about Danny, just that it might get him the money." She bit her lower lip. "Even if the courts decide..." She stopped unable to go on. She wiped the tears from her eyes. She shook her head. "Sorry."

Rick put his arm around her shoulders giving her a squeeze. "You have nothing to be sorry about." He glanced over at A.J. "We have a friend 'Downtown' who might be able to help us out."

A.J. nodded. "I believe under the circumstances, even Penelope might be glad to help out."

Three nights later...

Her house was dark as she entered the front door. Moving away from the door, Megan could feel a presence in the room. She took a shallow breath. "Hello?" Her voice was croaky.

Stepping almost silently out of the shadows into the beams of light that escaped the blinds, he stopped within a few feet of her. "Megan, good to see you again." She couldn't see his sneer, but definitely could feel it.

"Jimmy." She moved around him, towards the kitchen. "What do you want?" She stopped at the counter, flipping on the switch.

"Turn it off." His voice was loud.

She turned facing him, her back pressed against the edge of the counter. "No." Megan waited. "Well?"

"I told you, I want my son." He glared at her, a slow change came across his face. "But I will settle for half of what he is worth, let's say, one million?"

She set her jaw, feeling her temper rise. "The money is frozen in the account, I can't access it."

"Call the old lady. Tell her that you've changed your mind. She can have the kid, for a small price."

Megan shook her head. "She won't do it."

In two strides, he was in front of her. He grabbed her by the arm, jerking her towards the phone on the kitchen wall. "I said call her."

"I don't have her number." Megan pulled her arm away from him.

Finding the phone book, he tossed it at her. She quickly found Mrs. Fabersham's number. Dialing it, she listen to it ring on the other end. Come on, answer. She bit her lip, watching Jimmy go to the living room, picking up the cordless. He heard the click as someone picked up on the call.

An older woman's voice answered. "Yes?"

"Mrs. Fabersham?" Megan could feel her stomach jump. Would she play along? Did A.J. convince her?

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Jimmy motion to her. "Ask her." He whispered. "Ask her now!"

"Mrs. Fabersham, this is Megan Pierce. I, I was calling to see if I could talk to you about Danny. I would be willing to agree to let you have Danny for half of the estate." Megan bit her lip, waiting for the response.

"I see." Mrs. Fabersham paused. "I will have to call Mr. Marlowe Simon to see what can be arranged. I'll call you back in a half hour." Without saying good-bye, Mrs. Fabersham hung up the phone.

To be continued.