Chapter 7: Chapter 7
Denouement
'Go right in. He's expecting you.' As usual there was no smile from Ms Wrensch, just her normal efficiency.
John waved in Oats and Jacob motioning for them to sit down.
'We have a pretty big case here. Only Dennison, and the two men who attacked you last night Jacob, will need our help. The others have their own attorneys. The men we are defending will plead guilty in arraignment. The City wants to avoid a huge public scandal. This kind of misuse of public funds makes people lose confidence in the justice system, if it is not handled judiciously and expeditiously.'
Jacob and Oats nodded in agreement.
'I understand that Dennison is prepared to be state's witness?'
Jacob nodded. 'Yes sir,' he added seeing that John did not lift his head from the notes in front of him.
'Well, the up-line on this little scandal goes pretty high. Some big guys are going down.'
Oats and Jacob continued to nod in agreement, much like bobble head dolls.
'Wells, you did some good prelim work on this. Sometimes you don't have to screw up before you see me.'
'Thanks Sir.'
'But, next time,' and now John did look straight at Jacob to emphasize his point, 'before you go for evidence, inform someone or take a uniform with you. It is as much for your protection as to protect the evidence.'
'Yes Sir.'
'I understand Dennison wants witness relocation?'
'Yes sir'
'Then head on down to the witness protection service and check it out. Good experience for you, Wells. Oats will oversee the arraignments. Follow through with Dennison and see him safely settled with the Sherriff's office wherever he wants to go.'
'I look forward to the experience Sir.'
'One last point before I see the DA…? There was some personal knowledge that was being held over Dennison that coerced him to commit a felony? Am I correct?'
Jacob nodded at Oats before continuing. He understood that John was looking for anything to help in negotiations with the DA. After all a felon is a felon but there could be mitigating circumstances.
'Yes sir, Dennison witnessed a murder when he was just a child. His father, who committed the crime was still alive until recently. Dennison spent most of his youth in a witness protection program. He's had brushes with the law for most of his life. His bosses were aware of all those things.'
John, it seemed, had a good understanding of people's motives and knew how to work the system for his clients. He wouldn't see Dennison go free but he would defend him to get the least possible sentence as long as the people at the top were pulled down. Jacob felt his admiration grow for the taciturn man who kept a finger on every aspect of the Public Defender's office.
'Thank you Wells. Get Dennison settled tomorrow and finish tidying up the loose ends here. You can go now. I want to talk with Oats a bit more.'
'Yes sir.'
Jacob returned to his desk. He felt pleased about the outcome. Tonight he would take Cathy home, a true home to both of them. He picked up his briefcase, coat and headed out the door. Cathy promised to meet him at the park. Their budding relationship, which they had taken to a new level, needed to be nurtured. They both felt it should be done outside of the boundaries of work. Discretion was needed. Jacob gave a thought to his Father as he walked happily along the streets. He felt Vincent's sadness and knew they would need to talk. However, this moment in time was for Cathy and her happiness.
Vincent passed a restless night at Jacob's apartment. He ended up sleeping late forcing him to stay hidden until dark again. He missed his morning duties with the children. It was just as well. His heart felt bruised, raw and exposed. Catherine he called into the silence. Come to me. Show yourself to me in Spirit. Stop tormenting me with ….hope!
No real answer came to him. Somewhere in the mists of his mind he could hear her voice calling him. What madness is this after all this time? Dejected, he turned away from the window, hiding his grief from the revealing light of day.
In the meantime, Jacob and Cathy entered the tunnel hand in hand.
'Jacob, I remember the feel of it, the sights, sounds and smells.' She halted touching the stone walls and cocking her head to one side. 'Is that Pascal?' she queried at the sound of the incessant tapping on the pipes.
'Pascal and his army of pipe operators' Jacob laughed. The message was all about the visitor coming into the tunnel.
Mary waited near the entrance. She wanted to be the first to greet them.
'Catherine, how lovely you are. Your mother was such a beauty. You know, I was the very first person to see you.'
Cathy smiled. Mary's calm voice and sweet countenance felt familiar and comforting.
'Is my Dad here Grandma?'
'He hasn't been home Jacob. Your Grandfather is worried.'
Jacob paused before answering. He looked away, nodded then reassured his grandmother.
'I know where he is. He's safe.'
The happy trio made their way into the main hall. Cathy was welcomed with open arms by all in the community. She and Jacob were seated with Father and a a few other senior members. They ate the hearty simple meal together. Laughter and tears punctuated the spoken remembrances of the old days. Many of the older dwellers remembered Lena. Cathy was overwhelmed with their kindness.
After a highly emotional twenty four hours, Cathy felt unable to stay late and apologized. What she needed more than anything was to go home. There she would call her mother with the good news. Being reunited with her family was something she could never have imagined. Cathy felt certain that Lena's passage into death would be helped by the knowledge that her daughter was not to be left alone and had, in fact, reconnected with the place where she first knew life.
'Tell your mother to come here Catherine. If she is ill, we will care for her. If she is dying she can die here with those who love her.'
Father's kind words touched Cathy deeply but she knew her mother was far too ill to travel. She thanked Father for his graciousness and caring words before kissing his lined face with all the tenderness in her heart.
Jacob took Cathy home. In spite of a lingering and satisfying kiss, he could not stay with her. His father was troubled. Jacob needed to go to him.
Jacob debated whether to return to the tunnels and wait, or go to the apartment. That deep connection between them, told him that his father was waiting for him at the apartment. Entering the door, Jacob was surprised to see his father lying on the floor, staring into space.
'Dad! Dad, are you sick?'
'At heart Jacob.' Vincent wasn't even sure if he had said it aloud.
'I am sorry Dad, I didn't mean to be away so long but so much has happened.'
Vincent perked up. His son's happiness meant everything to him. Jacob joined his father on the floor. His joy bubbled over infusing them both with its positive energy. The proud father listened intently, wanting to share every moment and every victory. Father and Son talked well into the night. After listening to Jacob's revelations about Cathy, Vincent conceded that perhaps the Catherine of his dreams was Lena's daughter. Deep inside, he sensed otherwise but there was no other explanation for how he felt.
'I can't wait to meet with her Jacob.'
'She loves you already. She says you were her anchor.'
'Her mother was very beautiful.' Vincent mused. 'Almost impossible to resist.'
'Why did you Dad?'
'I loved your mother more.'
Vincent was not keen to discuss his inner turmoil with Jacob. His son had never physically known his mother. He loved her memory and grieved her loss through others. Vincent thought that bringing the sad parts of her traumatic death into focus would only confuse him. He did not take into account his son's perceptiveness.
'Were you worried about me, Dad?'
'Yes I was, but I sensed you were finding your way.'
'Do you think about my mother a lot?' Jacob asked gently, seeing beyond his parent's natural concern to a deeper sadness.
'Yes son, I do. I did not want to say anything but her memory is haunting me right now.'
'What do you mean?' Jacob's brows furrowed. This was a new aspect of his father.
'The connection we had was so beautiful Jacob. I sensed her every feeling. Every nuance of her life was as much a part of me as it is with you. I expect it with you. With your mother, it was my first experience. Every part of me that was able to feel, felt her.'
'What are you feeling now Dad?'
'I hear her calling me. I am sick with the need to find her, to go to her.' Vincent raised his hands to his head, fighting off a debilitating sadness. To me, her grave feels like an empty tomb. I sense that she exists in some other time and place where light and dark cycle, but not for her.'
Holding his father tenderly, he stroked the soft, still golden hair. Jacob felt a new tenderness as he became aware of a vulnerability seldom seen in his remaining parent.
'I love you Dad. Take strength from me.'
'In my weakest moments, in your love, I have found my greatest strength.'
Father and son stayed together for a long time, without words. Something vital to both of them was evolving in their lives.
Jacob jumped out of bed ready to tackle the day. He had a lot to do but stopped for a moment remembering the early morning touch of his father's hand on his head. Vincent had returned to the tunnel before light. Satisfied that all was well for the time being, Jacob showered and dressed before making his way to the jail to see Dennison.
After some desultory conversation between Jacob and his client, it became clear that the prisoner was unrepentant about any part he had in defrauding the city.
'Listen Kid, I didn't benefit. They made my life a living hell. When people hold something over you, then you dance to their tune. Remember that!'
Rather than being angry Jacob hoped that he would remember. He had his own secrets to carry and a family to protect. After concluding his business with Dennison, he left the jail quickly. As soon as possible, he was anxious to put the matter of Dennison behind him and move on.
The Witness Protection section seemed just as hidden as the clients they were protecting. Jacob finally discovered an office that was well secured and out of the main thoroughfare of the building. He was to set in motion the transfer of Dennison to the care of another jurisdiction. Dennison approved San Francisco or San Diego.
'I'll fit right in either way', he had said with a shrug.
Jacob was asked for his ID at the front reception. He was then shown into another office. A rail thin man not much older than himself sat behind a desk littered with papers from end to end. He handed Jacob a form to fill out and a case folder with preprinted numbers. The young man was tall and intense looking. His name was Mark. He quickly rattled off some rules and regulations.
'He will be escorted by plane. He needs to report to…'
Jacob had already read about the rules. He tried to stay focused but his mind shifted and he lost his train of thought. It took a minute to realize that Mark had stopped speaking and seemed to be waiting for an answer.
Jacob felt tense. He could not identify what the moment of disconnect meant in his body.
'I'm sorry…what did you say?'
You can use that computer over there to match old name to new name and place, then complete the forms with the data provided.'
'OK thanks, Mark.' Jacob sat with trepidation at the computer. He moved the mouse to open the screen.
'It's asking for user ID and password,' he called out to Mark.
'Just hold up your badge to the right hand side of the screen. It will scan your photo and number. Latest technology in secure entry. There's a lot more on your ID badge than you know. If you are any close relation to someone listed on the computer, you will be denied access.'
'Thanks.'
Jacob didn't need to know but, like all unsolicited information, it was absorbed into his memory.
He completed the written part of the forms based on the information he got from Dennison and then scrolled down to the letter C, looking for CH to input the information.
'New name on the right, old name on the left'
'Thanks,' Jacob acknowledged again. This guy must have x-ray eyes. He could see everything. Jacob's fingers suddenly felt like stone on the keys.
The computer screen scrolled down too fast and he had to start again.
'Use page up and down to switch between letters of the alphabet and arrow keys to move between names. Do you want me to do it? Usually PD's don't come in for this.'
'No I'm OK. I just wanted to experience the process so that I could see what happens with witness relocation.'
Once again, Jacob scrolled too far. He took a deep breath and decided to scroll up more slowly. Going down was suddenly a problem. His eyes quickly scanned the names as they flew by on the computer screen. He stopped suddenly.
Jacob scrolled again, his eyes fixed on the screen. Chandler, Catherine! Jacob did not want to move his eyes across the screen. He was assailed by nausea and fear in the pit of his stomach. His eyes widened, mouth dropped. Against his will, ice blue eyes moved of their own volition. He saw not just the familiar name of his mother but a location and a date registered just after his birthday.
It couldn't be! It could never be! She's dead! I know she is!
'Are you alright?'
'No! I will never be alright again if this is true', he shouted into his mind. To the bewildered clerk Jacob whispered in a voice laden with fear.
'I feel sick, sick to my stomach that's all. Something I ate. I can't do this now. If you can't do it, I will have to come back.'
Jacob quickly registered the information about 'Chandler, Catherine', returned the papers to Mark and hurried out.
On very shaky legs Jacob made his way out into the sunshine. He gripped the wall of the building, breathing hard, trying to pull air into his lungs.
My mother died. My father said so. Did he lie to protect me? her? No! Jacob knew his father would not do that. My Dad truly believes my mother is dead. I can't let this go. I have to find out something but from where and how? Computer records do not lie!
Jacob's mind raced. He tried hard to still himself. He knew that if he was unable to think clearly, all possibility of getting at the truth would be lost.
Jacob decided to go to the law library, knowing it to be safe and quiet. He needed no distractions. The computers, which held information not available to the public, would allow him to search and get at a truth so profound, it could rock his world. He had been reluctant to go to the tunnels with this knowledge. He feared revealing anything to his father that may not have meaning. However in the back of his mind he held fast to the idea that what his Father may be feeling was a prelude to ….. Jacob refused to think further.
The anecdotal history of his mother had sustained him and was accurate as far as he knew. 'How could someone go from death to being in a witness program?', he wondered.
Sitting in the back of the library intent on his search, he scrolled through screen after screen dating back months before his birth. Jacob marveled at the number of articles written about his mother during her time in the DA's office. This was a side of her he had not seen. As the stories became real in his mind, he wrote down names. At the centre of it was Joe Maxwell. He had been her immediate boss, a deputy district attorney.
John Moreno, the DA was partially responsible for her death. Gabriel, the monster who kidnapped him was shot. Elliot Burch had been a big part of his mother's life. The story mentions someone named Diana. Vaguely, Jacob remembered her name as part of the tunnel community at one time. He was also able to access his mother's death certificate. Cause of death; Morphine overdose, Acute blood loss. How could his mother have survived the betrayal of her Department Head and her injuries. If she was dead, why did she need witness protection?
Of all the people mentioned, Jacob determined that he would pursue information from Joe Maxwell and Diana. Everyone else was dead. Again using his privileged access to files he sought out an address for Diana. She still lived in New York. He would go there first. Joe Maxwell had moved to Albany. That would be Jacob's next stop in this quest.
Jacob left the Library a very different man from the one who entered. Somehow his innocence had been lost. There was one stop to make before starting his search for the truth. He took the stairs to the 5th floor. Cathy should know what was going on. She was an important part of his life. No more secrets from her.
Jacob walked purposefully toward her cubicle expecting to see her smiling face. Instead he overheard raised and angry voices on his approach. He stopped, tensing his body, listening.
'I've told you over and over I will not go anywhere with you. Can't you understand that?'
'Listen Honey, it is you who doesn't understand. Your job here could be over in a heartbeat.' Brian's slick and practiced voice grated on Jacob's nerves.
'Just leave me alone! You're hurting me!'
Brian who seemed intent on intimidating Cathy did not falter until he heard a deep growl behind him.
'I think you know the law as well as anyone. After the first 'NO', it becomes an assault if you persist.' Jacob was surprised at his calmness. He felt anything but calm inside.
'Jacob…. please?' Cathy's eyes held fear.
'Why you little punk! Who do you think you are? Based on one case, you are now the golden boy? Think again!'
'You think again Brian….'
The implied threat in Jacob's words spurred Brian into a foolish action. He took a swing at Jacob. His hand was caught in mid-air and held. What Jacob saw and felt in his mind's eye sickened him. He remained still for a moment, as if processing information then released the hand.
'What the hell is going on here?' Oats who had also been walking towards his office from another direction witnessed part of the exchange.
'The kid was trying to intimidate me. He let the little victory yesterday go to his head.'
'Wells?'
'I think sir, that Brian has been sexually harassing Cathy. I heard him try to intimidate her with threats.'
'Is this true Cathy?'
'Yes Oats.'
'And you didn't tell me before now….why?'
'You and …..' Cathy bobbed her head in Brian's direction, 'are friends. He threatened me with my job if I didn't go out with him.'
'Brian?'
'Not true Kurt. You know me. It's golden boy here who is causing the trouble. I was just having a little fun with her.'
Before Oats could respond, Jacob said with disgust in his voice. 'And were you just having fun with Bobby Soares, Mikey Peterson, and Diego Morales?'
'Where did you get those names?'
'Out of the sewers of your mind.'
'Hold on Wells,' Oats cautioned, but one look at Brian's face told him that there was something rotten going on. 'Brian, in my office, now!. Wells, I don't know how you know what you know but if there is truth to this…?'
'There is sir. Without disrespect, you are judged by the company you keep. I'm leaving now. I won't be here tomorrow. I have a family emergency. If Brian stays, I won't be back at all.'
Oats was nonplussed. His eyes narrowed in a glance at Brian, who could not hide his discomfiture. He saw an openness in Jacob's face. 'I'll see you the day after tomorrow Wells. Cathy, you take the rest of the day. I want a full report when you return'.
Jacob did not say a word to Cathy until they were well away from the building, but he kept a protective hand on her arm. Some blocks down the road, he felt safe and looked into her face, an unspoken question in his eyes.
'I'm fine Jacob. I hated that he had control over me, but my life with my mother made me vulnerable to someone like him.'
'Can you ever let go of that hurt?'
Smiling and wrapping her arms around this protector of hers was answer enough.
Cathy also sensed that there was turmoil inside of Jacob. 'Are you still angry about Brian?'
'I can handle that anger but something else has come up which disturbs me. It is going to hurt a lot of people, who have already sacrificed so much, if it turns out to be true. Let's just stop for a coffee. Before I go further, I want to explain something to you. Bear with me Cathy. This is a shock.'
Over coffee in a small snack bar, Jacob recounted the events of the day. Cathy listened intently offering words of comfort for his pain, words of support for his dilemma.
'Cathy, I have to pursue this. Somewhere inside of my father and now me, lies this belief that my mother lives or did not die when I was born.'
'Of course you have to know the truth Jacob. I will come with you. Don't say no!' she forestalled with a raised hand, 'You will need help. I am coming.'
Jacob soon realized that he needed Cathy's help to get around. As they made their way, by train, to the address he copied off the computer he acknowledged with a smile, that she was right.
The house where Diana lived was a modest but comfortable well kept bungalow in Queens. The flowers, the lawn, the grounds were immaculate. Jacob and Cathy walked up to the door and knocked.
It was opened by a middle-aged woman with grey and auburn flecked hair. She was slim, with beautiful features and remarkable green eyes.
'Can I help you?' Diana's eyes narrowed with an imperceptible moment of recognition but she waited.
'My name is Jacob Wells. I need to ask you about a case you worked on some years ago.'
'So you are Vincent's son? Come in.'
'This is Cathy…..'
'Lena's daughter no doubt?'
Jacob was not surprised that she knew him on sight. Her beautiful flowing energy had been imprinted in his memory, but her name was not. She was a gifted intuitive.
Cathy and Jacob were seated in the living room. It was sparsely, but elegantly furnished. The polished wooden floors reflected the late afternoon sun. Roses were in vases everywhere. Diana sat opposite the pair her eyes darting back and forth between them. She missed very little.
'Jacob, I only knew your mother through the DA's office', she responded to Jacob's question. 'Joe asked me to find her killer and with your father's help, I did.'
'So you never saw my mother alive?'
'No. I came to the case long after her funeral.'
'So you never saw her dead either?'
'What a strange question Jacob? If you want to know more, you will have to ask Joe. He looked after your mother's arrangements when she died. There was no one else.'
'Who is he Diana and where would I find him now?' Jacob asked, suddenly feeling frustrated.
'I am sure that you know I loved your father for a long time Jacob. He mourned your mother like no one I had ever seen before. His defenses were impenetrable. Both Lena and I hoped that he would love one of us but it was not to be.' Diana hung her head acknowledging a loss which continued to hurt. She looked at Jacob's anxious face and continued.
'Joe and I had worked together for so long at the DA's office. Once I stopped going down below, he and I got closer. We were married over 15 years ago but it didn't last. I could not live with his driving ambition and he couldn't live with my unrequited feelings towards another man.'
'Married and divorced? Does that mean you don't know where he is?'
Diana's face registered surprise. 'He is in Albany. Didn't you know he is state senator Joe Maxwell?'
Jacob began to feel drained. Of course, he had missed some things in his haste. He just never pictured Diana married. He knew little of Joe Maxwell the DA but he had heard of Senator Maxwell. That they were one in the same should not have surprised him. Jacob's next action was born in a heartbeat. Albany waited, holding his destiny in its hands.
Jacob had no time for extended thought. His next move must be decisive. He couldn't drive. The only route north was by bus or train. Regardless of the vehicle, he intended to be there in the morning to confront the Senator. The young couple said goodbye to Diana and were quickly on their way with a promise to keep in touch.
He and Cathy scanned and checked both schedules. Neither bus nor train would arrive before morning but he could satisfy his need for immediacy by taking the next bus north.
'I'm going Cathy. I have to follow this up and I have to do it tonight.'
'I'm going too! I told you I am not leaving you.'
Every step of the way back to Manhattan, they were dogged by delays. The two weary travelers finally boarded a bus headed north just before midnight. What would my father be thinking of my day today? Jacob mused. He wasn't sure if running off into the night was the right decision but he had Cathy at his side and a burning desire to settle the matter. They snuggled into their seats holding hands, heads leaning into each other. Lulled by the movement of the bus they dozed off and on until the bus pulled into its destination with a final snort.
'Wake up Cathy! We're here.'
With a grimace, Cathy shifted, rubbed her eyes and peered out the bus window. It took a minute to orient herself.
'Now that we're here, I can't believe what we just did,' he said with a tired laugh.
'Jacob I have to freshen up and eat before we do anything else. Give me 20 minutes.'
'I guess I do too', he noted rubbing the golden stubble on his chin.
Each of them used the facilities at the bus terminal before checking out an all night eatery where they were able to get an early breakfast. Jacob bought a map of Albany and poured over it during the meal.
'Let's just take a taxi. We aren't here to sightsee.'
Jacob knew that Cathy was still very tired, although she had on her 'game face'.
'Your wish is my command' he acquiesced gallantly. In truth, he was tired too. He had been up most of the previous night with his father.
At 10 o'clock, the road weary pair presented themselves at the door of Senator Maxwell's office. Jacob used an inflated persona to get him to this point. With some trepidation he opened the door and walked up to an almost carbon copy of Ms Wrensch seated behind a desk.
'My name is Jacob Wells. I am from the Public Defender's office in Manhattan. I would like to see Senator Maxwell.'
'He is not in yet. Do you have an appointment?'
'No this is urgent business. I must see him today.'
'You can see his aide. Senator Maxwell does not see constituents unless they have an appointment.'
Dejected by the firmness in her tone, Jacob had to leave. He thought it wise not to provoke any commotion. In his mind he tried to work on another plan but there was nothing he could do until the senator actually came in to work. Jacob calculated that Joe Maxwell couldn't be that late. While the secretary had been talking, he glanced at the appointment book and knew that the senator had someone coming in at noon. At precisely 11:45 Jacob and Cathy returned to the office. Both of them had been on the lookout for the Senator but with so many possible entrances, he could easily have been missed. His secretary was not happy to see them again.
'I told you the first time that Senator Maxwell is not here. I instructed you in what to do. You must follow protocol.'
'This is personal. I am not going to speak to an aide'. Jacob was equally adamant. A lot was at stake for him. He felt Cathy tug gently on his arm. She was fearful of the consequences of trying to force a confrontation. Security would be called. They might both end up in jail. Undeterred, Jacob let her arm slide away and moved closer to the desk.
'It is a matter of life and death. You give him my name and ask him to see me. He will!'
'He's not in.'
'That flashing button on the phone means that he is on the line in his office. Call him or I will!' Jacob spoke in a tone that would accept nothing less than a meeting today.
Fortunately, the secretary was not as unyielding as Ms. Wrensch. Jacob's tone was too compelling to be ignored. She wisely chose not to call security. Instead, the frightened woman stood up nervously and backed towards the door leading into Senator Maxwell's office. As she turned the knob, Jacob quickly moved forward. In two strides he followed her to the open door. An innate courtesy prevented him from going as far as pushing the secretary out of the way but he was prepared to side-step her if she offered any more resistance.
The middle-aged man, with silvery hair, seated behind the desk, looked thoroughly startled by the unauthorized interruption. Clearly, he had been in mid-conversation. He immediately stood up ready to defend himself forgetting that the open phone was still in his hand.
'Senator Maxwell, my name is Jacob Chandler Wells. Do you know where my mother is?"
