Chapter 8
The Truth
Jess had woke up for the first time since the accident at around midnight. But he was only awake for a few minutes. He had been dreaming about the day's events and when he heard the gun go off in his head, he jumped up. This however caused him a great deal of pain, with 3 fractured ribs and a bullet just removed from his shoulder. He had to be sedated as the pain was so severe. Again he passed into unconsciousness.
He woke again at around 6a.m. From the window of his hospital room he could see the orange yellow light of the sun starting to rise. He looked around him. He was in a private room his father asleep in the chair on his left, a small amount of drool flowing from the right of his mouth. He could hear the beeping of the monitor letting him know his heart was still beating. Then as his mother entered the room he noticed something.
"Oh Jess. You're awake. How are you feeling?" His mother came over and held his right hand, kissing him once on the forehead.
"Mom where are my clothes? The ones I had on when I came in...Where are they?"
"Honey they were taken last night...They had to cut your top off...why? What's wrong?" Jess had started to cry.
"The picture of the scan was in my back pocket. I really want it back please. Would you please go and see if I can have it back...please" Mary nodded. Giving her son a quick kiss she left.
Mary went to find the doctor to ask him what had been done with her son's clothes and personal items. She told him there was a picture her son wanted back if he could please have it. The doctor told her that he would go collect Jess' belongings and bring them up. He also said the police would like to talk to Jess soon. She nodded. Jack found his wife 10 minutes later in the waiting room.
"What is it? Is something wrong with Jess?" when she saw her husband approach.
"No he's fine, well physically anyway. He's refusing to eat. Keeps saying this is his entire fault...I tried to tell him but... Anyway what are you doing down here?" he asked.
"Oh...I'm just collecting Jess's things. You know the things he had on him last night. The police want to talk to him. Honey, why don't you ring Bill and find out if there's any news?" She had seen the doctor walking up the hall, holding a bag. "Sure thing. I'll see if the girls are alright." He got up and walked over to the payphones.
Mary turned her attention to the doctor. "Here you are." He said handing her the bag. "Is Jess awake?" She knew why he was asking. She could see two officers waiting at the end of the hall. "Yes"
"Ok then, the police would like to talk to him. I'll check him first." He turned waving the two officers forward. Jack had rejoined his wife as they arrived. "Mr. and Mrs. Aarons, This is Officer Claire Brown and Detective David Reid with the FBI. Why don't you both give your statements while I go see if Jess is up to talking? You can use my office." He led them into a medium sized room off to the right. Every inch of the wall behind the desk was covered in certificates and diplomas. He said a quick good bye and left.
"Mr. Aarons why don't you tell us what happened last night." David began. And so it started. Mary was asked to wait outside while her husband spoke. Then vice versa.
"Ok I think we have everything" He said 20minutes later. "Thank you. Now one of you may be present while we interview your son."
"I will" Mary said. "I'm bringing him his things anyway"
So Mary and the two officers headed down to Jess' room. The doctor was just leaving as they approached. "How's he doing?" Det. Reid asked.
"Very well. We were able to take the bullet out cleanly so his shoulder should be fine in a few weeks. He was very lucky. He lost a lot of blood. Had the bullet entered 2 inches lower, we might not have survived. He'll have some discomfort from his ribs but no permanent damage."
Jess' mother had heard this the night before but it still made her cry when she realised how close she came to losing her son. She led the way into Jess' room. She handed him his things which he put under him pillow and turned to face the officers.
"Jess honey, This Officer Brown and Det. Reid. They want to talk to you about last night ok?" Jess nodded. "I'll be right here."She sat on his right holding his hand.
"Hi Jess. How are you feeling?" It was D. Reid.
"I'm better now. Have you heard anything about Leslie?"
"Her kidnappers called last night. She spoke to her father for a few seconds but they said they would call again sometime today." Jess nodded. At least I know she's alive.
"So Jess, Tell us what happened yesterday after school." And so it began. He told them they decided to walk PT and when they got to the woods they let him off to run. They went to the tree house for an hour. He told them he noticed the time and they decided to head home but when they called PT he didn't come so they decided to split up and look for him.
"I got as far as the creek when I heard her scream my name." The pain of remembering catching in his chest his voice started shaking. "So I...um...I turned and ran back to the clearing. That's when I saw her. One of the men was behind her, holding her. Then something hit me on the head" he winced as he remembered "I fell forward. Then the second guy kicked me...." He took a deep breath as he saw the look in Leslie's eyes. "The guy who kicked me said something like 'this is your knight' and he kicked me again. I tried to get up but I fell against a tree. I asked why they were doing it."
Again he had to take a breath to steady himself as her remembered the man touching Leslies face. "He said that Mr. Burke would pay to make sure his daughter was safe...I tried to get up again but the one who had hit me came over and threw me down. I rolled over and heard him say 'it's time to go'. I looked at Leslie and watched as she left. She looked so scared..." He had to stop for a minute. His mother squeezed his hand.
"It's alright Jess. You tried. What happened then?" it was Officer Brown this time.
"I looked up and...I saw the gun. So I closed my eyes and remembered Leslie's face...I waited. He had the gun aimed at my head. But then it hit my shoulder. I managed to look over and I saw him. He was about 10 feet away and he was limping on his right foot. Then I saw PT. He attacked him. He started walking towards me. From all the blood you couldn't tell where I was hit. So I stayed as still as I could and held my breath. After a few minutes he left."
Mary was again crying. Her son had been through so much already, but he was still going through more as he waited for news of Leslie and the baby.
"I knew I was about to pass out. So I called PT. I told him to get May Belle my sister. I waited till he was gone and then it's black. I sort of remember Mom and May Belle next to me... then I remember talking to Mrs. Burke. After that I can't remember."
"Thank you, Jess. There'll be a sketch artist coming in soon. I hear you're somewhat of an artist yourself. If you could give him a description of them men it would really help. We'll let you get some rest now"
The two officers went to leave."Wait!" Jess said. "I don't know if this matters but Leslie said she was being followed."
"When did she say this?"
"She only told me Wednesday when I noticed she was really jumpy. I asked her when it started and she said about 10days after she came back to America with her dad's tour, but she said it was getting worse recently, like she felt she was in danger." He took a breath. "This is my fault. I should have protected her..."
"No Jess...It's not your fault. I promise I'll find Leslie ok" Jess nodded
The two officers left. Jess was taken by over by his fear for Leslie. He was breathing hard and crying. His mother just held him. He reached behind and pulled out his bag of belongings. He took out the scan and looked at it.
"She has to be ok mom...I need her. What would I do without her? I love her"
"I know sweetie, I know. She's going to be ok. She'll be fine." She jumped up onto the bed with her son and held him as he cried. He stopped when the artist came in. They worked on the sketches for nearly an hour. He fell asleep a short time later.
He woke again at 11. He was feeling a lot better. The pain in his head was gone. The discomfort in his ribs was easing. His shoulder still hurt but he let that slide. I was shot after all. But being in the hospital was starting to annoy him. Whenever he asked about Leslie the only reply he got was - "We'll let you know when we know" and his patience was starting to thin. When his mother came in at noon to she found him sitting on the edge of his bed trying to get dressed.
"Jess, what do you think you're doing?"
"Look mom...I can't stay here...I'm going to go crazy soon. I want to go home...to be there when they ring...I need to know how she is... Please mom don't fight me on this...Help me" She could see the desperation in his eyes. Against her better judgement, she nodded and left.
She found Jess's doctor in his office. She knocked and heard a faint 'come in' on the other side
"Ah... Mrs. Aarons. What can I do for you?"
"I'm sorry to disturb you. It's Jess. He wants to leave" She explained what Jess had said to her. She asked if it was possible for him to go home.
"Mrs. Aarons...Your son was shot. Now I know he's a 100% better than last night but I still think he has a long way to go."
"Please I know that but what if I promise he won't do anything. He just wants to be there to know how she is. If there's any sign he's getting worse I'll drive him back myself."
The doctor sat there thinking for a few moments. Finally he answered. "Ok...I can't force him to stay...But he will need to stay in a wheelchair while he gets his strength back. And he will need someone with him at all times. I'll draw up a timetable for when he needs his medication. He will also have to come back on Tuesday to have his stitches replaced"
For the next 10 minutes Mary sat and listened as the doctor explained how she was to look after her son, which meds to give and when, and the hospital appointments for the next two weeks.
When they arrived back at Jess's room, Jack was trying to get his son back into bed.
"Look here's the Doc, he'll tell you you can't go home"
"Actually Jack, He can. I've talked to the doctor. If I follow this chart" showing him the table the doctor gave her, turning to her son "and you promise to stay in a wheelchair until your better you can come home. But if I see you out of that chair once, you'll be straight back here ok?"
Jess nodded. His father left with the doctor while Jess's mother helped him dress. He had a couple more tests done and he was free to go. His father pushed him out the door when suddenly Jess was surrounded.
JESSE...JESS HOW ARE YOU FEELING? IS IT TRUE YOU DISCHARED YOURSELF? ARE YOU HEADING TO THE BURKES?
Jess's dad pushed Jess silently through the swarm of reporters, cameras and photographers. "Dad stop" he said. And Jack did grudgingly. Jess took a deep breath.
"Thank you I'm fine. Yes I discharged myself because I want to be closer to Leslie and find out what's going on. The doctors here were great but I want to go home. I just want to say Leslie if you're watching...I'm sorry and I love you...and the men who have her ...please let her come home...Thank you" He looked at his dad who understood. He helped Jess into the car.
When they got to the house there were yet more reporters waiting. Jess ignored them. Again his dad helped him into his chair. Bill was at the door as they approached.
"I knew you'd be out of there as soon as you could. How are you?" Giving Jess a quick hug.
"I'm better now I'm here. Is there any news?"
"No I'm afraid not. Come in." They went into the gold room Jess's sister were playing.
"JESS!" It way May Belle. She jumped up and ran to him but Jack caught her before she could hug him. "Careful May Belle. His ribs remember" Jess gave his sister a smile and her hugged him carefully. As did Ellie and Brenda. Judy came in from the kitchen
"Oh Jess." She gave him a hug. "Hi Judy. How are you?"
"Oh you know. Oh Jess this is Leslies Aunt Sarah. She came this morning" Sarah had walked into the room. "Nice to meet you. I'm sorry we have to meet like this. Leslie's told me so much about you!"
"Yeah...Well. All good I hope." His talk was interrupted by May Belle. "Look Jess your on TV." The hospital was about an hours' drive from here so Jess's little speech outside the hospital was playing. The screen was split in half. One side was Jess talking. The other was the picture of him and Les. It was the first time he'd seen her since she was taken. She looked so happy in the picture. They both did. Seeing her smiling Her smile, brought tears to his eyes. He had to look away.
Across town somewhere Leslie Burke was watching the same news report. The two men had bemused looks on their faces, as they watched Jess talk to the cameras. He looks awful. She listened, tears in her eyes as Jess said
"Leslie if you're watching...I'm sorry and I love you...and the men who have her ...please let her come home...Thank you"
He then, with his father help got in their truck and drove off. I Love you too Jess. We both do! She looked down at her stomach. "Does the baby miss his daddy?" The other man whose name she came to know as Chris said as he watched the tears fall from her eyes. About an hour later he spoke again. "I think it's time we called your daddy and let him know what we want".
He stood and pulled Leslie up by the hair. He again put the knife to her stomach. She couldn't stop herself. She screamed. He hit her hard across the face. She started struggling as she watched J call her house number. Chris, who was behind her, was breathing heavily down her neck. She could sense his excitement. She could also feel him moving toward the bedroom pulling her with him. With one hand over her mouth, she tried to scream. Again they put the phone on speaker...
Back at the Burke house, Jess was in the kitchen taking his meds. His mother, Judy, Bill, Sarah and 8 officers were all in there as well. It was feeling very cramped. Jess had just finished taking his meds, when the phone rang. He froze. Bill, Judy and Sarah were at the table. Bill waited for the signal before he answered.
In the background you could clearly hear Leslie's muffled cries. Jess's heart ached. What are they doing to her?
"Hello Mr. Burke. Welcome back Jess." Said the voice. "Where's Leslie?" Bill asked.
"Now business. If you want to see your daughter again, put 1 million in a bag and leave it on the steps by Museum in Roanoke. Bring the FBI if you want. Leslie won't be there. If you arrest us you won't find her. As soon as we're away we'll ring and let you know where to find her. Now have it there tonight at 10 p.m. or bye-bye Leslie" he laughed.
He then came back on and said "Oh and Jess I never got to congratulate you last night. Don't worry were taking care of it too" Leslie screamed in the background and the phone went dead.
Chris was pulling Leslie into the bedroom. Forcefully he threw her on the bed. She tried pulling her legs up to her chin but he had taken the rope of her legs and was trying to tie the to the bed. She kicked him, hard. Stumbling slightly, he stood and hit her again. Then he put the knife to her. "Do that again and I won't be so nice. Understand?" She nodded and closed her eyes as he started pulling at her clothes. It will be over soon...Please let it be over soon. The tears she felt didn't come. Her body went into shock. She didn't open her eyes once during the whole thing. When he left later, the tears finally came.
Leslie's scream still hung in the air. The kitchen had gone quiet. Judy broke down. Bill pulled her close. He himself was shaking. Jess sat there. They were hurting Leslie. Anger, fear and panic took over him. They were all shaken from their thoughts by Det. Reid.
"Mr. Burke...Can you come up the money?"
"I don't know. My moneys spread out all over the place. And I haven't gotten the money from the tour yet. I can ring and ask..." Reid nodded. Bill took the phone and went to make a few phone calls. He came back 10 minutes later. "I have the money."
"Good. One of the officers will go with you to collect it. We'll have to mark the notes." One of the agents was on the phone to the bank telling them to mark the notes. Det. Reid realised something.
He then turned his attention to Jess. "What did he mean Jess? 'I never got to congratulate you'" Everyone in the kitchen's eyes was on him. He looked down and said nothing. Sarah and his mother were looking at him closely. They knew of course but they knew Leslie wanted to tell her parents and they could see the dilemma he was in.
"Jess if there's something we should know now's the time to tell us..."
"No...No Leslie was supposed to be here, she wanted to tell you, I can't...I..." Mary got down next to her son "Jess I know Leslie wanted to say it but they need to know" She stood up. "Can we have a minute with Bill and Judy please? And can you call my husband please?" Judy and Bill sat in silence as all of the officers left except Reid. Jack came in and sat across from Bill and Judy with his wife. Sarah stood to leave but Jess stopped her. She sat again and waited.
Jess took a deep breath and took the scan out of his pocket. He looked at it for a minute and then put it on the table. Judy got to it first.
"What's this?" she asked.
"That...is mine and Leslie's baby. Leslie's pregnant!"
