"Here's the tape John." Chris Masters said walking up to him. "I'm sorry we did the best we could but we couldn't do too much."
"Thanks for trying." he headed to the video room and popped the tape in. Maybe something on the part they had managed to clean up would be some help. He sat close to the monitor. Wanting to catch every word. He had waited impatiently for two weeks before Chris finally had some kind of results for him.
The tape started off with static and John was scared that maybe only a picture here and there would show. Finally he began to hear a voice. It waved in and out and he adjusted the volume. Then the screen began to roll and suddenly Trent Hahn was sitting in a chair in what John guessed to be his home office. The picture jumped and jolted.
"If you are watching this video then unfortunately something has happened to me. I have been on the case of Dave Batista Sr. for years now and finally have some evidence that will put the entire family away. I came upon this evidence by accident. I haven't told my partner that I found it and I don't plan to. My family and I are already in danger and I won't risk his.
I have written everything in my notes. For those who know me well you know that my notes are inscriptive just in case they are gone through by Batista's spy which I know he has on the inside and until this man is found out I'm afraid that no one who works this case is safe.
I have it on good authority that Dave Batista has a bounty on my head. So tonight I am taking my family to a safe location. They think we are just taking a family vacation. I have hidden a very important piece of evidence in my daughter's room. The one place no one will think to look. She has no idea that it is there.
If something happens to me my daughter Keleigh knows how to translate my notes but please don't ask her to do so unless you are positive she is in a safe place far from the long arm of Dave Batista Sr. The where about of the crucial evidence will be revealed to her there and she will know what to do. Keleigh, baby if you are watching this please know that I love you and I am proud of you. You always have been and always will be my lig…"
That was where the tape ended. John wondered if that was most of it or if he went on to say more. He took a deep breath and took the tape out. He knew he had to take it to Jerry for it to do them any good.
John now knew that Keleigh had the evidence and always had had it. And she never had any idea about it. She was the key whether she liked it or not. But it was like walking on a cliff. If he pushed it he would loose her but he couldn't get it without her.
"John, what was on the tape you found?" Kofi asked him. John didn't tell anyone where he got the tape. He just said an informant gave it to him.
Nothing much." He replied. He knew he had to give to Jerry or it couldn't be used. "I am giving it to Jerry today."
"John, you had something to show me." Jerry said walking up to his agents.
"Yes, can we go in your office?" John asked getting up and taking the tape.
They went into Jerry's office and John played the tape. Jerry heard what Trent said. Jerry hid his emotions as he watched his dear friend. He never knew he kept him out of the loop to protect him.
"John, where did you get this?" Jerry asked him when it was over.
"An informant gave it to me." John lied. He wasn't going to tell Jerry he took it from Keleigh.
"I don't buy that Cena." Jerry said. He watched John's reaction.
"It's funny how this just happens to show up so shortly after Keleigh finally went through that storage building."
"I…."
"You went through her things didn't you?"
"But this stuff is the key to everything."
"I thought so." Jerry shook his head. "John, without Keleigh's permission, we can't use this tape for anything."
"Are you sure we can't use it?" John said.
"I'm sure. We have to have Keleigh's permission."
"Alright." He said. "Jerry, you won't tell Keleigh will you?"
"No. I probably should but I don't want her hurt. And she probably has no idea you took the tape so, I will let it go. But hear me now, stop going through her things or Trent's things. You are just asking for trouble." Jerry wondered if he was doing the right thing by keeping John's secret. What he had done was under handed and sneaky. But he knew how much Keleigh loved John and it would break her heart to know this and Jerry couldn't do that to her.
"John, if you really love Keleigh you need to let this go. Batista will trip up eventually."
"Okay. I won't do it again." John said leaving. He didn't' want to do it again but he couldn't help but wonder where the evidence was and what it was.
Keleigh arrived home later in the day. She wanted to go through some of the boxes she had brought home with her and see what could be thrown away and what was important. She turned on some music and started going through the boxes.
She went through her things first. They were easier. She found some of her old toys from when she was younger. She still couldn't believe that Lily had survived everything. She began to go through her old books and smiled as she remembered her parents reading them to her. The door bell rang and she picked up Lily and went to answer it. She didn't remember her being so heavy.
"John, what are you doing here?" She asked.
"You said you were going through some of the boxes and I thought I would help, if you want?" He replied walking in.
"John I don't think anything important is in those boxes." she said.
"I just thought you might need a shoulder or someone to listen." he said sweetly. "I know this has to be hard on you." Keleigh melted. He was so sweet to want to be there for her.
"John. That is so wonderful of you. I am sorry I thought you were just thinking like a cop."
"I love you baby. I want to be there for you." he said holding her tight. It hadn't been a complete lie. He did want to be there for her. He knew going through her parents things would make her a little sad and happy at the same time and she really shouldn't be alone while she did it. But what could it hurt if he just happened to be there if and when she found the evidence that would bring down Houston's biggest drug cartel?
Over the next few weeks, John helped Keleigh go through her things and her parents things. He didn't find the evidence and he couldn't' help but wonder where it was. The tape said it was in Keleigh's stuff but whatever it was, Trent had hid it well. Christmas was coming up in the next week and John wanted to do something special for Keleigh. He felt guilty for taking the tape and going through her things. He knew she didn't really have any family. Her closest family was Jerry and his wife as well as Stephanie and her family.
"Keleigh, do you have plans for Christmas?" He asked as they were watching a movie at his place.
"No. I normally work or go to Stephanie's. What about you?" She asked wondering why he was asking.
"I normally work. I don't have any family beside my dad. I usually go see him on Christmas Eve and then work Christmas day."
"So, we in the same boat so to speak." She laughed. "What did you want to know?"
"Because I was thinking that you and I could go away for Christmas."
"Where?"
"San Antonio or Corpus."
"I like that idea. San Antonio would be great. Can you get the time off?"
"Yes, I asked for it and Jerry approved. What about you?"
"I can get the time off."
"Okay, then we will leave Christmas Day and come back after New Years?"
"That sounds great. Can I go with you to see your dad?"
"K, I would love for you too but he doesn't know me and he won't really understand. He thinks I'm my cousin Jacob and that my mom is still alive."
"I'm sorry. I would still like to be there for you."
He thought for a minute. He did want her to go but she would have to know his family's history. "You know, I would actually like you to come as long you understand things. I guess I need to tell you about my family."
"Okay."
"My mom, Grace, was a teacher. My dad, Cliff, worked for an oil company. We were middle class. My dad's brother dropped Jacob, my cousin, off at my house when I was five and he was five. His mom had overdosed a few days before and my Uncle Caleb couldn't take care of Jacob because he was doing the drugs too. He overdosed a few weeks after leaving Jacob with my family."
"I had no idea. I'm sorry." She said hugging him.
"I need to tell you more." He said pulling back a little. "Jacob and I were close like brothers. I went off to college and he didn't. He went to work for Dave Batista Sr. Delivering drugs I guess. He was killed by Dave Batista Jr. I was in college and it torn my family apart. My mom was devastated. She started drinking a lot. My dad worked more and was more distant from her. Then she got cancer and it brought them together again. My dad was there for her but he was starting slip." He took a breathe before continuing.
"After she died, I noticed that he was forgetting more and more. He would leave the stove on and the neighbor would see the smoke and turn it off. He would wander all over the neighborhood. I realized that I had to put him somewhere. I found the home in Sugarland and they take great care of him. I visit once a week or once every two weeks. But he thinks I'm Jacob. He complains to me about me. He tells "Jacob" that John isn't coming to see him and he wonders how he raised someone so selfish. He constantly tells "Jacob" how disappointed he is in me."
"I'm sorry." She hugged him again. She felt bad that he was going through this with his father. It must be so hard to know your father doesn't know you and talks bad about you to you not realizing it.
"It's okay. I'm dealing with it." He said pulling back. "K, I love you and if you want to come with me, I would like that."
"Great. I would like to go with you."
"Alright. So, we will see my dad and then leave to go to San Antonio."
"Yes." She smiled and kissed him.
He was happy that she wanted to go with him but he was worried. His dad was difficult to deal with on a good day and if he was having a bad one, it would be worse. But if he and Keleigh were going to continue and possibly get more serious and maybe even married, she need to know about his family. He was just worried she would realize that she didn't want to be in his family.
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