Disclaimer: I do not own anything or anyone from Harper's Island, or anything you might recognise from the show. Neither do I own anything from Harper's Globe, or any other shows, or films, I may make references to. I do however own Rebecca Jacobs and the idea of Death Jumping and all things related to Death Jumping.
Hi thanks to Lilacc, James, DitzyGenius1218, Mac, Katie, Maggie Fan and Neon Jack for your reviews. It was so nice to have so many reviews! Now for Lilacc, and any other readers who are befuddled (love that word) with the whole death warnings. Basically, let's say our killer decides to kill the death jumper to stop them saving the people they want dead. As soon as the killer decides this, the Panel's machine will register this and send a form of communication to that death jumper. In our case, Rebecca prefers letters, so a letter would appear. This letter would say: Dear Rebecca, this is a warning, your death is imminent. You will die on Friday 26th June 2010 at 18.42, 36 seconds into that minute. Please find a suitable person to death jump for you.
So I hope that makes a bit more sense. Now to Katie, the need for the deaths was, because if they didn't happen then the later events wouldn't occur. Also Maggie Fan, Maggie actually appears in this Chapter, because Rebecca spends most of her time at the docks, she doesn't go to the Candlewick much, so that's why Maggie hasn't been around. Please feel free to ask questions in your reviews and I will try to answer them. By the way there is only this chapter and a few paragraphs of the next chapter, before the series starts, as in it starts in Chapter 15! Whooo! Plus this is my second longest chapter at the moment!
Now this is a warning, based on the person who occasionally reads my chapters before I post them, they told me that they found this chapter rather sad. Now the thing is, I was trying to capture some of the sadness and poignancy that HI had in many of its episodes (at least near the end). Also all these events had to occur before the series started, otherwise the story wouldn't fit to what we know from the series. Plus the chapter before had people die, so I was trying to get across some of that emotion. So I hope that I have given this chapter some justice and emotion, as I am not used to writing this sort of stuff and this is my way of paying homage to those parts of the show. Once again, there is a warning about language. So without further ado, and apologies for the length of this author note, please enjoy and remember to review!
Chapter fourteen-The Sorrows of Life
When I woke up, I was in the Sheriff's Truck. Jimmy was supporting me, and I guessed Shane was behind me in the other seat. I could see we were moving, as my face was towards the back left seat window. I still had Shane's jacket wrapped round me. As I moved slightly Jimmy's worried voice spoke.
"Hey, steady. It's alright, your safe now," he said.
"Where are we going?" I mumbled.
"Dr Campbell's, you need to get checked out. You scared us back there collapsing like that," said Jimmy, I could hear the slight shake in his voice.
"I'm fine, I don't need to see him," I replied.
"No arguments, you're seeing him," came Shane's voice, from behind me.
I got closer to Jimmy, manoeuvring myself, so my mouth was near to his ear.
"You need to go to Abby, she needs you more then me," I whispered to him.
"I'm not leaving you until you've seen the Doc," he replied.
"Shane can make sure I go, please, you'll regret it if you don't go to her," I continued.
"What are you talking about?" he said, giving me a look.
I glanced at Charlie before looking back at Jimmy.
"Trust me, just go to her. She needs you," I whispered, urgently.
He paused and sighed. He knew he couldn't win.
"Shane, will you make sure she goes to the Doc? I have just remembered something I have to do," he said.
"Um, sure," replied Shane, giving Jimmy a look.
"Sheriff, could you drop me off at my truck?" Jimmy asked.
"Ok Jimmy," replied Charlie.
We pulled into town, and Charlie stopped by Jimmy's truck. As Jimmy got out, he checked that I was sure I would be ok. I nodded and told him again to go. He gave me a slightly worried smile, before giving Shane a serious look. He then turned and went to his truck.
Charlie then pulled up outside Ike's clinic and Shane helped me out. I found I was still leaning quite heavily, I could see Shane's concern to the point he just picked me up. I protested, I refused to be carried, but Shane ignored me. Ike was waiting for us as we came in. He took me straight through, passed a room where I caught a glimpse of a body. He cleaned my cuts and bandaged my leg. He then gave me a full check over, and finally concluded I had collapsed from fear and exhaustion. I could have told you that, I thought.
I was told to take it easy, and with that I limped out of the clinic. I headed for the docks with Shane following.
"Rebecca, wait! You've been told to take it easy," snapped Shane.
"People are hurt, dead even. There is no way I'm not going down there to help," I replied.
"What do you plan to do, you're more a hindrance in that condition," he replied.
I could hear his frustration.
"I know Jimmy told you to look after me. Well if you plan to not let him down, then your just going to have to follow me," I replied.
"Or I could just carry you out of here," he replied, with a slight smirk.
"You wouldn't," I said, giving him a look.
"I will if you don't slow down," he said.
I sighed, he had a point, as my energy was still low. As I reached the docks, the sight alone was enough to make my stomach churn. There was bits of boat everywhere, the wood was all black. People were moving around, collecting up stuff they could salvage. I could see Joe and Mike moving among the wrecks, and then I saw Henry. He was with JD, and was helping move some crates which had fallen on a boat. His parents were there too, I saw Henry's mum comforting some of those who had lost people.
I made my way to them, I saw Wendy, she was in tears and Mrs Dunn was hugging her. Andy stood there looking listless, the usual bright smile he had on his face gone, replaced by an emptiness.
"Hi, what can I do to help?" I said.
They all turned to me apart from Andy.
"Rebecca? What happened to you?" asked JD, with a look of concern.
"It doesn't matter, I'll be fine," I said, knowing Shane was most likely rolling his eyes behind me.
"Could you take Wendy and Cheryl for a cup of tea?" asked Joseph Dunn.
"I'm not going anywhere," said Wendy, firmly.
"Or you could go and get them some tea," said Joseph.
"Is this because I look like I have been through hell and back?" I said, giving him a look.
"Well actually I think tea would help," said Cheryl Dunn.
"Fine," I said. "Come on then Shane,"
I saw him smirk, just because he knew he had been right. It wasn't fair, I was used to feeling like this, it didn't mean I was useless. I came back with the tea and handed it out. Andy hadn't moved, so I decided to talk to him.
"Andy?" I started.
He didn't respond, he just continued staring. I took him by the shoulders and turned him away from the others, so he was looking at just me.
"Andy, look at me," I said.
He did, his eyes shining with tears.
"I'm here for you, if you want to talk, when you're ready," I continued.
He nodded, and then I pulled him into a hug. He sobbed, his legs gave out and we almost crashed to the floor. I pulled him over to a bench and sat him down, never letting go. We just sat there while he cried. Shane was watching to make sure I was ok, but he knew better then to intrude. Finally Andy's sobs subsided and he just held onto me.
"I'm so sorry Andy," I whispered to him.
He looked up.
"I can't believe he's gone," he said, hoarsely.
"I know, you need to be strong for your Mum, but you can always come and talk to me," I said.
"Thank you, it's just…" he started.
"What?" I asked, feeling like I wasn't going to like the answer.
"We saved him from drowning, for…for this," he paused, as more sadness washed over him. "For this to happen. Maybe it would have been better if he had drowned,"
I shuddered, as I remembered thinking that after we had rescued Chris and Wilson that day.
"No Andy, don't think that. When we saved him, no one could have known this would happen. You got longer with him, because you saved him and he was so proud," I said, biting back my own tears.
He looked at me and hugged me again. We then just sat there, until the others came over and we all headed off home.
I retrieved The Marlin a day later, I tied her up at the docks. It seem strange, there were only a few boats that had survived the mariner explosion. The docks were so empty. The thing was, I knew there was more sadness to come.
A few days later, I was fixing a piece of equipment on The Marlin, when I a voice I knew well reached my ears.
"I'm not going, you can't send me away. I don't want to go!" snapped Abby.
"Stop making a scene, you going to stay with your Grandmother whether you like it or not!" snapped Charlie back.
"Why? What have I done wrong?" cried Abby. "If I have done something wrong, tell me I'll apologise. I haven't even got to say goodbye to anyone," she continued.
She was being frogmarched down to the docks. I could see them now, lit up by the Mariner lights that were still working. I could also see the waiting water taxi, that would take Abby to the mainland.
"Your going and that's final!" said Charlie.
Abby now changed tactics, she gave her father a look of thunder before grabbing her bags up. Then I was distracted by footsteps that were running. Jimmy was sprinting coming from the direction of town and The Cannery. He was desperately heading for Abby and Charlie at the other end of the Mariner. I watched, knowing he wouldn't make it. Abby got on the water taxi and slammed the door behind her. Her father watched her go as the taxi started to move.
"Abby!" Jimmy yelled, too late.
He watched heartbroken, as the taxi pulled away. She didn't see him, as she was refusing to look back at her father, she was instead staring at the door. Charlie watched a little longer, glancing at Jimmy before leaving. Jimmy stayed standing there, even after he could no longer see Abby. Finally I decided to go over to him. I made my way along the walkway to where he stood still looking out.
"Jimmy?" I said, softly.
He didn't move, I came slowly and placed a hand on his shoulder. He turned to me, his expression full of sadness.
"Come on," I said, leading him away.
He let me, I drove him back to my place and sat him down on the sofa. He was in shock, so I made him some hot sweet tea. I handed it to him.
"You got anything stronger," was all he said, his voice sounding constricted.
"Trust me, this will help," I said
He took it and sipped it slowly. He was pale, and he reminded me of how Andy had looked. I remembered how Shane had put it, puppy dog awful. I got up again, and came back with my own tea and some biscuits. I sat down in the single chair unsure how to handle the situation. Jimmy looked at me.
"Is there something wrong with me?" he asked.
I looked at him.
"Because it seems all girls I like, don't want to be near me," he continued.
"No," I said, getting out of my seat and sitting next to him. "I just thought you might want a little space,"
"It's the last thing I want," he said. "Why? Why did she leave without saying goodbye?"
I wasn't sure if I could tell him the truth, but the look on his face made me unable not to.
"Look, I don't think it was about you, she didn't say goodbye to me either. I don't think she said goodbye to anyone," I started.
"She didn't?" he replied.
"No, I overheard her and Charlie, it seemed he was sending her off to her Grandmothers',"
"She still should have said something, no offence but I'm her boyfriend. I thought she…" he started, but the sadness overwhelmed him and he started crying.
"I'm sure she does love you," I said, taking the tea off him and pulling him into a hug. "She'll probably call you when she gets there,"
I knew she wouldn't, but I had to tell him something. I held him, the roles reversed. It seemed strange, but I didn't care. He had been there for me, so I was going to be there for him.
"She'll come back, won't she?" he sobbed.
"I'm sure she will, sometime," I said, knowing it would be seven years before he saw her again. "I think Charlie thought it would be better for her to leave for a bit, you know. To help her get over the loss of her mother,"
"I wanted to be there for her. How can I, when she's miles away," he replied.
"Just give her time, she'll need you when she comes back. I mean, when she rings, you don't want her to hear you crying down the phone do you?" I said.
"No, no, your right, I don't want her to hear me upset, it'll make it worse for her," he said. "I just miss her, I wish she had said goodbye,"
A fresh wave of tears fell, as he sobbed harder. I held him close, trying to calm him.
"Shhhhh," I said. "Everything will be ok, you're tired. You need some sleep, things will look better in the morning,"
I got him to drink a little more tea. I then held him, until exhaustion took him and he fell asleep in my arms. I lay him down on the sofa, and fetched some pillows and blankets. I watched him sleep for a bit, before sweeping a strand of his hair from his face and kissing him on the forehead.
"Goodnight Jimmy," I whispered, before heading to bed myself.
The next morning I came down quietly, Jimmy was still sleeping. I tried to be quiet, so as not wake him. I made coffee and sat down at the counter. In front of me was a leaflet. On it was, written in bold: Memorial Service. To remember those we have lost. I sighed we had had the funerals. Sarah Mills's funeral had been a couple of days before Abby left. She was the first of the six to be buried. Now they wanted me to come to this service, which was to be held on the front lawn of The Candlewick. I would go, out of respect, but I knew all the time I would be wishing I could have stopped it.
I heard a moan from the lounge, and got up taking a freshly made cup of coffee with me. Jimmy looked up at me bleary eyed as I entered. He said nothing, as I put the coffee down in front of him. I knew he was grateful, but the way he was likely to be feeling I wasn't expecting much from him. I made to go back to the kitchen, when he spoke.
"Thanks…for last night," he said, quietly.
"No problem," I replied.
I knew it was going to be difficult for him. He had breakfast with me and then made his excuse to leave. I knew he was feeling like he had already put enough pressure on me as it was. I think at that time he wanted some space, I watched him go, knowing if he needed me he would come back.
Shane however did not believe me, when I told him how bad Jimmy was a few days later. He told me he had seen him, and said he seemed fine. I could not convince him, that Jimmy needed some support from his best friend as he was an emotional wreck.
"Yeah right, Jimmy's fine," said Shane.
"Well Shane, some people react differently," said Joe. "They can seem perfectly normal, but inside they are a mass of churning emotions,"
"Joe's right, Jimmy needs a guy to talk to and well you're the only one who could do it," I said.
Shane just looked at me, he then threw me the coil of rope he had been tying and climbed onto the dock.
"Look ok, I'll talk to him. I'll arrange one of those guy things we used to do at my place and I'll talk then," said Shane.
"Really?" I said, not believing a word.
"Yes, otherwise, you'll just whine on and on at me," he said, feigning annoyance.
"Thanks, sweetie," I said, giving him a patronising smile.
He shook his head and headed off to find Jimmy. So it was arranged, but what occurred on that night would definitely convince Shane that Joe and I were right. It had started off well, Shane and Jimmy had gone off to watch movies or whatever they did and Shane had got some of his Dad's booze. They had been watching something and drinking, when Shane had made a casual comment on how it had been a while since they had done this. It was mainly because, Abby had been spending more time with Jimmy, and so Shane and he had less time together. That was the point that Jimmy had seemed uncomfortable and tried to change the subject. Shane however had pushed it and as the alcohol had started to kick in, Jimmy seemed to open up a little. Yet it got to a point where Jimmy started getting emotional, and as he did, he drank more. By the end of it Jimmy was off his head, and Shane was not sure what to do. So he then rang me and explained all of this to me.
"So now, he is just sitting there rocking back and forth, he's in such a state I don't know what to do," he said, worried.
"Ok calm down Shane, I'll come over and get him," I replied.
"I'm sorry, I really didn't believe he was in such a bad way. I mean he's like…puppy dog awful," said Shane, I could hear the stress in his voice.
"It's ok Shane, I'm coming,"
When I got there, Shane hadn't been wrong. Jimmy was sitting rocking back and forth hugging a pillow. He had a half drunk bottle of what looked like scotch in his hand, and he was just staring seemingly into space.
"How long has he been like this?" I asked.
"I don't know? Half an hour?" said Shane.
"Ok well, I'll take him back to mine,"
"Will he be ok?" Shane asked, his expression full of concern.
"Yes, he will be fine, but he just needs us to help him get through this ok?" I replied.
"Sure, I'll do what I can,"
"Good," I said, clapping him on the shoulder.
I made to now move Jimmy. We pried the bottle off him, as well as the pillow and got him to stand up. He lent heavily on me, almost his full weight, as we staggered towards the door.
"Do you need help?" asked Shane.
"No we'll be fine, he can't be any worse then you. If I can get you home, I can deal with Jimmy," I replied, with a smile.
I got him in the car and waved bye to Shane, we had only be going ten minutes when Jimmy decided he was going to be sick. I pulled over and let him out. When he was sure he was ready to continue, I got him back in and drove home. Getting him into the house was another matter. We ascended the stairs, although it was more me carrying him. When we reached the top however he started coughing, so I got him into the bathroom. When he had finished retching into the toilet bowl, I got him some water.
"I s'rry" he slurred.
"It's ok, sweet heart,"
" I miss A'by sooooooo much,"
"I know, come on now. You need some rest,"
I hauled him up and got him in the spare room. He flopped onto the bed, practically passing out as his head hit the pillow. I then proceeded to remove his shoes, before getting him under the covers. I placed a bin near to him and then sat down in a chair. I was going to have to sit with him all night, to make sure he didn't choke or anything. I sighed, the next few years were going to be hard.
I woke up with a start it was morning, how long was I asleep for I thought. Jimmy was in the same position he had been when I was last awake. I sighed with relief, and decided I could leave him to go get a coffee. I made my way down stairs and put the kettle on. Once I had coffee, I decided Jimmy would be fine and so I stayed downstairs and watched TV instead. By three o'clock I was making a late lunch, when I heard a steady thump come down the stairs. Jimmy entered, looking tired and in pain. He slumped down into a seat, and placed his head in his hands.
"Hey love, how are you feeling?" I asked.
"Like I have someone using my head for a drum. How did I get here?" he replied.
"You don't remember?" I said.
"It's all a bit hazy," he said, looking at me.
"Well what do you remember?" I asked.
"I was at Shane's, we were drinking. Then he started talking about Abby and I don't know after that," he said.
"Well you got very drunk and were in quite a state, and so Shane called me. I came over, picked you up and brought you back here," I explained. "Then I got you upstairs and you passed out, oh and you were sick several times,"
"I'm really sorry, I'm just not myself," he said.
"Well that's why I'm proposing you stay with me for a bit," I said, with a soft smile.
He looked at me, trying to read my feelings.
"I can't do that, it's not fair on you,"
"It's nothing, you're a friend in need. That's if you want to stay that is,"
"Are you sure?" he said.
"Of course I am, I'll take that as a yes," I said, smiling. "We will go get your stuff and you can stay here for a bit,"
He looked happier then I had seen him in a while. Once we had got his stuff, he spent the rest of the afternoon sleeping off the hangover.
The days past by and Jimmy was improving. Shane had come and visited him, as had Nikki and they could both see their friend was happier. He was soon able to move out, he thanked me and said he owed me big time. I was happy to see him smile again.
The day of the memorial service came, and it was where I met someone who I hadn't really got to meet properly. In all my planning, I had seemingly missed her out. Maggie Krell, the owner of the Candlewick, was the one who hosted the service. She provided all the food and drink, and talked to all the bereaved. I finally got a chance to speak to her.
"Hi," I said, approaching her.
"Hello, you're Rebecca, aren't you?" she said, smiling.
"Yes, I have seen you around I have just never managed to really talk to you," I said, feeling rather awkward.
"Yes I me too, I apologise for not introducing myself," she replied.
"It's my fault as well," I said.
She shook her head, and changed the subject.
"You knew Chris well didn't you, you saved him and Wilson in that storm," she said, looking at me sadly.
"Yes, you were there, weren't you," I said, nodding.
"Yes, I was the one who called the coast guard," she replied.
"Oh," I said, now feeling pretty bad.
"Don't worry," she said, placing a hand on my shoulder. "It's nice to finally meet you,"
The months passed on, Cole Harkin, after several months in the burns clinic, where JD and Joseph had visited him frequently, returned to the island. He however became a recluse choosing to avoid people, mostly I guessed due to his scarring. The other thing that occurred, was the argument between the builder's and the locals, about the building costs for the memorial to Chris. The locals had decided to honour their late harbour master, with a statue of him welcoming tourists as he had done as a child. However the money they had raised, did not cover the cost of the statue. I decided to sort the problem, and walked down to the docks to speak to the builders.
"Hi," I said.
"Look we are not working for nothing, however much you beg you're not going to change our minds," said one.
"Really, right, well I won't beg then," I said, pulling out my check book.
"We won't take I owe you notes either," sniggered another.
I didn't like their attitude, I wrote out a sum and handed the check to them. The man's eyes widened as he saw the amount.
"Right! Will that shut you up?" I said, giving them a look.
"Um, yes ma'am, um…" he started.
"Now get working, if I catch you bothering the locals again you'll have me to answer too," I said. "Oh, and if I find it is not finished properly, or anything wrong with it, then I'll sue your asses! You got that?"
"Yes right away,"
It made me feel so good, I turned and walked away, desperately trying not to laugh at the looks on their faces.
Unfortunately a year after the Wakefield massacre Jimmy's mum Julia was diagnosed with cancer. As if the boy did not have enough problems, what with Abby not calling and everything else he didn't need this. It wasn't the only shocking news though, the worse thing that happened to me that year was Joe's death. It hit out of the blue and I just ended up sitting on the docks crying, and Jimmy and Shane had come and found me. The thing was, as I had sat on the docks, the last thing Joe had said to me came flooding back.
"You know lassie, I have noticed how close you and Jimmy have been getting," he said.
"Really, we are just good friends," I replied.
"There are quite a few, who either think you're a couple or that you would make a good couple," he continued.
"Oh, well that's not going to happen," I said.
It couldn't, as that would destroy the case completely.
"Well, I just want to say I don't think you two are right for each other, not in that way," he said.
"Why have you got a secret crush on me?" I asked, giggling.
"Of course, but that's not the point," he said, winking. "I think there have been other opportunities that are better for you,"
"Other opportunities? What do you mean Joe?" I asked, curious.
"You wait and see lassie, when the time comes you'll know," he replied, with a twinkle in his eye.
What had he meant I wondered, now I would never be sure. Jimmy and Shane came with me to the funeral and his will reading. I found, as he had no family, he had left the boat to me. I was shocked, it honoured me that I had made such an impression with this man. I was sad to have lost such a friendship.
Jimmy's mum died in 2003, but she wasn't the only one to go. Jimmy and I had lost someone, now it was Shane's turn.
Mike had a heart attack while down at the docks, and although an air ambulance was called, he died in hospital. The thing was, Shane had never been good with his emotions and this was hard on him. He had loved and feared his father, and now he just didn't know how to cope. The thing was he wouldn't admit it. He kept it all inside of him and locked himself away. One evening, while I was in The Cannery, my phone rang and I answered it.
"Hi, Rebecca, it's Simon,"
"Hi Simon, what can I do for you?" I replied.
"I need you to come down to the docks, it's Shane," he said, sounding serious.
"Right on my way," I said, before clicking off.
I downed my drink and headed off to the docks. When I got there, I was met by Jimmy who led me to where his friend was.
"Hi, I thought it was better to call you, then Charlie," said Simon, as we approached. "The last thing Shane needs right now, is to be arrested,"
I now surveyed the scene, Shane was passed out, lent against some crates. He was surrounded by beer bottles and some other liquor. I sighed, why didn't these people come and talk to me, why did they resort to alcohol. I bent down crouching, and placed a hand gently on Shane's shoulder.
"Shane?" I said, quietly while shaking him. "Shane come on, wake up,"
He didn't respond, I needed some response to see how bad he was.
"Shane!" I snapped, shaking him harder.
He mumbled and made a slight movement to bat me off, I sighed. Between Simon, Jimmy and I we hauled Shane up, and got him into Simon's truck. We then took him back to mine, and somehow got him to the spare room.
"You sure you'll be alright with him?" said Simon.
"Yeah, sure. He needs someone to help him," I replied, all the time thinking about how Jimmy had been.
The other two left, and I again found myself sitting with a passed out person in my spare room. The next morning I decided to take the day off, Shane would need someone to be around when he woke up. It was almost evening when Shane finally stirred. I had come in to check on him and was leaving, when I heard him moan.
"Shane?" I queried.
"Hmm?" he responded.
He woke up a little too suddenly and swung himself round, regretting it as his head ached.
"R'b'cca?" he mumbled, he shook himself. "Rebecca, what are you doing here?"
"I live here," I stated, simply.
"Since when?" he asked.
"Since I moved to this island, oh about five years ago," I replied.
"Ok…where am I?" he said, sounding completely bewildered.
"At my house, we found you passed out at the docks and rather then you get arrested, we brought you back here," I replied.
"Oh God," he said. "I should go,"
He made to move, but the killer hangover said otherwise. He stumbled slightly, and I moved and forced him to sit back down on the bed.
"Woo, steady, you're not going anywhere," I said.
"I'll be alright," he said, as he made to get up again.
"Remember Jimmy?" I said, giving him a look.
He sighed and stared at the floor.
"I want to help you Shane, but I can't if you won't tell me how your feeling," I said.
"How could you ever understand how I'm feeling!" he snapped.
"Because both my parents are dead!" I snapped back.
"I…both of them?" he said, a little calmer.
"Yes, now if you like, you can stay here, like Jimmy did," I said, calmly.
"Why would you want someone like me staying here?" he said, grumpily.
"What do you mean, you're my friend. Of course I want you to stay,"
"I'm a drunk, short tempered git!" stated Shane.
"Well the thing about friendship, is you don't give up on somebody just because they aren't perfect," I said. "You take the bad in with the good,"
"I don't deserve you," he said, looking away.
I turned his face back to me.
"Yes you do, now let's see if we can't fix that hangover. Then you can sleep some more, and then maybe you won't be so grumpy," I said, with a smile.
It took Shane quite a while to get over his Dad's death, god help me when he breaks up with Kelly I thought. He steadily improved to the point he was cooking me dinners and such, but I knew he couldn't stay with me permanently. Even he seemed to realise this and even though I could see it saddened him to leave, he knew it was right.
You would think that between the two of them, that Jimmy and Shane had suffered enough, but the worst at least for Jimmy was still to come. At the beginning of 2005 Simon died in his sleep, over the past few years he had changed. Most of us believed it was the loss of his wife, that was the major cause. He never seemed to truly get over it. His death however hit Jimmy hard, to the point he couldn't stay on Harper's any longer. He had to get away. He said it was because he needed work, like Shane before him his dad's boat had been deemed unseaworthy, and so had been sold for scrap. The day Jimmy left, I made him promise he would call me and keep me informed on how he was doing. Shane told him, that if he met any hot women, he was to direct them his way. With us all waving him off, he had driven onto the ferry.
I was worried, in my opinion Jimmy was in no state to be going off on his own. Yet there was nothing I could do. He did make an effort to call, but I still found myself checking my messages every time I came in. While he was away, the Wellingtons came for a visit to the island. In particular Ben, he had come to see his good friend Brent Cyr. Brent was another person I needed to get to know. He ended up being Robin's boyfriend in Harper's Globe, and so he would need saving too. I saw his friendship with Ben, as a chance to get to know him. I was now working Joe's boat with Shane. He needed the work, and so I had taken him on, plus it kept him out of trouble. Ben came down to the docks to see me, and he brought Brent with him. Their voices carried as they came round.
"I can't believe you haven't met her properly, I'm sure I introduced you," said Ben.
"Nope, I mean I have seen her around and stuff, but I have never really spoken to her," replied Brent.
"Well you can say hello and make an effort," Ben said. "Now I know she's around here somewhere,"
"Can I help you?" Shane said, the dislike evident in his voice.
"You seen Rebecca, I'm looking for her," said Ben.
"Really, why?" replied Shane.
"I haven't seen her in a while and I thought I'd say hi," said Ben, starting to get frustrated.
"Oh, well let me see," Shane started.
"Shane stop been an arse!" snapped Brent. "You obviously know where she is,"
"Well swim champ, got some balls have we?" said Shane, advancing towards him.
"Alright! That's enough!" I snapped. "Shane, I'm not paying you to fight,"
"Yeah Shane, you should tighten your dogs leash Rebecca!" sneered Brent.
"That's enough from you too! I may not know you that well, but I won't have you being nasty," I said, giving Brent a look.
Great I thought, this is all I need. I have to save this guy, and I already dislike him. I know he will improve, but still.
"Rebecca, this is my good friend Brent," said Ben, still occasionally glancing at Shane.
"Hi Brent, good to meet you properly,"
"Yeah," he replied, seeming uncomfortable.
"Oh don't sulk, you don't need to act like that," I said, looking unimpressed.
"Yeah, come on Brent," said Ben, nudging him.
"Fine, sorry," he said.
"It's not me you should apologise to," I said.
"You can't be serious, I mean come on it's Shane," said Brent.
"I heard that!" said Shane.
"Both of you now, apologise," I said, feeling like a teacher.
They sighed and did so. After the two lads headed off, we had arranged to meet in The Cannery. When I got home I checked my messages, nothing I sighed. I went to bed, worrying.
I stood in the woods, Wakefield before me. He was smirking. In his hand, he held a boarding knife. He waved at me, but I backed away.
He then looked behind me, I turned in horror to find Henry standing there.
He opened his mouth to say something, when he paused and looked down. His phone was ringing.
"Hold on a sec," he said.
I just stared, what the hell…
My phone was ringing, I woke up, still reeling from my dream, and grabbed it.
"Hello?" I said, my voice thick with sleep.
I glanced at the clock. It read 3am, who would be ringing me now I thought.
"Rebecca, oh thank god," replied the voice.
"Jimmy?" I said, confused.
"I need your help, I'm in serious trouble," he said, sounding scared.
"What's wrong? What's happened?" I asked, now concentrating.
"I've been arrested for something I didn't do…murder," he said, I could here the shake in his voice.
"What! How, why? Do they have any evidence?" I said, shocked.
"I don't know, I was asleep…in my truck and they just banged on the window and when I opened the door, they dragged me out," he said. "I didn't do it, I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I…"
I could hear the stress in his voice, he was panicking and he was all alone.
"Listen to me I'm coming," I said.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know who else to call," he said, sadly.
"No it's fine, where are they holding you?"
"Seattle FBI building,"
"Right I'll be there as soon as I can, just hold on," I said.
"Ok,"
I ended the call and now made another. I knew Charlie would not like been rung up at this hour, but I didn't care.
"Hello?" Charlie mumbled.
"Hi, Charlie, it's Rebecca. I am sorry to ring at this hour, but I need your help,"
"What can I do for you?"
"Jimmy's in trouble, I need you as back up," I explained. "He's been arrested for a murder he didn't do,"
"What? Right ok," he replied.
"Can you be down at the docks in twenty minutes?"
"Yeah ok, sure. I'll meet you down there,"
He clicked off. I jumped out of bed and put some clothes on. I filled two flasks of coffee and grabbed some snacks, before jumping in the mustang and driving off down to the mariner.
When I got there, I ran down to The Marlin and prepared her to sail. The Sheriff Truck turned up at 3.25, according to my watch. Charlie got out and made his way to me. We set off, I kicked in the engines pretty quickly as I wanted to get there. The water was calm enough, for me to get to Seattle in under forty minutes. I hadn't been to Seattle in a while, it was strange to think that seven years ago I had started this case. As I took an available spot at the docks and tied The Marlin up, the sun was rising in the sky. We made our way to the taxi line, and I paid one to take us to the Seattle FBI building. It was known as the Abraham Lincoln Building, and was a tall imposing structure. We entered and made our way to the desk. A man sat there in a security guard uniform, he looked us up and down as we approached.
"Can I help you?" he queried.
"Hopefully, you have someone in custody by the name of Jimmy Mance?" I replied.
"And you are?" he said, giving me a look.
"His friend, look can I see him?" I said, knowing what his answer was likely to be.
"He is a murder suspect, so, no you can't," he replied.
"But he didn't do it!" I said, feeling frustrated.
"Have they actually charged him?" asked Charlie, stepping forward.
"I'm not sure sir," said the guard, then he noticed Charlie's uniform. "Um Sheriff sir,"
"Well you can only hold him twenty four hours without actual charge," said Charlie. "Plus, I don't see why we can't see him,"
"Well I know that Sheriff, but as to seeing him, I will have to contact Agent Harrison," the guard replied.
"Well get to it man," said Charlie.
The guard made several calls, and finally a tired looking agent came to meet us. He was middle aged, light brown hair and sharp hazel eyes.
"Are you the people asking about Mr Mance?" he asked.
Well who else is here at this time in the morning, I thought.
"Yes, I would like to see him," said Charlie.
"He's suspected of brutally murdering a man," replied Harrison.
"Well we are both officers of the law, let me at least take a look at the evidence. Jimmy is a citizen of Harper's Island, and so I have some influence," said Charlie.
"Ok, I don't see how it could do any harm," replied Harrison. "Who is she?"
"She's his friend, is it not possible for her to see him?" said Charlie. "I can vouch for her,"
Harrison didn't like it, but Charlie managed to convince him, so he finally agreed. Charlie headed off with Harrison, while another agent took me down to see Jimmy. We wondered along several corridors and went up and down several flights of stairs, until we came to where they had Jimmy incarcerated. He was just sat there, his head in his hands.
"Jimmy?" I said, softly.
He looked up, he looked like he hadn't shaved for a few days, his hair was lank and his whole demeanour was that of a broken man.
"Rebecca? Is that you?"
"Of course it's me," I said, as the man let me in the cell.
I hugged him tightly, not bothered he likely hadn't washed. I didn't care, I was just so happy to see him.
"How are you holding up?" I asked him.
"I don't know what is going on," he replied. "I would feel happier if I did,"
"Well Charlie is with Agent Harrison, checking the evidence," I said.
"Charlie is here? He doesn't like me that much," he replied.
"Oh come on, he does like you, he just didn't like you dating his daughter," I said, with a smile.
"You know he locked me up once," said Jimmy, a slight smile appearing on his face.
"He did?" I replied.
"Yep, for no reason at all, for about an hour or so,"
"Oh, well that was some time ago. He's sticking up for you now,"
"Well let's hope I can get out of this mess," he replied.
We sat there for ages, Jimmy looked so tired, but he was too worried to sleep. To be fair, so was I, but not as much as I might have been if I hadn't known the story. I knew he wouldn't be charged, but they were taking their time over it. I sat there knowing exactly who the killer was, he was still out there...in the form of Henry Dunn.
Ok, so emotions were high, but now we have most of the back story laid. In the next chapter we will reach the start of the series! So what did you think, I'm interested to know. So please review *Puppy dog eyes*