Chapter 49

It took two days to arrive in Alameda, California. Her home town. It was a nice enough place, but she really had hoped never to set foot on that place again.

They found a motel and stopped. Madeline got one room with two queens, and Tim a room with one. They were next door to make things easier. After a quick walk to help the kids burn the energy from having slept in the car the whole day, they grabbed a bite to eat and called it a night.

In the morning, they drove to the lawyer's office. When they got out of the car, Tim helped the kids out while Madeline looked around. Her gaze stopped in a tall office building in the other side of the street.

" That's where she worked. " She said.

" Who? "

" My mother, she worked in that building. Funny thing, I knew where it was, but I have never been here before. " She gave a small unamused laugh. " I though it would be more than this. "

" More? "

" Yeah, bigger, shinier, just more. Then I see that this regular everyday building was more important to her than me. " She closed her eyes and sighed. " Sorry, I'm just rambling here. "

" Come on. " He said. " Let's go, the lawyer is probably already waiting. "

She looked for at it for a little longer, then they entered the lawyer's building.

The lawyer Bob Marques, was a chubby man with a receding hairline. He seemed to be permanently out of breath and in a hurry. He led them to his office, where the numbers of boxes indicated that he was already packing his things. He motioned for the chairs in front of his desk.

" Take a seat. " He said, moving a pile of files front the chair and placing them on the floor next to the chair as he sat. " I can call Amber and ask her to watch the kids for you. "

" No, thank you. If it's okay they can just sit in a corner and draw. "

" Sure. Please, be my guest. " He said, drying his sweating forehead with a handkerchief. " Now, Miss Barron-"

" Fogg. " She corrected immediately, while giving the twins some sheets of paper and pens that she got from her backpack.

" I'm sorry? "

" I legally changed my name to Madeline Fogg. "

" Of course, I forgot. So, Miss Fogg, I have some things to go over with you about your mother's possessions. Her will stipulates that you would get everything, except for a pre-determined value that would be donated to a cancer research organization. "

" Cancer research? " She asked. " Why would she donate for that? "

" Madie, before Michelle died, she found out that she was sick. " Said Tim to her.

" Oh. " Said simply Madeline. ' That explains why she was being so nice to me. Or even wanting to be around. ' She thought.

" Yes, and also, there's the matter of the money your grandmother left for you. "

" Sorry what? "

" Before your grandmother died, she stipulated in her will that when you turned 18 you would gain control of a savings account she had, aswell as gain access to a safe deposit box she had in the bank. "

They stayed in the lawyer's office for more than two hours. He had several documents for her to sign, Tim reading over all of them to make sure all that she was in her best interest. But in the end the lawyer was an honest guy, he had been in charge of all the Barron's state while Madeline was on the run and only didn't reach out and tried to find her sooner because his case load was too great. But now, all of it was on Madeline's name. She would have to go back to the office one more time on a few days to finish a few things, but most was already in place.

From the office, they went to the bank. Tim, after seeing the amount of money in the savings account of Madeline's grandmother and the money her mother left her aswell, was a lot more at ease with her financial situation. The transfer the account to the bank in DC would take a few days, but Madeline decided to empty the safe deposit box that same day.

Later that night, they were eating dinner in Madeline's room at the motel. After they ate, they turned on the tv. The kids were on their bed, Tim was sitting in one of the chairs, putting it between the two beds and Madeline was on her bed. She spreaded the objects she found on the safe deposit box in front of her.

There were a few documents, that she already looked at and ignored it, preferring to look at the other objects. A gold bracelet, a necklace with a small emerald pendant, a pair of wedding bands and an engagement ring. There was also several older pictures too.

She picket one of a young couple, sitting side by side and smiling to the camera.

" Is that her? " Asked Tim.

" Yeah, that's my grandmother. "

" She was beautiful. "

" Yeah, she had the most amazing smile. " Said Madeline, picking another picture, one of her grandmother with her mother as a child. They were on a park. " She had a great laugh too. She snorted. When I made her laugh and I heard it, I would start to laugh too. Then she would laugh harder, and that made me laugh harder too. It was a vicious circle. "

Tim smiled, seeing his daughter sitting indian style on the bed, pictures on her hand, playing with her necklace with the other.

" How was she? " He asked

" She sang, pretty much all the time. I loved it, though today I understand that she would be considered tone-deaf. " She said with a smile. " Didn't matter, I loved it. " She laughed. " One time, we were in a supermarket, in the middle of the cleaning supplies corridor. I was on the standing on the cart. She saw this disinfectant, it was one that used to have an ad with a really catchy tune. She started singing it at the top of her lungs. I joined in, but I didn't really know the lyrics. You can imagine, a child yelling random words and an old woman who had no notion of rhythm. "

" I bet that was a sight. "

" Yeah, we were asked to leave. We continued singing all the way to the car. "

" She sounds like she was a really fun woman. "

" You never met her? When you dated my mother? " Asked Madeline leaning against the headboard of the bed.

" Not really, just a few times I saw her when I picked Michelle up at her place. I never really talked to her. "

" You would have liked her. Penny reminds me of her sometimes. She also has this ' life ', you know? Does what she thinks is right and to hell with you if you don't like it. "

They kept talking for a while longer, until it was time to the kids to sleep, then Tim went to his room.

The next day, they went to a dinner to have some breakfast.

" So, what today? The lawyer is going to need a few days to finish with the documents, so is the bank. What do you want to do? " Asked Tim.

" The park! " Exclaimed Robert, wearing a cap with a colored elephant on it.

" Yes! " Followed Amanda, her long black hair tied in a braid.

" I guess the park. " Said Madeline. " I need to see the house, find someone to sell it. Get rid of the other things I can't sell, but I'm not in a hurry. "

" You don't want anything? "

" Probably a few pictures, a few objects of her's. The rest can all burn for all I care. There's nothing from this place I want. "

" Okay. " He said, drinking from his coffee. " I think it'll be faster just to give all the clothes and the small things. Furniture can be sold with the house. But you can think about that tomorrow. Because I believe that the two little monkeys here said something about going to the park. " He said, turning and talking to the kids, Amanda on his side and Robert on the other side of the table, next to Madeline.

" Yeahh! "

They were in the park, Madeline had bought a ball and now the twins were playing with it. Tim and Madeline were sitting in the grass watching the two.

The kids were playing for ten minutes and they were already all dirty and had grass in their hair. Their laughter could be heard from far. Madeline saw out of the corner of her eye that Tim was taking pictures of them with his phone. She was looking around the park, seeing this place that used to be so familiar to her. She was barely noticing the people though. Until two people approached her and Tim.

" Excuse me? Noelle? "

Madeline turned to see two young men about her age standing in the grass looking at her. She took a moment to recognize them, they had went to school with her.

" It is her! I told you! " The other said, quickly slapping the other in the arm. " Hey, remember us? "

" Yes, I do. " She said, standing up. " Uhn, Josh and Bob, right? "

" Actually is Blake, not Bob. " Said one of them.

" Oh, sorry. " She said, then she remembered Tim, who was already standing next to her. " Uhn, this is Tim. Tim, these are Josh and Blake, we studied in the same school. "

" Hi, nice to meet you. " Said Tim, shaking hands with the two.

" Wow, Noelle Barron. I have to say, of all the people who ever moved out of here, you were the one I was sure was never going to come back. " Said Josh, the shorter of the two, his red hair cut short.

" Yeah, me too. After that whole thing. No one thought you would come back. " Said Blake, taller and with a brown short hair. " Of course almost half of the people thought you were dead. "

" It was not my intention to came back, I'm only here because I have some things to take care of. "

" Can't blame you. I have to say, you were the talk of the school for months. " Said Josh. " Girl snaps and kills her mom? Cops showing up and asking all sorts of questions. And you were nowhere to be found. "

Madeline tensed, this kind of situation was exactly why she never wanted to return to this town.

" Well, I didn't do it. " She shot back.

" No, we know. It's just that, at the time, we all thought you did. And let's be honest, you were kind of weird. You know, too quiet, wearing those old baggy clothes, freakishly smart. No friends. " Said Josh.

" Yeah, no one could believe it when word got out that Mr Miller was dead and that he was the one that had done it. " Said Blake.

" Yeah, the school was upside down when we heard the news. No one could believe it. Some still don't. "

" There was an investigation. The cops spoke with every female student of the school. And lots of the former students. " Said Blake. " They didn't find anything, but the parents were furious. Talking about taking their kids off the school. Other calling their lawyers. "

" But a few were defending him. And don't believe that he did anything wrong. "

Madeline was as tense as she could get. Tim had a hand on her back. The two young men seemed to want to report everything that had happened. And those were things she didn't want to hear. Tim kept glancing back to the kids that were still playing with the ball. Fortunately far away enough for not be able to hear what they were talking.

" Are those your's ? " Asked Josh, noticing Tim looking at the children.

" No, they are my grandchildren. " Answered Tim.

" Grandchildren? Wow! Aren't you a little young-" Started saying Josh, only to stop and look between Tim, Madeline and the twins. " Oh! Right. Are you Noelle's father? You kind that look alike. "

" Yes, I am. "

" And those are your's Noelle? " Asked Blake. " They look like you. How old are them? "

" Yes, they are. Look it was interesting catching up, but I have to go. Bye. " She said, turning and walking away quickly. Tim saying a quick good-bye and following.

She walked over to the twins and after a minute of negotiation, she managed to convince them to leave the park.

She got in the driver's seat, gripping the steering wheel. The kids were in the back seat and Tim next to her. She just sat there, her knuckles white with the strength she was holding the wheel with.

" Mommy? " Asked Robert. " Where are we going now? "

His voice seemed to snap her out of the daze she was on.

" How about a movie? " She said.

Tim looked at her, she was too tense and clearly upset.

" How about I drive? " He asked, placing his hand on top of one of her's gently trying to get her to release the wheel.

" That is a good idea. " She said.

The next day they found themselves in front of a two-story house. The front yard was abandoned, there was an piece of crime scene tape on the floor. Tim was standing next to Madeline, holding Robert's hand. Madeline had Amanda on her arms, hugging the girl. A key on her hand.

" Is best to get it over with. " Said Tim, his hand on her back.

" Yeah. " She breathed out.

She walked over to the front door and unlocked it.

There was dust and spider webs all around. Looking around the house, Madeline thought about how long it had been since she was last inside this house.

The furniture was in the same place as it was in the night her mother was murdered. She stopped her eyes glued to the spot where her mother had died. Her breath got caught on her throat. She was hugging Amanda like her life depended on it.

" Mommy, you squashing me. " Said Amanda, from where her face was pressed to her mother shoulder.

Madeline immediately released her hold on the girl, putting her gently on the floor.

" Sorry honey. Did I hurt you? "

" No, just couldn't move mommy. "

" Okay. " She said, running her hand down the girl's head.

" Madie, maybe you could start upstairs. I separate the things down here. The kids will help me. " Said Tim, seeing that Madeline wouldn't be able to keep it together for longer, and that she would never forgive herself if the kids saw her in that state.

She gave him a greatful smile.

" Alright. You two stay down here and help Grampa. Can you do that? " She asked her kids.

" Yeah. " Said Amanda.

" Can we keep this things? " Asked Robert.

" If you see something you want, tell Grampa. In the end of all this we'll see what you get to keep or not. Alright? "

The twins nodded, already looking around.

She exchanged a look with Tim before turning and climbing up the stairs, forcing herself not to look at the spot she have last seen her mother.

The door to what used to be her room was open, the sunlight shining through the window and illuminating the room.

She had always been an organized person, but when she ran away, she had left quite a mess behind. From the look of her room, the police had not been careful either.

The white bare walls were as she remembered, her bed, her desk. Her clothes on the closet. Her books.

She walked over to the desk, looking at the several sheets of homework. Report cards. Exercise sheets. Looking at those sheets of paper in front of her, all she could think about was Miller, how easy she was manipulated. How stupid she had been! She took one of the report cards, the straight line of A's taunting her. She started tearing it up. When she was done with that, she continued to the other, and the other, and the other. Furiously tearing them until all was on the floor, she panting. She yanked the drawer open, willing to throw it all on the floor, but stopped when she saw the picture inside the drawer. She and her grandmother on Halloween. She sat on the chair the picture on her hand. She had forgotten about that picture, her grandmother always made the best Halloween costumes.

She looked around the room, seeing every object. Making up her mind she stood, leaving the room and going to her car, coming back with several folded cardboard boxes. She came back and went around getting every memento of her grandmother and other objects she had any positive emotional attachment to and putting them on a small pile on her bed, all the other things went to the box. When she finished, she cleared the hallway closet. Then her mother's room, almost all of her things went to the box, except a few small objects and the photographs. By the time she was finished with that room, the kids were already calling out to her, hungry. So they took a break and went to a restaurant and getting some lunch.

When they got back, she started clearing the office with Tim's help. That took a long time, since there were documents and she needed to know what they were to know what to do with them. In the closet, she found two boxes with some of her grandmother's things that her mother hadn't thrown away or donated, the office used to be a room, but that changed after her grandmother died, it was also used as a kind of storage room.

She sat on the floor going over the objects on the box, most of them were pictures, several of them some were really old. Books, a man's jacket, a swiss knife, some sort of small wooden statue that looked to be native-american art. She decided she would go through it another time, leaving the office to help with the things downstairs.

By the time they were done, Madeline had three boxes, the two with her grandmother things and another with the objects she collected to keep. She had limited two things for each of the twins to keep. Robert took a bright red pillow from the couch and a colourful story book from Madeline's old room. Amanda got a wooden box with geometric designs and a blue t-shirt that she found among Madeline's old clothes. She didn't care when her mother told her it was too big for her, that was what she wanted.

It took two trips to take the boxes to the good will shop and one more to take the three boxes to the motel. Before leaving Madeline took a moment to look at the house for what she decided it would be the last time.

By the time they got to the motel, the kids were tired, hungry and moody, so Tim went out for food while Madeline got the kids in the shower. They ate and the kids were asleep soon after.

It took the lawyer and the bank four days to finish the documents. Those were four long days to Madeline. After taking the boxes of stuff from the house, she still had two days to burn, on the morning of the third day they visited a real state agent, a friendly woman who would be responsible for selling the house. She was really excited to be selling a famous house, apparently the crime was famous on the local midia.

After getting everything settled with the extremely happy woman, they went to a diner to have lunch. They were enjoying burgers, when a female voice spoke next to them.

" Well, the rumours where true. Noelle Barron is back. "

They turned to see a woman around Madeline's age. Light brown hair tied in a high ponytail, black jeans and white blouse with long sleeves.

" Huh. Hi. " Said Madeline, recognizing the woman. " How are you Andrea? "

" I'm great. " The woman answered. " Who are your friends here? " She asked looking at the twins and Tim.

" Sorry. This is Tim. " She said pointing to him. " And Amanda and Robert. Sorry they don't say hello, but they're shy. "

" Like their mother huh? " Said the woman.

" How did you know they were- "

" Like I said, since Blake and Josh met you in the park, rumours spreaded. " She said. " I gotta say, you have a lot of nerve coming back here. "

" Excuse me? " Said Madeline and Tim at the same time.

" I'm just saying that I don't think I would have the guts to come back here after killing my mother and framing a teacher with a ridiculous story. Not mentioning having him killed too. "

Madeline froze in place. Tim was up from his chair and staring down at the woman in a second.

" You better leave. " He said in a carefully controled voice. " You don't know what you're talking about. "

" I knew Mr Miller. He was a great teacher, everybody liked him. He helped in the community. He even pitied that mess sitting right there. " Andrea said, a defiant expression on her face. " And she comes and makes up filthy lies about him, gets him killed, framed for the crime she committed. "

" She is innocent and you were tricked by a madman. " He said, voice low and cold, all his control being used not to make the situation worse. " She was cleared by an actual investigation. Now, leave. "

" Investigation huh? Like the one that was led here, where she had an warrant for her arrest? Then some federal agency that no one ever heard off gets the case and just like that she's cleared? After three years? " She looked from Tim to Madeline, that was breathing hard, frozen in her spot. " I wonder what you had to do to get them to let you walk free. Seeing that you already have kids, is not hard to figure out. " Andrea said in disgust.

" That's enough! " Half-yelled Tim. " Were you the investigator on that case? No, you were not. If you were satisfied with the pathetic excuse of investigative work they did here, be my guest, but I will not have you harassing my daughter. Get out! "

The manager walked over to them, the other costumers were staring and whispering.

" Excuse me! Whatever this is, you'll have to take it outside. You're disturbing the costumers and I'll have to call the authorities. " Said the middle-aged woman.

" No need ma'am. " Said McGee, still glaring at the girl in front of him. He took his badge from his pocket and showed it. " Special Agent Timothy McGee, NCIS. And this girl was just leaving. " He said, his voice showing authority.

The girl glared at him once more, then at Madeline, before turning on her hills and leaving the diner.

The manager seeing the situation solved itself, went back to work and Tim sat back on his seat. He looked at his daughter. Anger and hurt in her eyes, her hands in fists and her eyes shiny with unshed tears.

" Come on, let's get back to the motel. " Said Tim.

For the rest of the time they stayed in Alameda, Madeline was quiet, Tim could see that she did her best and acted normal towards her children, smiling, hugging and kissing them as if she was not upset, but she needed to get out of that place and the memories it brought back.

They stopped by the cemetery, visiting her grandmother and her mother's grave. Both black headstones with golden words. One written Amanda Barron, Beloved Mother and Grandmother. And the other Michelle Barron, Beloved friend.

The second they finished with the bank and the lawyer Madeline was on the driver's seat on her car, on her way to Sioux Falls.