Once she had composed herself a bit, they walked over to an ambulance, and the paramedics began to treat her cuts on her face.
Captain Miller and the Governor both walked over to her.
"Ma'am, I'm Captain Miller, and this is Governor Riley. And we are so glad you are ok."
"Thank you".
"What can you tell us about the riot?"
"I have a lot to say, actually. But, my thoughts are all over the place. So, how about I write it up and send it to you?"
"Great idea".
"Governor, I wanted to tell you-there was an inmate that I feel deserves special recognition. His name is Martez. He told me his story, and I don't feel that he deserves to be in prison, first of all. But I'm thankful he was, because quite frankly, he saved my life".
"How so?"
"He and I were sitting at a table and he was telling me his story and asking me to help him, when another inmate approached. This is an individual they call T-Rex. T-Rex stated to myself and Martez that it was dinner time, and Martez asked him what he was going to have. He pointed at me and said I was his dinner. T-Rex is about 6'8 and could easily pick up a small car by himself, so you'll understand when I tell you that saying he is broad-shouldered doesn't even begin to cut it".
"Yes, I understand".
"Martez is 5'10, and average size. Both of his shoulders could fit at least twice in one of T-Rex's. Governor, he stood up to this man, and defended me, and knocked him out so that he couldn't hurt me. And then he and another inmate dragged T-Rex into a cell. If he hadn't done that, I don't know that I would have survived. I can also tell you that most of the inmates were not involved in the planning process of the riot, and only complied with Jared Watkins' demands to keep him from killing them. There were a few who tried at first to stay in their cells, out of the way, but he let them know that wasn't an option".
"I'll take that into consideration".
"I also think you should have extensive talks with the female guards who were held hostage with me. They have a lot of information to share about how the Warden is cutting corners to protect his bonus. For starters, he disconnected the sprinkler system, and he had the inmates paint over the lead paint with more lead-based paint, all in an effort to save his bonus". .
"I'll do just that, thank you".
He pulled out a business card and handed it to her.
"When you write up your account of what happened, call this number. Someone in my office will tell you how to get it to me. I'm very interested in your account, Miss Edwards. And I am incredibly sorry that you had to go through this".
"Thank you".
She turned to Captain Miller.
"Captain-can you tell me how the other inmates are?"
"Jared Watkins was killed by the SWAT Team. And every member of the crowd that surrounded him was either injured, or killed. Those that were injured have been taken to the hospital".
"Thank you".
Just then, a SwAT team member came and handed Jennifer her purse.
"Sorry about the bloodstains, ma'am. But everything is inside".
"Thank you".
The Paramedic stepped in front of Jennifer.
"Ma'am, one of your cuts is pretty deep. I think you should go to the hospital for treatment".
She nodded.
"I have the most horrible headache. Can you give me something for that?"
"I cannot. But the hospital can".
Jonathan could tell she was nervous.
"It's ok, I'll ride with you".
"My car…"
"I tell you what. I'll drive your car, and follow you to the hospital. And I'll be with you every step of the way, I promise".
She nodded.
He got the keys out of her purse and then kissed her and headed for her car.
Briar Creek General Hospital
Jennifer was brought in, and taken to a triage room.
Jonathan joined her a few minutes later.
He held her hand while they numbed her and stitched her.
"Is it obvious?"
"No, not at all. It's at the base of your hairline, so you can barely see it".
After she was all stitched up, they told her to lie back and wait for the doctor.
When it was just the two of them, Jennifer scooted over so Jonathan could climb in the bed with her.
"Jonathan, I'm sorry".
"What on earth for?"
"We were supposed to have dinner, and it was going to be so special".
"Baby, I'm so thankful you are still able to have dinner. It's ok. It's not your fault".
He kissed her temple.
"Want to tell me how this happened?"
"No, but I do want to tell you something else".
"Ok".
"But in order to tell you something else, I have to tell you the first part, which is the part I don't want to tell you".
Jonathan was incredibly confused.
"So, I had a visit with Jared Watkins. This time, he told me about his childhood, and answered a few questions I had. And he became very enraged when we were done. He truly thought I was going to get the parole board to grant his parole. I reminded him that wasn't the case. And he got angry. Also, when you shut the paper down, I never told the prison that I was no longer working for the paper. So the guard told me that I needed to clear this with the warden's secretary. So when I left the visit, instead of leaving the prison, I stayed to speak to the warden's secretary. And Jared somehow got away from where he was supposed to be, and held a knife to my throat and dragged me into the cell block".
"Go on".
"So, he threw me into one cell, and then he threw me into another cell, and then the thing with T-Rex and Martez happened, so I escaped that by going into the first cell that I could find, and I thought it was empty. But it wasn't. it was occupied by someone who knows you".
"Who is that?"
"Worth Truman".
"I see".
"And he told me that he set you up. He and I talked for a long time, and he admitted that he wanted to set the record straight. So, I convinced him to go to the guard room with me, and use the camera that Jared had smuggled in, and record a video absolving you".
She dug in her pocket and pulled out the tape.
"He didn't know that I took it, but I did. I had convinced him this was just practice, and he was actually going to practice over and over and do it again".
Jonathan didn't say anything, he just leaned over and kissed her.
"It means everything in the world to me that you did this. Thank you".
He put the tape in his coat pocket.
The nurse came in.
"Ma'am, there is a man on the phone for you, and he's very angry. He's insisting that you come talk to him on the phone this instant".
"Ok, I'm coming."
Jonathan helped her out of bed. She got a little dizzy when she stood up, so he picked her up and carried her.
He set her down at the nurses' station.
"Thank you".
They handed her the phone.
"Hello, this is Jennifer Edwards".
"Jennifer! This is Pa. Are you ok?"
"I'm ok. I had to have a few stitches, and I have a pretty nasty headache. But I'm alright".
"Sweetheart, when you get out of here, I want you to come to Hill Haven, so I can see you with my own two eyes. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Pa".
"Perfect. I'll tell Walter to prepare the rooms upstairs, and to start making your favorite foods".
"Ok Pa. And Pa-I really am ok, I promise. I'll tell you all about it".
"Good to hear it. I love you, sweetheart".
"I love you too".
She hung up and she and Jonathan began to walk back to her room.
She stumbled from dizziness again, so he picked her up and carried her.
The doctor followed them into the room.
"Miss Edwards, based on the fact that you are having dizzy spells, I would like to admit you till the morning, just for observation."
"I'll agree, on the condition that my boyfriend can stay with me".
"That's fine. I'll see about getting you a room with a double bed".
"Also, I have some concerns-the prisoners that were brought in-"
"They are under lock and key. And you have my word that they will not be able to get to you, nor will they be near you at all. We have a special wing of the hospital just for them".
"Thank you, I appreciate that".
The nurses brought a wheelchair for Jennifer, and she was moved to a regular room. Jonathan held her hand and walked by her as they wheeled her down there.
She got changed into her hospital gown, and they gave him some scrub pants to put on, and then they climbed into bed.
"Jennifer, can I ask you something?"
"Sure".
"I heard you refer to me as your boyfriend earlier. Did you really mean that?"
"Yes, I did. That's what I was going to tell you at dinner. We've been getting along and I think we are more committed to each other this time than we were before. And I think you and I have finally reached a place where we aren't just calling it a fresh start, but we are actually making it one. So, I guess what i'm saying is, I know that when we broke up you told me not to come crawling back, but I'm hoping you'll reconsider because I truly love you".
"I'm so glad to hear you say that".
He gave her a few kisses and then just wrapped his arms around her.
"Darling, that was my father that called me, and he insisted that when I'm discharged, that I come see him."
"Ok, so we'll go".
"Darling, the judge said you can only be in New York or Los Angeles".
"Jennifer, the tape. When we get out of here, you and I are going to the penthouse. You deserve the hottest bubble bath of your life, and while you do that, I'm going to call my lawyer and make arrangements for him to get the tape. And as soon as they drop the charges against me, we will go see your father".
"I like that plan".
She laid back on his shoulder, and began to wince.
"Darling, make the room stop spinning, please".
"Jennifer, why don't we get you something to eat?"
"Yes! Now that you mention it, I'm practically famished".
"Did you eat anything or drink anything while you were in there?"
"No. I kept looking for water bottles, but they didn't have bottled water. And i wasn't about to eat anything".
"Can't say I blame you".
He called and placed an order for delivery, and then hung up.
20 minutes later, Jennifer was chowing down on a hard-shell taco salad, some chips and cheese dip, a cheese quesadilla and a large sweet tea.
"How is your dinner?"
"Only way it could be better is if there were Margaritas to go with it".
"All in due time".
As soon as she was finished eating, he took the trash to a trash can and then came back and joined her in the bed again. She snuggled up to him and let him hold her. The nurse brought her something for her headache, and she happily took it and then curled up with Jonathan chatted till she grew quiet. A few minutes later, he fell asleep. She laid there on his chest, just thinking through things, all night long.
The Next Morning
Jennifer was discharged around 10 a.m., with instructions to take it easy and to rest.
"The state of New York is picking up the bill for this one, so you can just go on out".
"Wonderful".
Jonathan drove them home in Jennifer's Corvette.
"Do you want to go to the Penthouse, or to your apartment?"
"I want to go to my place, so I can pack a bag and come stay with you".
"You got it".
She quickly threw a bag together when they got to her apartment, and packed a separate bag to take to her father's.
"Want me to forward your calls to my penthouse?"
"Sure".
She packed her work things as well, and then they headed to Jonathan's.
He got her all set up on the couch at the Penthouse, and she began trying to put her thoughts on paper.
She worked for about 2 hours, and then took a break.
The noon news featured a story on Jennifer and how she had called 911 and was able to give them important information to stop the riot. As soon as the segment ended, Jonathan's phone began ringing off the hook.
He forwarded the calls to his answering service, and instructed them to only put a call through if it was his office or Jennifer's father.
"Darling, you look a little tired. How about a nap?"
"No, that's alright. I'm having problems sorting out my thoughts, but I'm not ready for sleep yet".
He scooted behind her and began to rub her shoulders.
"Darling, I'm going to tell you something, and I want you to repeat after me, ok?"
"Ok".
"This wasn't my fault".
"This wasn't my fault."
"Good. Now say it as many times as you need to in order for you to believe it".
"Jonathan, I do realize that it wasn't my fault. I get that, I really do. It's just…I keep wondering what would have happened if I had just made a run for it?"
"You were in a prison, Jennifer. You could have and most likely would have been killed".
"Yeah, you're probably right".
"While you were working, I talked to my lawyer. He knows about the tape, and I sent it to him with a staffer at the company. As soon as he gets it, he's going to go straight to the DA and let them listen to it. And then he's going to call here, and talk to us".
"Well, at least something got resolved out of all of this".
The phone rang, so Jonathan reached over and grabbed it.
"Hello? Yes, this is Jonathan Hart…Oh really? Oh, I see. That's very interesting. Yes, you can forward them back to us".
He hung up.
"The answering service says this number received the number of calls in an hour that most people don't reach in a three month time span".
"Really?"
"Yes, that's what she said".
He pulled up the answering service on his laptop and began to leaf through the calls.
"Lyndy wants you to call her. Kinley and Mallory do, too. Nothing from your father, or my office. Lots of phone calls for you from other reporters. Max called to check on you".
"Oh, that was sweet. Call him back".
Jonathan picked up the phone and called Max and put him on speaker.
"Hart Residence".
"Hey Max".
"Hey Mr. H. About time you called back. Is Miss Edwards ok? And don't you dare tell me that you don't know what I'm talking about".
"Yes, she's fine. She's right here".
"Hey Max".
"Hey Miss Edwards! What on Earth were you doing in the prison?"
"I was there to interview someone, Max".
"Are you crazy?! These ain't nice people we are talking about. I don't mean to sound like your Pop or nothing, but no more prison stuff. I forbid it!"
She started laughing.
"I've had my fill of prison interviews for a bit, Max".
"Good. Now, you sound like you went through a harrowing ordeal. Why don't you come back to California and recuperate? I promise to wait on you hand and foot".
"Max, you are too kind. I'll be there soon enough, I promise".
"Glad to hear it!"
"Ok Max, we have to go. We'll talk to you later".
"Bye you two".
"Bye Max".
"Bye Max".
They hung up and the phone rang again.
"Hello?"
"Hi, it's Lyndy. Can I speak to Jennifer?"
"Sure, hang on".
"It's Lyndy".
She hesitated and then took the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hey."
"Hi."
"I was…just calling to make sure you are ok".
"I'm fine".
"I'm glad to hear it. If I was to come into the city tomorrow for lunch, would you be interested in having lunch with me?"
"That depends. Do you still feel the same as you did the last time we saw each other?"
"I suppose I do".
"Then what's the point in us having lunch?"
"Jennifer, you have to understand. This has all been so difficult on Maribeth. She really liked Jonathan".
"I wasn't aware that her feelings are more important than anyone else's".
"That's not what I'm saying. It's just…I don't know what to say".
"I think we've said all we need to. Thanks for calling, Lyndy".
"Jennifer, I hate to see our friendship end this way".
"I do too. But I shouldn't have to sacrifice things in my life because someone who has never really been a true piece of my life doesn't like it. And instead of telling her to be happy with Jake, you played favorites. That's not fair. I would have never done that to you. Not in a million years. Goodbye, Lyndy".
"Bye".
She hung up the phone and rested her head on his shoulder.
"You ok?"
"Yes, I think I am. I am done with the Maribeth's of the world and those who choose to cater to her at the sacrifice of everyone else".
"Well, good for you".
They cuddled up on the couch and turned on a movie.
Jennifer was fine for the first 20 minutes or so, but as soon as there was a fight scene, she turned and buried her face in Jonathan's shoulder.
"Want me to change it?"
She nodded.
He turned the channel and she settled down some.
She sat up and grabbed her laptop and typed out some more of the story while Jonathan got her a glass of water.
"Thank you".
She worked on the story for another couple of hours, while Jonathan discreetly tried to figure out how to help her.