Chapter 8

Jack changes his mind and decides not to stay. "This is between you two and I know better than to get myself caught in the crossfire. Settle this and if there's something I should know...well, I'm sure one of you will tell me later whether I need to know or not."

Jack leaves, closing the office door behind him. After he leaves Amy hands Lou's phone back to her. "There's nothing to read because I don't give a damn what it says! I'm tired of everyone questioning me...looking at me like I've done something wrong." Amy steps back, partially sitting on the edge of the desk. "You know Lou...here's a thought...those years you were in New York, what did you do besides go to your college classes and then your job after graduation? You never bothered to tell us everything you were doing. How did you spend your time? How many men did you date? C'mon Lou...let's hear the juicy details." She stands again and condescendingly, in a raised voice, suggests, "Or...I know, how about this...let's get the family together and you tell all of us exactly what's going on between you and Peter. Something's going on...we all know it. Maybe grandpa can do the same and explain how he thinks his marriage to Lisa is suppose to work when, like you and Peter, they spend more time apart than they do together."

Flustered by Amy's rant, Lou tries to interrupt, "Amy..."

"No..Let me finish!" Amy leans back against the desk again, lowering her voice, "After you left it was mom and me who kept Heartland going and when she died it was all on me. I've done everything I could for this family...more than my share. What do I have to show for it? Tell me Lou...what do I have to show for it all? Do I have the respect and trust I deserve...do I?" Amy pauses briefly. "I can't even go anywhere without asking for a ride or borrowing a truck. I'm tired of feeling like I'm under a microscope...of being that person who's choices are scrutinized and questioned." Gradually her voice gets louder. "I'm not going to stand for it anymore...not from you or anyone else! You want to know what went on between me and Ahmed in Europe? I already told you and I'll tell you again for the last time...nothing! Did I live in Ahmed's mansion? Yes, I did...along with several of his house and personal staff. Sorry to disappoint you Lou, but there's nothing sordid to tell. There's only one person who can ask me anything more about Europe...that's Ty. No one else!"

In no mood to undoubtedly hear a self serving response by Lou, Amy immediately turns away and rushes out of the office, slamming the door behind her.

...

Stepping into the kitchen from the dining room, Lisa sees Amy walk in the house and says, "Good, just in time...we were about to eat. Go ahead and take a seat in the dining room. Is Lou behind you?

"I suppose she is."

With everyone seated around the table, Lou walks in and takes her seat next to Peter. Once she's seated Amy asks, "So Lou, anything you want to tell us?"

"Seriously?" She asks, caught off guard and disturbed by the inference of the question.

"Yes."

"Okay...you made your point. Oh...and by the way, dad called for you." Lou snaps back in a snarky tone.

Upset with Lou's reply, Amy retorts, "Really? So, this is the way it's going to be? I don't think I'm very hungry." Amy stands, dropping her napkin on the table. "I'm going to call it a night. Someone else is going to have to do night check."

As Amy walks towards her room, Georgie asks, "What's wrong with Amy?"

Lisa answers, "I think she's just tired, honey. There's a lot going on and..."

Before Lisa can finish, Georgie interrupts, "I get it."

in a subtle attempt to divert attention from the exchange between Lou and Amy, Jack says, "Since Tim's not here let's take advantage and just have a nice peaceful dinner for once."

Lisa agrees, "Yes...help yourself everyone."

Shortly after dinner and during a moment alone with Lou, Jack asks, "That was an uncomfortable exchange between you two at dinner. Is there something I should know?"

"No grandpa but I think we should all give Amy some space. We had a...or I guess I should say, she had a lot to say after you left the office and I think some of what's going on is wearing thin on her. She's questioning a lot of things."

"What about that thing you where asking her about?"

"I was worried for her that the stuff on the internet might show up somewhere in a news story. I thought she should know about it in advance."

"And the other thing about Ahmed?"

"Nothing to be concerned about."

"Good."

"So, you said your father called...I shouldn't ask but what was that about?"

"He said Amy came by and...well, she had it out with him. He was pretty upset about it and thought he should make himself scarce around here for awhile. At least until she cools off."

"Yeah, well I don't think that's going to happen and I'm pretty hot too. The chances of me cooling off isn't something that's going to happen anytime soon...if ever, so the longer he stays away the better."

...

That evening, while getting ready for bed, Lisa says to Jack, "So, how long are you going to wait until you tell me what that was all about between Amy and Lou?"

"If I knew I would have told you. Something is going on but Lou didn't share it with me. All she said was that Amy had a lot to say to her and was questioning things...whatever that means. She also said that we should give Amy some space."

"Well, I think Amy needs someone she can talk to and by what I witnessed it's definitely not Lou. It's probably Lou who should give Amy space. She needs someone who's not too close to what's going on. Someone not likely to take sides...who won't be critical and who'll just listen."

"She can always talk to me."

"C'mon Jack...you're too close to this and the most critical and opinionated person I know. You're also too close to everyone involved...and a good listener?...if you had actually heard what I said you wouldn't have suggested yourself."

"Well, she's your granddaughter too you know. You don't have to wait for me to suggest you talk to her, but first I think we should take Lou's advice and just give her some space."

"What does that mean anyway...give her space? Should we stand idly by and let whatever happens happen? What if during that time we witness another exchange like we have between those two...or worse? Does it mean we should leave her alone and ignore how she's feeling?"

"Lisa, you're a member of this family as much as anyone else. If you think you can help by talking to her then talk to her."...

...

Early the next morning, Jack walks into the barn to get started on the days chores. He finds Amy already mucking out the stalls. She looks over at him while continuing to work and says, "Good morning grandpa."

"Good morning. I see you've got an early start."

"Yeah, well you know what they say...early to bed, early to rise. Anyway, I just wanted to get some chores done so I can get to the hospital in case they decide to bring Ty out of his coma."

"I don't think he'll come out of it that fast."

"I know...I just want to be there." She replies while continuing to muck out the stall.

"I'll go with you."

"It's not necessary. I'll be okay on my own."

"Yeah, but maybe I'd like to see Ty too. I probably won't stay very long anyway and someone can come by later to pick you up...I think Lisa wants to go see Ty, so she can give you a ride back."

"That'll be fine."

"Since you already have a head start doing the chores, I think I'll go back in and finish my coffee." Jack turns away to head back to the house. He then stops and turns back saying, "Before we go, do me a favor and at least text or email Mallory. You can use my phone. She's not giving up...there must be at least a dozen or so calls and texts from her asking about you. Soraya called again too. Unlike Mallory, she only called once. She's worried since you haven't gotten back to her yet."

"I'm in no mood to talk to Mallory but I'll text her and tell her we'll talk later. I think I'd like to talk to Soraya though...can I use your phone to call her?"

"Sure...no problem." Jack replies as he hands Amy his phone.

...

"Amy, I'm glad you called. How's Ty? What's going on back there?..."

Amy interrupts, "Hold on Soraya..."

She answers most all of Soraya's initial questions and briefly updates her on what's been going on. Amy then takes advantage of the opportunity to share her worries and frustrations with her closest friend who offers a sympathetic ear.

"...believe me I understand how it can be. It's easier sometimes to just say yes in that situation. Mallory called me. She was keeping track of you on the tour and she's the one who told me some of what's been going on...I mean on the internet. I can't believe what they're saying on social media and some of those websites. Where are they getting this stuff? Is it true that the police came with a search warrant?"

With surprise, Amy asks, "Someone posted about that too?"

"Yeah...so, it's true?"

"It is. It was my fault. The police didn't believe some things I said when I spoke with them about Ahmed...anyway, it was all a misunderstanding. It'll be fine. They were looking for information about Ahmed and I told them all they had to do was ask and I would have given them what they wanted without a warrant. The only ones who knew about that are the police and my family, so I don't know how it got out."

"I know Hudson isn't a small town anymore but in some ways it still is. Especially when it comes to gossip. People talk and I wouldn't be surprised if it came from someone in the police department."

"You have to be right because no one here would say anything."

Amy and Soraya's conversation continues during which Amy reveals how hopeless she sometimes felt.

"...I've never know you to give up so easily...actually never at all, so where's that 'fight' you use to have in you?"

"You know, you're not the only one who's mentioned 'fight' to me since I got back. Maybe I did loose some of it while I was away, but I'm definitely working on getting it back."

"Tell me about it...I can't believe you said that to your dad."

"It was a long time coming. Maybe if I said something a long time ago it wouldn't have come to this. Anyway, thanks for listening to me vent. There's no one here I can really talk to."

"How about Mrs. Bell. I always found her to be a good listener as long as you're willing to hear about Sugarfoot's latest escapades."

"That's a thought...maybe. One last thing...please don't tell Mallory we talked. She's been blowing up the phones here with her calls and texts. Grandpa is getting a little annoyed, not only at her but also with me for not talking to her so she would quit calling. I sent her a message that we'll talk later."

"Sure no problem...feel free to call anytime you'd like to talk...about anything you want. When Ty comes around please let him know I'm thinking about him and hoping he gets better soon."
...

Amy walks in just as Jack pushes himself away from the kitchen table. "Okay, grandpa...I'll be ready to go shortly. I just need to shower quickly and change my clothes."

"You were talking to Soraya for a pretty long time and while you were doing that Detective Brown called. He and Detective Bailey will be here shortly. They're returning your computer stuff and cell phone. They also want to ask a few more questions. You probably have just enough time to shower and change before they get here."

"Good, I'll be glad to at least get my cell phone back. I don't know what more I can tell them but I do have a question I want to ask."

"If they get here before your ready, I'll have them wait for you in the barn office."

Having just changed clothes, Amy walks to the kitchen just as Jack walks in the door. "Detective Brown is in the barn. Your computers and phone are in the office where he's waiting for you."

Amy walks into the office and sees her items which were seized sitting on the desk. Detective Brown who is sitting in a chair next to the door stands. "Ms. Fleming, I need you to sign the receipt on the desk acknowledging the return of your listed property."

"Sure, no problem. I see you're alone...I thought Detective Brady would be here too."

"As we were leaving he was called back to the office to handle an important call. There's nothing this morning that I can't handle myself."

He hands her a pen and while signing the receipt, he says, "I strongly recommend you change all your passwords, just to be on the safe side."

"I already intend to, since keeping something confidential seems to be a problem for your department."

"I gather you're aware of the latest rumor and I apologize for that. My supervisor isn't happy about it either and we're looking into who may have released the information."

"My grandfather said you had a few questions for me."

"I do but first you may want to know that what we found on your devices supports the version you told us about your exchanges with the prince. We did find something curious though that we thought we should ask. It's regarding your relationship with the prince prior to arriving home from Europe. It's a loose end we would like you to clear up."

"Sure...go ahead and ask."

"You were engaged to Mr. Borden during your time in Europe, correct?"

"Yes...that's true."

"Considering the different time zone, can you explain why at first you answered his calls, texts, and emails fairly promptly but then as time passed those responses came days and weeks later until not at all...but answering the same type of communication from the prince only took minutes to maybe a few hours at most?"

Feeling an uneasiness she asks, "What are you suggesting?"

"I'm not suggesting anything. I apologize if the question makes you uncomfortable...you can refuse to answer if you want."

No, Ill answer it. Have you ever had to work for someone who's use to getting their own way...who's demanding, persistent, and seldom understanding?"

"Have you met my Detective Sergeant?"

"Okay, fair enough...I suppose you have." Amy replies before continuing. "After time, I got kinda wrapped up in my job. It was something new to me and very important, not just for Prince Ahmed but his teams as well. A lot of people were relying on me and it was stressful at times. There was also the travel and experience of being somewhere I had never been before...different countries and cultures...I guess, over time, my life back here just got lost in it all."

"Alright...I have a couple more questions if you don't mind. Along with examining your cell phone and computers, we also looked at Mr. Borden's. Were you aware that he was planning to move to Calgary at the end of the month?"

"No...this is the first I've heard of it. Do you know why?" She answers with surprise while also disturbed by the revelation.

"I was going to ask you the same thing."

"I'm sure Caleb Odell or Scott Cardinal at the vet clinic where Ty works would know."

"There's another thing too. We also found several emails on his computer that contained links to various blogs that have been circulating on the internet. Blogs that seem to suggest indiscretions..."

Before the detective can finish asking the question, Amy interjects, "I'm aware of those blogs."

Detective Brown continues, "On his computer it didn't appear he opened any of those emails and instead deleted them, though we can't say for sure he never saw them. They appear to be from an untraceable email account. Do you have any idea who may have sent those emails to him?"

"If I had to name someone I would say Prince Ahmed."
...

Walking down the hall, Amy and Jack notice the door to Ty's room is open. Stepping into the room they see his bed is empty and made. Doctor Levinson walks into the room and, with bit of both hope and a touch of fear, Amy immediately says, "I guess Ty's having more tests."

"No...he's been moved to another hospital." He replies in a somber tone. Looking at his watch he adds. "About..almost an hour ago."

"I don't understand...why? Why would you move him?" Amy asks with a hint of panic in her voice.

"Yes, why?" Jack asks with apprehension.

"Mr. Bartlett, Amy, I didn't have him moved. As a matter of fact I very strongly objected and advised against it."

"Then why...who moved him?"

"His mother Lily Borden and his stepfather."

"That doesn't make any sense. Why would they want to move him and where?" She asks with concern.

"They wanted to move Ty to a better hospital. One closer to their home. I'm not at liberty to tell you where, but I can assure you it's an extremely good facility where he will undoubtedly be given very good care."

"I don't understand...why can't you tell us where he is? Who arranged all this. I don't think his parents would even have the resources to move him...and I think Lily would at least call to let us know."

"They had an attorney with them who left instructions that prevents us from divulging where he is. The attorney apparently arraigned everything, including the necessary transportation. I personally looked into it just to make sure he would be moved safely and to an appropriate hospital."

"Did his mother, Lily, say anything more...leave a phone number or..."

"No, but the attorney left his card for me to give to you with his number and said you can call him if you have any questions. I would guess Ty's mother would want to talk to you. Maybe you should call her."

Doctor Levinson hands Amy the attorney's business card. The name on the card shocks her and suddenly a cold uneasiness washes over her. "Grandpa, this is the attorney who sent me those papers about my contract with Ahmed. It's Ahmed's attorney!"

"Do the police know Ty was moved? Did someone check with them first?" Jack asks with a worried look of concern.

"Yes, they know...I called and checked myself with Detective Brady. He said they had no authority to prevent him from being moved, considering he's unconscious and its at the request of his next of kin. They do know the hospital where he will be."

"I don't like this grandpa...I'm worried."

"Yeah...me too."

...

To be continued...

A/N: Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to comment. I look forward to reading each and every one of them.