CHAPTER 133
We are walking down by the river in Chicago and I am watching Jared closely. He had requested we walk the route of that day and I had reluctantly agreed. Ana and Eva are not with us but Angus and Welch are along with Jason Taylor and as we make our way Jared is giving us a little commentary of things he remembers about that day, nothing significant but the sadness in his voice as he recalls the last time he was with his parents is keeping us all focussed. He pauses and points over the river.
"Dad loved walking down here, we came down here a lot" he says simply and I wrap my arm around his shoulder and try and wordlessly offer him some comfort.
As we continue to walk Jared makes more similar little comments, but then suddenly he stops and takes in a sharp breath and I know he is now remembering something significant and possibly relevant to that day.
He points at the road junction in front of us where there are cars waiting, "What is it?" I ask as I look and Angus and Welch are both now on full alert.
"He was there… that day, I remember, I thought he was lost because he was driving so slowly and he went past us twice. I thought it was funny because I kept seeing the same car and I really thought it was just a lost tourist or something… but now, it was his car" he says.
"Along here?" Angus asks and Jared nods. Angus immediately makes a note of that.
Then Jared turns down a side street and I hear his breathing getting more laboured the further we walk.
"Is this… where it happened?" I ask and Jared nods. I feel him slip his hand into mine and everyone notices this small significant gesture and so they close in around him all offering their silent unconditional support as he is now clearly battling with his emotions of what he remembers of that day. I am about to suggest we leave when he suddenly stops dead.
"Here" he says bleakly. "It happened right here" he says.
We look around and Jason homes in on a nearby metal railing, "Look" he says and we see that there is a significant dent the railing.
"That must be where the first bullet hit, the one which you said made a funny sound" Christian says as he runs his finger over the damage.
Welch and Angus are scouring the area and Welch points and whispers to Angus who nods and makes more notes. I follow where he is pointing and I see a street CCTV camera and I smile, that must be the camera Barney hacked. I can see immediately what he is doing, he is finding the sources of the evidence we have gathered and he is going to give that to the police so they can access it legally for themselves. As I look around, I see another camera this time on a private building and closer to where we are.
"Welch, Angus – over there" I say and they both follow my gaze.
Their eyes widen and I realise that was not previously accessed. Angus makes more notes as my attention returns to Jared.
He is staring at the ground and he swallows hard. "I can't remember anything new so I think I'd like to go to the police station now, if that's ok?" he asks with a note of disappointment in his tone.
When we arrive, we are met by the detectives who are handling the case as well as the chief. They all politely greet us and we go into a comfortable office so that Jared can tell his story as Christian and I sit at his side. The detective gently questions Jared to establish the facts as Angus and Welch wander off to hand over all their evidence and point out the locations of the cameras suggesting that they might be of help.
The detective records Jared's statement as well as making notes.
"Can you be sure that it was the same car?" he asks gently and Jared nods.
He reaches inside his pocket and pulls out his phone, calling up the photographs he took of Jerry Barnett's car in Seattle.
"Yes, look it was quite distinctive, that's why I remembered it when he came to Seattle" he says.
He shows the picture to the detective pointing out the dent in the wing and the mismatched colour where it had been crudely mended.
The detective nods, "Can we have a copy of that photograph?" he asks pointing at the phone. Jared nods and hands his phone over, the detective sends a copy to his own cell phone before handing it back.
"And this is the man who shot your guardians in your own home?" he asks as he points at his copy of the car photograph.
Jared swallows hard and nods, "Yes, I took that photograph when he was parked up outside the house, I raised the alarm and then hid, I heard the gunshots from where I was" he says.
"Seattle police are currently holding the man" I put in and the detective nods.
Christian leans forward, "Jared wanted to return to the location today to see if it provoked any further recollection and we noticed a couple of CCTV cameras in the vicinity. A street camera and there appeared to be one on a private building in the location, have they been accessed for possible evidence?"
The detective shuffles uncomfortably and from that we know the answer is no.
"All possible avenues are being explored" he says diplomatically. I look at Christian and we realise that they will be accessed now. As we are thinking this there is a knock on the door.
Another detective enters, "Excuse me sir could I have a word?" he says and the detective nods.
"Excuse me" he says as he stands and leaves the room.
"Do you get the impression they didn't bother checking the street camera?" Jared asks.
I nod, "Yes I did. I know Angus and Welch have made them aware of the cameras in the vicinity today" I say.
"I just hope they manage to get something as it was over a month ago now" Christian says.
A few moments later the detective returns looking grim.
"New evidence has come to light… the owners of a building in the vicinity have come forward with CCTV footage they captured, it appears what it shows does not correspond with our theory of a gang related incident" he says. He looks at Jared sympathetically, "I'm sorry but it appears that Philip Martin was involved more significantly than was previously assumed" he says.
Jared reaches for my hand once more and Christian immediately wraps his arm around Jared's shoulder.
"Can I see it?" Jared asks with a small voice.
The detective hesitates, and glances at me. "Are you sure Jared?" Christian asks and Jared nods.
"I need to see with my own eyes what Uncle Phil did" he says.
The detective nods, "It would be useful if he could as then he could positively identify Mr Martin" he says.
"Alright, but you can change your mind at any point" I say and Jared nods.
"Will… will you come with me please?" he asks me.
"Jared there is no way on earth I would send you to watch the footage alone, as we don't have any idea what it contains" I say.
We wordlessly move into another office, Angus and Welch are there and Angus walks over to us.
"Don't lad, you don't want to see it" he says to Jared.
Jared looks up at Angus, with tears in his eyes, "I have to… I have to know" he says.
"Please lad, don't" Angus begs.
Jared takes a deep breath, and ignoring Angus steps closer to the screen. He closes his eyes a moment and everyone is watching him closely. This child is beyond brave and at this moment I am in complete awe of him. I look at Angus who is silently beseeching me to stop this, and I hesitate, if Angus feels this is too bad for Jared to witness perhaps I should step in?
"Would you like to sit down?" a detective says as he stands offering Jared his seat, but Jared shakes his head and remains standing at my side. He is gripping my hand tightly, the detectives look uncomfortable so I know it is going to be bad. They glance at me, and Christian before focussing on Jared.
"If you are really sure about this then just say when you want us to start the footage. There is no rush, you are in complete control. When you are ready we will start the footage, if at any point you want us to stop it just say" one says gently.
"Jared I don't think…" I begin but stop as Jared interrupts me.
"NO!" he says his voice getting louder, he takes a deep breath and shakes his head, "No please Gideon I have to see the truth, I have to see it" he says in a slightly more measured tone.
I can't argue with that and decide the only thing I can do is just be here for him and pick up the pieces afterwards. I look at Christian who is anxiously pacing and I know he is thinking that this is a bad idea.
Jared closes his eyes again, and takes a deep breath. He opens his eyes and nods once.
"I'm ready" he says.
The detective hesitates a moment and looks at Jared once more before he hits a key on the keyboard, and the events of that day unfold in front of us. We see Philip and Bev, they are agitated, talking and glancing around them as William, Angela and Jared approach. Then we spot Barnett's car, it approaches slowly from behind and crawling to a halt, Barnett climbs out and fires his gun in the air. Everyone ducks. William and Angela both panic and rush to shield Jared as Barnet fires again as he does so we see the back of William Martin's head explode. Jared gasps and his grip on my hand increases but he continues to watch. We see Phil wildly gesticulating and shouting and Bev going into complete meltdown. Barnett stares at the body shaking his head, before turning and climbing into his car and roaring away. Phil paces and we see him arguing with Bev, she is shaking her head and she grips his arm. He shrugs away from her, and pulling a gun from his waistband he pulls his brother's body away and as Angela looks up at him he calmly shoots her. He hands Bev the gun and she disappears. Philip then pulls out his phone and calls the authorities, before crouching down and trying to resuscitate Jared.
Jared is frozen to the spot, the events which have unfolded are spot on with what Barnett had told us and what we had surmised and the theory we had established through what we had discovered in the vague text conversations between Martin and Barrett.
"Jared?" I say gently.
"He killed my mom" he whispers, his voice cracking with emotion.
"Jared?" I say again, and Jared turns and flings himself at me and clinging to me gripping my shirt he starts crying hysterically.
"He killed my mom Gideon he killed her, he killed her, he killed her"
I just hold him as I have no idea what else to do. "I've got you" I say as I stroke my hand down his head.
"He killed my mom" he whispers again, his voice muffled as his head is buried in my chest.
"And he will be punished for it" Christian says in a cold voice as he steps forward and places his hand on Jared's shoulder.
The detectives are watching and they diplomatically move away to give us the illusion of privacy.
"I am assuming Philip and Beverley Martin are being picked up as we speak?" Christian asks and one of the detectives nods.
"They have been arrested and are on their way here now" he says.
I glance at Christian, "I need to get Jared out of here" I say.
He nods, and we wordlessly try and manoeuvre Jared towards the door. He realises what we are doing and he cooperates.
I see Christian is talking on his phone and I know he is talking to Caroline, asking for advice. Christian touches Jared's shoulder.
"Jared, Caroline wants to speak to you" he says offering Jared his phone.
Jared pulls away from me slightly and after rubbing his face he takes Christian's phone. He is shaking and still sobbing and his breaths are coming out in ragged hiccups as a result. I move away and as I do so Jared immediately reaches for me, grasping my hand.
"H...h…hello" he stammers.
There is a silence as Caroline is obviously speaking to him. "Uncle Phil killed my mom… he shot her, the guy who killed my aunt and uncle killed my dad… but it looked like he didn't mean to, it looked like dad just got in his way, but uncle Phil… it was different… he meant it… It was like watching an action film, as I was watching it, it didn't seem real. I was half expecting mom and dad to get up afterwards… but they didn't because they are dead… I'm glad in a way that I've seen it, because I wondered you know, I was out of it and so it would've always haunted me wondering what happened, what really happened… and now because I've seen it, I know. I know my uncle killed my mom in cold blood and my dad was shot by a man who then murdered my aunt and uncle… He's here" he pauses and looks up at me, "Yeah and Christian is here too" he adds somewhat pointlessly as it is Christian's phone and Christian made the call in the first place, but nobody reacts to that. "I'm not sure… I guess we are returning to Seattle, although… although I was hoping to… to go back home one last time" he pauses and looks at me. If Jared wants to go back to his old home then that's fine by me. "I've also got to stop by a store as I need to buy Ana a birthday card as it's her birthday today…" I can't help but smile that despite everything that has happened today that is still in his mind a priority, but I am happy to indulge that thought process, I glance at Christian who also seems amused by what Jared has just said, I return my attention back to Jared who is still talking to Caroline, but seems to be bringing the call to an end. "… yeah… ok, yeah thanks Caroline… yeah bye". He ends the call and passes the phone back to Christian.
"You want to go to your home, where you lived with your parents?" I ask and Jared nods.
"If you don't mind, I just feel… I need to one last time, and there is something I really need to do while I am there" he says.
"Of course" I reply. With that we thank the detectives and make our way out.
The ride to the neighbourhood where Jared lived is quiet, Jared is looking out of the window and I am watching him like a hawk. I am in so far over my head at the moment it is unreal, I am just basically winging it and hoping that what I am doing won't damage Jared too significantly.
Angus brings the car to a halt and looks around at me, "We're here" he says, "You should know lad this is the neighbourhood where Chris is now living" he adds.
I stiffen at that information; I knew Chris had family in Chicago and fled here after he signed over Vidal records to Christopher. Jared looks up at me questioningly.
"Who is Chris?" he asks innocently.
I clear my throat, "My step father" I reply flatly.
Jared's eyes widen, "The guy who your mom married after your dad died?" he asks and I nod.
"Yes" I reply.
Jared looks around, "I won't be here long, I just want to see a few things one last time and there is just one thing I have to do before I go for good" he says almost as if he is trying to reassure me.
My heart lurches at his thoughtfulness, "You take as long as you need" I say adamantly.
We climb out of the car, and walk around to the front of the house. There is a realtor for sale sign up in the front garden. I look up it is a large house, as are all the homes in this affluent neighbourhood, there is clearly a great deal of wealth here. Jared walks to the tree in the front garden, and we follow.
"That's an apple tree" Christian says immediately.
Jared nods, "Dad and I bought it and planted it, to replace the one which was there before but had to be cut down".
Christian moves closer and looks at it. "It's like the trees in the orchard in Ohio" he murmurs.
Jared looks up at him, "Where?" he asks.
Christian smiles, "My birth family in Ohio, my maternal grandfather lives on a smallholding with an orchard. I'm currently in the process of restoring it, I'll take you there if you like and you can see it".
Jared nods, and then moves towards the side of the house. We go around to the rear and are in a beautiful cultivated garden, Jared walks down a path and I see a treehouse. Jared swiftly climbs the ladder and I follow him up into the treehouse. He opens a wooden chest and inside is a box he looks relieved to see it as he retrieves it. "This is what I wanted, I forgot it when I left and I was hoping it would still be here. Uncle Phil wouldn't bring me back here… I guess he didn't want to come here again after what he did".
"Do you want to take the chest with us?" I ask as I look at the beautiful wooden chest.
Jared hesitates, "Erm…" he says which tells me he does but is working out the logistics.
I lean out and call down to Christian, "Christian go fetch Angus and Jason" I call, he nods and disappears. Moments later he returns with Angus and Jason. Angus looks up at me and smiles.
"We have a chest up here which needs bringing down" I call. Immediately Jason climbs up and assesses the situation.
He drags the chest to the doorway, it's not heavy just cumbersome and awkward. He looks around and spots some rope lying in the corner and wrapping it around the chest he looks at me, I immediately grab the rope and between us we lower it down to Angus who is waiting below.
Jared's eyes are shining, "Thank you so much, my dad made that" he says and I realise this chest clearly means something to him.
"Is there anything else here you want to collect?" I ask and Jared shakes his head.
"No, just that" he replies.
We climb down and Jared thanks Jason and Angus once more for their help.
He looks around the garden and then wanders over to another tree, and crouches down. We watch him as he strokes the box tenderly.
As we move closer, we realise he is opening it.
"Goodbye boy, protect mom and dad for me" he whispers and he tips the box upside-down. I glance at Christian as I realise what is happening.
"Ashes" Christian says.
I crouch down beside Jared, "Who is that?" I ask as I place my hand on his shoulder.
He looks up at me, "Oscar… my dog, he died. Dad was going to make a memorial, but… so we never got around to scattering his ashes" he says with a shrug.
"We were always going to scatter them here, as he would lie down under this tree… this was his favourite spot in the garden. Dad was going to make a wooden carving of him and put it here where we scattered his ashes".
"This home has a lot of happy memories for you?" I ask and Jared nods.
"Yeah, I'm glad I've been able to come back one last time" he says sadly. He looks down, "It would've bothered me if I'd never been able to come back to scatter Oscar's ashes".
I glance up at Christian, "Get it for me" I whisper. He nods, and pulls out his phone. He moves away as Jared says his goodbyes to his dog. Then a few moments later, Christian reappears and simply nods at me.
"It's all yours" he whispers to me.
"Thank you, do you think Ray would be able to make a wooden dog?" I ask.
Christian grins, "My guess is he would be delighted to".
I turn towards Jared, "Jared, I'll get someone to come and build you your dog memorial, and put it here" I say.
He stares at me, "We can't do that, the house is for sale the new owners won't want that" he says.
I smile at him, "The house is sold Jared, I've just bought it. Christian called the realtor while we were scattering Oscar's ashes".
The astonished bright and genuine smile makes my breath catch, Jared surges towards me and wraps his arms around me, "Thank you Gideon" he says.
We move around the front of the house as the realtor pulls up and shakes my hand. "It is a beautiful property do you want to go inside and see what you have bought?" she asks.
I shake my head, "No, that's fine we need to go shortly but my son assures me it's a good purchase" I say simply. I reach into my pocket and pull out Arash's business card. "This is my personal attorney's number call him and finalise all the legalities and details with him" I say.
The realtor nods as she accepts the card and I swiftly text Arash to make him aware of what I have done.
We head to the car where Angus and Jason are struggling to get the chest inside. Jared giggles, "That could've stayed in the tree house" he whispers.
I smile at him, "We'll keep that fact to ourselves I think" I mutter in his ear. He grins at me and I marvel at him, after the events of this morning, how well he is doing. I realise he is compartmentalising things. He split them into separate tasks in his mind. The events earlier and at the police station are still there and still very raw, but he has chosen to put them to one side while he deals with the other things he wants to do while he is here.
Jared pauses, "There is a general store just down here, can we go there next so I can buy Ana a birthday card?" he asks.
I nod, "Of course, is it a car journey or within walking distance?" I ask as I hesitate at the car.
"Not far about 10 minutes walk" he says.
We nod and close the car, I turn towards Angus, "We'll walk down if you follow in the car, Jared says there is a general store about a 10 minute walk away". Angus nods and climbs into the car.
When we get there, I see the store along with a few other establishments. We walk inside and Jared, clearly knowing his way around goes straight to the greeting cards. He takes a moment to look and then selects one. Then he looks around and I see him making his way to the candy section. He spots a rather nice box of chocolates and looks at Christian, "Do you think Ana would like these?" he asks.
Christian smiles, "I'm sure she would love them" he replies.
After Jared has made his purchases we make our way to the door, as we do so I freeze as it opens and I come face to face with my stepfather. I am quite shocked as he looks much older, he has aged considerably in the short time he has been gone from New York. His stride falters as he sees me, and he looks at me and then at Christian almost trying to figure out why we are here in Chicago. He glances at Jared but disregards him, clearly thinking he is nothing to do with us.
"You" he spits.
Jared watches Chris's reaction carefully and looks up at me. I have just frozen to the spot.
"Gideon?" Jared asks looking at me with concern.
"Are you ok Gideon?" he asks.
"What the fuck are you doing here, not content with destroying my life have you now come to gloat?" Chris spits.
Christian snorts, "The world does not revolve around you Chris, you clearly spent too long with Elizabeth if you believe we came here to see you, as for destroying your life you managed that all by yourself with your actions – you were given every possible opportunity to do the right thing".
Realisation fills Jared's face, he turns towards Christian and offers him the chocolates and card, Christian takes them and Jared marches up to Chris and waves his finger at him.
"Leave him alone! You don't have the right to say that, you should've loved him and believed him. You should've taken care of him and protected him. You took him on when you married his mom so you should've been a proper dad to him".
"Jared" I say, as I try and marshal my fried mind into some sort of order.
Chris snorts and shakes his head and this seems to incense Jared even more and he lurches forward and shoves Chris sharply.
"Don't you laugh at me, it's the truth. You shouldn't have taken on the job of being his dad if you didn't want it".
Chris is astonished by that, "Who the hell are you?" he growls.
"Jared" I say and I walk up to him and wrap my arm around his shoulder.
Jared just juts out his chin defiantly and glares at Chris with total contempt, "I'm his son" he says proudly. I suck in a sharp breath at his words but don't say anything.
I watch as Chris processes that and he doesn't look surprised, he nods and actually smirks at me.
"Aah Corrine's brat" he says, "So you finally found out about him?" he adds.
I hear both Christian and Jared gasp loudly at that. What the fuck?! He fucking knew and knew the truth!? That does it for me and my self-control evaporates. My hands ball into fists as I lurch forward with a snarl to punch Chris, he knew about Jared? He fucking knew and never told me?
"Gideon no!" Christian says sharply as he reaches for me.
Jared also reaches for me, "Don't dad, he's not worth it" he says as he grasps my arm and pulls me back.
I feel his small hand on my arm and his words ring in my ears, I stop dead and as my arm falls to my side and my fist unclenches I process what I have just heard… he just called me dad. I realise what I was about to do, how I was going to behave in front of my son.
I turn and pull Jared close to me, "Let's go home son" I say.
Jared nods, "Yeah, let's" he replies as he grips me tightly.