First off I want to apologize for the amount of time its taken me to update but I've had a bit of writers block and Im now working 3 jobs until the end of November, then Im back to one full-time job. I know Im crazy but whatever...on with the story.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed so far...they mean so much to me.

Disclaimer: Still dont own anything related to Red Eye and Carolyn Keene owns the rights to Ned Nickerson (Nancy Drew books), I just love that name so I had to use it somewhere. Thanks.

Chapter 9

The police detective pulled up to the Lux Atlantic Hotel 20 minutes later with Jackson, Lisa and Jaden in the back seat. He opened the door for them to exit, leaving a sleeping Jaden back in the car with a junior officer nearby and went into the lobby looking for Cynthia. There were fire trucks and ambulances all around; people were being escorted out and taken care of, the more serious were being taken to the hospital.

"Cynthia! Are you alright?" Lisa asked

"I'm okay...but Lisa," she started sobbing uncontrollably, "I didn't get Keefe and his family out in time...Keefe might die," she said almost whispering.

"How badly were they hurt...has anyone else been killed?" Lisa said, tears beginning to well up in her eyes.

"I dont know," was all Cynthia said.

Meanwhile, Jackson was standing near the front desk watching the scene unfold before him. The detective they had arrived with was speaking to one of the officers first on the scene; he noticed Jackson nod at him to come over.

"What is it Mr. Rippner? I don't know how you are connected to this but I can't share much information with you."

Before speaking, Jackson made eye contact with Lisa; she knew right away what he was about to do.

"Tell me this...was Charles Keefe killed?" Jackson asked as Lisa walked over to them

"He is in serious condition; the doctors don'tknow if he is going to make it. What does that have to do with you?"

"Because I helped orchestrate the assassination. I was the manager on this job and my job was to get Lisa to use her pull as hotel manager to change Charles Keefe's room so that he could more easily be assassinated.

The detective stared at Jackson and Lisa as she nodded with sadness in her eyes and took Jacksons hand in her own.

"Well are you going to arrest me detective? I just admitted to setting this all up."

The detective regained his composure and took out his handcuffs.

"Mr. Jackson Rippner, you have the right to remain silent. You have the right to an attorney; if you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed to you. If you choose to not have an attorney you still have the right to request one at any time. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. Do you understand these rights as I have explained them to you?" he said placing the cuffs on Jacksons hands

"I do; Lisa don't worry about me. Just take care of things here; I'm sorry," he said leaning his forehead against hers.

"I know; I'm sorry too," she said giving him a quick kiss before he was taken away.

She asked thepolice officer to please bring in Jaden as things were beginning to quiet down and take him to her office while she dealt with everything else.

"Cynthia; I need you to watch Jaden for me while I go to the police station."

"But why...you didn't do anything wrong."

"Jackson set this mess up and I helped him."

"Well you didn't do it willingly...or did you? I thought I just saw you kiss him before they took him away?"

"I did and no I didn't help him willingly, but I did make the room change so the police are going to want to speak with me also. Can you please just keep an eye on Jaden?"

"Of course I can, but I want answers when you are done."

"Thank you Cynthia," Lisa said hugging the red head and walking over to another officer to have herself taken to the station.

On the way there she called one of her father's lawyer friends and told him to meet her and Jackson at the station; he agreed.

"Well Mr. Rippner, what exactly do you want to tell us? Would you like to speak to an attorney before we get started?" the detective asked

"No I dont need an attorney thank you."

"Yes he does; hello detective. My name is Ned Nickerson and I am Mr. Rippners attorney. Could you give us a few minutes please?"

"Of course; gentlemen," he said as he walked out of the interrogation room.

"I'm sorry I don't recall asking for an attorney."

"You didn't; Lisa Reisert called me. I used to work with her father Joe. She said that you both would need a lawyer so here I am."

"Both!"

"Yes, shes on her way in now for questioning. She should be here any time now."

"I see; just so you know she didn't help me willingly. I forced her into it."

"And for that I hate you right now, that girl is like a daughter to me, but because she asked me not to hurt you and to wait for her before we speak to the police I'll behave. But only because Lisa asked."

"Yes Im sure if it had been Joe who asked for your help you would have probably beat me by now," Jackson said with a mockingtone in his voice.

"Certainly not in the police station...I'm not a smart lawyer for nothing. You never beat up your clients in police custody..." he said smirking at Jackson, "Ahh, Lisas here now lets call her in shall we."

Ned opened the door and waved at Lisa to come over to the interrogation room.

"I'd like to see my attorney please? Hes just over there."

"All right Miss Reisert, the officer said letting her go."

Lisa walked into the room and immediately went over to Jackson and hugged him wrapping her arms around him tightly, he reciprocated.

"You haven't said anything yet have you?"

"We were just about to begin the song and dance when my lawyer walked in."

"Good; I know you don't think you need a lawyer but you can't get out of this easily."

"Leese, I can take care of myself; I don't know why you are here though?"

"I'm a witness to everything last night; I know you Jackson. You couldn't have changed completely since I last saw you," she said taking the seat across from Jackson.

"You don't know that Leese; I've helped to kill many people over the years and I left you alone and pregnant 9 years ago. You should be furious with me for what I've done," he said to her with very little emotion registering on his face.

"Wait a sec," Ned said interrupting the two, "This is Jackson whom you dated in high school; Jaden's father?"

"Yes Ned this is Jackson," Lisa said looking at him; then turning back to Jackson she said, "Yes I should be furious and I am, but right now is not the time to discuss that, we have to deal with this."

Jackson and Lisa locked eyes from across the table, each daring the other to break contact. Finally Ned cleared his throat and spoke up.

"You seem pretty sure about this; why don't you both tell me what the hell happened tonight. Who wants to go first?"

Both Jackson and Lisa looked back at each other and smiled.

"Ladies first!"

"No; I insist you go first…you've got so much more to tell than I do," Lisa replied.

Ned sat down in the last unoccupied chair and took out his note pad. Nothing could prepare him for the story he was about to hear. While Jackson spoke with very little emotion Lisa allowed herself to listen to everything he said while silent tears crept into her eyes; Ned watched her as he listened to Jackson tell his side of the story. He couldn't believe that the man sitting before him was the same man he had met at Lisa's high school graduation; the same man that appeared to love Lisa so completely and yet left her one night with no explanation.

'I hope she doesn't think about forgiving him too quickly' Ned thought to himself, 'I don't want to see her hurt again.'

"Now I'm here at the police station telling you the whole story; and just so you know Mr. Nickerson, I don't lie. Everything I've told you this morning is the truth."

"Jackson, would you consider turning on the people you work for? Think about this for a moment; if you do testify against them the D.A. may go easier on you."

"There's already going to be someone coming after me because I've allowed myself to get taken in for questioning; and if they do somehow find out that I made the call to warn Keefe then they will come after Lisa. I will not put her and Jaden's life in danger anymore than I already have."

There was a knock at the door; the District Attorney walked into the interrogation room once the door was opened to him.

"Jackson Rippner I presume?"

"Mr. Rippner is my client," Ned said to the D.A.

"Charles Keefe didn't make it, he died during surgery; his wife and children are still in critical condition. I'm here to inform you and your lawyer that the charges against you are now Accessory to Murder in the First Degree."

"What about me?" Lisa asked quietly trying to hold back her tears

"At this point Miss Reisert no charges are being brought against you. I'll leave you now Ned to confer with your clients."

"Thank you Josh," Ned said shaking the man's hand and closing the door behind him.

"Well; it looks like this just keeps getting better and better," Ned said facing Lisa and Jackson once more.

"Excuse me please," Lisa said getting up and quickly leaving the room.

"Let her go; maybe it's easier if she hates me. Then she won't be in any danger."

"You still care for her don't you?" Ned asked

"I never stopped loving her, she's the only thing in my life I ever did right; and then I walked away," Jackson said quietly; ashamed of himself.

A/N: I know I'm stepping OOC for Lisa and especially Jackson, but this seems to work for my story…for now. Please review and let me know if you like it. If you hate it…please be kind with your review, I like to get all reviews, good or bad, I just like the good ones more. I'll try to update quicker, I promise. – Jennifer