Five months earlier...
He had a lot of time to think and reflect on where he went wrong. His plans were always flawless. Capture a stepping stone and make them do what's required with a threat. It was a routine he played out many times. Some jobs could be exciting while other could be repetitive and boring.
Lisa Reisert - that was suppose to be one of the boring jobs until the plans changed at the last minute. Taking her hostage on a crowded plane would be difficult, but how his mouth watered for that sort of challenge. He was at the top of his game toying with this woman and beating her with over a hundred people surrounding them. He made one fatal error though. He underestimated Lisa Reisert.
Jackson balled his hand into a tight fist, and kept his gaze on the prison cell floor. He thought about her often. He thought of how he'd wrap his hands around her lovely pale neck and watch the life dim from her eyes.
He saw her last at his trial. She testified for only one day, and didn't dare look his direction the entire time. She looked perfect sitting there on the witness stand. She was different than other women he 'worked' with. Lisa wasn't over made or fake, she was the real thing. He kept his gaze intently on her as she exited the courtroom, and grinned smugly to himself knowing he had gotten to her by the tension he saw in her posture. That was the last time he laid eyes on Lisa.
Prison life was what he expected. He made no allies, and enemies were vast. He keep to himself, rarely talking to anyone. He was known as the 'pretty boy', but every time someone would call him that, they'd end up in a stranglehold. Jackson was resilient. It was gift he had since childhood. Most of his time in the prison cell was spent reading his favorite books or writing brutally graphic stories. Lisa sometimes showed up in his stories. He played out different scenarios from parting ways peacefully at the Miami airport to finishing her off in her father's house. He remembered his little statement, "I may have to steal you when this is over." He enjoyed thinking of what he would have done to her if he had taken her away with him. As much as he tried to convince himself that she wasn't his concern anymore, the harder it was to keep her out his mind. He wondered if she was haunted by thoughts of him or if she had just moved on. Knowing Lisa, she'd never totally forget him.
"Rippner!" Jackson raised his eyes to the guard standing at his cell door. "You have a visitor." He unlocked the cell. Jackson calmly stood and let the guard lead him to a visiting room. He ran through his mind the possibilities of who was waiting for him. It wasn't any family or friend and it surely couldn't be Lisa. It had to be an associate from the Organization.
But upon entering the visiting room, Jackson was surprised to see that he did not know the man seated on the other side of the table. He was broad shouldered, wearing an old brown suit and fedora.
"Hello, Mr. Rippner," the man greeted. He stood, offering his hand. "My name is Brian Desmond."
Jackson glanced at the offered hand then back at the man's face, not budging to shake. Brian Desmond lowered his hand and sat back in the chair.
"Sit. We have much to discuss."
"What is it that you came here to discuss with me, Mr. Desmond?" Jackson asked evenly, taking a seat on his side of the table.
"I belong to the League of Courage. Have you heard of it?"
Jackson sat back, regarding the man coolly. "If I'm not mistaken, that's the good guys."
"The League works to stop threats against the government and correct what has slipped by our radar."
"Ah. Just the opposite of my former employer. What is it that you want with me?"
"You are valuable to the League, Mr. Rippner. You are already trained. You have expert experience in handling many situations."
"What you mean is-" Jackson interrupted. He leaned against the table's edge. "I know secrets that are very valuable to you like names or how the Organization works."
Desmond narrowed his eyes. He knew he wouldn't like this Rippner character. "And you're an intelligent bastard."
Jackson smirked wickedly, sitting back in his chair. "Pinpointed me well, Mr. Desmond."
"If you decide to work for the League, you must do whatever assignment you are given and supply any information we ask of you. If you are found to be transferring secret information to your former employer, you will be brought back to jail and tried. We don't play games, Mr. Rippner."
"I can tell. What will my privileges be working for your League?"
"We will provide you with a vehicle, place to stay, and pay for your travels. You will earn a wage, though nothing like you were receiving. When we call, you come immediately. Upon leaving here, I will bring you to Headquarters. I hope you don't mind being blindfolded."
"Understandable. Wouldn't be the first time," Jackson said with ease, as if it were an every day event.
"There is one restriction that is specifically for you." Desmond's features darkened, and his voice lowered. "You will reframe from seeing or having contact with Ms. Lisa Reisert."
Jackson cocked his head, curiously. "You have concern that I will go after Lisa?"
"Listen, Mr. Rippner. I don't enjoy the idea of letting you free just for the reason that we might be putting Ms. Reisert's life in danger. There is a restraining order against you. If you go within 300 hundred feet of Ms. Reisert, you will be thrown back in here faster than you could lift a finger."
"Oh, Mr. Desmond." Jackson chuckled in amusement. "I wouldn't dream of hurting Lisa ever again. I've made my peace with her antics toward me. She means nothing to me."
Desmond regarded him suspiciously, not breaking eye contact until he knew Jackson got the message. He pulled out a thick stake of papers, but flipped to the last one and pushed it across the table with a pen. "Sign here. After you change clothes, we will escort you to Headquarters where you will be briefed on all that is acquired of you. Do not try to escape unless you wish to have another bullet hole in your chest."
Jackson signed the contract, and walked out of the prison a restricted but free man. So, there was a restraining order against him to not contact or get within 300 hundred feet of Lisa. Desmond said nothing about seeing her from a distance.