Chapter 5
Peter walks into the kitchen looking irritated. "Hey...Tim. Calm down. The girls can hear you."
"I'm not taking orders from you!"
"At least lower your voice." Peter requests calmly. There's a brief moment of silence while he looks around the room, "What's going on?"
Lou responds with frustration. "Dad wants to talk to the press about Amy."
Turning his attention back to Tim, Peter explains, "She doesn't want to talk to the press and she doesn't want anyone else to either...I happen to agree."
"I'm her father and I don't agree."
Listen Tim, it would be a mistake to trust those papers. They were only interested in sensationalizing the story. It was obvious. I wouldn't advise talking to either of them or anyone else for that matter. It's too easy for them to twist words and take things out of context. It's better to say nothing and just wait for this to blow over."
"When it comes to my daughter I'm not taking advice from you, general. I'm gonna do what I know is in her best interest. And waiting for this to blow over is not in her best interest."
"Dad..don't." Lou pleads, as Tim storms out the door.
With his hands on his hips and shaking his head in disgust, Peter watches the door slam shut behind Tim. He turns to Lou. "I think it's time we talk to Georgie about all this. She heard Tim yelling and was wondering why...sooner or later she's going to hear about those newspaper stories."
"You're right. I'm just not looking forward to it."
"How about I talk to her and you jump in whenever you want?"
Lisa agrees, "That's a good idea. In the meantime I think I'll call Jack. He should know about Tim and that he's probably on his way there."
She picks up the phone just as there's a knock at the door.
...
While sitting with Amy, Jack feels the phone in his jacket pocket vibrate several times. As he reaches into his pocket for his phone, he turns to Amy and says, "I have a call. I'm gonna go into the hall and check what it is in case it's important."
"Okay...if it's family you should let them know what the doctor said about Ty. You should let Caleb and Scott know too."
"Good point. Once I see what this is about, I'll give everyone an update."
Jack answers his phone as the door to Ty's room closes behind him.
"...Lisa Calm down." A nurse interrupts Jack as he's speaking on the phone. "Excuse me Mr. Bartlett, if this is going to be a long conversation I suggest you continue the call from the waiting area."
"You're right...I'm sorry." Speaking again to Lisa, "Hold on a moment Lisa, I'll call you right back."
After quickly relocating to the waiting room, Jack calls her back. "I'm sorry about the interruption, now what's this about Tim and who came to the door?"...
...
"Who called?" Amy asks as soon as Jack walks back into the room.
"It was Lisa. Maybe we should talk in the hall."
"Telll me here."
"Well, your dad is probably on the way here to talk to you. He read those newspaper stories and he wants you or someone else to talk to the press...there's more."
"That's not going to happen. What else?"
"You should call Lisa about that. Apparently a messenger came to the house and delivered a legal size envelope for you. Lisa had to sign for it. She didn't open it but thought you should know. Call her...it'll only take a minute or two and I'll stay here with Ty."
As Amy reaches the door, Jack warns her, "Watch for the nurse. She doesn't like anyone making long phone calls in the hall."
"I won't let it take long."
Amy returns a few minutes later and as the door closes Jack turns to her and says, "You were right. It didn't take long. Mind telling me what it was about?"
Having returned to her chair she replies. "I had Lisa open the envelope. It had a copy of the contract I signed when I was hired by Ahmed to be his head trainer. There was a cover letter from the attorney reminding me of the confidentiality clause I agreed to and informing me that I'm prohibited from revealing any private conversations or such I had with Ahmed. There was some other stuff too but it's not important right now."
"Are you okay?"
"I'm am. I forgot about it but I had already decided not to say anything anyway. I guess I shouldn't be surprised though that he would send me that. Lisa also warned me about dad and told me about the scene he made at the house. I'm not in the mood to deal with him so if you don't mind..."
"I don't mind. I'll handle your dad if he shows up."
...
"Excuse me, Miss Fleming, there's a Tim Fleming here and he would like to speak to you."
"Thank you nurse."
"I'll take care of this." Jack announces as he stands up from his chair.
...
A few moments after Jack leaves the room, Amy reaches for Ty's hand. Holding it in hers she says, "Hey Ty, I'll bet you'd like to be a fly on the wall and listen in on that conversation...grandpa and dad going at it. I remember those times you told me about them arguing. You had a way of making it sound funny. Like two old hens going at it."
Amy let's out a long sigh. "I need your help, Ty. I wish you could tell me what to do. I know I didn't always agree with you but I did need to hear what you thought...what you had to say. I regret the times I didn't really listen to you when I should have. I'm just too stubborn I guess...and I know you're sometimes better at judging people than me. And that sometimes I can be a little too naive for my own good. I wish I was better at making decisions. If I were then well..."
Amy stops herself mid sentence, let's out another long sigh, then pauses in thought for a few moments more. "Up at Pike River grandpa told me a story about what went through his mind during his break with Lisa and he thought she had gotten back with her ex. He suggested that maybe something similar was going through your mind these last few months. I thought a lot about what he said and, if he was right, what you might have been thinking. It was hard...it was really hard. I had to get past this problem I have of not always being honest with myself. It hurt seeing myself through your eyes...questioning things and probably imagining the worst. I know you can't hear me but I do need you to hear what I have to say. I hope you'll listen to me when you're able to because I want to tell you everything...no more secrets."
She pauses again momentarily as the first hint of a tear begins to slowly well up in the corner of each eye. "There came a time on tour when I was no longer myself. "Amy pauses in thought for a moment. "I guess maybe it happen gradually. What was new and foreign to me became familiar and common. The extravagance...Grandpa would have rolled his eyes at some of the excesses. You too probably. It was a lifestyle that I got too used to, that I enjoyed...and certain things were expected."
Amy pauses again briefly, drying her eyes. "You were right, I had changed, and I wasn't myself when I got back. I guess you can say I was a bit of a bitch and I don't know how anyone put up with me. I said and did some things I will always regret. If nothing else, you need you to know that even though I made some mistakes along the way, I never ever stopped loving you. Those plans we made together...I want that...I want that to be our life together. Please, Ty...please get better, I need you."...
...
Tim is confronted by Jack in the hall just outside Ty's room. Recognizing the look of disdain on Jack's face he says, "Here we go. Listen, I need to talk to Amy."
"We're not going to do this here. Lisa called and told me what happened at the house." Jack points down the hall. "Outside...right now", he orders, "or I'll have you escorted out."
"You can't..."
"Yes I can."
Followed closely by Jack, Tim reluctantly walks to the waiting room where he stops and turns to his ex father-in-law. "Not here...outside!" Jack demands.
Tim hesitates for a moment then turns and walks outside. "Happy now? Listen Jack..."
Jack abruptly interrupts. "No! You Listen!"
"But..."
Again Jack interrupts. "No buts...Amy made up her mind not to talk to the press. Besides there's some legal issues now, so there's no point in pushing it and no one's in the mood to deal with your crap...most of all me! Go along with the plan or you're going to burn some bridges. That's the way it has to be...got it!"
"What legal issues?"
"Amy's contract with Ahmed had a confidentiality clause. Talking about Ahmed to the press could cause problems for her and she has enough on her plate already."
"But we..."
"Listen to me...I know what you're thinking and we're not going to go there. No one should talk to any reporter about anything!"
"Jack..."
"What words do you not understand? Or do you need me to say it again!?"
"Okay...but someone has to stand up for her and set the record straight!"
"Tim, I'm warning you. If you so much as sneeze in the direction of a reporter, you'll regret it!
"Yeah...yeah...I've heard it all before. You're like a broken record. I need to talk to her though so she understands..."
Jack interrupts. "Amy does understand and she doesn't want to talk to you right now, so you might as well leave."
"I'm her father Jack. You can't keep me from talking to her...she's my daughter."
"And she's an adult who's perfectly capable of making up her her own mind, so act like a father for a change and respect her decisions."
...
Jack walks back into Ty's room and when Amy turns her head towards him he notices her quickly wiping her eyes. "Everything okay?" He asks.
"Yeah...I was just talking to Ty."
"That's good."
"I told him that I thought he would love to have listened in on the conversation you had with dad."
"Maybe...maybe not."
"What do you mean?"
"Your dad is being...well, your dad. He's stubborn and incapable of recognizing common sense if it struck him in the face."
"You didn't do that did you?"
"I was tempted. It should be fine for now. I don't think he'll do anything stupid. He still insists on talking to you though."
"I'll talk to him when he agrees to listen to reason."
"That may take a while."
"Is he still here?"
"I don't think so. He just stormed off muttering to himself." Jack continues the thought silently to himself, 'The only one who cares what he has to say.'
"I called Caleb and Scott to let them know how Ty is doing. They both said they would be coming by later to see him."
After about an hour a nurse enters the room. "I'm sorry to have to disturb you but Doctor Levinson ordered some tests for Mr. Borden so we're going to have to move him soon. It'll be some time before he's brought back. An orderly will be coming in shortly."
"Thank you for letting us know. We'll get out of the way." Jack replies with a nod. Suddenly his cell phone vibrates indicating a call. "Someone has good timing." He says as he takes out his phone and steps into the hall with Amy behind him.
"...Yes, Lou. Amy's right here next to me."
Jack hands his phone to Amy. "What's going on, Lou?"
"The police called...actually it was Detective Brady. He and Detective Brown need to talk to you again and they want to speak to you here at home. They were pretty insistent and said they would be here in about an hour."
"I guess I have no choice then. They're about to run some tests on Ty so there won't be anything to do here for awhile anyway. If we leave now, we should be there with some time to spare."
Amy hangs up and hands the phone back to Jack. "We need to head back home, grandpa. The detectives want to talk to me again. I wouldn't be surprised if it has something to do with those stories. Anyway, it'll also give me an opportunity to look at what was in that envelope that was delivered this morning."
...
From her bedroom window, Amy sees a car along with a patrol car pull up to the house. She makes her way to the porch where she meets both detectives.
"Why is it necessary to bring uniform officers with you?" Amy asks Detective Brady.
"We'll explain it shortly. Is there somewhere private we can talk?"
"There's the office in the barn."
"That'll be fine."
Amy leads them to the office and detective Brown tells the two uniform officers to wait outside.
...
Jack and Lisa walk into the kitchen while Lou is looking out the widow. Curious about what Lou is looking at, Jack gazes out the window as well. "Lou, why are those police officers here?"
"I don't know. They arrived at the same time as the detectives."
"Is there a reason for us to be worried about anything?"
"I think they would have said something if there was. Amy's in barn talking to the detectives right now."
"Well, Lisa and I have an errand to run. It shouldn't take long so we'll be back soon. Where's Peter?"
"He's in the bedroom on the phone. He has several calls he has to make for work and he needed somewhere private to talk. We'll be okay if the police leave before you get back."
...
"Mind if I take a seat here at the desk?" Amy asks.
"No...not at all. It's your office." Detective Brown replies.
Amy takes a seat behind the desk. Detective Brown settles in a seat across from her with Detective Brady, folder in hand, standing at his side.
Amy begins by stating, "I think I should tell you that just today I was reminded by an attorney of the confidentiality clause I agreed to in the contract I signed when employed by Prince Ahmed."
"Thats not an issue. A confidentiality clause isn't enforceable in a criminal investigation. I assume the attorney you mentioned represents the prince?"
"That's my understanding."
"Now, Ms. Fleming, if you don't mind, I would like to record this interview."
"Is there a reason for that?"
"Yes...we'd like to formally document your answers to the questions we asked during our last interview with you. It's not unusual in investigations like this. I'm going to go over them with you and you'll have a chance to correct any inaccuracies."
"That sounds reasonable. Does this have something to do with those two newspaper stories this morning?"
Detective Brown answers, "Actually no, although there were portions of those stories that are worth a few follow up questions."
"Fine, I want to help so I'll tell you anything you want to know."...
After reviewing Amy's previous answers to their questions and her agreeing to their accuracy, Detective Brown states, "There's another reason we're going over your answers. It's because of the interviews we conducted with others we believed had information pertinent to our investigation. You see, everyone with knowledge of the altercation between Mr. Borden and the prince, with the exception of you, named him as someone who would have cause to harm Mr. Borden. Actually he was almost always the first person named."
"That's probably because they don't know the prince like I do."
"That might be, but your relationship with him was also described differently by some."
"Are you talking about those newspaper stories?"
"Not entirely. We interviewed the prince as well and his description of your relationship with him is different than yours. Also, we found it an interesting coincidence that you went to see him the same morning Mr. Borden was shot...an important piece of information you failed to tell us."
"Are you accusing me of something?"
"No, not at all. We're just trying to get a clear picture of the facts."
"I suggest you talk to Prince Ahmed again because if he described our relationship as anything other than what I told you then he's lying! The only reason I went to see him that morning was because he told me that it was the only time he was available. I didn't even know he was back in Hudson until he sent me a text telling me he was here. And I only went to see him to return a necklace and saddle he had given me along with the check I told you about."
"Interviewing him again isn't possible because he's no longer here in Hudson. He left the country yesterday before we could question him further. As I told you, we're not accusing you of anything but we need to verify what you told us and that's why the two uniform officers are here."
Detective Brady reaches into the file he's holding and hands Amy several papers as Detective Brown explains, "That is a warrant authorizing us to seize and search any and all personal and business cell phones you have as well as other electronic devices such as, tablets, laptop computers, and desk top computers. The purpose is for us to view and document calls and text messages, along with voice and emails, which may be related to this investigation...paticularly between you and the Prince. It's all explained in the affidavit and warrant you have been given. The uniformed officers are here to collect from you and, if necessary, seize the devices listed."
Disturbed by being served a search warrant, in anger Amy holds the papers up in her hand and proclaims, "Is this really necessary? If you had just asked I would give all these things to you voluntarily."
"Ms. Fleming...if you had been entirely candid in the interview then perhaps that might have been the case. The problem is some of your answers to our questions were evasive or at best ambiguous. It caused us and our supervisor to question whether you were being entirely truthful. If you remember, we gave you an opportunity to add anything you wanted before we finished questioning you and you failed to do so. Therefore we weren't entirely convinced we would have your cooperation. Again, we're not accusing you of anything criminal. The person we're interested in is the prince. If you're telling us the truth then what we find will hopefully support your description of events."
Setting the papers down on the desk in front of her she states adamantly, "What I told you is the truth!"
Not swayed by Amy's statement, Detective Brown replies, "Ms. Fleming, if there's anything you would like to add then I strongly advise you that now is the time to tell us."...
...
Shaken and trying extremely hard not to reveal her emotions, Amy walks into the house while Lou is watching the police from the kitchen window.
"Lou, where's grandpa?"
"He went somewhere with Lisa. They said they wouldn't be gone very long. Amy, what's going on? Why are the police taking the office computer?"
Noticeably irritated, she answers, "Not just the office computer, Lou. I gave them my cell phone and I need to get my tablet, and laptop to give to them as well."
"I don't understand...why?"
"They said they have to verify what I told them in my interview with them yesterday, so they want to inspect them."
"Inspect them for what?"
Amy sighs, "Calls, text messages, anything to do with Ahmed."
With surprise Lou asks, "You and Ahmed?"
Now frustrated she answers, "Yes...me and Ahmed."
"I thought you were done with him."
"Well Lou, apparently not!" Amy replies in anger.
"Don't bite my head off, Amy. I'm concerned because this doesn't make any sense. It sounds like there's more to it. What haven't you told us?
...
To be continued...