A Fresh Start
Chapter Thirty One
Cassie and RJ are both silent on the way to the hospital. When she parks, she turns to him, taking his hand she holds it as she says. "I know you're scared and nervous, but I'm going to be right here with you."
"Okay." He replies, managing a weak smile.
"I promise, it'll be alright, you want to go inside."
"Okay." He replies, reaching for his seatbelt.
They get out and as they walk towards the hospital RJ slips his hand into Cassie's. Squeezing it slightly, they walk through the doors to the hospital. A few minutes later, Cassie stops outside Will's room.
"Are you ready?"
RJ nods, as Cassie pushes the door open. Richard and Will are both on the bed and are watching 'Cars'. Cassie clears her throat to get his attention. Turning towards the door he smiles as he sits up on the bed.
RJ is standing beside Cassie, still holding her hand as Richard stands up and walks over to them. Kneeling down, he says "Hi" to RJ.
"Hello." RJ replies softly, moving closer to Cassie.
"How are you doing?"
"Okay."
"You've grown so much." Richard says, looking up at Cassie.
"I'm seven. I was two when you went away."
"I know, and I didn't want to do that. But I couldn't help it."
"Why?"
"Because I was hurt so I had to go away to get better."
"Is that why you went to sleep?"
"Yes."
"Are you better?"
"Yes."
"Hart went away too and he didn't come back and so did Tammy."
"I know but neither of them wanted to leave you and I didn't want to either. But I was asleep; I didn't know that you thought I was with Hart."
RJ just looks at him, not quite sure if he should believe him. "RJ, why don't you watch the movie with Will, while I talk to Richard?" Cassie suggests.
"Okay." He replies, releasing Cassie's hand, and looking at Richard before he walks around him, being careful not to touch him. Walking over to the bed, he climbs up beside his brother as Richard and Cassie walk out of the room.
When the door closes behind them, Richard looks back into the room, watching the boys. "Is he okay?" He asks, turning to Cassie
"He didn't believe me when I told him that you were alive."
"He thinks I'm another Jeffrey."
"Maybe, but it's more that he thinks you're going to go away again, like before. And he's mad at me."
"Because of Edmund, Jeffrey and Josh."
"I don't think he realizes it, but yes."
"We'll have to be patient, eventually he'll figure out that I'm not leaving again."
"Has the doctor been by?"
"He came by a few minutes after you left."
"What did he say?"
"The antibiotics seem to be working. So now we have to wait and see if he starts to reject the liver after the virus is gone."
"Have you heard from William?"
"No, not since he left."
"How are you feeling?" She asks wrapping her arms around him.
"I'm fine. I really enjoyed spending time with him. He's so smart. He figures out things so much quicker than I did at his age."
Cassie glances into the room and catches the boys starting to wrestle around. "I think we need to get back in there." She says, nodding towards the room.
"I think you're right." Richard replies, pushing the door open.
He and Cassie walk in as Cassie says. "Alright that enough, boys."
After Jeffrey and Sam leave the Beacon, Olivia is tempted to go back upstairs and talk to Ava some more, but instead she calls Emma's sitter and leaves for the Inn where Simmons and his partner are sitting up for the kidnapping. When she walks in, they are sitting around, a rickety table playing cards.
"Olivia." Simmons says, as they stand up
"Is the room ready?" She asks, putting her purse on the table.
"Yes." Simmons replies.
"Let me see it."
They lead her back to one of the back bedrooms. Opening the door, she looks inside and then walks in with them following behind her. After a few minutes, Simmons asks. "Well."
"This is a cell, not the country club. Take everything out of the room, but the mattress. I want the window boarded up, leave one blanket and fix the door handle and lock. Remember, who we're dealing with here. He's not going to come passively or stay simply because we tell him to, and he knows how to get away without any of us knowing." Olivia says, looking at Simmons before walking out of the room.
"Yes ma'am." They both reply, following behind her.
"I'll be back to check on it.'
"Have you thought about how we're going to get…?"
"I'm paying you two to figure that out." Olivia says, picking up her purse and she leaves.
"Alright, you heard her, go, but make sure you're not detected, remember the target." Simmons partner leaves headed for Springfield, as Simmons begins to get busy on the room, following Olivia's orders.
An hour later, Sam turns the water off in the shower. Leaning over she kisses him before he pulls the curtain back and gets out, reaching for a towel he hands it to her as they hear the phone start to ring. Opening the door, he dries off as he walks into the kitchen, reaching the phone as it goes to the machine. "Hello."
"Yeah, Jeffrey. It's Mallet."
"Hey what's up?"
"We need to get together and discuss the investigation."
"Alright, I just got out of the shower. Let me get dressed and I'll meet you at Company."
"Okay." Mallet says, as Sam walks into the kitchen.
"I'll be there in about fifteen minutes."
"Okay."
Jeffrey hangs up and then turns to see Sam standing in the doorway, dressed. "Who was that?" She asks.
"Mallet." Jeffrey replies, putting the phone on the counter.
"Who?"
"He's a detective and he's helping me with the investigation into the DA situation."
"Okay."
"We need to get together and talk about some things." He says, wrapping his arms around her.
"Okay."
"I hate to leave you."
"It's okay. I'll just hang out here. You won't be long."
"No, I should be back within the hour."
"Alright, I'll change the sheets upstairs and wash them and I'll just hang out here."
"I'll be right back." He says, releasing her and heading towards the stairs and their bedroom.
A few minutes later, he's back downstairs. Sam is sitting on the couch, flipping through the channels. Walking over, he leans over and kisses her. "I'll be back a.s.a.p."
"I'll be fine." She says when he moves back.
"Okay." He says, standing up he walks over to the door, grabbing his keys he opens the door as she follows him. "I love you." He says.
"I love you too." She says, kissing him again quickly before closing the door behind him and locking it.
Jeffrey walks into Company, looking around the restaurant he spots Mallet sitting in a back booth. Walking over, he slips into the other seat as Ashley walks up to the table. "Coffee." Jeffrey says before turning his attention to Mallet. "What's going on?" Jeffrey asks.
"I talked with my Detective about the juror on Josh's…" Ashley walks up and puts Jeffrey's cup of coffee on the table before walking away "…trial." Mallet finishes as Jeffrey takes a sip of his coffee
"And."
"He claims that Doris told him to try anything he had to do to get the jury to convict Josh of Alan's shooting in turn she would make sure that the charges his son was facing would be lowered. The detective checked into his son's case, and his charges went from felony possession of a control substance charge to a misdemeanor the week after Josh was convicted."
"Did the detective speak with the other jurors?"
"Yes, everyone confirmed the man's story. He pressured them to return the guilty verdict."
"Are these jurors willing to testify?"
"Most of them, some of them have had issues with Doris and the DA's office before and they are afraid that if they testify she'll target their families.'"
"Tell the detective to get every statement that he can." Jeffrey says, taking another drink of coffee.
"Did you ever get the statement from Gillespie?"
"No, my contact contacted me while I was in Washington. The Australian government had located him and they were bringing him in. He was supposes to contact me when he received his statement."
"Okay."
"If we can't get him to make a statement. We at least have enough to go after her for tampering with a jury."
"I'll give him a call and see what's going on."
"And I'll speak to my detective and then I'll be in touch."
"Okay." Jeffrey says, finishing his coffee.
"I noticed you and Sam in the Journal this morning."
"We were at the gala last night." Jeffrey says, following him out of the restaurant.
"I noticed Olivia in the background, she didn't look too happy to see you with her."
"She wasn't." Jeffrey replies.
"From the look on her face, I would suggest watching your back and Sam's."
"I already know." Jeffrey replies, walking over to his truck.
"Then I'll be in touch." Mallet says, getting into his car.
"Okay."
Jeffrey climbs into the truck, backing out after Mallet leaves. He heads for the loft. While Jeffrey is at Company, Sam strips the bed and puts new sheets on it before she goes downstairs and laying down on the couch, she picks up the remote, flipping through the channels on the TV. That's where Jeffrey finds her when he walks into the loft about an hour later.
"Isn't that were I found you when I left?" He asks, walking into the living room.
"Hi." She says, sitting up.
"What are you watching?" he asks, sitting down beside after he gave her a quick kiss.
"Nothing really, I was flipping through the channels. How did the meeting go with Mallet?"
"Fine, it seems that our DA is more corrupted that we thought." Jeffrey says, propping his feet up on the coffee table as she leans back against him.
"What do you mean?"
"She tampered with a jury trial earlier this year."
"How?"
"By intimidating the foremen and forcing him to force the rest of the jurors to convict Josh of Alan's shooting."
"You have proof."
"We have the statement from the foreman and some of the jurors back up his story and we have copies of charges that were dropped from felony possession charges to misdemeanor charges against the foremen's son."
"She dropped the son's charges from felony charges to misdemeanor chargers."
"Yes."
"And no one thought there was something fishy about that."
"I don't know, maybe that's what got the governor to intervene."
"When are you going to arrest her?"
"Not till I get a hold of Jamison."
"Jamison?"
"Yes, he's an agent I know that works closely with the Australian government. He was supposes to get the Australian government to track down the man that was driving the car that hit Cassie's daughter. He called while I was in Washington and said that they had found him and were going to bring him in. He was supposes to call me when he received his statement."
"But you haven't heard from him."
"No, I told Mallet that I would call him." Jeffrey says, pulling out his cell phone and dialing Jamison's private cell number.
After a couple rings, he picks up. "Yes, Jamison."
"Jamison, its Jeffrey. I'm still waiting on the statement from Gillespie. You said they would have him in by the next day."
"Yeah, they did but he's refusing to talk."
"Really, why? We're not requesting for him to be extradited back to the US. We only want to know the details about the deal between Doris and him about the hit and run that killed Tammy Winslow."
"He says, Your DA told him that if he discussed the deal he would be extradited back to the US and face charges for the hit and run and Ms. Winslow's death. He says that Alan Spaulding could arrange it."
"Did they explain that we're not looking to charge him in the hit and run, we only want information?"
"Yes, he's still refusing to talk."
"We're going to have to find another way to convince him to talk."
"Are there other charges that can be brought up against him?"
"Other charges, what a minute. You might be on to something there Jamison. While he was over here, he was involved with one of Springfield PD's detective's daughter. She was under age and she was in the car when the incident happened. He was her supplier while they were together. If we threaten to extradite him back to the US to face drug charges in connection to his relationship with Susan LeMay, it might be enough to get him to talk."
"It might work. What do you want me to do?"
"Contact the Australian Government and inform them of the plan. Tell them to tell Gillespie that we're charging him with endangering a minor, and other charges."
"Okay."
"Draw up the papers and fax them to the authorities over there."
"I'll take care of it."
"Thank you; get back with me when you hear anything."
"I will."
"Thank you."
Jeffrey hangs up, putting the phone on the table. "Do you think that will work?" Sam asks.
"We'll see."
"What are we doing tomorrow?"
"Nothing, if you want to, we can go out to the lake, take a picnic and swim."
"That would be fun. When is the parade?"
"Monday morning, 10am. And then we'll go to the Bauer BBQ."
"And then I'll go back to Washington and get my stuff ready for the move. While you were at Company, I emailed Dr. Frost and told him that they had two weeks to find my replacement and then I was leaving. I also told him again that I was leaving in two weeks whether they had a replacement or not."
Jeffrey nods as he asks. "Are you going to be okay, staying at the apartment?"
"Yes, I'll have locks changed and I won't give the maintenance men copies of the keys, that way they can't open the apartment, or get in unless I'm there to let them in. And I'll make sure that one of the guards or doctor's walks me to my car at night. I'll be okay."
"And during that last week, I'll be out to help you pack up and drive back with you."
"Are you sure you can do that?"
"Yes, after the holiday things will settle down and I will be free to do other things."
"City Hall won't be busy."
"No, not as much. And what is there the councilmen can handle. It'll be okay if I take a week to help you move."
"Okay." Sam says, yawning.
"Are you tired?'
"Yes, but I don't know why? I slept so good last night." Sam says, yawning again.
"Go on up and I'll lock up." Jeffrey says, releasing her.
"Okay." Sam replies, standing up and heading towards the stairs.
After he finishing the meeting with the Lord Chancellor, William takes care of some minor details and then he leaves his office. Jodi is sitting at her desk when he leaves. "I'm through for the day Jodi, you can go on home."
"Yes Sir." Jodi replies, looking up.
William leaves, walking towards the front of the palace. Before he left his office he called the garage and asked that his personal car be brought up. It was waiting for him when he walks out of the palace. Slipping inside, he pulls away from the palace. A few minutes later, he pulls into the underground parking garage. Parking, he gets out and walks towards the elevators. A few minutes later, he walks into Will's room. Richard and Cassie are sitting in chairs beside the bed, with Will and RJ both asleep on the bed.
"How is he doing?"
"He's doing fine." Cassie whispers.
"What did the doctor say?"
"The antibiotics are working. Now we have to wait and see if the virus is going to make his body reject his liver." Richard says.
"How did it go with RJ?"
"He's skeptical." Cassie says.
"Skeptical?"
"Yes, he doesn't quite believe that I'm really Richard." Richard replies "I think he's more afraid that I'm going to leave again so he's telling himself that I'm not his father."
"If there's anything I can do."
"I think we've got it handled," Cassie replies.
"Okay."
"If you want to head home. I'll sit with him." William says, glancing at Will.
"Okay. Richard could use the rest."
"I'm fine."
"Richard."
"Alright, we'll go." Richard says, standing up and walking over to the bed. Pulling the covers back, he starts to lift RJ."
"Richard, just wake him up."
"No, I can carry him." Richard says, picking RJ up.
RJ mumbles something in his sleep and then lays his head on Richard's shoulder, falling back asleep.
"We'll be back tomorrow morning."
"Okay."
"You guys be careful, it's getting windy out there because of the storm off the coast."
"We'll be careful." Cassie replies, watching William for a couple seconds she asks. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I've just got a lot on my mind." William says, smiling at her.
"We'll be back tomorrow." She says, nodding as Richard opens the door and they leave with RJ.
When they reach the villa, Richard carries RJ into the house and up to his room. Cassie helps get him undressed and ready for bed before they leave his room, pulling his door partially closed behind him. Walking downstairs, Cassie walks out onto the patio with Richard following behind her. Looking out towards the ocean, he watches the storm clouds roll across the sky. "That's going to be a strong storm. I hope the fishing fleet is in, and I hope it continues in that direction, because it heads towards us. I think we're in for some rough weather."
"Are you saying a hurricane?"
"No, but it might be a pretty strong tropical storm." Richard replies, watching the storm.
"You didn't say anything to William about Jonathan."
"It didn't seem like the appropriate time. He's focused on Will. I'll talk to him when things settle down."
"Okay."
"Meanwhile, they are all safe at the embassy."
"Yes."
He turns to her, watching her watch the storm. "You've been quiet tonight. Are you worried about RJ?"
"Yes, he was so upset this afternoon after I told him about you. He locked himself in his room and wouldn't come out for me. Ms. Chitwood got him to unlock the door and come downstairs to talk. I realize part of that is my fault, but I didn't think he would react the way he did."
"You did the best you could. Neither one of us expected this to happen. Eventually RJ will learn to trust me again."
"I know you're right."
"Why don't we go inside and spend a quiet evening at home. We can order in and you can take a hot breath, and we'll just stay in." Richard says, putting his arms around her.
"That sounds nice." Cassie says, laying her head on his shoulder.
He turns for the house and putting their arms around each other, they walk back into the house. "Why don't you go on upstairs and take a hot bath and I'll get us something to eat?" Richard says, as they walk into the living room.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'll call down to the café and I'll have them deliver some food."
"Okay." Cassie says, leaning over she gives him a quick kiss.
After spending the evening in, Ava is up early the next morning. She orders room service and then getting dressed she leaves her room as Olivia is walking down the hall. "How are you doing?"
"I feel good. I took a long bath last night and I turned off all the lights, lit some candles and I relaxed, just like Sam suggested. I even went to bed early and slept very good."
"Did you talk to William?"
"No, I'll call him after I've scheduled my appointment with Dr. Sedgwick."
"I think you need to talk to him about…."
"I know you think we should be getting married, but right now it's too soon to decide anything. I don't know what I want to do. William is dealing with Will and his illness."
"Will's sick."
"Yes, I don't know the details but William acted like it wasn't too serious. Right now, we don't have to decide anything."
"Do you realize how hard it's going to be to raise this baby on your own?"
"I'm not on my own, am I. I have you and Dad and Sam."
"Don't include her."
"Mom, you're going to have to accept her, he's not going to give her up and he's not going to leave her and come back to you."
"Ms. Spencer, I'm sorry to interrupt." One of the clerks says, walking up to them.
"What is it Mary?" Olivia asks, turning to the girl
"Ma'am, we have a situation downstairs." She replies.
"I'll be right there." Olivia replies, turning to Ava. "We're not through discussing this."
"I know." Ava says, as Olivia walks off.
Ava leaves the Beacon, headed for town.
After Olivia left, Simmons got busy on the room. Taking out the bed, except for the mattress, he left one blanket and pillow. He boarded up the window, just as she requested.
While he was taking care of that, Ralph is in Springfield, following Simmons orders to watch the subject. Parked outside, in a sedan, he is waiting for the subject to leave, so he could find out their routine.
The next morning Jeffrey and Sam wake up to Jeffrey's cell phone ringing. Reaching for it, he sleepily answers on the third ring "Yes."
"O'Neill." Jamison asks.
"Yes, who is this?"
"Lt. Jamison, Sir."
"What's going on?" Jeffrey asks, sitting up as Sam rolls to her side watching him.
"We contacted the Australian government and told them your plan."
"Did they tell Mr. Gillespie?"
"Yes, and strangely enough when he found out that could possibly face secondary charges, he was more than willing to cooperate."
"So, he made a statement?"
"Yes, the Australian government should be faxing it to us within the hour."
"Great, when you get it, fax it immediately to this number…."
"Hang on." Jamison says, reaching for a pin. "Okay."
"(332)555-2845." Jeffrey says, as Sam moves to get out the bed. And he watches her walk across the room.
"I'll fax it as soon as I get the fax from the Australian government."
"Great. Thanks Jamison, I owe you."
"You're welcome." He replies. "I'll get the fax to you a.s.a.p."
They hang up as Sam walks back into the bedroom. Crawling back in bed, she asks. "Who was on the phone?"
"Jamison, we got the statement about the deal that Doris cut with the guy that ran over Tammy. He'll fax it to my office downtown as soon as he gets it." Jeffrey says, pushing the covers back.
"Where are you going?"
"I want to be at the office when the fax comes in so I can get it to Mallet immediately."
"Okay." Sam says, lying back down and watching him get dressed.
When he's finished dressing, he sits down on the bed. "I'll be back as soon as possible."
"Okay."
"I'll see you." He says, leaning over and kissing her
"Be careful and I love you." She replies, as he stands up and starts for the stairs.
"I will, and I love you too."
Sam hears the door close downstairs. Rolling to her side, she moves to his side of the bed. Laying her head down on his pillow, she takes a deep breath, catching his scent as she falls back to sleep.
31.11