A Fresh Start
Chapter Sixty Three
Olivia is coming downstairs when Jeffrey walks into the lobby of the Beacon. She doesn't see him as she walks over to the front counter. Jeffrey follows her and as she about to say something to the clerk, he takes her arm and begins to lead her away. Turning, she says as she tries to pull away "What do you think you're doing?"
Jeffrey continues to walk, tightening his hold on her arm. He leads her out into the garden and to the back, away from the hotel and guests. Pushing her down on a bench he stands over her. "I told you what would happen if you did anything to her."
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't pretend that you don't know what I'm talking about." He says, throwing the teddy at her.
"You didn't…."
Kneeling down, he looks her in the eye as he grabs a hold of her shoulders, shaking her slightly. "She is who I'm with now. She means more to me than anything. I will not let you do anything to her or…. Jeffrey stops for a second, realizing that he can't mention the baby. Olivia catches the pause.
"Or?" Olivia asks, watching him.
"Or you will answer to me and you remember what I told you when you tried to evicted me? I will come after you Olivia, whether your Ava's mother or not. You will loose everything, including our daughter. We are over." He says, shaking her for the final time before he lets her go.
"But we don't have to be. You felt something for me. I know you did."
"Yes, I did. I felt guilty for my part in what happened in San Cristobel. I felt sorry that you went through so much because of what we did, but I don't love you. I love her. She has had my heart since before I was in San Cristobel impersonating Richard. I will make my life with her. We have Ava, that's all we have." Jeffrey says, getting up.
"We can have…." Olivia says, reaching out to him
"No, we can't." He says, pulling away from her. "She is what I want. She will be what I want till the day I die. If you do anything to her, you will answer to me. And I know how to do things Olivia and I will not be caught. You know I do." Jeffrey says, looking directly at her before he turns to walk away.
"Jeffrey!" Olivia calls, but he keeps walking.
For several minutes, she watches the last place she saw him before she gets up and walks back to the Beacon. The desk clerk watches her for a couple seconds before she barks. "Don't you have work to do?"
"Yes ma'am." She whispers, turning to one of the customers as Olivia walks to her office.
Cassie is leaving the Beacon, when she sees Olivia walk in from the garden and she hears her bark at the clerk. When Olivia walks into her office, she walks over to the front desk. After the clerk takes care of the customer she's dealing with Cassie asks. "What's going on with Olivia?"
"She just had a visitor."
"Who?"
"The mayor, he took her out to the garden and they were out there for about twenty minutes and then he came back in and left and then she came in."
"Did he say anything?"
"No ma'am, not while he was in here. He just took her arm and led her away."
"Okay." Cassie says, turning she walks towards the garden.
Walking towards the back of the garden, she finds the bench where Jeffrey had taken Olivia. Looking around, she spots a piece of lace lying on the ground where Olivia had dropped it when she got up. Picking it up Cassie is surprised at how explicit the teddy was. Folding it up, she stuffs it in her purse before she turns around and leaves the hotel through the garden.
Jeffrey is walking into City Hall about thirty minutes later, when Richard comes up to him. "Jeffrey." He says
"Richard." He replies, walking into his office.
"Are you okay?" Richard asks, sitting down across from him.
"I'm fine. I had some personal business to take care of. Did we…?"
"No, we had nothing scheduled. This is personal."
"Alright." Jeffrey says, sitting back in his chair.
"I need to ask you a legal question."
"Okay."
"It's about me and Cassie."
"Okay."
"As you know, I was declared legally dead after the accident."
"Yes."
"I was wondering how that affects us. I mean I know that she's my wife, but legally, does the law still see her as that?"
"Oh." Jeffrey says, nodding.
"I've asked her to marry me again. It is something that we want to do. But if the law considers me dead, it maybe something we have to do."
"You can marry her again if you want to, but as to the law all you need to do, is file to have the death certificate reversed and everything should be fine."
"Will the marriage reverse the death certificate?"
"Actually, you will need to take care of reversing the death certificate before you will be able to get a marriage license. If you don't there will problems later when you do actually…."
"Die."
"Yes, the court will question any claims to your estate if you don't have this death certificate reversed, not to mention since you have a job we need to begin the processes immediately before you file your taxes for this year. It may not come up with the IRS this year, but eventually it will."
"What do I need to do first?"
"Contact Rick Bauer…."
"Rick?"
"Yes, he's the county corner. He'll be able to get the process started. You're going to have to prove who you are, but that won't be a problem. We'll simply submit your hospital records from the agency and that you were under their care until you were released earlier this month and that Cassie had no knowledge of you being there."
"Will the agency do that?"
"I'll speak to the director. Being as this whole situation was brought about by the agency and the US Government's long standing relationship with San Cristobel. I'm sure they will be willing to correct the problem.
"And that will take care of the problem."
"It should, and then after that you should be able to get a marriage license."
"So I'll talk to Rick."
"I'll have Sam contact the hospital at the agency and get your final hospital record."
"I think she gave us a copy of it when we left." Richard says, standing up.
"Then talk to Rick and everything should be fine."
"Okay. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. I had to put someone straight about some things."
"Who?"
"Olivia."
"Is she…?"
'Yes, but I've taken care of it."
"Okay, but watch your back. I know from personal experience how manipulative she can be."
"I am and I will, mine and Sam's."
"Did something happen between them?"
"Yes, Saturday. But I've taken care of it."
"Okay, thanks for the advice." Richard says, walking to the door.
"You're welcome." Jeffrey says, as he opens the door.
Richard leaves, and Jeffrey goes to work on Springfield business for the rest of the day.
After leaving the garden, Cassie walks out to her car. Getting in, she heads towards Springfield. Sam is coming back from checking on the invitations and flowers for the wedding. Cassie pulls up as she gets out of the car. "Hi." Sam says, as Cassie walks up to her.
"Hi." Cassie replies waiting for her to get her purse.
"What's going on?" Sam asks, as she closes the door to her car
"I was coming into town and I thought I would stop by and see how everything went with Ava?"
"Fine, we had a nice dinner and then we talked." Sam says, as they walk up the stairs to the loft.
"How did she react?"
"She was a little surprised but I think she's okay with it."
"And Olivia?"
"Olivia?" Sam asks, turning as they walk into the living room.
"Yes, does she know?"
"No, I haven't told her, and Ava said that she wouldn't."
"And Jeffrey?"
"Jeffrey, I don't think he's seen her. Why are you asking about Olivia and Jeffrey?"
"I was…." Cassie looks up and sees the expression on Sam's face. "Okay, I was at the Beacon and I saw Jeffrey leaving the garden and then I saw Olivia come in and she didn't look too happy when she did."
"And?" Sam asks, sitting down on the couch.
"I went out to the garden and I found this." Cassie says, reaching into her purse and pulling out the teddy.
Sam recognizes it immediately and reaches for it. "So that is what he was doing." She says, holding the teddy in her hand.
"You knew he had this." Cassie asks, looking surprised.
"Yes, he was returning it to her."
"Why would he have some of Olivia's lingerie?"
"It wasn't, well it was hers. She bought it." Sam sighs softly, laying the teddy on the couch. "I took the day Saturday for myself before Ava came over. Jeffrey had the band over here and I would just be in the way, so I decided to take the day and go shopping. I need to get some thing for him, for a wedding present. Anyway, I ran into Harley and she suggested Marsha's so I decided to go down there and look around. I didn't see Olivia when I walked in. I was looking at a negligee when she walked up to me and started harassing me, saying some really nasty things."
"Like what?"
"She basically, well she did call me whore."
"She what!"
"And she implied that, that was the only reason that Jeffrey was with me. She also accused me of taking him away from her. Anyway, one thing led to another and I lost my temper and I slapped her. She slapped me back and that's when Harley stepped in."
"So how does the teddy figure into all that?"
"She bought it and tried to give it to me. She saw the things that I bought for us and of course she had to comment on it. As well as make suggestions." Sam says, glancing at the teddy."
"I assume you didn't take the teddy from her, so how did you get it."
"I assume that when we slapped each other we dropped our bags. Harley picked them up after she broke us up and I guess she gave me Olivia's bag along with mine. I found it later that night when we went to bed. Jeffrey must have found it this morning, because I found him with it later and then he left with it. He must have taken it to the Beacon to give it back to her." Sam says, getting up and walking over to the trash and tossing the teddy in it."
"So, he was only returning it to her."
"That and I am sure he wasn't too happy about the slap."
"She really slapped you."
"Yes, after I slapped her. He's worried that something else could've happened and with the baby, he wasn't…."
"He's afraid of what could've happened if she would have pushed you down or something."
"Yes, and I know he's right. I should've thought of that myself, but I couldn't let her say all the things she was saying and not say or do anything. I don't really care what she thinks of me, except that I'm tired of her implying that I stole him away from her. But I'm not going to stand there and let her imply that Jeffrey's my john and I'm his whore." Sam says her tone cold and angry.
"Calm down. I know you were protecting him, but he's right. She could've done something more, than slap you and if you're pregnant…. When did that happen?"
"The week before the fourth of July, it wasn't planned."
"I didn't think it was. How did he react?"
"He was shocked at first and then hurt."
"Hurt?" Cassie asks, in surprise.
"Yes, I didn't trust him or that he would want the baby. I thought maybe he'd think I did it on purpose. My logical side took over."
"Your logical side?"
"Yes, I wanted to believe that he would want the baby and that he wouldn't think I did it on purpose but the logical side of me told me that there was a possibility that he would resent and even deny this baby and me. I know it was stupid." Sam says, catching the look on Cassie's face. "But it all worked out in the end." Sam says with a smile glancing down at the ring on her left hand.
"Yes, it did. So, what are you going to do about Olivia?"
"I suppose the same thing I've been doing, avoiding her."
"And Ava?"
"Ava is Jeffrey's daughter. She's apart of his life and mine. She's always welcome here."
"What if it comes to her choosing between them?"
"I hope it doesn't come to that. I hope that Olivia realizes that it's over." Sam says, looking up. "I can hope can't I?" She says, as she catches the look on Cassie's face as the door opens and Jeffrey walks in.
"Beca." He says. As he walks in he doesn't know that Cassie's there.
"Hi." Sam replies, smiling as she gets up and walks over to him. She hugs him before he leans in for a quick kiss as he spots Cassie sitting in one of the chairs across from the couch. "Hi." He says, as he releases Sam.
"Hi." Cassie says, standing up.
"I hear congratulations are in order."
"I'm sorry." Cassie says, looking confused.
"I spoke with Richard this afternoon and he told me about the wedding."
"Oh, yes." Cassie says, smiling for the first time since she arrived.
"You're getting married again?" Sam asks, surprised.
"Yes, in the barn. It was Richard's idea." Cassie says, catching the look of surprise on Jeffrey's face.
"And you told him…."
"About me and Edmund being married there, yes he knows." Cassie says.
"And he still wants too…?"
"Yes, it'll be okay. The farm was more me and Richard's place than it was ever mine and Edmund's. He may have remodeled it for me, but its Richard and my home, along with the kids."
"How is he settling in, with Tammy not…?"
"He's adjusting quite well. I think it helps being busy with the job you recommended him for. He's finding his place quite easily."
"That's good." Jeffrey says.
"You called for Beca when you came in." Cassie says, looking at Jeffrey.
"Yes."
"Who's Beca?" Cassie asks.
"Beca is me." Sam says.
"I don't understand."
"I was Jeffrey's partner in the agency. That's how we got together. We were on assignment when some things happened that forced me to choose between him and the assignment. I faked my death and came home. To keep myself safe, I changed my identity. My former name was Rebeca. Jeffrey always called me Beca instead of my given name."
"Oh." Cassie says, standing up. "I think I'm going to go. I've got to meet Richard at Towers and I didn't realize how late it has gotten." She says, walking towards the door. Turning to Sam she says. "If I can help, I will."
"Thank you, but I think we've got it under control."
"Okay."
Sam follows her to the door. She closes it a few minutes later after saying good-bye. Jeffrey is waiting in the living room when she comes back. "You told her about Russia."
"In the briefest of details, she would have wondered about the name."
"Why was she here?"
"She saw you at the Beacon." Sam says, walking over to him.
"I went…."
"I know." Sam says, sitting down beside him. "She thought maybe you were doing something with Olivia and she brought it back."
"She thought… She should know me better than that." Jeffrey looks at the door.
"It doesn't matter. I explained what happened and that I knew you were going to see Olivia about it."
"I wanted to make Olivia understand that it's over and to mind her own business."
"And did she?"
"I don't know. We'll have to see. But I don't want to talk about Olivia. Besides, Cassie coming over what did you do today?"
"I went to the florist and the printers. The florist is working on the flowers and the printers should have the invitations printed up by the end of the week. Beside Olivia did you do anything else?"
"I talked with Richard."
"About Springfield stuff?"
"No, he had some questions about him and Cassie, legal questions."
"Oh, about the wedding."
"Yes."
"Are you hungry?" Sam asks, moving to get up.
"Actually I am." Jeffrey replies, looking up at her.
"Alright, I'll go fix us something to eat." She says leaning over she gives him a quick kiss before she walks towards the kitchen. He gets up a few seconds later and heads upstairs to change.
Colonel Mitchell is walking into his office when Lieutenant Jamison walks up to him. "Sir." He says saluting as Colonel Mitchell turns around.
"Yes, Lieutenant." He says, walking into his office.
"Sir, we have some news."
"About what, Lieutenant?"
"It's about the doctor that treated Princess Cassie after the accident."
"What is it?"
"As we know, he resigned…."
"I know. What do we know that's new?"
"We've found information that he may have moved to San Jamar after he left the hospital."
"Where did this information come from?"
"One of the nurses Sir, she was involved with the doctor at the time and after the princess was released and he resigned, he broke off the relationship and left."
"Did he tell her why?"
"No, he left her a note, telling her that he was leaving and not to try and find him. She hasn't heard from his since. This is the most solid lead we've had Sir."
"Yes, I know. Send a couple of our guards to San Jamar. Of course request the proper permission from the prince before you send the guards. Have them track down this doctor the nurse told you about, and question him. Don't ask too much, but we have to find out if his is the former Princesses doctor."
"And if he is?"
"Bring him back to San Cristobel; of course assure him that if he cooperates we will not take action against him, if he was under Prince Edmund's control."
"Yes Sir, I'll make the arrangements immediately. Should I tell his Highness?"
"No, I will inform Prince William after we've ascertained the situation."
"Yes Sir." Lieutenant Jamison says, saluting before he leaves.
After they finish eating, Jeffrey leaves again assuring Sam that he would be back within a couple hours. Pulling up in front of city hall, he meets Stacey outside the city council's meeting room. "Do you have the file?" He asks as he walks up to her.
"Yes Sir." Stacey replies, handing him the file containing the information she gathered about the house that Sam wants.
"Thank you." Jeffrey replies, taking the folder and walking into the room.
Most of the city council members are surprised to see him when he walks in. The head of council walks up to him as he walks down the aisle to the find a seat. "Mr. Mayor, we weren't expecting you…."
"I'm simply a citizen tonight Douglas." Jeffrey says.
"Yes Sir. We should be getting started in a matter of minutes."
"Okay." Jeffrey says, sitting down in one of the chairs as Douglas walks to the front of the room.
Picking up a gavel he bangs it twice to get everyone's attention. "Everyone, are we ready." He asks, as the rest of the city council takes their seats and the public sit down as well.
Over the next hour, the council moves through different items of business, voting on whether to expand the 5th and Main Street redevelopment projects, which passed with a vote of 7 to 3. They are about to wrap up the meeting when the list of abandoned properties and properties listed as eligible to sale for back taxes is brought up. As they moved through the list, Jeffrey sits quietly until they finished the list and are about to dismiss the meeting. Standing up, he gets the attention of Douglas who asks. "Was there something you needed Mr. Mayor?"
"Yes, I would like to speak to the council about the Cedar Street house."
"The one that scheduled to be demolished next week, I don't see why you would be interested in that property." Douglas says, as Jeffrey walks to the front of the room.
"I understand that the building in question is under order of demolition because the current owner have refused to or is unable to pay the back taxes."
"That is correct."
"I have a proposal that I would like to make to the council." Jeffrey says. "I propose that the property be sold for back taxes." He says.
"The house is close to collapse. It was deemed unsafe by the zoning commission."
"But it can be fixed." Jeffrey says handing each of the members the packet of information that Stacey had gotten together for him. "If you look through the packet I've just given you, you'll see that Mr. Billy Lewis of Lewis Construction has looked the property over and in his opinion the house is salvageable. If you'll also look in the packet my office has spoken with several members of the community and they all feel like we're developing 5th and Main streets enough. They also feel like we should salvage a house that has been in this community since its inception." Jeffrey returns to the podium in front of the council while the members look over packet he put before them.
"We tried to sale the property for back taxes and no one would buy it. It's become a haven for criminal activity and it's dangerous." Councilmen Simpson says.
"How long was the property up for sale?" Jeffrey asks, looking over at the tax commissioner.
"I believe it was a week Sir. It's in horrible condition."
"A week and how much notice was given to the public about its availability?" Jeffrey asks.
"That week Sir." The tax commissioner replies.
"So, it was available for a week and it was only advertised for that week. That's seems a very short time to turn our back on a piece of town history. And what will be done with the property when the house is demolished?" Jeffrey asks
"The land will be available to sale." Councilmen Douglas replies
"And who will buy it?" Jeffrey asks.
"Anyone who wants…."
"Let's assume that a development company buys the property. Most of Cedar Street is zoned residential, except for property surrounding the hospital. This house lies on the outer rim of that zone. Is that correct?" Jeffrey asks, looking at the zoning commissioner.
"Yes sir, it can be zoned for either use, commercial or residential."
"What if it was used for both?"
"Both, Sir." Councilmen Douglas asks.
"Yes, both. It stands to reason that if a development company such as Spaulding or another company came in and bought the property they would apply to have the property zoned for commercial use and use the property to build a doctor's office building, since it is in close proximity to Cedars. I think it's safe to say that the residents living in the neighborhood would not appreciate and office building being constructed in their neighborhood. Therefore, I suggest that it be sold to a private individual for the back taxes. We keep a piece of Springfield's history, and the neighborhood keeps its continuity. Allowing the property to be bought for back taxes will also save the town about $20,000."
"And who do you suggest will buy this property, it's falling apart."
"I will." Jeffrey says.
"You, Sir."
"Yes me, I will pay the back taxes and purchase the property."
"But what will you do with it, as I said it's falling apart."
"What I do with it isn't of the townships concern as long as the town gets the money owed for back taxes. So, do we have a deal?" Jeffrey asks, looking at each of the councilmen.
"I guess we can vote on it." Councilmen Douglas says. "All in favor of allowing Mayor O'Neill to pay the back taxes and taking ownership of the property say I."
It was a unanimous decision. When the meeting was over, Jeffrey walks over to the tax commissioner. "If you will contact my office, I'll be happy to transfer the money as soon as possible."
"Yes Sir." He replies nodding as Jeffrey turns to walk away.
Sam is upstairs when he returns to the loft. Closing the door, he locks up before laying his keys on the table by the door. Heading upstairs, he finds her lying on the bed, leafing through a magazine when he walks in. "Hi." He says, walking over to the bed.
"Hi, how was the meeting?"
"Good, we got a lot accomplished. What did you do while I was gone?"
"Not a lot watched a little TV that's all." Sam says, as he sits down on the bed.
"Look through some magazines." He says, flipping the pages of the magazine she was looking at.
"Well, I thought I would try to get some ideas for my office."
"And did you?"
"A few, but I have to find the place for it first."
"Well, maybe something will come up." Jeffrey says, getting up as he begins to take his shirt off. "I'm going to go take a shower."
"Okay." Sam replies, picking the magazine up as Jeffrey tosses his shirt towards the dirty clothes hamper, missing it by a mile as he walks out of the room and Sam shakes her head as she puts the magazine down and gets up to put the shirt in the hamper.
After Lieutenant Jamison leaves Colonel Mitchell's office, he gathers a couple of men and they leave for San Jamar. When they arrive, they first speak to the ruling prince, notifying them of their presence and then they set out to find Cassie's former doctor. It takes about half a day before they are able to track him down.
Lieutenant Jamison is sitting in the lobby of their hotel when one of the men comes up to him. "Sir, I believe I have a lead on the man we're looking for."
"Where is he?"
"I've been speaking to one of the locals Sir and they say there is a man that practices medicine out in the countryside. He came about the same time that our Dr. went missing from San Cristobel, after the princess's accident. And he never stays in one place too long, and he never takes money for his services. They say he's a very mysterious man."
"Did they say where he was?"
"The last anyone saw him was two days ago in a small town west of here."
"Alright, gather the men we're going to this town."
"Yes Sir." The guard says, leaving the Lieutenant.
Two hours later, they leave the capital traveling to a small town just west of the city. When they arrive most of the town is closed for siesta. Walking into a small cantina, Lieutenant Jamison walks up to the bartender. "Can I help you?" The man asks.
"Yes, I'm looking for a man, a doctor. I was told that he was here."
"Why do you need to see him?"
"I need to ask him some questions. Have you seen him around town?"
"He was here yesterday, but I believe he left this morning for San Louisa."
"And where is this San Louisa?"
"About ten miles north of here."
"Thank you." Lieutenant Jamison replies, turning he walks out of the cantina. "Alright, you two I want you to go to San Louisa. It's another town north of here. According to the bartender, the doctor was here but he's moved on to this town. I'm going to stay here and watch the cantina."
"But the bartender…."'
"He's hiding something."
The guards leave as Lieutenant Jamison, turns back towards the cantina. Watching the front door, he watches the cantina for several minutes before a movement out of corner of his eye catches his attention. Turning, he watches and a few seconds later, spots the bartender walking down the street rather swiftly. Turning towards him, Lieutenant Jamison follows.
After a couple blocks, the bartender turns into an alley way. Stopping at the head of the alley, Lieutenant Jamison peeks around the corner and watches the bartender knock twice on the door before it opens and he slips inside. When the door closes, Lieutenant Jamison walks down the alley way to the door.
Reaching up, he knocks twice and the ducks behind a stand of boxes. The door opens and the bartender walks out. Looking down the alley as Lieutenant Jamison ducks from the behind the boxes and slips inside the open door. Turning the bartender walks back inside, he's closing the door when Lieutenant Jamison steps from the shadows.
"Why don't you take me to the doctor?" He says, as the bartender spins around.
"How did you…?"
"I followed you. Is he here?" Lieutenant Jamison asks as the bartender looks up.
"Is he upstairs? He's not in any trouble we simply want to ask him some questions."
"Its okay, Miguel." Dr. Peters says from the top of the stairs. "You're a smart man." He says to Lieutenant Jamison as he walks down the stairs.
"And you're a hard man to find."
"Yes, well not hard enough."
"Listen, we only want to ask you some questions about the Princess's accident and the birth of her son."
"I know why you're here, and…."
"Alejandro, he'll kill you."
"If you mean…."
"It's time I stopped running and face up to what I did Miguel." Alejandro says, walking over to his brother.
"You have the protection of the royal family of San Cristobel."
"Excuse me if I don't have much confidence in that, since this all originated with the orders given from the royal family of San Cristobel."
"Are you saying…?"
"I'm not going to say anymore while we are here. I am watched constantly."
"Alright, we'll escort you back to San Cristobel and…."
"No, I won't go back. I am watched constantly. They will know. Listen, I have a video tape that explains everything that happened on the days leading up to the delivery of Princess Cassie's baby. It is hidden in a safe place. Miguel, I want you to go to Madame Consuela's…."
"Madame Consuela's! I can't possibly go there." Miguel says, making the shape of the cross in front of him.
"There is nothing to fear, but if I leave…. They will follow me and justice will not be served. And the Lieutenant can't go, well because he's a stranger and you know how they behave when strangers appear."
"But she's…."
"She's harmless and no different than you or me. Now go." Alejandro says, opening the door.
"I ya ay I, if Father Ramirez finds out, I'm…." Miguel says, walking to the door.
"Father Ramirez will do nothing, now go and go the back way." Alejandro says, pushing his brother out the door and closing it behind him.
"You know being a doctor wasn't the safest way to hide." Lieutenant Jamison says, sitting down at the table.
"It fooled a lot of people and it always better to hide in the open. I told the hospital on San Cristobel that I was leaving to practice medicine in the remote villages on neighboring islands. It was a good reason to explain why I was leaving."
"Is your name really Alejandro?"
"No, it's Maxwell Winfred Peters. Alejandro was my great grandfather's middle name."
"And your brother?"
"His name is actually Michael, so Miguel worked for him."
"And you thought of all this to cover your tracks after you left the hospital."
"Yes, well I was dealing with Prince Edmund."
"And you knew you were being watched?'
"Well, since it was announced that Prince William wasn't the heir and actually Richard's son, I begin to notice men hanging around, watching me and I figured it was only a matter of time before the palace tracked me to San Jamar."
"So, why did you stay?"
"And draw more attention to myself. I felt it would be safer to stay. If they thought that I was leaving; they might think that I was going back to San Cristobel and that would bring more danger then I was already in."
"So, did Edmund blackmail you?"
"Not him personally, he sent one of his men to do it. And it wasn't really blackmail. It was an order, given by the prince. I had to comply or face him. And you know what happened to anyone who went against Prince Edmund. Look what he did to his brother? Hunted him and the Princess like they were animal's, simply because they told the truth."
"So, did Edmund pay you?"
"After Prince Richard's escape, he set up an account at the Central Bank on San Cristobel, but I never touched any of the money."
"How far is this Madame Consuela's?"
"It's across town. Miguel will be safe."
"But if they know he's your brother."
"They don't, we've never been seen together and I've never been seen going to Consuela's house. Miguel knows the back way to go and the men watching me will not follow him."
"You're awful sure about that."
"Yes, well Edmund's men aren't too bright. They should have destroyed me long ago. I'm the last link to this whole plan."
They sit for about an hour waiting for Miguel to return. As soon as Lieutenant Jamison had begun to question whether he would return, there's a soft knock on the door. Getting up, Alejandro walks over to the door. Opening the door, Miguel walks in.
"Did you get the tape?"
"Yes." He says, handing the tape to his brother.
"Good." Alejandro says taking the tape from him as someone knocks on the door again.
"Upstairs, give me the tape." Lieutenant Jamison says, holding his hand out for it. Alejandro hands him the tape as he and Miguel go upstairs. "And be quiet." Lieutenant Jamison says.
Opening the door, he finds two men standing on the landing. "We're looking for the doctor that is staying here."
"I'm sorry. I am the only one here." Lieutenant Jamison says.
"We saw a man come in here and we must talk to him."
"Do you have a royal degree?"
"We don't…."
"Unless you have the degree then you have no permission to come inside. Now please leave." Lieutenant Jamison says before he closes the door.
He walks over to the window. Pulling the curtain back, he watches as the men walk down the alley. When they reach the street he calls. "You can come out now?"
Alejandro and Miguel appear at the top of the stairs. "You realize that they will be waiting when you leave." Alejandro says.
"I'll take care of that?" Lieutenant Jamison replies, pulling his cell phone out of his pocket.
He dials a number and after a couple rings, his second in command answers. "Yes."
"This is Lieutenant Jamison."
"Yes Sir."
"I want you to come back. I've found the doctor."
"Yes sir."
"We've ran into to some trouble. We're in a house about two blocks from the cantina, to the south. Two men are at the corner watching us so we can't leave. Take care of that for us."
"Yes sir."
Lieutenant Jamison hangs up. "They should be here in about twenty minutes. I would suggest that you come back to San Cristobel with us. Prince William will protect you."
"Edmund has men…."
"Edmund is in prison."
"But he still has men every where."
"So do we, Prince William will protect you and your brother. You owe this to the former Prince and Princess."
"Alright." Alejandro says.
"Max… Alejandro. If you go back, Edmund will kill you." Miguel says.
"I trust these people." Alejandro says. "We will be fine.
Twenty minutes later, there is a soft knock on door. Walking over to the window, Lieutenant Jamison peeks out and then nods to Alejandro who opens the door and the rest of the royal guard walks into the house. "They are taken care of Sir."
"Good, we need to leave." Lieutenant Jamison says. "And we need to do it now before more of Edmund's men shows up."
The guards surround Alejandro and Miguel. Leading them from the house, they head up the alley. When they reach the street, the first two guard walk out while the rest wait to be sure that no more of Edmund's men are watching them. After a few seconds, they all walk out. Loading up, into the car, they head for the airport and the royal jet.
Once they are in the air, Lieutenant Jamison dials Colonel Mitchell. After a couple rings, he picks up. "Yes, Colonel Mitchell."
"Sir, its Lieutenant Jamison. We're returning to San Cristobel."
"Were you able to locate the doctor?"
"Yes, we have him in custody."
"Good, come immediately to the palace."
"Yes Sir." Lieutenant Jamison replies. They hang up and Colonel Mitchell dials William's number.
16