A Fresh Start
Chapter Sixty Nine
Slowly they feel their bodies relax. Moving to his side, Cassie lays her head on his chest as he puts his arm across her shoulders. After a few minutes, Cassie asks. "What was that about me and Reva being different?"
"It's nothing. The guy seemed to think that there was something wrong with me being married to you. I didn't like his attitude, is all."
"Are you sure?" Cassie asks, leaning up and looking down at him
"Yes, I'm sure." Richard replies, reaching up to caress her cheek, before she lies back down beside him.
There are a few moments of silence before Cassie asks, "Would Reva do to you what I just did?"
"I don't know, I've never been with Reva."
"She was Catherine."
"Yes, she was, but I was with her as Catherine, I was never with Reva and I don't want to be."
"So, would Catherine do what I just did?"
"Cassie, I didn't…."
"I'm curious. We've never discussed that part of your relationship with Catherine." Cassie says, leaning back up.
"Catherine was what she was."
"What does that mean?"
"Catherine was married to a prince. She behaved a certain way." Richard says, rolling to his side.
"I was married to a Prince too, and I never changed the way I behave because you were a Prince, you were my husband and I wanted to do whatever you wanted me to do." Cassie says, turning to her side.
"And Catherine did to, but I think Catherine was more than a little awestruck by the title and looking back, I'm not totally sure she gave everything to me."
"Why?"
"I don't know. Maybe in the back of her mind, even though she didn't remember him, she felt Josh was with her and she couldn't love me completely because she also loved him."
"Okay, I understand that. She loved you, but she didn't love you wholly and completely. She loved you as much as she could."
"Yes, and that…."
"That is what?"
"That is why we're not together, that and the fact that she wasn't a real person."
"Okay." Cassie says, lying down beside him.
After a few moments, he asks. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." She says, snuggling in closer to him as he moves onto his back.
They lay there for a few moments, listening to the silence of the house and the farm outside. But when Richard's stomach starts to growl, Cassie moves away. "Where are you going?"
"To fix us something to eat, you're hungry." She says, getting up and reaching for her panties and slipping them on.
Sitting up, he watches her for a few seconds, before he picks up his clothes and begins to get dressed. Walking into the bathroom, Cassie brushes her hair and then checks her makeup before she leaves their bedroom. Richard is already downstairs when she walks out. Glancing at the bed, she smiles as she walks out of the room. Richard is in the kitchen when she comes downstairs. Walking into the room, she's surprised that he already has the stuff out for sandwiches.
"Well, I guess you know what you want for lunch." She says, walking over to the counter.
"This will be easy." Richard says, taking out some bread.
"When do you have to go back?"
"I told Sally that I would be back in an hour or so."
Glancing at the clock, Cassie says. "I think it's going to be longer than an hour."
"I think so too." Richard replies, smiling as he leans over and kisses her softly.
"Here let me help you." Cassie says, reaching for the mayo as he begins to put ham on his sandwich.
After a few minutes they both have their sandwiches made, and taking down a bag of potato chips, they sit down at the table and begin to eat. "So, what have you been doing this morning?" Richard asks, as Cassie takes a drink.
"I was talking with the chef about the wedding reception, planning the menu." She replies, swallowing.
"So, you're going to use the Beacon to cater the wedding."
"Yes, it's cheaper, saves time and it's closer. Besides Jean Paul is an excellent chef he'll fix all the things you like."
"Cassie, this doesn't have to compete with the wedding we had at the palace, in fact I don't…."
"I know, but we can at least have some duck pâté, can't we?"
"You know I can't resist duck pâté."
"I know. I also spoke with Holly."
"What did she say?"
"She's going to bring the kids in to see Blake later this week and if we want, she will be free to do the interview at that time."
"Good." Richard says finishing his sandwich and watching as Cassie ate hers. When she's finished, she puts the dishes in the dishwasher and they leave, walking out of the house with their arms around each other. Richard walks Cassie to her car, opening the door for her he leans over and kisses her. "I love you Mrs. Winslow."
"And I love you Mr. Winslow." Cassie replies, looking up at him. "Thank you for a wonderful lunch. Are we going to be doing that more often?"
"That, and so much more." Richard whispers, leaning over to kiss her again.
After about a half a minute Richard steps back. "I'll see you tonight?"
"Yes, when will you be home?"
"Probably around five, do you need me to pick something up while I'm in town," Richard asks as Cassie gets in her car and he closes her door.
"No, we have everything and Harley said she would drop the boys off here when they leave the lake."
"Then I'll see you tonight." Richard says, stepping back as Cassie starts her car.
"I love you." She says, as she puts the car in reverse.
"I love you too." He says, watching as she begins to back up. As she starts up the drive, he walks over to his car. Getting in, he leaves.
Jeffrey is returning for him meeting with the Attorney General when Billy Lewis walks in behind him. "Jeffrey." He says. Stopping, Jeffrey turns around as Billy walks up to him. "I'm sorry about this morning. We had a crisis at one of our other sites and Josh was busy so I had to be the one that handled it."
"I understand." Jeffrey says, as they walk into his office. Stacey is at her desk when they walk in. "Stacey, hold my calls."
"Yes Sir." She says, smiling at Billy as they walk through and into Jeffrey's office.
"You know, she's kind of cute." Billy says as Jeffrey closes the door.
"Stacey, I guess so." Jeffrey says, shrugging his shoulders.
"Its official, Jeffrey O'Neill is off the market." Billy says, teasing him.
"Maybe I am." Jeffrey says, smiling as Billy sits down across from. "It's also the reason I asked you to come here."
"Alright." Billy says, settling down to business.
"I've purchased the house on Cedar Street."
"The one that was scheduled for demolition."
"Yes. Sam saw the article in the Springfield Journal and she went to look at the house and she fell in love with it. She wants to use the house as her office for her practice and we might possibly live in it when the need arises."
"That house is falling apart?"
"I know, but I want to remodel it."
"You're serious, I thought that when you assistant approached me about the house, she was only doing it for the city. She was doing it for you."
"Yes."
"That house will need extensive work. It may have foundation problems, not to mention, wiring, heating and air issues, plumbing issues, not to mention the wood work."
"I realize that, but Sam wanted it. So I got it for her for a wedding present."
"You bought her a house that's falling apart."
"Of course, I did. She wanted it and it is a part of Springfield history. It seemed wasteful to just turn our back on it. I know her and I'm sure she's already working on what she'll do with the house."
"So, what exactly do you want me to do?"
"I want you to remodel the house for her."
"Do you realize how much that could cost?"
"I'm not worried about the cost. I made a fair amount of money while I was in private practice, not to mention the money I get from the agency every month. I can afford to do this and she wants it."
"Alright, I'll have to look over the property first to see exactly what we are dealing with."
"Alright, when can you do that?"
"Later this afternoon."
"Good, and please don't say…."
"I won't say anything to her."
"I'm going to surprise her on our wedding day." Jeffrey says, smiling as he glances at Sam's picture.
For a moment, Billy seems to recognize the look on Jeffrey's face but he dismisses it as just a coincidence. "I'll go by this afternoon and look over the property." Billy says, standing up.
"Thank you." Jeffrey says, following him.
"Alright, I'll be in touch once I've looked at the property."
"Thank you."
"Can I ask why you picked me?"
"Lewis is the best and I knew that you would be fair."
"I'll be in touch." Billy says, opening the door.
"Thank you." Jeffrey replies, before he leaves.
When Billy walks out, Jeffrey sits down and picks up the phone, he dials the number for the DA's office to discuss the meeting with the State Attorney's office. After he finishes that call, he leaves for lunch when he comes back Stacey stops him. "There's a man named Noah…."
"I'll take it in my office." Jeffrey says. "What line is he on?"
"Line one."
"Okay." Jeffrey says, walking into his office and closing the door.
Walking over to his desk, he picks up the phone as he sits down. Pushing line one, he says. "Noah."
"Hi." Noah replies, pulling out a piece of paper with an address written down on it.
"So, what's going on?"
"I'm calling about Richard and his brother's family."
"Okay."
"We were able to track them down in Chicago. They are actually living in one of the suburbs of Chicago."
"Which one?" Jeffrey asks.
"Rosemont, out by the airport."
"I know where it's located. Do you have the address?"
"Yes."
"Okay." Jeffrey says, picking up a pen.
"It's 2934 Rosemont Ave."
"Okay, did you make contact?"
"No, not yet, the agents are watching the house and waiting for orders."
"Let me speak to Richard and I'll get back to you."
"Okay."
"Thanks, Noah. I know this means a lot to him."
"I know."
"Listen, did you get your invitation to the wedding?"
"Ah no, not yet."
"If you do, you are welcome." Jeffrey replies, flipping the pen between his fingers.
"I'll think about it. Will Reva be there?"
"Yes probably, with Josh."
"In that case, I doubt that I'll be there."
"You can't…." Jeffrey hears him sigh. "Alright but you're going to miss a party as well as me getting married. I had higher odds than you about whether I would ever get married."
"Yes, I know. But I can't."
"I understand." Jeffrey says. "I'll talk to Richard and will let you know what he decides."
"Okay."
They hang up and Jeffrey holds the button down. "Stacey, is Richard back from lunch?"
"I don't know Sir."
"Could you find out?"
"Yes Sir."
"If he is, let him know that I need to speak to him."
"Yes Sir."
Jeffrey lets go of the button, picking up the file on his desk. He begins to look over it. About a minute later, Stacey buzzes him. "Sir."
"Yes." Jeffrey says, holding the button down while he continues to look over the file.
"He is back and said that he'll be here in a few minutes."
"Thank you, Stacey. Show him in when he arrives."
"Yes sir."
Jeffrey releases the button as he makes notes on the file. A few minutes later, Stacey opens Jeffrey's door. "Sir, Mr. Winslow is here." Stacey says, stepping back as Richard walks into the room.
"Richard, come in." Jeffrey says, looking up.
"Is something wrong?"
"No." Jeffrey replies, turning to Stacey. "Could you hold my calls, unless it's Sam?"
"Yes sir." She says, pulling the door close as Jeffrey turns back to Richard.
"You wanted to see me."
'"Yes, Noah just contacted me. They've been able to locate your brother's family in Chicago." Jeffrey says, picking up the piece of paper.
"They have." Richard says, looking at the paper in Jeffrey's hand.
"Yes." Jeffrey says, handing him the paper.
"Do they…?"
"No, the agents haven't made contact. They are waiting till we contact them. It's up to you."
"2934 Rosemont Ave." Richard looks up at Jeffrey after he reads the address.
"Yes, they live in Rosemont, a suburb of Chicago."
"Is it a bad…."
"No, it's a fairly nice neighborhood. At least it was when I was there. It's out by the airport."
"I'll have to talk to Cassie about it."
"Alright, I told Noah that we would contact him after you make your decision."
"Alright, thank you for…"
"You're welcome." Jeffrey says, as Richard stands up. He's walking towards the door when Jeffrey says. "You don't have to see them. They think you're… they don't know that you survived."
Richard nods before he says. "I need to talk to Cassie."
"Alright." Richard leaves as Jeffrey goes back to the file he was looking at.
Simmons is walking to his car when Ralph pulls up beside him. Getting out he asks. "Where are you going?"
"I've got to run to Chicago. I should be back by this evening. Why are you not in town following the Mayor?"
"He's not going anywhere. He's at City Hall and he'll be there until around five o'clock and then he'll go home to his little honey and he'll stay there for the rest of the evening, just like he does every other night." Ralph says, bored with the whole thing.
"She's wants him covered 24/7."
"Relax, I've got him covered. He's not going anywhere." Ralph says, walking into the cabin. "I had to take a break. I can't sit in that car all day."
"You're being paid to sit in that car all day." Simmons says, following Ralph back into the house.
"Would you relax, the mayor isn't going anywhere. He's so damn predictable I can tell you his movements in my sleep. He'll stay at City Hall until five and then he'll go home to his little woman and he'll stay with her for the rest of the night. It's really sad how far up her ass, he's stuck. It's really degrading."
"I don't care, what your opinion of him is, you're supposes to be watching him every minute of every day. Now I want you back in that car and in Springfield, now!" Simmons orders.
"Alright, fine." Ralph says, stomping out of the inn.
"I'll contact you when I need you back up here." Simmons says, as Ralph walks to his car.
"Yeah, whatever." He replies, getting in his car and leaving, throwing gravel as he spins his tires.
Walking over to his car, Simmons gets in. He leaves for Chicago a few seconds later. Earlier in the morning, he had contacted D'boy in New York and explained that he couldn't wait for things to settle down there, that his boss had insisted that they move quickly and that he had for find a closer supplier for the drug. D'boy had given him the name of a guy he knew on the South side of Chicago and he promised to contact him in advance and arrange a meeting. Pulling into a small hotel on the South side of Chicago, Simmons checks in. He is walking into his hotel room as his cell phone begins to ring. "Yeah." He says, laying his bag on his bed.
"This Simmons?" A man asks.
"Maybe who wants to know?"
"Big Richie, D'boy contacted me and said you was looking for some stuff."
"Yeah, I am, but its got to be low key and legit."
"Hey, I can get the best stuff, but you got to have the money."
"I got that, what you got?"
"What do you want?"
"I need GHB, just enough to make someone drowsy enough to cause an accident."
"I can get that, when you want to meet?"
"This evening, say six at the L, downtown."
"Alright, I'll be there."
"How am I gonna know who you are?"
"I'll approach you. I'll be waiting on the platform."
"Alright."
"And bring the cash?"
"Don't worry, I'll have it." Simmons says before they hang up
Around six, Simmons walks up the steps to the platform. Standing off to the side, away from the crowd, he scans the crowd, watching as people get on and off the train. Once the platform is clear, a man about a foot shorter than him walks up to him and asks. "You , Simmons?"
"Maybe, who wants to know?" Simmons asks.
"I'm Big Richie." The man replies, as Simmons looks him up and down. "I may be short, but I make up for it other areas. You got the cash?"
"Yeah, you got the stuff?"
"Yeah." He says, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the drug, as Simmons pulls out an envelope.
They exchange packages, with Simmons testing the drug and Big Richie counting the money. "Pleasure doing business with you." Simmons says
"You know how to use that stuff, it doesn't take much."
"I know."
"Wait ten minutes before you leave."
Simmons nods as he slips the baggie into his pocket as Big Richie walks away. Ten minutes later, he walks down the stairs and to his car. Slipping inside, he starts the car and heads back to Springfield.
Sam is finishing up on some plans she was drawing up for her office when someone knocks on the door. She knew it was sort of silly to plan for it, but she wanted to have some idea of how she wanted to work the office when she did find a place to open her practice. Getting up, she goes to answer the door. "Yes." She says, opening the door.
"Ms. Whitley." A young man says, holding a bouquet of flowers.
"Yes."
"These are for you, ma'am." He says, holding them out to her.
"Oh, well. Thank you." Sam says, taking the flowers. "Here, wait." Sam says, putting the flowers on the stand by the door as she reaches for her wallet and pulls out a five dollar bill and hands it to him.
"Thanks." They young man says, smiling as he turns for the stairs as Sam closes the door.
"I wonder who…." She says, looking at the flowers, she spots the card in the holder. Pulling it out, she pulls the card from the envelope and reads the message. "It's okay, love J." Smiling, she buries her face in the flowers, inhaling their aroma before she takes a step back and reaches for the phone. She dials the number for City Hall.
"Springfield City Hall, Mayor's office." Stacey says, answering the call on the second ring.
"Hi, Stacey, it's Sam. Is he busy?"
"I'll buzz him and see, Ms Whitley." Stacey says, reaching for the buzzer and pushing it.
"Yes." Jeffrey says, looking over some paper work.
"Sir, Ms. Whitley is on line one, are you avail…?"
"Yes, of course, put her through." Jeffrey says, laying the papers down as he picks up the phone. After a couple seconds, they are connected and he says. "Hi, Beca, is everything alright?"
"Everything is fine, I just received the flowers."
"Flowers, what flowers? I…."
"J."
"Alright, did you like them?"
"Yes, thank you. And I know everything will be okay. I trust you." Sam says while she fiddles with the flowers.
"I don't want you to worry, Beca. I'm going to protect you and the baby. Olivia or no one else is going to stop this."
"Have you spoken to Frank?"
"No, I've been busy this morning, but I'll try to catch him before I leave for the day. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I straightened up the loft. Put our blankets away and straightened up the bedroom and then I've been piddling around, doing nothing important. Is there something you need me to do?"
"Yes, I dropped some shirts off at the dry cleaners a couple of day ago. If you could pick them up, I would appreciate it."
"Alright, I can do that."
"Thanks, I'll be home about five or so."
"Okay, we love you."
"I love both of you. I'll see this evening."
"Alright." Sam says, hanging up a few seconds later.
Jeffrey works a couple of hours more on Springfield business and then he picks up the phone and calls Noah. After thinking about the situation, he decided that agents from the agency could do a better job at security than Springfield PD. After a couple rings, Noah answers.
"Hello."
"Noah, its Jeffrey."
"Hey, what's going on?"
"I've got a couple of things I need to talk to you about?" Jeffrey says, remembering the conversation that morning with Richard. "I've got a potential situation that I need the agency's help with."
"Okay."
"As you know Sam's apartment was broken into, and we suspected that it was tied to me. The only person I can think of that would want to harm Sam is Olivia. We've had other incidents here in Springfield and I'm not comfortable with leaving the opportunity open for her to try something."
"So, what do you want to do?"
"Sam and I are getting married in a few weeks, and it would be a perfect opportunity for Olivia to try something, an obvious opportunity."
"You need agents to provide security."
"Yes, I would feel better if there were agents there, just in case she did try to do something. I'm hoping she's smart enough to realize we would be expecting her and she won't try something, but in case she does I want to be prepared."
"Alright, how many men do you think you'll need?"
"The wedding is at the Lighthouse, so we'll need enough to cover the grounds and ceremony."
"I'll contact the office in Chicago and arrange to have the agents sent from there."
"Thank you and Noah ask them to be discrete. I know we need them to be there, but I don't want our guest feeling like they are being watched."
"I'll tell them."
"Thank you. Now to the other thing, Richard approached me this morning."
"Has he decided about his brother's family?"
"No. Do you remember Ditkins?"
"Yeah, he was your handler."
'That's right and he's in the Springfield jail awaiting trial for attempted murder for trying to poison me after the mayor's race."
"I remember."
"Well, Richard happened to mention that the agency has a copy of a videotape that might be damaging to his case."
"What's on the tape?"
"It's a tape of that night at the embassy in San Cristobel when I met Olivia. He says that it shows exactly what happened that night."
"I can check into it."
"I would appreciate it. Maybe it could be turned over to the Assistant DA. It might be used as motive for the poisoning."
"I'll look into it."
"I've got another favor to ask if you find it."
"Okay."
"I want to see it."
"Jeffrey, maybe…."
"I've got to know Noah. I remember a few things from that night. But I need to know exactly what happened. And I think my daughter needs to know exactly what happened too."
"Alright, I'll send it to your office when and if we're able to locate it."
"Thank you." Jeffrey says, feeling a little bit of relief come over him. "I'll have the agents contact you when they get into Springfield."
"Alright, I'll be waiting, and thanks."
"You're welcome." Jeffrey hangs up
Simmons gets back to the inn around ten that evening, pulling up to the inn. He gets out and walks in. Tossing his bag on a broken down couch, he pulls his cell phone from his pocket and dials Olivia's number.
Olivia is on the balcony, look over at the lighthouse and thinking about Jeffrey and Sam, standing underneath it in a few weeks, saying their vows and him kissing her and she feels a boiling rage fill her. She was about to come back inside when her cell phone starts to ring. Walking inside, she pulls the phone from her purse she walks back out to the balcony. "Yes, hello."
"I've got the stuff." Simmons says, leaning against one of the posts on the porch.
"And you're sure it's the right."
"Yes." Simmons replies, holding the vial in his hand.
Olivia has her back to the door, so she doesn't see Emma walk up to the door when she asks "And you know how much to give them?"
"It's a powerful drug. It won't take much to get the results you're looking for."
"And you're sure that this will work?"
"Yes, it will last longer than chloroform and will allow us time to work."
"Okay, then we'll do it after the wedding."
"Alright." Simmons says, putting the vial back in his pocket.
After they hang up, Olivia turns around and sees Emma standing in the doorway. "What are you doing?" She demands.
"I…"
"You know you're not to eves drop on grown up conversations." Olivia says, taking Emma by the arm and leading her back into the suite.
"I wasn't. I had a dream…."
"I don't care what you had, do you understand. That was a private conversation and none of your business. What did you hear?" Olivia asks.
"Nothing Mommy, I swear." Emma says, feeling terror fill her.
"Then you get to bed." Olivia orders.
"Yes ma'am." Emma mumbles, crawling back into bed.
When Olivia leaves the room Emma rolls to her side, as a tear rolls down her cheek and she reaches up to wipe it away. Walking out to the balcony, Olivia looks back across the lake, watching the lighthouse. "Soon he will be mine again." She whispers.