A Fresh Start
Chapter One Hundred Sixty
Jeffrey walks into City hall Monday morning. Stacey is at her desk when he walks in. "Good Morning, Stacey." He says, as she looks up.
"Good morning, Mr. Mayor. I didn't realize that you were coming in today."
"I'm only staying half the day, doctor's orders."
"Your doctor's or Mrs. O'Neill's orders."
"Umm, Mrs. O'Neill's." Jeffrey replies, as Stacey smiles. "So, what's on the agenda for today?' Jeffrey asks, walking into his office.
"Not a lot, sir. Like I said, I didn't know you would be in today so I don't have a lot scheduled for you, actually I don't have anything scheduled for you." Stacey says, looking at him.
"Well, that's fine. I need to speak to you anyway." Jeffrey says, walking into the office with Stacey following behind him.
"Did I do something…?"
"No, you're fine." Jeffrey says, walking over to his desk. "No, I wanted to speak to you about your ex-husband."
"Ralph, we have no contact. It's a violation of his parole."
"Well, it seems he's violated his parole on more than one occasion." Jeffrey says.
"I don't understand."
"The morning after the accident Ralph came to see me at the loft."
"At the loft, why would he…?"
"He claimed to be there to see if I could help him get you to come back to him."
"Come back to him, the man nearly killed me. I'm a lot of things, but I don't have a death wish. There's no way I'd go back to him and why would he think you would help him get me back?"
"I don't know. I wasn't very welcoming to him. I was in pain. I had just gotten home from the hospital when he arrived. I really didn't give him a chance to explain what he was thinking or why he thought I could convince you to give him another chance. He left as Sam arrived back from getting my medication and I told her about after she chewed me out for being up and moving around. Anyway, she happened to mentioned that she thought she recognized him from DC."
"DC, Ralph's never been to DC, as far as I know."
"Sam believes she saw him there earlier this summer just before the 4th and after her apartment was broken into and trashed. So I called Frank and I asked him to come over. When he got there I explained about Ralph coming by the loft, and what he wanted and I told him about Sam possibly seeing Sam in DC this summer. I asked Frank to talk to him, see what was going on and he agreed. In the meantime, Ralph was arrested by Vice for solicitation. Frank didn't know that until he got back to the station. When he found out, he called Sam down to see if she could id Ralph and she did.
"So he was charged with breaking his parole."
"No, Sam didn't get a full look at him when we were in DC, so Frank contacted the investigating officer handling the break-in. Frank sent over Ralph's mug shot and asked him to show it to the other witness to the break-in, the maintenance man at Sam's old apartment. We had information that he was bribed by the man that broke into Sam's apartment.
Anyway, the Detective working the case promised that he would show the picture to the other witness. In the mean time, Ralph was appearing in court for the original charges here in Springfield. His bail was set at $3000 and he was released. Once he was released, he headed for Canada in vehicle that was purchased for him.
We don't know who bought the car. In the meantime, Frank received an answer from the investigating detective that the other witness id'd Ralph as being the man that bribed him to let him into Sam's apartment. Frank went immediately to the courthouse, but he was too late, Ralph was already arraigned and release on bail."
"So he's free."
"No, when Frank found out that he had been released, he immediately sent out an APB for Ralph's arrest. A few hours after he was release, he was picked up again north of Laurel Falls. That's how we know he was headed to Canada. After he was arrested again, Frank and Detective Mallet when to pick him up. Once he was back in custody, Frank spoke with Detective Rossi advised him of Ralph's arrest. The agent asked that we transfer him to Washington, which we did."
"So, he's in Washington."
"Yes."
"Have you heard anything else?"
"No, I haven't."
"Okay. Will that be all?"
"Yes, are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I knew he was bad, that's why I was attracted to him."
"I'm sorry."
"It isn't your fault just as it's not my fault, but I am sorry he went after Sam. And speaking from experience I'm glad she wasn't there when he broke in. I know what he could have done to her and I'm a little surprised he didn't try to."
"He was ordered not too."
"It's never stopped him before." Stacey says, getting up.
"Whatever reason he waited until Sam left, I'm grateful she wasn't home when he broke in." Jeffrey says, getting up.
"Is there anything else?"
"No, could you bring the notes from the City council meeting?"
"Yes sir." Stacey says leaving as Jeffrey sat back down.
After Ralph wrote down his confession, the officer took it to Detective Rossi. And after he read it, he picks up the phone and calls Frank. Frank is finishing filing the report for the transfer to DC when he phone rings. "Hello, Frank Cooper." He says, picking up the phone.
"Chief Cooper, this is Detective Rossi."
"Yes, have you spoken with Mr. Schultz?"
"Yes, and I've run his DNA against his and its match, which I informed him of. That is not why I'm calling. After I presented the evidence to Mr. Schultz, he decided to cooperate and I have his sworn statement here. It implicates two other people were involved to kidnap your Mayor."
"Jeffrey, why?"
"From the statement, he says that one of the suspects was upset that he had broken up with her and starting dating the witness who id'd him being in DC at the time of the break-in."
"What was the woman's name?"
"He only referred to her with her first name, Olivia."
"That would be Olivia Spencer. Would you fax me his statement?"
"Sure. Do you believe this is true?"
"I don't know, but I will have to look into it. We investigate any threats towards the mayor. And Jeffrey has had trouble with Ms. Spencer since this spring."
"Then I'll fax the statement to you immediately."
"Thank you." Frank says, hanging up. Getting up, he goes to his door. "Eliza, I'm expecting a fax from DC, would you bring it to me immediately?"
"Yes, Chief." She replies, as Frank nods and goes back to his desk, closing his door.
Five minutes later, she knocks on Frank's door. "Come in." He calls.
"Sir, that fax has arrived." She says, walking over to his desk.
"Thank you." Frank replies, taking the file.
"Will there be anything else?"
"Yes, could you have Detective Mallet come in here?"
"Yes sir."
She leaves as Frank opens the file. He's reading over the statement when Eliza buzzes him. "Yes."
"Sir, Detective Mallet is here?"
"Send him in." Frank says, releasing the button.
A couple seconds later, Mallet walks into Frank's office. "You wanted to see me Frank?" He says, walking over to his desk.
"I'm assigning you a new case." Frank says, putting the file down.
"Frank, I've two active cases right now. I'm still looking for the guys that attacked Josh and Lizzie."
"I'll give those cases to Gus. This case takes priority."
"Why?"
"Because it involves a possible plot to kidnap Jeffrey."
"Do we have any suspects?"
"One is already in custody, but there are two other people possibly involved." Frank says, handing the file to Mallet.
He begins to look it over. "This is sworn statement given by that prisoner we took to DC."
"Yes. I want you to look into his statement."
"Who are the other two people involved?"
"Reginald Simmons and Olivia Spencer."
"Olivia!"
"Yes, she's named as the mastermind behind the whole plot. He claims that she hired Simmons to find out about Sam. Simmons hired Schultz to follow Sam while she was in DC. Schultz took that opportunity to break-in to her apartment in DC. He claims that they were going to hold Jeffrey at an abandoned inn going towards Oakdale. I want you to take a forensic crew and go out there and see if you can any evidence to corroborate his statement."
"Should I talk to Olivia?"
"No, not till you've taken a look at the inn."
"Okay. What are you going to do?"
"I've got warn Jeffrey that there's a possible plot to kidnap him. I'm going to take a couple of officers to guard him."
"He's not going to let you do that Frank."
"He has little choice in the matter. He's mayor and if there's any threat made against him we have to protect him."
"He's also a former Federal agent. He's going to tell you that he can handle it himself."
"Maybe so, but I have to do it." Frank says, getting up. "Go out to the inn and look it over."
"I will."
"You do know how to get to it?"
"It's going towards Oakdale."
"Yes, but it's off in the woods several miles. There's a sign marking the road that leads to it, but it's faded it'll be hard to read, so look for the sign."
"Okay." Mallet says, following Frank to the door.
"I want to know what you find."
"Yes sir." Mallet says, as they leave.
Jeffrey is looking over the notes that Stacey had brought him when Frank walks up to his office door and knocks. Looking up, Jeffrey's surprised to see him there. "Frank, come in."
"Your assistant…."
"I sent her home for the day." Jeffrey says. "What's up?" Jeffrey asks, sitting back in his chair.
"I just received a call and fax from the Detective handling the break-in to Sam's apartment."
"Did Schultz confess?"
"Yes, once he was faced with all the evidence we had against him."
"Good, but you didn't have to come…."
"There's more." Frank says, sitting down across from Jeffrey's desk.
"More, I don't understand."
"His sworn statement claims that there is a plot to kidnap you."
"Kidnap me, by who. Who's planning to kidnap me?"
"He names a couple of people. One we're not sure of and the other one, you know."
"I know. Who?"
"He names Olivia as being the mastermind behind it all."
"Olivia, why would she…? She was planning to kidnap me because of my relationship with Sam."
"That's what Schultz says." He says. "She was furious that you moved on so quickly so she had this Simmons guy hired Schultz to follow Sam while she was in DC. He said he was never to hurt Sam only to find out information about her. But then he was ordered to come to Springfield after the fourth of July. He was told that the target had changed and that he was supposed to follow you."
"The argument…." Jeffrey says.
"Argument, what argument?"
"Olivia and I got into an argument about Ava at the Spaulding gala before the 4th. She must have changed her mind after that and decided to come after me."
"Did she ever threaten you?"
"No, not directly. There was the altercation with Sam after she moved here, but Olivia's attacks have always been verbal up until this weekend."
"This weekend, what happened this weekend?"
"She apologized to me and Sam as well as Ava and William."
"She apologized to you."
"Yes, and we thought it was weird but what could we do but accept the apology."
"Do you think she knew that Schultz was arrested?"
"She might have known if they were working together. She might have been the one to order him to leave town."
"Well, I have Mallet investigating this. In the statement, Schultz says that they were going to hold you at an abandoned inn out towards Oakdale."
"I didn't know that there was an inn out that way?"
"Not many people do, anyway I've sent Mallet out there to see if he can find anything. We'll also have to put a security detail on you."
"A security detail, no Frank. I don't need a security detail and I don't want to scare Sam."
"You're the mayor of Springfield. We take all threats seriously. We have to protect you."
"I can protect myself and Sam. I don't need you to do it. We're both trained Federal agents."
"Do you want to depend on Sam right now?"
"I would depend on Sam for my life anytime. But she can't be involved with this because of the baby. I can protect us both."
"Jeffrey."
"No detail. I'll tell Sam what's going on, but no detail."
"Can I at least place officers outside the loft and here at City hall?"
"You can at the loft. City hall is secure anyway." Jeffrey says, standing up as he turns his computer off.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going home. I was only going to stay for a half of a day anyway, Sam's orders but Stacey didn't know I was coming back, so there's nothing for me to do." Jeffrey says, walking out of his office with Frank behind him.
"Are you sure about this?"
"Yes, I can protect me and Sam." Jeffrey says, turning to him as Sam walks up.
"Frank, hi." She says, surprised to see him.
"Sam." Frank says seriously.
"Is something wrong?" Sam asks, looking at them.
"I'll tell you later." Jeffrey says, reaching for her. "Let me know what is happening." Jeffrey says.
"I will." Frank says, nodding to Sam as he leaves.
"What's going on?" Sam asks, looking at Jeffrey. "And why are you leaving early?"
"I'll tell you about it later and I'm leaving early because Stacey didn't know I was coming back so I have nothing to do. Do you want to go look at those cars we were looking at yesterday?"
"Jeffrey?"
"I promise I will tell you what's going on." He says, leaning in to kiss her.
"We can go look at the cars after we go by Dr. Sedgwick's."
"Is something wrong?"
"No, it's time for my appointment. The nurse called to remind me this morning after I got back from bringing you to City hall."
"Okay, did you meet with Ava?"
"Yes, and we're finished with the first floor and we're working on the second, except for the nursery. She's letting me decorate that myself later."
"What about my office?"
"We left that for you to decide on." Sam says, as they walk out of City Hall.
Mallet and the forensic team pulls up to the inn. Getting out of the van, he looks at the inn. From the outside the inn looks completely abandoned and like it's been that way for years now. "Okay, you two, the perimeter. You three come with me, we'll look around inside."
"Yes sir."
They split up and slowly begin to cover the site. Mallet walks up the front steps being careful of the rotting boards. When he reaches the door, he slowly pushes it open before they enter the building. "Start looking for evidence." Mallet says, looking around.
"What exactly are we looking for?"
"Anything you think is pertinent. Look to see if there's any indication that someone's been here recently."
"Yes sir." The other officers reply, as Mallet walks into the kitchen area.
After about an hour, one of the forensic team calls. "Detective Mallet, you should see this."
Mallet walks down the hallway stopping at the doorway where the officer is standing. "What is this?"
"For a guess, it looks like some sort of cell. This room is the only room where the windows are boarded up and if you look at the door. It locks from the outside. This room has none of the furniture that's in the other room."
"I found fresh ashes in the fireplace downstairs. So I'll give you one guess where the furniture went." One of the other officers says.
"I hope not. Whatever was in here was antique." The other officer replies.
"Bag everything and take it back to the lab. Maybe we can get evidence from it."
"Yes sir." The officer says as he walks into the room.
Mallet goes back into the kitchen. He continues to look around. At one point he gets down on his knees, looking between the cracks in the floor boards. Laying in a crack between the stove and cabinet he pulls out a pill bottle. He looks at the date on the bottle and realizes that it's not and old bottle of medication that was left by the previous owners but something that was left more recently. Bagging it, he and the team continues to look through the inn.
They were leaving Cedars when Sam asks. "Are you going to tell me what is going on now?"
"I will but not here." Jeffrey says, taking Sam's hand as they leave.
"It's something serious."
"Yes."
"Then tell me, I might be able…."
"I'm not trying to keep something from you. I don't want to tell you this in public."
"Then we can go back to the loft."
"We were going to go look at cars remember."
"We can look at cars after you tell me what's happened." Sam says, walking up to her car.
"Alright, we'll go back to the loft."
When they arrived at the loft, Jeffrey opens the car door for her and helps her out. They walk up to the loft in silence and when he closes the door behind them, she turns to him. He takes her hand and leads her into the living room and they both sit down. "Why did Frank come to see you?"
"He wanted to keep me in the loop about Schultz."
"But we know about Schultz, they transferred him to DC."
"They did but some new developments have come up after they showed him all of the evidence we have against him."
"What developments?"
"He confessed to breaking into your apartment."
"Did he say why?"
"Yes." Jeffrey says, looking out the windows. "According to his sworn statement he was part of a plan to kidnap me."
"Kidnap you, why would he want to…?"
"He didn't the person he was working for did."
"Who was that?"
"A man named Reginald Simmons and Olivia."
"Olivia, she… she tried… she's going to kidnap you."
"No, she's not going to kidnap me, but according to Schultz's statement, yes, that was the plan."
"Was the plan, how do we know that it's still not the plan." Jeffrey looks away again. She reaches for him and turns him back to face her. "Jeffrey."
"Frank and Mallet are looking into the charges Schultz made in his statement."
"He thinks they're still planning to kidnap you. I won't loose you. No, she can't take you from me. I won't let…."
"She's not going to take me from you. I'm not going anywhere."
"I will kill her if she tries to take you away from me."
"That's not something you want to say to the former DA." Jeffrey says, smiling at her.
"This is serious Jeffrey. I knew she had switched her focus. She wants you."
"She's not going to get me, Sam. I promise she won't. I'm yours and only yours."
"Did Frank say how they were going to try and get you?"
"No, he didn't give me specifics, except to say that they were planning to hold me at an old inn headed towards Oakdale."
"An old inn headed towards Oakdale, I've never noticed…."
"Apparently its back in the woods out there."
"What else did Frank say?"
"That's he's investigating, and he'll keep me informed of the investigation. I think I just figured something out?"
"What?"
"The day Schultz came to see me."
"What about it?"
"What if he was attempting to kidnap me then?" Sam looks at him for several seconds before she shudders slightly.
"If you had gone with him. If he had convinced you to help him."
"I don't think he wanted me to help him, it was an excuse."
"To get you to leave with him, but you didn't."
"He could have forced me and I couldn't have fought him off."
"So he was trying to kidnap you then." Sam says, sitting back.
"But I wouldn't go with him and he ran out of time. You might have saved my life."
"That's how many times now." Sam asks, looking at him.
"You enjoyed it every time." Jeffrey says, leaning over to kiss her.
"There's something else I don't understand. If Olivia is or was planning on kidnapping you, why did she apologize to both of us at the wedding yesterday?"
"I don't know, maybe she wanted to throw us off, make us relax around her and then again, maybe she truly is sorry and she's not planning on kidnapping me. We won't know that until all of the evidence is in."
"Are our lives ever going to simple and normal?" Sam asks, looking at him.
"Maybe this is simple and normal." Jeffrey replies, leaning again to kiss her. He lifts her chin and holds it. "I will be perfectly fine. Nothing is going to happen to me. And I'll be here when our baby is born and for each one after it. I do not want you to worry about this."
"That's like asking at thirsty man not to ask for a drink of water. I'm going to worry until we know for sure what she was, or is planning to do."
"We're going to be fine." Jeffrey says, leaning in to kiss her again. "You have to trust me."
"I trust you. I don't trust her."
"Then trust in me and I'll worry about Olivia." He says, reaching to hug her. "Now we were going to look at some cars."
"Let's go." Sam says, smiling at him.
He smiles back, getting up. He follows her to the door and they leave.