Chapter 27

Houston put me a little behind him. He was showing Charlie he had crossed the line. I placed my hand on his back and he relaxed a little.

He growled, "You heard the lady, how do you know the baby is a boy?"

He raised his hands as to surrender. "By investigating. I am a reporter you know. I was told you took the baby to Houston's beach house after you revived him and that you rode in the ambulance with him to the hospital. They let you go into the NICU with him or should I call him Jacob William."

I gasped and felt my knees buckle. A strong arm stopped me from falling and I couldn't understand how he knew so much. Charlie continued.

"I know you are assisting him, that he is in the Kangaroo study and you are also a part of his care Mr. Houston. Then there's the pictures."

Houston stiffen and I looked at him, "what pictures?"

Everything started to spin. My name being called and me not answering. Houston grabbing me and and putting me on a chair. I look up to see him as grabbed Charlie Reynolds by his jacket and started to forcibly move him into the office.

Chaos ensued.

Beast started to bark and growl, Houston was yelling at Charlie with Jaime and Buzz in the middle trying to pull them apart.

Star came to me, "Boss Lady, are you okay?" I grabbed her hand and opened my eyes.

"I think I'm going to be sick. How did he know all that?" I wanted answers. I got up she helped me indoors to see Uncle Roy and Will holding Houston back Charlie Reynolds holding his face. Maureen and Carol were yelling at Charlie, Buzz and Jaime. Chris trying to hold back Beast.

I walked past all of them and stood in front of Charlie and everyone stopped.

"I am only going to ask you this once, how did you know about him? His identity has been kept secret. Do you know the ramifications if this gets out. They won't let me take care of him and that can't happen."

The last I said with a sob. I felt Houston's arms around my waist and I leaned back. I needed his strength as he whispered if I was okay. I nodded.

"You got a minute before I end up hurting you again Mr. Reynolds you make her cry and I will not be held responsible for what will happen to you and your crew."

I looked at Charlie and he had a split lip. Jaime looked just as bad. Even Buzz's glasses looked like they had been broken.

Charlie came close and I stepped back bumping into Houston as he grabbed me by the waist with one arm and putting up his other hand to make him stop.

"I'm sorry how that came out. I have been working on this story since yesterday. I spoke to the couple that was on the boardwalk with you and they said it was a boy. I went to the hospital and wasn't given any information. I waited and found the paramedics that had brought the baby in and spoke to Adam. You remember him don't you CJ? He said he had no information and if he did he wouldn't give it to me. But if I spoke to you he still has your shirt at the station. I was about to give up when he came up to me again and asked how serious I was about getting the story. I said I was very serious. He said not the story of the baby but of someone leaking information they had not right to do. He stated that someone in the hospital was blabbing that you were there and that both of you were being allowed to assist with the care of baby boy Doe and CJ was given the honor of naming him."

The hospital had a leak. This could endanger Jake. This could stop me from taking care of him.

"So someone is violating HIPPA laws and since my sis and Houston are the one thing that is from the outside they will be under fire as the leak." Maureen crossed her arms and stood next to me and never let her gaze off of Charlie.

Charlie nodded. "This person is fascinated with you and Mr. Houston. They stated that celebrities get all the special perks and if they didn't know any better the baby could be yours and Mr. Houston. The way you have taken care of him and been there for him anyone would mistake you for Jacob Williams parents. This person has been following your career very closely as other celebrities thinking its time everyone knows what special privileges are given to those with fame and and then there's the pictures."

I asked, "What pictures who's been following me? I felt someone watching me that night when I found Jake and every once in a while since I was released from the hospital I've always felt someone was following me. I just thought I was being paranoid."

Houston leaned down to my ear and whispered, "we will discuss that later."

Houston handed me the envelope and I opened it.

There we were me and Houston with Jake in the NICU singing to him and Jake holding my hand. The next picture was of us bathing Jake, our smiles and the love we had for that little boy was evident in this picture. If it hadn't been taken for the wrong reasons I'd want to keep it. The last picture was one of me and Houston kissing outside of his beach house the night we had dinner with all of our family.

"Who took these? Who had these? Why can't they just leave me alone." I turned into Houston and he enveloped me into his arms. I wanted this to stop I wanted to blend into the background.

Jaime came forward, "the shark had them, you know Ashley she was going to confront you with them on live television. Yeah we found out that last tidbit when I spoke to Mr. Fowler they had requested the interview to be live and said they had your permission."

I was done talking to these people as was my family. I buried my face into Houston's chest as I heard him tell them in a menacing voice to get the hell out.

Charlie spoke, "CJ I was not going to use any of this, I just wanted you to know. What you did for Jacob or Jake is admirable; he is one lucky boy. Here I'm giving you my notes that I gathered. The negatives are in the envelope; those are the only copies. Maybe you can use them to find out who the leak is. But if I started to dig there might be others you need to be prepared for this scenario. I know I should have handled this better and been up front but the reporter in me wanted to see if I was right about you or should I say all of you. I'm glad you proved me wrong. You are not part of the Hollywood crowd, you aren't doing this for publicity as the leak stated. You truly care for that child. So we will leave you and if you want us not to run the interview as it is we will respect your wishes. We'll deal with Mr. Fowler. Remember not all reporters are out to hang you out to dry."

I tried to turn around and Houston wouldn't let me.

"Let me go Houston. I can't keep running from this I need to face it and everything else. For my sanity and Jake's safety. Just promise me you'll be there."

He kissed my forehead and let me go.

I moved towards Charlie to take his notebook.

"Run the interview and keep the last question in. If she is out there and sees it she knows she's not alone. If you hear any rumbling about anything regarding Jake please tell us. His safety and care are our number 1 priority."

He nodded as did the crew as they went out to gather their equipment.

I still had the pictures in my hand and the notebook Carol and Maureen came over and started to brainstorm how we were going to handle this.

"We need to get in front of this. We need to contact the hospital and tell them they have a leak and if we come clean then they can't blame you or Houston. I'm sorry sis this might get messy."

I nodded. Carol said she was going to call the Hospital and get the Chief Medical Officer on the phone and ask to meet him today. Maureen was going to call a colleague of hers that dealt with breach of privacy laws and hospital protocol. I looked at the clock and it was almost 2:00. We would be going back to the Hospital to see Jake but we would have to do this differently we would have to be more cautious. Chris stated lunch had arrived and she would be setting it up on the pool table and she would be making sure everyone ate.

"CJ, are you okay?"

I looked up to Houston, the pictures still in my hands as well as the notebook. I shook my head.

He tried to put his arm around me and I pulled back. "We gotta stop this. I'm sorry Houston, we need to take care of Jake first. He is our priority. I can't deal with this fallout and also maybe losing him because I became careless with my feelings."

"No! That's not going to happen. We will get this taken care of. Then you and I will talk not today but soon. There's something else. I need to talk to you, Chris and Uncle Roy about. So come to Chris's desk. I'll go get them."

He wasn't happy as he walked away. Maureen looked up, "Do I need to put cowboy in his place? I am in need to hit someone and he fits the bill."

"Thanks but no. You guys go and eat. Can't have Jake's team weak due to non-eating."

I walked to the elevator Uncle Roy was there as was Chris and Houston.

"Okay nephew what is so important we have things to do."

"With what's been going on these last few months I've decided to do some updating in security here and I am also doing each of your homes. I don't want to hear it. Things are getting more and more out of hand and sometimes we will be alone and need this extra protection. CJ, Too Mean is almost done wiring your place. It has state of the art cameras in color and individual phone lines that will send a call directly to 911 and the security monitoring office. All your homes will all be equipped with this. Also here at the office we will be having the elevator only be accessible if you have a pass key. The last addition to Houston investigations will be 2 safe rooms."

I looked at Houston, "what's a safe room?"

He pulled out the schematics for the rooms.

"One will be right behind Chris's desk, Chris if we aren't here and you feel you are in danger you go in and the door will shut. It is a room fortified by steel and can only be open with a passcode that Me, CJ and Uncle Roy will have. I might also give it to Lt. Hoyt. The other one will be in CJ's office. This will give me peace of mind knowing you have that to go into and it will take a tank to knock that door down. CJ I wanted to talk to you on our own but I really want to install one at your home. Too Mean says it will be easy to install in your bedroom. You might lose some closet space from your spare room but it is doable."

I looked at him. I could see the weariness and how all of this had taken a toll on him. When was the last time he ate or slept?

I took his hand and felt bad for unleashing my anger at him.

"Nephew, I think that is a good idea, especially if we are out on a stake out or meeting clients. Just an extra layer of protection and how would you ladies like to take some more self defense classes? We can get you two caught up on all the new techniques and will invite Maureen, Carol and Star."

"What do you think, CJ."

Houston waited to see what I would say. Normally I'd say I didn't want any extra protection that I can take care of myself. But things had changed and I wasn't going to say no.

"I think that is a great ideal. Sign me up, I'm all for it. Thank you Houston I know our safety is always on your mind and if this will give you some peace then let's get it done. Uncle Roy yes I think more classes will be great and I want to go back to the shooting range. I want to get more comfortable with using my gun and maybe get a concealed weapon license. Houston, what do you think if we offer that system to Maureen and Carol I'm sure they'd welcome the extra security."

He looked surprised and relieved. He probably thought I would fight him on this but I knew it was coming from his heart. He needed to cover all his bases in keeping the people he loved safe.

"Not a problem, CJ we need to go over to your place to see where Too Mean wants to put that room so they can start installing. They won't start here till they are done with your place, that was my stipulation to him."

"We need to be back at the hospital by 4. We might have to sneak in. Let's see what progress Maureen and Carol have come up with."

Maureen and Carol have left messages and are waiting for all of you so we can eat. Come on lets go have some lunch."

Maureen, Carol and Star with Beast in tow came up to us and we filled them in what Houston proposed and if they would be interested in taking the classes. They were really interested and we started to figure out what day would be good for everyone. When the news crew came down the steps with their equipment. Houston came next to me. I took his hand and squeezed it he looked down at me and I gave him the behave look.

He grinned and put his arm around me.

"Ms. Parson's Mr. Houston thank you again for your time and for this opportunity. We will be leaving you but if you need anything else here is my card if ever you need anything do not hesitate to call. Star thanks kid couldn't have done this with out you and thanks for not letting Beast eat us."

The elevator opened and Hoyt walked out and went to see Jaime.

"Miss I need you to talk to the officer that you gave your account of what happened with Ms. Jacobs they need a way to contact you. Are you still pressing charges regarding the assault? The station manager is pressing charges regarding her breaking into the news van."

Jaime nodded looked at all of us, "I got this she won't be bothering any of you again she might be leaving la la land and will be lucky to get a job in Maine or Siberia."

Star laughed as did Carol and Maureen.

Charlie looked at me and I tipped my head and he stuck out his hand to Houston.

"I'm sorry again Mr. Houston everyone you just showed that even though you are not related you rally around one another to ensure no one in your family gets hurt. I'll be honest, I'm a little jealous."

I waited to see what Houston would do. He squeezed my shoulder and shook Charlie's hand.

"Yes you mess with one you mess with all of us. We close rank and take down our enemy. Just a warning and you can tell your fellow reporters the same thing. This is only part of our family; it extends to different parts of the country. So you've been warned."

They got into the elevator, after the door closed. Michael looked at us and asked. "What happened?"

"Come on Michael, we are all about to have lunch. Will fill you in on what's been going on and you tell us how far along you are in Jake's investigation."

We started to walk up the steps, his arm still around me he whispered.

"Everything will be fine. I have a good feeling about us finding Jake's mom and us helping him. We won't let anyone stop us and I'm not just talking about Jake. This what's happening between us will happen CJ not right now but soon I'll wait. I've waited all this time my feelings won't change. Please tell me yours won't either."

"Thank you for always being there for me. We will talk soon I promise." I kissed him on the cheek and he whispered. "Always."