2.
14 hours and 36 minutes after finding out that Greenlee was alive Ryan found himself face-to-face with the man that should have been his father-in-law for the first time in a long time.
"Jackson," Ryan greeted, his voice thick with exhaustion at the whole situation.
Jackson pulled the obviously distraught young man into his arms. "It's going to be alright, we're going to get her through this. Greenlee's tough, she's not going to give up, not now, not when she has so much to live for."
"What about the … did they tell you about the … oh God … I can't …"
Carefully Jackson led Ryan over to the chairs. "I know about the baby. And if she's anything at all like her mother then I know that my granddaughter will be alright, that she'll find her way back to us."
"You really believe that?" Ryan asked.
Jackson nodded. "I really believe that," and as he said the words he needed them to be true, because Greenlee and Ryan needed him and if he gave up hope then what chance did they have of holding on to the little they were left with.
"Me too," Ryan nodded, needing to believe it too.
"Good. Now how about you and I go in there and let Greenlee know that she's not alone, and that she's got lots of people here waiting for her to wake up and properly come back to us," Jackson suggested as he stood up and helped Ryan to his feet.
As he entered the room Jackson bit back a sob as his eyes fell upon the fallen form of his daughter for the first time in 9 months. Taking a deep breath he swallowed back his emotions, there would be time for falling apart later, but right now Greenlee and his granddaughter needed him to be strong.
"Hey Kiddo," Jackson whispered as he brushed Greenlee's hair back from her face. "We've spent a long time missing you, but you're here now and that's all that matters."
Jackson looked up as Angie walked in. "Please tell me you're bringing good news."
"Partly, yes," Angie smiled. "The latest test results show that Greenlee's numbers are starting to normalise, she's not totally out of the woods yet but she is maintaining her own blood pressure and her blood is clotting properly on it's own, both which are very big steps in the right direction."
"How long until we can take her off the ventilator," Ryan asked.
Angie looked at a second set of results. "Hopefully we can start weaning the ventilation over the next 24 hours and then we'll start reducing the sedation."
"And then she'll wake up?" Ryan needed to know.
"Everything is looking much more hopeful than it was a few hours ago," Angie answered, not ready to make a promise until she was sure she could keep it.
Jackson nodded. "Thank-you. For saving my daughter's life once again."
"It's my job," Angie shrugged.
"No. It's almost as if Greenlee has a her very own guardian angel looking out for her, I just hope that wherever she is my granddaughter has the same," Jackson cried, as he thought about the tiny little baby out there somewhere with no family to look out for her.
Stepping forward Angie took Jackson's hand in hers. "Jesse has the best available people working around the clock. They will not rest until you have answers."
"No not answers, no one is resting until that little-girl is home where she belongs," Jackson corrected.
Angie nodded. "We're all praying for that Jackson. Every single one of us."
"I should be out there, helping, maybe one of my contacts from my DA days can help," Jackson announced, standing up. Walking to the top of the bed he whispered something into Greenlee's ear before kissing her. "I'm going to find her and bring her right back where she belongs, I promise you, no stone will be left unturned."
Looking up at the man he considered his father-in-law Ryan nodded. "Thank-you."
"I'll be back as soon as I know something," Jackson promised, and with that he left, leaving Ryan and Greenlee alone once again.
AMC - AMC - AMC - AMC
Entering the police station should have felt like coming home for Jackson, after all he had spent a large portion of his time in Pine Valley there but with the tragic circumstances that had brought him back everything felt wrong, like it had been coloured in using the wrong colours.
"Jackson," Jesse greeted as he approached the older gentleman.
Jackson took hold of Jesse's outstretched hand, briefly shaking it before heading over to where the main activity seemed to be happening. "So where are we on finding my granddaughter?"
"Jack, you should be at the hospital with Greenlee," Jesse suggested.
Jackson shook his head. "No. Ryan is with Greenlee and your wife and her team are doing a fine job of looking after her, so right now here is where I need to be. When my daughter wakes up I want to be able to put that tiny little-girl in her arms and promise her they will never be separated again."
"Ok, follow me and I'll bring you up to date," Jesse agreed quickly realising that arguing with Jackson would be a futile waste of his time, and also knowing that helping was something Jackson needed to do, after all if it was his daughter in Greenlee's situation he would be doing exactly the same thing.
Sitting down at the desk Jackson took the black coffee that was offered him. "Thank-you. Thank-you."
"We've put together a timeline based on what little information we have. We know Greenlee went over the cliff on February 14th and was found on November the 13th, almost 39 weeks exactly to the day she was last seen, both Angie and Jake agree that the incision is approximately 7-10 days old which means the baby is no older than 2 weeks, all other tests reveal a term pregnancy which means Greenlee must have been pregnant when she left, no more than a week or 2 but she was definitely pregnant when she left," Jesse explained.
"That's good right, that means that she wasn't … that they didn't -"
Jesse could read between the lines and was able to understand what Jackson couldn't bring himself to say. "DNA tests on the placenta show that Ryan and Greenlee are without a shadow of doubt the biological parents of the missing baby. And the physical exam at the hospital showed no signs of-"
"Thank-you," Jackson breathed, cutting Jesse off and he realised the breath he hadn't realised he was holding.
"We've traced the 911 call to a disposable cell phone, unfortunately other that that we have no way of tracking it, the techs are working on unscrambling the voice to try and get something we can ID," Jesse started, realising it wasn't a lot to go on but right now it was all they had.
Jackson took a large mouthful of coffee, swallowing the bitter liquid before continuing. "And they left her at the church knowing there would be no security cameras."
"Yes. We have a press conference set up for later today to appeal for witnesses but right now I believe the medical angle is our strongest bet," Jesse informed him.
"Medical angle?" Jackson questioned.
Jesse nodded. "From what Angie and Jake have told us whoever kept Greenlee had to have some medical training as well as a large amount of medical supplies, they believe she's been receiving long-term IV nutrition and there are healed scars to her legs, torso and back area; no doubt these are healed injuries from the accident, injuries that were well cared for."
"So why did they then dump her at the church like yesterday's trash?" Jackson questioned, balling his hands into fists.
"Because they got what they wanted," Jesse whispered.
Jackson bit his bottom lip trying to push down his anger. "The baby."
"Yes," Jesse agreed.
"So where are we on the medical angle?" Jackson asked, trying to get back on track.
Jesse flipped open a file. "We're trying all internet medical supply companies to try and track down anywhere that has been fulfilling large orders in the State and surrounding areas. We're also checking all hospitals to see if anywhere has lost a large amount of supplies but a doctor must have carried out the initial surgeries-"
"After the crash?" Jackson queried.
"Yes, the surgery to Greenlee's back is apparently very specialist surgery that not many people are certified to carry out, we're currently waiting on the arrival of an expert who will hopefully be able to help us track those people down," Jesse explained.
"And when will this expert be here?" Jackson asked.
Looking over Jackson's shoulder Jesse watched as a familiar figure approached them. "He's here now, Jackson before you turn around I need to ask that you stay calm, I know this isn't going to be an ideal situation but Angie assures me that when it comes to the underground medical world he's the best local knowledge."
Standing up Jackson turned around to get a look at the approaching man. "David Hayward," he growled under his breath before turning his attention back to Jesse. "You're seriously bringing him in on this?"
"Time isn't on our side here Jack, it's already been at least 7 days, she could be anywhere in the world by now, the people that have your granddaughter are the lowest of low, in order to find them we need someone on there level. I need you with me on this," Jesse told him.
"Ok," Jackson agreed, knowing what Jesse was saying was right and that if they were going to find the evil that had stolen Greenlee's daughter then they were going to need someone who could get down to that level. "It doesn't mean I have to like it though."
Jesse walked around his desk so that he was next to Jackson. "None of us are going to like this, but we're willing to do whatever we can to bring your granddaughter home," he added as Jesse motioned for one of his officers to show David Hayward into his office.
"David," Jesse greeted.
"Chief Hubbard, Jackson," David smiled as he approached the desk.
Jesse motioned for David to take a seat as Jackson hovered in the background. "What we are about to tell you does not leave this room, not until the information is officially released by the police department."
"You have my attention," David replied, giving his own version of an agreement.
"In the early hours of this morning Greenlee Smythe was brought in to Pine Valley hospital in a critical condition-"
David turned to look at Jackson trying to figure out of this was some sort of trap or what he was being told was the actual truth. "Greenlee Smythe is dead, I was at her memorial."
"And we all believed that to be true until today, but Greenlee is alive and in intensive care at Pine Valley hospital," Jackson added, hoping that David would hear the truth in his voice because whether he liked it or not they needed Hayward on side.
David felt a wave of relief wash over him, even though Leo had been dead for almost a decade he still considered Greenlee family and tried to make good on his promise to Leo to look out for her, a promise that he feared had been broken when Greenlee had died.
Putting his walls back up David faced the Chief of Police. "As relieved as that news makes me I don't see what it has to do with me?"
"Tests have shown that when Greenlee went off of the cliff she was pregnant, a pregnancy that by a miracle was able to go to full term, further tests showed that a baby-girl was delivered by caesarean section somewhere between a week or 2 ago," Jesse said, cluing in the disgraced doctor.
"And you don't know where the baby is?" David correctly guessed.
Reluctantly Jesse nodded. "No. We do know that whoever had Greenlee carried out some very specialist surgery on a spinal injury that she must have received in the crash, a surgery that only a few people are able to do."
"And you want me to help provide you with a list of people?" David asked.
"Yes," Jesse nodded.
Standing up David laughed, a quiet, bitter laugh. "And give me on good reason why I should help you or anyone else in this town? A town that has vilified me at every available opportunity."
"Because it's not about just anyone in this town, it's about Greenlee," Jackson spoke up, stepping towards him. "And I know that despite all of the mistakes you've made and the people you've hurt you love my daughter. That in that twisted heart of yours you made a promise to your brother, a promise that you can help to keep by bringing her daughter home, safely."
"Well with such glowing words how could I refuse," David sarcastically retorted, there was never any doubt in his mind that he would do everything in his power to help bring Greenlee's baby home and punish the people that had wronged her, but that didn't mean that he wasn't going to let Jesse, Jackson and the rest of Pine Valley sweat it out for a little while.
Jesse approached the doctor. "So you'll help?"
"I have a few places I could enquire, first I need to see Greenlee's medical records, that way I will know who best to contact," David explained.
"I don't know if we cal allow that, I'm sure Angie and -"
Stepping forward Jackson cut Jesse off. "No. I'll make sure her medical records are made available to you. As her father and medical proxy I can make it happen, anything that you think will help … I can make it happen."
"Good," David nodded. "Now I have a few things to do first," he said, looking at his watch. "How about we meet at the hospital at 6 o'clock."
"6 o'clock it is," Jackson agreed as he watched David Hayward walk out of the police station.
Jesse sat back down in his chair. "Well that was easier than I thought, I really expected him to ask for more in return."
"I didn't. David Hayward may be a twisted son of a bitch but he cares about my daughter and has done for a long time," Jackson sighed, realising it was better to have David onside than to be working against him.
AMC - AMC - AMC - AMC
Checking his watch Jackson found his heart rate increasing with each second that passed, David Hayward should have been there 2 hours ago, it was now 8pm and they has a growing mass of press outside waiting on a press conference, but first, before making in public knowledge they wanted to know if he had managed to find any new information.
"We need to get this press conference started," Jesse warned.
Jackson nodded. "He's obviously not coming."
"Are you sure you're up for this?" Jesse asked, he could see the exhaustion in Jackson's face, the man hadn't slept or had anything of substance to eat in over 24 hours and yet here he was asking him to make a plea to all of the major news outlets on the East Coast.
"Of course, anything to bring that little-girl back to her family where she belongs," Jackson insisted as he followed Jesse down to the hospitals garden which had been turned into a makeshift stage for a press conference.
Standing at the side of the crowd Jackson listened as Jesse explained the bare minimum of facts to the press, before making a plea for information on the missing newborn.
"Jackson Montgomery, Greenlee's father and grandfather of the missing child would now like to make an appeal," Jesse finished up as he motioned for Jackson to step into the limelight.
Blinking against the flashlights of the camera Jackson took centre stage. "It's with a heavy heart that I find myself in front of you today. 9 months ago I was led to believe that my daughter; Greenlee Smythe died when she went over a cliff on her wedding day, for those 9 months I grieved my precious daughter a grief that I never should have had to suffer through, that none of her family should have had to suffer through."
"Because Greenlee wasn't dead, in the early hours of this morning a miracle happened when my daughter was returned to us. But the miracle is not without a price because whoever stole 9 months of my daughter's life from us and forced us to face a grief that was based on a lie not only took those precious months from us but they stole my granddaughter from the safety of her mother's womb. A poor innocent child that is still out there somewhere, ripped from a family that loves her and can't wait to meet her."
Taking a breath he paused before finishing up. "Please if you know anything, anything at all don't be scared to come forward. They've already stolen 9 months of my daughter's life from us, don't let them steal anymore of my innocent grandchild's, please help us bring her home. And help me give my daughter back her life."
As the crowd started to disperse Jackson found himself focused on a familiar face at the edge of the crowd, walking towards the welcoming smile he found himself almost collapsing into her.
"Erica, you have no idea how pleased I am to see you," Jackson said, trying to keep himself from falling apart.
Erica sat down on the bench next. "Yes I do, because it's probably about as pleased as I am to see you," she told him. "I just wish it was under happier circumstances."
"Oh God," Jackson cried, finally allowing himself to give into the emotion of the situation. "It's all such a horrible mess. She's back, Greenlee she's alive and she's here but she's … they broke her Erica and they stole her baby, that poor little baby who hasn't even had time to make any mistakes in life and Greenlee she's so sick that I don't even know if she knows. I don't know how to help her, I'm her father, I should be protecting her and there's nothing I can do."
Pulling him into her Erica let Jackson cry. "You're doing exactly what you should be doing. You're here for her and that's exactly what she needs right now."
"My granddaughter is still out there somewhere though," Jackson reminded her.
"And we'll find her, together we'll face this challenge just like we have every other challenge; as a family," Erica vowed as sun began to set and for the first time since coming back Jackson allowed himself to break down and cry as the grief of what had happened to his family became to much for him to bear.
"We'll bring her home," Erica promised, her voice barely audible over the sound of Jackson's sobs. "I promise you Jack, you'll get to meet your granddaughter."