Chapter 18

I woke up the next morning the way I wish I could wake up every morning, curled up next to Jackson's beautiful naked body. When my eyes opened I found him already awake and watching me. He smiled and pushed the hair out of my face; I did the same to him.

"Good morning." He said.

I shook my head and frowned.

"No? Not good morning? Why not?"

"Because it could never be a good morning when you have to leave. I wish the night would come back and give us a few more hours."

He laughed; I loved to hear his laugh. He grabbed the blanket and pulled it over our heads.

"It's still night under here." He pulled me closer and I giggled. "I love it when you giggle like that. But then again, I love everything about you. I love you."

"I love you too."

He kissed me sweetly. "What if I found a way to make it a good morning, could I say good morning then?"

"Maybe, but what would you do to make it good?"

He rolled me over on my back and lay on top of me. "I have an idea." He said smugly before kissing me passionately.

*~*

After Jackson made it a good morning, we got dressed and went into the living room. Kellie was already up and reading her paper and watching C.N.N.

"Morning you two." She said without looking up. "I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to come out."

"Not if we didn't have to." Jackson answered.

I smiled. "Morning to you too Kells. I'll be right back babe." I kissed him on the cheek and went to the kitchen to take my medicine. I could still hear their conversation.

"So have a nice weekend?" Kellie asked.

"We did. And you?" Jackson answered.

"It was nice, but I'm glad to be back here."

"Thank you for giving us the space. I really appreciate it."

"It was no problem Jackson. You guys deserved a little time alone. It was the least I could do. So, when does your plane leave?"

"Too soon." I could hear him sigh. He didn't want to leave anymore than I wanted to see him go. "I have to be at the airport at one. What are you reading?"

"The New York Times the Science Section."

"The New York Times and C.N.N. really Kellie?"

"Just because it's summer time Jackson doesn't mean I have to let my brain rot."

"Kellie can be very sophisticated when she wants to be." I said as I joined them and sat next to Jackson on the couch.

"Hmm, I see. So what do you want to do with our time today?" Jackson asked me as he slid his arm around my waist.

"I can think of something." I cocked an eyebrow at him.

"Really you guys? You just had all weekend together. Haven't you had enough?" Kellie asked.

"Kells you can never get enough of the guy you love."

"Love?" She seemed stunned. "Well it's about damn time you realized it; I was beginning to think you two would never figure it out. Oh, and did you even check the mail this weekend?"

"Nope."

"Well that explains the pile of it. You've got some by the way, on the table there. I think you have something from North Carolina again, but I'm not sure."

"North Carolina? I don't want to have anything to with that anymore. It's probably nothing anyways. You can trash it for all I care."

"If that is what you wish. Hey, you want this?" She held up the science section. "They've got something in here on optometry."

"Sure, thanks."

"You read that too?" Jackson asked.

"Only on occasion and only the science section. Sometimes it has some pretty interesting stuff, but I usually just stick with my journals."

"Wow."

"What?"

"Nothing." He tried to hide his smile.

"Are you laughing at me?"

"No."

"Yes you are. Stop laughing at me." I demanded.

"I can't." he laughed.

"Stop or I'll make you."

"How?"

"Like this." I swung my leg over to straddle his lap. I curled my fingers in his hair and kissed him roughly.

"Mmm," he moaned as his hands found my waist and pulled me closer.

"Really guys, still here." Kellie said exasperated.

I pulled back. "Sorry Kells. I forgot. I'll try to behave now."

"Gee thanks."

I reluctantly moved off Jackson's lap and opened the paper and began to read. We were all silent for a while, catching up on our current events. Kellie gave up the cross word puzzle to let Jackson give it a shot, and she focused on watching C.N.N. It was probably about a half hour later when I set the paper down and watched with her.

*~*

"…Thank you for that lovely sentiment. Now for News Around the Nation here's Daniel Webb."

"Thank you Cindy. In Seattle a pregnant woman claims she was helped by an angel. Felicia Scott, wife of Major Scott currently stationed in Iraq, was on her way to the hospital for a checkup when her car broke down. When her water suddenly broke Felicia says a hitchhiker that seemingly came out of nowhere assisted her in labor and then disappeared just as suddenly when the ambulance arrived. Major Scott and Felicia are now the proud parents of a baby girl. Felicia has decided to name the baby Angel in honor of her helper.

"In North Carolina," my ears perked up as did everyone else's, "the body of District Court Judge Joanna Jameson was found dead in her home last night along with the body of Public Defense Attorney Celia Howard. Authorities are still determining the exact cause, but early reports claim a double homicide. No suspects have been named so far.

"In Kansas…"

*~*

"Amy?" I was vaguely aware of Jackson calling my name.

Murdered? They were both murdered? How? Why? What where the odds that both the Judge and Frankie's attorney were murdered almost a month after the trial? I began to scramble around the table for my mail.

"Amy, what are you doing?"

"They're dead, they're both dead."

"Who's dead?"

"Judge Jameson, she was the judge who presided over Frankie's hearing and the attorney, she was Frankie's defense attorney. Now they're both dead. Here it is!" I pulled the letter from North Carolina from the pile and tore it open. I read it carefully but quickly.

"Oh god…no…not good. Oh my god." I panted.

"What is it Amy?" Jackson grabbed my shoulders and forced me to look at him

"It's Frankie… he hasn't reported in with his parole officer in over a week and…and his tracker isn't working. They have no idea where he is."

"Oh god Amy…" Kellie walked over to me. I kept my eyes locked with Jackson's.

"He wouldn't have any reason to come here. He has no reason to come after me now. I have nothing he wants." I was trying to convince myself more than anything else.

"Amy, I don't think he needs a reason." Jackson replied.

"What are you talking about? Why would he come after you? What haven't you told me Amy?" Kellie asked.

"Amy, are you going to tell her or am I?"

"No Jackson, you promised."

"Amy, she deserves to know. She's your best friend. You can trust her."

"Will someone please tell me what the hell is going on?"

"I can't Jackson."

"Then let me do it darlin'."

I nodded and looked down. As Jackson filled Kellie in on all that had happened in Hampstead my eyes rested on the rest of the mail on the table. Another letter caught my eye. There was nothing particularly special about it; it was in a plain white, letter sized envelope. It was addressed to me, but the address was typed not written. I picked it up and opened it. Inside was a letter with only three words.

I've found her.

"Oh god Amy, I'm so sor…Amy you're shaking." Kellie said.

"What's wrong? What's that Amy?" Jackson took the paper from my hand and read it aloud. "What does this mean?"

"Aunt Suzie. He's gone after Aunt Suzie."