Chapter 54

While Meg was getting arrested, Jeff was gingerly stepping off the plane. After arguing with the doctors, Jeff checked himself out against medical advisement. The stronger drugs he had been given at the hospital were beginning to wear off. The doctor had relented and prescribed himself something to dull the pain if he needed, but Jeff was too afraid to take them. He didn't want anything to affect his judgment, not when it counted this much. Jeff would just have to work through it.

"Are you okay?" Matt asked coming up behind him. He had noticed how slowly his brother had been walking. "Maybe you should sit down."

"No I'm fine. We need to get settled and see what's going on." He told him. They had agreed to stay at Vince's compound figuring it would be better if they all stayed together. Plus Vince would have a better chance of getting information out of the FBI than any of them could.

Jeff, Matt, Amy and Stephanie got into one car while Vince got into a separate car. They had already decided to stop and get a bite to eat. That way it would give a chance to talk to Linda and make sure she was okay before they all came barreling in.

"What do we do first?" Amy said after they had sat down at the table.

"We should head to the house when we're done." Stephanie said. "If I know my father he's already on the phone trying to see what's going on."

"Then after that?" Amy asked again and everyone just looked at each other.

"Well hopefully the FBI will have something but if they don't I guess we just start looking around." Jeff said.

"It's a big state." Stephanie said reiterating what they were all thinking. Jeff hoped that Vince would have something for them. Not wanting to waste too much time they all ordered quick items, so that they can rush out of there. When the food came Jeff took a few bites then was ready to go.

"Dude, I know we're in a rush but let us finish." Matt told him noticing his brother fidgeting across the table. "Besides you haven't eaten real food in awhile, it would do you good."

"I'm fine." Jeff said and he continued to watch them eat while tapping his fingers on the table.

"Jeff, chill!" Matt said staring at him.

"Matt, she out there and we're just sitting here."

"We need to eat."

"What about Jess? God knows how she's being treated." Jeff told them.

"Shane wouldn't hurt her." Stephanie said.

"Yea, because you know him so well." He snapped back at her.

"Jeff, calm down. Don't take it out on her." Matt said.

"I'm sorry." Jeff said to Stephanie.

"It's alright." She said and looked away.

After Jeff's last outburst, everyone was pretty much done eating. They headed back to Vince's house and piled in. Stephanie hugged her mother the moment she saw her. She was about to show them to their rooms when Vince stepped out and called Jeff and Matt over to the study.

"I just got off the phone with Agent Miller." He told them as they sat down.

"What did he say?" Matt asked.

"Well first, he was very upset that you checked yourself out of the hospital and came out here, but he also figured you would."

"That's it?" Jeff asked.

"No, that's not. They want you to come down to the station for a few more questions. He's sending a car to come pick you up."

"Did they say what about?"

"I think you should wait for them to tell you." Vince told him.

"Why?" He asked but Vince didn't answer him and his mind went for the worse. "Did they find her?"

"No. It's nothing like that, I swear but Agent Miller would be able to explain it better."

"When does the car get here?" Matt asked.

"Soon. I uh, wanted to talk to Jeff alone for a little. Why don't we go outside for some air? Matt can let us know when the car is here." Jeff nodded and followed Vince out back. They got out back and Vince leaned against the railing staring at the lawn. Jeff looked around the property.

"Is that the playhouse?" Jeff asked pointing to a large shed against the fence.

"Yea." Vince said raising his eyebrow.

"Jess used to talk about it."

"Those kids would spend hours back there." He sighed. "Linda used to have to go down there and drag them back to the house to eat."

"Yea, that's what she said."

"I'm sorry." Vince told him and Jeff just stared. "For what he did to you and for everything he's done to Jess. I should have seen it."

"How could you? I mean none of us did."

"I'm his father. I know I wasn't around a lot but I tried and up to a few weeks ago I thought I did a good job. I failed." Jeff wasn't sure what to say to him but he knew that he had to say something.

"Look, this is something none of us could ever think would happen. I just don't think its right that we all keep blaming ourselves. Right now we need to focus on finding them, and making sure Jess is safe."

"What about Shane?" Vince asked him. Again Jeff didn't know how to respond but this time he was saved by Matt coming out.

"The car is here." He told them. Jeff nodded to Vince before following Matt to the car. They rode in silence giving Jeff a chance to reflect on his thoughts and Vince. Matt had saved him from answering but it wouldn't last forever. What about Shane? After all he had done to both him and Jess, did Vince really think that Jeff would be able to forgive him? He put Jessica through hell, and Jeff swore Shane would pay for it.

Jeff and Matt walked into the building and were escorted over to some chairs and told to wait. Jeff looked around and saw Agent Miller in another room talking to someone. He nodded at Miller when the agent looked up. The woman in the chair turned around and Jeff got the shock of his life.

"Meg?" He said in disbelief. "What is she doing here?" Matt looked to where Jeff gestured and shrugged his shoulders as Jeff headed for the room. Miller came out and stopped him.

"What did she do? Where is Jess?" Jeff yelled towards the room.

"Calm down and let me explain." Miller showed Jeff to a seat and waited for him to sit before explaining. "We found her at a local park."

"What is she doing here?"

"We don't know. She's refusing to talk to us."

"Well can't you force her or something?" Jeff asked him.

"Believe me, I've threatened her with a lot but she keeps saying the same thing. She won't say anything to us." Miller paused. "But she will talk to you."

"Can we do that?"

"It's not normal procedure but I got to tell you, right now this is the only lead we have. You're girlfriends been missing for awhile and if we don't find him soon…" Miller didn't need him to finish.

"So what can I do?" He asked.

"We're going to let you go in there but I'll be with you the entire time and let me ask the questions. You're just going to be there." Jeff nodded in agreement. "Now remember, she might say something you won't like. But keep your cool; we need her to keep talking."

"I will." Jeff promised.

"All right, then let's do this." Miller opened the door and Jeff walked in to face Meg.