Chapter 226 – Elizabeth Meets Caitlin
While Nathan and Chris got the group to the truck, Rob stood his ground.
"You are going to be sorry." The young lady yelled at Rob. "Jack Thornton is going to pay for what he did to Lacy. He is a vile man who doesn't deserve to walk this earth. He should die for what he did to my friends. Not only does he knock Lacy up, but he steals another man's fiancee. He is the worst kind of man there is."
Just then Rob nodded and the two undercover officers stepped forward.
"Jenna Smith." The officer said. "You are under arrest for making terroristic threats."
"You can't do that." Jenna yelled.
"Yes, I can." The officer said as he cuffed Jenna.
"William!" Jenna yelled.
William Pennybaker stepped forward.
"I demand that you release this young woman." William said. "I am a judge."
The officer looked William up and down.
"From what I hear." The officer said. "You have been suspended pending an investigation and that the States Attorney's office expected to hand down an indictment on you for bribery, harassment and falsifying records. So no, I will not release this woman. She made threats and she will be held."
"Then I demand to know her bond." William Pennybaker bellowed.
"Sir." The second officer said. "The terror alert is orange and the young lady made terroristic threats in a church. There will be no bond. She will be held until she sees a judge and that won't be until after the Fourth. Now step back unless you want to join her."
William Pennybaker huffed twice, but stepped back.
"Just be quiet Jenna." William said. "I will try to get you released to me."
The officers lead Jenna away. Father Super stepped over.
"I suggest that you all leave." Father Super said.
William Pennybaker looked at him and huffed. William stormed out of the church with Lacy and her friends right on his tail. A few minutes later, John, James and Margaret left with the rest of the security team. They had been in the hall visiting with friends.
"Who was that?" Elizabeth asked, once they were safely in the truck.
"Jenna Smith." Jack said. "She is one of the Lacy cult members."
"Why do you say that?' Elizabeth asked.
"Those girls are spoiled." Doug said. "They have always had a small core group around them. They treat anything Those girls say as gospel truth. The group around Lacy has always been a bit …. unhinged."
"Too much bottle bleach." Jack said.
"Actually." Doug said. "I was surprised to see her. I heard she spent most of the last year in Europe or something like that."
"She is probably back because of her big showy wedding later this month." Jack said. "What a joke."
"The wedding that Father Mark mentioned." Nathan said. "Why do you call it a joke?"
"Because." Jack said. "Everyone knows that Jenna and Mason Redding are already married. They have an almost two year old baby that is being raised by Jenna's mother."
"Woah, woah, woah." Nathan said. "What are you talking about?"
"You need to be a little more specific." Jack said.
"How do you know they are already married?" Nathan asked.
"You are a private investigator." Jack said. "You know."
"Humor me." Nathan said, flatly.
"When I had Lacy investigated." Jack said. "Don't you think that I also had her close friends looked at so I knew what I was dealing with. I found a marriage certificate from Atlantic City. This was after the engagement and big announcement in the paper. Jenna has been with family on Prince Edward Island for several months. I was concerned so I spoke to Father Mark. I didn't raise a formal objection because I didn't want to tip my hand."
"So what did Father Mark say?" Elizabeth asked.
"He told me he couldn't talk about someone else." Jack said. "The only thing he said was that there may be more to the story and unless I wanted to file a formal objection with the Bishop I should probably drop it."
"So what did you do?" Nathan asked.
Jack just shrugged his shoulders and gave them a half grin. Doug saw the look in Jack's eye.
"You know Jack." Doug said. "Your drive to know all the answers is going to get you in trouble."
"Maybe." Jack said.
"I don't even want to know what you found." Nathan said.
"Good." Jack said. "Because I wasn't sharing."
"Jack." Elizabeth said. "I have a question."
"Yes." Jack said.
"What is Lacy's problem?" Elizabeth asked. "Why is she doing this? Is she ever going to leave us alone?"
"Where to begin with what is wrong with Lacy." Doug said.
"Doug." Nathan said.
"I agree." Jack said. "But it essentially boils down to I will not be dictated to by an overgrown toddler who has never effectively learned the word no."
"Lacy has been indulged her entire life." Doug said. "She has never had to do anything and always told that she was a princess and that the world should serve her."
"I doubt that she has ever tacked her own horses." Jack said. "The few times that she showed up to jump here, she came with her own personal groom. He would tack up the horse, hold the reins and then deal with the horse when they were done. I never saw her care for her horse."
"Not surprised she didn't do that well then." Nathan said.
"Exactly." Jack said.
"Can we talk about something else?" Elizabeth asked. "Just talking about her is getting me upset."
"Fine by me." Jack said. "I have talked more about Lacy in the last couple months than I ever thought I would in my life. I would be fine to never hear her name again."
The group talked about the service for the remainder of the short drive to the farm. When they got there, Jack saw Frank's SUV and was glad that they were back. He figured his grandparents would not be that far behind. Nathan parked and they headed into the house. Trish was sitting at the table with a cup of tea.
"Where is everyone?" Jack asked.
"Downstairs." Trish said. "Lee and Frank were talking about baseball and the girls were going to play a game or watch some tv until I called them to help with lunch."
"I am going to grab my laptop and do a few things." Jack said.
"I think I am going to read." Elizabeth said.
"I want to check some things as well." Nathan said.
"I will be downstairs, Mom." Doug said.
"Sounds good." Trish said.
The group went downstairs. Jack went to get his laptop. Elizabeth went to get the book that she had started the night before. Nathan also grabbed his laptop. Everyone except Jack settled in the downstairs sitting area. Jack went up to the library.
Twenty-five minutes after Nathan had pulled into the farm, Andrew pulled the towncar in with Peter, John, James and Margaret. The plan was to sit down to eat between twelve and one. Everyone was free to do what they wanted until then. James and John agreed to head to the office and go over a few things. Andrew and Peter were meeting up with the other security and they were going out to eat at 505 Waterfront. John was glad that they were going out and spending time together. He didn't mind paying for the meal for them. The group had gone above and beyond working as of late.
Devin had left earlier that morning to drive back to the city. He had things that he needed to deal with. Devin had been hoping to be able to get away and come up for the show. Not only because he wanted to be there for Jack and help with security, but he was looking forward to seeing some of his friends in the Flying Aces. Devin was glad that the group was coming up to help. He was even happier that Nathan reached out to them. Devin wondered if they would get time to ride at some point that weekend. He hoped so, because he hadn't gotten to ride in a while.
It was almost eleven thirty when the Averys and Caitlin arrived. After unloading the car, Peter and Becky took Cody downstairs. Bill headed to the office to sit with John and James. Abigail took a few minutes to take Caitlin downstairs and introduce her to Elizabeth. The two decided to come upstairs to visit. They guys were watching some racing and Cody had already settled in Nathan's lap. With Jack in the library, Elizabeth and Caitlin settled in the front room.
Everyone was giving Jack some space since he seemed to want it. There were a few things that Nathan had wanted to talk to Jack about, but he was going to give him the day. Nathan wasn't sure what was actually bothering Jack, but he knew that there was something. Nathan was also pretty sure that he had something to do with why Devin had come up as well as why Bill and John were locked in the office. Nathan wasn't upset that Jack hadn't shared what Devin had told him. He knew that if Jack was processing that he wasn't going to talk about it until he had worked it out enough in his own head.
With everyone else settled, Gran, Abigail and Trish took a few minutes to sit at the table before they started the rest of lunch. The fruit and veggie platters were done. Potato and macaroni salads were made. Trish was going to roast some veggies on the grill. They had the corn shucked and ready to cook. They didn't need to turn the grill on quiet yet, so they were able to relax.
"It was so good that you could come out." Elizabeth said.
"Thank you for having me." Caitlin said. "It can get lonely sitting in my apartment. I don't have a lot of friends and those that I have are gone for the summer."
"So where do you work?" Elizabeth asked.
"I work typing and filing for child and family services." Caitlin said. "I have most of the afternoons off and every weekend."
"And Abigail said you were studying to be a social worker?" Elizabeth said.
"Yes." Caitlin said. "I have another year and half left. I love kids and can't wait to get my degree. I also currently work with abuse survivors, as well as current and former foster children."
"So is that where you want to focus?" Elizabeth said. "Foster children."
"Yes and no." Caitlin said. "I would actually like to work as an advocate for abused kids."
"So more a guardian ad litem." Elizabeth said.
"Yes." Caitlin said. "Tell me about yourself. All Aunt Abby said was that you will be going to school in the city in the fall."
"Yes." Elizabeth said. "I am going to get my elementary education degree from Columbia. I will be attending school with Jack, Doug and Lee. I mean they will all be on different parts of the campus, but you know what I mean."
"Yes, I do." Caitlin said. "And you are dating Jack."
"Yes." Elizabeth said. "We are actually engaged, but we aren't announcing that. We have only told family and those close to us."
"Congratulations." Caitlin said. "Is that the ring?"
"Yes." Elizabeth said with a smile.
She showed Caitlin both rings and explained what they both meant.
"That is so cool." Caitlin said. "So how long have you known Jack, I have never heard Aunt Abby mention you before."
"Honestly." Elizabeth said. "I have only known Jack a little over two weeks. I know. I know. But we have this amazing connection that we can't explain. We know that we are meant to be together."
"If you know, you know." Caitlin said.
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "Most people seem to think we are crazy or are rushing things. I understand that it is fast, but Jack and I don't want to wait. We know what we feel and time is not going to change that."
"No, I understand that." Caitlin said. "I may not have found my perfect partner yet, but I have seen other things that you just know were supposed to happen at that time or that way. It is hard to explain. But I do know what you are talking about."
"I have a question for you." Elizabeth said. "I know that Abigail is Catholic, but she didn't say if you are. I am just asking because I am not and I am trying to learn, but I am struggling with certain things."
"I was born Catholic." Caitlin said. "But at this point because of other things, I wouldn't be what one called a devout practicing Catholic. I believe, but I don't actively participate in Church. Part of it is my anxiety being in a crowd. The other part of that is my sensitivity to sounds and smells. Church can be overwhelming."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I can see that."