Chapter 93 – Sergeant and Major part 2 (long)

Before Gabe could answer Nathan, the doorbell rang. Doug went to grab it.

"Major." Doug said. "They are in the dining room. Thank you for coming. Before you go in there, I need to let you know, Gabe told us. Apparently, he and Nathan are friends. We know that he is not a state police officer. Also, you will be receiving a copy of a confidential file from my father for your and Gabe's eyes only."

"Understood." Marcus said. "Thank you for telling me. I thought Gabe and Nathan knew each other, but I wasn't sure."

Doug and Marcus walked into the dinning room and there were several conversations going on at once and no one was listening to anyone. Suddenly there was a sharp piercing whistle. Everyone stopped and looked at where the whistle came from and saw Charlotte standing there.

"What the hell is going on?" Charlotte asked.

"There are some concerns with security." James said.

"Well." Charlotte said. "JP wants to be an adult and since he brought this trouble to us, he can deal with it. Thomas let's go."

"No." Thomas said. "I want to know what is going on."

"What is going on." Charlotte said. "Is that you allowed your son to put the rest of us in danger by allowing him to hang out with riff raff."

"Charlotte Lucille Sims-Thornton!" Gran snapped.

Charlotte spun around to face her mother who was more than angry. Once again, several people had started talking. This time, it was Gran who let out a sharp whistle.

"Everyone sit down." Gran ordered. "You too, Charlotte."

Everyone found a seat at the table. Gran turned and saw Tommy standing there.

"Thomas Andrew." Gran said. "Go to your room right now!"

"Make me." Tommy said.

Gran took a step closer to Tommy.

"You are not too old for me to turn over my knee." Gran said. "I told you to go to your room."

The look in Gran's eyes told Tommy not to push her, so he turned and went to his room. He didn't like it, but he had also learned that his Grandmother wasn't above spanking a child when she wanted to. Granted it had been years since she had spanked them, but he wasn't going to test her at the moment. Gran turned and walked to the table where everyone was seated. She looked around the table and made eye contact with her husband.

"This is what is going to happen." Gran said. "You will speak when spoken to. You will keep all unnecessary comments to yourself, if you can't do that, you will be dismissed from this table and not invited back until you can learn to keep your tongue. Am I clear?"

"Yes, Ma'am." Marcus said.

The same was echoed by most people around the table, except Charlotte. Gran looked at her.

"Charlotte." Gran said. "I asked you if I was clear what the rules were."

Charlotte glared at her mother. Gran snapped her fingers and glared back.

"Charlotte." Gran said. "Leave this table until you can behave. I mean it."

Charlotte glared at her mother and then looked at her father who nodded. Charlotte got up and slammed the chair back against the table, stalking off. Doug raised his hand.

"Doug." Gran said. "You have something to say."

"Yes, Gran." Doug said.

"Go ahead." Gran said. "I am not sure what is going on, but we all need to be on the same page moving forward."

"Gabe." Doug said. "Dad said he will be sending a full copy of the file tomorrow by messenger. It is to only be shared with the Major and he knows about it."

"Thank you." Gabe said. "Hopefully it helps."

"Gabe." Nathan said. "You didn't answer my question. What kind of danger are we facing?"

"Tell them." Marcus said. "They need to know. Thomas, James I would also suggest that you up your security."

"We have four coming from the city tomorrow." Jack said. "They might be picking up one or more from my Grandpa John. We will have at least a few of his security for the Classic and banquet this weekend."

"JP." Gran said. "Why are more security coming?"

"I am sorry Gran." Jack said. "We had a problem tonight. I thought it had been handled and then we learned more information. Nathan called Marcus and that has led us to where we are."

"Please explain." Gran said. "I want to be sure that I understand."

Nathan and Jack took a few moments to make sure that everyone around the table was aware of the events that happened earlier in the evening. While they were talking, Jack reached over and took Elizabeth's hand. He squeezed it and looked at her. He mouthed 'sorry' to her and she nodded that she understood.

"Thank you." Gran said. "Now that we are all on the same page, is there anything that I am missing?"

"Yes, ma'am." Gabe said.

"I am sorry, who are you?" Gran asked.

"Sorry." Gabe said. "My name is Gabriel Kinslow."

"So what am I missing, Gabriel." Gran said.

"Two of your former security guards are currently being held." Gabe said. "Pending questioning, there is strong suspicion that they may have disclosed Miss Thatcher's location, but we are not sure to whom."

"I think I might know." Nathan said.

"Please share." Marcus said.

Nathan put a phone on the table.

"What is that?" Marcus asked.

"Adam's phone." Nathan said.

"Where did you get that?" Marcus said.

"It was in the truck when I pulled it into the garage." Nathan said.

Gabe looked at Nathan but didn't say anything.

"If you knew it was in there." James said. "Why didn't you say something to that first officer who was here?"

"Like I was going to give a key piece of evidence to that overgrown Barney Fife." Nathan said.

Several people around the table had to hold back laughter.

"So you knew it was there before you pulled the truck into the garage." Gabe said.

Nathan didn't say anything, but gave Gabe a lopsided grin.

"I will take the phone." Marcus said, pulling out an evidence bag.

Nathan dropped the phone in the bag. Marcus sealed it and signed the bag with the date.

"Jack." Marcus said. "Do you trust the security that is coming up from the city?"

"Yes." Jack said. "Our head of security, Devin, is sending three of the four that I requested and I am okay with the fourth that is coming. I don't personally know him, but Devin said he is fine. I am not sure who will be coming with Grandpa John, but he doesn't keep security that he doesn't trust. If he trusts them, I trust them."

"Who is coming?" Thomas asked.

"Chris, Katie, Rob and Matthew C." Jack said.

"What about the kids?" Thomas asked.

"What kids?" Gabe asked.

"Chris and Katie are married." Thomas said. "They have two children."

"They are at camp until this weekend." Jack said. "After that, they are going with Katie's parents to Washington D.C. for at least three weeks."

"How do you know that?" Thomas asked.

"I helped Katie plan it." Jack said.

"Moving on." Gran said. "Nathan I think I heard you pose a question to Gabriel there that was never answered."

"Thank you Gran." Nathan said.

Nathan pushed his chair back and turned Gabe to face him.

"Tell me the truth." Nathan said. "What kind of danger are we facing? I can't keep them safe if I don't know what I am looking for."

Gabe tried to look away because he knew that Nathan would see it in his eyes. Nathan stopped Gabe from looking away.

"Gabriel Matthew Kinslow." Nathan said. "Tell me."

"I can't." Gabe said. "I …. just can't."

Nathan let him go. Nathan hung his head because he knew it was bad. Nathan took a deep breath and slowly blew it out. He stood up and paced for a moment.

"Jack." Nathan said. "Please call Devin and get him on speaker."

Jack quickly dialed the phone.

"Devin." Jack said. "I am here with almost everyone, Ma isn't here, but Major Thompson and another officer are here. Dad, Grandpa, Elizabeth, Doug, Lee and Nathan are also here."

("What is going on?" Devin asked.)

"Devin, you are on speaker." Jack said. "Nathan asked one of the officers what we are facing, but he can't or won't tell us. Has something happened?"

Jack heard Devin blow out a harsh breath.

("Chris was going to talk to you tomorrow." Devin said.)

"I need to know, now." Jack said. "We have to make a run into town in the morning and we have the Classic on Saturday."

("Do you absolutely need to go to town in the morning?" Devin asked.)

"Yes, they do." Gran said. "They have an order to pick up at Primal and they need to run by the farmer's market to get stuff for the weekend. I have other things that I need to do."

("Fine." Devin said. "Major Thompson, would you be able to provide backup to the security that has already being provided?")

"Yes, I can." Marcus said.

("Thank you." Devin said. "Yes, there has been a change.")

"What is going on?" Thomas asked.

("Something popped up on a gossip site." Devin said. "I haven't been able to verify who posted it, but the site claims that Miss Thatcher slept with a few of the security members up there. Anyway Charlie Kensington posted that he doesn't care who she sleeps with because she will always be his and will punish her for her misdeeds.")

Jack looked at Elizabeth and saw the tears in her eyes. He pulled her in close and held her.

"Devin." Jack said. "She did nothing of the sort and I want that person found and dealt with. I also want that post removed."

("I will do my best." Devin said. "I am working to get the post removed. But there is more. Apparently, Charlie Kensington made a death threat.")

"Against who?" Thomas asked.

("It wasn't completely clear." Devin said. "It could have been Jack, Elizabeth or Nathan. We have been working to get more information.")

"Thank you for being honest." Thomas said.

("I will try to keep you up to date." Devin said. "Please use caution when you leave the property. I am also double checking all communications between the security members.")

"We don't believe that anyone else was involved." James said. "But please check out Dennis and Carl. I have moved them to overnights as part of their punishment for their involvement. I believe that their involvement was limited to allowing the gossip to continue and not saying anything."

("I will look into that." Devin said. "Anything else?")

"No, I think we are good." Jack said. "We will be extra careful and try to limit the time away from the property, but we are not going to allow some overgrown bully to change the way that we live our life."

("Understood." Devin said. "Goodnight.")

"Thank you, Devin." Jack said.

Jack hung up the phone and looked around the table, he still held Elizabeth close.

"I promise." Jack said. "Nothing will happen."

"I trust you." Elizabeth said.

"I promise we will do everything to keep you safe." Marcus said.

"Thank you." James said. "I know that you will. It has been a long day and you still have work to do. If we learn anything else, we will let you know."

"Thank you." Marcus said.

"Sir." Gabe said.

"What is it, Gabe?" Marcus asked.

"Requesting permission to protect my friend and his friends." Gabe said.

"You may." Marcus said. "After we question the suspects and you get some sleep."

"Thank you, Sir." Gabe said.

"Gabriel." Gran said.

"Yes, Ma'am." Gabe said.

"Whenever you are ready." Gran said. "You are welcome here. There is an extra bunk in JP's room if you want to stay here. It will be easier to protect everyone."

"No need ma'am." Gabe said. "I don't need to stay in the house."

"I insist." Gran said.

"Gabe." Nathan said. "Better not to argue with her. Jack has a large bedroom with three sets of bunk beds. There are four of us in there right now and we don't mind if you join us."

"Absolutely." Jack said. "Nathan stays in the house and you are more than welcome to join us. Do you ride?"

"I do." Gabe said. "But it has been awhile."

"Then you are more than welcome to join us." Jack said.

"Civilian clothes." Marcus said. "No uniform, but be armed."

"Understood, Sir." Gabe said.

"You do what they do." Marcus said. "But first we have work to do."

"Yes, Sir." Gabe said.

"You folks have a goodnight." Marcus said. "We will let you know if we find anything. Gabe will be back sometime tomorrow afternoon."

"Thank you." James said. "We will be careful. I will have a meeting with security tomorrow. I am not going to tell them about Gabe or the additional security for the weekend. I am going to advise them that the gates are to remain closed until further notice and no unauthorized visitors."

"That is a good idea." Marcus said.

With that, Gabe and Marcus left the group to head back to the station to deal with Adam and Michael. They were both anxious to learn if they could get any more information from the two. After the two left, James looked around the table.

"Is everyone okay?" James asked.

"Yes." Jack said. "Not the first time, probably won't be the last."

"JP!" Thomas said. "Please take this seriously."

"Dad." Jack said. "Like I said before, I am not going to let an overgrown toddler with a temper tantrum stop me from doing business. And I don't care if that is Tommy, Kensington or someone else. I also don't think Kensington is dumb enough to attempt anything himself. I am sure that he will either try to hire someone or get one of his frat buddies to do the dirty work. Kensington isn't the type to get his hands dirty. He is going to be sorry that he crossed me. I am done playing. He comes after me and I will bury him one way or another."

"I agree with Jack." Nathan said. "We will be extra careful. I promise that I am good at what I do. I figured that Kensington's frat brothers might be a problem, so I looked into them before we came up here. I know who they are, so I am not worried about them. It is the threat that we can't see that I need to be worried about. I think that if they are going to try anything, they will try it at the Classic. I will be with Doug and Jack down with the horses. I need everyone else to be extra careful and keep Elizabeth close to them. I am sorry about this Elizabeth, but I truly believe that it is you that they are after and if they can hurt Jack, that would be a bonus."

"I agree." Doug said.

"I do as well." James said. "Nathan, we will keep Elizabeth safe. Now, we all need to get some sleep."

"Yes." Gran said. "Leave the dishes for the morning. Try to get some sleep."

James and Margaret got up and headed to their room. Thomas was right behind them. Lee followed, patting Jack on the back then placing a hand on Elizabeth's arm.

"We have Jack's back." Lee said. "We won't allow anything to happen to you."

"Thank you, Lee." Elizabeth said.