Chapter 110 – Gabe's Decision
"What else?" Jack asked.
"That brings us to Adam and Michael." Chris said. "Not only was Adam texting Chase about passing information along. I was informed by Major Thompson that Adam had several messages back and forth with Lacy Pennybaker herself."
"Probably, how she found out about us being at the Local." Jack said.
"I wouldn't doubt it." Nathan said. "James had wanted to go to Prime, but we decided to go to the Local that morning. Security wasn't even informed about it until right before church."
"I wouldn't put it past him." Jack said. "Father Mark said that Elena Pennybaker was one of the first calls that he fielded after church on Sunday. He told them all that he had no comment and he didn't gossip about parishioners."
"After hearing the story." Doug said. "I wondered how Lacy Pennybaker showed up at the pub so fast. Didn't you say that Adam was on his phone when Lacy walked past him?"
"Yes." Jack said. "When I spotted Lacy, I saw that Adam was playing with something on his phone, his personal phone, not the security phone. I knew because his personal phone had a bright blue case and the security ones all have black matte cases."
"Good catch." Chris said. "According to his cell phone records he was texting someone on his personal phone while you were at the pub. The number he was texting was a private number and we can't get access to who it belongs to. The phone company is standing behind their right to protect their clients. John and Devin are working on it, but it might take awhile and Adam is not talking."
"I don't understand why he made a big show of removing Lacy if he was working with her." Lee said. "Especially if he was working with her."
"I can't answer that, exactly." Chris said. "Maybe he didn't want his cover blown. We have many more questions than answers and like I said, Adam is refusing to speak to us about any of it. I don't know if he is afraid or just arrogant."
"It is more than that." Nathan said. "I motioned for him to intervene. I mean I shouldn't have had to, but I did. I was ready to call Marcus if Adam hadn't intervened, especially after what Charlotte had said. The manager was also ready to intervene. He came over after Lacy was removed to make sure that everything was okay. He asked if he needed to call the police."
"It was after the run in at the Local." Chris said. "That was when Lacy started telling people that she was pregnant with your child and you had abandoned her after proposing. Her lies about you were part of the reason that the judge signed off on the restraining order. Your grandfather and Devin were able to very clearly show that there was no way that you fathered Lacy's baby. The Florida case helped convince the judge. John was able to convince a judge that since you were taking over Coal Creek and that you were going to be here, that a ban from the property was warranted. You know how rare it is for a judge to issue a lifetime no trespassing order, especially without a written warning first."
Lee, Jack and Nathan all looked at each other.
"Extremely rare." Doug said. "At least we don't have to worry about Lacy showing up here. Does the no trespassing include the show we are holding?"
"I would assume so." Chris said. "But even if it didn't, the restraining order would still be in effect and that would prevent her from competing as well. Since the show is on private property, you can set the rules for entry."
"Good." Jack said. "I was wondering about that."
"If she is pregnant." Nathan said. "She wouldn't be jumping."
"I don't believe that she really is pregnant." Jack said. "Remember, she said she wanted to bring her horse over and jump."
"That is right." Nathan said.
"So you think that the pregnancy is just a story to try and hurt you?" Doug asked.
"Yes." Jack said. "Even if she is pregnant, I don't have to worry as there is no way that I am the father. Lacy is not my problem. Anyone who knows me, knows that I have wanted nothing to do with Lacy for a long time. The only reason that she was at the party over winter break, was that she came with someone else that I knew from my jumping days. As soon as Lacy arrived, she latched onto Tommy and I. No matter how I tried to talk to others, Lacy was right there hanging on me."
"I can attest to the fact that Jack wasn't a huge Lacy fan." Doug said.
"Can we move on." Jack said. "I still want to check on the horses and we have boots to polish. I want to be able to relax after supper."
Nathan let out a harsh breath.
"Gabe." Nathan said. "You tell them right now or I will."
"Shut up!" Gabe hissed.
"If you have something to tell us." Jack said. "Now would be the time. If you have nothing to say then I will have to make my decision based on what I already know."
"Gabriel." Nathan said.
Gabe stood up, so did Nathan and Chris.
"I said to shut up!" Gabe hissed. "My life is none of their business."
"Doug." Jack said. "Will you please escort Gabe downstairs and then see him off the property with only what he came with."
"You can't do that." Gabe said.
"Yes, I can." Jack said. "This is my property and my life. I thought I made it clear that I will not have people on my detail that I don't trust. You have done nothing to prove that we can trust you."
Gabe looked at Chris and then back at Nathan.
"John said it was completely up to you, JP." Chris said. "Katie and Rob are close. Matthew is at the security office at Conrad's place. I can get him here if you want."
Jack shook his head.
"Gabe." Nathan said. "You really are stupid. If you are escorted out of here, do you really think that John Thornton won't call your boss in the city? Are you really willing to risk your career just because you don't want to talk about something?"
Gabe stared at Nathan, but he didn't flinch.
"I am not scared of Thornton." Gabe said. "I am good at my job. They aren't going to fire me, just because I don't want to talk about my family with other people."
"You underestimate my grandfather's influence." Jack said. "But have it your way. Doug please see him downstairs and then off the property, then please call your father and let him know about this afternoon. Nathan please call Marcus and let him know. I will call my grandfather."
Doug and Nathan nodded, then stepped back. Lee joined Doug and they moved to escort Gabe downstairs. As they moved, Jack grabbed Doug's arm. Doug looked at him and Jack leaned forward.
"Please call Devin and have him forward the video." Jack whispered.
"Who?" Doug asked.
"Your father and Marcus." Jack whispered.
"Anyone else?" Doug asked.
"Your call." Jack said.
Doug nodded and he understood what Jack was asking. Gabe didn't want to go, but Doug didn't give him a choice. As soon as they were out of the library, Chris pulled the doors shut again.
"Jack." Chris said. "I think you need to be careful. He is not going to let this go."
"And I will let Grandpa John handle it." Jack said. "He signed a non-disclosure. He says anything and Grandpa will go after him."
Nathan hung up the phone and then looked between Jack and Chris.
"Jack, Chris." Nathan said. "I think you need to know something about Gabe. His twin sister has a baby with and is currently living with August Steele's middle son Trip. There is also something with his biological father, more to do with who he is and what he did to Gabe and his sister."
"I knew about his twin sister, so did Jack." Chris said. "We just wanted to see if he would admit it. We also know that his biological father is Oliver Branch and he abandoned them. He was raised by his mother's husband and bore his name. Gabe's mother had an affair with her boss and got pregnant. Gabe's sister legally changed her name to her biological father's name. I also know that they were adopted by their mother's husband and their original birth records are sealed."
Nathan stared slack-jawed between Jack and Chris.
"You knew." Nathan said incredulously.
"Yes." Chris said. "John was given access to his personnel file. We just wanted to see if he would admit it. His boss told John that the chip on his shoulder when it comes to wealthy people comes from his biological father and also the situation that his twin sister is in. John said they didn't know about the connection to the Pennybakers or Kensingtons. Gabe's sister, Grace, chose to use Branch's last name when she was eighteen. They didn't realize it was his twin sister until John told them. According to Gabe he said that Grace Branch (Kinslow) was a cousin. Because Grace connected with her biological father and also Trip Steele, Gabe had distanced himself from them, according to Gabe himself. It was Devin and his guys digging into the records that realized that Gabe had lied about who Grace was and how much contact that he had with her. Devin learned that Gabe called Grace after he was here last night and before he got back to the station. From what I understand, the people who John and Devin talked to were not happy to learn that Gabe hadn't been honest with them, especially when he jumped at the opportunity to be part of the investigation into Charles Kensington II that he is supposed to be heading."
"I am not even going to ask how you guys learned that so fast." Nathan said.
Jack and Chris just smiled. Nathan shook his head.
"Is he really risking his career?" Jack asked.
"Most likely." Chris said. "He has had chance after chance, but this attitude that was displayed here today was not a good look. John was worried about having him here and that was why he left it up to JP. He knew that JP would have a good read on him. I mean John would have still had his concerns, but was willing to take that chance if JP had a good feeling about him."
"Can I go talk to him before he leaves?" Nathan asked.
Chris nodded and Nathan quickly left the library. Chris and Jack sat down to talk about a few other things.
Nathan was able to catch Gabe just as they came back upstairs. Doug saw the look on Nathan's face and turned to Lee.
"Let's give them a moment." Doug said.
Lee nodded
"Nathan, we will be in the kitchen." Doug said.
Nathan nodded and then led Gabe over to the living room. As much as Doug wanted to give Nathan some space to talk to his friend, he wasn't going to let Gabe out of his sight until he was off the property or at least handed to other security. Doug was not happy with Gabe and he also knew that Jack was done with Gabe at this point.
"They know about Grace and your father." Nathan said. "If you would have just said something, you wouldn't be risking your career."
"Are you really going to stick with these rich assholes?" Gabe said. "What does my family have to do with anything? I have never let personal feelings interfere with my job. Besides, one rich asshole is just like another. I would do the country a service to put them all behind bars where they belong."
Nathan narrowed his eyes and glared at Gabe.
"First of all." Nathan said. "Jack and his family for the most part have been nothing but welcoming to me. Second of all, James offered my friend Katie a job and a place to live for her and her daughter. I want to be here for her. Also because he didn't have to do that, I want to show some loyalty. Third, Jack and his friends have welcomed me into their group. They are not what you think. Jack is one of the most down to earth guys I have ever met. If you could pull your head out of your own ass long enough you would know that."
Finally, I think you have let your personal feelings color everything that you have done. The way that you talk and act is not someone that sounds like they have an objective mind. You have a huge chip on your shoulder and you want everyone else to pay for what your no good father did. I can't believe some of the things I have heard from you or the way that you have behaved."
"You changed." Gabe sneered.
"No." Nathan said. "I grew up. I don't judge people just because of the size of their bank accounts. I get that there are many that are straight up assholes – your sister's future in-laws included. From what I can see, Trip is not the same as his brother or cousins. Also not all rich people are assholes. If you go looking for trouble, they will defend themselves, just like anyone else. You came here looking for trouble and now you have it."
"How dare you?" Gabe snapped.
"Just because you don't like it." Nathan said. "Doesn't mean that they don't love each other. At least they are trying to make it work and Trip is trying to take responsibility for his child. Just because he is trying to do the right thing, doesn't change the fact that Trip's family is a bunch of assholes. I know it and you know it. I don't get why you are working with them. You are no better than them, if you keep this up."
Gabe just glared at Nathan.
"Anything you want to say for yourself?" Nathan asked.
"I can't believe you are choosing them over me." Gabe said.
"I am choosing my job." Nathan said. "If you would have just toned it down and dialed your attitude back a bit, you might have been welcomed into the group as well. It could have been good for you to get on Thornton's good side. Instead, you have now made an enemy of one of the most powerful families around. I hope you have a good explanation for your boss."
"I don't need an explanation." Gabe said.
"If you decide to wise up." Nathan said. "Maybe give me a call sometime. When you get back to the city, you can see Devin about getting your stuff. And don't think about coming back to my place until you can apologize and mean it."
"Whatever." Gabe said.
"One last thing." Nathan said. "If you repeat anything that you saw or heard on this property, those slander charges will come back to bite you in the ass. On top of any violations that John Thornton will slap on you for breaking the non-disclosure you signed. Good luck."
Gabe stood slack-jawed staring at Nathan a moment before regaining his composure.
"You are the one that will be sorry." Gabe said.
Gabe then turned and practically stomped out of the house. Nathan followed him and saw Rob and Katie. He motioned to them to see him off the property. Rob nodded and Nathan went back into the house. When Nathan shut the door, Doug was right there.
