Chapter 91 – Finding the Truth
"Dennis." Thomas said. "Is there anything else that you want to tell me?"
"I am sorry." Dennis said. "I should have been better about shutting down the gossip. I didn't mean to put anyone at risk. I didn't approve of what Adam and Michael were saying, but I was more worried about keeping my job and not rocking the boat. I am truly sorry. I will accept whatever you decide."
"Carl?" Thomas said. "Anything that you want to say?"
"I also want to say that I am sorry." Carl said. "I also should have done more to stop the gossip. I also want to say that Nathan did nothing wrong at the park. I couldn't hear what he said, but from where I was, it didn't look like he crossed any lines. Miss Thatcher was upset and he was trying to calm her down. It looked like he asked her a question and she nodded in agreement before she went to him and he hugged her. I can only assume that he asked permission and was granted it. I told Adam to drop it, but since Nathan didn't stand up to Lacy Pennybaker and called him over, he was out to get him. According to Adam, Lacy should have never been allowed to get that close and if he would have had the assignment, it wouldn't have happened."
"Thank you for being honest." Thomas said.
"Adam." James said. "Where were you when Lacy and her mother walked into the pub?"
Adam didn't say anything. James and Thomas both walked over to Adam and stared at him.
"Where were you?" Thomas demanded.
Again, Adam didn't say anything.
"He was on his phone." Jack said. "I don't know what he was doing, but he was looking at his phone and not paying attention. She walked right by him. He didn't do anything until Nathan called him over. Even when Ma stood up to her, it took Nathan calling him over to do something."
"Thank you, JP." Thomas said. "I have heard enough. James a moment alone."
"What about us?" Michael said.
"Sit down and shut up." Thomas snapped with a cold glare for emphasis.
The four men sat on the tailgate. James and Thomas stepped outside, but where they could still see what was going on. Jack and Nathan watched from near the door. Again, Jack was busy texting on his phone.
"What are you doing?" Nathan asked.
"Solving a problem." Jack said. "Whether we need it or not, I don't know, but I want to be ready."
"What are you talking about?" Nathan asked.
"Watch." Jack said.
It was only a couple of moments before Thomas and James stepped back to face the men sitting on the tailgate.
"Carl and Dennis." James said. "You two are on overnight tonight. You will stay until Kevin and Brandon get back from town tomorrow. You will also clean up the bonfire site. It better be clean when I come down in the morning and I am not telling you when I am coming down. You will also be on overnight until I decide otherwise."
"Yes, Sir." Dennis said.
"But …." Carl started.
"Your other choice is I can fire you." James said. "And you will never work security again."
"Overnights are fine." Carl said with a resignation.
"Good." James said. "Now you are free to go. I suggest that you head back down to the bonfire site. Here is the radio and phone."
James handed them to Dennis. Dennis and Carl looked at each other before leaving. Both were glad to have their jobs, but they had been on all day and were tired.
"I better not find you asleep." James called after them.
After Dennis and Carl left, James turned and looked at the other two sitting there. James then looked at Thomas.
"Are you sure?" James asked.
"Very." Thomas said. "I will figure something out with my father. As long as we get through this weekend, it should be easier."
"What are you talking about?" Adam said.
"Sir." Jack said.
"Yes." Thomas and James both said.
"I might have a solution to what you are talking about?" Jack said. "I have been back and forth with Devin since we got back here."
Thomas turned to look at Jack. Jack couldn't quite read his Dad's expression, he wasn't sure if he was angry or curious.
"What?" Thomas said. "I am listening."
"I let Devin know that I didn't want Adam or Michael on my detail." Jack said. "No matter what you decide, I don't want people that I don't trust to have my best interest protecting me. Devin agreed and no matter what you decide, he is sending four people up tomorrow. They will stop at Grandpa John's and get an additional car. They may wait and come with him. Devin has secured a hotel suite for them, it is a long term rental for as long as I am here. Grandpa John also knows, I am not sure if he is going to be coming with them or later. He will have one security with him who will also stay at the hotel. At least two more will come up for Saturday and spend the night at the hotel."
"Good." James said. "We will deal with things tomorrow. Thank you, JP."
"You're welcome." Jack said.
James and Thomas turned back to Adam and Michael.
"You are both fired." Thomas said.
"I want you off my property tonight." James said. "If I find you back here, I will have you arrested."
"Also, if I find one picture or comment from either of you in the media." Thomas said. "Or any other violation of your confidentiality agreement, I will bury you."
"Nathan, please see them off the property." James said.
"How am I supposed to get back to the city?" Michael said.
"Not my problem." Thomas said.
"Your final paycheck will be in the bank on Monday." James said. "Now get out of my sight."
James turned and headed back into the house.
"My car is in the parking lot." Adam said.
"I want your radio and phone." Thomas said.
Adam reluctantly handed them over, but not before he sent one more glare toward Nathan.
"Nathan if they give you any trouble." Thomas said. "Feel free to call Marcus. Please see Adam and Michael to Adam's car and then off the property."
"Yes, Sir." Nathan said.
"I will go as well." Jack said. "Will you please let Elizabeth know that I will be back in a few moments. She is waiting downstairs for me."
Thomas closed his eyes for a moment.
"I can do that." Thomas said. "But please hurry. It is getting late and you have an early morning and need to rest for this weekend."
"Yes, Sir." Jack said.
Thomas turned and glared at Adam and Michael one last time before heading into the house to let Elizabeth know that Jack would be back in a few moments. Jack and Nathan moved to the truck. Adam moved to get in the front seat.
"Sit in the back." Nathan said. "Jack is sitting up front with me and if you object, you can ride in the bed of the truck."
Without a word, Adam and Michael got into the back seat of the truck. Nathan pulled out of the garage and headed to the parking lot where the staff parked. Nothing was said until they got to the parking lot. Jack hit the lock on the doors. He then turned in his seat to face Adam and Michael. Before Nathan could react, Jack had grabbed Michael by the neck.
"You think pissing my father and grandfather off was a bad idea." Jack hissed. "You have no idea. Insinuating that my fiancée was sleeping around was worse."
"Jack let him go." Nathan commanded.
Jack looked at Nathan out of the side of his eye before letting go of Michael.
"If I find out that you said one more negative thing about Elizabeth." Jack said. "Or have disclosed her location to anyone, trust me when I say I will make you regret the day that you were born. You think my father and grandfather have power, you have no idea."
"You can't get away with threatening me." Michael said.
"Who is going to believe you?" Nathan said. "You were fired by one of the most reputable families around. A family that has ties to law enforcement and government. Seriously."
Nathan saw the look of fear that crossed Adam's face.
"What did you do?" Nathan demanded.
"Nothing." Adam said.
"Don't lie to me." Nathan said. "I saw it in your face."
"Doesn't matter." Adam said with a smile. "You can't change what is going to happen."
Jack and Nathan exchanged a quick look. Jack gave Nathan a little nod and he understood. Nathan grabbed his phone and dialed a number.
"I am sorry, Sir." Nathan said when the line picked up.
("It is okay." The man said. "I know that you wouldn't call if it wasn't important. We just got home, so what do you need.")
"We have had a security breach." Nathan said. "I think that two of our team members are in on it."
("I am on my way." The man said. "Tell me what is going on?")
"James fired them." Nathan said. "Jack and I were to see them off the property and when we got to the parking lot, one made a comment that we can't stop what is going to happen. They won't talk to me."
("Take them back to the house." The man said. "I authorize you to hold them on suspicion of criminal activity. I will send some officers. I will be there shortly, but it will take me a good twenty minutes to get there. I know for a fact that officers are less than five minutes away.")
"Thank you Marcus." Nathan said. "See you soon."
Nathan heard Marcus on the radio sending officers before coming back on the phone.
("Be safe." Marcus said. "See you soon. Officers are just a few minutes away.")
"The gate is unlocked, but closed." Nathan said. "They can come in, but please close the gate."
("I will relay the information." Marcus said.)
"Thank you." Nathan said.
Nathan hung up his phone and turned to Jack. He motioned to the glovebox. Jack opened it and saw what Nathan wanted. Adam realized that something was going down and scrambled to get out of the car, but Nathan got a hold of him and Jack grabbed Michael. Nathan was easily able to get them both handcuffed and back into the truck. Jack didn't notice that Nathan had grabbed Adam's phone and was looking at it for a second before he got back into the truck. Nathan headed back to the house and got there just as the officers pulled up. Thomas and James came back out when they saw the officers.
"What is going on?" James asked.
"We got a call from the Major." The first officer said. "He said to respond to this location. We don't have more details."
"Nathan?" Thomas said when he saw him pull up with Adam and Michael.
"I thought I told you to escort them off the property." James said.
"I planned to." Nathan said. "Adam made a threat. It sounds like something is going to happen. They have put everyone in danger. They are to be held on suspicion of criminal activity. The Major is on his way here."
"I have orders to take these two into custody." The second officer said.
"Then do it." Thomas said.
"What is the charge!" Michael demanded. "That brat threatened me. I want him arrested."
"Is this true?" The first officer asked.
"JP don't say a word." Thomas said.
"It is okay, Dad." Jack said. "I just told him that it was a mistake insinuating that my fiancée was sleeping around."
"Doesn't sound like a threat to me." The first officer said.
"I am sorry." Nathan said. "Jack is a little worked up and protective of her. Michael here has been telling anyone that will listen that I only got the protection assignment because of who I was sleeping with. When Thomas and James confronted them earlier, they basically admitted as much."
"Sir." The first officer said.
"It is true." James said. "These two worked as security for us until earlier this evening. I just fired them and wanted them off the property. The other two that were lesser involved were reassigned. I honestly believe that they don't know what is going on."
"I will still want to talk to them." The second officer said.
"They are on their way." Jack said. "They got an alert that the gate opened and they are headed this way."
"We had a staff bonfire tonight." James said. "They have been down at that site. That was also the only gate that was open, so I am not surprised that they are headed this way."
"And you work protection?" The second officer asked.
"Yes." Nathan said. "I have been working close protection, including staying in the house."
"Can I ask what the threat is?" The second officer asked.
"I will tell you." Thomas said. "But not until you have those two secured elsewhere."
The two officers looked at each other and then moved to switch the handcuffs and put the men in each car. Once that was done, the first officer returned to the group standing near Thomas.
"I am sorry." The officer said. "I need to get your names."
Nathan reached into his front pocket and pulled out a couple of cards. Nathan had seen the officer pocket his handcuffs and fully intended to get them back before they left.
"James Sims." James said. "This is my farm, Coal Creek. This is my son-in-law, Thomas Thornton. His son, JP Thornton. Friend and security, Nathan Grant."
"Thank you." The officer said. "Mr Grant, I will need to see your license."
"Here." Nathan said, handing him two cards. "That is also my conceal and carry. Yes, I am armed. One in the small of my back and one on my ankle."
"Can you place your hands on the top of your head?" The officer said. "For everyone's safety, I would like to remove your weapons."
Nathan put his hands on his head. As much as Nathan wanted to argue, he didn't. He knew that it would only make things worse.
"Do what you have to." Nathan said. "They are both loaded, but neither are chambered. You can set them in the truck if that is alright."
The officer quickly removed the weapons, safetied them and placed them in the truck.
"Thank you." The officer said. "This seems to be in order. Here are your cards. If you would just please leave the weapons in the truck until we leave, it would be great."
"No problem." Nathan said.
"Now what is going on." The officer asked.