Chapter 107 – Tough Talk in the Library
"They stay." Jack said. "I have no secrets between my best friends. Elizabeth asked me to speak to you and fill her in later. So again. Start talking."
Gabe let out a harsh breath. Nathan stood up and walked over to Gabe.
"Gabe." Nathan said. "I have known you for years. This is your last chance. Tell us what you know and prove to them that you can be trusted. If you don't then I will have Devin remove your stuff from my apartment and change the locks. You are not on the lease and you know it. I am not playing games. I like Jack and his friends. This is the best job that I have ever had and if you are going to make me choose then I will choose them. Not only do I need the job, but like I said, I like them. Getting dismissed from employment by John Thornton is the kiss of death in my line of work and you know it. I thought you were smart, but apparently not. You really wanted to cross John Thornton. You know that he has a standing weekly golf game with the director of the New York office of the FBI. I mean I could go on, but you get the idea."
Gabe looked at Jack.
"You can talk now or wait until Grandpa John gets here." Jack said. "But you would probably have an easier time convincing us, then Grandpa John."
"Fine." Gabe said.
Gabe then motioned for them all to sit down.
"So it is safe to talk in here?" Gabe asked.
"The only safer place is the panic room." Jack said. "The door is locked and no one will enter."
"I know why the Kensingtons are targeting you." Gabe said.
"Duh!" Lee said. "We all know that reason. Charlie Kensington doesn't understand the word no and he thinks he can have whatever he wants without consequence. He has been that way for years. We all know it, it is nothing new. Hell, my sister even knows that Charlie Kensington is an ass. She is four years older than Charlie."
"There is more." Gabe said.
"Then speak." Nathan said.
"Does the name Lacy Pennybaker mean anything to you?" Gabe asked.
"You know it does." Jack said. "Why don't you tell me what she has to do with anything."
Doug, Lee and Nathan watched as Jack didn't even flinch at the mention of Lacy's name. Doug and Lee knew that they had entered a dangerous zone with Jack and it wouldn't take much for him to lash out at Gabe. Doug had seen Jack like this once before and when provoked, he had lashed out at his mother. Doug was glad that he was there to pull Jack away that time and feared that he would have to do it again. Doug also knew that was several years ago, but he was afraid that it would happen again.
"I know that you have a restraining order against her family." Gabe said. "But I don't know much more than that."
Jack just looked at Gabe with a raised eyebrow. He knew that Gabe knew more than that, but he was going to let him hang himself.
"Then, that is all you need to know." Jack said.
Jack knew exactly how to push Gabe into telling them what he knew. Jack continued to look at Gabe with a raised eyebrow and his arms crossed over his chest. It was like Jack was challenging Gabe without actually saying he was challenging him. Doug saw exactly what Jack was doing. He has seen his own father do it many times over the years with them. Doug had to admit that Jack was good and his stare down was impressive.
"She is saying that you are using Miss Thatcher to make her jealous." Gabe said. "She said you were engaged and then without warning you showed up here with Miss Thatcher who she knows is engaged to Charlie Kensington. She is saying that you proposed to her over the previous winter holiday and promised you would get married this summer, especially now after this spring. She also says that the only reason you are with Miss Thatcher is because you don't want to take responsibility for your child that she is carrying. Her and her father are saying the only reason that you got a restraining order against them is because you paid a judge to sign it with no evidence. What do you have to say about that?"
Jack looked at Doug and Lee. They could read the look in his eye and then knew that they had Lacy caught in a lie. Doug could also read the smug look on Jack's face that said he was going to tighten the noose on Gabe.
"So you are saying that I proposed to Lacy over winter break." Jack said. "Any proof?"
"That is what she said." Gabe said. "It isn't my job to provide proof. Besides, why would she lie? She comes from a good family and is well known around here. Again, why would she lie about this. Especially with her being pregnant."
"Do you have proof that she is pregnant?" Doug asked.
"She said she was." Gabe said. "That is good enough for me."
Jack stepped closer after silencing Doug.
"So would this proposal be before or after she spiked my drink with alcohol?" Jack said. "Yes, Lacy was at the party here on the ranch. She slipped alcohol into both mine and Tommy's drinks. It wasn't long and Tommy said he wasn't feeling well so I had a ranch hand bring us back up to the house. I was never away from the group any other time. While Tommy and I were being brought up here, other ranch hands broke up the bonfire/party. That was when they found the alcohol where Lacy was sitting. My mother confronted Lacy's father the next day and he brushed it off like no big deal. I was never alone with Lacy the entire three days that I was up here over winter break. The only time I saw her was at the party where there were at least twenty other young people and at least a half a dozen hands. Don't you think one of them would have taken pictures or recorded a video if I had proposed?"
"You still could have proposed." Gabe said. "I don't know. Maybe you didn't want to say anything until after you graduated."
Jack just rolled his eyes. He knew that Gabe was grasping at straws, but wouldn't admit that he was taken in by Lacy's lies. Gabe believing Lacy's lies only furthered what Jack knew about Gabe. Jack was finally convinced that Gabe wasn't there to protect them, but to try and bring him down. Jack had been willing to give Gabe a chance, especially since he liked and trusted Nathan. However after getting the report from his grandfather, Jack has started to question what Gabe really wanted. He had been hoping that he was wrong because he didn't want Nathan to get hurt. Doug and Lee could see that Jack had Gabe cornered. They didn't know exactly what Jack had on him, but they both knew that Gabe was lying. They just didn't know why. Nathan was watching Jack and was impressed that he was keeping his cool despite Gabe trying to push his buttons.
"Couple of more questions." Jack said. "Where and when did she say she got pregnant?"
"Miami beach, your hotel suite over spring break in March." Gabe said.
Doug and Lee had to cover their faces to stop from laughing.
"Nathan, go ask my father to join us for a bit." Jack said.
Nathan left and was quickly back with Thomas.
"Dad." Jack said. "Where does everyone, including the media, think I spent spring break this past year."
"Florida." Thomas said. "Couple days in Miami and a couple days in Ocala."
"Why do they think that?" Jack asked.
"Devin floated the story out there that you were going to Florida for spring break." Thomas said. "I even booked tickets to things, hotels and everything so the media would think that you were in Florida. Your grandfather's jet even flew down to Florida for show. It took off on the seventeenth from Albany with a quick stop at Teterboro and flew on to Miami. On the twenty-first, it flew to Ocala and returned to New York the twenty-fifth, again with a stop in Teterboro. You asked me to do it so you could have some privacy."
"Who was on board the plane?" Jack asked.
"The pilot and his wife who is a flight attendant." Thomas said. "There was also a co-pilot who was friends with the couple."
"Anyone else?" Jack asked.
"The couple's two children and the co-pilot's wife." Thomas said. "I have the flight plans that were filed with the FAA. The pilot, co-pilot and their wives agreed to it and my father paid them to go down there. They basically got a nine day vacation with the kids, all paid for so that the media would think that JP had spent spring break in Florida. I also have sworn affidavits from all four adults on board that JP and his friends were never on that trip, nor were they ever in Florida at that time to the best of their knowledge."
"Where did I actually spend spring break?" Jack said.
"Ossining, New York." Thomas said.
Gabe whipped around and looked at Jack.
"Thank you, Dad." Jack said. "I will let you know if we need anything else."
"Okay." Thomas said.
Thomas wasn't sure what was going on, but he was over asking questions at this point. He figured if Jack needed his help he would ask, especially since he wants to be treated like an adult. Once Thomas left, Nathan relocked the doors. He was waiting to see where Jack was going with things, but he knew that Jack wasn't lying. It made Nathan wonder why Gabe wasn't believing what he was being told. Nathan could see why Jack wanted some privacy and space on spring break. He also knew that if they told the media that Jack was in Florida, he was anywhere, but Florida.
"You're lying." Gabe said. "No one spends spring break in Ossining over Miami and Ocala."
"Doug." Jack said. "Where were we over spring break?"
"Nine day lock-in at Maryknoll Seminary in Ossining." Doug said.
"Prove it." Gabe said.
"How about a video of Jack and I helping lead worship." Doug said. "Or the word of five hundred other young men, including theology students and several dozen priests, who were all at the lock-in. Or how about the monks and priests who ran the retreat."
"You could have slipped away." Gabe said.
Lee and Jack couldn't help themselves and out right laughed. Doug let out a laugh as well. He was the first to recover, so he was the one that spoke.
"You obviously don't understand how this worked." Doug said. "I was with Jack for the entire nine days. There were two other young men in our dorm room. We were basically together twenty-four/seven for the entire nine days. Really the only time we were apart was when we were in confession. Other than confession and while we were sleeping, Jack and I didn't go more than half an hour without speaking or seeing each other. I doubt that any one of us could have slipped past the monks that walked the halls praying all hours of the night. Besides, how would Jack have slipped out, flown to Miami, flown back, and slipped back in without someone noticing. We didn't have a vehicle. My father dropped us off and Devin picked us up when it was done."
"So other than it being logistically impossible." Jack said. "I have another way to know that she is lying. I mean besides the obvious."
Frustrated with Jack, Gabe turned and looked at Lee.
"Why didn't you go with them?" Gabe asked.
"Because my sister, Suzanna, was home from England." Lee said. "My mother asked us to spend some family time together, since it was the tenth anniversary of my brother Patrick's death. If you want to see pictures of my sister and I date and time stamped in the city at that time, I can pull them up. We spent most of spring break together before Suzanna flew back to school."
"So you expect me to believe that the two of you spent spring break at a religious retreat." Gabe said. "I mean two eighteen year old boys willingly spending spring break with other guys on a religious retreat instead of sun, sand and girls."
"Yes." Doug said.
"Nope, don't believe it." Gabe said. "I mean from what Lacy said, you have been sleeping with several girls on the side for years. When I asked why she didn't care. She said that she didn't mind and you could get it out of your system now before you were married, just like she was. She said that you bragged about sleeping with a girl at a jumping competition when you were fourteen."
Doug saw Jack flex his hands a couple of times and before anyone else could react, Doug wrapped his arms around Jack and swung him around to keep Jack from hitting Gabe.
"Not worth it." Doug whispered.
"I know." Jack huffed.
Lee stepped closer to Jack. Doug basically handed Jack to Lee and then turned on Gabe. Lee was whispering to Jack to try and calm him down. Doug turned his anger on Gabe and he wasn't going to let him speak the way that he did and get away with it. Doug had to take a deep breath to get control of his emotions. No matter how angry he was, he needed to be the one in control at the moment.
"Nathan." Doug said. "Please escort Gabe downstairs and see that he packs his stuff, minus the clothes that came for him and cufflinks that belong to Jack, then see him off this property before I personally have him arrested for slander."
"It is not slander if it is true." Gabe said standing his ground.
Nathan saw the situation was getting out of control, so he moved over and grabbed Gabe's arm. Nathan knew that Doug wasn't kidding. As much as Nathan didn't want to kick his friend out, he also didn't want to lose his job. Nathan decided to try and diffuse the situation.
"Gabe." Nathan said. "Unless you want to be arrested, I would shut your mouth right now."
"What." Gabe hissed. "Pennybaker, Kensington and even Thornton's own security said that he has always had a bevy of young women around him. I mean, hell if I was him why not. Apparently, he can have any woman that he wants, so why does he have to take a girl that belongs to someone else. Personally, I am surprised he doesn't have a pack of little brats running around, or has he forced the girls to have an abortion. There are even rumors that he was that one who assaulted his cousin because she knew what he was doing or he was sleeping with her and she wanted out."
That was the last straw, Nathan saw red. Before Gabe knew what happened, Nathan had taken him to the floor and handcuffed him. Nathan knew that if he didn't step in, that Doug and Lee would let Jack loose and Nathan knew that Jack would probably kill Gabe.
"LET ME GO." Gabe yelled!
"No." Nathan said. "You have crossed a line."
Gabe started screaming louder. Nathan was yelling at him. Doug knew that he needed to stop things.
"NATHAN." Doug yelled.
"What." Nathan snapped.
"Step off." Doug said.
Nathan looked at Doug and realized that he was pushing it. Nathan stood up and backed off, leaving Gabe on the floor. Doug didn't know what to do about Nathan. There was something in his eyes that even made Doug step back. He also knew that he was going to have to talk to Nathan about what was going on. At the moment, Doug knew that he needed to keep an eye on things.
"Scream all you want." Nathan said. "This is a sound proof room. The door is locked and no one is going to bother us."
Gabe just looked at Nathan. Nathan shook his head.
"Let me go." Gabe said.
"No." Nathan said. "You are handcuffed for your own safety. If I wouldn't have taken you down, I doubt that Doug and Lee could have held Jack back from killing you and at this point, I would have let him."
"What are you talking about?" Gabe hissed.
Nathan picked up Gabe and slammed him down on the couch.
"SIT!" Nathan commanded.
Gabe was going to argue, but he saw the look on Nathan's face and chose to just sit there.
"You have not only insulted my friends." Nathan said. "But you have slandered one of the richest, most powerful families in the country. You really are stupid if you believe a word that came out of Lacy Pennybaker's mouth or anything that Charlie Kensington has put out there. They both have an ax to grind with Jack and taking his family down would be a bonus. I don't care who you may be related to, you crossed a line. You have also personally insulted me. I don't even want to know you anymore."
"I thought we were friends." Gabe said.
"So did I." Nathan said. "But you are acting like you are working for either the Kensingtons or the Pennybakers or hell the tabloids. Honestly, I would believe it if Jack told me you were."
"You just quit asking questions." Gabe retorted. "People throw a little money your way and you quit asking the hard questions. You are a sell-out. You told me that friendship was more important than money, yet the first time some little asshat throws a little money at you, you cave."
Nathan took a step away from Gabe. He closed his eyes and took a couple deep breaths, telling himself that he is not his father. Doug could see that Nathan was struggling with something so was going to give him a moment. Nathan was shaking. Doug wanted to comfort Nathan, but he didn't know how. Doug knew he needed to take control of the situation before someone got hurt, himself included. Doug motioned to Lee who got Jack seated on the opposite smaller couch. Lee had gotten Jack to calm down a little bit.
"Enough!" Jack snapped. "We all need a five minute break."
Doug looked at Jack and wondered what he was saying. It wasn't like Jack to back down from a fight. The more that Doug looked at Jack, even though he was seething at what Gabe had said and insinuated about him, there was a calmness about him. Doug wondered what he was up to, but then he realized that Jack had a backup plan. Doug just didn't know what Jack was doing, but he trusted him. Doug wasn't sure what Jack was up to, but he also realized that he needed to deal with Nathan. Doug wasn't sure what was going on with Nathan, but he knew that he couldn't let him hurt Gabe. Handcuffing him was going far enough. Everyone was quiet for a few minutes. They were all trying to calm down. Doug and Lee were still on alert, neither knowing what Jack or Nathan would do. As much as they didn't like Gabe at the moment, they weren't going to allow either Nathan or Jack to hurt him.
"Nathan." Doug said softly as Nathan paced back and forth in front of the couch.
Nathan looked up at Doug and Doug could see the struggle in Nathan's eyes. Doug took a step closer to Nathan.
"Want me to call Marcus?" Doug whispered. "Maybe Father Mark?"