Chapter 129 – Harsh Reality
When Lee got upstairs, he noticed that Charlotte was still in handcuffs, but she was sitting on the couch.
"Major Thompson." Lee said. "You wanted to speak to me."
"Yes." Marcus said. "I think it would be helpful if you write out a statement of what happened this morning starting when Jack came back to the house after chores."
"I can do that."
"Here is some paper and a pen." John said.
Lee sat down and started writing out what happened. Elizabeth wasn't far behind. Before she stepped into the kitchen/dining room area, she looked down at her hand. She quickly took off her new ring and put it in the pocket of her jeans. She then slipped the promise ring back where it had been. She hoped and prayed that Jack would understand.
"Major Thompson." Elizabeth said.
"Yes." Marcus said. "Please have a seat at the table and write out your statement of what happened this morning from the time that Jack came back this morning after chores to when you went downstairs."
"No problem." Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth took a seat and started writing out what happened.
… … … …
Jack walked out of the gym in his breeches and undershirt. He was barefoot and stopped in the sitting area and put on two pairs of cushioned sole socks that he always wore when riding. Not thinking that he was wearing his tight riding breeches and tight undershirt, he knocked on Elizabeth's door and there was no answer. He debated just opening the door, but decided against that. He went to his room where he found Nathan and Doug just finishing getting ready.
"Do you know where Elizabeth is?" Jack asked. "She wanted me to braid her hair."
Nathan looked at Jack for a moment.
"Maybe it is a good thing that she didn't answer." Nathan said.
Nathan gave him a pointed look. Jack looked down at himself and blushed. Jack realized that he needed a moment to calm his body before seeing Elizabeth, especially given that he couldn't hide anything in the clothes he was wearing. He then gave Nathan a dimpled grin and a shrug.
"Gran came down and said that Marcus needed to talk to us." Doug said.
"Okay." Jack said. "So I am guessing that is where Lee is as well."
"Yes." Nathan said. "I think he still needs to put his polo on, but Gran told us to get ready before we head up."
"Okay." Jack said. "All I need is a riding shirt. I will put my tie and jacket on later. And my boots are upstairs."
"Don't forget your extra boots." Nathan said.
"Upstairs." Jack said.
Jack grabbed his tie and jacket and headed up. Doug and Nathan each grabbed their jackets and followed Jack. When the three got upstairs, there was a lot more activity than they thought. There were two Saratoga County deputies as well as another member of the state police. Peter, Andrew, Chris and Katie had joined Rob and were all seated around the table. Elizabeth and Lee were sitting at the table as well. It looked like Elizabeth was still writing. The first thing that Jack noticed was that she wasn't wearing her new ring. He was going to say something, but then realized that maybe she needed a little time or didn't want to make whatever this was worse.
"Jack." Doug said.
"Yeah." Jack said, shaking his head.
"Let's get this done." Doug said.
"Major Thompson." Jack said.
"I need you three to write out your statements." Marcus said. "I want it to start from when Jack came back after morning chores or when you got here. If you weren't here right away, please make a note of where you were before you arrived."
The three nodded. Jack, Doug and Nathan each grabbed some paper and went to sit at the counter in the kitchen. Jack had looked around, but didn't see either of his parents. He wanted to know what happened, but he knew that it would come. It didn't take long for the three to write out their statements. When Jack was done, he went over to Marcus.
"Here you go, Sir." Jack said. "I have several questions for you."
"I have a couple for you as well." Marcus said. "If you want, we can step into the library."
Jack looked around, before looking at Marcus again.
"No, it is fine." Jack said.
"First." Marcus said. "Do you want to press charges of simple assault and attempted simple assault against you?"
"What would that mean?" Jack asked.
"It is a misdemeanor." Marcus said. "It is punishable by up to one year in jail. It could also carry a conditional discharge or three years' probation. Those are the maximum that a judge can impose. He could also sentence her to anything from a fine up to the maximum."
"That is for each charge?" Jack asked.
"No, that would be for the simple assault." Marcus said. "For the attempt, it would depend on the judge, but most likely, they would add a couple of months or an additional fine."
"Okay." Jack said. "I don't know. She needs to learn a lesson, but I don't know if I want her in jail."
"JP." John said.
"Yes, Sir." Jack said, turning to face his grandfather.
"I say you have her charged." John said. "I have had Peter on the phone with the district attorney's office. If you are agreeable, he is willing to offer her a plea deal. No jail time, a fine to be determined and she would be on probation for the next three years. It would mean, she would have limited access to here. She would also have to agree to civility at family events or she would not be allowed to attend. Any violation of these terms would mean she would spend time in jail."
"What do you think, Sir?" Jack asked.
"I think you should do it." John said. "Before you ask, Peter spelled out civility – it would include no digs at you or Elizabeth. No fighting her parents for control of Coal Creek. It wasn't limited to those, but those were the big ones."
"Okay." Jack said.
Jack turned to Marcus.
"Charge her." Jack said. "As long as the district attorney is on board, I am agreeable to the deal that will be offered. If she fails to agree, then that is on her."
"You are right son." Marcus said. "You shouldn't have had to deal with all of this and for that I am sorry. I hope that things get better for you."
"So now what happens?" Jack asked.
"Your parents have been taken to the Saratoga Sheriff's department." Marcus said. "As long as your mother is agreeable to the deal, she will be allowed to go back to the city today."
"I have arranged for a helicopter from the airport back to the city." John said. "I have formally cut them off, so they are going to have to repay me for the helicopter. Your parents are not happy that I cut them off, but it is my decision and as long as they are combative they will remain cut off. What happens is up to them."
Jack nodded.
"If your mother takes the deal." Marcus said. "She will be required to return for a formal appearance in front of a judge. That would probably be in a couple of weeks."
"And if she doesn't take the deal?" Jack asked.
"She would be held, until she could be arraigned, bail could be set and then paid." Marcus said. "Given that it is Saturday. She wouldn't get before a judge before Monday."
"Fine." Jack said. "At least she isn't here to cause trouble."
John nodded in agreement. He didn't like that Jack had to deal with this, especially on a day like this, but he also knew that something had to change with his son and daughter-in-law.
"We will keep you posted." One of the deputies said.
"Thank you." Jack said.
"We will leave you to finish getting ready for the Classic." The other deputy said.
Jack nodded and they left. Marcus nodded to the other members of the State police and they left.
"Jack, there is one more thing before I leave." Marcus said.
Jack let out a harsh breath.
"Okay." Jack said. "I have a feeling that I am not going to like this."
"Let's have a seat at the table." Marcus said.
Jack went over and gave Elizabeth a kiss before taking a seat next to her. Everyone else also took a seat.
"I will be quick." Marcus said "I know that you are heading to the Classic, but you need to see this before leaving."
Marcus opened the folder that he had been holding and pulled out a single sheet of paper. As he laid it down, you could see that it was a screenshot of something online. Jack grabbed the paper first. It had a photo of Jack with his arm around Elizabeth. It wasn't clear, but you could sort of make out that it was Jack. They also had an inset that showed their rings, again blurry, but you could sort of make it out.
"JP Thornton, off the market!" Jack read. "Did one of the country's most eligible bachelors sneak off and get married at the Saratoga courthouse yesterday? JP had his arm around the yet unidentified woman. Sources have confirmed that Thornton, the woman and what appeared to be security were in the courthouse for almost an hour. We haven't been able to determine why they were there, however there were rumors around the town that Thornton was engaged to a local woman, but had been seen in the company of another young woman over the past week. We have attempted to reach out to Thornton and his grandparents, James and Margaret Sims, the owners of Coal Creek Farms. We also attempted to reach out to his grandfather, former State Senator, John Thornton Sr of Albany and his parents, Thomas and Charlotte Thornton of New York City. There was no response to our attempts to reach them for a comment."
Jack put the paper down. He then turned and wrapped his arms around Elizabeth.
"I am sorry." Jack whispered.
He then gave her a small kiss.
"It is okay." Elizabeth said. "I love you and we are together."
Jack gave her one more squeeze and a kiss on the forehead. He then released Elizabeth and turned his attention back to the others. He grabbed her hand and ran his thumb over hers as he spoke. Jack closed his eyes to think for a moment. Doug put his hand on Jack's back for support.
"Where was this posted?" Jack asked.
"A gossip website." Marcus said. "Devin let me know. He also let me know that there have been several requests from larger publications. He also let me know that most of the more credible publications will not publish anything until they have at least confirmation from an independent source for fear of a lawsuit."
"I have already notified our public relations team." Peter said. "They will release a statement if we want. Otherwise they will say no comment."
"I assume there is a press presence at the track?" Jack asked.
"Yes." Marcus said. "We are keeping them out of the track, but they are there and we can't stop others from taking your picture and selling it to the reporters. We also can't stop them if they have tickets."
"Your call, son." John said.
"We go." Jack said. "We hold our heads high, we don't engage with the press and we make no statements. I am not going to let them bully me anymore then I will not allow others to bully me. Elizabeth, are you okay with this?"
"I trust you." Elizabeth said.
"I will ask that you stick closer to Lee and/or Katie while there." Jack said.
"No problem." Elizabeth said.
"What about the statement?" Peter asked.
Once again Jack closed his eyes and let out a harsh breath. This time he opened them and turned to Elizabeth.
"What do you think?" Jack asked. "I don't want to do anything that makes you uncomfortable."
Elizabeth looked around the table, then leaned over and kissed Jack. She then reached in her pocket and under the table switched her rings. When she looked up, she had a smile on her face and Jack could see that she had her ring back on. Jack smiled.
"I love you." Elizabeth whispered.
"I love you, too." Jack whispered.
"Do what you want?" Elizabeth said. "I trust you completely."
Jack gave Elizabeth a quick kiss and held her hand. He took one more deep breath to calm his body. He then turned to the rest of the table.
"Peter." Jack said.
"Yes." Peter said.
"Release a statement." Jack said. "In it, make sure that you emphasize that any rumors that I am engaged to a local Saratoga woman are blatantly false and anyone who continues to spread those lies are subject to lawsuits. Also make it known that my private life is that private. You can mention that I am once again jumping at a few shows this summer, but otherwise request to be left alone as I enjoy my summer with my grandparents before starting college this fall. Also make it known that anyone who violates my privacy is subject to lawsuits"
"Yes." Peter said. "I have written what you have said. Do you trust the PR firm to put out a statement or do you want to review it before the release?"
"Grandpa?" Jack said.
"Peter." John said. "Who are you talking to at the firm?"
"Our usual guys." Peter said.
"Then I trust them." John said. "Make sure that they know that the statement is coming from me about my grandson. They will know how to word it and that should help."
"I am on it." Peter said. "I will get a copy when it is released."
"Very well." John said. "Please make sure that it gets forwarded to both JP and I as well as Devin. Also give Devin a heads up on the statement."
"Already done." Peter said.
James looked at his watch.
"It is ten forty-five." James said. "JP, what time did you want to leave?"
"What time do we need to check in?" Jack asked.
"Check in opens at quarter to twelve." James said. "We can walk the course starting at twelve thirty. Jumping will start shortly after one."
Jack looked around.
"Is everyone okay with trying to get out of here at about eleven thirty." Jack said.
There were nods all around the table.
"Very well." James said. "We will leave here as a group at eleven thirty."
"Andrew." John said. "Can you drive James, Margaret and I?"
"Yes, Sir." Andrew said.
"We will split between the other two cars." Chris said.
"I have already let the other two teams know." Peter said. "They have checked into the hotel and are currently mingling with people at the track and out in town."
"Good." John said.
"Then I suggest we all grab a small bite to eat." James said. "And relax before we leave."
"I will braid your hair, Elizabeth." Jack said.
"I need to change my shirt." Lee said.
"You three go do that." Gran said. "Doug and Nathan, can you help me get things ready?"
"Yes." Doug and Nathan said.
"I will help as well." Katie said.
Jack, Elizabeth and Lee headed downstairs and the others headed to the kitchen to get things ready for a light lunch before they left.
… … … …