Chapter 142 – Making A Plan for the Evening
"I am not a child." Jack said. "Tell me what is going on and include me in the decision. Don't just make unilateral decisions. I am old enough to understand the risks and know what is right for me."
John paused for a moment and then looked at James who gave him a small nod.
"Fine." John said. "As much as I want both you and Elizabeth to stay here tonight. You are right, you are an adult and we need to remember that. Just because we include you in the decision, doesn't mean that if the situation changes, I won't overrule you."
"Understood." Jack said.
Elizabeth squeezed Jack's hand in support.
"I agree with Jack." Doug said. "We have dealt with security most of our lives. We are old enough to understand the risks and be included in the decisions that affect our lives. So tell us your concerns and what you think, but don't make a final decision without including us."
"Okay." Andrew said. "Our main concerns are
1. We don't know who this guy was, but he armed and taking pictures of Elizabeth.
2. We know that the Charity committee won't stop anyone that has a ticket to the banquet and we know that at least Bouchard has a ticket to the banquet.
3. We have also been able to confirm that several members of the press have tickets."
"Didn't you put out a press statement?" Elizabeth said. "Shouldn't that have helped."
"Yes, we put out a press statement." Peter said. "I was going to share that with all of you. And yes, it should help, but we can't stop the press from taking your picture and publishing it."
"I haven't checked my email." Jack said. "What did the statement say?"
Peter pulled it up on his tablet.
"From the office of former State Senator John P Thornton Sr." Peter read. "It has come to the point that I need to address several rumors and accusations out there about my grandson, JP. First and foremost, it is categorically false that my grandson is or was engaged to a local young woman from Saratoga. He has never been and never will be romantically involved with this young woman. These rumors and lies she and her family are spreading we feel are retaliation for the rejection of unwanted sexual advances on her behalf.
The second thing that I feel that I need to address is the rumors that my grandson has either kidnapped and/or is holding a young woman hostage. This is also categorically false. My grandson and his friend stepped in to help a girl that was being accosted by three young men in Central Park at great risk to themselves. Both my grandson and his friend have been cleared by the NYPD of any wrongdoing. I will not comment any further on this matter as there is an ongoing investigation.
I have talked to my grandson and we agree that his private life is not media fodder. He wants space and privacy as he spends time with family this summer before he starts at Columbia this fall. That being said, I am also happy to announce that after taking a year off, my grandson has agreed to jump in a few shows this summer including the Charity Classic this weekend at Saratoga and a show he and his friends are putting on at Coal Creek the weekend before the races start. For more information about the show, please check out the Coal Creek website. For all media requests, you can contact the Winston PR firm in Albany."
"Thank you for mentioning the show." Lee said.
"The better that show does, the better we all do." John said.
"When did this go out?" Jack asked.
"It went out just before noon to all major news outlets." Peter said. "As well as other media contacts that we have."
"Oh." Elizabeth said.
Jack looked at Elizabeth, he wasn't sure if she was upset or what? He thought she had agreed to the statement.
"It is fine." Peter said. "As you can see we didn't mention you by name and we didn't say anything about you being here. Most if not all of the media outlets will not try to contact any of us directly, but they may contact the firm for additional information or interview requests."
"None of which I am doing at this point." Jack said.
"And that is your right." Gran said. "However at some point you are going to have to talk to the media about taking over Coal Creek."
"I know." Jack said. "But we have time."
"Yes you do." James said.
"Other than the two concerns you mentioned." Jack said. "Were there any others?"
"Yes." Andrew said. "We are also concerned about this Connor Walker kid. We think that he will be looking for a fight and will try something tonight."
"I won't seek out a fight." Jack said. "But if he attacks me, I will defend myself."
"And that is what I am afraid of." Chris said. "You are eighteen and have professional training in fighting. This kid is fifteen, almost sixteen."
"What do you mean, Chris?" John asked. "JP doesn't have professional training in fighting."
Jack and Doug both ducked their heads and refused to look at anyone.
"Someone better answer me." John said.
"We all thought you knew." Chris said. "Several years ago, Devin was talking to Chief Burke and he agreed that it would be beneficial if both JP and Doug knew how to defend themselves if something were to happen. Between Devin and Chief Burke, they taught them fighting and survival skills. They know how to throw a punch and restrain someone. They also know what to do in several situations."
"I don't condone fighting." John said. "But I can see how Devin and the Chief would find those skills useful for two young men who both liked to ditch security."
Jack just gave his grandfather a dimpled grin.
"You know that I would never go looking for a fight." Jack said. "But like Devin used to say to me, it is helpful to know how to end a fight that comes to you."
"I agree." James said. "I don't like fighting, but I think it is good that JP knows how to take care of himself. I have also heard your concerns about this evening, but there is nothing that we can do about some of it. This Walker kid is going to do what he is going to do. The same with Ryan and his family. We will deal with all that as it comes. There will be plenty of us around and can be a buffer to people who want JP's attention. As far as the press is concerned, it is what it is."
"I agree." Jack said. "I don't want to engage the press, but I am not going to let them chase me away from things that I want to do. I will speak to them at some point, but this is not the time. They can take all the pictures that they want. Coal Creek, Thornton Thoroughbreds, and Thornton Inc, the official line when it comes to my private life is AND will remain the same – no comment. If they want to talk about business or horses, that is different."
"I am hearing you." James said. "But think about it this way. To this point we haven't confirmed that Elizabeth is here with us. Even this afternoon, if I am correct, she wasn't listed by name."
"No she wasn't." Andrew said. "Honestly she was listed as the granddaughter of John."
Jack and Elizabeth both looked at Andrew with a raised eyebrow.
"Don't look at me like that." Andrew said. "You are engaged. As far as we are concerned, she is already family."
"Yes." John said. "I have already made the necessary changes so that they will be effective immediately upon your marriage."
"What are you talking about?" Elizabeth asked.
"Money, protection, property." John said. "We don't need to talk about it right now as you all have time, but there are certain things that you will receive upon your marriage to JP since he is the heir to my estate."
"I don't need anything." Elizabeth said.
Jack took Elizabeth's hand and then turned her face to face him.
"Sweetheart." Jack said. "Some of these things are non-negotiable. You do realize that when we get married you will be a very wealthy woman and there are things that we will need to do to keep you safe. There are things that you will need to learn and things that you will need to do, but like Grandpa said, now is not the time for that conversation."
"What do you mean?" Elizabeth said. "I assumed that you would just have me sign a prenup and what is yours is yours."
"No." Jack said. "Yes, there will be certain documents that you will have to sign, but they are more to keep your family from trying to get their hands on our money. I had no intention of asking you to sign a prenup because I have no intention of leaving you or letting you go. The documents that you will need to sign will be more to protect both of us from others as well as protect our future children. The documents will also give you access to different accounts and things like that.
What I will be having you sign will spell out what would happen if something happened to me and how the money would be divided. It is sort of a prenup, but not in the sense that you are thinking. It is more to protect all of us and what my grandparents have built."
Elizabeth smiled when Jack talked about children.
"What is this about property?" Elizabeth asked John but was still looking at Jack.
"There are certain provisions in my father's will." John said. "Upon the marriage of an eldest Thornton son, there are certain things that he will inherit from the Thornton family. Thomas received certain things when he got married and so will JP and so will your son if you have one."
"Oh." Elizabeth said.
"Don't worry about it." Jack said. "We have time."
"Okay." Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth leaned forward and gave Jack a quick kiss, then sat back in her chair. Jack scooted a little closer to Elizabeth and put his arm across the back of her chair.
"Back to the conversation about tonight." Jack said. "I hear and understand your concerns, but here is what I think. I agree that there will be plenty of us that I feel that it will be okay. I also agree that if the situation changes or Nathan and Chris feel that it is unsafe that we will leave. How does that sound?"
John and James looked at each other for a moment. Chris leaned over and whispered something to Andrew. Chris then looked at John.
"I would be amenable to that under two conditions." Chris said. "John?"
"Okay." John said. "I am assuming that one of the conditions is a panic button."
"Yes." Chris said.
"What is the other one?" Jack asked.
"Elizabeth doesn't wear her engagement ring." Chris said.
"No." Elizabeth said. "I am not going to hide it."
"Besides." Jack said. "I have other jewelry to match it. I was going to give you pearls for tonight, but I can give you the diamond and sapphire set."
"What did you buy?" James asked.
Jack let out a harsh breath.
"Fine." Jack said. "I got Elizabeth a diamond and sapphire necklace with matching earrings. I also got a diamond and sapphire tennis bracelet. I also found some pearls that I liked and got matching necklaces and earrings."
"As in more than one set?" Gran asked.
Jack just shrugged and gave her a dimpled grin.
"I got three sets." Jack said. "One in each white gold, rose gold and yellow gold. I also found some other pieces that I like and have ordered but they aren't here yet."
"Jack!" Elizabeth said. "That is too much."
"Nothing is too much for you." Jack said. "Besides, these pieces are classic and will last for years."
"I am not going to even ask how much you spent." John said. "You are a big boy and you have the money if you want to spend it."
"Elizabeth." Gran said. "Before you get upset with him let me ask you this. Do you have nice earrings and necklaces for different occasions?"
"No." Elizabeth said. "But even though I have pierced ears, I usually just wear these little studs."
"Now you will have choices for when we dress up." Jack said with a grin.
"He is right." Gran said.
"Fine." Elizabeth said. "But no more, you are spending too much money on me and I haven't given you anything."
"You love me." Jack said. "That is all I need. I have never asked you for anything other than to love me. Don't you realize that by loving me for who I am is the greatest gift that you can give me?"
Elizabeth just shook her head and leaned over to kiss Jack.
"I still don't think that Elizabeth should wear the engagement ring." Chris said. "But if her other jewelry matches, it might not be so bad."
"So what about these panic buttons?" Elizabeth said. "Where do they go and how do they work?"
"They all work essentially the same." Andrew said. "You can send out a signal and help will be sent to your location. All the ones that we have do have built-in GPS trackers. So also any one of us security with the app and your tag number could see where you are at any given time."
"So where would it go?" Elizabeth asked.
"It depends." Katie said. "We have put them in shoes. We have put them inside a watch. I have also put one in a hair clip."
"How would I signal for help?" Elizabeth asked.
"Depends on where the tracker is." Chris said.
"When I was wearing one." Jack said. "It went on the back of my watch or belt buckle. If I touched it, it would send out a signal. There was another time that it was inside my watch and if my watch was removed it would send out a signal."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I don't have a watch that I wear. So what are we going to do?"
Jack made a note about getting a dress watch for Elizabeth.
"Jack." Katie said. "What do her earrings look like?"
Jack pulled up a photo and handed it to Katie.
"We can put it on the back of the earrings or necklace." Katie said. "If she touched the back of either with her finger, it would set out a signal."
"I have a tendency to play with a necklace." Elizabeth said.
"So the back of your earrings." Katie said.
"Wow." Elizabeth said, looking at the size of the earring. "They are that small."
"Yes." Chris said. "We have some about the size of a grain of rice. Some are flat and can go on the back of a watch or on the inside of a pair of shoes."
"What will happen when we get back here tonight?" Elizabeth asked.
"I will remove it as soon as we get back to the ranch." Katie said. "Then you will give it back to me and we will put it back into the case to use again."
"And Jack will wear one as well?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes." Jack said. "I will wear one on the back of my belt buckle."
"Okay." Elizabeth said.
"Chances are you will never have to use it." Jack said. "It is one more layer of security to keep you safe. I have worn one for quite some time. It allowed Grandpa and Devin to pull back on security for me."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I trust you."
"Good." Jack said. "So it is settled. We are going, but Chris and/or Nathan can tell us we need to leave at any point if they feel it is unsafe."
"Fine by me." John said. "As long as you both understand the risks of going, including the press and media."
"I do." Jack said.
Elizabeth smiled at Jack.
"I understand." Elizabeth said. "Like I said I trust you all to keep me safe and there are backup plans if things get out of hand."
"Good that is settled." James said. "We will all go together and leave together."
"So are we still only taking one security car?" Andrew asked.
"What do you think?" John asked.
"I think that both Andrew and I drive." Chris said. "The rest of you can take the bus. That way if things go sideways, we have a car to get JP and Elizabeth out of there with one that can follow."
"Agreed." Andrew said.
"That is fine by me." Jack said.
"Then Andrew and Chris will both drive and the rest of us will be on the bus." John said. "Nathan, please be armed. As well as the rest of security."
"I will take both." Nathan said. "I can tuck both of them into my boots."
John nodded.