Chapter 295 – Crazy Week Before the Show
It turned into a crazy week and before people knew it, it was Friday evening and they were getting ready for the show in Schenectady.
Monday had started with dealing with the horses as usual and quickly shifted when the reporter and photographer from Horse and Rider showed up two hours early. Elizabeth had been up at the house and quickly had received a text to stay there. Jack led the reporter and photographer into the office to sit down. They were visibly disappointed when she was nowhere to be found. Jack picked up on the disappointment and reminded them that his personal life was off limits and if they pushed that he would pull the plug on the entire article with the backing of his grandfathers. Chris had overheard the exchange and nodded to Jack that he understood. Chris quietly texted both John and James about what was going on. Jack sat down with the reporter and the photographer was not happy that he wasn't allowed to wander around. Jack talked about riding again and how great it felt. He talked a little about the show and how he and his friends were looking forward to making it an annual show the weekend before the races started. He also talked a little about his vision for the future of Coal Creek and Thornton Thoroughbreds.
Finally, Jack posed for a few photos with Bandit and then Doug and Nathan agreed to pose for one with Ghost and Athena and Jack as well. The photographer also got a few of the three of them riding. The reporter asked both Doug and Nathan a few questions about how they liked riding and what it felt like for Nathan to beat Jack. Nathan said that he loved to be able to jump and winning was awesome, but it was so close that we all felt good. Doug just said that he always enjoyed jumping with Jack and spending his summers out of the city. Jack left them reminding them that he expected to see the pictures and a draft of the article within forty-eight hours and he would approve of the pictures that he was going to allow per the contract. The reporter started to protest, but Jack just pulled out his phone and called his grandfather that if he didn't have the photos and draft of the article within forty-eight hours, he was pulling the whole thing and getting the lawyers involved. John agreed and said he would take care of everything.
Jack didn't say anything else, but just walked away to deal with his horse. Doug and Nathan were right on his heels and Chris escorted the reporter and photographer off the property. James called and checked on Jack. He assured his grandfather that he was okay. Jack also told him that he had horses to deal with and would talk to him later. Jack hung up with his grandfather and went to deal with his horses.
The rest of Monday was okay around the ranch. Jack talked to Elizabeth about the article and what happened and why he had sent the text. She was glad for the heads up and more than willingly stayed in the house. Everyone else went about trying to find a routine since it looked like it was going to be a busy three weeks. Frank had spent most of the day working on different leather projects in the garage, including working on some of the halters and bridles that James had brought up to look at. Father Mark had gone into Albany to have a meeting with the Bishop, but he didn't tell anyone what it was about, just that he was going to be gone most of the day.
… … … …
Tuesday was another day around the ranch trying to get things done. Gran and Trish made a trip into town to get groceries and run errands. They had stayed home the day before because of Jack's interview and because the press was still in town. Overall it was a good day and a lot of things got done around the farm. Frank worked on different pieces. Nathan worked some more on his woodworking in the afternoon. Jack and Elizabeth were able to sit down and have a nice conversation about different things. Lee was able to get quite a bit of stuff on the laptop. No one really knew what he was doing. Whenever anyone asked, he would just say he was doing research. Father Mark was back, but he seemed a little more withdrawn than he had been. James and Margaret were worried about their grandson. They feared that something happened at his meeting with the Bishop, but he refused to say anything other than it was a routine meeting. James and Margaret were not the only ones worried about Father Mark. Jack and Frank were also worried about Father Mark and had picked up on the change in his demeanor after his meeting with the Bishop.
Father Tom had come out before supper and was able to go for a ride with some of the guys. He then stayed and had a nice supper with the Sims and Thornton crew. It was a nice evening visiting and sharing different stories about things. Father Tom thanked everyone for the wonderful time and said he was looking forward to coming out and riding again. James reminded him to just call the day before if possible if not to call him directly, especially with the tight security for the time being. Father Tom said he would remember that and he thanked them again for the wonderful night. He wished Jack and Elizabeth the best. He also wished all those jumping good luck at the upcoming show.
… … … …
The rest of the week was much the same – working with the horses, working on different projects around the house and garage. Gran and Trish got more baking done with the help of Elizabeth, Abigail and Caitlin even came out for a few afternoons. Elizabeth and Caitlin enjoyed talking and agreed to stay in touch after Elizabeth went back to the city. The other three women were happy to see Elizabeth making friends with Caitlin. Trish still resolved to introduce Elizabeth to other young women that Trish thought might be good for Elizabeth.
The guys had all been busy all week working with the horses and getting ready for the show among the other projects that they were working on. Jack was actually looking forward to the show. He couldn't remember the last time he was actually excited about going to a show. As much as he was worried about the press, he knew that he would be protected and everyone else would keep Elizabeth safe. She had offered to stay at home, but that idea had been rejected. Gran and Trish assured Elizabeth that there were plenty of people to keep her safe. Even John assured that she would be fine and she should be able to see the guys jump.
Friday night after supper, Jack insisted on sitting down with Father Mark and Elizabeth. He had used the excuse that there were things that they needed to talk about. So they headed to the library after supper was cleaned up. Once they were in the library, Father Mark looked at Jack.
"So what did you want to talk about?" He asked.
Jack looked at Father Mark.
"Yes, there is something that I wanted to talk to Elizabeth about." Jack said. "But first, I am more worried about you. What is going on?"
"What do you mean?" Father Mark asked, innocently.
"Do play that game with me." Jack said. "You had to go to Albany yesterday to meet with the Bishop and you have had at least two doctor appointments this past month. There has to be something going on because you taking the entire month off because you want to spend time with me doesn't completely wash with everything else that is going on."
Father Mark sigh, sat forward and dropped his head.
"We understand if you don't want to talk it." Elizabeth said. "But we are all worried about you. I have seen the looks exchanged by people since you came back to the ranch yesterday last evening."
Father Mark sighed again.
"I originally had only planned to take a few weeks off to spend time with you guys." Father Mark said. "It was the Bishop that suggest that I take the entire month with the exception of the wedding this past Friday. I needed to use some of my vacation days so it only made sense to take time to spend it with you guys since you were going to be spending most of the summer here."
"And now." Jack said.
"The Bishop is suggesting that I take a sabbatical for the next six months." Father Mark said. "He said he has already spoken to Father Tom and he will stay while I am on leave. I can do your wedding and respond to emergencies if needed, but otherwise I am on leave."
"Why?" Jack said.
Father Mark took a deep breath but didn't say anything.
"Why are you restricted from public ministry?" Jack said. "Either you tell me or I will call the Bishop myself."
Father Mark sighed and then looked at Jack with sad eyes.
"He knows that it isn't true, but his hands are tied." Father Mark said.
Jack got up and started pacing and muttering something that Elizabeth couldn't understand. She looked between the two men and was confused.
"I don't understand." Elizabeth said.
Looking directly at Father Mark.
"Why is Jack so upset?" Elizabeth asked. "And you look so sad?"
"There were allegations made against me." Father Mark said. "The Bishop knows that they aren't true and they were made to try and hurt Jack by hurting me. The problem that the Bishop's hands are tied. Because of policies that have been put in place by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, when allegations are made the priest is removed from public ministry for up to six months while the allegations are investigated. Depending on the results of investigation, it determines what happens after that. Like I said, the Bishop knows that these allegations were made to try and hurt Jack and you by trying to discredit me. The person who made them thought that there would be no way that Jack would go ahead with a wedding if I couldn't do it. It is an attempt to stop your wedding. The Bishop knows that which is why he is allowing me to do your wedding since it technically isn't a public event."
Elizabeth was still confused.
"I still don't understand." Elizabeth said. "What were you accused of doing?"
"Of being inappropriate with you." Father Mark said.
"Me?" Elizabeth said, confused.
"The first weekend when I prayed over you." Father Mark said. "Some snapped a photo of that and then of me giving Jack a hug. They were doctored to look worse then what they truly were. They were handed over to the Bishop as proof that I am part of the conspiracy to kidnap you and keep you from Charlie and your family."
Jack pulled out his phone and dialed a number. It took a moment for the other person to answer. When it did, Jack got right to the point.
"I want everything on Lacy Pennybaker those around her." Jack said. "I want to use what I told you about Jenna. They have gone too far this time and I need you to stop it before I take care of it my way."
("Are you sure?" The other person asked.)
"You take care of it or I will." Jack said, his voice cold as ice.
("I will take care of things." The other person said. "Please don't do anything stupid. You have a show this weekend.")
"I know." Jack said. "That is why I am asking you to deal with this because if you don't, you won't like the results Devin. I also know that my grandfather won't like what happens if I do this my way."
("I know." Devin said. "So what happened?")
"I will send you a message later." Jack said.
("Okay." Devin said.)
Jack hung up the phone and both Father Mark and Elizabeth looked at him.
"What did you just do?" Father Mark asked.
"I am putting an end to Lacy, Charlie and their meddling ways." Jack said. "I have enough to bury them all, but had been holding off at the request of Devin because he said it would just look vindictive at this point."
"What are you talking about?" Elizabeth said.
"When I had Devin and his guys looking into Lacy." Jack said. "He came across some information that uncovered a bigger problem. Devin quietly has been gathering evidence of these crimes for several months to hand over to the States Attorney down the road. It would be done anonymously so as to keep my name out of it because of the ongoing disputes with both Charlie and Lacy. But they have gone too far this time and I just gave Devin the red light to publicly bury them before I kill the both of them myself."
"John Parker." Father Mark said.
"No." Jack said. "I have had enough of Lacy, Charlie and their families meddling in my family and business. I am ending this and I am going to leave no doubt about who did and no way for them to recover. I am taking them all down – Charlie, his father, Lacy and her father as well as Lacy's friends who have been paid to cause trouble. Up to this point, I have been tactical in my responses to their meddling. Now, I am going totally nuclear and scorched earth."
"I don't want to know." Father Mark said. "But just remember to stay on the right side of the law."
"I haven't broken any laws and don't intend to." Jack said. "However, if any of them come near me, I won't hold back."
"Jack." Elizabeth said.
Jack looked at Elizabeth.
"I am sorry." Jack said. "I didn't go looking for this fight, but I am going to end it before they can hurt anymore people. Going after Father Mark to try and hurt me is crossing a line that is unacceptable."
"Thank you." Father Mark said. "But the Bishop is keeping this quiet because he knows that it a lies, which is why he has suggested the sabbatical. It gives me time to do other things, but at the same time doesn't leave a mark in my file."
"So what are you going to do?" Elizabeth asked.
"I am going to continue hang out here until you all head back to the city." Father Mark said. "Then I am to going to head to the Vatican to take a class this fall. The Bishop called the Archbishop and he pulled some strings and got me into the class at the Vatican that starts the end of September and goes until November. I will be back in time for Thanksgiving. Depending on what is going on, I might be able to resume my posting at that time."
"I am sorry." Elizabeth said. "This is my fault."
"This is not your fault." Jack said. "I don't want to hear you say that again. This is Lacy, Charlie and their crazy ass families. They are responsible for this and they will pay for what they have done."
"Jack is right." Father Mark said. "This is not your fault and you don't need to apologize for anything."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I still feel bad."
"I understand that." Father Mark said. "But you I don't want you to feel responsible for what happened. You have done nothing wrong."
"Jack." Elizabeth said. "Please come sit down."
Jack went and sat down next to Elizabeth. When he did, Father Mark put his hand on Jack's knee and Jack looked at him.
"Thank you for wanting to protect me." Father Mark said. "But I am a big boy and would have been fine."
"Still." Jack said. "It is unfair that they went after you. They could ruin your life, so I am going to ruin them."
"Jack." Father Mark said. "Vengeance is not a good look."
"This isn't vengeance." Jack said. "It is getting what is coming to them."
"As long as we are clear." Father Mark said.
"I am clear." Jack said. "I have had enough of Lacy, Charlie and their families. I am ending something that should have gotten this far."
Father Mark nodded.
"Now what else did you want to talk about?" Father Mark asked.
"I was thinking about things this week." Jack said. "And realized that Elizabeth and I haven't talked about how she feels about the media attention and that fact that there will be a public aspect of our lives."
"I understand that there is going to be a public component to our lives." Elizabeth said. "You haven't said it directly, but I understand that taking over both companies you have to be in the public eye to a certain point. I have accepted that. I don't want to be front and center in the spotlight, but I will stand by you later as I get more comfortable with everything. The reason that I have shied away this summer is because of everything else going on. You understand that, right?"
"I understand." Jack said. "I just wanted to actually asked you. You seemed upset about this interview that I did earlier this week."
"I wasn't upset." Elizabeth said.
Jack just looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Well." Elizabeth said. "I wasn't upset you did it. I was upset that they continued to push about me, even when you said your private life was off limits."
"And you both have a right to be upset about that." Father Mark said.
"Okay." Jack said.
"Anything else?" Father Mark said.
"No." Jack said. "I want to just have some time to sit here."
"We can sit and visit." Father Mark said. "I understand that you have a show tomorrow and want to relax."
The trio sat and talked about some other things, including the marriage prep book that they had finished and the books that Elizabeth had ordered and was reading. They had a nice evening talking and laughing. Nathan and Frank had joined them at one point. When asked where Doug and Lee were, Jack was informed that they were involved in the baseball game downstairs. Jack shook his head. He knew that Doug and Lee would watch sports twenty-four/seven if they could. He didn't understand. He loved watching a baseball game or even a hockey game, but he wasn't into it like those two were. He also knew that if it wasn't for Doug and Lee he would never have taken in as many live games as he had over the years.