Chapter 13

At the graveyard:

Jesse was able to arrange for Elizabeth's burial in the US instead of London by providing proof that Erica Jones is Elizabeth Williams and since he is a direct family member.

Jesse: It's not fair....what they did to us (crying). The only thing a mother wishes is to see her children grow and succeed (sniffing)....and you didn't get to see that. They took me away from you when dad sent you to London, and now they took you away from me when things were going to be ok (crying). Why dad? Why did you have to send her away? I know you didn't do any of the things they said you did (to Elizabeth). I never stopped loving you. It's too late to blame dad for what he's done, but I promise I will find who do this and why (crying harder).

Later:

Jesse walks into the house.

Joe: Hey. Everyone's upstairs. Can we talk?

They sit in the living room.

Joe: Listen, we might know why Elizabeth was a target, and it has nothing to do with Frank. We believe it is a way to scare you for money, a ransom. That means you and your siblings could be in danger if they decide to come after you for money. So, it's been decided that none of you will leave anywhere without the escort of the officer assigned to protect you and your family.

Jesse (to himself): Like we need another cop around.

Joe: What was that?

Jesse: I said....If it has to be done this way. Anything to protect my family.

Joe: Are you sure you'll be ok?

Jesse: It'll take some time, but I'll be fine.

The door bell rings. Joe opens the door.

Joe: What a nice surprise! Come in!

Helen and Roy walk in.

Joe: I wish you had told me. I would've made us all something to eat. I'll just call for dinner.

Jesse: Mom?

Helen: I came as soon as I heard what happened (hugging Jesse). I'm so sorry.

Sarah & Al: Mom's back! (running down the stairs)

Helen: I missed you guys so much! (hugging Sarah & Al)

Mike: Hey, Helen.

Helen: Hello!

Al: Why are you back early?

Helen: Wow! Looks like you've been having too much fun here. You don't want me back?

Sarah: Of course we do! But did you finish everything you needed to do?

Helen: I finished everything that needed me to be there. I can finish the rest here. So, how was your stay?

Al: It's awesome here. We go to camp everyday and it's so fun here.

Sarah: We've been enjoying our new bikes, too.

Roy: Anything for the coolest kids.

Jesse: I'll be back (feeling uncomfortable).

Helen: Ok, honey. Take your time. We'll talk when you're ready. I'll be here for you.

Jesse leaves to his room.

Al: Are we leaving home tonight?

Joe: First we'll all enjoy the rest of the day, and then you can worry about going home. You're welcome to stay for as long as you want.

Sarah: I think we'd like to go home.

Joe: I thought you like it here.

Sarah: We do, but we do miss home.

Helen: Kids, I need to talk to Joe for a little bit.

Mike: Let's go back upstairs.

Roy: I'll join you guys.

Sarah& Al: Ok!

They leave upstairs.

Jesse hears footsteps coming upstairs, and listens from behind the door.

Jesse: Why are they all up here?

Jesse wonders about what's going on and decides to look at the surveillance. He finds Helen and Joe talking alone.

Helen: How's Jesse been doing?

Joe: It's been tough on him.

Helen: I feel like he's changed.

Joe: In what way?

Helen: I don't know. Towards me maybe. I felt like he's been trying to avoid me....even before the incident. Have you noticed anything different about him?

Joe: No, I haven't.

Helen: I've noticed this change for a while, since the last few times I called. He always kept avoiding talking to me. I don't know how he found her. She was supposed to disappear out of our lives.

Joe: What do you mean?

Helen: Marshall sent Elizabeth away to London for psychological treatment when she attempted to murder him for his money. Marshall dropped all charges under the condition that she not return to him, his property, or even Jesse. This all happened before Marshall and I even met. I don't know how Jesse found her. Marshall made sure this remained private. I thought Jesse had forgotten about her by now, but it turns out he still had hope for Elizabeth.

Helen and Joe continue talking. Jesse is surprised that Helen knew about Elizabeth and where she was the whole time after he was told that Elizabeth had abandoned him. Jesse turns off his phone and storms out of the room.

Sarah: Jesse? (watching a furious Jesse go down the stairs)

Mike: What's wrong with him?

Sarah: I don't know, but he looks mad.

Jesse pauses at the end of the stairs and slowly walks towards Helen and Joe.

Helen: Ready to talk? (comes closer to hug Jesse)

Jesse avoids the hug.

Helen: What's wrong?

Jesse: What's wrong? You knew all along and didn't tell me. Why would you do that?

Helen: I don't understand.

Jesse: You do understand. I just heard everything you said to Joe about mom, my real mom. Why would you keep that away from me?

Helen: I was trying to protect you.

Jesse: Protect me?! By lying to me?

Helen: I didn't want to lose you.

Jesse: You weren't ever going to lose me. I would've never stopped loving you. How could you separate a child from their mother for that long? How do you think she felt when she lost me forever? What else have you kept from me? If it wasn't for the flash drive they found in the wall, you would've kept quiet as if you knew nothing (turns around).

Helen: Jesse....

Jesse leaves upstairs without saying another word. Everyone upstairs watch Jesse enter his room. He slams the door and locks it.

Al: What's going on?

Mike: Stay upstairs. I'll go check it out.

Mike comes down.

Mike: What happened?

Helen breaks down crying.

Meanwhile:

Jesse feels bad for making Helen cry, but he just couldn't hold it in any longer after hearing Helen. He begins to pack his things to leave. Sarah & Al knock on the door.

Jesse: I'm coming (unlocks the door).

Sarah & Al enter the room.

Al: What are you doing?

Jesse: I'm packing because we're leaving tonight.

Sarah: Dinner is ready.

Jesse: I won't be having dinner. In fact, I'm leaving right now and I'll see you guys later.

Sarah: We'll be waiting downstairs.

Sarah & Al leave. Jesse finishes packing everything and also heads downstairs. Jesse stands at the end of the stairs with all his things.

Helen: What's this?

Jesse: I'll meet you guys home later. I have something to do first.

Helen: Can we talk then?

Jesse: I'd prefer to wait until everything settles in my mind. Nobody wants to say something they'd regret saying later on.

Helen: I think that would be better, too.

Joe: I need to talk to you before you leave.

Jesse & Joe talk on a side.

Joe: I know what happened is tough to take in all at once, but be easy on Helen.

Jesse: That's why I'd rather not talk about anything right now. I might even avoid staying home for a few days to just clear my mind.

Joe: You can't.

Jesse: Why not?

Joe: I've appointed a highly trained officer that I trust with all my life to keep an eye on you and your siblings, and another officer for Helen until we can figure out who caused the incident and until we are sure that you guys are safe without authority supervision. Which means you and your siblings need to be together at all times. Your mom will have a separate officer since she needs to be mobile for her job.

Jesse: Right. I remember talking about that.

Joe: Your regular security guards will also be dismissed since my men will be doing all the security protocols from now on. Don't leave just yet. I'm calling one of the officers to safely escort you to your home and will stay around, while the other will safely escort the rest of the family when they are ready to leave. Both officers will be sticking around to ensure better safety. Oh, and the officers have full permission to add or remove anything that they feel will be necessary to do their job in keeping you all secure.

Jesse: Wonderful (sarcastically).

After a while:

The officer that will be escorting Jesse home has arrived.

Joe: This is special agent Briggs. He will be providing the security for you and your siblings. Special agent Nolan, who will arrive later, will be providing the security for Helen.

Jesse: Thank you for your service, officer Briggs.

Briggs: It's my duty. Let's get going if you're ready.

Jesse: Sure.

Sarah & Al: Bye, Jesse!

Jesse: See you guys at home.

Helen: Be safe.

Jesse looks at Helen, then leaves.

On the way:

Joe (on the phone): Have you arrived home yet?

Briggs: No, he's at her grave now.

Joe: Ok. Let him take his time, and be sure took keep an eye on him.

Briggs: Will do.

At home:

Briggs: Alright. Everything seems to be clear and you may now enter your home.

Jesse: Sounds good.

Briggs: And don't try anything.

Jesse: What?

Briggs: Joe has told me all about you. Don't try anything. I'm not like Joe. I'll make sure you get what you deserve.

Jesse: Well, it was great meeting you. See you in the morning (closing door). Thanks Joe. You really made things easier.

Jesse receives a phone call from Brandon.

Jesse: Hey, man.

Brandon: Hey. How you feeling?

Jesse: It keeps getting better. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow.

Brandon: You coming to camp?

Jesse: Yeah.

Brandon: Maybe you should take the day off and rest.

Jesse: I would, but it's more complicated than that. I'll explain tomorrow.

Brandon: Take care, man. Get some rest. If you need anything I'm there for you.

Jesse: Thanks, dude.

The only people that know about Elizabeth are the authorities, everyone at home, and Jesse's close friends. Jesse requested that the identity of Elizabeth not be released in the media, including anything that has to do with the case to protect his family.

At camp:

Briggs: I'll be around until camp is over to watch for any suspicious actions. If you feel like you are in danger or need help, just press the red button on your wrist. I'll always be close to respond. I've also done a few tweaks here and there for better security.

Sarah: Like what?

Briggs: Well, I've installed trackers on all your phones, which need to be with you at all times because I will get an alert if I am a certain distance away from you.

Al: What else?

Briggs: I've also installed a tracker in Jesse's car, updated your home security system, and changed the locks. There will be more to be done.

Sarah: Wow. You're doing a great job so far.

Briggs: Glad you approve of my work. Now, go on. Don't be late for camp.

Al: Can we introduce you to camp?

Briggs: Maybe later.

They all leave.

At camp:

Sarah & Al meet up with their fellow campers, while Jesse gathers with Brandon & Nicole.

Nicole: Hi Jesse (hugging Jesse). You look better today.

Jesse: I feel better, too.

Nicole: Good. That's what we wanna hear.

Brandon: What's up, dude? If there's anything we can do for you. We got your back.

Jesse: Thanks, guys. You always do.

Nicole: How's Helen?

Jesse: We didn't get the chance to have a real talk. We'll talk once everything settles down.

Brandon: So, why didn't you just take the day off?

Jesse: You see that big guy watching everyone?

Nicole: Didn't he just come out of your car?

Jesse: Yep. That's officer Briggs. And you'll be seeing him a lot lately 'cause he's our protection until we can solve this problem.

Nicole: That explains why he was staring right at us.

Brandon: Another cop in the house? (Sarcastic)

Jesse: I know, right? But I guess it's better this way for my family. I came today because Sarah, Al, and I need to be together as often as we can so Briggs can watch over us.

Nicole: You'll get used to it.

Jesse: I hope.

Brandon: Why do you think they....

Jesse: Nobody knows. They're still investigating. It doesn't even make sense that Frank was killed, then Elizabeth. There's no relation between them.

Nicole: How do you know it was the same person?

Jesse: There was a message, before both incidents.

Brandon: Why was it addressed to you?

Nicole: Jesse, if you know something serious....

Jesse realized that maybe what he found out recently from the flash drive has something to do with it and that maybe Elizabeth was being watched. Maybe Elizabeth wasn't the only thing they were worried about.

Brandon: What are you thinking of?

Jesse: What happened to Frank and Elizabeth is just a way to let me know that they're real close. If they wanted to get me, they could've.

Brandon: You mean, like to warn you?

Nicole: What if they try to hurt someone closer to you?

Jesse: That's what I'm afraid of.

Nicole: Then, you guys shouldn't leave the house until they're caught.

Jesse: What if the danger is at home?

Brandon: What do you mean?

Jesse: Whoever did this knows that I found out about Elizabeth.

Nicole: If Elizabeth is now gone, then why would they come back?

Jesse: I don't know, but don't mention it from now on. They could be watching at anytime to find out if I know about more than just Elizabeth.

Nicole: You're in a big one this time.

Jesse: I know.

At home:

Jesse approaches Helen.

Jesse: I'm ready to talk.

Helen: Jesse, I'm so sorry I didn't tell you. I was only trying to protect you. I didn't know who was right and who was wrong. All I knew was I didn't want to lose you.

Jesse: What about Elizabeth? Didn't you think about how she felt....about losing her son who was from her flesh and blood. I was all she had left. But I can't punish you for anything....because you've loved me and raised me as if I was your flesh and blood.

Helen: Believe me, I wanted to know more about this story but Marshall kept everything well hidden.....even from me. I had a feeling though that Elizabeth didn't really do anything wrong. But I was just so scared of not knowing the truth, I could only think of keeping you away from it all.

Jesse: It's over now (hugging Helen).

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