Home » The Archives » Chapter 8 » Home is Where the Heart Is
| Re: Home is Where the Heart Is [message #2118 is a reply to message #2117] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 17:33   |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
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From: Tikatu Sent: 9/2/2006 6:53 PM
Garrett and his motives, part 2
Dianne's eyes grew wide with disbelief, as did Lisa's, while Kyrano's face was a study in maintaining a serene control at this staggering news. He rubbed Lisa's upper arm and shoulder in a comforting fashion.
"He lied to them?" Kyrano asked carefully.
"Yes, basically. His leave is for 30 days, and it seems that's why he's been pushing so hard to get to us," Jeff said. "That's also probably the reason he hasn't bothered to contact and hold out the olive branch to Jared; he doesn't have enough time to get up to Boston and 'make amends' in person."
"Besides," Dianne said, shaking her head, "Jared's olduh. He remembers moah. He's not as gullible as Dougie is."
Lisa closed her eyes and shook her head at Dianne's assessment of Doug. "Ah know you wish Ah could've pounded moah sense into that boy's head when he was a boy, Dianne, but as hard as Ah tried, theyah was no tellin' him anythin'."
Before Dianne could reply, Jeff spoke up again. "Let's not discuss Douglas here and now. He hasn't given Garrett our private number, and we can be grateful for that favor." He glanced down at the screen again. "According to Dianne, he also called Andrew, and spoke to Maggie, asking how to call us. Jeanette, who forwarded the file to me, added a note that Garrett has called, complaining that he had difficulty even reaching her office. He asked for our number, saying he was my "father-in-law" and wanted to talk to you, Lisa. So he knows you're here."
There was a moment of silence, then, at the same time, Dianne asked, "What's our next move?" and Kyrano asked, "What do you think he will do?"
Jeff smiled slightly. "Kyrano, I'll answer your question first. I don't know what he'll do, but I think that he's persistent enough to keep trying... at least, until we do something to make him stop." He paused. "As far as what our next move is, part of that depends on you, Lisa, and part depends on Doug."
"On Doug?" Dianne asked, a confused frown on her face.
"Yes." Jeff spread his hands out. "Despite all this evidence that he's looking for money, there is still the real possibility that Garrett's also looking to make amends. The real test of that will be: what does he do after Doug moves? Does he keep in touch? Does he try to be part of Doug's life? If so, then we have some evidence that he's sincerely trying to build bridges. However, if he just drops out of Doug's life as quickly and thoroughly as he dropped back into it, we have a good indication that it was just money he was after, and he was using Doug as a stepping stone to the one who he thought would be able to provide."
"You," Lisa murmured.
"Yes, me." Jeff gave his mother-in-law a long, thoughtful look. "Lisa, tell me tfully: are you afraid of this man?"
Lisa was quiet for a moment, but finally she took a deep breath and said, "Yes." She wrapped her arms around herself even ask Kyrano drew her nearer. "His reappearance... the way he found out everythin' he could, the way he kept me guessing an' off-guard... just to know that he was watchin' the house gave me chills. It's brought back all those bad memories of owah marriage." She shook her head. "Ah... Ah don't think Ah can go back. Not to live. Not if he can find me. Between him and the memories... Ah just can't."
Dianne got up and went to her mother, crouching down before Lisa. "Ah understand, Ma. Ah really do. It's like me an' Rick, only mah memories are good ones -- good but sad." She took her mother's free hand. "You know yoah welcome heah. An' Uncle Drew says yoah welcome theyah, too. Jared would have you in a minute if'n you said somethin'."
Lisa smiled softly. "Ah know." She squeezed both Dianne's hand, and Kyrano's, and leaned her head against Kyrano's shoulder for a moment. Then she straightened, and looked over at Jeff. "Speakin' of Jared, Ah s'pose we should tell him about all this... if'n he doesn't know already."
Jeff walked over to his mother-in-law, and crouched down beside Dianne, who shifted to look at him. "Yes, we will. If you want, I can forward the report to Doug as well."
"Don' know as it'll do any good," Lisa said with a sigh. "When he gets it in his head to think one way, takes a lot o' convincin' to bring him 'round to anybody else's way o' thinkin'."
"In othuh words, Jeff, if'n Doug believes what Garrett told him, he'll go on believin' it, rathuh than look like a fool foah believin' it in the first place," Dianne explained. "He'll stubbornly cling t' what he thinks is right, and if'n you do get through to him with cold, hard facts, he look at you like yoah meddlin'... even if he has to admit yoah right." She shook her head. "Ah have no idea wheah he gets that from."
The two men exchanged glances, and Jeff smiled a little. "Well then, I'll leave it up to you how much to tell him, Lisa. I did think that if he knew for sure that money was one of Garrett's objectives, he'd refuse to give out any more information."
"Perhaps it would be better if he were simply asked not to do so," Kyrano suggested. "Lisa has enough reasons to ask this of him without bringing in the report."
"Better make it clear, too, that if Garrett asks him foah money, Doug's not t' be comin' and askin' us," Dianne said sharply. "Ah wouldn't put it past him t' ask Doug t' be a go-between, or force him into such a position."
"Yes. We'll have to do that." Jeff rose, and took Dianne by the hand to help her to her feet. "It looks to me, Lisa, like you've made one decision: to leave Greenville. Once you've decided where you're going to go, I'll be more than happy to help you with selling the house and business. I can hire people to pack everything up for you, too. Whatever you like."
Lisa nodded. "Thank you, Jeff. Ah appreciate all you've done so far. Ah think Ah need t' call Jared, then bend Drew's ear foah awhile, too."
"Better wait until tomorrow on Drew, Ma," Dianne said. "He's just come back from a long trip."
"Then I'll chat with Maggie. She's got more brains than he does." Lisa scooted forward on the couch, a signal for Kyrano to get to his feet and help her up. "I'll talk with you both later, Jeff, Di."
"Later, Ma," Dianne murmured as Kyrano offered his arm and the two older folks left the room. When they had gone, she turned to her husband. "Jeff, isn't there anything we can do on a legal front?"
"If he keeps harassing her, yes." Jeff put his arms around her waist. "And we can make sure we're protected from any possible lawsuit or action he might bring against us. But be prepared, love, in case he's sincere about making amends. Like I said, it'll show in his reaction to Doug."
"I know." She laid her head on Jeff's shoulder for a moment, sliding her arms around his back. They stood that way, his cheek resting on her forehead, then she lifted her face for a kiss, and said, "I'd better get back to making those calls. The sooner I get on them, the sooner I'll have the appointments."
"Okay, love. I'll see you at dinner, then."
"If not before." Dianne moved toward the study, while Jeff returned to his desk. "Thanks, Jeff.. And thank those security people for me. They did a great job."
Jeff nodded, and Dianne left. He sat back down with a sigh, and turned his computer screen around again. "Now, to start the ball rolling for Lisa's upcoming move... no matter where she decides to go."
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
 
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