His sarcasm was not lost on the receptionist and she dialed the number to the clinic.
“Yes, this is Jacks’ office with the ACAA; we are still trying to contact Miss Magill regarding a child that is now an ACAA case. Yes, I can wait. Thank you.”
She shuffled some papers around and straightened her desk while waiting. When a voice on the other end said, “Hello, this is Honey Magill, how may I help you?”
“Miss Magill, this is Jacks’ assistant, Tina, at the ACAA in Jackson. I called you yesterday, concerning the Bowler child? Well, he wants to know if you have some time today when he can meet with you, the earlier the better.”
Honey was hoping this meant no hard feelings and said politely, “I am free if he can come around eleven.”
She waited while the receptionist was obviously repeating her words to someone.
“That will be fine Miss Magill, he will see you then.”
Honey went through the morning anxious for the meeting, hoping to shed some light on what was going on. Dwight called to let her know it would be the end of her session before the judge could hear the Bowler case. She planned to be at court in case she could be of help. Meanwhile, she was still anxious to hear what the ACAA man had to say.
At eleven Honey had cleared her office of the last patient and sent Betty off to an early lunch.
It was closer to eleven thirty when the knock finally came and Honey was just about to give up and go for lunch.
By the time she called out, “Come in,” the door was already open and she had a tall, rather lanky man standing in front of her desk.
“So you are the Magill...lady?” It was not exactly what he had in mind to call her but she rather caught him off guard being just the opposite of what he pictured her to be. Regaining his composure he continued. “I am Jacks, from the ACAA.”
She stood and they shook hands and she exuded her best professional manner. “I am Honey Magill.” She suggested, “Won’t you come in here where we will be more comfortable, Mr. Jacks?” She started for the room where she normally saw patients.
“No Mr., just Jacks.” He said flatly as he followed her to her comfort zone where she sat and faced the sofa he positioned himself on.
“I am sorry, Jacks is not your last name?”
“No, it is my only name. But I am not here to discuss my name, I am here about a little girl we picked up yesterday evening and placed in protective custody. Carol Bowler. The reason we were trying to contact you yesterday was because I would like you to go over to the hospital and see her with me. It seems that she is very fragile mentally and I need someone in your field of expertise with me when I question her.”
“I see. I will be happy to help anyway I can…Jacks…” It was an unusual name. “But you have to understand that I personally know this girl and her parents.”
“You know these people?”
“I do. As a matter of fact they are very good friends of mine. These are some good people we are talking about. May I ask you what is going on that the ACAA has gotten involved? Whatever could have happened for you to bring charges against them?”
This was unexpected. Jacks sat back against the soft cushions of the sofa. It was very comfortable and he caught himself wondering if one could take a good nap on it. Giving the woman in front of him a more detailed look, he reluctantly admired the wispy curls and the fine features of her face...yes, a far cry from what he expected. Damn…..
Honey was well aware of his scrutiny but remained poised.
“Are you going to answer me? Tell me what charges exactly are being brought against the Bowlers. They are crazy with worry about their daughter. You are aware that Carol is not well?”
“I have that bit of information and that is why she is being held at the hospital here in town so she can be carefully monitored.”
His eyes narrowed and his face flushed in response to the prudent look she was giving him. He blocked his mind of the fact that he found this woman to be extremely attractive with a Gone With The Wind sort of voice. Concentrating on the business at hand he continued with a intensity that took Honey by surprise.
“Let’s get some things straight here shall we? I would hate for you to think that the ACAA would not have the best interest of that child in mind. We are all about protecting young children who cannot protect themselves. The reason I am here, Miss Magill is because the child is in potential danger and we want very much to protect her.”
Honey believed he was sincere but oh so wrong. She said hesitantly, “I am happy to hear that Mr. Jacks...”
“Just Jacks, it is not a hard name to remember!”
She wondered at his insistence but his name was not the important issue, Carol was, so she obliged him.
“Okay, Jacks. So we both have the best interest of the child at heart. You still have not explained to me what the parents have done that threatens her.”
Jacks rubbed his face and stood. For some reason he needed to move. Maybe it was leftover feelings from the night before but there was something pulling at him and he was not feeling quite himself. Maybe he was coming down with something. There was always junk going round at the offices. Whatever it was, it was making him feel odd. He shook it off and sat back down.
“They are exploiting their child by taking her around to people, claiming to be sent by Jesus. You know the Jesus who is supposed to save the world, don’t you Miss Magill? He is supposedly telling her things to say but the parents are most likely putting these things in her head and expecting monetary gain from the scam. The kid has a brain tumor so she tells the victims a fabricated story; one that will make people feel sorry for her because of the illness and they offer money. It’s a scam, simply to get money by using a sick child and that is called abuse.” He was using his courtroom drama effect and it worked.
Honey fell more than leaned back into her cushions. She thought, Dear Lord, this is why the Bowler’s were arrested? They think Carol’s ability to know things out of the ordinary is all a farce! Aloud she interrupted him, “You think they are scamming people for money? Nothing could be further from the truth!”
“We have evidence that they received money after one of their visits to a rather well off couple. There were witnesses to this and that, my dear Miss Magill, is exploitation by anyone’s standards. This little girl is being abused and it’s shameful that parents would do this to their child. Now do you think you can be objective enough to accompany me to see her, so that I can ask her some important questions before the judge hears the case?”
He got back up and this time Honey rose too. She was sure there was an explanation for what someone may have observed as the Bowlers accepting money in exchange for a revelation from Carol. She was shaking her head from hearing the unexpected claim.
“I am bound by law Mr. Jacks, to be objective and though I stand firm on this, I can tell you one thing.”
He gritted his teeth in aggravation at the Mr. but ignored it. “And, what can you tell me?” His irritation showing though he was trying not to let her attitude get to him.
“You are so very wrong about this and it is cruel to keep Carol from her parents.”
“You say this, but you cannot give me reason to believe you. If you are so sure of the Bowler’s innocence, then you should feel obligated to tell me how you know. How can you be so sure?”
Honey would have loved to prove to him that Carol’s gift was true and beautiful and there was nothing for her or her family to gain from it. She knew he would not believe any story she could tell him, for she had already told him that she was a friend of the family. He would think it was a false story as he did not know she would never cover for anyone by lying.
“I know that faith in God is on the Bowler’s side. If you will give me a few minutes, I will arrange to accompany you to see Carol.”
“There is no God. It is people such as you and me, who will be the saviors of the weak and abused children of this world. I hoped we were on the same wave length with this but
I can see now that you are biased. Under the circumstances, I don’t think it would be wise for you to go with me to see the girl.”
“I am sorry you think that but I give you my word that I can keep it strictly professional.” Her eyes begged him, for she really wanted to see Carol to let her know she was not alone. He quickly looked away; there was something else in her eyes. It was a mirrored reflection of himself that he saw there. He could not breathe. He had to get out of the room…. away from her.
“I’m sorry. I have to go now, thank you for at least seeing me.”
“But….but….”
He was gone.
*********
When the judge dismissed the case that same evening and allowed the Bowler’s to take Carol home, Jacks was furious.
He was not the only one upset, so were the people in New York. That evening he received another phone call from Sheila and after answering her questions about the Bowler case, he asked, “Why are Morgan’s people so concerned about this case Sheila? The witnesses to the child abuse case here have been working with our office directly on this and not one victim showed for court. What’s going on? Why are they so interested in a low profile case like this?”
“Jacks, since when would you care if anyone took an interest in one of your cases. If I remember correctly, you always said...”
He cut her off. “I remember what I always said, Sheila. We are not talking about prime time news here, just a couple of parents trying to make a buck off a sick kid and using religion to do it. Minor stuff and it will be over before it gets started. The key witness did not show, so the judge did the right thing as far as the law is concerned and you must remember how I feel about politically correct, right? Look, I got a handle on it. We are coming back with more evidence.”
“That’s good Jacks, because I don’t think these people here think it is such a minor issue. They want this little girl stopped however you have to do it.”
“Hey, hold on a minute Shelia. This little girl is not the problem, it’s the parents and I told you I am working the case myself and it will be taken care of. You of all people should know that!”
“Okay already, so how do you really like Mississippi, Jacks?”
Jacks realized that he was getting irate and was happy to change the subject.
“Things are settling pretty nice here and actually I like it better all the time. You know the story, a fishing pole by the back door ready to catch supper anytime and weekends away from work. What’s not to like?” He laughed and she said so softly he could hardly hear her.
“I wish we could just go back to the way it used to be!”
“Ah, do I hear misery in there somewhere? Is married life not what you dreamed it would be? Talk to me.”
“I can’t. Jacks, we are in trouble, and you have to be careful!” Her hushed words became suddenly louder and stiff, “We will keep in touch. Good-bye.”
“Sheila?”
“Sheila?”
She had hung up. Damn! What could be going on with her? It sounded like she could not even have a private conversation. He cared enough about the girl to worry that she was in way over her head...how could she have become involved with a man she barely knew…how could she have married him? Damn Morgan Belk anyway!
He pushed the conversation out of his thoughts as his mind drifted back to the woman he had met earlier that day.
He had known many women and had genuine feelings for some of them. But this wasn’t just a male female thing he felt between the two of them. Whatever it was transcended all time and space. For a split second in the room with her, looking into her eyes, he had almost grasped something, but it was lost before he could. His fear got in the way; fear that someone may see him as he really was. For stripped of his court room self confidence and his macho personality, he was still the scared little boy who had suffered untold abuses. It was his inner self he could never show to anyone, lest they too think him unlovable.
Honey had left the court ecstatic when the judge threw the Bowler’s case out. Only a few minutes into the hearing the judge had said, “Give the child to her parents and let them take her home! Sometimes I have to wonder about you people at the ACAA. Do not bring this back in front of me unless you have some proof of real abuse, do you understand?”
“Yes, but your honor, to just dismiss this without a fair hearing is ridiculous, we have witnesses...it is crazy!”
“Mr. Jacks! You have no victim here and you are pushing your luck with me! I said this case is dismissed!” She looked at the Bowlers sympathetically, “Mr. and Mrs. Bowler take Carol home. I am sorry that the ACAA has put you through this. They really are a good agency and help many truly abused children. I hate that Carol was traumatized by their efforts. God bless you and God bless Carol too.”
Jacks’ face flamed red as he left the room.
Three days later Honey was still thinking how seriously the ACAA man took losing in court when she was shocked to see the very same judge on the front page of The Sun. Judge Langley had been murdered in her home.
She wasn’t the only one in shock. Everyone had the same reaction. Even Jacks, when he was picked up for questioning, was astounded. He found himself trying to convince the detectives that although he did have a confrontation with Judge Langley at the hearing, he certainly did not wish her dead. He still went home ‘a person of interest’ wondering what the hell was going on. Before nightfall, he received another phone call from Sheila. When he heard her voice, he said with much annoyance, “It’s you, I hope you intend to tell me what the damnation is going on and do not even try telling me you don’t know what I am talking about, because I am sure you do.”
His voice was raised to almost a shout but Sheila replied softly in return, “They want you here in New York by Thursday or…”
“Who wants me there? Cannon, Belk? Those rotten….”
“Yes!” She cut him off knowing his temper was flaring. “Yes, you know it is and, Jacks trust me, if they want you, they will have you, one way or the other.”
“I will see them in hell first!”
“You don’t believe in hell, remember?” It was almost comical, but just almost.
“I am going to tell you what is happening, if you will believe it.
“Try me.”
“They found out that you never had plans to leave New York before their offer, so when the little girl got their attention they planned a little surprise for you.”
“What are you saying? They want to get even with me because I would not take their offer to run for the senate?”
“I am saying that they have your prints on the murder weapon, the one that killed that judge, you know the one I’m talking about, and they have someone who will swear that you were with her at the time of the murder.”
Jacks was bewildered. He expected most anything but that, and when he did not say anything, Sheila continued. “It was a set up Jacks. I am afraid that you are now under their power, just like I am.”
He could hear the remorse in her voice. A bit calmer he asked her, “Sheila, why didn’t you warn me? You let me fall into the trap, why?”
“Because they have my dad in a similar position and he will die if I do not do everything they want.”
“Is that why you married that freak? Because they blackmailed you? Well, you can just tell them for me to do their best, I will not be threatened. Naw, put that slime ball on the phone, I will tell him myself!”
“Morgan is giving me some rare privacy to talk to you, he’s not in the room. It won’t happen again for I am totally isolated here, so you have to listen to me now. If you don’t do what they want, they will kill me and daddy. Please Jacks, I don’t care much about me but my daddy has never hurt anyone in his entire life.”
“Sheila, they are bluffing.” But he was thinking about being brought in for questioning. Now it made sense.
“You are wrong. They don’t bluff. Ask that judge…oh, but she is dead isn’t she? Jacks, please come, just meet
with them, please!”
Jacks was doing some fast thinking, Whatever could they possibly want with me to go to such lengths?” He shook his head in disbelief. To have someone murdered was not playing around. He would have to go if he wanted to find out who was behind Judge Langley’s murder. He asked Sheila, “This is my fault isn’t it? Okay, I will figure something out. Do you know how many people they have in their control here?”
“More than you would believe.”
“Even in the police department and the legal system?”
He was thinking about the detectives who had questioned him about Langley’s murder.
“Yes, and in some of the government departments too.”
“Okay, so I come for this meeting, then what?”
“I cannot say. I don’t know. I only know what I have told you, that’s the God’s truth Jacks.”
She began to cry and he could hear someone say, “Give me the phone!” Then, “Hello Jacks, my sweet darling here has clued you in I hope. You will have to pardon her though, she gets emotional. Now, do we have an understanding or not, Jacks?” The Jacks was emphasized and Morgan Belk laughed. “I see we do. Have our girl Tina set you up with a flight and we will arrange to have a car pick you up at the airport. Bring a tux. There is a celebration going on that night. Oh, and if you think of not coming, just remember I have Sheila here and…well use your imagination!
“You sonofabitch!”
“Maybe so, but I am betting I will see you Thursday night.”
The phone went dead and Jacks uttered words he had to have made up but when his temper subsided, he sat down and put his head in his hands wondering if this was all real. He thought about his assistant. Tina. Who would have guessed? I knew I did not like something about that woman!
So, if Morgan and his associates were behind having Judge Langley killed, he was sure they would have no qualms about doing the same or worse to Sheila or her father. So now what to do? If he did not do what they wanted, they would suffer and he would no doubt be locked up for the murder of Judge Langley.
Wings of Deception Page 6