“Please Bernie, call me Missy.” Christine could not help but see the new relationship blooming before her eyes. She smiled and winked at Matt.
The conversations continued long into the night and when they finally left, everyone was very disturbed. However, they agreed to keep the information to themselves and report any other incidence or information to Jack. Everyone was relieved that Jack was home and back in charge. He would get to the bottom of this.
Chapter Fourteen
Jack stopped into several businesses in town and chatted with the proprietors. He was on a fishing expedition and casual questions sometimes led to some interesting facts.
Mr. Singh mentioned that the fishermen had stopped fishing, because there were less fish than usual in the river and several dead fish had washed up on the bank. Mr. Lee told Jack that he and his family noticed a strange smell coming from the river a few nights ago, while out for their evening walk. Jack was compiling a huge file on the water system.
“Jack, you’re back!” As he stepped from the store, he turned back to see Sarah approaching. She was wearing a knee length, pink skirt, a white ruffled blouse under a short jacket, and a pair of silver sandals. Jack held his breath, looking at her. She looked fabulous.
“Sarah, it is nice to see you. Are you going my way?” He fell into step with her and they made idle chit chat for a few minutes. “Would you like to go for a coffee? I have something to say to you and I would like to sit down.”
“Sure, let’s go to the cafe.” Sarah turned right onto Main Street and they walked to the small diner. She was curious about what he wanted to say. As they walked she tried to analyze her true feelings.
Once seated, Jack wasted no time. “Sarah, I thought about us a lot in Alberta. I want to know if there is any chance of our reconciling.” She eyed him suspiciously. He was very blunt and to the point. She had not expected this.
“Jack, you and I had three great years together and to be honest, I did miss you.”
“I think I hear a ‘But’ in that comment.” Jack watched her carefully. She was a lovely young woman and impeccably dressed. He was intentionally keeping this on a personal level and not letting her contract with the chemical company influence his decision. She looked at him kindly. She didn’t want to hurt him.
“But, I honestly think we have grown apart. We are not the same people that we were in university, Jack. We want different things in life and I have come to believe that our relationship would never give us what we both want.” She looked into his brown eyes. Once she had loved him, very much, but now she knew it was over. Jack stared back. He too could see that she no longer looked at him with love in her eyes.
“Thank you for being honest, Sarah. I still have feelings for you, but you are right. I have kept trying to resurrect something that is no longer viable.” He tried to hide his disappointment, “Friends?” He put out his hand and she took it. They shook hands and smiled at each other.
“Friends, Jack. I am glad we understand one another.”
“There is one other thing, Sarah.” She looked at him curiously.
“What’s that Jack?”
“Watch your back with Martin and Schultz Chemical. There is trouble coming and I don’t want you in the middle of it.” She glowered at him in astonishment.
“Jack Giovanni! You will never change. I should have known you would twist this around. My contract runs another couple of months and it is none of your business. And, now, I am done with you. Don’t talk to me about it again Jack. I mean it!” She stood up, threw her napkin on the table and stomped out. He watched her go. Just be careful Sarah, you might get caught up in something you have no control over.
Jack thought about Sarah and Susan. He realized that he was holding on to Sarah out of habit, rather than real affection. She had changed a great deal and the new Sarah didn’t appeal to him anymore, but there was someone that did.
That night Jack called Susan. “Hey Tonto, how are things in Arizona?”
“Not bad, Jack. How is your problem in Bridgetown?” He told her about the meeting and what he was planning next.
“How about your personal problem, Jack?” She didn’t want to hear that he was back with his old girlfriend, but she had to ask. She held her breath.
“Personal problem? Oh, you mean my relationship with Sarah.” He snickered.
“Sarah, is that her name?” Now she was getting nervous, obviously he had reconciled with her.
“Sarah is her name and we are done. Completely, absolutely and forever, we are done.” Jack realized how light and easy saying it out loud made him feel. “How does that make you feel, Susan?”
“Done? For good or just for now?” Susan wanted the facts. Her future might depend on it.
“Done forever. To use her words, ‘We are not the same people that we were and our relationship would not give either of us what we want.’ So we are history.”
“So it was Sarah that ended it.” Susan did not like this. Jack might still love her.
Hearing the doubt in her voice, Jack pushed forward. “I realize that I was just going back out of habit. I don’t love Sarah anymore. She has changed and so have I.” He took a deep breath, would she want to hear what he was going to say? “I actually have my eye on someone else.”
“You do? Who’s that?”
“This beautiful, exotic Blackfoot woman with sexy black eyes and a hot temper, sound familiar?” She laughed out loud. He was really free and he wanted her. Susan was ecstatic.
“Little old me? Well, I don’t know if I am interested in some Italian, hot head zoologist.” She wished he were with her so she could put her arms around him and hold him tight.
“Susan, I’m sorry I was such an ass. I just didn’t want to move forward with you until I knew what my true feelings were for Sarah. Now I know. I love you, Susan. Once I get this problem with the water taken care of, we are going to be together. If that is what you want.” Jack wanted to hold her so badly.
“Yes, that’s what I want, you and I saving the planet together. Call me tomorrow night, Jack. I love you.”
“I miss you already, talk to you soon.” They hung up, each one thinking of the other and their bright future together. Jack realized that this felt right.
In her apartment on the other side of town, Christine was compiling a great story, but would have to wait until its conclusion before turning it in. This entire water issue was starting to worry her, more and more. She was relieved to see Matt’s rash receding and he was much more relaxed now. Both of them were worried about the soil pollution and what was leaching into the town’s water. They discussed it at length, but knew that Jack would do whatever had to be done and let them know when he needed them. She got up from the table and joined him on the couch. Matt kissed her cheek, stood up and went into the kitchen.
“What did Jack say we were supposed to do with this Oil of Oregano?” Matt examined the small bottle Jack had given them.
“Put three drops in a glass of water and drink it,” Christine shouted from the couch.
“Okay, here goes.” She waited for the reaction, knowing full well that it tasted horrible.
“Yuck, what the hell is this? It tastes awful. I’m not drinking this.” Matt looked at her as if she was asking him to drink poison.
“Yes you are, now finish it. Jack said it would help us keep the toxins out of our bodies and who knows what the tap water has in it.”
“I only drink bottled water, I even brush my teeth in bottled water now and I boil the water for cooking, so why do I have to suffer this?” She got up and put her arms around him.
“Stop being such a baby and drink your medicine. Let me look at the rash.” She lifted his hand and examined his arm. “It looks much better. It is almost gone. Now, bottoms-up.” Matt drank the rest of the water, but he made a horrible face. The phone rang. “Hello?
“Christine? This is Missy from Bridgetown hospital.”
“Hi Missy, what can I do for you?”
“Do you know where Jack is? I tried to call him at home, but there is no answer.”
“Sorry Missy, I don’t. Can I do anything?” Christine’s curiosity was peaked.
“It’s just that we have ten cases of vomiting and diarrhea, it is getting worse, Christine. Jack needs to do something quickly. Oh, I have to go. Talk to you later, please pass on my message.” She quickly hung up the phone leaving Christine staring at the phone in her hand.
“Who was that?”
“Missy, apparently there are ten new cases of the mysterious flu and she wants Jack to know. I am going to call Bernie at the veterinary clinic and see if he knows where Jack is.” Christine dialed the clinic, but Bernie hadn’t seen Jack since morning.
Jack was at the water treatment plant talking to Dan. “Sorry about your baby, Dan.”
“Thanks Jack, it is a very sad time. We tried for so long and now this. Edna is devastated. What brings you here Jack?” Dan had been surprised to see Jack wandering around the inside of the plant.
“I have a couple of questions, Dan.” Jack proceeded to ask Dan about the water treatment system, the type of tests that were done on a regular basis, and if there had been any suspicious results lately. Dan told him everything was normal. But Jack noticed the new reverse osmosis filter system and gave Dan a questioning look.
“No problems with Bridgetown’s water.” Dan said.
Jack made idle chit chat to avoid suspicion and then headed back home. The next day, Jack called an acquaintance at Environment Canada.
“Larry, can we get together. I think I have some information for you that you should know before something serious goes down.”
“Okay Jack. How about next Monday? I can’t see you this week because we are in meetings most of the week.”
“Fine Larry, see you Monday. I will come to your office and pick you up. I think we should talk somewhere private.”
“Sounds very mysterious Jack, see you then.” Jack hung up the phone and called the group. He wanted to have one more meeting before he presented his evidence against Martin and Schultz Chemical to Larry. Everyone agreed to get together on Thursday night. Jack was determined to bring the chemical plant to its knees. Damn corporate bastards, they don’t give a damn what harm they are doing as long as they are making money. I should warn Sarah, but will she listen?
He dialed her number, but got her answering machine. “Sarah, this is Jack. Don’t delete this message until you listen. I have proof that Martin and Schultz Chemical is polluting the town’s water and they are responsible for several cases of illness and maybe even death. Distance yourself from them as soon as possible Sarah.“ I hope you listen. What Jack didn’t know was that Sarah was in Toronto on an interview with William’s father, Mr. Dubois. She would not be back for three days.
When Jack hung up, he put on his coat and was going to meet Bernie at the diner. The phone rang. “Hello, Jack here.”
“Jack, it’s Missy. I can’t talk long. You need to meet me outside the hospital in fifteen minutes.” Her voice was shaking.
“Missy, what’s wrong?”
“Just meet me, Jack.” She hung up. He continued to gaze at the phone before hanging up. Jack was out the door in minutes and driving towards the hospital. His mind was racing. What now? She sounded so distressed?
He parked the car in the crowded lot and ran to the side door where he was to meet Missy. She was waiting. “Missy, what is wrong?”
“Jack, it’s terrible! We had another ten cases of flu and now two of the older patients have died.” She wrung her hands together. He patted her shoulder. “What are we going to do?”
“I am going to stop those bastards, once and for all! I need to see Doctor Hardy.” Jack opened the door for her and they both walked into the hospital. “You go back to work, thanks Missy.” Jack was furious and Martin and Schultz Chemical was the focus of his fury.
“Jack, don’t tell anyone who told you. I could lose my job.” He assured her that he would keep her confidence. He left her and headed for Doctor Hardy’s office. The office was empty. He stopped one of the nurses and inquired the whereabouts of the doctor.
“We are very busy in emergency right now. This mystery flu is getting serious.” She rushed off. Jack went to emergency, but none of the doctors would talk to him. They were busy with patients. He did find out that two senior citizens had died of the flu. Jack left the hospital and went to the diner. Bernie was waiting.
“Where have you been, Jack?” Bernie had an empty soda glass in front of him.
“The hospital Bernie. We’ve got big trouble.” He told Bernie what had happened.
“What do we do now, Jack?” Bernie watched him. He was very distressed. Jack put his head in his hands in frustration. He ran his hands through his black hair.
“I can’t see Larry at Environment Canada until Monday. How many more people are going to die before we get to the bottom of this? Maybe I should just go to Dan and Mr. Carver at the water treatment plant. They can adjust the chemicals for the time being.” Bernie looked at him skeptically.
“You really think Carver will do anything without proof?”
“I don’t know, but I have to do something. I can’t think of anything else. Let’s order and then I am going to go home and think.” The two ordered dinner and ate in silence. Both of them were trying to come up with a solution.
The following day Jack arrived at the water treatment plant. Both Mr. Carver and Dan assured him that there was nothing wrong with the water. Jack insisted they run a test. Both men knew just how persistent Jack Giovanni could be. Mr. Carver conducted three tests, more to placate him than to get results, as Jack watched. Mr. Carver held the test tube in one hand and poured the liquid into the test machine. The digital screen displayed several readings finally stopping. Mr. Carver was surprised at the results. Jack could tell by his face that something was wrong. “What is it, Mr. Carver?” The older man took his clipboard and machine and walked away in silence leaving Jack and Dan staring after him.
“What the hell is going on? I want to know what those results said, Dan.” Dan put his hand on Jack’s shoulder, intimating that he wait where he was and Dan followed his boss.
“We have a problem, Dan.” The older man looked from Dan to the test results.
“What kind of a problem?” Dan was getting worried. He and Mr. Carver were responsible for the town’s water. He knew that the routine water test was not done last week because they were busy fixing one of the pumps.
Mr. Carver handed him the clipboard. Dan looked over the figures and turned pale. “Holy Mother of God, what happened?”
“I don’t know, but get rid of Jack Giovanni! We have to figure this out and I don’t need some tree hugger making life worse. Tell him we found a small E-coli problem and the chlorine levels are being increased, but get rid of him.” Mr. Carver’s forehead was covered in perspiration. He pulled at his tie, loosening it from his neck. Dan rushed off to find Jack. Dan was very aware of Jack’s persistence after three years in his company. Sarah and Jack visited them often and Dan had heard many of Jack’s tirades on government and religion. He had to handle this right. Jack would not be put off easily.
“Jack, it appears you were right. We do have an increase in E coli and we are going to get busy and increase the chlorine. We will let the mayor know that we are calling for a “Boil Water Notice. Thanks Jack, I have lots to do now so you will have to leave.” Jack wasn’t buying it. He knew there was more than E coli in the water, but what could he do until he had proof?
“Okay Dan, but please let me know if anything else shows up in the tests.” Dan assured him that he would and walked Jack to the door. Once outside, Jack turned back to the door as he heard the lock slam shut. Something is going on and I am going to get to the bottom of it.
The ‘Boil Water Notice’ was posted the following morning.
Sarah, filled with enthusiasm, returned from Toronto that afternoon. Her interview had gone well and she
took time to shop. She had visited the Giovanni’s restaurant while she was in Toronto. Mr. Giovanni was very pleased to hear about her marketing firm and the possibility of her working in Toronto. She remembered the conversation. “It is good to see young people moving forward in business. Not like my son, who only cares for trees and gorillas in Africa.” Mr. Giovanni was not impressed with Jack’s decision to become a zoologist instead of studying business. Sarah felt as if she were betraying Jack as she listened to his father berate him, but now she did agree with him. It made her realize how far she had come. She enjoyed her lunch and she promised to see them again soon. The trip was a great success as far as Sarah was concerned. Mr. Dubois and his associates were impressed with her demographic study and her suggestions. A parcel was waiting on the doorstep, when she arrived home. Curious, she picked it up and carried it inside. She set it on the small table in the foyer and went to her bedroom with her luggage. She had purchased two new blouses in Toronto and a new, red Coach handbag. She unpacked her new clothes and hung them in the closet. Holding the bag up to the light, she admired the silver buckles on the side of the red leather. A Coach handbag, things are looking up for you, Sarah. She remembered the parcel and went back to the foyer to get it. She carried it to the kitchen table and as she passed the phone, she saw the message light flashing. She ignored it and began to unwrap the parcel.
When she opened the box, she reached in and lifted out a carefully wrapped package of silver paper with a huge pink ribbon. Excited, she unwrapped it. A pair of red Jimmy Choo sandals lay in the paper. She was more than surprised; she stared open-mouthed at the shoes. Her handbag had cost her $400, but it was cheap compared to these shoes. The shoes were worth a fortune. Quickly, she took the accompanying card from the box and read it. My dearest Sarah, I saw these and could not help but picture your dainty feet in them. I hope they fit. I am sure the interview went well. I’ll call you soon. Love Will. With great excitement, she tried on the sandals and was pleased they fit perfectly. The crisscross red leather was embellished with silver rhinestones and the raised heel gave her legs an elongated look. Sarah walked around the house pausing in front of the full length mirror to admire her new shoes. She walked to her bedroom and lifted the Coach bag from the dresser. Returning to the mirror she admired the new look. Bag and shoes matched perfectly, she was very pleased. Will, how did you know my size and that I would love these? The shoes match my new bag perfectly and I am in heaven. She realized that the card was still in her hand, she read it again. The words ‘Love Will’ made her smile. She held the card to her chest and inhaled deeply. Love Will, how romantic, when will you be home so I can show you how much I appreciate you?
Bridgetown's Eleventh Hour Page 13