Moose

by KJ Dahlen

  He picked up the letter and carefully read the words. Checking the date at the top of the letter, he found it was two days old. Two days. He felt the blow to his heart.

  “Dear Daddy,

  I know you’ll be the one to find this as Mom doesn’t bother keeping up with me anymore. Why didn’t you ever tell me I have a sister? Even if she was missing, I had a right to know about her.

  I’m going to find her. You got the chance to meet her without me. So now, I’m going to meet her on my own. As parents you and mom suck, did you know that? She’s too busy to care about anyone besides herself and you think more of your business than you do about me. Yes, I admit you do at least talk to me when you somehow find a minute. Maybe Brinn will give me the time of day. At least, I hope she will. I once asked mom to help me with a project for school and she cracked a nail within a few minutes then she went ballistic. She left me mid project and had to get her nail fixed. She returned four hours later and wouldn’t even look at me. She never asked about the project either. In case you’re wondering, I did the project on my own and aced it. Mom never asked so I’m not sure, you would be interested either, but I wanted you to know.

  I’ll call you when I find her but I know you might be busy when my call comes in so I’ll be sure to leave you a message.

  Liberty.

  Jackson sat down on the chair hard. His mind spinning as he faced the truth. He had been too busy to even notice his daughter was in so much pain. He glanced over at the doorway and thought about what he needed to do. This couldn’t go on any longer.

  First things first though. He got online with his bank and transferred most of the money from their joint account to his private account. He had to leave Cindy enough money to live on, but she would no longer have access to the bulk of the money he earned. With the money in his private account, she wouldn’t be able to transfer it back. He also sent an email to the bank president telling him under no circumstances was his wife allowed to take money out of his account, then he changed his password, so she wouldn’t have access to it.

  Then he went on his daughter’s account and removed her mother’s name from the account, so Cindy couldn’t rob their daughter from her spending money. That was when he noticed Liberty bought two airline tickets from New York to Beaumont, the nearest city that had an airport to Jasper. He sighed in relief... at least she wasn’t alone. He might not be happy when he found out who she took with her, but at least, she wasn’t alone.

  Then he called in a locksmith and the security team. By then it was almost seven am. He got up and headed back to his own bedroom. He stood in the doorway to Cindy’s room and just stared at her for a moment. There was a time many years ago that he really did love her. But today... he wondered what he ever saw in her.

  He went over to her bed and sat down on the edge of it. She didn’t even feel him sit down. Her eye mask, or blindfold whatever women called those things blocked everything out, so he shook her awake. Cindy was not a morning person and he never bothered her but he had to talk to her this morning.

  “What the hell?” she screeched. She pushed her eye mask away from her eyes and glared at the man sitting on her bed. “What the hell do you want Jackson? It’s too damn early in the day for a conversation.”

  “When did you see Liberty last?” he asked quietly.

  “What?” She looked puzzled.

  “When did you see Liberty last?” he repeated his question.

  Cindy looked confused for a moment then she shook her head. “I saw her just last night. I looked into her room before I came to bed. Why?”

  “Because she’s been missing for two full days,” Jackson informed her. He stared at his wife and asked, “Did you ever care for either of our daughters?”

  Cindy caught her breath in stunned surprise. “What do you mean? Of course, I cared about them.”

  “Did you?” Jackson shook his head. “I have to wonder about that. Did you ever love me? Or was it all about the money and prestige for you? Was being my wife your main goal all along, because you felt real love for me or the money?”

  Cindy didn’t say a word to him.

  Jackson nodded. “That’s what I thought. I’ll give you an hour, I want you to pack what you think you need and get out of my house. We’re done and this charade ends today. I’m contacting my attorney.”

  “You wouldn’t dare!” she exclaimed. “We’ve been married over twenty five years. You’ll lose everything big time if you throw me out now. I’ll make your life miserable.”

  “I can and I will. Tick tock woman, you have fifty nine minutes left.” Jackson got up and walked to his own bedroom shutting the door between them. He couldn’t believe the relief he felt. It was like a lead weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

  He went over to his bed and sat down while reaching for his phone. He called his attorney and got the ball rolling to end his sham of a marriage. Then he called a private investigator and got him looking into Cindy’s background. He told the PI to look all the way back to the day she was born. He had a sneaky suspicion she’d lied to him from day one. Now all he had to do was prove it.

  He was about to get up and get dressed when he got a phone call from his father. Jackson sighed hard and answered the call, “Hello Dad.”

  “Don’t you hello dad me son.” Bart growled. “Do you know I just got a hysterical call from your wife?”

  “I’m sure you did. What about it?”

  “Are you really kicking her out without a dime?” Bart demanded.

  Jackson scoffed. “Not hardly. She’s got money in her account and if she’s careful, it might last her awhile.”

  “What’s your next step?”

  “I’m going to take time off and get to know my daughters,” he announced. “Oh and you won’t be able to get into the house for a while. I’m changing the locks and security codes. I’ll make sure I tell Janice about that too.”

  “Are you going somewhere I need to know about?” Bart wanted to know.

  “No dad, I’m just going to be alone for a while. I need time to think.”

  “When does the witch leave?”

  “In about forty five minutes.”

  “Where will she go?”

  “I don’t care where she lives, or who she’s with. She hasn’t been with me in years,” he admitted.

  “Be careful son, she’s got something up her sleeve, I can feel it.” Bart ended the call.

  Jackson shook his head, of course she did. He got dressed.

  Exactly one hour later, Jackson walked her to the door. She had three suitcases packed with what he didn’t know or care but he had a car waiting for her and when she drove out of the front gate, he changed the security codes.

  The locksmith was there fifteen minutes later and the locks on his house were changed an hour later.

  He took a moment to remember Cindy’s parting threat. She glared at him and spewed with hatred, “This isn’t over yet, you fool. When I get done with you, you’ll be leaving with your tail tucked between your legs. You can’t just throw me out without anything.”

  “You have more than enough to see you through. Let’s just be done with this. We haven’t been a true husband and wife in years.”

  She growled at him then charged at him with her nails curled like talons. “I’m going to hurt you so bad. I’ll find Liberty and you’ll never see her again. Brinn already hates you, and you’ll end up with nothing. You’ll die alone and crying!”

  Jackson watched her struggle to get her bags in the car and when she drove off, he felt relieved. Now he was alone for the first time in a long time and he finally felt like he could breathe. He had called the housekeeper and told her not to come in for a while, so now he really was alone.

  He sat down at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee in front of him and reached for his phone. He had a call to make and his belly rolled as he dialed the numbers.

  “Hello,” Brinn answered her phone cautiously.

  ‘Morning baby girl
,” Jackson whispered. “I know I said I wouldn’t call you but please tell me your sister is with you. I need to know she’s safe.”

  “Yeah Jackson, she’s here. She got here yesterday.”

  “Oh, thank god.” He sighed hard. “I know I haven’t been much of a father to either of you but I’m hoping for another chance. Do you think you could give me that much? Would Liberty at least give me a second chance?”

  “I can’t speak for her but as long as you don’t mess with me or these men, I’m willing to let you in.”

  Jackson frowned. “What do you mean mess with these men?”

  “The Judge threatened to bring down the Savaged Souls because I wasn’t willing to come with him the other day,” Brinn told him.

  “He didn’t.” Jackson gasped. “I was there and I never heard this.”

  “Well, he did.”

  “Well, I’ll stop that today.” Jackson assured her. “Can I speak to Liberty?”

  “I’ll get her. Hold on.”

  A few minutes later Jackson heard his youngest daughter say hello. “Oh honey, I’m so sorry,” he told her softly.

  “You got my note then?” Liberty’s voice was barely more than a whisper.

  “Yeah, I got your note, talk about a wakeup call.” Jackson snorted. “But I did wake up. I got a good look at my life and I want a redo. Will you give me another chance, baby girl?”

  “What does that mean Daddy?”

  “It means life is changing around here honey. Your mom is out of the house and I want to redo our life. I want Brinn in our lives too. Just the three of us.”

  “Did you know Brinn is awesome?” Awe vibrated in her voice. “When I got here yesterday, she just accepted me without question. She’s kinda cool too and her boyfriend is so nice. All of them are.”

  “I’m glad of that. But you are in trouble baby girl. How the hell did you get a ticket on a plane when you’re only fourteen?”

  Liberty giggled. “Well, I didn’t. Aunt Janice did that. She’s here too.”

  Jackson sighed in relief. “Thank god, I was so worried. I’ll be there later this afternoon. Let Brinn know I’m coming.”

  “Ok daddy, I will.”

  He heard her hesitate and he asked, “What is it baby?”

  “Do you really want to start over? I mean really?”

  “Yeah, I mean it really. I do. I realize I let this go on too long and now it’s time to change. But that means both of us. I need you to know I’m willing to try but that means you have to show me how, you need to show me what to do when I mess up. Okay?”

  “Ok, I can do that.” She paused then added, “I’ll see you when you get here.”

  “I love you baby girl.”

  “I love you too, Daddy.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Jackson walked over to his father’s place and knocked on the door. When the butler Sebastian opened the door, then Jackson nodded and moved past him.

  He found his dad at breakfast and when he sat down, Sebastian brought him a cup of coffee. Jackson looked over at his father and said, “Whatever you have going against the Savaged Souls you need to stop it. Stop it right now.”

  “Why would I do that?” Bart asked his son as he peeked over the top of his newspaper.

  “Because if you don’t, you could lose big time here.”

  “Is that a threat?” Bart growled.

  Jackson shook his head. “No dad, it is not a threat. More of an observation that’s all. Do you know what I found this morning when I looked in on Liberty?”

  Bart lowered his newspaper and gazed at his son.

  “I found that she had been gone for two days. Two days! And I had no clue she was even gone.” Jackson shook his head. “What does that tell you about my being her father?”

  “Where the hell is she?” Bart frowned. “That isn’t like her at all.”

  Jackson sipped his coffee. “She’s in Texas with her sister,” he announced calmly.

  “How the hell did she get down there all by herself?” Bart demanded.

  “She didn’t go by herself. Janice took her down there.”

  Bart stood up quickly. “Janice? Did you just tell me your sister took her down there?”

  Jackson nodded. “And I’m going down there this afternoon. I need to go to the office and turn over operations to the board until I can get back. Then I’m going south.”

  Bart sat down with a thud. “You’re doing what?”

  “You heard me old man.” Jackson nodded. “There may be some changes coming and this is only the beginning. I won’t let you hurt either of my girls and I mean that. I tossed Cindy out this morning and my house will be locked up while I’m gone.” Then he got to his feet. “What happens next is up to you. I know you hate change, so do I but things have to change around here.”

  Bart sat there and watched as his son turned and walked away.

  When Jackson got to the office, he told his secretary to call in the board. He had his secretary inform the board that there would be an emergency meeting ASAP.

  Next, he systematically went over his schedule and cancelled the meetings he was to have for the next two weeks. Then he headed to the conference room.

  He waited until all the members were seated. Then he spoke, “Ladies and gentlemen, I called this meeting to tell you I’m turning the running of this company over to the board for a couple of weeks. You know your jobs and how to do them. I have some personal things to get done and I need at least that much time to do it. I will tell you all that Cindy and I are no longer together, so if she comes whining to you, do not give her any information on what’s going on. Also, do not let her have access to company funds no matter how much she begs for money. I didn’t leave her with nothing. I understand I don’t have to tell you that but I want you to know what’s going on.”

  Shocked faces stared at him from around the long table.

  He went on without pausing really, “You will also be asked about what’s going on with me not being here. I suggest you tell the press nothing, if you want to keep your jobs. I’m trusting this board with the future of this company, so please don’t let either of us down. I will be in touch.” He looked over at his VP and said, “Joshua, you’ll be in charge while I’m gone. I left a list of meetings I couldn’t let slide, so please take them over.” He paused then said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m trusting you with my baby. I have faith in you and she will be just fine. It’s time to make all of us proud.”

  The board still sat there staring.

  He gave a look, at each member until he saw each give him a nod.

  Then for the first time in many years, Jackson turned and left his business in their hands.

  He walked out of the shocked and silent room.

  He’d already packed his bag and was on his way to the airport. When he parked in the hanger where his company plane was sitting, he found his father already there. Jackson grabbed his bag and asked the older man, “What are you doing here?”

  “I’m going with you,” Bart told him.

  “Why?”

  “Because if changes are coming, I want to know what they are as they are happening.”

  “Dad, you made threats to Brinn the other day.” He shook his head. “I don’t think it would be wise for you to go there again so soon. I can keep you filled in but your presence might not go over very well today.”

  “I don’t give a shit what happened the other day, she’s my granddaughter too. I have a right to be there when you confront her.” Bart growled.

  Jackson stood tall against his father. “Dad, I’m not going there to confront her. I’m going there to talk to her. You need to call off the dogs you got sniffing around and quit trying to dig up background and you definitely need to wait and see how things go.”

  “I need to know Janice is okay. Those bikers could do anything to her and I want to see the girls safe as well,” Bart insisted.

  Jackson chuckled. “Dad really? Janice can chew those men up and spit them
out before they know what hit them. She’s in no danger and you know it. You just don’t want to miss the drama you think is coming.”

  “I’m still coming with you,” Bart insisted, stubborn as always.

  “Fine, come with me then, but don’t be surprised if those men kick you out on your ass if you piss them off.” Jackson paused and met his father’s gaze. “Just know this dad, I won’t stop them either.”

  A couple of hours later, the men drove up to the compound in a rented car. As they had no idea what was going to go down, they left their bags in the car.

  The door opened as Gunner and few of the others came out to find out what they were doing there.

  “What do you want here?” Gunner asked Jackson. He totally ignored Bart and that pissed the older man off.

  “I’m here to see my girls,” Jackson told him. “I understand Liberty is here as well.”

  Gunner shook his head. “She is indeed. She showed up out of the blue yesterday with your sister and it was your sister that demanded to see Brinn. She ruffled a few feathers until we laid down the law.”

  Jackson shook his head. “I’m sorry about that. I haven’t had a chance to talk to her yet about the situation. I had no idea Liberty was going to come here either.”

  Boone snorted. “Yeah, she told us about that.”

  Jackson put his hands up in surrender. “I suck as a father I agree with that, but I’m hoping my girls will give me another chance.”

  Gunner looked over at the Judge. “Why did you bring him along?”

  “He wouldn’t stay home but he did agree to behave himself,” Jackson stated.

  “He’d better because if he threatens one of us, he threatens all of us and we don’t take kindly to that.” Gunner growled. “He’s got no say here and if he gets too mouthy, we’ll just toss him out on his ass.”

  “He understands that.” Jackson turned to his dad and glared at the older man. “Don’t you dad?”