I’ve read about these operations before. I’ve tried cases that involved them, and I know that they can potentially go horribly wrong. Despite the fact that I know Jada is safe, the last six months of drama has the potential to all end tomorrow, and the danger involved makes me dreadfully nervous. I hope that finally she, we, will be able to move on with our lives.
I need to take my mind off all this. I send off a few emails to the office and head downstairs to check on Jada. I run into Bobby in the kitchen as I walk by. He looks my way.
“Hey,” he says coolly.
I can cut the tension with a knife.
“Hi,” I reply. “It goes down at noon tomorrow. Will you please stay with Jada?”
“Of course.”
“Great. Do me a favor. I don’t want her knowing anything about this. She has enough to stress and worry about. Can we please keep this between us?”
“Sure.” He hesitates. “Look, Jonathan. I know we didn’t see eye-to-eye about Jada’s situation, but I know you love her. Thank you for sticking with her through this, and for trying to end it.”
“Yeah. No problem,” I reply. “Did she seem better? Did she talk or say anything at all?”
“Not really, she just asked if I’d make her favorite meal.” He smiles.
“Well, that’s a step in the right direction,” I chuckle. “Your shrimp pasta is comfort food for her.”
It looks like all is well once more between us.
When I return to the room, I am surprised to see her sitting up in bed.
“Hey. Do you feel better?” I ask.
“A little,” she replies.
“Can I get you anything?”
“No. I’m fine. How did your speech go?”
“My what?”
“Your speech. On Saturday. How did it go?”
I am amazed that this is what she wants to talk about.
“My speech… it went… it went fine. In fact, it went great. A camera guy I knew there told me he would send me a copy here, so you’ll be able to watch it for yourself.”
She smiles for the first time since her rescue.
“I was really looking forward to you telling me all about it. Johnny, I’m so sorry about what happened. I am so sorry about the dogs.”
I walk to her side of the bed and sit beside her. She looks down.
“This is not your fault. You are not responsible for this.”
“I feel so ashamed,” she whispers.
I slip my hand under her chin and tilt her head up. She closes her eyes, but the tears come through.
“Sweetheart, I need you to look at me. Please.”
For the first time in days, she does.
“I thought I was going to die,” she cries. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”
I embrace her tightly.
“We were scared too. But all that matters is that you’re here, and you’re safe, and I’m not going to let anything like that happen to you ever again.”
I sit on the bed, leaning on the headboard, and she cuddles next to me. I wrap my arms around her, stroking my fingers through the tendrils of her hair.
“I watched a man die yesterday,” she whispers. “Soon after I spoke to you. I watched a man die right before my eyes.”
“I’m so sorry you had to go through that. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect you.”
“You’ve always been there for me. After the call dropped, I tried to convince one of the men to tell me who was behind this, and to let me go. The other one walked in just as he was about to tell me. They got into a fight. I tried to get the duct tape off my ankles so I could escape, but then I heard a gunshot. Before I knew it, a man was lying dead not far from me.”
“I know that was difficult.”
“His brother wanted me to chop his body into small pieces and bag it so he could get rid of the body.”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
I am flabbergasted. I can’t believe he’d ask her to do something so horrific.
“When I wouldn’t do it…” She hesitates long and hard, like she’s remembering something. “That’s when things got really bad.”
“What did he do to you?”
“He tortured me… threatened me… He … He told me he’d bury a broom stick inside me. When that didn’t work, he emptied all but one bullet from his revolver and played Russian roulette. The first time, he aimed it between my thighs; the second time, he shoved it in my mouth. The FBI came in just as he was about to pull the trigger.”
I am enraged, though I try hard not to show it. I keep on wondering if she was raped, but I’m afraid of what the answer might be. Out of nowhere, I get the guts and blurt it out.
“Did he rape you?”
“No… but I’m sure he was thinking about it.”
I sigh in relief.
“He fondled me and told me if I didn’t do as he wanted, he’d want to take a look at the red lingerie I wore.”
“Jada. I’m so sorry. I wish you never had to go through that. I should have never left you alone.”
“It’s not your fault. You never could have known this would happen.”
“I shouldn’t have taken the chance, especially because of the recent break-in.”
“We both thought because Chris Hostin was behind bars, we were safe. I don’t blame you for this, just like you don’t blame me for Micky and Maggie’s death.”
“I don’t. The FBI was able to pull DNA from the kidnappers off the dogs. Their death was not in vain. In case he tries to deny it, it places the bastard at the scene of the crime.”
“Did he tell the police who is behind this?”
“He says he doesn’t know. He says he was called with directions to kidnap you. He was paid half his money and then he would get directions in time telling him what to do.”
“I don’t know if I believe that.”
“Neither do I.”
“They said Richard stole from some very important people. What happens next?”
“I don’t know. I have to see Phillip tomorrow,” I lie. “Do you think you’re ready to talk to him?”
She hesitates, her eyes well up with tears, but she tries hard not to let them fall.
“I don’t know. I’ve never been so humiliated in my life. I feel like I’ve been raped of all my dignity. I wish I could feel normal again.”
“You will. I promise you, you will. And you don’t have to talk to anyone about it, not until you’re ready. I’m here if you need to talk, but you don’t ever have to talk about this if you don’t want to.”
“Thank you… for always being there.”
“I promise you, I always will. Jada, I love you so much.”
“I love you too.” She smiles, looking at me, then tightens her grip around me.
A while later, Bobby and Val walk in with a dinner tray filled with all her favorites. She doesn’t eat everything, but after some more time with her family, I see snippets of the old Jada coming through. By the end of dinner, Val has taken her off the drips. After a long bath and taking her medication, she gets under the sheets and falls asleep to a night of rest.
I wake by 4AM the next day. Not that I’ve slept much. I’ve been thinking long and hard about the day ahead. After a long shower, I go downstairs to see Phillip to plan and organize any last minute details.
Hours later, when I return, Bobby and Val are making breakfast together in the kitchen. They offer me some, but food is the last thing on my mind. I’ll eat when this is all over. I head to Jada’s office and call my mom to touch base.
After, I think about my conversation with Phillip earlier today. He reminded me of the danger of the situation once more and gave me one more chance to pull out. I can’t. This needs to be over. Right now. Jada’s security and peace of mind are all I really care about.
It’s nearing the time that I have to leave. Jada’s been sleeping in, but I want to spend some time with her before I make my exit. I make her a sandwich and br
ing it into her room. I think she’s asleep when I walk in, but as the door shuts, she turns around.
“Hey. How do you feel today?” I ask.
“A little better. How do I look?”
“Beautiful,” I reply, placing the tray on the bedside table and sitting on the bed beside her.
“Yeah, right,” she replies sarcastically, sitting up in bed.
“I have to see Phillip then head into the office for a while. Bobby and Val are going to stay with you. Are you going to be okay?”
“What time will you be back?”
“I’m not sure, but I promise I’ll get you whatever you want for dinner.”
“French?”
“Sure, if that’s what you’d like.”
“I think I’ll talk to Phillip today. Can you tell him to come over when you see him?”
I’m surprised.
“Are you sure you’re ready?”
“I don’t think I ever will be. But I need to try and get my life back to normal.”
“I get that. I support you, but please make sure you take some time to recover.”
“I will. I promise.”
I glance at my watch and realize I need to leave. I look over at Jada. I suddenly feel a little nervous. I am about to walk into a dangerous land of uncertainty.
“Are you okay?” she asks.
“I’m fine, Babe. I just need to get going,” I reply.
I’m afraid to leave her.
“Can I tell you something before you go?”
“Sure.”
“I just wanted to thank you for being there for me, and I also wanted to tell you that I really do love you,” she says, holding my hand.
An extraordinary surge of power radiates through my body.
“I love you too… so much, Jada,” I whisper.
I pull her into my arms. I don’t want to let her go. I want to be close to her. I want to stay by her side. However, for us to have a happy future, I have to put an end to this ugly situation that’s followed us. I look into her beautiful hazel eyes, kiss her gently, then leave.
It’s noon. I’ve been wired and hooked up with all sorts of hidden cameras and mikes. The money is in my possession, and I await their call. I sit in my vehicle in the underground parking lot at my office and wait… one hour, two hours, three hours. Close to four o’clock, my phone rings.
“A black town car is about to pull up behind you,” the voice says.
I turn and so said, there it is. “Yeah, so now what?”
“Transfer the money into the bags he gives you,” he says. I see a man approaching my vehicle. My hand is inches away from the gun besides my seat.
“I’m not giving you one dime until Jada is safely with me.”
“You’ll get her. Transfer the cash into these bags. In parking spot G112, a black BMW is there. Leave your vehicle, your cell phone, and that nice little Glock you carry, and get into the car. All you should have with you is the cash. You’ll get a call with directions on what to do next from there. Don’t try anything funny. I have eyes everywhere.”
The call ends, and I take the bags from the man. He drives away. So far, the FBI anticipated everything correctly. They’re listening to my conversation. I do as he asks then walk over to the BMW. As I get in, the car phone rings.
“Head to Potrero Hill. Once you arrive, we’ll tell you what to do next, and you’re being followed, so no funny business.”
I ignore his comment then end the call.
“Directions to Potrero Hill,” I say to the GPS. Twenty minutes later, I arrive at my destination, well aware that two vehicles followed me the whole time. When I arrive, the phone rings.
“Look in the glove compartment; you’ll see the exact address of a building. Drive in, take the money, and get out of the car.”
“I’m not doing that until I see Jada alive.”
“She’s in the building. You will see her in the back of a van. Stay on the line with me.”
I do as he says. When I drive into the old abandoned warehouse, I see a vehicle similar to the one that drove away with Jada that night. The same one I saw parked at that building the day of her rescue. The back is open, and from a distance, I can see a very similar looking woman to Jada. She is blindfolded, gagged, and handcuffed. Her hair falls mainly over her face, I suppose to further disguise her identity.
I look around. The only people I can see are she and I. No one else is in sight. A few old rusty shipping containers are all that occupies the space. I drive the car up closely to the vehicle. I see the woman waiting.
“Take her into the car then put the money in the back of the van.” I do as he asks, but I doubt they’d ever make it this easy. I also take no comfort in the fact that they’ve provided me with this vehicle, but I guess I should in the fact that the FBI should be around to support me.
“You’re free to leave,” the man says.
I glance at the agent at the back as I start reversing out of the building. She’s already freed herself from the cuffs with a hairpin she has in her mouth.
“God. You are Jada.”
“You’ll be surprised what a good makeup artist can do.” She smiles.
The vehicle cuts out when I near the exit, but when I try to restart it, it’s dead.
A man pops up from behind a container, and he is pointing a gun directly at me.
“Get out,” the man says.
“The second you get a chance, get out of here,” I tell the agent.
Phillip and his team are observing this from somewhere, so I follow his directions.
As I step out of the vehicle, the man motions me to walk to the center of the open floor. A group of about maybe ten men emerges from another old container inside the warehouse.
They’re all armed, surrounding me. Their weapons look like Uzis. The scene reminds me of the movie Scarface. I feel an overwhelming thump in my chest. No one could have prepared me for the way I feel, no amount of practice or training.
“Jonathan Kole…” says a voice coming out of the container.
I look to see who appears out of its darkness.
“Johnny, surprised to see me?” the thirty-something-year-old says with a thick Italian accent, clad in a black suit.
“Actually, I have no clue who you are.”
“Well, allow me to introduce myself. I’m Giorgio Rossellini, son of Francesco Rossellini.”
Fuck! Mob boss Francesco Rossellini?
“I wasn’t aware he had a son.”
“I’m… how you Americans like to say… an illegitimate one.”
“Interesting,” I reply nonchalantly.
“Yes it is. It’s funny how opportunities pop up sometimes.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, it’s too bad that you fell in love with Jada. She looks nice enough; she’s innocent in all this, but somebody had to pay for the money Richard stole from me.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Well, let me help you understand. Richard had been helping us launder money for years, until he decided to steal from me. He begged me to give him time. He said he was going to cash in some stock that the lovely Ms. McLean was going to give him after their wedding. But once I heard the wedding was off, I knew he and I would have a problem. I had to teach him a lesson… make an example of him. So, I went after Jada for the money. I even got my Chief of Police to apply some pressure.
She’s tough, though. Smart. She wouldn’t budge. So imagine my surprise when I find out the DA that put my father behind bars is in love with the woman who I want to pay me my money. It was perfect. I get the money from her… or you, who cares… I get my money back, but if I kill her, then you… I get payback for you putting my father behind bars for the rest of his life, and by killing her, you feel what it is like to have someone you love taken away.”
A man shows up with the agent and throws her to the floor besides me.
“So this is all about revenge?”
“Ye—”
; What sounds like thousands of helicopters blast through the air. Hundreds of agents in tactical gear appear out of nowhere. They down ropes through the windows and doors, and they invade the space. I look around me. A shootout ensues, and the last thing I see is a gun staring me in the face. Like in slow motion, I see Giorgio’s finger pull the trigger, and I hear the click, then the blast.
Jada…
Chapter 17
The last few days are the most difficult days I’ve ever had to face, but out of that difficulty, I realize how deeply in love I am and how important Jonathan has become in my life. The fact that he feels the same fills me with joy. Joy I didn’t think I could feel after feeling such hurt and sadness over this past weekend.
I wish he didn’t have to go into the office, but I look forward to seeing him for dinner in a few minutes. He should be home any time now.
It’s past eight thirty, and he still isn’t home. He’s not usually this late. I call his cell phone but get no response. I call the Johnnyphone, and it rings out with no response. I call his direct office line—same thing. I call the regular office line, but nothing.
I suddenly feel uneasy and sick, and my instincts are telling me something is wrong. Dreadfully wrong. I call Cooper, and when he tells me he hasn’t seen Jonathan for the day, my heart sinks to the pit of my stomach.
I call Phillip… then Douglas. No answer. It’s not possible for so many people to all be busy at once. I get out of bed and head into the living room. Bobby and Val are watching TV. They switch it off as soon as they are aware of my presence. Immediately, I know everything my instincts tell me is right.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
Bobby tries to smile, but his lips almost refuse to curve. I know he’s keeping something from me.
“Tell me what’s going on? I know something is wrong… I can feel it.”
I don’t know why, but in quick succession, tears stream down my face.
“Jada, I don’t want you getting upset,” Bobby says, trying to hug me.
I push him away, snatch the remote control from him, and turn on the TV… They were watching the local news station.
Love, Lies & The D.A. Page 41
