Getting to the Truth-28

**GETTING TO THE TRUTH**

Chapter 28

"Stupid, Stupid, Stupid," Mel called herself as she tried to hide herself behind a couple of wooden crates that had been left on the dock. How did she get herself in this mess?

It had been a beautiful morning, when she had managed to crawl out of bed and had decided to get her juices flowing by going for a run. She had put on some lightweight sweats and her favorite pair of old Nike's and had run out of her apartment building. It was still early, so the streets were empty except for a couple of other early morning joggers. She had run down her semi-residential street and had taken a right to make her way down main street. She had decided to run all the way to Kelly's for breakfast, then, depending on her mood, would either take a taxi or run back to her apartment before getting ready for work. The fog coming off of the river had covered the docks, the raised voices had caught her attention. And her curiosity had gotten the better of her. She had ducked down the small ladder leading her to the lower part of the docks, the voices became louder. She hadn't been able to make out what was being said so she had quietly gotten closer and had hid herself behind the empty crates that had been left on the dock. That was the first mistake....no, her first mistake had been getting out of bed, the second was going for a run, the third mistake was letting curiosity get the better of her common sense. She didn't have her badge, her gun or backup. And here she was listening to two voices arguing about the jewelry store heist.

The hairs on the back of her neck stood up as she recognized one of the voices. Sadness was her next emotion, but anger wasn't far behind as she listened to their argument.

"I told you to get out of town and never come back," The first voice said.

"And leave you here with the jewels? What kind of a fool do you think I am?" The second voice came back sarcastically.

"I told you that we would get in touch with you once the heat wore off."

"And you expect me to believe that?"

Mel heard the flick of a lighter and the inhale of what she presumed was a cigarette. "Yeah, that's exactly what I expect you to do." The first voice came back.

"What exactly do you expect me to do while you and...." The flash of a someone moving behind another set of crates caught Mel's attention and made her miss what was being said. She pulled back and tried to see who was hiding behind the crates a few feet to her left. She couldn't make out who it was, so she slowly and quietly moved to the other side of her crates. She bit back a cuss word as she recognized Jax. He looked at her and she motioned for him to stay quiet and out of the way. She then moved back to her former position, just in time to see a pair of legs go up the stairs and out of her sight. She strained to hear if both men had left or only the one. A still lit cigarette butt flew past her head gave her the answer. She watched as the remaining man looked around then made his way to the stairs and disappeared. Mel let out a small sigh of relief and gingerly stood up. The docks were now empty, except for her and, of course, Jax. She turned to him just as he stood.

She advanced to him, anger sparkling in her brown eyes, "What the hell do you think you are doing?"

Jax leaned back against the crates that he had been using for cover, "The same as you. Why didn't you arrest them?"

"Did you hear what they said?"

"I heard enough to know that two of the murderers were standing 20 feet from you and you didn't do anything."

"Exactly what was it that I should have done?" Mel said as she flipped her loose braid back over her shoulder.

"You could have done something besides hide behind a couple of boxes," Jax said snidely.

"And I could have gotten myself killed in the bargain. In case you haven't noticed, I don't have my weapon with me." She turned around to show him she wasn't carrying her gun, then faced him again, putting her hands on her slender hips. "I was trying to hear what was being said....maybe get some names, maybe get a good look at them."

"I got a good look at them," Jax said pushing himself away from the crates and walking to the edge of the docks.

"You did?" Mel asked. "Did you recognize them?"

"As a matter of fact, I did. At least one of them, I know I've seen him before." Jax said as he looked down at the water.

"Which one? And where have you seen him?" Mel asked, hoping that she was wrong, but knowing she wasn't.

Jax turned to her, his crystal blue eyes meeting hers, "I think you know where I've seen him."

Mel breathed deeply and shut her eyes for a moment, "Yes I do," she whispered, "But why don't you tell me anyway."

Jax took the few steps towards her and stopped and leaned down, his nose nearly touching hers, "I saw him at the police station. He's a cop."

Mel nodded and opened her eyes and found herself staring straight into his eyes. Jax was momentarily startled at the gleam of tears he saw reflected in her eyes. "He's your friend." Jax stated simply.

Mel nodded and wiped her eyes, "Yeah. I thought I could trust him." She banged her fist back against the wood of the crate, "I thought I could trust him."

Jax, understanding her pain of betrayal, took her in his arms. He felt the silent sob as she rested her head on his chest. Her arms slowly went around him as he heard the exhale of breath as she let her tears fall.

********************************************************************************

Jerry groaned as he rolled over and saw Libby sitting up in bed, her laptop already open and running on the covers over her lap. He pushed the hair out of his eyes and looked at her as she bit her lip in concentration, reading whatever was on the screen. He reached out and ran his hand down her arm and she turned to him. Her eyes blinked as her mind came back to what and who was in her bed, and she smiled at him. "Good morning sleepyhead."

Jerry groaned again and rubbed his face as he sat up next to her, "Good morning." He looked at her as she turned her concentration back to the computer. He rolled his eyes and waved his hand in front of her eyes, "Do you sleep with that thing?"

Libby smiled, but continued to look at what was coming up on the screen, "Sometimes....unless I have a better bed partner."

"Well, you do have a better bed partner, so why are you wasting your time with that thing," he said as he leaned down and kissed her shoulder.

"Granny is sending me a couple of files." Libby explained.

"Oh! How is the old broad?" Jerry asked as he looked at what was on the computer screen.

"She's fine. She's having a blast getting this information for me."

"What kind of information?" Jerry asked.

"Ummmmm, well, since Peter didn't have any luck tracking down information on the Bitch, I decided to sick Granny on her trail."

Jerry straightened up in bed and looked at the woman he loved beyond life, but right now couldn't believe what she was telling him. "You mean to tell me that you sent a little old gray haired lady to get information on a potential homicidal maniac? Are you nuts?"

"Excuse me! You've met Granny....she has more spirit and gumption than a 20 year-old. Plus she has ways of getting information. You know that. You've gotten her help plenty of times in the past."

"Yes, but that was for business....this is something entirely different."

"No it's not. Besides I would never put her in danger....I love the old broad myself, you know!"

"I know you would never intentionally put her in danger, but honey, I don't think you've thought all this out."

"I have so! And don't call me honey!" Libby said hotly. "All she's doing is checking at the hospital that Miranda had her surgeries. She managed to get into the hospital records and she's downloading the files for me."

"Are you crazy?" Jerry exploded as he jumped out of bed and pulled on his Calvin Kleins. "She'll get caught."

"My Granny? The master of disguises? The Houdini of getting out of tight spots?" Libby looked at him with arched eyebrows.

"Libby, sweetie, if something happens to your grandmother, you'll never be able to live with yourself. Get her out of there now!" Jerry said as he ran his hands through his golden locks.

"Jerry would you calm down. All she's going to do is download the files, then she's going to get the hell out of there. Mission accomplished. She'll be back in the states by late tonight."

"I don't like this," Jerry said.

"I know....okay, the files are downloaded." The phone beside her bed rang and Libby picked it up, "Gran?......yeah, they're all downloaded......no, get out of there and back home. I'll expect your call by midnight tonight.....what?........really?......I don't know Granny, that might be kind of dangerous....what?.....are you sure?......well of course I don't doubt you....no, I haven't lost my faith in you investigation skills.....Granny, I'm not saying that.....no I don't want you to become old and creped only tending to your rose garden and waiting for great-grandkids, but come on, I don't want you to end up dead either....."

Jerry grabbed the phone out of her hand, "Hazel Mae, get your butt out of there and on a plane....yes, it's Jerry, now get.....I'm fine, now get.....yes, I'm taking care of your little angel, now.....I don't know, I'm still trying to talk her into marrying me.....what?.....I tried that, she said she wouldn't show up at the chapel......(Jerry laughed) I don't think she would appreciate me carrying her over my shoulder and carrying her down the aisle....really? And it worked?.....Well no, I guess you were happily married for 40 years, but still.....I'll think about it, now get your butt back to the states, I miss you, you old broad......no, I don't want to hear about it unless your talking to me face to face, back here, where you belong.....okay....okay....We'll expect your call by midnight. Have a safe journey." Jerry hung up the phone and turned to Libby who was holding back her laughter.

"Now I know where you got your stubbornness," Jerry stated. He climbed over Libby and laid back down beside her, looking at the computer.

"So is she on her way back?" Libby asked.

"Yep"

Libby grunted, "Right.....I bet she's heading for the Philippines as we speak."

Jerry looked at her in surprise, "I told her to come home....she's coming home."

"Right.....and I suppose she actually said that."

"Of course....well, actually no, she didn't," Jerry said.

"That's what I thought. Maybe you're right. Maybe I shouldn't have gotten Granny involved." Libby said worriedly.

Jerry put his arm around her, "I'm sure she'll do the right thing and come back home. You were right. She's a tough old bird. She'll outlive us all."

Libby smiled slightly at him, "Yeah, I guess you're right."

"Of course I am," Jerry said smugly. "Now what's in these files?"

********************************************************************************

"Take care of it!! Do what you're getting paid to do!" Miranda yelled into the phone then slammed it down. She headed into her bedroom, but the knock on the door stopped her. Angry at being interrupted, she opened the door with a glare. "What do you want?"

Sonny stepped into the room, "Well that's not a nice way to greet me."

"What do you want Sonny?" Miranda asked.

Sonny glanced around the room and noticed the suitcase by the door, he looked at her, "Going some place?"

"Yes, and you interrupted my packing. So if you don't mind...." She pointed to the open door.

Sonny ignored her dismissal of him, "Where are you going?"

"That's none of your business."

"Of course it's my business. I brought you here to begin with, I think I have a right to know why you are leaving."

"You think wrong. Which isn't surprising. Now, please leave." she said as she stood by the door.

Sonny slowly headed towards the door, but stopped and ran his finger down her cheek, "Don't think about leaving for good. I'm not through with you yet." He looked at her cold brown eyes and then left.

Miranda slammed the door after him.

*******************************************************************************

End of Chapter 28

HollyJo