Summoned Again?

I leaned my back against the closed door and rested the back of my head against it. I had been harsh in my words and mean to my sister, and that hurt me almost as much as her betraying me. I wanted to forgive her, because I knew it was my fault. If I hadn't come back the first time and tried to do my best to give her a perfect life that she didn't have to worry about anything, it couldn't have been so easily ruined by people trying to get to me.

It wasn't like I had intentionally set it up like dominoes that could be toppled as soon as I left. I had tried to put in backups and failsafes, and all that did was give them more leverage to use against me. It was really frustrating, actually. I needed to figure out a good way to ensure that wasn't going to happen again. Having a multi-national corporation control all the holdings was a good start.

There was a soft knock on my door and I didn't sigh as I turned around and opened it to see Jenny standing there.

“I need to make a couple of things clear.” Jenny said and wiped at the tears on her face. “I don't like you very much as a person, either. You're judgmental, bigoted, and the biggest asshole since you came back.” She said. “You left me. Again. You abandoned me without a word for a second time. You hurt me so much by not trusting me, so why should I trust you?”

I didn't say anything as I stood there and let her talk.

“You gave me this great life. A life that I thought was nearly perfect. I had good friends, family that I loved, a nice home to live in, and a job. It was hard, since I've never owned a building before, let alone a condo; but, I did it. I worked my ass off and I did a great job... and then you disappeared.” Jenny said and wiped at her face again. “Not only did I lose you, which crushed my heart, I lost that job when they froze all of the assets you were connected to. The building and the condo weren't mine anymore.”

I stayed silent and kept eye contact with her.

“I thought my world was ending. It was all falling apart. Everything you helped build was suddenly gone and I was cut adrift. I had nothing. No cash, no bank account, and no credit.” Jenny said. “I couldn't move back home, because I didn't want mom and dad involved in whatever crimes the authorities wanted you for. They said...” She shook her head. “It doesn't matter. I was as much of a victim of their schemes as you were.”

“I know.” I said.

“...that's just it. It is your fault. Nothing that's happened since I came back would have happened if you hadn't let them drug me and kidnap me. If I had done whatever they told you I did, I could have been in prison for years, maybe even decades. How do I accept that you would do something like that? How do I respond to my own sister turning me in and not protecting me?”

“You don't know how much pressure they put me under!” Jenny said loudly. “I was under their scrutinizing eyes for six goddamn months! It doesn't matter that they lied to me to do it! I was still going through it and I would still be going through it if you hadn't come back! I could have suffered for years, and it's all because of you!”

“Do you really think I don't know that?” I asked, just as loudly. “Of course I blame myself! I know it's all my fault! You don't think I regret everything that's happened?” I asked and she looked surprised. “If I had just stayed dead and never told you that I was back that first time, none of this would have happened!”

“Damon, I... that's not what I meant.” Jenny said, her face sad.

“Yes, it is. If I hadn't done everything I could to give you a great life, it couldn't have been taken from you.” I responded. “Even my emergency plans were ruined and Diane wasted the money I gave her and Crystal, so there was nothing left. Everything I did was undone and it left the people I cared about even worse off than if I had never come back.”

“Damon, you... can't...”

“Yes, I can. I blame myself. It's all my fault. I set everything up and when it all came down, it wrecked everything instead. My potential marriage, my relationship with my loving sister, and all the money I had from selling a very profitable business. It's all gone.” I said. “I can't even call mom to tell her I'm okay, because I assumed you've been telling her all of the things I've done wrong and that I ruined your life.”

Jenny opened her mouth for a second and then closed it. She didn't dispute my words, so I knew it was true.

“You're right, I could have been gone longer. I could have been gone for years. I even told you it might happen again and I don't really have a lot of control over that.” I said and saw the surprise on her face. “I should have known you would forget that. Convenient, isn't it?”

“Damon, I... I'm sorry.” Jenny said. “I didn't mean to...”

“But, you did. You did it intentionally. You hate me so much, because the life that I had set up for you was gone, that you wanted to get back at me in the only way you knew could hurt me. You set me up to be captured and taken away.” I said and a few more tears rolled down her face. “I just want you to know that's what hurt me the most. I know you regret it. I do. I know you're still hurt that I left without a word. The problem I have is, does that justify losing me again?”

“I... I don't understand.” Jenny said. “I thought you would be just going to jail or...”

“...or what? The only reason they let me go was because their boss said to scrub the operation.”

“But... but...”

I leaned close to whisper. “They were going to kill me.”

“N-no.” Jenny whispered back.

I sighed. “Jenny, what is the first thing a secret operation is going to do if things go sideways?” I asked and she didn't respond. “They wipe everything. They get rid of the evidence.”

“No, they... they said...”

“I know it's difficult to believe that the people that have been lying to you for months were actually lying to you about what they were going to do to me when they captured me.” I said. “If I hadn't been smart about the situation, they would have succeeded and I wouldn't be standing here right now.”

Jenny wiped at her face again. “They would never...” She stopped and didn't finish the lie.

“Out of everything that's happened, losing all that money, the hundred million in gold coins, potentially losing the buildings, what Diane did, and being kidnapped and almost being killed... I could deal with it. I could deal with it all.” I said. “What I can't deal with is losing you.”

“Damon, you haven't.” Jenny said. “I'm right here.”

“No, you're not. I can see it in your eyes. You want to punch me for what I did. Your anger is just simmering under the surface. I know it is, because mine is, too. You should have seen what I did to a metal table they had me chained to.” I smiled at how good it felt to wail on the thing, even though it busted my hands up. “They even interrogated me under truth drugs.”

Jenny shook her head slightly.

“I know you don't want to believe it, because it might divert the blame from me.” I said and she shook her head again. “It's all right. I already admitted that it's all my fault. You don't have to keep justifying your actions anymore.”

“Damon, you... please, understand.” Jenny said.

“I understand perfectly. I really do.” I said. “That's also the problem.”

“Why?” Jenny asked.

“I never would have done the same thing to you.” I responded. “I wouldn't care if you had gone on a killing spree or blew things up on national television. They could have shoved mountains of evidence down my throat that proved you were guilty and I would have ignored it all. I would have protected you, no matter how much my life was ruined, because I love you.”

“Damon...” Jenny whispered.

“But, it was my fault that all of this happened and you're not me. I shouldn't have expected you to react like I would. I'm sorry that I put you through all of this and I'm going to do whatever I can to make sure that even when I do disappear again, you won't suffer like you did this time.”

“Wait, what?” Jenny asked. “What do you mean?”

“About what? I was pretty clear that...”

“About disappearing again!” Jenny exclaimed.

I shrugged. “I'm taking my own advice and I'm assuming that I'll have to leave again. I'll prepare as much as I can beforehand, though. I won't be running around at the last minute like last time.”

“But... but...”

“It's all right. You're my sister. I'll stay in touch, just like always. I doubt I'll be allowed back to visit mom and have supper though, so family meals are probably off the table for a little while.” I started to shut the door. “I'll be sure to let you know if I'm about to be kidnapped again.”

Jenny just stood there and stared at me.

I stopped and opened the door slightly. “I still need you in two days. It'll be for a day, maybe two. It depends on if I can get my tasks done in time.”

Jenny squinted her eyes. “I know what you mean by tasks.”

“You have no idea what I mean by that.” I said and then chuckled. “That's okay. I told you a lot of what happened that first time I was gone; but, I didn't tell you everything.”

“I know you didn't.” Jenny said. “I've had a lot of time to think about it and you still haven't told me where you were.”

“You don't know how glad I am that I didn't.” I said and she looked surprised. “You would have told them that, just like you told them everything else that I told you in confidence.”

“You told Diane, too.” Jenny said.

“No, not in the same detail that I told you. I definitely skimmed a lot with her and I'm also glad for that, considering how everything turned out.” I said. “I'm also not telling you what happened this time, even though it's a great story and I met a lot of interesting people along the way.”

Jenny frowned at me. “You're being an ass again.”

I nodded. “Now it's my turn to ask you to understand, because I'm angry about all of this, especially since it cost me you. I explained as much as I could and how I felt about it, and that's all I want to say.”

“We can't just leave things between us like this!” Jenny said.

“You're still angry at me for everything and I get it. I really do. I'll have it all sorted out soon and you'll get your nice and nearly perfect life back.”

“That's... not really what I meant.” Jenny said in a slightly defeated tone, I assumed because that was the most of what she meant.

“It didn't take Mr. Graham long to make me un-dead, and we both know what a pain that was.” I said and she nodded. “He should straighten everything out with the bank much quicker than that, especially since the bank broke the conditions of the government loan, which should have defaulted in our favor and not in favor of the bank. You know how anal he is about proper government procedure.”

Jenny nodded again and looked like she wanted to say something else.

“Go ahead and tell me that money won't fix everything.” I said.

“It won't.” Jenny said.

“No, it won't.” I smiled. “But, it sure will make everything else better while we wallow in pity and sorrow.” I said and she looked surprised again. “What better way to distract yourself than to go spend some money on all of the things you've missed out on the last six months?”

Jenny blinked her eyes at me and looked confused.

“Go get Kathy and Susan and take them out on the town, go shopping, and have a few drinks at your favorite bar.” I said. “You'll have another ten grand in a couple of days, remember? Go have fun and I'll see you later.”

I started to close the door and she put her hand on it to stop it.

“There's one more thing.” Jenny said. “Diane called and...” She explained what the conversation was like and how desperate Diane was to get bail money. She also told me what the detective said and her response to his inquiry.

I stood there and thought about it for a minute, then nodded. “Thanks for telling me. I'll see what I can do about it.” I saw her facial reaction and smiled. “No, I won't offer her bail money. We both know she'll skip as soon as she's out.”

Jenny nodded and moved her hand. I closed the door successfully this time and rested against it again. I stayed there and waited for several minutes to see if she would knock again. She didn't knock and I took several deep breaths as I did my best to relax.

That went a little better than I thought it would. I thought. Neither of us shouted... loudly, anyway. I chuckled. I didn't even have to use a Clarity amulet to keep my head clear.

My eyes fell upon Crystal and her happily playing with Teddy. The next thing I needed to do was contact a criminal lawyer and maybe a family law lawyer. I thought my contract lawyer might know someone, so I went to my cell phone and gave him a call.

“Yes, I do know a few people that could fit that criteria.” He said. “Why don't you tell me the specific details and I can refine my choices.”

I explained what was going on and what I wanted.

“All right. I think I know someone that would be perfect for it.” He said. “I have to warn you, though. He's particularly difficult to deal with and he might not even talk to you.”

I laughed. “Now I have to try and talk to him.” I said and got his number. “Thanks.”

“Anytime.” He said and hung up.

I immediately dialed the new lawyer to give him a call. “Hello. You came highly recommended and with warnings.” I said and he was quiet for a few seconds.

“What did they tell you?”

“Just that you were hard to deal with and might not talk to me.” I said. “It made me laugh.”

The man was quiet for another few seconds. “You didn't believe him?”

“I did, I just had a hellish week with being drugged, kidnapped by a couple three letter agencies, and escaping. Having to deal with a stern lawyer should be a piece of cake in comparison.”

“You're not joking, are you?” He asked.

“I wish I was.” I said. “That's not why I'm calling, though.”

“It should be. Something like that could cause a huge ruckus.” He said and sounded completely interested in taking on the government.

I chuckled. “Oh, it is. I'm handling it at the moment. What I want to know has to do with another matter.”

“Well, you've got my interest piqued, so go ahead and tell me. Just be warned that I might not take the case or even give you good advice.”

“Fair enough.” I said and explained the situation with me, Diane, Crystal, and her husband. When I was done, he was quiet for several minutes.

“Are you okay with a bit of underhanded law twisting?” The man asked.

“Are you supposed to ask me questions like that?” I asked, pretty amused that he would incriminate himself so easily.

“Are you supposed to admit to someone you don't know that you're handling federal agencies without using the law?”

I laughed. “Good point, and yes. I'm very okay with underhanded law twisting. That's how they got me into this mess in the first place.”

“With those ground rules, there are a few things you can have done with the mother's permission and a few things you can do without it.” The lawyer said and explained what he meant and let me know what my options were, both legally and not-so-legally. “Although, the first ones are the ones I would normally recommend, your best option might be the second ones.”

“You do realize I don't want to hurt Crystal, don't you?” I asked.

“I'm only looking at ensuring her future, as per your request. If I was looking at the quality of her life and what she might choose to do when she's older, then the options only change slightly and involve parts from both the first and second options.” He said. “It not only gives you some flexibility, it also leaves nearly everyone on good terms.”

“Nearly.” I said.

“We'll be making the husband the target of all the misery, which goes in line with the evidence, and he'll be pretty much thrown under the bus, as the old saying goes.”

“I'm fine with that.” I said. “You don't happen to be busy right now, are you?”

The man chuckled. “Let me guess, you want it done yesterday.”

“Try last year. If I had thought of this then, I could have headed off a lot of this mess.” I said.

“My fees are quite steep, as are my expenses.”

“Is a million dollars enough to get this done?” I asked and the man fell silent. “That's not a joke, by the way. I want you to go in there and represent Diane and get her to sign any papers she needs to.”

“You're serious.” The man said and I could hear the disbelief in his voice. “Do you want some strings pulled to get her out of serving time?”

“Hell, no. She hurt Crystal and she knows she did. It's just that she doesn't feel bad about that, and that doesn't sit right with me at all. For years she's been telling me that everything she's done was for Crystal and that was so much bull. She has to face the consequences of the choices she made.” I said. “In fact, maybe you can talk to the DA and see about getting a plea deal that favors him instead.”

“I'm not normally one to criticize; but, aren't you going a little too far for this little girl that you don't have any real legal claim to?”

“I will do everything I can to protect her.” I said as I looked at the little girl in question. “Out of everyone involved, she's the only one of us who is completely innocent.”

“I understand.” The lawyer said. “Can you get those rings back to be used as evidence of your claim that you intended to become her father?”

“That's not a problem.” I said. “Is there anything else that I need to do besides transfer the money?”

“I believe that your willingness to pay such an outrageous amount to get this done, proves how much you want the best for that little girl, so no. I won't need any more from your end.”

“Great. Thanks a lot.” I said and got his banking information. “I'll call and have it transferred immediately.”

“What about getting Diane out on bail?” The lawyer asked.

“Absolutely not. She's a definite flight risk.” I said, using the detective's words that were relayed to me by Jenny. “I don't want her taking off with Crystal any more than the police do.”

“Good choice. It would look really bad, especially if they pin aiding and abetting a criminal on you.”

“Tell me about it.” I said with a sigh. “I'll call the bank and make you a very happy man in a few minutes. I just hope that you can do the same over the next few days.”

The man chuckled. “I'm going to ignore the innuendo and I'll get right on it.”

I chuckled this time at the swiftly returned innuendo.

“I won't even wait for the transfer confirmation.”

“Hey, that's risky.” I joked and he chuckled again. “Thanks again for believing me.”

“It doesn't matter if I believe you or not. You're paying me for a job and I'll get it done.”

“That's great to hear. I'll talk to you later.”

“I'll keep you updated.” He said and hung up.

I called the bank and the money was transferred over. I even told them the specific wording he quoted to me, that it was money to retain him as a lawyer and not an actual fee, so he got the whole million and didn't have to claim it as income. It was held in trust, almost like insurance, while he did his job.

I was starting to enjoy how many ways there was to screw the government out of collecting taxes.

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