Chapter 16: The Protector

Back at the bullpen, mid-morning

Bobby: Jack, I think you’re going to want to hear this. (smile)

Jack: What have you got? (smile)

Bobby: You were right on about Simon Stewart. Four women who dated him filed complaints against him for assault and battery. One of the women also told the police that Simon push her head underwater in her hot tub. I got this from my contact down in Florida. It seems the local authorities buried all the charges against Simon.

D: That could be the arsenal you need to take down Simon Stewart. (smile)

Myles: It would certainly help Renee except she still has to return to Florida on charges of kidnapping. There is no way around that, despite her good intentions for taking Kim.

Bobby: There’s more. A witness claims he saw Simon Stewart abusing his daughter on several occasions. The report goes on to say, that Simon twisted Kim’s arm, used her as a punching bag, shoved and kicked her. Once he even locked her in a closet because she wouldn’t stop crying out for her mommy.

Jack: That is our trump card. Quick, use any resources you have to find that witness. If he or she will corroborate what Bobby just told us, then Renee has a whole new case against Simon. (megawatt smile)

Bobby: Don’t worry, mate. We are going to make sure Grace and Renee stay together. Anyone who beats up women and children deserve to be hanged in my opinion. (smile)

D: I second that notion. But this time Renee has people on her side who believe her story. Simon Stewart is going down. (smile)

Myles: But what if daddy dearest helps his son out of another jam. Roger Stewart has clout and friends in high places. He could easily bribe a judge to dismiss any credible charges we bring against his son.

Jack: I hate to say this but Myles may be right. We don’t have a smoking gun. What we need is hard physical evidence; irrefutable proof that Simon in fact murdered his wife. We are running out of time. (frustrated expression on his handsome face)

Bobby: Now would be time for a hail merry pass.

Four hours later, back at the bullpen

Jack: I have to arrest Renee, I can’t stall any longer.

Bobby: Do you want me to arrest her, maybe that would be easier on you?

Jack: Thanks buddy. But she’s my responsibility; I have to do this by the book.

Lucy: Jack, pick up line 2. A Mr. Jacob Jamison says he needs to speak with you. He has information that could help Renee.

Jack: Mr. Jamison, where have I heard that name before? Put him through, Lucy. Jack thinking: We may have found our ace in the hole. At least I hope so.

Mr. Jamison tells Jack that he knew Renee Becky Cabot. She was a very nice lady and a good newscaster. And he used to live next door to Simon Stewart. He goes on to say; “I have kept a terrible secret for so long. My wife didn’t want me to say anything. She had a stroke so I did not want to upset her. She was fearful that I would get hurt or worse if Simon Stewart found out what I knew”.

Jack: Mr. Jamison, I want you to start from the beginning. What can you tell me about Simon Stewart?

Mr. Jamison: I heard him and his wife arguing the night she died. At the time I didn’t know what was going on. I peeked through the hedge that separates my house from his. I saw him slap his wife. She tried to fight back but he was too strong. Then he pushed her into the pool. She must have hit her head pretty hard because I heard her cry out in pain. More slaps and bad language was said. Simon jumped in the pool and pushed her head underwater. Then I heard nothing. I wanted to call the police but my wife told me not to get involved. I did call for an ambulance but they got there too late to save Charlotte.

Jack: Mr. Jamison, are you sure of your account and would you be willing to testify in court on Renee Becky Cabot’s behalf? (megawatt smile)

Mr. Jamison: Yes. I am sure. I would gladly testify for Renee. I should have come forward sooner. But I am ready now because my wife has passed on. She died 15 months ago. I tried to contact Renee but could not find out where she was living. But I also remember her telling me about a friend who works for the FBI she had met him long ago. She beamed with pride and something else when she talked about him. She showed me a picture of Special Agent Jack Hudson. And that’s why I called you today. (smile)

Jack: Thank you for calling me. Did you happen to see Simon abuse Kim at any point after Charlotte was killed?

Mr. Jamison: Yes. I did. He used to leave Kim all alone in that big house. My wife and I like to open the windows so fresh air can come in. I often heard him yelling at her if she doesn’t do what he tells her to do, she will get a whipping. And I saw him shake her one day. Other times, I heard slaps and Kim screaming.

Kim would show up with cuts and bruises on her face. Simon would shrug it off and dismiss the bruises by saying she is a tomboy so she gets hurt a lot. There was another time, when she came over to my house to play with my granddaughter, Rachel. Her shirt was very dirty, so my wife got her cleaned up. But when she pulled the shirt over Kim’s head, she saw long red marks on her back. The next time I saw Kim; her arm was in a sling. My wife didn’t want me to get involved but I could not stand by any longer. I knew he would hurt his daughter again. So I called Renee and told her what I knew. She drove over that night and ran off with Kim. She did a very brave and selfless act. Something only a mom or dad who would give up their own life in order to save their little one would be able to do.

Jack: Did you see what Simon did after he killed Charlotte? Was there any evidence that Simon would want to get rid of that night? (hopeful smile)

Mr. Jamison: Wait a minute. I did see Simon early the following morning. He was digging something into the garden. It was Charlotte’s favorite pastime. I wonder at the time what the heck he was doing but was too afraid to ask. Does what I told you help Renee at all?

Jack: Yes. Mr. Jamison you have been a huge help. I am confident we can vindicate Renee. One last question, is there anything else you want to tell me? (megawatt smile)

Mr. Jamison: Just that I know I will see my beautiful Alice in heaven. And I will go to court and tell the judge how much Renee loves Kim. She is a wonderful mother, no child could ask for a better parent. I truly believe that. (smile)

Jack: I believe you are right. Thanks again, Mr. Jamison. I look forward to meeting with you in person. I will call you to let you know when you are needed in court. Bye. (megawatt smile)

Bobby: Well, you’re smiling. That must mean your conversation with Mr. Jamison yielded some excellent information. (smile)

Jack: Oh yeah. We have Simon Stewart right where we want him. Bobby, do you think you can contact your friend in Florida and have them obtain a search warrant? (megawatt smile)

Bobby: Sure. But why do you need a search warrant? (smile)

Jack: Because I think Simon buried something that belongs to Charlotte in her garden so nobody would ever find it. It may be the hard physical evidence we need to indict Simon on first degree murder. I want you to get cadaver dogs to search the garden, the backyard, and the patio. (megawatt smile)

Myles: What would he want to bury in a garden? (perplexed expression)

Jack: That’s what I want to know. Bobby, call me when you get new evidence. Right now I’m late for a meeting. (megawatt smile and raise eyebrows)

D: Good luck. Tell Renee we are all rooting for her. (smile)