Chapter Ten
Jameson knocked on the door of the shabby house on the outskirts of Corpus Christi. The home needed a new roof, one side lacked siding, and the air conditioner rattled as if it were on its last legs.
It took a few minutes before an older woman answered the door. “May I help you?”
“Hello. I called earlier. I’m Jameson, and I wanted to speak with Mr. Bates,” he said nervously.
The older woman moved aside, allowing him in.
“Thomas is watching his TV shows. I'm sure he’ll be thrilled at having a visitor. I’m Nancy. I’ve taken care of him for the past six years. I don’t recall ever meeting you before,” she said, taking him to the back of the house.
“No. We’ve never met. I knew his daughter,” he explained as she led him into a tiny room where a man sat in a recliner with a blanket across his lap.
The elderly man glanced up from watching television and put on his glasses. Jameson stepped forward.
“Hello, Mr. Bates,” he said, extending his hand. “I’m Jameson. It’s nice to meet you.”
The man shook his hand. “You called me earlier. Have a seat, young man. Nancy won’t bring me any whiskey, but if you have a hankering for a drink, I’m able to oblige you.”
“A whiskey sounds good right about now,” he said, making the man smile.
Nancy frowned, but she left them and returned a few minutes later with a decanter and a glass for Jameson. She eyed Mr. Bates and pointed her finger. “Don’t try anything.”
“Yes, dear,” he said, winking. “Why don’t you go to the store and pick up the items for dinner? Maybe a nice piece of salmon or whitefish,” he suggested.
“We still must make it through the month. It’s chicken or hamburger,” Nancy said, giving him his choices.
“If you don’t mind, what I have to say may take a little time. I appreciate you allowing me to visit. Please let me pay for dinner. How about we order out and give Nancy a break? I’m in the mood for a nice steak and mashed potatoes,” Jameson said, hoping he didn’t offend them.
“You’re my guest,” Mr. Bates exclaimed. “I can’t allow you to pay for us.”
“Yes, sir, you can. I must explain why I came to see you, and then you’ll know why I owe you much more than a steak dinner,” he said, keeping his gaze on the older man.
Piquing his interest, the man nodded. “Nancy. Call Eduardos. They make the best steak. I can’t tell you when I last enjoyed it. I hope it still lives up to my expectations.”
Jameson pulled out his wallet and handed her cash. “Please use this to cover the meals. Order us all a dessert. I’m hoping when I finish, Mr. Bates will want to celebrate.”
“You know it won’t be cheap?” Nancy asked, eyeing him suspiciously.
“It doesn’t matter. Order what you wish,” he encouraged.
A few minutes later, Jameson heard the back door open and close as Nancy went to retrieve their meals.
“All right, son, she’s gone. Pass me the decanter and let me fill my coffee cup. She thinks my health will change if I abstain from alcohol. Every now and again, the taste of a good whiskey comes in handy. For some reason, I’m guessing I’ll need it by the time you tell me why you’re here.”
“What I’m about to tell you might sound insane, but I promise you, it’s all true.” Jameson licked his lips and struggled with how to tell the man about Caroline.
“It’s all right, son. If it’s the truth, then everything will work out in the end,” he assured him, taking a sip of the whiskey and settling into his chair.
“I’m here to discuss your daughter, Caroline. Recent events brought you to my attention, and I need to tell you a few things. I’m Jameson Stanton. My father killed your wife, and until yesterday, I believed he murdered you, too.”
“You’re the half son,” Mr. Bates whispered, holding his hand to his chest.
“Will you be all right? Maybe I should wait until Nancy returns?” Jameson asked, thinking this might not be such a bright idea.
“If you’re here telling me this, then you’re either stupid or the opposite of James Stanton, a damn evil man,” Mr. Bates said. “Since you know my story, you must call me Thomas.”
“I don’t know everything. Only what I’ve found out recently,” he admitted quietly.
“I asked a friend of mine to investigate you to ensure you weren’t part of my father’s organization.
He cleared you and your wife. From what I understand, you discovered something about my father while you worked as an accountant.
The following day, the bas—sorry, my father came to your home and made you call your daughter, Caroline, to return home. ”
“I worked for James for six years. While going through some files of my colleague who passed, I discovered a ledger with codes. It took me two days to crack it. I thought my partner embezzled from Mr. Stanton, and I didn’t want my business to suffer,” he informed Jameson.
“Your partner fixed the books,” Jameson guessed.
“He made different ones, yes. When I cracked the code, I realized Mr. Stanton trafficked people. I believe he killed my partner. His men searched the office for the records and didn’t find them.
I hid the evidence and returned home to tell my wife.
When I arrived, he held a gun to her head.
I knew if I gave him what he wanted, he’d kill us both and leave my lovely daughter to discover us. ”
Jameson took a healthy swig of the whiskey, letting it hit his stomach.
“I explained I found no records except for a small book and played ignorant. My wife, Anna, however, panicked. In my rush to protect my family, I gave myself away. James knew what I discovered immediately. He gave me two options. Either hand over the ledgers and go quietly with them, or they’d kill Caroline on the spot.
They even showed us a picture of her talking to her friends. ”
“It’s not much of a choice,” Jameson said quietly.
“No. My poor Anna begged James to let her call Caroline home. I knew then I needed to wait to see my daughter one last time before I went with them. James knew he must kill me to keep the truth of his dealings. My precious girl rushed inside, and Anna panicked when she saw the expression on James’ face.
She begged me to tell him where I hid the books.
As soon as his eyes landed on my daughter, I knew he had changed his mind.
Anna shielded Caroline, hoping to remind James of our deal, but the evil man shot my poor Anna.
I rushed to protect Caroline when he shot me in both knees.
He took our little girl,” Thomas said, his voice shaking with grief.
“I’m surprised he left you alive,” Jameson murmured.
“He said he did it to remind me of his power. If I told a soul, he’d make Caroline pay.
I searched the world for her, and now I’ve made my peace with her death.
I lost Anna to cancer four years ago. By some miracle, she survived the shooting, always hoping Caroline would walk through those doors again.
We spent the last years of our lives suspended in time, waiting for a daughter who’d never come with our grandchildren.
Nancy has filled the last years of my life with companionship, but I’m waiting to die to see my wife and little girl again. ”
“My father was a cruel man, Thomas.” Jameson said, shaking his head. “I’m sorry your family suffered because of him.”
“You keep apologizing. If I must guess, you’re not too much older than my Caroline. Such an innocent and young age to take on the sins of your father,” Thomas advised. “His actions went beyond our control. I’ll always regret finding those ledgers.”
“When Phillip died, James turned his attention to me. He blamed another woman for his misfortunes. All my life, I wanted to feel accepted, and he never gave me a second thought until he lost his first son. I almost followed his path. When I discovered his lies, he shot me in the stomach. It took me a year to recover.”
“Better a year than pushing up daisies,” Thomas replied. “I bet it hurt like hell.”
“It did, sir. When I healed, I took a job here in Texas. I locate trafficking victims. I know this may come as a shock to you, but I discovered your daughter, Caroline,” he said, pausing to let the older man absorb the news.
“You’ve…seen my daughter? My Caroline?” His eyes filled with tears. “Tell me, son, this isn’t a cruel joke.”
“It’s not, Thomas,” he assured him. Jameson pulled out his phone and showed him a couple of snapshots of Caroline. One of her laughing with Riley and another of her sleeping.
“Oh, my sweet heavens,” the man exclaimed. “Where is she?”
“My team rescued her with some other survivors. She’s in a safe place. It’s for her safety. Caroline believes you’re dead. She’s recuperating from a bout of pneumonia and injuries she sustained before we arrived.”
“When can I see my little girl?” he asked, his hands trembling.
“I’ll bring her to you,” he offered. “I needed to know you’ll take care of her.
She suffers from nightmares, but she’s feisty.
It’s taken me a couple of weeks to locate you.
Caroline has a group of women watching over her.
I’m guessing she’ll have a very strong personality by the time they’re done.
But she has a vulnerable side, too. I can’t leave her without knowing you’ll ensure she attends therapy.
Of course, she’ll never want for anything. ”
“Son, you have given me a gift. I never thought to lay eyes on her again,” he sobbed. “When will you bring her?”
“I’ll return this weekend. She doesn’t know who I am, or rather, who my father was.
This weekend, she’s attending a wedding.
After the celebration, I can bring her. She’s made some good friends, and it’s important for her to have some normality.
My team conducts background checks on everyone.
I’ve delved into your financials, and I know you lost your home due to medical bills.
I’ve secured a place for you. It’s a ranch home with a pool.
You’ll no longer have to attend therapy at the community center.
A therapist will work with you daily. From now on, I’ll take care of Nancy’s pay. ”
Thomas took a healthy swig of his whiskey. “Nancy must be right. This whiskey has me hearing things.”
“I assure you, I plan to make this up to you. I can’t bring your wife back, but I won’t let you lose any more time with Caroline. She’s getting help, and I need the counselor’s approval before I can spring this on her. I hope you understand.”
Thomas gazed at his coffee cup for a long time before he peered at Jameson. “You love my daughter, don’t you?”
This time, Jameson took a healthy swig. “I met her some months ago while searching for someone else. Your daughter risked her life to get information to me. When I found her, she stabbed a man when he tried to hurt another woman. Caroline’s the bravest woman I know.”
“And you love her, yes?” Thomas pressed.
“Yes, I do. Unfortunately, I’m James Stanton’s son. Once she discovers this, she won’t want to have anything to do with me,” he confessed. “Promise me you’ll never tell her what I’ve done for you. And you’ll call if she needs anything, no matter how small.”
“Will you continue to pay for your father’s sins?” Thomas asked. “What will you do when you realize nothing can change what your father has done to these people. It’s not your fault, Jameson. Forgive yourself, son. Living a life of guilt will slowly kill you.”
“It already has,” he admitted. “If you need anything, you only need to call. The movers will arrive in the morning. If you don’t like your accommodations, I will find new ones. This area’s not safe.”
“You’re a good man, Jameson. I fear you’re lost. Don’t let your father ruin your life, too,” Thomas said softly. “Thank you, son. Will you visit me after this move?”
“Unfortunately, I can’t. Caroline’s happiness comes before all else.
You’ll receive a packet tomorrow. Please take it with my blessing,” he said, rising.
“I can’t stay for dinner. I’ll call you before I bring her.
” Jameson pulled out a card with his information on it.
“You can text me at this number. Don’t tell Caroline about any of this.
She deserves a second chance at happiness, even if it won’t be with me. ”
“As you say, Caroline’s happiness comes first,” Thomas agreed. “What about yours, son?”
“I can live with myself if I know she comes out of this on the other side.” Jameson shook Thomas’ hand and left.
He turned the truck toward Embers and thought about how to tell Caroline the truth. In all the scenarios, he couldn’t think of one in which she’d feel safe in the arms of James Stanton’s son.