Radiant Surrender (CSA Case Files Book 6) (17 page)

Jessie wasn’t sure if Townes was being a gentleman in telling her to wait for him to open her door or if he thought there might be a slight chance she was still in danger. Although it wasn’t like the FBI would shoot her on sight. She took the few extra moments for some deep breathing exercises and by the time he had her door open, she felt relatively calm—in a manner of speaking.

“Shouldn’t you park the car?” Jessie asked, wondering if Townes was just going to leave her here. If that was the case she could have just driven her own car. She had very important things to do after this meeting. First and foremost, she needed to get to her parents’ house to look for Uncle John’s information. She was now standing beside Townes, although she had to tilt her head to meet his dark gaze, which seemed filled with humor. She didn’t find that funny in the least. “You know, Townes…you aren’t my favorite person right now.”

Townes didn’t reply, but instead he placed a hand on her lower back and guided her around the door to where he could shut it. He then proceeded to lead her up the three cement steps and even held the door open for her as she stepped inside. She noticed Lou Moser right away with his Ferrari Luxury Collection black leather briefcase. CSA had used him numerous times for clients that were in need of his considerable expertise and normally she would have been the one to contact him. He had that kid in a candy store look when it came to his cars and everything Ferrari. He’d been waiting on the delivery of his latest acquisition, a 458 Italia Coupe, the last time she’d seen him in the CSA offices. He smiled her way and it was only then that she realized he’d been talking to someone. Gavin looked over his shoulder and the small sob that jolted her chest came as a complete surprise.

Before Jessie knew what had happened Gavin had her wrapped in his tight embrace. She wound her arms around his neck and as his warmth invaded every part of her being, she was finally able to let go. She hadn’t realized that she’d had so much pent up emotion or that he was the only one who could open the dam. She’d always had to be the strong one in her family and she’d carried that over into her friendships and relationships. It was nice to have someone to lean on, but that didn’t mean he got to choose the when and where.

“I am so mad at you,” Jessie whispered into the collar of his pristine shirt as she tightened her hold on him. She didn’t keep anything inside although she’d lowered her voice so Lou and Townes couldn’t hear. “You should have been the one to tell me that everything had been cleaned up, either in person or by phone. You should have—”

“Look at me.” Jessie would admit that Gavin’s directive sent a few tingles through her abdomen, although she wasn’t letting go of the resentment quite yet. She pulled slightly away and she would have wiped her tears away had he not beat her to it. He waited to say something else until she her gaze connected with his. “If it had been humanly possible for me to be the one to tell you, I would have. Considering how long we’ve known each other I’m disappointed that you don’t realize that. You need to understand that just because your part in this is over my reputation and career are still at stake here. I had meetings with certain government officials in Washington DC who don’t take no for an answer even from me…and I can respect that, especially when dealing with the explosive intelligence we are sitting on.”

“Way to make me feel better,” Jessie murmured, looking down at his silk tie and then bringing her fingers down to feel the smooth fabric. He’d put her in her place and she sure as hell didn’t like the fact that he thought she had little faith in him. She hadn’t proved it today, but she had a relatively good reason to be emotionally unstable. She still knew what she had to do so that this wouldn’t come between them. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions.”

“We’ll have time to discuss things fully at a later date.” Crest brushed a thumb across her cheek, capturing one more tear. She took a trembling breath but she had every confidence she could handle anything thrown her way now that he was by her side. Could he feel what she did? Did Gavin sense the growing connection between them as they stood side by side? She straightened and braced herself when he turned both of them to face her parents’ lawyer. “Lou, Jessie’s ready to see her mother and father.”

Chapter Sixteen

J
essie tightened her hand on Gavin’s fingers as she walked into a cold, sterile room that contained only one table and four chairs. Her parents were seated on one side in matching prison garb and although Lou took one of the vacant seats, she remained standing. Her heart broke for how defeated and ashamed her mother appeared. The woman who’d raised her appeared haggard and when she saw Jessie, she put a hand to her trembling lips but was unable to prevent what sounded like a small cry from escaping. Jessie’s father reached for her mother’s other hand and held it tightly. He straightened his shoulders and tried to seem stoic. He failed miserably.

“Are you okay?” Jessie asked, startling herself when it was in a voice that resembled that of a very young girl again. She felt Gavin behind her and when he positioned himself in the corner, she felt her confidence begin to climb. She was a grown woman. He wouldn’t leave her to deal with this herself though and his support meant everything to her right now. He’d already explained how they got special permission to use this room and that she wasn’t allowed to touch them in any manner, so she refrained from holding out her hand. “I would have been here sooner and I won’t waste our time explaining why, but please know I would have been here if I had been able to.”

“Jessica, we tried explaining to Mr. Moser that we can’t afford his services—” Donald Miller stopped where he was going with his thoughts as if he couldn’t stomach telling her the truth. He was a proud man and saying aloud that he didn’t have the money was almost too much for him. “We’re not proud of what we’ve done. We were young, idealistic for the views of our country, and we thought we were doing the right thing back then. That all changed when…”

Lou had coughed and then signaled that certain things shouldn’t be discussed in this room. Jessie understood as well, but there were things she needed to say to her parents. Gavin had already relayed the statement they’d given and what they had said to Lou. It was her turn to talk and she swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat in order to speak.

“There’s no reason to explain anything right now,” Jessie said as she tried to convey her understanding. Well, she truly couldn’t fathom how they had kept everything from her, how they could have wanted to aid the Soviet Union in obtaining information that would hurt the United States—her home—but that would have to wait for another time. “I need you to know that Lou is going to do everything he can for you.”

“There’s nothing to help us with, honey,” Julia said, her voice still trembling from holding back her tears. “What we did…we had a very good life here and we were able to raise two beautiful daughters. We were given that time with you and Sarah in a country that offered freedom and so much more than you could possibly know. We raised you the best we could and we were blessed with a wonderful family for many years. We love you more than you could ever imagine, Jessica. But it’s time for us to face the penalties for the crimes that we committed. All we can ask is for your forgiveness and for you to remember your childhood surrounded in the love that we did our best to provide for you and your sister.”

Jessie’s chest literally hurt for her parents, especially when her father put his head down and squeezed his eyes shut to prevent his own tears from flowing. It was as if he was now a broken man and there wasn’t any way she could put him back together. Her mother seemed almost resigned, which was so unlike the optimistic woman who’d raised her.

“Jessica, you’ll need to take care of your sister from now on,” Donald said, clearing his throat a few times before he was able to get all the words out. The concern in his green eyes, so much like hers, was as prevalent as the ticking clock on the wall. They were running out of time and she needed to somehow let them know what she was planning. “Sarah isn’t as strong as you. She refuses to believe the charges against us, even though we told her repeatedly yesterday that it was all true.”

“Don’t worry about Sarah,” Jessie assured them, almost having reached across the table to touch her father’s hand again. Lou’s fingers on her arm stopped her and she brought her arm back against her side. She inhaled deeply and watched her parents’ features as she threw out her next words. “I’ll also let Uncle John know what’s happened. I’m sure Sarah has been too busy to do so.”

Her father’s eyes widened but he was intelligent enough to remain quiet. Jessie glanced at her mother, who appeared more frightened by her message than anything else. Jessie wasn’t sure if what she was doing was the right thing, but she couldn’t stand back and watch her parents spend the rest of their lives behind bars. Seeing them in these prison uniforms had made her want to curl up in a ball and cry. She didn’t have that luxury right now and she wondered what Gavin’s reaction to what she had planned would be. She’d need his help to pull it off, but would he be willing to bend the law to help two people who had originally set out to betray his motherland?

“Lou, what happens now?” Jessie asked, feeling better now that her mother and father knew of her plans. She focused on the lawyer, knowing he wouldn’t pull any punches. “If my parents plead guilty, will there even be a trial?”

“No, but let’s not put the cart before the horse. Even if we were to plead them guilty, a sentencing hearing will have to take place and the prosecution is still required to present an abbreviated version of their case in order for the court to consider the evidence and circumstances. Our first appearance hasn’t been scheduled on the court’s docket as of yet, but I’ll let you know the date and time after I’ve received the court’s initial schedule to hear the pleas as well as waiting for word from the prosecution concerning any plea deals we might want to consider.” Lou raised an arm and looked at his watch, silently indicating they’d run out of time. “I’ve been very upfront with your parents, Jessie. I’ll tell you the same thing—their crimes of espionage are not going to be taken lightly. The sentence will likely be life in prison, although that could change if the Russian government intervenes at some point. It’s highly unlikely considering they won’t want their fingerprints anywhere near this scenario.”

Lou’s opinion only hammered in the fact that Jessie needed to quickly get in contact with Uncle John. She should drop the man’s title, but it had been engrained in her from the time she was a little girl. Lou stood up first and it wasn’t until she felt Gavin’s hand on her back did she realize that she was still staring at her parents and wishing she could feel their arms around her one more time.

“We love you both, honey. It’s still the framework of our family and no one can take that away from us.”

It looked as if her father wanted to say more but thought better of it. Jessie was sure he would have told her not to contact Uncle John and risk her own freedom, but she couldn’t sit back and do nothing. A uniformed officer entered from the door behind her parents and nodded a signal at Lou indicating their time was over before escorting her mother and father out of the room. The last thing she saw before the door closed behind them was her mother being separated from her father as the prison matron took charge of her inmate.

“I didn’t tell them I love them,” Jessie whispered, just now realizing that she hadn’t spoken after her father’s declaration. She turned to Gavin, hoping he’d be able to do something. “Gavin, I didn’t—”

“They know how you feel. We’re very fortunate that we were given this room and the time to visit them considering the circumstances.” Gavin spoke softly while lightly stroking her back in reassurance. “You’ll have a chance to speak with them again, but not right away.”

“We need to—”

“Not here.” Gavin cut Jessie off, causing her to realize that this wasn’t the place or time. She would have to wait until they were out in the vehicle. The thought made her wonder whatever happened to Townes and if he were still here. If Gavin thought she was going back to Minneapolis with anyone other than him he was sorely mistaken. “Lou, please keep us updated. Bill any expenses directly to my personal account.”

“I have money in savings,” Jessie protested, not wanting Gavin to think she had interest in his money. She would pay for her parents’ lawyer, even if it would leave her penniless. She halted when Gavin tried to guide her out the door. “I can pay my mother and father’s bills.”

“This entire situation originated because of CSA’s connection to Ryland. I’ll pick up the tab and that’s final. We’re not arguing over something as petty as money.”

“It’s not like they aren’t guilty, Gavin.” Jessie hated to make that admission and she finally confessed to an underlying anger she felt at her parents for having done such a thing. Lou was already out the door and she slowly followed behind, Gavin’s hand still on her lower back. “You paying money for crimes they committed seems rather—”