Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction any and all characters are solely from my mind any resemblance to the living is purely coincidental.
This work is copy written by me and may not be downloaded, or electronically moved without my permission
Lives changed 7-B
Once order was restored in the convention center auditorium, Malcolm was more determined than ever to deliver his speech. His face a portrait of pure anger, he walked over to the microphone, grabbed it and yanked it out its mount. Grabbing the microphone Malcolm walked to the front of the stage, looking out over the crowd he could see the look of shock on some of their faces. "Ladies and gentlemen, before I started going to take a few minutes to thank both the Secret Service and the Florida state Highway Patrol for their diligence. I don't know what I have done to any of the people that have set out to hurt me or my family or my friends but I can tell you now as I've said before I will not put up with bullying. I know some friends in Washington are watching tonight and to them I do say thank you I also want them to know that I am very grateful to them for allowing me the use of the Secret Service though it was not my intention to have them. I can tell you all right now that I am mad, but I'm not mad at you Norma mad at my friends that are in Washington or to the Secret Service of the Highway Patrol that are only out to do their jobs as they have been told to, what I am mad at is; the people who will not listen. You all sit before me right now and you hear my words, but do you listen. For the last year students across this nation have been out on a strike, why? The answer is very simple, they want a change to the school policies.
Ladies and gentlemen, this strike could've been over within weeks if the school board that we did have had listen to the students and it followed a judge's order, however the people who sat on the school board they knew better and that they could do what they wanted and now was ignore the students and ignore the law, you can see where that got them. I stand before you today as a contender for the school board but I am not running for seat as a trustee I am running for the seat of chairmanship. I want to see a group of trustees and a chairman that will listen not only to the students but did the teachers and parents as well, I want to see a group on the school board that is my take each and every complaint and thoroughly investigate them. I can tell you should you elect me as the chairman any complaint that comes across my desk will be thoroughly looked at.
We the students of this great nation want to be back in school but not the way it is right now you as parents want us back in school some as it is right now others want the same changes that the students do. So it is up to you the adults, the parents, and even those without children to get out there and I elect a school board that you can trust the school board that will listen.
For over 90 minutes Malcolm paced back and forth across a stage, reaching out to those in the audience, trying to get them to stand behind him in forming a school board that was worthy. As Malcolm paced back and forth speaking, the audience sat there listening intently to what he had to say. Malcolm could see some of them nodding their heads in agreement with him, while others sat there looking bored. By the time his two hours were up Malcolm was tired and so thanking the audience and admonishing them to get out and vote.
As Malcolm started to walk from the stage the audience stood in applause. Tony and Donnie along with Casey and two other state troopers soon had Patrick and Malcolm in the middle of them guiding them to the stairs and out the back door. Richard, Zeke, Aaron along with the Jacobs family were waiting for Patrick and Malcolm in the lobby. Everyone had either a coffee or a can of soda, Robert Jacobs and Zeke were both holding a soda for Malcolm and Patrick, Aaron along with midnight were sitting on the floor at Richard's feet, when he looked up and saw his brother and Patrick coming towards them. Jumping on Aaron took off running and as soon as he was close enough jumped and wrapped his arms and legs around Malcolm giving him a huge hug. "I glad you're safe, I thought that woman was going to hurt you." Aaron said.
"I don't think so little guy, Tony and Donnie wouldn't let that happen." Malcolm said as he hugged his brother.
Once everyone was together and finished their coffee or soda, Tony sent Donnie out to make sure that the bus was out front and ready to move when everyone was loaded. When Donnie came back and said that the bus was warm and ready he got everyone together and with the help of the state troopers everyone was on board the bus and headed back to their hotel. Malcolm once in his room had Zeke take Aaron and together the two should have a shower and get ready for bed explaining to the two that they had had a long day and that tomorrow was going to be even longer, Malcolm also explained to the two that tomorrow they would be going to the football Stadium where their dad was going to make his speech as he started his run to become governor. After the two little boys had had their shower, got into their pajamas Malcolm and Patrick tucked them into bed giving each a kiss on the forehead.
No one gets a chance to sleep in when you have two young boys bouncing on your bed, Malcolm woke up as both Zeke and Aaron jumped on his bed and curled up beside him. "You two turkeys know what time it is?" Malcolm whispered.
"No," Aaron pouted. "Will you teached me pwease?" He asked.
"Okay, I will teach you as we go around on our campaign will that be good enough for you?" Patrick mumbled sleepily.
"Uh huh."
"Good, now how about you to sliding under the covers and letting us sleep for a couple more hours it is only 6 AM." Malcolm giggled.
For Tony and Donnie their night had been totally different, once the two families are back to the hotel and safe, the pair went down to the lobby and into the restaurant where they sat and over coffee talk about what it happened and how to prevent it in the future. For Tony who had just sat down it seemed that his luck with the phone was still holding, as a chirped just as a waitress walked over with their coffee cups. "Marchand." Tony said into his phone.
"Tony, it's Ace." Mason said.
"Ace, if you're calling about what happened at the convention center you'll have a report in the morning. I can tell you this much, both Malcolm and Patrick recognize the woman as their old English teacher. How she was able to get even close to the boys is beyond me. However, I can tell you that the gun was not loaded, for that I have to thank Lieut. Casey Walters because of her doing rounds earlier she'd found it and remove the bullets." Tony stated.
"Why did Lieut. Walters leave the gun?" Ace asked.
"I can't answer that, except to think that she wanted to find out who the purse belonged to, for that I have to agree with her I think it was the right move and it worked. Ace her last name was Rogers, I'm wondering if she is related to that guy that was in Washington that tried to take Malcolm out."
"See if you can get DNA from her, either just by asking her for or by getting a court order. Once you have it have it sent here and I will have Dr. Valez run the tests and see if they match, also can you get a hold of your friend in the Naples Police Department and see if he can get a search warrant for her house we might be able to get a match that way also which would save you a lot of time, time that should be spent guarding Malcolm and Patrick."
"I would go with the search warrant for the house. I can get Sam to do that with no problem, even if I have to speak to Capt. Harris, but I don't think. I will have to go that far, Sam seems to want to do the best he can."
"Okay, its' your call, do what you think is best." Ace said as he hung up.
Finishing his call stared across the table at Donnie, then for the next three hours the two sat there drinking coffee and talking about what it happened, first to what happened to the bus down at the express ramp. Casey Walters and learn the front tire had blown and there was nothing that the driver could do about it. Knowing that Richard Daniels would be speaking at the football Stadium tomorrow afternoon made it hard for the security to keep both family safe. "Tony," Donnie started to say. "You really think that 20 people are to be enough for two families, especially in an open venue like the stadium?"
"You're thinking like I am Donnie, the place is too open, and we know that the families will want to be down close to the stage, so the only option I can see is to have the first three rows empty, but I don't think that it was going to work. I think in the morning I'll ask Lieut. Walters to see if she can get more troopers for the day. I'm also thinking that maybe we should send a couple of the agents ahead of us to check out the places where both Malcolm and his dad will be speaking." Tony replied.
"Won't that leave us short?" Donnie asked.
"Yes and I hate to do that."
"Then why not give Lieut. Walters the list of places that Malcolm and Richard will be speaking and have her send a couple of troopers ahead of us, that way we won't be short our men, and if we need more we get them from the Highway Patrol."
"I'll talk with Lieut. Walters in the morning and see what she says, but I like that idea."
Having slept for two more hours, Malcolm slowly worked his way out of bed and into the shower. Once finished and dressed Malcolm took midnight outside so he could run and do his thing. Outside Malcolm, had four state troopers around him everywhere he went, it was just like at home no freedom. Going inside he saw Lieut. Walters sitting in a coffee shop and decided to walk over and join. "May I sit with you?" Malcolm asked.
"Sure, have a seat. Its Malcolm right?" Lieut. Walters asked.
"Thank you and yes it is." Malcolm answered.
"So tell me Malcolm, is all this because your dad is running for Governor?" Casey asked.
"No it's because of me and Patrick. It seems that Pres. Jacobs likes both of us and wants to keep us healthy, at least that's what they're telling us. When I first met them they were real dickheads, well not so much Tony but the other guy that was what with us, but now he's in jail."
"Wow, you do have friends in high places. So you have the protection because of this school strike?"
"Yeah, but I think I would've had it anyway after being shot at three times, now Tony won't let me go anywhere without wearing a vest now I find the thing hot and uncomfortable."
"Sounds like someone doesn't like you, as for the vest you get used to them, and it could save your life." Casey was going to talk more but then she saw Tony and Donnie walking in and waved them over. Sliding around on the bench Malcolm moved over closer to Casey letting Tony said beside him. "Good morning agents Marchand and Osborne." Casey said.
"Morning to you Lieut. Walters and Malcolm how long have you been up?" Donnie asked.
"Not long, I had a shower then had to take midnight out, and no I wasn't alone, then I saw Casey sitting here so I joined her, and we were just talking when you to came in."
"Okay, you know your friends in Washington would have our heads if anything happened to you."
"Yeah especially Benny." Malcolm laughed.
The four of them were still talking when the Jacobs families followed by Richard Aaron and Zeke walked in. Aaron saw Malcolm and midnight ran over to where he was then knelt down patted midnight and gave him a hug before scooting under the table and snuggling up beside Malcolm. "Where was you, I woke up and you was gone?" Aaron whimpered.
"I just took midnight outside, and then came in here, I wasn't too far away." Malcolm said as he hugged his little brother.
"Oh, but I missed you."
"I missed you too, and I miss you when I have to go away, but I promise you I will never leave you."
"Okay, what's for breakfast I is hungry."
"Well, how about you have some turkey ears?" Malcolm giggled.
"Nu uh, I want some waffles."
"Okay you can have waffles today, but tomorrow for breakfast you have to have some bacon and eggs, how does that sound?"
"Okies."
Miami Florida can be either sweltering hot were pouring rain being on both the Atlantic Coast and the coast of the Gulf of Mexico made the weather there unpredictable. For Ian Stillwater's Miami had being his home since he was a child, so he was used to the weather. For Jamie being in Miami was something totally new to him for he had never been outside of Naples Florida since he had been adopted. Ian and Jamie got along very well on the trip back from Washington the two sat and talked and learned about each other. After dropping Patrick and that Daniel brothers off in Naples, Jamie became very quiet on the drive down to Miami and to Ian's place.
Once in Miami the drive to Ian's place was quick. Having parked Jamie slowly followed Ian into his house through the mud room. Hanging up the coats in showed Jamie to the guest room. "You can put your stuff in that dresser Jamie, then come down to the kitchen I now have something warm to drink, would you like hot chocolate or coffee?" Ian asked.
"Doesn't matter, but hot chocolate sounds good, and thank you Ian."
"For what Jamie?"
"The help, and letting me stay here with you."
The rest of the day the two relaxed, Jamie had gone outside and walked around the yard. Jamie could hear the ocean and taste a saltiness on the air, but that was something he liked. As Jamie was out walking the yard Ian, had gone into the kitchen and started getting dinner ready for the two of them. Beside him was a small TV, which was on the news channel, not that there was anything good, on. Ian was just turning from the counter when the weather report came on. The weather reporter was giving the highs and lows for the day and then she started talking about a letter from building just off the coast of Bermuda. Forecasters along the coast are predicting winds up to 120 mph with rainfall estimated at 5 inches. Forecasters had yet to name this buildup sincerely don't know which way that it will go. We are asking you to stay tuned to this channel for further updates.
Ian was just about to leave the kitchen when Jamie came in asking if there was anything he could do to help. Ian had told him there was nothing he needed to do as dinner was almost ready so he should go wash up and come back he would have the table set and then they could talk some more. As Jamie was washing his hand the phone rang so Ian grabbed it, "Stillwater's. Ian answered.
"Mr. Stillwater's this is Zeke, can I speak to Jamie please?" Zeke asked.
"Sure thing little guy, just hang on he's washing his hands." Ian answered, "Jamie phone's for you."
"Who is it?" Jamie asked.
"It's Zeke."
"Okay I'm coming.
For 20 minutes Jamie and Zeke talked on the phone before Ian called Jamie for dinner. At the dinner table Ian could see a change had come over Jamie after talking with little Zeke, it was better than the quiet ride that had occurred from Naples to Miami. Over the next three days Jamie settled in helping Ian with cutting the grass and cleaning the place up all the while keeping an eye on the news and weather reports. It was on the fourth day that is Jamie got out of bed he could hear the wind outside and some banging at the back of the house. Quickly dressing Jamie went out back and saw Ian nailing boards up over the windows. "Do you need a hand?" Jamie asked.
"Sure you can hold the plywood as I nail them, that way we can get done faster and have breakfast." Tony said with a grin.
"Are you doing all the windows?" Jamie asked.
"Yes all of them including the ones in the front. We will have to use a ladder or two to do the upstairs windows, but we can do them after breakfast."
"But won't that make those dark?"
"It is better than those be dark then we have flying glass and branches and rocks flying through the house, don't you think?"
"I guess so."
By 10 o'clock the main floor windows had been covered, so that you went in to the kitchen had coffee and breakfast and watched the weather, the news reports were not good as winds along the coast of Florida were starting to pick up. After cleaning up the kitchen in sent Jamie out to the garage to grab the two ladders that were leaning against the back wall explaining to Jamie that they had to be set up in the front of the house so they could do those windows first, Ian explained that this way they wouldn't have to fight the wind in the got any stronger if they had done the back first. Ian was just about to step outside when his cell phone chirped. Seeing that it was Tony, Ian stood just inside the front door and answered. "What's up Tony?" Ian asked as he pulled the phone to his ear.
"I got a call this morning from FBI agent Tyrone Jackson, he's looking for another witness to back up what he has to say and the evidence that he is gathered. The only person I could think of was Jamie, since he has read the book and heard what his foster father said do this Brady character. Now I'm wondering what do you think, is Jamie of viable witness?" Tony asked.
"Honestly, I don't know, have you talked to Rich Mason, he and Donnie were the ones that spoke to Jamie when he was at the White House? I will talk to Jamie see if I can learn anything more than I will get back to you soon as I can. Right now both Jamie and I are covering up our windows we have a hurricane coming towards us, so we might even have to leave, if we do leave I cannot see me bringing Jamie back in Naples be too much of a risk for him." Ian stated firmly
"I agree on the risk factor for Jamie, so if you do have to leave let me know and I'll see if I can find a place for you two to stay. I will also talk to Rich Mason see what he has to say also see if the Secret Service will cover a hotel room and meals for you two, but I can't promise anything, I will get back to you." Tony replied trying to hide the concern in his voice.
"Okay, you do that, and if we do have to leave I will phone you or Donnie and let you know."
With all windows cover the inside of the house was totally dark. Tony had started the fire in the fireplace and with the few lamps on the house had an eerie atmosphere. Tony was in the basement taking out camping lamps and sleeping bags just in case the power went out. Tony it also dug out the old camp stove and barbecue. While he was doing that he had Jamie checked the back porch to see if there were any charcoal briquettes and enough firewood to keep the place warm.
Jamie had been through some hurricanes before, when they came through, so he wasn't too worried, but as the day slowly went by and the winds started to pick up, Ian made the suggestion that they make ready to move away from the area. "Why it isn't going to be that bad is it?" Jamie asked as he glanced at the little TV on the counter.
"Honestly I don't know Jamie, but we should be prepared, plus Tony called and asked if I thought you would be a witness in court for the D.A's office, seems like they need some other person besides the FBI agent they have." Tony said as he stared at Jamie.
"Well they have the book right so why do they need me?"
"As far as I know they just need someone to back up what he and the book says, I told Tony that I would ask."
"Oh, so do I have to be there, I don't know if that would be good."
"I know it wouldn't be good, it would put your life in serious danger, but I know that we would have you protected. I want you to think about it okay?"
"Okay."
That night after dinner as the two were sitting listening to the winds and getting some reports from the TV. Ian made the choice that they were going to leave, and that it was going to be right then. So telling Jamie to go back a few clothes and what else he might need, Ian himself went and got his bag together. Jamie had just come back from his room when there came a crashing sound and the plywood and window in the front room broke, scattering glass all over the carpet.
"Ian!" Jamie hollered.
"Its' okay Jamie, let's go before anything else breaks." Ian Replied as he shoved Jamie out the front door and towards the car.
"You don't have to tell me twice." Jamie replied as he ran towards the car.
Getting out of Miami was a headache, as it seemed like everyone was leaving at the same time. Traffic was at a crawl. The wipers were barely able to keep up with the onslaught of rain as Ian drove up I-95 and hopefully away from the storm.
They had just past Hollywood Florida and were turning onto I-75 when the news reported that the hurricane had been upgraded to a category four and that everyone was advised to take shelter as the winds were said to be picking up and there was a strong possibility that the storm could reach a five within the next few hours.
For Ian and Jamie that meant that they would just barely make Naples before the storm really hit. Ian was doing his best not to show he was worried, but with the wind picking up, he was wondering if they would even make it when he saw the sign for Naples. Smiling to himself Ian drove into the city. Ian was just about to head over to the Daniel's house when the Naples police stopped him. "Excuse me sir, but we are sending everyone over to the high schools for their own safety." The officer told him.
"Thank you officer, can you tell me where they are?" Ian asked.
"The closest would be the Naples high school, just three blocks down and turn right, it is half a block down on your left side." The officer told Ian as he pointed the way. Jamie was back in Naples and he didn't feel good about it, but he had to be in court to help Malcolm, so he just accepted the fact, though the storm was raging outside, but the one in Jamie's stomach seemed worse.
To Be Continued.
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