"Luke, Andi - what a surprise. We weren't expecting you. Come in!" Linda sounds genuinely excited to see us and rushes to embrace each of us. I hug her but my eyes never leavethebastard's.
Linda tries to pull me into the room but my feet feel like they've been cemented to the floor. "Let me introduce you to another surprise guest - this must be our day for company," Linda continues, ever the polite host.
Behind me, I feel Luke tense, like a snake coiled and ready to strike. Only he's about to strike at the worst serpent I know. I finally move into the room but I will not sit and pretend this man has done nothing. Luke and I are both openly starting at Jackson as he finishes his conversation with Sam.
"I've selfishly taken enough of your time today, Sam. You and Linda have been too kind to indulge my unannounced visit. Please accept my apologies. I should be going and let you enjoy some family time," Jackson's political charm and wit oozes out of every pore but I know what filth it really is.
Sam and Linda object to his apology and urge him to stay longer to talk with us. Jackson knows better, though. I can see it in his eyes and he can see it in mine. He's not willing to risk being exposed right now. He must not have his plan fully vetted yet - whatever it is no doubt involves Luke and his family now.The supposed press conference he was supposed to hold today must have been a ruse to distract me because he is definitely not in DC to answer questions.
Jackson stands, moves towards me and his body language says he's about to extend his arm to shake my hand. I recoil from his close proximity while at the same time Luke steps in front of me to block his attempt. Jackson's brows furrow and his face registers his uneasiness about the whole situation. Sam and Linda watch us curiously as Jackson says his goodbyes. Sam walks him out and Linda turns to Luke and me with her eyebrows raised in a silent question.
Luke's arms are crossed over his massive chest and he's still in his fighting stance. He hasn't come down from the adrenaline high yet. His eyes are hard and his jaw is set as he says, "Wait until Dad gets back." Linda nods in agreement and offers us a drink. As tempting as that sounds, I don't really think now is the time.
Sam returns to the living room just in time to keep Luke from wearing a path in the hardwood floor from his pacing. Luke wastes no time with idle chit-chattery, "What in the hell washedoing here, Dad?"
Sam looks stunned and asks, "Do you know whoheis, son?" His authoritative tone says he thinks he knows something we don't.
"We know who he is, Mr. Woods. How do you know him?" I blurt out. This is the first time I've spoken to them since that horrible dayat the lawyer’s office and I have to admit I'm having a harder time with it than I thought I would. Especially since Satan was just a guest here.
Sam looks taken aback but stammers out an answer, "Well, we don't really know him, Andi. He was a politician here for a long time before moving up in the DC world. He said he's trying to get back to his grassroots beginnings. He heard about the development deal I have with Donovan and wanted to work with me on improving economic conditions in Georgia."
"So theSpeaker of the Housejust showed up here, at your house, out of the blue, to talk about a real estate development deal you have withsomeone else?" I am more than skeptical and it's obvious in my pissed off tone of voice.
Sam looks confused for a second but then reality seems to dawn on him. "It does seem strange when you put it that way. Why do you ask?"
"Dad, you better have a seat," Luke says flatly. He knows this is going to be a long discussion.
After two hours of telling, retelling, repeating, explaining and generally regurgitating every detail of the whole sordid mess, Sam and Linda sit speechless for several long minutes. Sam lowers his face into his hands and I notice his shoulders lightly shaking.
I'm sure he's not laughing, unless he's suddenly become delirious, in which case I completely understand. No such luck, though. When he finally looks up, his eyes are watery and bloodshot from crying.
"Andi....the property....the deal with Donovan....it's all...," his voice trails off as he catches his breath and forces the next words, "Its blood money. I benefited at the expense of abused kids, including you."
"No, Mr. Woods. This is exactly why I wanted to talk to both of you before all this comes out in the press. That propertybelonged to my dad. The deal with Donovan was all business. Neither has anything to do with what Jackson Rhoades did," I explained.
"But I used what happened against you....My God, what have I done?" Sam sounds more distraught as he jumps to his feet and starts pacing. He's rubbing his chest, the left side of his neck and his left jaw. These are not good signs.
"Mr. Woods, take a few deep breaths and sit down. You don't look so well," my words are falling on deaf ears.
"Mr. Woods - if you don't sit down, calm down and take a few deep breaths, I'm calling an ambulance," I yell at him and get everyone's attention. Sam drops down on the couch without much thought to where.
"What have I done to you, Andi? This is what you meant when you said I didn't know what this could do to me, isn't it?"
"Yes, it ispartly what I meant," I confirm. He sounds broken and I know how that feels. Not too long ago, I also felt broken in this very house.
"He wouldn't have wanted those pictures released so now he's concerned about damage control. You, Linda, Luke...everyone....will be part of that damage control in some way. Even if that means he has to ruin you to do it. He may have had me locked up, but he's the crazy one."
Sam and Linda give us a verbatim recount of their visit with Jackson. There's nothing blatantly obvious to me about what Jackson's plans are but there's no doubt he's up to something. I suggested to Luke that we talk to Hugh Donovan to ask if Jackson has visited him, too.
An uncomfortable silence has taken over the room. Sam and Linda are sitting together but neither are looking at anything in particular. Luke is visibly uncomfortable, sitting on the edge of his chair like he's ready to evacuate the premises at any second, and he's staring at the floor. I clear my throat and everyone looks at me.
"So, let's talk about the elephant in the room that no one wants to mention."
Luke snorts and quickly coughs to try to cover it up. I look at him and smile reassuringly. He covers his mouth with his hand, trying to be nonchalant, but it doesn't work. He starts laughing quietly and then he loses control completely as his deep, masculine laugh reverberates off the walls and he leans back in his chair.
"Feel better?" I ask teasingly.
Smiling from ear to ear, he answers, "Yes, actually. Leave it up to you to blurt out what we're all thinking." I shrug one shoulder to indicate it's no big deal.
