Defending Jacob: The Aftermath Book 1

Iceberg

When Andy got home, Jacob was sitting inside on the couch working on his school work, the high school sent home to catch him up on. Andy had grabbed so lunch for them and Maggie on the way home. He gave the McDonalds to Jacob and sat down next to him.

"Hey Jacob, what are you working on?" Andy asked.

"Just my science work, nothing hard really dad." Jacob said.

Andy looked at him, "sounds fun you need any help, or want to take a movie break?"

"Ok, I could use a break dad, do you want to watch Back to the Future, I kind of like that movie." Jacob asked.

"Sure I love that movie, do you need anything, are you feeling any better today?" Andy said.

"Ya Dad, I'm a little tired still, but getting board of lying around all day. Dad can I ask you something?" Jacob asked.

"Sure what do you want to know?" Andy said.

"Where did you go yesterday and this morning, you always leaving, you seem really happy lately." Jacob asked.

"Oh I had some appointments with a couple things, I needed to go see the therapist today to help with everything. I'm feeling better today." Andy said.

"Ok dad, just why does it seem like you lying though." Jacob said.

"Jacob, I know with everything that's happen, I understand you not sure what to think. You can trust me son really. Is this more about your mom Jacob you know she loves you. She wasn't in her right mind with the accident." Andy says.

"I know dad, she just has been really mad with you, the fighting lately. I miss mom this week already dad, can you just try not to drink too much and fight with her. Dad you haven't even had one drink when your home, but when moms home your drinking." Jacob said.

"What are you trying to say Jacob." Andy asked.

"Dad you want me to get past the accident and forgive mom, but you need to also." Jacob said.

That thought did get to Andy a little, his own child was asking him to forgive Laurie. Jacob was begging for his family back to normal. Andy didn't want Jacob stressing, he knew one day Jacob would be happier in life, even if it was with Andy and Charlotte and not Andy with Laurie. They watched the movie laughing and spent most of the afternoon together. Jacob's phone went off and he looked at the text. He showed his dad.

"Hi Jacob, I saw your dad today, he was asking me a bunch of question's and my uncle. I don't understand what I did, but can you ask him to leave me alone. I miss you buddy maybe we can meet up. Derek" 

Jacob looked at Andy asking "Dad you saw Derek, why where you asking him questions?" Jacob asked.

"Derek text you just now, ya I had to go by a store in Newton, I ran into Derek. I told him he is welcome to come visit you anytime. I guess his uncle was with him." Andy said.

"Oh ok, Dad just after the past year I don't really want to see Derek anymore. I rather just forget it all." Jacob told him.

They spent the rest of the night watching movies, playing video and board games. Jacob eventually went to bed in the office again. Andy was on the couch, his phone had been quiet most of the afternoon. He was worried about Charlotte in downtown Boston on her own. It wasn't like her not to text him at all. He started typing "Hi babe, I hope your ok, I spent most of the evening with Jacob. Sorry I didn't text you before. Love you." He put his phone down hoping he would hear back from her soon. Eventually Andy fell asleep on the couch, he woke at 3am to his phone going off. "Andy sorry, I fell asleep, I spent most of the day in the room hiding out from Laurie and her friend seeing me again. I love you Andy. Night." He read her text, sending her kisses and hugs in return. He let her know he would be there after lunch to see her, that he was going to do more digging on Derek's uncle. He didn't tell her, he was going to have a run in with Laurie in the city. He looked into the credit card and found out she and Tobi where staying in a hotel in the city all week. She had lied to him, and he wanted answers. In the morning Andy and Jacob spent sometime together, before his therapist was coming to the house to have her session with Jacob. It was still too much for Jacob to be in car, he would get anxious. He was still getting his strength back too. When she got there to meet with Jacob, Andy told them he had a couple things to get done. He let Maggie know he would be back in a few hours. She knew something was up, but wasn't sure what just yet. He got into his car and drove to the city. He drove into the parking garage again at the Hyatt hotel. He walked outside this time and down the street towards a Starbucks this time he was sure to keep an eye out for Laurie. He knew his wife anywhere, she was drinking a coffee and walking with Tobi, they where talking and didn't notice Andy. He walked right up to Laurie, she looked at him in shock.

"Andy what are you doing here in the city?" she asked.

"Laurie, really you asking me that, why did you tell me your both where going away north for a spa week. Why do you need to be away from our son and home?" Andy asked.

"Andy, we thought just incase something came up with Jacob, we should stay close by your new home." Tobi answered.

"Tobi, it's ok I can handle him." Laurie said Tobi went back inside the coffee shop.

"Handle me, what the hell Laurie why lie about staying close by if you needed a break, I understand that." Andy said.

"Andy, you have no right to yell at me, your upset with me for not telling you the truth. What about you. Maggie texts me every you leave the house for hours. Answer me this why are you in the city right now, what is so important that your leaving our son." Laurie said.

"Laurie keep you voice down, look I am getting answer that we all need ok. Proof that we all need, but don't get mad at me, I am doing this for Jacob and you." Andy said.

"Is that what your trying to call it now, seriously do you think I'm stupid Andy, tell me the truth." Laurie snapped.

"Laurie, really I have proof that Jacob is innocent and always was, that is all I am doing ok. Your yelling at me though, how do I prove to my son that his mother didn't try to kill him. How could you do that do him or me." Andy snapped.

Laurie was furious, she slapped him right across the face, "Andy leave me alone right now. How could you even say that, if that's how you feel. Just stop, be honest this proof what do you mean?" Laurie asked.

"Look someone has been helping me, we have proof that someone else killed Ben not Jacob not Patz, please just trust me." Andy begged.

"Just who is this someone helping you. Wait don't answer that I know who, Ben's aunt right or should I say Charlotte Dr. Brown's assistant, is that the only reason she texts you. You know what don't answer that, just leave me alone. Maybe you should stop obsessing about who killed Ben, we both know who killed Ben and we have to keep the secret for Jacob forever. It's not Jacob's fault completely you lied to both of us about your father, Jacob may not have the murder gene, but killing is in her dna. If you don't want see the truth and her help  is making  you not drink fine go do what you have to so you have answers just let me have this week to myself. Goodbye Andy." Laurie said as she walked away.

Andy just stood there in shock Laurie truly believe their son was a killer, did Laurie know everything. She knew Charlotte was helping him. He felt like he was hit by and wall, or even an iceberg. He loved Laurie still but she was different now. He loved Charlotte, she let him by himself, she listened to him. She believed in his son innocence unlike Laurie, Laurie was convinced it was Jacob and only the proof would change her mind of that. Andy couldn't breath he turned and headed towards the Hyatt, he needed to get to Charlotte, he needed to talk to her. He needed to feel her there love together. He knew Laurie didn't mean everything she said, she was mad, but he wasn't sure anymore if Jacob would ever be safe around her. He and Charlotte needed to go talk to Derek and Cliff face to face for answers.