Chapter 4 - Jake Had Thought He Was Protecting Noah
Jake was not station security.
Neither was Cole.
They worked for a logistics contractor that handled baggage transfers and private events around the station.
No authority over passengers.
No authority over me.
Mara knew Jake because he had dated a woman she worked with.
That was the entire connection.
“You assaulted a sixty-eight-year-old because somebody texted you?”
I asked.
Jake looked embarrassed.
“She said you were dangerous.”
“Did she say I had a weapon?”
“No.”
“Threatened Noah?”
“No.”
“She said you had a restraining order.”
“Yes.”
“Did you see it?”
“No.”
“Then?”
Jake looked at Noah.
“She said you had been trying to find him.”
Noah’s face tightened.
“I was trying to find Walter.”
Jake stared.
Apparently that part had not been shared.
“She said Walter found out where you worked and was coming here against your wishes.”
Noah looked toward the hallway.
“Why didn't you call me?”
Jake laughed bitterly.
“Your mother said you’d deny it because you were angry at her.”
A neat little structure.
Every response already explained before it happened.
Noah sat down.
Jake continued.
“She told me to make sure he left before you came downstairs.”
“Make sure.”
I looked at him.
“You interpreted that as take my cane.”
His jaw tightened.
“Yes.”
“Shove me.”
“Yes.”
“Cole grabbed me.”
“Yes.”
He did not attempt the coward’s version where the older man somehow created the scene by resisting.
“What did Mara actually write?”
Noah asked.
Jake handed him his phone.
I didn't ask to see it.
Noah read.
His face changed several times.
Then he handed it to me.
The message was longer than I expected.
My father is coming to the station. He has a history of controlling and threatening me. My son works there and does not want contact. There used to be legal involvement. Please keep Walter away from Noah until I arrive. Do not let him manipulate you.
No restraining order in writing.
Jake had added that himself after a phone call.
“What did she say on the phone?”
He looked ashamed.
“That lawyers had been involved over Noah.”
True.
“She said Walter had spent years trying to control where she lived.”
Not true.
At least not in the form she meant.
“And?”
“That if he got near Noah, he would turn everything into her fault.”
I looked at my grandson.
“That part may still happen.”
Noah stared.
“You’re making jokes again.”
“Only small ones.”
He didn't smile.
Jake looked toward the door.
“I’m probably getting fired.”
“That shouldn't be your first concern,” Noah said.
Jake’s jaw tightened.
“I know.”
He looked at me.
“I’m sorry.”
I waited.
“For taking the cane. Shoving you. Not checking what she told me.”
Better.
“And Cole?”
“He's with station police.”
“Why are you here?”
“Because I asked to tell Noah myself.”
Noah looked at him.
“You don't know me.”
“No.”
“Then why were you protecting me?”
Jake had no quick answer.
Finally:
“I wasn't, really.”
That surprised us.
“I thought I was helping your mom.”
Noah nodded once.
At least the role had been named correctly.
Jake left.
The door closed.
Noah looked at me.
“My mother thinks you’re dangerous.”
“She thinks I’m dangerous to the life she built.”
“Same thing?”
“Not necessarily.”
“Do you blame her?”
I thought about Mara at twenty.
Small suitcase.
Noah asleep against her shoulder.
Face exhausted.
Me standing between her and the departure board.
“No.”
Noah looked surprised.
Then I added:
“I blame her for sending those two men.”
His face tightened.
“Good.”
“And I blame myself for part of what she was afraid of.”
He looked at me.
“What part?”
I looked through the glass at the concourse.
The bench where Jake had thrown my cane was visible below.
“Your mother came here expecting me to help her leave Chris.”
“Yes.”
“I came expecting to convince her to leave him permanently.”
Noah frowned.
“What’s the difference?”
“She needed a father.”
May you like
I looked at him.
“I arrived as a plan.”
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