I Am Jessamine

Barney and Hopper arrived at lunchtime and Jess had made Maria leave all the groceries on the back of the truck under the tarp, then sent her home. All the other ranch hands were still down at the coastal fences and Frank had come up for lunch and Jess had insisted he go home with Maria. Tomorrow was another day, she had said.

Barney Swift was a tall, lean chap of about fifty with a shaved head and tattoos all over his body. He greeted Jess with a friendly smile, but there was an underlying no-bullshit look that Jess had seen on Spence’s face on the odd occasion.

Hopper was a shorter version of Spence and he looked between forty-five to forty-eight years old and also had that no-bullshit look about him. “Max says to call and that the kids want to speak to you.”

“She is gonna bug me about visiting and I said I wanted to wait until the kids had stopped shitting in diapers!” Spence and Hopper laughed at this and slapped each other on the back. “Yeah, I’ll give her a call.”

Clapping his hands together Barney asked, “Right. What do you have for me?” and Spence pointed to the remote.

Sitting down he pulled his glasses out of his pocket and looked at the open remote without touching anything. He then pulled a palm-sized leather pouch out of his backpack and unzipped it. Removing a thin wooden skewer-type needle he poked around and moved little wires aside and suddenly sat back and whistled. “This is a very high-tech nasty gadget. If you look closely,” and they all moved a little closer as he pointed with the tip of his wooden needle, “you will see four little green connectors. These tiny little connectors mean that four different areas will detonate all simultaneously.” He sat back and looked at Jess. “In other words a big fucken boom!”

Standing up Barney looked around and then started walking around the property looking in the windows at the house, then back at the barn. “Where do you keep spare gas cylinders?” he called.

“In a cage at the back of the barn in its own internal shed. Locked.” Jess called back and Spence headed off to check as Hopper moved around the other side of the house. They all appeared to just be looking, at nothing in particular, so Jess remained where she was and waited.

Hopper returned first and pulled a small notebook out of his pocket and began scribbling and drawing little diagrams. Barney returned, peeked over Hopper’s shoulder, and began doing the same thing, and when Spence returned he had his little book and he too sat writing and doodling.

Barney was the first one to speak, “Right, the garage is rigged and so are the back porch pillars.”

Hopper took his booklet and read over what he wrote then said, “Front porch pillars and all the side pillars strategically placed to bring the entire top floor, on that side, down.”

“The gas cylinder cage is separately rigged to blow when a nine-pound cylinder gets lifted.” Spence shook his head.

“Righty-o boys. We know what to do. Still got your kit, brother?” Barney asked Spence and he nodded affirmatively. Clapping his hands once they put their hands over each other’s and together they said, “Whatever Deity may guide my life, dear Lord don’t let me die tonight. But if I shall, Before I wake, I’d accept my fate.”

Hopper called loudly, “Hell yeah?

Spence and Barney replied together, “Hell yeah!”

“Wow! That was quite a prayer!” said Jess with raised eyebrows.

“I nicked it from a movie I saw in 2013!” said Hopper and they all laughed and she shook her head.

“I do have a real question, though,” Jess said looking at the remote lying on the table.

The men turned to her and she had their attention. “If, no not if, when you remove what has been set up to obviously kill me and destroy my home, is there any way you can use the same gifts to complete the job I want to be done?” she raised her eyebrow and looked at each man individually.

They all stared at her and then looked at each other. Barney scratched his head and said, “That’s actually a damned good idea. Yes, we can.” And the others nodded in agreement.

“Another quick question.” Jess said and they nodded for her to go ahead, “Isn’t this stuff traceable? I mean, it has to be regulated, right?”

“Yes, it does. So, what you’re planning is for their own shit to be used against them, and if it is traced it will lead straight back to them, and not you? Maybe an attempt at Insurance fraud?” Hopper said and nodded his head with a bemused look on his face. The men stood and shook their heads and smiled at each other.

“For a kid, you’re pretty smart.” Barney patted her on the shoulder.

Spence nodded and said, “Let’s get started.”

By about four o’clock that afternoon all of the plasticine-looking bricks were stacked on the table and the detonators were in a cardboard box. Jess felt sick just looking at them and Hopper began packing the bricks gently into another box. When everything was packed away it was all carried carefully into Spence’s cottage and the sweaty men emerged carrying beers. Jess had just finished hauling the last of the shopping into the house and it finally hit her that Rancliff and La Rue had done this and wanted her dead. Well, Valeria Brossard was already dead and Daniels has hopefully been hanged already, so Rancliff would have to find new cronies or try to deal with everything himself here and in Ireland two hundred years ago. Her head spun at the confusion of it all. This had to end. It just had to stop.

“Do you think you got it all?” asked Jess as the men came back and Spence called on the radio to Ian and Harry to get the men back when they were ready, it was all clear.

“Yes, I believe we got it all.” Said Hopper and he looked at Barney and Spence and they nodded in agreement. Jess pointed at the garage remote and asked, “And that?”

“Do you have another remote for your garage?” asked Hopper and Jessie nodded. He picked up the remote and dropped it on the floor and crushed it beneath the heel of his boot, picked up the pieces, and shoved them in his pocket.

“You’re good to go. I am certain this place is safe now. There were a few hair-raising moments, but it’s all been removed and the threat is gone. Even the nasty piece in the gas cage.” Spence said as he finished off his beer and cracked another one.

Just as Jess opened her mouth to thank the men Spence indicated with his head towards the driveway and she turned around to see Jerry’s caddy coming down. She looked over at Spence and narrowed her eyes and he narrowed his eyes at Jess with an incredibly suspicious glint in his eyes.

Jerry pulled up and got out with a cardboard cylinder in his hand and walked hesitantly over to where Jess was with the three men. “I managed to get what you asked for.” He said and handed her the cylinder.

Jess took it and invited Jerry to have a seat at the table. He looked at the men nervously and muttered, “I have to get home to the wife, uh, she has made a special dinner,” and they all looked at him and he started to perspire and used his handkerchief to dab at his face and upper lip.

“Where are my manners?” Jess said and held her hand out to the men at the table, “Please let me introduce Mister Hopper Raize and Mister Barney Swift. Gentlemen this is Mister Jerry Rydal, my attorney.” And Jerry shook their hands and the men remained seated and silent. “These men are a private bomb squad and they have just removed explosives from my home and property.” Jerry went ash white and looked fit to faint. “Know anything about it Jerry?” asked Jess quietly.

’What? No! I swear it, Jessie, I know nothing. Please believe me, I had no idea they would go this far, Jessie.” He started to tremble violently.

“I think you had better fill me in with the bits you left out Jerry.” Jess sat across from him and stared with her fire ice eyes and he closed his eyes.

“I told you most of it, but La Rue told me that they wanted to make sure every trace of Ben, Nicholas, and you were removed from the face of the earth. Whatever you had done, or what they thought you had done, had got them seriously angry and they were looking for ways to hurt you all.” He stuttered and stammered and they could smell his fear.

“Have you been in contact with anyone lately from their people?” asked Jess quietly.

“No. I swear it, Jessie. I have not.” And Jess believed him.

“If anyone does contact you I would like it if you told them that you have not heard from me or seen me and as far as you know I am not back yet. Are we clear?” Jerry nodded his head so vigorously that his glasses slipped off his nose.

“Jerry, Ben was killed and I don’t have a body to prove it, other than holding my dead father in my arms. Willy and Nicholas are never coming back either, but I also have nothing to prove this. We were on a boat that got shot at and it sank. I was the only one to return with the scars to prove I was there.” Jessie saw them all staring at her and trying hard not to take too much notice of the scar on her face. “I need death certificates for them and I know Ben left the ranch to me so we will need to sort all of that as well. You will also need to get papers ready for me to change the name of the ranch. That will make me feel a lot safer too.” Jerry was staring at her speechless with his mouth open. Standing up Jess made it clear their conversation was over. “Goodbye, Jerry.” And she held her hand out to him and he hesitantly stood up and shook her hand, “I will get it all sorted for you, Jessie. I promise you that.” He looked very sad and patted Jessie’s hand again and then walked to his car and left.

Jess sat down heavily and sighed and then asked the men, “Are you sorted for digs tonight?”

Nodding Barney said, ’Yeah, we’re crashing at Spence’s tonight. Would you mind leaving those with us?”

Jess handed the cardboard cylinder to him and Spence said, “What floor?” and Jess told him and they nodded, “Cheers guys. I need to take a break. Thank you for removing those gifts. I appreciate it, I really do.” And the men raised their beers.

“Oh what the fuck now?” Spence said and stood up staring at the driveway.

Jess turned around and saw a flatbed truck moving carefully down the road with a massive crate on the back. The three men and Jess walked to the front and watched the truck coming towards them and she couldn’t for the life of her figure what the hell this was. Maybe someone had taken a wrong turn?

As the truck drew up a man wearing a dark suit got out of the passenger side of the truck carrying a briefcase and a very big smile. His hair was pasted to his head either with sweat or gel, Jess couldn’t tell, but he appeared very happy to be getting out of the truck.

“May I help you?” Jess stepped forward and the gentleman came straight to her with arm outstretched.

“Halo, halo my dear.” Jess raised an eyebrow and kept her face neutral as they shook hands. His hand was soft and pudgy and very sweaty and she wiped her hand on her jeans.

The man laughed and said, “Ja, it is hot here, hmmm?” he sounded German and Jess frowned waiting to hear what he wanted.

“I am seeking a Mistress Jessamine Aine Kellie O’Cleirigh, is that you, my dear?” Jessie frowned at him and nodded.

“Ah, that is good. So good. I have been tasked with finding you here and handing over this crate.” He smiled and indicated the crate and then tried to use the wheel to lean his briefcase on and opened it. He removed a very large, thick brown envelope and another bunch of papers.

“Who are you and where are you from?” asked Jessie frowning at the happy, chubby man.

“Och, forgive my bad manners, Mistress. I am Reinhart Ammann and I have been tasked by the Berenberg Bank of Switzerland to find you and hand over these items that were stored with us.” He grinned happily at her and Jess frowned.

“Please come and sit at the table up on the porch and we will have a chat.” Said Jessie kindly, but no less confused.

“Need us Jess?” asked Spence kindly.

“Not right now, Spence. Let me see what this is about and if I have to take this crate I will need to organize to have it lifted off and put somewhere safe. But let me just check out the paperwork first, thanks.”

“No problem. Just give us a shout when you’re ready.” And she nodded and walked onto the porch with Mister Ammann.

Setting everything out on the table Mr. Ammann took out his papers and said, “This is an inventory of what is in the crate and there are bank account numbers and letters for you that have been kept for many, many years in that envelope. The papers are very old, but we kept them very safe. We were given a specific date on which to deliver your belongings to you.” He smiled again and Jess couldn’t help but smile back.

Quickly going through the inventory Jess saw paintings and chests and jewelry and she frowned slightly, but then it all hit her at once. Nick! He had promised somehow, some way and Jess felt her eyes filling with tears. She took the large, thick envelope and hugged it to her chest and the tears rolled down her cheeks. Oh, dear god, how she ached all over again. My family, my friends, my Gem, and the love of my life were all gone. Gone!

“Och, my dear. Don’t cry. This is a beautiful thing. You have been left priceless antiquities by your loved ones. They even knew what your name would be. I think it is beautiful.” He pulled out his handkerchief and handed it to Jess and she wiped her eyes. She was just a bundle of emotion lately and it felt strange.

“Mister Ammann, you have no idea how much this means to me. I am so humbled and touched.” Jessie sniffed.

“I have to ask you one question, though, before I officially hand it all over and get you to sign your name.” he looked at Jess and grinned.

“Really? Ask me what?” asked Jess sniffing.

“What is the password?” he raised his eyebrows and Jessie laughed and thought how Nick would have laughed making that proviso.

“Never forget.” Said Jessie quietly as she closed her eyes and felt only love for all of those she had to leave behind.

“Yes! Exactly! Wunderbar!” he clapped his hands and pulled the papers forward and signed his name across a few pages and then handed them to Jessie and showed her where to sign. Once everything was signed and she was handed her copies and he had put all his papers back into his briefcase he indicated the large wooden crate with an outstretched arm and said, “You may take ownership of your property, Mistress Jessamine Aine Kellie O’Cleirigh.”

Jess got up and walked around the house and saw the men poring over the blueprints she whistled and Spence looked up and she used the universal sign language for ‘let’s go’ by making a circular motion with her hand above her head.

Spence got up and pulled his mobile out of his pocket and by the time he got to Jess he had arranged for one of the guys to crank up the heister to move the massive crate off the truck.

Mr. Ammann clapped his hands and was so excited for everyone. He was just the most cheerful gentleman Jess had ever met and his happiness was infectious.

“Where do you want me to put this huge thing, Miss Jessie?” called Larry who was operating the heister.

“If you can, take it around and put it under the awning beside the pool near the sliding doors for now. I think the paving will hold it and it will be protected from the elements.” He nodded and went to it and Jess knew she could have had it placed in the garage, but she wanted the crate where she could see it.

Larry very carefully removed the crate and drove the heister gently towards the area Jess had designated and Mr. Ammann jumped for joy. “Och, my dear, I am so happy for you. We have been holding this for so long. Meine great, great, great grandfather was a boy just starting at the bank when he opened the account in your name, and for many years items got stored and then placed into a protected vault. Over generations, my family looked after your belongings until the date for delivery came. I am so very honored to be the one who gets to return it all to you.” He beamed at Jessie, “But, fraulein, I have one question, if I may?”

“Sure, ask me anything, Mister Ammann.” Jessie smiled kindly at him.

“How did they know what your name was?” he tilted his head to one side as he asked.

“I have a name that is passed down from generation to generation.” She shrugged, “It’s that simple.”

He appeared very happy with that and turned to shake everyone’s hand and prepared to get back into the truck, opened the door, and shouted, “Och, mein himmel! I forgot to give you this.” And he turned and gave Jess a large box of Swiss chocolates. Jess laughed and thanked him for the lovely thoughtful gift.

He climbed up into the cab and waved as the driver started up the truck and drove back up the driveway. Larry came around the house and headed to the garage behind the barn to park off the heister.

Thanking the guys again and watching them head off Jess turned back to the house and collected the paperwork and large, thick envelope, and walked into the house. Jess couldn’t believe what she had just been through and walked through the house checking windows and then heading off to the kitchen where she stood and looked at the crate through the sliding door. I hope to god all the bombs had been found, she thought to herself and made a mental note to get Spence to check the other garage remote before she used it.

Setting the paperwork down Jess began sorting the groceries and packed it all on the counter. She noticed that Maria had purchased more of a variety of fruit and vegetables, loads of seeds, tofu, lots of soya and sprouts, sesame noodles, couscous, some bags of mixed salad leaves, and a whole lot more. There was no bacon, butter, eggs, seafood, no red meat at all, and only almond milk and no fruit juices or iced teas.

Jess stood back and looked at the assortment that was on the counter and took a deep breath and then spoke to her belly. “Well bug, clearly you’re not into the good stuff, so for you, I will stuff my face with healthy foods that you like. I’m quite certain you will let me know what you don’t like.” Jess huffed and opened a box of lightly salted crackers and nibbled as she packed everything away and kept out what she needed for the Roquefort and Walnut salad she enjoyed.

Once she had her salad made Jess packed the extra in an airtight container in the fridge and picked up her plate, fork, and napkin and grabbed the envelope and papers off the table, and headed towards the office. As she went through the entrance she set the alarm and pressed a universal button and heard the blinds start closing. Taking a deep breath she headed down to the family room and flipped on the light.

Jess pressed the remote for the cd player and listened to some old-time jazz as she gingerly ate her salad and debated whether to open the envelope. She knew her heart was going to break, but she needed to keep her wits about her so she decided they can wait two more days before she read them. I want it all to be over, thought Jess, before I can read everything in the envelope with a heart that was ready for it.

Instead, she sat enjoying the music and her salad going over in her mind all the things she needed to cover before heading out with the guys and bringing Rancliff down once and for all.

Early the following morning Jess woke up and waited to see if her dinner would remain where she put it. She got up and felt nauseous and groaned, but thankfully she had brought the crackers with her and she broke a small piece off one and nibbled as she got ready to shower. Her tummy settled and she managed to hold it down. After getting dressed she took the beloved envelope and put it in the family safe in the office. She stood and looked at the chair where Ben had last sat and felt the ache again, but no tears. “Well, dad, I am going to end it all and your death will not be for nothing. I will finish what I started and that will be it. Done.” Jess turned and walked out of the office and quietly slid the door shut behind her.

Maria was already in the kitchen and had the juice extractor going and handed her a glass of freshly made apple juice. On the counter were two-quarters of peeled melon with banana and a few slices of dried peaches and some nuts. Jess looked at Maria and raised her eyebrow. “Don’t look at me like that! It’s good, healthy food for you, and your stomach will not be rebellious when it touches down.” Jess shook her head, but thanked her and began eating little bits here and there slowly.

Spence and the guys were at the house early and they all assembled around the large dining room table and pored over the plans and the men went over the notes they had made. Spence had made arrangements to collect and pay for the few extra things they needed later that morning and they would be good to go.

They all agreed that Jess would be the one to place the explosives in the designated areas in the air vents as she was the smallest and she had made it clear she would be joining them. This was her final job and it was for all of those who were no longer with her. They also planned to leave enough explosive material lying around for it to be identified and make it look very amateurish.

Barney and Hopper had gone over where it was they needed Hopper to move and place the explosives on the outside. Two of the areas looked impossible, but Hopper assured them all that it could be done, he had no doubts about it. So they all left him to work out distances and lengths and heights and such.

Jess was given the measurements of the ventilation shafts and then the directions she had to follow from point of entry to point of exit. She had insisted that at least two devices had to be placed above the main offices. They had already worked out how they would introduce the nasty virus into the security system, which Jess had saved from a previous job, on a memory stick.

“Okay, so we all have our positions and we all know what to do? Jessie, your partner is Spence, and Hopper and I will team up. We will all have our sidearm and Spence and I will have the automatics. Are we good with that?” Everyone agreed and Jess felt sure she would be able to handle whatever came her way. Her nerves were a little frayed, but that was normal. The men were hyper and ready.

Spence returned a little later with the earpieces and throat microphones and showed Jess where to put them for the best fit and comfort and then they all did a comms check. He asked Jess for her Glock and he checked it and then gave her two more magazines with a special belt to attach them to as well as the holster for her sidearm. He asked if she had gear and she told him what she had and they all agreed that what she had would be acceptable for the job. Then Barney dug in his pocket and handed her what appeared to be boot polish, but it was to put on her face. “Smear it on like face cream.” He said and they all laughed and then Hopper said, “How do you know about face cream?” and without skipping a beat Barney said, “How do you think I get such a baby ass complexion?” Laughing and cracking more jokes the guys headed back out and Jess headed to the kitchen and stood staring at the crate, promising herself she would go through everything when she got this last thing done.

Jess had just taken her salad out of the fridge when the phone rang and she answered it, “O’Cleirigh residence.”

“Jessie it’s Jerry.” He sounded nervous and he was whispering.

“What is it Jerry?” she asked calmly, but her nerves were jangling something terrible.

“I just got a message on my voicemail and it was a man asking to meet me as soon as I got the message.” He whispered breathlessly.

“Did you respond to the message yet?” Jess asked as her mind ran a mile a minute.

“No, I wanted to talk to you first.” The man sounded ready to pass out.

“Did he leave a contact number?” This may just work in her favor, thought Jess.

“Yes, he said to call him as soon as I got the message and it was of the utmost importance involving my previous dealings with La Rue.” Jerry was going to fuck this up, thought Jess.

“Tell your wife I have an emergency and you need to come over to my place now. You can call back from here and I will tell you what to say.” Jessie said with a cold, hard voice that let him know she would not take no for an answer.

“I’ll be there in a half hour.” And he rang off so eager was he to be done with the matter as well.

Dialing out Spence answered on the second ring. “We may have a problem or it could be a blessing. Jerry is coming over and I would like you to be here. He should be by in about half an hour.” Said Jess.

“No problem. Hopper has a little machine that can triangulate his position if he stays on the phone long enough. I will get him to bring that and set it up just before our friend Jerry gets here.” Jess said that would be great and they hung up.

Jess took the container with the salad into the family room with her and sat on the sofa with her feet on the table as she nibbled and thanked her bug for not being too fussy these last few hours. If it was Rancliff they would need to adjust their plans because if Jess could get his offices to come down around him, that would be a coup because Rancliff was relentless in his greed. He was not the type of man to just give up and Jess wanted this finished once and for all. This is the only way it could go. The idea didn’t make her happy, but she didn’t just have herself to think of now and there was no way she would run from a man like Rancliff. She would fight him and win.

Twenty minutes later Hopper had his machine set up and ten minutes after that Jerry walked in looking like he was going to have a heart attack. “I can’t do this Jessie.” Were the first words out of his mouth as he walked through into the dining room.

Jess raised her eyebrow and looked at him without an ounce of sympathy. “You made a deal with the devil, Jerry. You helped to turn my life into the upside-down chaos it is today, now you will do your part to help straighten the mess out. I don’t care how you feel or what you want because you owe me, you shit. Do you think they would let you live if they found out that you were here and you knew I was back all along? No. They would slit your throat in a heartbeat. Now, sit down and make that call.”

He fell into the chair and before he called back they all listened to the message. ’Mr. Rydal, I am an acquaintance of La Rue and I would like you to call me as soon as you get this message. It is a matter of the utmost importance and extremely time sensitive.” Jessie’s skin crawled and she remembered that vile, pompous, self-important face of a man who thought he was just above it all.

They went over briefly what Jerry would say and the man shook from head to toe. Jess shook her head and felt frustrated with him.

Looking at her Spence raised his eyebrows and she nodded. He pushed the phone towards Jerry and said, “Make the call.”

Jerry dialed the landline number and they heard the number ring twice before it was answered. “Mr. Rydal, I am glad you made the right decision to call me back.”

“To whom am I speaking?” asked Jerry and Jess nodded encouragement.

“You don’t need to know that. What I want is for you to come and see me.” Said Rancliff.

“I can make an appointment for Monday if you like?” Jess showed a thumbs up.

“No. I am running out of time. I need to see you now.” Rancliff sounded angry as he was only ever used to having his own way.

“I am sorry, sir, but I am not available until Monday. Can you give me an indication of what this is about?” Said Jerry as they had agreed.

“Have you heard from Benjamin Kellie’s daughter yet?” he asked in a clipped tone.

“No, sir, I have not. As I told your friend, La Rue, I would let you know as soon as I hear from her, but to date, I have heard nothing.” Said Jerry and his voice shook.

“What about this evening at my office? I would make it worth your while because according to La Rue you are severely indebted, financially, to the Kellie Trust,” asked Rancliff making it clear he knew of Rydal’s embezzlement and Jessie showed him the okay sign and a thumbs up.

“It would have to be late because I am only due back around nine this evening. May I enquire as to why you want to meet?” tried Jerry again.

“I have personal belongings and papers that were taken by that woman and I want them back. I don’t care how and I don’t care about the woman. I just want what is mine returned to me.” He said angrily and slammed the phone down and ended the call.

Looking at the phone Jerry sighed and closed his eyes and Jess looked at Hopper. “According to what I get he is in his office right now. If he stays there we will have to be extra careful and vigilant.”

They all nodded and Jess looked at Jerry. “Where is Mrs. Rydal this evening, Jerry?” and he sighed loudly and rubbed his face. “I told her about my indiscretion with La Rue and she left to go and stay with her sister for a while in Jacksonville.” They all looked at him and were surprised at his bravery in coming clean with his wife.

“Right, you can stay here tonight. Upstairs turn left, the first bedroom on the right. You will find what you need.” Jerry stood up shakily and as he turned to leave Barney took his mobile phone from him and when Jerry stared at him he simply shrugged and pocketed the phone.

Once Jerry had left and they heard his feet on the stairs Spence said, “Tonight it is then, gang.”