Keeper: 35

I hate being sick. v

Chapter 35

35.


Jim leaned forward as Jamie listened to House. Jamie noticed something different about the house. It seemed more aware than it had before Burr had repaired the damage, and a little bit more protective.



“He is peering into my windows,” House told him. The somewhat drifty tone had been replaced by something that would not be out of place coming from a madien aunt of yore discovering a peeping tom outside of her window.



“I suppose its the same thing,” Jamie muttered to himself.



“What’s the same thing?” Jim asked. Jamie blushed.



“Sorry I forgot I wasn’t alone,” Jamie told his friend. “House sounds offended that Michael is peering into the windows.”



“Like a peeping Tom?” Jim asked. Jamie smiled.



“Exactly like,” Jamie replied. “House doesn’t care for it.”



“Blood all over my nice clean porch,” House interjected.



“What?” Jamie asked.



“Del scrubbed my porch quite thoroughly so I would look my best for company.”



“I see,” Jamie said trying not to be irked by House’s limitations. No matter how talkative House was it was not human and would have different sensibilities. “I meant the part about my brother bleeding.” Jim’s face dropped the amused anticipation and he stared intently at Jamie.



“It’s not your brother bleeding.”



“It’s not Michael bleeding?”



“It is.”



“So Michael is bleeding but he is not my brother?” Jamie asked confused.



“Yes,” House replied, seemingly pleased that he had understood her. Jamie took a deep breath and let it out slowly. House let out a shocked gasp.



“What is it?” Jamie asked hurriedly.



“He tried to break my window.” Jamie could almost see the pursed lips in his mind’s eye. He shook his head and stood up. Jim follows, setting his glass down on the table with a click.



“Apparently Michael tried to break a window,” Jamie said, realizing Jim had not had the benefit of hearing the entire conversation.



“Is he alone?” Jim asked.



“I don’t know. House thinks that someone is bleeding and that Michael is not my brother.”



“Really?” Jim said a lilt in his voice. “I always suspected he was an alien dropped from space for the sole purpose of tormenting us poor earthlings.”



“I’m not sure House is equipped to determine alien genetics,” Jamie said with a grin. “And it’s not really predisposed to like Michael.” They descended the main stairs and walked along the main hallway towards the front door. Del peeked through the open kitchen doorway.



“I figured you’d be wanting to deal with him your self,” Del said. “So I left him be. Just so’s you know. He tried to break one of the front windows when he found the door was locked.” Del sounded nearly as affronted as House had been.



“So I’m told,” Jamie said. “Do we have a basic first aid kit?”



“I’m sure we do,” Del replied his eyes scanning Jamie for any sign of injury.



“Not for me,” he said. “House said someone was bleeding on it’s porch. I don’t really want to let Michael inside but I don’t want to send him back to his car bleeding.”



“That might attract some of the nastier set who came for the hearing tonight,” Del said nodding thoughtfully.



“I had been thinking more along the lines of basic common decency but nasty is best avoided as well.”



“I’ll bring the kit to the porch.”



“Thanks,” Jamie replied. He turned and with Jim still following, went towards the front door.



“What exactly does he think is still in the woods?” Jim asked. His voice was mostly steady but held a hint of concern and Jamie remembered Jim still had to walk to his car in order to get home.



“We’ll find out once we get Michael sorted,” Jamie said. “If all else fails, we do have several guest rooms for you to choose from.”



“Appreciate it,” Jim replied dryly.



“You don’t think I’d let the boogey man eat my favorite lawyer do you?” Jamie said with a grin. They reached the front door and Jamie twisted the knob. It opened easily and silently. He heard a huff of breath.



“Well it is about time,” Michael said. Jamie and Jim stepped onto the porch. Jim pulled the door shut behind him. Michael stood hands on his hips, looking exasperated. He was dressed head to toe in black, from his black running shoes, black jeans, long sleeved black shirt, black gloves and black cap.



“Let me guess,” Jamie said trying to tamp down his anger. “This Halloween you plan to go as an amateur burglar and you wanted me to see your costume before mom sent you out trick-or-treating?” Jim snorted a small laugh. Michael swallowed the comment he was going to make and narrowed his eyes, darting his gaze between Jamie and Jim. He had clearly not been expecting the lawyer’s presence.



‘Won’t take him long to adapt thought,” Jamie thought, knowing his brother. Sure enough after a few seconds, Michael’s facial expression changed, his suspicion and anger slipping and molding itself into a hurt and wounded pose.



“How could you joke like that?” Michael said. His voice was filled with mock pain that would no doubt be the envy of any actor. “I came out here out of the goodness of my heart to see how my baby brother was doing alone in the middle of the woods by himself and all you can do is make jokes.” Michael appeared to pull himself together.



“Well at least I have a witness.” Michael turned to Jim and Jamie could see the wicked gleam in his eyes. “Do you know how he repaid my kindness and concern? Do you? He set his dogs on me.” Michael turned and Jamie could see the back of Michael’s pant leg had been ripped and there were scratch marks on his calf. There was also a small tear in the back of his shirt. Blood was oozing from a couple of marks Jamie could see through the hole in the cloth.



“I don’t have any dogs Michael,” Jamie said. “Would you like me to get a first aid kit to help you clean those?”



“I don’t need your help,” Michael snapped. “You set your dogs to attack me. Me. Your own brother. And I’m going to sue you for every penny you have.” He turned to Jim. “You see the marks don’t you?”



“I see the marks,” Jim replied calmly. “I also know that Jamie doesn’t have any dogs and as I have been here all evening so I can attest that even if he had any dogs, he certainly didn’t give any order for them to attack. Although,” Jim added, his voice full of lawyerly gravity, “I could add that as the gate is locked and you were not invited, you could be up on trespassing charges.”



“Tresspassing,” Michael said. “Tress...” Michael glared at Jim. “Trespassing on my own land! Don’t be ridiculous.”



“It isn’t your land,” Jim said calmly.



“Its family property.” Michael spat back.



“No,” Jim said firmly. “It is Jamie’s property. Before that It was Albe’s property. “



Michael snorted and waved his hand dismissively. “It has always been in the family. It is Fulton property and I am a Fulton. Therefore I can not be trespassing.” Michael smiled triumphantly.



“Are you?” Jamie asked before Jim could raise another legal point. He knew Jim was enjoying the thought of being able to smack down Michael’s arguments and would no doubt relish doing so in court where Michael could be publicly shamed but knowing Michael he would continue slanting arguments all night and Jamie was not in the mood to sit in the October chill listening.



“Am I what?” Michael asked dismissively.



“A Fulton.” Jamie replied. House’s earlier comment had brought up memories of remnants of conversations barely heard.



“Of course I’m a Fulton, we have the same father remember?”



“Do we?” Jamie asked.



“Of course, don’t be stupid.” Michael said.



“A simple DNA test would confirm. I can set one up if you would like,” Jim told him.



“That would be a good idea under the circumstances,” Jamie said. “Thank you.”



“I’m not taking a stupid test,” Michael said. “And you can’t make me. Its illegal to force someone to do that I can sue you for that as well as slander. Mom could sue you for slander.” Michael smirked at Jamie.



“I’m sure its true I can’t force you to take the test but if your argument for the trespassing charge is that as a Fulton you can’t trespass on Fulton land then you will have to prove you are a Fulton, won’t you? And as you were born only six months after Bella married Rudy, you can see why there might be some concern. Taking the test would alleviate all suspicion.” Jamie stared at Michael as Michael sorted through his options. Idly he wondered which of the bouncing ping pong balls of thought would surface first.



“You won’t press charges,” Michael sneered. Jamie stared at his brother for a moment.



“Del,” he called. The front door opened and Del poked his head through. Jamie could see he still carried a first aid kit.



“Did you need something?” he asked.



“Will you please call the local police and notify them that I have found a trespasser on my property and caught him in the act of breaking into my house.”



“Of course.” Del stepped back into the house and closed the front door behind him.



“You’re bluffing,” Michael said.



“Am I?” Jamie took a seat in one of the rocking chairs lining the porch and Jim took one of the others.



“Fine then call the police,” Michael said. “I can’t wait to see what they have to say about this.” He gestured to his cuts and then flopped into one of the other chairs. “You’ll be up on reckless endangerment charges so fast your head will spin.” The three men waited for the police in silence. Del, after calling in the intruder, took the gate keys and walked up to the gate to let the police into the property. In less time than Jamie thought possible a car came bouncing down the gravel road to the house, Dell following quickly behind. The police car pulled to a stop and Jamie could see the words County Sherriff on the side.



‘That explains the speed,’ Jamie thought. ‘I guess I’m listed as in the county rather than either Denerton or Centerville’s jurisdiction.’ A slim man dressed in law enforcement brown stepped from the vehicle and walked over to the house. He was slightly balding, his remaining hair receding from a center bald spot like melting snow. He made no attempt to cover it.



Jamie caught a slight smile from Jim as the lawyer stood. Jamie followed suit. Michael also decided to stand although he rose slowly and allowed himself to look pained at the motion. Jamie wondered if her really was hurt but as he had been told not to render first aid he decide it was not his concern at the moment. The first officer started walking towards them and the passenger’s side door opened spilling a second policeman into the yard. This one was somewhat younger and kept glancing out into the dark woods as though expecting something to jump out at him. As his hand was positioned a little too close to his gun for comfort, Jamie sincerely hoped nothing did.



“Evening,” the first officer said. “I heard you folks had a problem?”



“Yes sir,” Jamie said before Michael could open his mouth. “Jim and I were having a drink and catching up on old times when my housekeeper told us that someone was trying to break in.”



“I see,” The officer said.



“I have every right to be here,” Michael said.



“No you don’t,” Jamie countered. Michael was surprised into silence as Jamie usually didn’t argue. Jamie turned back to the officer. “He has tried to take things in the past so I told him not to come here. And then a few days ago he used bolt cutters to cut my gate lock and let himself in. That is why I got the new lock. Michael is not welcome here.”



“Don’t be ridiculous,” Michael said. Jamie could see the officer taking in Michael’s burglar outfit and adding the detail to Jamie’s story.



“Is that your van parked by the gate?” He asked Michael.



“It is,” Michael said stiffly. “I was coming to see my brother and the gate was locked so I parked and came up to the house.” Michael pointed an accusing finger at Jamie. “That’s when he turned his dogs loose on me.”



“I don’t have any dogs.” Jamie said.



“Then what attacked me?”



“I don’t know,” Jamie said honestly. He turned back towards the officer. “I don’t keep dogs but much of the property is rather wild. That’s one of the reasons we keep the gate locked. So people won’t just wander in and get hurt.”



“See dangerous animals,” Michael said somewhat triumphantly. “I could have been mauled. I want him arrested for reckless endangerment.”



“Reckless endangerment,” the officer said slowly. “You jumped a locked gate onto a property posted as private property. Old mister Fulton had this property listed as a wildlife refuge a while back. There are signs up by the road listing it as such. Seems to me it would be smarter to call ahead and have the gate unlocked than to come out wandering here on your own. That seems kind of reckless on your part.” Michael’s mouth opened and closed a few times. As he had always managed to charm teachers, school principals and coaches in the past Jamie knew this was unfamiliar ground for him.



“I was attacked,” He said, rallying.



“Billy,” the officer called. The younger man jumped as though stung.



“Yes Sherriff?”



“You’re the one with that EMT training, Take a look at the man’s leg.”



“It’s my back too.” Michael said. Billy stepped onto the porch to take a look at Michael’s leg and back. He seemed relieved to be further from the woods and made sure to turn himself so that his back was to the house. Apparently Billy was very much afraid of something coming out of the woods to get him. Jamie wondered why as the young man gave Michael a once over. Del stepped into the house and returned with the first aide kit he had left by the door.



“He wouldn’t let us look at the cuts earlier, Sherriff,” Jamie said when the man raised an eyebrow at the nearness of the first aide kit.



“Ah” he replied rather noncommittally. “There is a car parked near the gate as well.”



“That would be mine,” Jim said. “Jamie didn’t know exactly when I was coming and didn’t want to leave the gate unlocked in the event someone else happened by. As I was expected, and it was still daylight, I hopped the gate and came up.”



“And you were planning on walking back in the dark?” the sheriff asked.



“He was going to use one of my guest rooms Sherriff as we had been drinking.”



“Ah,” came the noncommittal response once again.



“All checked Sherriff,” Billy said stepping away from Michael and the first aide kit. “Just a few scratches, maybe from trees or something. small like a coon. As long as he keeps it clean he should be all right. Maybe get a rabies shot on the off chance of infection.”



“It was dogs,” Michael said defiantly when he saw the Sherriff smile. Big ones. He set his dogs on me.”

“I don’t have any dogs.”



“Release the dachshunds,” Jim said.



“Could have been Chihuahuas,” Jamie said. The Sherriff chuckled and even Billy relaxed enough to smile.



“So you drove up in your car and hopped the gate and were planning on driving home in the morning,” the Sherriff asked Jim. Jim nodded.



“That’s right.”



“Huh,” the Sherriff said. “You might want to re think that plan.”



“Oh?” Jim asked.



“I doubt your vehicle is going anywhere without the aide of a tow truck.”



“What,” Jamie and Jim said in unison. Only Michael did not look surprised.



“Car’s busted up pretty bad. Windows. Tires. There’s also a big dent in the hood I’d have checked out before trying to drive it.” Billy glanced towards the woods again and Jamie wondered if it had been supernatural mischief. “As we spotted a large pair of bolt cutters in the back of the van we figured the two were connected,” the Sherriff said, assuaging Jamie’s fears and causing him to look at Michael in surprise.



“You busted up Jim’s car?” he asked.



“There is no proof of that,” Michael said smugly. “It was like that when I got there.” Jamie continued to stare at Michael in what he hoped was a believable way as he listened to the comments House was making. Jamie turned back towards the Sherriff.



“Albe installed a surveillance camera at the gate. I’m not sure if it was running but we can check the tapes.”



“That would make things a lot easier,” the sheriff said.



“I don’t want Michael inside,” Jamie told him. “But you and your deputy are welcome.”



“Sounds reasonable,” the Sherriff said. “Under the circumstances I can’t say as I blame you either. Billy Please help Michael into the car.”



“Excuse me?” Michael said stiffly.



“Well we wouldn’t want you sitting out here alone with a pack of wild dogs on the loose, Billy why don’t you go ahead and read him his rights while you’re at it.” Billy escorted Michael to the car and did all the necessary stuff needed to make the arrest legal. Jamie was surprised at how relieved he felt once the door closed behind Michael.



“Well, won’t you come inside,” Jamie said. “It’s a bit chilly tonight. Would anyone care for coffee?”