AN UNFORGETTABLE JOURNEY
Chapter Forty-Five
Jack stood at the bridge, waiting. He was
both nervous and impatient. Jesse and his father were there with him, both
holding guns. He wasn't stupid. He knew that Cal would try something. Jack
clutched the diamond in his hands, ready to throw it over the bridge if he
needed to. Jack paced back and forth, waiting impatiently.
"Jack, you need to calm down. You have
to have your head on your shoulders when they arrive," Mr. Baker said
gently, hoping to calm the young man who was about to tear out his blond hair
in frustration and fear. Jack didn't know what he would do if this didn't work.
He had to get Rose away from that monster. He just hoped that Cal wanted the
diamond badly enough.
The three men turned sharply at the sound of
an approaching car. They knew the minute they saw the fancy car that it was
Cal, and hopefully Rose would be with him. They didn't have to wait long to
find out. Cal stepped out of the car. A man with a gun and both of the Bukater
women stepped out after him. The four of them stood fifty feet away from Jack
and the Bakers. Jack immediately saw the apprehension on the women's faces. Cal
started to step toward Jack.
"Don't move another inch, Mr. Hockley. I
swear, if you so much as breath wrong, I'll drop the diamond into the
creek," Jack threatened as he held the Heart of the Ocean over the side of
the rail. Cal looked down into the swirling water of the creek. Cal realized
that it wasn't a small little creek that he could easily find the diamond in.
It was a river, a very large and rapid river. Cal looked back at Jack, meeting
his cold blue eyes.
"Okay, Dawson. I won't move. Just tell
me what you want."
Jack laughed bitterly. He could feel the
anger along with the fear rise and erupt in him. "I want my fiancée back!
I want the woman I love!" Jack screamed. He almost dropped the necklace in
his outburst. Rose caught Jack's gaze, calming him. He could see the love in
her eyes. He focused back on Cal again.
"It's simple, Cal. Let Rose go, and
you'll get your stupid diamond back."
Cal racked his brain for a plan. How could he
get the diamond back without handing over Rose? Although Mr. Buff had a gun,
the two men with Jack also had guns. He couldn't risk it by trying to take the
diamond with force. He hated to admit it, but he was outnumbered.
Cal glanced at Rose; he noticed the terror in
her eyes. She was worried for Jack. He could see it. He turned back to Jack.
"Maybe Rose doesn't want to go with you, Dawson. Did you ever think to ask
her what she wanted?" Cal asked, stalling for time.
"I don't need to ask her, Mr. Hockley. I
know what she wants, and it isn't you. Now let them go, or this precious
diamond of yours is going into the river," Jack threatened.
Cal studied Jack, trying to read him. Could
Jack be bluffing? Would he really throw the diamond into the river?
Cal decided to test him. He boldly stepped
toward Jack. "I don't think you have the guts to throw the diamond in the
river. It's the only leverage you have now, Dawson."
Jack arched an eyebrow. "I guess you
don't know me very well, then," he said, before dropping the diamond into
the swirling river below. Cal did what Jack knew he would. He ran to the side
of the bridge, and watched as his precious diamond was lost forever. In the
time it took for Cal to be distracted by the diamond, Jack grabbed the gun that
Jesse held in his hand and put it to Cal's head. "Tell your manservant to
let them go!" he yelled.
Cal stiffened as he felt the cool barrel of
the gun pressed against his head. He was greatly surprised by Jack's actions.
But would Jack really kill him? Cal wasn't so sure. "I don't think you
have the guts to kill me, Dawson," he challenged in a low voice. Jack
pushed the gun harder against his head.
"After seeing the bruises all over Rose
and hearing what you did to her, I'd suggest that you don't underestimate what
I am capable of, Mr. Hockley," Jack said in a low, threatening voice.
He knew that Jack meant business now. Cal
looked at his manservant, who by now had Rose held with a gun to her head.
"Let them go, Mr. Buff," Cal ordered his manservant.
"First hand that gun over to Rose,"
Jack demanded. Mr. Buff did as he was told, and a moment later, Ruth and Rose
ran over to where Jack and the two Bakers stood.
"Jesse, will you take them to your
house, where they will be safe?" Jack asked his friend. Jesse nodded, then
started to lead them off of the bridge.
Rose stopped, catching Jack's eyes. "I
love you. Please, be careful," she whispered. Jack nodded, his eyes
telling her how much he loved her. A moment later, they were gone, leaving Mr.
Baker and Jack to face Caledon Hockley and his manservant.
*****
"Thanks for your help, Jesse," Rose
said, as the three of them walked toward the Bakers residence.
Jesse smiled thinly. "I couldn't let
Jack face this alone. After he told me what that Hockley guy did to you, I had
to help. My father was glad to help, too. We're just glad that you're
okay." They continued to walk, not saying anything more.
When they reached the Bakers house, Nora and
Diane rushed out onto the front porch. "Rose! We're so glad your
okay," Nora exclaimed, as she hugged Rose tightly.
Diane hugged her next, also relieved that she
was okay. "Where's Jack?"
"He's still on the bridge with Mr.
Baker. When I left, he had Cal held at gunpoint. I hope he'll be okay,"
Rose said worriedly. She thanked the heavens above that Jack had thought to use
the necklace against Cal.
They went into the house and sat down on the
couch. "You must be Rose's mother. I'm Nora, Jack's sister, and this is my
friend, Diane." Ruth nodded toward them, a small smile on her face. She
was still in shock from everything, especially the fact that Jack Dawson, a man
she had been horribly cold and rude to, had gone to great lengths to save the
lives of herself and Rose. She realized now how much Jack loved her daughter.
They all sat and waited, hoping that Jack and
Mr. Baker would make it back safely.