Chapter Thirty Four

Paige was the first to arrive home, only fifteen minutes after Scott drove away. Seeing Jayme’s car in the driveway and the front door wide open raised suspicion. Paige called Rex before she even opened the car door to get out.
“Paige, is everything ok?” Rex asked, recognizing the number. Instantly he thought it to be strange for her to be calling him.
“I don’t know, I just got home and the front door is wide open. That’s not like Jayme to leave the door open.”
“I’m on my way.” Rex said and flipped on the lights and sirens as he turned around and sped toward Paige and Simon’s house.
Arriving at the house, Rex was the first to enter, his hand on his gun. “Jayme?” He called out as he entered the front door. Sitting on the table beside the door were Jayme’s purse, keys and cell phone. “Jayme?” He called again as he proceeded with caution.
Searching the entire house, he found no one and saw no signs of a struggle. There were no clues as to where Jayme or Bella may be. But he knew she left Bella’s diaper bag, and that’s something she wouldn’t do. Neither would she leave her cellphone, or identification card. Rex knew there was something going on and he assumed Jim had been there. He had no idea that Scott had survived and therefore would suspect no one except Jim. And Scott knew this.
As Scott drove further away from Hillman, Jayme could tell he was going in the opposite direction of Silver Creek. She wondered what he was up to, where he was going, but she didn’t say a word. Deep inside, she did still have feelings for Scott, after all, he was her husband. But seeing Scott now, she realized her true heart lay in Rex’s hands.
Driving approximately fifty miles, Scott pulled off the road at a small motel. Shutting off the car, he reached to take Bella from Jayme’s grasp but she fought against him. “No.” She shouted.
“Let her go. She’s my insurance that you’ll stay in the car, if you want to see her again.” Scott said and gave her one final tug, pulling her from Jayme’s arms.
“You’re an asshole.” Jayme said and crossed her arms.
“You just realized that?” Scott said. “We’ll be right back.”
Scott got out of the car and walked into the motel’s office. Jayme watched him through the window as he filled out a card and paid for the room. Walking out with a key in one hand, he walked back to the car and got in, handing Bella to her.
Driving to the side of the hotel, Scott parked the car before room number seven and shut it off.
Again, he reached over and took Bella from Jayme. “I’ll carry her in.” He said and got out of the car.
Jayme had no choice but to follow Scott into the motel room where there were two big beds. Jayme sat on one bed and laid Bella down. It was the moment she realized she had left the diaper bag at the house.
“Scott, she needs diapers and wipes and probably more clothes.” Jayme said.
“Dammit, Jayme, why didn’t you bring those things.”
“Um, because you dragged me out of the house.” Jayme responded.
“Fine. Come on, let’s go to the store.” Scott said, still holding the key in his hand.
Getting back into the car, Scott stopped at the first store they came across. It was a small, convenience store. Taking Bella from her, he handed her some money to go get what she needed. Getting out of the car, she went inside the store and walked down the first isle.
Locating the small selection of diapers, Jayme picked out the newborn size pack and reached to grab wipes. Hearing the bell on the door sound as someone walked in, she looked up to see two police officers enter.
Looking outside, she couldn’t see Scott’s car and knew he couldn’t see her. Waving to the police officers to get their attention, she motioned for them to come to her. Immediately, they walked to her and asked if they could help.
“There is a man outside with an infant. He kidnapped my daughter and I.. He’s in a green colored car parked just outside the doors. Please, help me, us.” Jayme pleaded with the officers.
The officer’s looked through the window and saw the front of the car but couldn’t see inside with the signage on the windows. “We’ll handle it, mam.” One officer said and they both turned and walked out of the store. From inside, she watched as they approached Scott’s car.
Scott got out of the car and reached for his wallet. Jayme assumed he was showing them identification but in reality, he was explaining to them about his wife, who’s having mental difficulties. He showed them pictures of their wedding and pictures of them before the wedding. Then he showed them the marriage license and explained that she had been having relapses.
The two officers walked back inside the store and up to Jayme. “Your husband showed us pictures of your wedding. Why did you lie to us? That is a serious offense, punishable by jail and fines.”
“No, officer, I didn’t lie. He is my husband, but he was murdered. I felt his dead body myself. Then just today, he showed up on my doorstep, very much alive. It’s true that he does have me here against my will.”
“So, you’re saying that he was murdered but is now alive?” One officer said and the looked at each other. “Ok, I believe your husband may be right. I think you’re delusional.” The officer said and walked away, followed by the other.
Jayme gritted her teeth, angered by the two officers that were obviously fooled by Scott. Grabbing the diapers and wipes again, she went to the cash register and paid for them. Just before leaving the store, she turned to the two officers, who were standing by the coffee pots. “Just so you know, if something happens to my daughter or I, it’ll be your responsibility because you didn’t do anything. You just think I’m crazy. Thanks for saving my life…” Jayme said and turned to walk out.
Getting back into the car, Jayme put the diapers and wipes on the floor, by her feet, then reached to take Bella back out of his grasp. “Let’s go.” She said.
By now, Bella was very hungry and very agitated. Crying as Jayme brought her back into the motel room, Jayme laid her on the bed then proceeded to change her diaper. When she finished, Jayme exposed her breast and began to feed her. Scott sat on the other bed, watching her.
“I love to see you with our daughter. I was so excited to meet her. I missed the entire thing, the birth. But I’ll still be here to watch her first steps.” Scott said.
“No, Scott…” Jayme said. “You’re not going to be there. I’m not going to be with you like that. My heart belongs to someone else now.”
“Jayme, it’s only been a few months, how could you possibly… unless you didn’t really love me.”
“Scott, I loved you more than you know. But your death, it was so… traumatic to me.”
“Doesn’t seem that traumatic, if you’re already in love with someone else. Who is this Rex person, Jayme?”
“He’s someone I’ve always known. Someone I grew up with. I had no idea how he felt about me, until recently. He had no idea how I always felt about him. We’re over, Scott, I’m sorry to tell you like this, but…”
“No, Jayme, I can’t accept that. We’re married, it’s a legally binding contract.”
“When you were pronounced dead, it became null and void.”
“But I’m not dead. It’s still valid.”
“It doesn’t matter anyways.” Jayme said. “I don’t love you anymore.”
Jayme watched the expression on his face change from calm to sad, then to angry. “What about Bella?”
“What about Bella?” Jayme asked.
“She’s my daughter and I will not allow you to keep her, if you’re not going to be with me.” Scott said.
“No, Scott, we’re not going there.” Jayme said. “She can’t stay with you. She’s breastfed.” Jayme said.
“So, I’ll switch her to formula.” Scott said.
“No, you won’t.” Jayme argued. “She’ll only be breastfed.”
Scott got up and sat on the bed before her. “You’re not understanding me, Jayme. I’m not asking.”
“And I’m not answering, I’m telling you. This is how it’s going to be.” Jayme said.
“You’re bold, you know, stubborn. And stupid. What makes you think you can make me do anything? I’m your husband, you’re supposed to listen and do as I say.”
“Scott, marrying you doesn’t give you ownership over me, I’m not a slave. I’m your wife, your partner…”
“Oh, so now you admit it…” Scott said. “You admit you’re my wife.”
“I’m filing for a divorce.” Jayme said.
“How can I make you understand this? I will not grant your divorce. I won’t accept it. And I won’t let you go.” Scott said.
“What are you going to do? Keep me locked up here, in a motel room? In the bathroom?”
“If that’s what it takes, yes.” Scott said.
“You’re crazy.” Jayme said.
“You’ll see how crazy I really am…” Scott said.
When Jayme was finished feeding Bella, she stood up, with Bella in her arms, and walked toward the door. Scott jumped up and wedged himself between her and the door as she reached for the doorknob. “No, Jayme, I’ve told you, but you’re not listening to me. I said I will not let you go…”
“Scott, I’m leaving.” Jayme said and struggled to open the door.
But Scott was much bigger and much stronger then Jayme. Tired of her efforts, Scott pushed Jayme away from him so hard, the landed on her butt, still holding Bella. For a moment, Jayme just looked up at Scott, shocked by his violence.
“I don’t think so.” Scott said, still standing against the door.
“Damn you.” Jayme said, rubbing her butt.
Standing to her feet, Jayme went to the bed and sat down, laying Bella in the middle of the bed. To avoid him from seeing her tears, Jayme turned away from him and hung her head, her hair hiding her face. Stepping to the table beside the door, Scott sat in the chair. After a few minutes of silence, Jayme laid beside Bella with her back toward Scott.