PREVIOUSLY

“I want Mommy,” said Trevor.
“I know you do,” said Jessie softly.
Todd stood up and went to kiss Trevor lightly on the forehead. Trevor flinched and pulled away, snuggling into Jessica. Todd’s eyes grew wide and he was hurt by his son’s actions. He internalized that hurt and sped around, bolting for the door. Without a word, he walked out. Viki and Tina followed him. Jessie did her best to comfort Trevor.

**********************************************************************************************************

Llanview Police Station…

The station was busy. Filled with activity for being so late in the night. Bo walked out of his office with Hank and they whispered to each other in low tones. Looks of confusion adorned their faces, not knowing what to make of the night’s earlier events. Det West mustered up her courage and approached them.

“Commissioner, Téa and Kevin are in separate rooms, like you instructed,” she informed them, “Who do you want to talk to first?”

“Kevin,” said Bo, “I’ve got a hunch he’s just a witness.”

“And Téa…?” asked Det. West.

“Right now – what do we have to go on?” asked Bo crossing his arms. Hank listened carefully.

“Circumstantial evidence Commissioner,” said Det. West.

“Is there any possible motive?” asked Hank.

“Well, right now, it’s strictly a hypothesis,” said West seriously.

“Let’s hear it Lisa,” said Bo.

“Téa mentioned she only owned one Faberge Egg but there were two at the crime scene, exactly alike. Possibly she caught Kerensky stealing it…and shot him,” said West.

Bo frowned, “The Téa Manning I know isn’t a killer.”

“Maybe she didn’t mean it,” added West, “Maybe it was…an accident.”

“Did Téa handle the gun?” asked Hank.

“She admitted to it,” confirmed West.

“Damn,” muttered Bo, “While I question Kevin, I want Téa’s hands examined for gunpowder residue. That will tell us if she fired it or not. Also, fingerprint Téa. I noticed blood on her dress. Take it for evidence.”

“Yes commissioner,” said Det. West, “Oh – and the two eggs were also taken as evidence and sent to the crime lab.”

“Good,” said Hank.

Bo rubbed his hand together, “You should be done with Téa as I finish up with Kevin. I’ll question her then.”

Det. West just nodded her head in assent and walked off to comply with Bo’s instructions. Without another word, Bo and Hank walked up to Kevin’s door where he was waiting to talk them. Bo paused and looked at Hank.

“You okay Bo? You seem frazzled,” said Hank genuinely concerned for his friend.

“I am. I should be in the hospital right now with my wife and newborn son. We’re gonna’ call him Troy,” Bo paused to collect his thoughts, “But instead I’m here – handling a sensitive murder investigation and right now a woman I believe incapable of murder is my number one suspect. A woman I have a lot of respect for. I’m not happy about it. Not one bit.”

“Neither am I,” confirmed Hank.

Bo opened the door and went inside followed by Hank.

********************************************************************************************************

Kevin was nervous as he sat behind the small table, tapping his fingers as if he couldn’t stop. Bo and Hank walked in and looked at Kevin. Kevin drew a deep breath.

“Kev, we gotta’ talk about tonight,” said Bo crossing his arms. His voice was firm and hard.

“I know,” was all Kevin said.

Hank crossed his arms, and his face became cold, “Why did you go to Téa’s office tonight? She ask you too?”

“No. No. I thought Fiona was there,” answered Kevin.

Hank was surprised by that answer, “Fiona? Fiona Braxton?”

Bo’s voice became calm, “Yeah Hank, Fiona was released today. Why did you think Fiona was at Téa’s law office? Isn’t Fiona under a court imposed restraining order to stay away from the Mannings?”

“Yeah. It’s a long story,” muttered Kevin.

“I’ve got all night. Let’s hear it,” said Bo sitting down across from Kevin. Hank remained standing.

Kevin took a deep breath, “Fiona was supposed to go to Asa’s after being released and after the party I was suppose to meet her there. Well, I was bored at the party and I was staring out the window. I could have sworn I saw Fiona pull up in a taxi. She had her hair up and was wearing a silver and black evening gown. So I walked over to the door waiting for her to come in. She didn’t. So I rushed outside and could have sworn I saw her pull off in another cab. My curiosity got the better of me and I followed the cab. The woman got out in front of Téa’s law office and went inside. Well, I would have gone right in but I didn’t have any money. The cabbie took me to a nearby ATM so I could pay him. When I got back, I went inside. I found Téa slumped over Nick’s in shock.”

“Is it possible you could have confused Téa and Fiona tonight?” asked Hank.

“I don’t see how,” said Kevin.

“Did you ever see Fiona tonight?” asked Bo.

“No,” answered Kevin.

“Did Téa do or say anything in your presence?” asked Bo again.

“Téa appeared shocked. She asked me to help save him. That’s what she said, “Help me save him Kevin,” he paused for breath.

“What happened next?” asked Hank concerned.

“I asked her if she called for an ambulance. She said no…but I noticed her phone was off the hook,” added Kevin.

“I see,” said Bo.

“Anyway, I took Téa’s shawl and applied direct pressure to the wound. Téa gave him CPR until the paramedics arrived,” concluded Kevin.

Bo looked at Hank. His face revealed nothing. He got up, went to the window and motioned for a uniform cop. After a second or two, a police officer entered the room.

“Yes Commissioner?” asked the cop.

“Kev, I need you to go with Officer Melissa here. Let her take a statement from you. Tell her what you just told me,” instructed Bo.

“Sure Bo,” said Kevin standing up.

“Kevin, one more question, do you think Téa killed Nick,” asked Hank. He was curious for Kevin’s answer.

Kevin paused, “I don’t know.”

The cop escorted Kevin out of the room, leaving Bo and Hank alone.

“What do you think?” asked Hank.

“Did you hear Kevin describe what he thought Fiona was wearing tonight?” asked Bo.

“A silver and black evening dress. Her hair was up,” repeated Hank.

“Téa has her hair up and is wearing a silver and black gown,” said Bo.

The door opened and Det. West walked in.

“Commissioner, I just confirmed with the 911 operator. A woman called 911 requesting an ambulance at that location,” said West.

“I see,” said Bo, “Take a voice print from Téa. We’ll match it to the 911 voiceprint.”

Det West nodded her head and walked out.

“What are you thinking Bo?” asked Hank.

“I might have another suspect. But this other suspect makes no sense – Why would Fiona kill Nick? Unless…” speculated Bo.

“What?” asked Hank.

“Maybe he wasn’t the intended victim. Maybe Téa was,” said Bo.

“Speculation. How do we know Fiona wasn’t at Asa’s all night?” asked Hank.

“After I get done questioning Téa, we’ll bring Fiona down here,” said Bo walking over to the door. He opened it and walked out into the busy squad room.

***********************************************************************************************************

Todd, Viki, and Tina walked into the squad room. Todd was incensed and as soon as he spotted Bo, who was whispering to Hank, he walked up to him and got in his face.

“Buchanan, I want to see my wife. Now,” said Todd, his eyes blaring with fire.

“Sorry Manning. I can’t let you see Téa until I question her about tonight,” said Bo not intimidated by Todd.

“I’m not going to take no for an answer!” yelled Todd.

“C’Mon Todd,” said Viki, “Back off.”

“No. Not until I see my wife!” said Todd shrugging off Viki.

Tina looked on, as if she was studying Todd. Getting to know him.

Bo snapped, “Well you can’t always get what you want Manning! You know right now I want to see my wife too but I can’t! See, MY wife gave birth tonight to my son, my son Troy, but I can’t be with her. I gotta’ be here handling this murder investigation!!”

Hank pulled Bo away from Todd and Todd took a step back. He glared at Bo, saying nothing, feeling trapped. He didn’t like that feeling.

Just then, Det West walked into the squad room with Téa. Téa wasn’t in handcuffs but she was wearing a set of blue fatigues since her dress had been taken for evidence. She looked at Todd. She knew he was hurt as his face was filled with an incredible amount of pain. Det West escorted Téa into an interview room.

Seeing Téa only made Todd furious, “What is MY wife doing wearing inmate clothes?! Is she a suspect?!”

“No,” said Bo firmly, “She’s not a suspect but we did take her bloodstained dress as evidence.”

Viki motioned for Tina to approached Todd.

“Bloodstained?!” yelled Todd, “Let me talk to MY wife now!!”

“Not now. When I’m done,” said Bo. He turned to Hank and they walked off, into the room that Téa was in.

“That bastard!” Todd spat.

“Todd, you’re like…I dunno…an injured wolf lashing out at everyone and anyone because you’re in pain,” said Tina more of an observation than a comment.

“I am in pain. My kid wouldn’t come to me tonight, My wife is a suspect in a murder investigation and Bo is keeping me – NO – FORCING me to stay away from her!!” Todd couldn’t hide the fury in his voice.

“Todd, you don’t know Téa is a suspect. Bo says she’s not. You will see her tonight,” said Viki rationally.

“But can I take her home?! I promised my son – my boy – I’d bring his mother home tonight,” said Todd, “That’s the only thing that will make things right.”

“If Téa’s not a suspect, they’ll release her,” said Tina.

“Tina…! She’s wearing that awful blue denim…!!” said Todd still upset.

“Get a grip Todd. You losing control is not going to help Téa or Trevor. Just wait until Bo is done talking to her,” said Viki firmly.

“I’m not a patient man Viki. You know that,” replied Todd.

“Well you better acquire some now before you do something rash that only helps to tear your family apart instead of bringing it together,” said Viki wisely.

Todd said nothing and stomped out of the squad room in a fury. Viki looked at Tina and the followed him.

TO BE CONTINUED…

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