I TAKE THE DICE - PART TWENTY ONE
PREVIOUSLY
Todd rolled his eyes, “If I remember you weren’t a very good schemer.”
Tina shrugged her shoulders, “This will work. Trust me.”
Todd frowned, “You don’t have to do this Tina.”
Tina stood up, “But I’m going to. I like your wife Todd. And I have a feeling she needs all the help she can get.” And with that, Tina walked out the door.
Todd leaned his head on the couch and let out a deep breath.
**********************************************************************************************************
The Manning Estate…
Téa walked out into the living room dressed in a business suit and carrying a briefcase. Todd looked up from the couch and wrinkled his brow.
“Why are you dressed like that?” he asked.
Téa paused and returned his gaze, “I spoke to Sam. He’s in court defending RJ on his murder rap. The trial is almost done but he needs me to assist him now that Nick is gone. Also, he’s going to represent me concerning this murder investigation and we need to talk about that.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked, immediately suspicious of her.
“When was I suppose to tell you Todd? You walked out on me last night, remember? I’m telling you now. Look, Judith will be here any minute to watch the kids. Trevor’s playing with his building blocks and the twins are sleeping again in their cribs…” said Téa defensively.
Todd stood up, “You should have told me sooner.”
“I didn’t want Tina to think something was wrong between us Todd,” said Téa.
“Tina’s a smart cookie. She’ll figure it out eventually,” said Todd.
Téa bit her lip and looked down at the ground, “I’ve got to go,” she said softly.
Todd was moved by her vulnerability.
“Did you…did you sleep last night?” he asked.
Quickly she looked up at him, “A little. And you?”
“Nah…I worked on the Sun’s article about you. Falsely suspected and all,” said Todd.
She smiled a bit, “I know…you kept your biases out of it…being married and all to the police’s number one suspect.”
“You didn’t kill him Téa,” said Todd.
“No, I didn’t,” she confirmed.
He looked at her. She was so beautiful and very much scared. He could tell she was hurt and disappointed in herself.
“I have to go Todd,” she said.
“Sure,” said Todd. He watched her walk out.
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The Palace Restaurant
Lunchtime…
Kevin Buchanan walked up to the host who escorted him to Tina’s table. Kevin took the seat opposite of Tina who was picking at some bread.
“Well, I’m glad you could make it Kevin,” grinned Tina.
“Your…phone call intrigued me…” admitted Kevin. He poured himself a drink.
“I’m glad,” said Tina.
“So what’s this about Tina?” asked Kevin sipping his drink.
“My brother’s wife is the number one suspect in a murder investigation and you were there…” started Tina.
“Look, I gave my statement to the police,” said Kevin trying to feel her out.
Tina just grinned, “Yeah…you didn’t see anything…you helped Téa try to save his life but you did think she was someone named Fiona Braxton…”
Kevin wrinkled his face, “How did you know?”
“C’Mon Kevin…give me some credit, I am Victor Lord’s daughter.”
“All right Tina, yes, I thought it was Fiona and not Téa going into that building. I was wrong,” said Kevin sipping his drink.
“Maybe you weren’t,” suggested Tina.
“Fiona was at Asa’s all night. I was wrong,” said Kevin firmly.
“Maybe you were right. I haven’t known my brother’s wife long but I know this: she’s not a killer,” said Tina.
“All right. Now what?” asked Kevin.
“Well, maybe something can prove you right…” suggested Tina.
“Like what?” asked Kevin sipping his drink.
“Well, don’t major buildings like that have security and video surveillance tapes?” suggested Tina.
A light bulb went off in Kevin’s head.
“Oh my God! Why didn’t I think of that?! This could be the scoop of the century!!” he exclaimed.
Tina just smiled, “Look, I’m with you step by step.”
Kevin was elated at the opportunity to get to the truth.
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The Manning Estate…
Todd walked into the twins bedroom. Judith was watching Trevor. He looked lovingly at his twins. Taylor was snuggled up to a teddy bear but Tyler was up and playfully waving at the mobile above his head.
Todd was in a funky mood and his wife’s lie hung over his head. He walked over to Tyler’s crib and watched his young son squirm about. Finally, he picked up the baby and walked out. He aimlessly walked down the hall until he came to his bedroom door. The bedroom he didn’t sleep in. He walked inside and Tyler began to wiggle. Todd adjusted his grip, turned on the TV and sat down on the bed. He rested his back against the headboard and extended his long legs out on the bed. He held Tyler in his lap and studied his baby’s face. Tyler smiled.
Todd appeared surprised, “Are you teething? Is that a tooth? Well, it looks like a tooth.”
Tyler coo’d. He spotted a picture of his mother on the nightstand and tried to reach for it. Todd noticed.
“You want your mommy too, huh? Asked Todd.
Tyler nodded his head ‘yes.’
The TV droned on in the background.
Todd cocked his head as he held his squirming son tight in his grip, “You have your mother’s eyes. Brown. Deep brown,” he paused, “But you have my nose. My chin. My hair. You’re going to look like me when you get older. Taylor and Trevor are going to look like Téa.”
Tyler clapped his hand and made loud noises.
“All right. Calm down. What are you trying to tell me? You want me to make up with your Mommy?” asked Todd.
Tyler nodded his head ‘yes.’
“I want to. I do. But she lied to me Tyler!” cried Todd.
Tyler looked confused as if to say, ‘huh?’
Todd rubbed the baby’s arm.
“I dunno. She says she didn’t want to interrupt me and Tina. She should know she comes first so no matter who I’m with…she comes first. I suppose she didn’t mean…harm…” explained Todd.
Tyler smiled at his father.
“You want me to forgive her, don’t you?” asked Todd.
Tyler nodded his head ‘yes.’
“It’s hard Tyler. I really want to. I’m pissed you know. I’m sorry…I’m mad. Your mother is suspected of a murder she didn’t commit but I’m mad she was there in the first place. Argh!! Aw Tyler…you guys got two parents. It ain’t easy with Starr. She’s got Blair and me but we’re not together…I don’t know how to say the words but I…want to forgive her. It will hurt too much if I don’t and I don’t want to hurt anymore. And I don’t want you guys to hurt either. So all right! There! Are you happy? I forgive her!! There!!” said Todd as he held the baby firmly in his lap. Tyler clapped his hands and smiled.
Suddenly the TV got louder as the local new station announced a special news bulletin. Todd turned Tyler around and sat him down in his lap and they both watched the TV. The courthouse was in the background and Blair was on TV.
”This just in. Local prominent attorney, Téa Delgado Manning and wife of local publisher, Todd Manning, was arrested and charged with murder of her law partner, Nicholas Kerensky…”
Todd’s mouth dropped as the TV showed Téa being escorted out of a courtroom with Bo Buchanan and an uniform cop beside her. Sam was following her.
”She’s being arraigned in an adjacent courtroom…”
Todd bolted out of bed and brought Tyler back to his crib. Then he went and found Judith with Trevor. He left instructions with Judith to call Viki if anything should happen to the kids and he went to find his wife at the courthouse.
TO BE CONTINUED...
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