HEAVEN - PART FIVE

HEAVEN - PART FIVE

PREVIOUSLY

“We’d better get going, Delgado,” he said, looking into her eyes. “It’s just a matter of time before they start widening the search and setting up roadblocks. The more distance we can put between us and Llanview, the better. She nodded and they both got out of the car to switch sides. Todd stopped her as they crossed in back, taking her into his arms and kissing her sensuously. “No one has ever done anything like this for me, Delgado,” he murmured in her ear. “I’ll never forget it. I know you’ve thrown away your whole life for me and I swear I’ll do everything in my power to make it up to you.”

“The only thing I want is you, Querido,” she said, returning his kiss. They broke apart reluctantly and strapped into the Ferrari. The engine roared to life again, and they were soon racing down the road—together and free.

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Bo Buchanan poured the dregs from the coffeepot into his cup, looking with distaste at the grounds swirling around in the dark liquid. He took a sip, grimacing as the acidic beverage made contact with his already churning stomach. How many cups of the stuff had he had during the long night? He had lost count hours ago. Using his free hand to massage the aching muscles of his neck, he carried the cup to the solitary window in his small office and spent a few moments studying the barely perceptible light dawning over Llanview. A jangling phone interrupted his reverie and he sprinted across the office to his desk, sloshing the coffee over some papers as he set the cup down abruptly. “Tell me you’ve found them,” he growled into the receiver. A frustrated hiss escaped his lips as he listened to yet another report from one of his field officers telling him absolutely nothing new. He hung up, but not before blistering the man’s ear with a barrage of angry demands for more effort in their hunt for the fugitives.

He reached again for the coffee, but set it back down untouched. “They can’t have disappeared into thin air,” he muttered to himself. He rubbed his tired eyes and looked again at the thick file on Todd Manning that rested on his desk. His officers had checked every known location where Todd had been seen in the last two months, and then checked them again for good measure. No, Manning was too cunning to be cornered so quickly. Closing the file, Bo reluctantly pulled forward the much thinner file on Téa Delgado. After a brief hesitation, he flipped it open and studied the contents for at least the tenth time that night, searching for anything that he might have missed that could provide a clue as to where she might decide to hold up. Looking at the young attorney’s smiling photo that formed a part of her city employment record, the police commissioner couldn’t help feeling a pang of guilt. The case against Manning had stunk to high heaven from the beginning, and he had failed to act on his gut feeling that told him not to trust the Chicago detectives and their accomplice, Sykes. Fearing for the man she loved, Téa had been forced to protect him the only way she could. Now, because of Bo’s failure, Téa’s future as an attorney was seriously jeopardized, and her life was in danger.

The door flew open and Detective Quilici barged in without knocking. Bo didn’t say anything, but had a hard time masking his contempt for the slovenly man. “Nothing, Commish,” he said, wiping sweat from his brow. “We’ve been at the interrogations all night and haven’t turned up a thing. Those kids with the baby claim they don’t have any idea what Delgado’s plan was. I wanted to push them a little harder, you know, but that good for nothing attorney Rappaport was all over me.”

“That girl is my niece, Quilici,” said Bo in a barely controlled voice, “and Will is a good kid. If they say they don’t know where Téa took Manning, I believe them.”

“Yeah, well, they should be charged with aiding and abetting…”

“And I’ve already told you no, Detective!” said Bo sharply. “Throwing two kids in jail for trying to right what they consider an injustice isn’t going to help us catch Manning,” he continued, trying to maintain his temper. Seeing his eyes, Quilici realized there was no use in arguing the point any further.

“Yeah, well, I couldn’t get anything out of that hoity-toity sister of Manning’s, either. What a stuck-up bitch!” Bo bristled visibly at the insult to his ex sister-in-law.

“Keep a civil tongue in your head, Quilici!” he growled. “I seriously doubt Viki knows anything. Téa wouldn’t confide in her…”

“He’s right, Bo. There’s nothing that ice queen Viki wouldn’t do to protect that low-life brother of hers,” said a booming voice from the doorway.

“Pa! I told you to go home hours ago!” shouted Bo in frustration.

“I did, but who can sleep knowing that worm is about to wiggle off the hook again?” Asa stalked into the room like he owned it. “If you and your boys had been on top of this, Bo, we’d all be home asleep in our beds satisfied that that scum was locked up forever. But instead you let him get away right under your noses.”

“That’s enough, Pa,” returned Bo, too tired to even attempt to be civil. He fumbled with some papers on his desk. “I have a few questions for you, since you’re here,” he said in his best business-like voice.

“Fire away, son, I want to help all I can.”

Bo cleared his throat, glancing at Quilici in a threatening manner. “OK, Pa, here goes. Why are you all of a sudden best buddies with John Sykes? You’ve had nothing but contempt for him in the past.”

“That was when he was taking your job from you, Bo,” said Asa, looking sincere. “You’re the only man for commissioner, but Sykes is a damned good detective, and the only one who understands that Manning is a plague that needs to be wiped out. I just decided to help him out.”

Bo clenched his teeth against the throbbing pain he began to feel behind his eyes. “This is starting to sound like a conspiracy,” he muttered, mostly to himself. Looking again at his father he said, “I hope this is all on the up and up, Pa, because if it comes out that you, Sykes, and…and whoever…,” he said gesturing at Quilici. “If you knowingly tried to pin something false on Manning, I’ll find out about it sooner or later. And I won’t be happy to have to throw you in jail, Pa.”

“Look, Buchanan, you’ve seen the report,” cut in Quilici. “Manning killed the girl. How did WE suddenly become the bad guys?” He stared Bo in the eye defiantly.

“Bo, you need some rest, son. You’re reading way too much into this,” said Asa, looking cool. “You feel sorry for that little gal, Delgado. So do I. But she made her choice, Bo, and now she’s going to let Manning drag her down along with him. There’s nothing you could do.” All eyes turned to the phone as it rang again.

Bo picked up the receiver and listened to the report. He hung up without a word and sat behind the desk, cradling his head in his hands. A long sigh escaped his lips as he glanced outside to the slowly brightening dawn. “Well, that’s that. There’s no sign of Manning, Téa or the Ferrari anywhere in the county.” Wearily, he picked up the phone receiver and waited for a response. “Yeah, Ryan, get me the New York office of the FBI.”

“The FBI?” said Quilici, looking suddenly worried. “Look, Commish, you don’t need those feds poking their noses in here already. We’ll find Manning without their help.” He fiddled nervously with a candy wrapper.

Bo’s eyes moved between his father and the heavy-set detective as he waited for the call to be connected. “I’ve been putting this off all night, hoping we’d have more news,” he said to his companions. “But now I have no choice.” Asa and Quilici looked at each other in confusion. “Special Agent Delgado, please,” said Bo into the receiver as his call was answered. He didn’t notice Quilici blanche as he quickly slipped out of the office, biting his lip.

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Viki Carpenter marched into the newsroom of the Banner. She had been in the police station all night answering questions from the boorish detective from Chicago. Suffice it to say she was not a happy camper. Glancing around with a frown on her face, she located her son Kevin typing frantically on a computer at his desk. Except for a few maintenance people emptying wastebaskets, mother and son were alone. Noting that the sky was just beginning to lighten, Viki stomped over to Kevin’s desk and angrily turned off the monitor.

“What the…? Mom! I’m up against a deadline and they’re holding the presses waiting for this story!” Viki’s blue eyes narrowed, and Kevin swallowed hard. The situation reminded him of when his mother had scolded him for some minor transgression during his childhood.

“Let them wait!” said Viki. “Let them wait forever if necessary, Kevin. Before I print one word of this story, you’re going to tell me everything you know about these charges against Todd.”

Kevin rolled his eyes, sighing in exasperation. “Don’t tell me, I already know. You’ve taken his side, even though he ran away instead of sticking around and facing the charges like a man. Don’t you even care that he’s taken Téa down with him, Mom?”

“From all appearances, Téa instigated the escape, Kevin, not Todd. And it makes me wonder…why would she abandon everything she’s ever believed about justice and the law and decide to run? It’s just not like her.” Seeing her son open his mouth to speak, Viki held up her hand. “Don’t say it, Kevin. I won’t hear more hyperbole about my brother. Now I know you’ve been working closely with John Sykes the last few weeks. Is he your source on the Hattie Brown story?”

“You know I can’t reveal my sources…”

“Bullshit!” Kevin stared in horror at his mother, struck dumb by the crude remark coming from her usually prim and proper lips. She looked rather horrified herself. “Well then…” she muttered. “Start from the beginning. I’m your publisher and your mother and I want to know everything.” Kevin’s guts were twisted in a knot. He didn’t like to have to lie to his mother.

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“Todd, do we really have to do this?” asked Téa, looking at the beautiful red Ferrari with tears in her eyes. “Couldn’t we just hide it somewhere?”

“I’ve told you, Delgado, this car will lead them right to us if they find it. Better to get rid of it now.” He sounded more determined than he felt as he let his eyes roam over the sleek automobile one last time. He glanced at the ever-lightening sky. They were running out of time. “C’mon,” he coaxed. “We don’t want to be seen in broad daylight.” He slipped into the driver’s seat and put the car in neutral, trying not to think about it too much. Then, stepping out, he reached over the side of automobile and released the parking brake. Ever so slowly, the Ferrari began to roll down the boat-launching ramp toward the still water of the lake. “Let’s giver ‘er a push,” he said, placing his hands on the back. Téa joined him as the momentum increased and the car began rolling quickly down the ramp. They both stopped and watched as the Ferrari entered the water with a loud splash. It gurgled and bobbed on the surface of the lake for a moment, then sank quickly out of sight. Todd dusted off his hands, turning his head to hide his face from Téa. “Well, they won’t find that until next spring,” he said lightly.

“Todd, come here,” said Téa, taking him in her arms. She could feel him trembling with suppressed emotion. “You don’t have to pretend with me. I know you loved that car,” she said softly. He pulled away slightly, stroking her face, and she could see the tears standing in his eyes.

“It’s just a car, Delgado,” he said softly. “I’ll get another. And meanwhile, I have everything I need right here.” He leaned in for a deep kiss, after which they clung together for a brief moment, taking strength from the other’s presence. “Now, we’d better find a place to hide and rest during the day. Tonight we’ll find other transportation.” Arm in arm, they walked to the top of the ramp and began picking up the various backpacks and duffels that they had removed from the Ferrari earlier.

Téa chuckled as they began walking down the country lane that fronted the lake. “I feel like a vampire in one of those books. You know, going to ground during the day, walking around by night.” Playfully, Todd began to nibble her neck.

“Sounds like a fun game to me,” he whispered seductively.

They had driven all night, keeping to the back roads through the mountains. Surprisingly, they hadn’t encountered any police roadblocks or other obstacles in their headlong flight from Llanview. Now, they were deep in the Adirondack Mountains in New York, at a small lake resort that appeared to be almost deserted in the off season. Both of them were exhausted, and they planned to find an empty cabin or other building where they could lay low and regain their strength. Neither of them had a long-term plan beyond that. After getting some rest, they hoped to acquire a less eye-catching vehicle and continue their journey to who knows where.

“Wow! I’ve never been on a yacht before,” said Téa a few minutes later as she looked around the snug galley. Her face lost its happy glow. “Do you think we’ll be safe here?”

“It’s not a yacht,” said Todd, throwing open a door to reveal a cozy little stateroom. “It’s just a sailboat. I can’t promise anything, but I don’t think anyone will find us here. The boat’s in dry dock for the winter. No one will be expecting anyone to be in here.”

“What about that watchman we spotted?” asked Téa, still nervous.

“He didn’t see us, and he was at least 70, Téa. I doubt he’ll do more than walk around the boat yard once or twice today. Relax.”

“I’m sorry,” said Téa, sniffing back tears as she unzipped a duffel and pulled out two sleeping bags. “I’ve never been a fugitive before and I’m scared,” she continued as she spread out the bags on the stateroom mattress. Suddenly, Todd’s arms wrapped around her waist from the back.

“I’ll never forget what you did for me, Téa,” he said, nuzzling her neck. “I’d be dead now if it weren’t for you.” She reached back and stroked his hair, closing her eyes in near exhaustion.

“I did it for us, Querido,” she said, breathing hard. “I wouldn’t want to live without you.” She stretched out on top of one of the sleeping bags. Todd joined her in the narrow bunk, pulling the other sleeping bag over them both. Taking her in his arms, he cradled her against his chest.

“Rest now, Delgado,” he crooned softly. “You did good. You got us food, warm clothes and money. Tonight, after we’ve rested, we’ll figure out what to do.” Téa snuggled into his side, sighing in contentment.

“I don’t care where we go, as long as I’m with you,” she said dreamily. He stroked along her back affectionately. Téa was exhausted, but found she couldn’t drop off to sleep. The adrenaline rush from the wild escape still had her mind jumping. She could feel that Todd was tense also. Looking up, she found his hazel eyes boring into hers. Without a word, he brought his head down and covered her lips with his own.

Téa responded immediately, opening her mouth and letting him explore its inviting wetness with his tongue. Her hands stroked through his long hair. The emotional turmoil of the long night caught up with her, and she reveled in feeling the man she loved alive and warm beneath her touch. A few hours earlier, she had despaired of ever seeing or touching him again. Now, as they kissed, a torrent of untapped passion poured from her as she felt the familiar response of her body to Todd’s insistent kisses.

As she rolled on top of him, she felt the tug at the hem of her sweater as he pulled it over her head and discarded it on the floor. With a flick of his wrist, he unsnapped her bra and sent it to join the sweater. Téa gasped in pleasure as his mouth found her quivering breasts and laved her nipples into taut little peaks of desire. The urgency of their desperate situation seemed to drive both of them into a frenzy, and they quickly unzipped, unhooked and unfastened the rest of their clothing until they lay side by side, completely naked. Reaching out her hand, Téa felt his stiff member and used her thumb to stroke along the head, driving him wild. He thrashed around, then finally grabbed her shoulders and pushed her down, holding her while he again suckled at her sensitive nipples.

“I…I can’t stand it anymore,” she whimpered, grabbing great handfuls of his hair as he relentlessly drove her toward the edge. She arched her back, pushing her ample breasts further into his face. “I need you inside me, Todd. I need to feel you…alive…inside me.” He moved his mouth from her chest, bringing it up to her ear.

“And what about ‘protection’?” he growled seductively. She quickly choked off his words with her lips, reaching down to guide him between her legs. He didn’t need any more invitation, and answered her need with a massive thrust. Moaning in pleasure, Téa locked her feet behind his butt, rolling her head back and forth as he rhythmically pounded her insides and chewed on her earlobes. He pushed up on his muscular forearms, staring into her eyes as they both approached the abyss. Finally, Todd’s head snapped back and he went rigid. A moment later, Téa felt the wave engulf her, crying out as Todd pumped his life into her, giving her his very soul.

Téa willed her breathing to return to normal as she felt Todd collapse on top of her. She stroked his hair absently, enjoying the wonderful afterglow of their lovemaking. “I love you Querido,” she whispered, feeling herself drift away.

“And I love you, Delgado,” he murmured, sliding himself to the side.

A moment later, they were both sound asleep.

TO BE CONTINUED