HEAVEN - PART SEVEN

HEAVEN - PART SEVEN

PREVIOUSLY

“I love you,” he said simply, his voice catching as he stared into Téa’s eyes.

“I love you, too!” answered Téa amidst a torrent of tears which had finally spilled down her cheeks. The door swung closed and latched with a loud click, hiding Todd from view. Del took Téa into his arms, trying to comfort her in spite of the fact that she was beating painfully against his chest with her fists.

“Shhhh, Little One,” he said quietly. “It will be all right, I promise.” Gently, he took her shoulders and steered her toward the elevator. Glancing back at the door where Todd had disappeared, Téa wondered if things would ever be all right again.

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Unable to keep still one moment longer, Todd began to pace the small confines of his cell for the third time that hour. He had been locked up in the Federal Detention Center for four days without a word from Téa or her FBI agent brother, and the waiting was pure torture. As far as jails went, this one wasn’t so bad, being a modern prison constructed without bars or grates. Todd’s cell had a tall, narrow window that provided plenty of light and he was allowed out for a couple of hours every day for exercise. There was even a small television to help pass the long hours. But no matter what the amenities, it was still unjust confinement, and it took everything he had not to give into despair.

Sitting down again on the bunk, Todd took up one of a stack of magazines, determined to force himself to relax. He hadn’t slept or eaten much in days, and he knew it wouldn’t do him or Téa any good if he made himself sick. He had just begun to get into an article about Italy when the lock on the door of his cell opened with a loud metallic click. A moment later the door swung wide.

“Someone to see you,” announced the guard as Del Delgado strolled into the cell.

“It’s about time,” said Todd, an angry scowl on his face. “Where’s Téa? Is she OK?”

“Relax, Manning,” said Del, signaling to the guard. “Téa’s just fine, according to the agents I assigned to her.” The door closed, the lock banging home again.

“Well?” asked Todd impatiently as the FBI agent joined him on the bunk. Del riffled through a sheaf of papers in a file he carried. He looked up at Todd, his dark eyes boring into Todd’s hazel ones.

“So, I contacted your man in DC,” he began, his face unreadable. “He’s sure a strange one.”

“Yeah, but his information is good,” said Todd.

“Where’d you meet up with him?”

“Oh, he latched onto me a few years ago when I was recovering after being shot in Ireland. I brought him to Llanview. We parted ways, but he still does work for me now and then. He’s a former magician.”

“Yeah, I guessed that when he kept pulling flowers out of odd places,” said Del, the disgust evident in his voice. “Anyway, his information checks out. Sykes is oilier than Prince William Sound.”

Todd leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. He absent-mindedly began to run his fingers through his hair. “So you believe me? You know my old man killed Michelle, not me?”

“Oddly enough, Manning I think I’ve believed you all along,” said Del, looking uncomfortable. “Something about that Sykes guy just rubbed me the wrong way from the start. Unfortunately, we still don’t have proof that he set you up.”

“I knew it!” shouted Todd, standing up abruptly in the small space. “You’re going to sell me out! You’re going to hand me over to him and ten minutes later I’ll be dead.”

“Sit down!” said Del with authority. “God, you can be a real pain in the ass.” The two men stared at each other, their dislike for the other plain on their faces.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” asked Todd, his lip curling up in a sneer. He sat down, his eyes flicking to the enticing strip of blue sky visible through the narrow window. “You admit that I’m innocent, but you keep me locked up. So, Delgado, how long are you going to keep punishing me for the crime of loving your sister?”

Del’s eyes widened slightly in surprise at the vehemence in the other man’s voice. He wasn’t entirely comfortable with how close to the truth Todd actually was. It had given him immense pleasure to know that the man who had nearly ruined his sister’s life was suffering on his orders. But now that he could observe the wretched state of his victim, the victory didn’t seem quite as sweet. The prisoner’s face was covered with a light sheen of sweat and his jaw was set. Del noticed that he kept clenching and unclenching his fists. “You didn’t tell me that you’re claustrophobic,” he said in a quiet voice.

Todd reluctantly pulled his gaze away from the window. “Give me a break,” he said disdainfully. “Not that it matters one bit to you, but my old man used to lock me in a dark closet just for the pleasure of hearing me scream. So yeah, jail isn’t exactly my idea of fun.”

Del looked down at the file in his lap. “I read the police report you made about the night of your fourteenth birthday. Your old man was some piece of work.”

Todd gestured at the bare cell. “Yeah, he’s been dead for years and he’s still making my life a living hell. And just in case I forget about him for a minute, now there’s Johnny Boy to take over the role of personal torturer.” He took a deep breath, determined not to succumb to self-pity. “So what are you going to do now Delgado? I’ve been rotting in here for days and I want out. How are we going to prove Sykes is dirty?”

Del snapped the file closed. “I have an idea, but you’re not going to like it,” he said.

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Fed up at last, Téa flung open the closet, reaching for her coat. “What are you doing, Ms. Delgado?” asked the agent in charge of keeping her safe.

“What it looks like…going out,” she said, grabbing the doorknob.

“I can’t let you do that, Ma’am,” said the agent, placing himself in front of the door. Téa scowled at him.

“Look, I’m sick of being stuck in here with no word from my brother. I have to find out for myself what’s going on.”

“My orders are to keep you here.”

“Well, guess what, Agent? I don’t want to be here. Unlike Mr. Manning, I haven’t been charged with a crime. You can’t keep me here against my will.” The officer didn’t budge and Téa was just opening her mouth to renew the argument when the door swung open. “You!” she shouted. “How dare you stick me here with these goons for days!” She flew at her brother, pummeling his chest.

“Hey! Hey!” he grunted, imprisoning her wrists. “Is that any way to treat your loving brother? Especially when he comes bearing gifts?” Taking a quick step to the side, he pulled Todd into view.

With a little cry of joy, Téa threw herself into Todd’s arms, hugging him close. He crushed her to him, rubbing his hands up and down her back, as though confirming she was real. Their lips met in a passionate kiss as Del looked away to give them some privacy. “Oh God, I missed you!” she breathed, clutching Todd’s jacket. “How are you? Are you OK?”

Todd shrugged, his jaw hard. “You know how it is with me and jail, Delgado. But it’s over now, and I don’t intend to go back.”

Téa looked at her brother. “So you’re going to help us prove Todd is innocent?” She noticed a look exchanged between Todd and Del. “What?” she asked, feeling left out.

Todd grabbed Téa’s shoulders. “Téa, your brother has a plan for how we can bring down Sykes.” He gave a grudging look of admiration to the other man. “I have to hand it to him—it just might work.”

“Great,” she said, happy at the prospect of actually taking some action, as opposed to the fruitless waiting she had been doing for the past four days. “Just tell me what I can do.”

“You can wait here with the agents. We don’t want you anywhere near that psycho.”

Téa stomped her foot, looking from her brother to her lover. “Uh uh. No way.”

“C’mon, Delgado. I couldn’t go without seeing you first, but I don’t want the distraction of worrying about you. I want you safe.” Todd sighed in exasperation as he saw the set of her jaw. Her eyes flashed as she looked at her brother.

“Just what is this mysterious plan of yours?” she asked.

“Simple,” said Del. “We give Sykes what he wants. I turn Manning over to him, then we sit and wait for him to start gloating. The man can’t help boasting and we’ll get it on tape. He’ll incriminate himself and clear Manning all in one breath.”

“Are you out of your minds?” cried Téa, her dark eyes turning on Todd. “You’re going to use yourself as bait?”

“There’s no other way, Delgado,” said Todd. “Sykes has covered his tracks too well. But if we get him to talk when he thinks no one is around…” Téa shook her head, her eyes wide with fright for the man she loved. “You know we’re right, Téa,” said Todd quietly.

“Yeah, partly,” she said, considering. “He does want to get rid of you, and he likes to boast. But you’re forgetting what he really wants—me. Use me as the lure and he’s sure to fall into the trap.”

“No!” shouted Todd and Del simultaneously. “Forget it, Téa—it’s too much of a risk,” said Todd defensively.

Her eyes softening, Téa reached out a hand to caress Todd’s chin. “You know I’m right, Querido. John has a huge ego. He never could stand the fact that I chose you over him. He won’t be able to resist a chance to punish me for that perceived mistake.” Todd continued to shake his head. “We’re in this together, Todd,” said Téa softly. “So get it through your head. You either take me along or I’ll give the agents the slip and sneak out. Wouldn’t it be better to work together, instead of being at cross purposes?”

Todd and Del glared at her, but Téa knew she had won them over when Del ordered her to get her coat.

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Viki hugged her brother a long time, and for once he allowed it without pulling away. He even looked somewhat annoyed when she released him and turned her attentions to Téa. When all had been served drinks and settled comfortably in the library at Llanfair, Viki began the story of her son Kevin’s involvement in the plot to set up Todd for the murder committed by his father. Glancing nervously at Del Delgado, Viki made it clear that what Kevin had done was by no means illegal, but undoubtedly unethical. He had printed the stories fed to him by John Sykes without checking his sources, aiding the twisted detective in his plan to make Todd look guilty of the crime. Kevin had also tracked down the Manning’s former housekeeper, Hattie Brown, whose statement had done so much damage to Todd’s credibility. Deploring the vengeful actions of her son and sick with worry over her fugitive brother, Viki had taken it upon herself to seek out the truth of the matter. She had attempted to locate Mrs. Brown, hoping to get her to retract her lie, but the old woman seemed to have disappeared entirely from the Chicago area.

“That doesn’t make sense,” said Téa, her lawyerly mind kicking into gear. “She would have had to testify at the preliminary hearing if they wanted the charges against Todd to stick. Where could she be?”

“Haven’t you figured it out yet, Téa?” asked Todd. “Sykes never intended for me to stand trial. He planned to kill me before I ever got to Chicago.” Todd stood up and began to pace, looking to dissipate some of his nervous energy.

Viki looked uncomfortable. “Todd, I’m sure Kevin knew nothing about the plot against your life. He got a little over-zealous in his attempts to see you in prison, but I know he doesn’t want you dead.”

“Sure, Viki. You keep telling yourself that,” said Todd, sneering. “Kevvie and I understand each other, and there is nothing he wouldn’t do to bring me down.” Viki lifted her chin defiantly, eyeing the FBI agent warily. She was determined to defend her oldest son, especially when Del Delgado could easily charge him with conspiracy.

Téa interrupted. “But what about Mrs. Brown? You don’t think John and those awful Chicago detectives actually…actually did away with her, do you?”

“I think I can answer that, Téa,” said Bo Buchanan, strolling into the room from the foyer, Officer Bill Doyle at his heel. Todd stepped back involuntarily, looking at the cops in dismay. Del was also less than pleased to see local law enforcement. They could interfere with his plan to trap Sykes and endanger the life of his sister and the man she was determined to save. Bo held up a hand against the various looks of distrust and fright directed at him. “Relax. We aren’t here to arrest anyone.”

“Oh yeah? Then what are you doing here?” snapped Todd, his nerves on edge.

Viki stood up. “I invited him when I received the call that you were on your way,” she said, trying to ignore the look of utter betrayal on her brother’s face. “Bo came to me after your escape. He wants to help, and I trust him.”

Todd glared at the commissioner as he crossed the room and planted himself directly in front of him. “I have to ask your forgiveness, Manning,” began Bo, looking like the words would choke him. “I shouldn’t have asked you to ignore the beating Sykes gave you in jail. I thought he had just lost his temper, but now I know that he’s gone over the edge. He wants you dead, and he won’t stop until he gets his wish.”

“Fine words now, Bo, but that night you were willing to let them load me with chains and throw me on your old man’s plane, even though you were there when I was hypnotized and recovered the memory. You didn’t give a damn what happened to me, even though you knew I was innocent!”

“Look, Todd, the only person who really knows what happened the night of your fourteenth birthday is you, seeing as how the other two parties are dead. When I was faced with an eyewitness account that contradicted you…well…”

“You decided I was lying again,” said Todd with a scowl on his face. Bo looked uncomfortable. He reached into his trenchcoat pocket and pulled out some folded papers. He silently handed them to Del.

“I know it’s not worth much, Manning, but I want you to know that Asa had no part in planning to kill you. He admits bankrolling Sykes and wanting you out of the way so he could gain control of the Sun again, but he was horrified at the thought of murder.”

“Wait!” said Del, climbing to his feet. “How do you know about the conspiracy to kill Manning?” he asked curiously. “Sykes admitted it to Téa, but without corroboration, we can’t move against him. Is there other evidence?”

Doyle stepped forward for the first time. “I heard him and those Chicago detectives talking about it after the escape,” he said sheepishly. “I told the commissioner, but it’s like you said. Until we get some hard evidence, it’s his word against mine, and he’s got some mighty strong backers behind him in Washington.”

Bo gestured at the papers he had handed to Del. “It’s not enough, but I think this will help destroy the credibility of the so-called eye witness.” Del read through them, then summarized for the others. Using top-notch detective work, Bo, aided by Doyle, had managed to track down Hattie Brown, who was living in a convalescent hospital in a small town outside Chicago under an assumed name. It was true she only had a few months to live, the cancer having eaten away most of her internal organs, along with her dignity. Her only living relative was her beloved grandson. Two years before, the young man had been busted for armed robbery and sent to the state prison for a long stretch. Perusing his prison records, Del noted that his parole date had been moved up several years without explanation. He would be released right around the time Mrs. Brown could have been expected to testify against Todd in a trial. From the facts, it was easy to construct a scenario where the housekeeper was promised the release of the grandson she doted on, in exchange for false testimony against Todd.

The information was valuable, although Todd refused to thank Bo for his efforts on his behalf. He did manage to mumble out a half-hearted word of appreciation to Doyle for missing when he shot at them the night of the escape. Todd was well aware that Doyle possessed the marksmanship medal in the Llanview PD, and although he wouldn’t accuse him of deliberately missing a shot in front of his boss, Todd thought he knew the truth of the matter. With a wary trust established, the small group of people sat down in the plush comfort of the mansion to construct a plan against the man who had used the law to mask his blighted soul.

The lights at Llanfair glowed long into the night.

TO BE CONTINUED