HEAVEN - PART EIGHT

HEAVEN - PART EIGHT

PREVIOUSLY

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.

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Pacing around the small cabin, Téa spied Todd looking particularly tense. Squatting down at his side, she reached out a hand to caress the wound on his head. “Are you sure you’re all right, Querido?” she said. Coming out of a trance, Todd flinched, jerking his head away.

“Will you cut it out, Téa?” he snapped, annoyed. “You know it’s just make-up, so leave it alone!” Seeing the stricken look on her face, he softened a bit. “Look, I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m just jumpy.”

“No, don’t apologize,” said Téa, beginning to sniffle. “It’s my fault. So much could go wrong, Todd. I’m scared.” She sat down at his side, resting her back against the rough logs of the cabin. “And that ‘injury’ looks so much like that time I hit you with the shovel…”

“That’s the idea. We want Sykes to buy that you’ve turned on me. If he remembers that time you hit me…” He stopped as Téa wiped away some tears, then held up a hand.

“I understand, but that whole incident in Viki’s garden shed was the low point of our relationship. I hate having to re-live it!” She got up and began to pace. “Don’t you think it’s taking too long?” she asked nervously. “Are your hands tied too tight? Maybe I should loosen the rope…”

“I’m fine, Téa. I can still get myself untied in a second if I need to.” Téa nodded, and went to peer out the window for the third time in ten minutes. Todd sighed, fidgeting in his bonds. Trust Sykes to make his life a misery right until the end.

Todd and Téa were settled in a cabin obtained by the FBI high on Llantano Mountain. About an hour before, Téa had used a recently purchased cell phone to call John Sykes and give him their location, pretending that she was sick of hiding, sick of Todd, and she wanted to turn him in for considerations in her own case. Although the lies had stuck in her throat, she claimed that Todd had been violent with her, just as Sykes had predicted, and she told the egotistical man that she had changed her mind about their relationship, and asked for his help. Everything depended on Téa putting on the performance of a lifetime, and it seemed she had succeeded. After hearing that Téa had managed to disable Todd again, this time with a piece of firewood, Sykes had promised to come to her aid. Now that the time was approaching when the violent detective could be expected, both Todd and Téa were extremely nervous. Sure, the FBI was hidden a short distance away and the cabin had been expertly wired with hidden listening devices. But it only took a split second for something to go wrong. As soon as Sykes confessed to the set-up, no doubt in a moment of gloating, the cops would burst in and arrest him. First, Todd and Téa had to convince him that their own situation was genuine.

Téa stopped pacing abruptly at the unmistakable sound of a twig snapping on the path outside the cabin. Exchanging a quick look with Todd, she went to twitch back the curtains and look outside, while Todd rested his head on his chest, feigning unconsciousness. While Téa was preoccupied with looking out the window, John Sykes silently entered the cabin by the back door. His gun drawn, he surveyed the situation for a moment, making sure of his prey. To his amusement, Téa pulled open the door and went out on the porch, still unaware of his presence. Although he stared long and hard at Manning, he couldn’t detect the slightest sign that he was faking. He could see the goose egg on the back of his head from across the room. Cautiously, he lowered his weapon.

Not finding anything outside, Téa turned around to go back in the cabin, already opening her mouth to tell Todd that it was a false alarm. Suddenly catching sight of the tall detective, she screamed involuntarily, startled. Catching her breath, she placed a hand over her heart. “John! You scared me!” she said with a breathless laugh. Sykes held his gun loosely at his side as his eyes raked Téa from head to foot. Although he slowly moved closer, he didn’t say a word. His protruding, unnaturally light eyes and his stiff posture were unnerving, and Téa had to fight the urge to turn around and flee. Instead, she pasted a welcoming grin on her face. “I thought you’d never get here,” she said breathlessly. Sykes stared into her eyes for a long moment, and Téa hoped her deception wasn’t visible there. She was doing her best to convince him that she was glad to see him.

Sykes looked warily from Todd to Téa and he didn’t put his gun away. Suddenly, she was fearful that he was going to start shooting before he even said a word. Why had she agreed to this phony scenario? Someone was going to get killed! Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Téa watched with trepidation as John walked over to Todd, who appeared bound and unconscious. Without warning, he suddenly drew back his foot and viciously kicked Todd in the side, using all the force he was capable of. Téa stifled a scream in her throat, but Todd didn’t flinch. He merely fell over so he was lying on his side, groaning like anyone who was really unconscious would do when suffering. Sykes stared at him closely, then glanced at Téa, watching for any sign of falsehood. Téa shuddered inwardly, amazed at the self-control that it took to just lay there when Todd probably had a broken rib. Finally, Sykes seemed convinced. He squatted down and checked Todd’s bonds. He snorted in disgust when he saw the flimsy knots and he pulled out a pair of handcuffs and snapped them on Todd’s wrists behind his back. Téa thought her heart would beat out of her chest. Now Todd truly was at Sykes’ mercy. After stripping away the ropes that Téa had used to tie up Todd, he stood up with a grunt.

Téa shivered as the tall detective again turned his attentions to her. Grabbing a straight-backed chair, he placed it in the middle of the room. “If you don’t mind, Counselor,” he said, speaking for the first time. “I need you where I can see you while I make sure you haven’t betrayed me.” Reluctantly, Téa sat in the chair. She stared up at John, doing her best to look guileless. Sykes held up the ropes he was holding in his hand, but apparently decided not to tie her up. He threw the ropes in the corner. “Stay there,” he ordered, brandishing his pistol. Téa watched him fearfully as he searched the room for hidden listening devices. She hoped that her brother was right. She had been told that the hidden microphones were undetectable without the latest state-of-the-art detection equipment and were virtually invisible to the naked eye. Sykes roamed the room, looking under couch cushions and behind wall hangings. It seemed like his search took forever, making Téa increasingly nervous. But eventually he appeared satisfied, and he turned his attentions to her. “There’s only one other place I have to look, Téa,” he said kneeling in front of her.

Bracing herself, Téa nodded. She gripped the sides of the chair as Sykes reached out and slowly began to unbutton her blouse. Although she had told herself that she was prepared for this, it took everything she had to sit still and allow the hated detective to examine her for hidden wires. She told herself that if Todd could take a vicious blow without a whimper to preserve their ruse, then she could survive this. Chancing a brief glance over Sykes’ shoulder, she saw Todd’s eyes open and staring at them with a look of anger so intense it was a wonder that John didn’t burst into flames. Téa gazed into his eyes, willing him to calm down, trying to let him know that she was all right. Finally, the intimate examination was over and Sykes sat back on his heels. Nonchalantly, Téa did up the buttons of her blouse.

“Are you convinced now, John? Will you help me?” It was time to get him to confess, so this entire nightmare could be over.

“Why did you do it, Téa?” Sykes asked in a choked voice. “Why did you throw away your whole life to help him escape? We could have been so good together.”

“You know why I did it, John. You threatened his life, remember? You told me about it in the lady’s room at the station.” Téa held her breath, hoping he would take the bait and confess.

“So what has changed, Téa? If you risked everything to save him, why did you call me, of all people now? You know my attitude toward this low-life rapist hasn’t changed.”

Forcing herself to smile at him, Téa reached out a hand. “I…I was hoping that you would still have feelings for me, John, even though I betrayed you. You see, you were right. As soon as we were away from Llanview, Todd reverted to his true self.” Getting tears in her eyes for effect, she continued. “He…he abused me. He was going to rape me if I hadn’t stopped him by beaning him over the head.” Téa hoped Sykes didn’t notice that she had her fingers crossed. “After I disabled him, I didn’t know where else to turn. I remembered how you helped me that other time in the garden shed. I…I know I’m in big trouble, John, but you can help me if you want to.” Téa swallowed hard, hoping she was convincing enough.

Sykes looked at her a long time, considering. Suddenly, he stood up and moved over by Todd’s prone body. He kicked him again, although not nearly as hard. “C’mon, Manning, wake up,” he prompted. Todd groaned and rolled over. Sykes reached down and grabbed him by his hair, hauling him back into a sitting position. “That’s it,” he said with an evil grin. “Wakie, wakie,” he taunted as Todd moaned and slowly opened his eyes. Todd coughed, grimacing as though his head hurt. He looked past the detective to where Téa sat, a look of utter betrayal on his face.

“So, Delgado, your true colors come out again. You hit me, you bitch!” He coughed again. It was hard for Téa to hear those words, even though she knew it was part of the act. Sykes nudged the bound man with his foot, watching him closely. Todd glared up at him, leaning his head back against the rough logs of the cabin. “So, Syko, what’s it gonna be?” he said, a look of pure hatred on his face. “Where are all your little cop friends? Aren’t you going to haul me in on your fake murder charges?” Once again, Téa waited, hoping against hope that Sykes would take this opportunity to confess to the set-up. But Sykes just laughed in his girlish squeal. Suddenly his eyes grew cold. Raising his gun, he pointed it at Todd, chambering a round.

Todd stiffened and Téa gasped, coming out of her chair and hurrying to Sykes’ side. “John, what are you doing?” she asked.

“What I should have done long ago, Téa. I’m ridding the world of Todd Manning. Any last words?” Todd swallowed hard, although he continued to stare at Sykes defiantly.

“John! You can’t just kill him! He’s helpless! Take him to jail!” Téa was frantic—this wasn’t supposed to happen. To her relief, Sykes lowered his gun and turned toward her. He shook his head back and forth, clicking his tongue.

“Counselor,” he said accusingly. “Are you changing your mind? You said you wanted me to help you.”

“I do! But you don’t have to kill Todd!”

“This is the best way, Téa. He’ll be out of our lives for good. I’ll say he lunged for me and I had to kill him.” He leveled the pistol again.

“But John, he’s beaten and cuffed! No one will believe you!” Téa frantically tried to convince him, but she was making a fist, ready to punch him if necessary.

“Only you and I know that, Téa. After he’s dead, we’ll make it look like he attacked. Of course, if you aren’t prepared to back up my story, I can always get rid of you, too.” Slowly, he turned the gun toward her, holding it steady, aimed right for her heart.

On the floor, Todd worked his hands frantically behind his back. They hadn’t bargained for the cuffs, but he was damned if he was going to let Sykes get the better of him, or hurt Téa. He still had a few tricks up his sleeve. Suddenly, all their heads snapped toward the door.

“Sykes!” shouted Bo Buchanan. “We have this cabin surrounded. Let us take Manning into custody.” Téa fought between relief and bitter disappointment. They had Sykes threatening Todd, but it wasn’t enough. He hadn’t confessed to the set-up, and no doubt never would. Todd would have to stand trial for Michelle’s murder. The cabin door banged open as Bo entered, followed by Bill Doyle and a couple more uniformed officers. “Put the gun down, John. Taking the law into your own hands isn’t the answer,” said Bo in a calm, rational voice. Suddenly, without warning, Sykes grabbed Téa and held her to his chest, pointing the gun at her temple.

“Back off! All of you!” he shouted. Horrified, Bo signaled to his cops, holding them back. Todd leapt to his feet, but his hands were still cuffed behind him. He struggled to free himself. Téa gasped for air, clawing at the strong arm clamped across her throat. Sykes glanced at Todd, taking in his sudden energy. “I knew this was a set-up!” he said, his lip curling up. “Well guess what, Commissioner? Two can play at this game!” He laughed quietly.

“I’ll take that gun if you don’t mind, Commish,” said Detective Quilici, holding his own revolver to Bo’s head. The Chicago detective, along with Hamley and several cohorts had entered the cabin on the heels of the Llanview PD. Each of the cops had a gun pointed straight at his head.

“Do what they ask,” said Bo, gingerly handing over his weapon. He knew they were out-gunned and out-maneuvered.

Todd gritted his teeth. The Llanview PD had to be the most incompetent police department in the country! Téa was still struggling with Sykes and no one could do anything to help her.

“This is even better than I dreamed,” said Sykes in his most irritating tone of voice. “Take them outside and make sure they can’t cause trouble,” he ordered his henchmen. “Leave Buchanan.” Bill Doyle and the other uniformed cops were roughly pushed through the door. Sykes continued to hold the gun to Téa’s head.

“John, you don’t want to do this,” coaxed Bo, trying to reach the splintered conscience of the detective.

“Shut up!” shouted Sykes. Suddenly, he released Téa, sending her crashing at Todd’s feet. Reaching in his pocket, he pulled out another weapon. He brandished both guns at his captives. A malevolent grin lit up his twisted features. “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time,” he gloated. “I’m afraid the time has come for all of you to die.”

TO BE CONTINUED