PREVIOUSLY

“This has to be a record,” he thought. “Two hours out of jail and I already lose it.” He glanced at his watch. He was due at the hospital in half an hour for his first post jail therapy session with Susannah. Breathing a little more easily at the thought of his unshakable psychiatrist, he began to calm down. He mulled over the events of the day as he began the long walk to the hospital.

“Delgado may be through with me, Syko,” he thought. “But you’re not getting anywhere near her. I swear it.”

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The early morning light shining through the open drapes brought Téa fully awake after a night of restless slumber. She sat up slowly, becoming conscious of the fact that she was still completely dressed and stretched out on the bare mattress in her old apartment. She had come over late the night before to pack up the last of her possessions before returning to spend her first night in her new home. But apparently her busy life and the late nights had caught up with her, because she had been overcome by sleep before she could complete her task. With an exasperated sigh, she moved off the bed, stretching carefully to work out the kinks in her back caused by sleeping huddled under a lightweight sweater. Running her fingers through her hair, she picked up a paper shopping bag and began filling it with the last few items of lingerie remaining in the drawers of the dresser. After a few minutes, she was satisfied that she had everything, and turned around to take one last look at the room.

Todd had agreed to sublease the apartment from her, and she had left him a message informing him that he could move in any time, since she planned to be cleared out the night before. They had been deliberately communicating only by voicemail for over a week, and hadn’t spoken directly since the incident in the diner. Téa tried to tell herself that it was better to keep their relationship on a business-only basis, but there was no denying that a part of her yearned for Todd, if only to spend a little time in his presence. To Téa’s surprise, her ex-husband had offered to purchase the furniture that she couldn’t use in her new, smaller place. Most of it didn’t seem to fit his usual taste, and she wondered why he wanted it. She looked wistfully at the large king-size bed. When she had bought it five months before, it had been in the back of her mind that this would be where she would sleep with John Sykes for the first time. But Todd had returned to Llanview before she could ever act on that desire, and somehow seeing him again had driven the thought of making love to John right out of her head. Shaking her head, she gathered her shopping bags and headed out the bedroom door.

Fumbling with the key, Todd struggled through the apartment door burdened with a huge stack of his designer suits. As soon as he was through the door, he let the clothing fall to the floor in an untidy pile, oblivious of the fact that some of it had cost more than most people spent on their wardrobes in an entire year. Tossing the key haphazardly at the desk, he plopped down on the white, over-stuffed sofa and put his feet on the glass coffee table. Grimacing, he reached behind himself to arrange the pillows in a futile attempt to get comfortable. He fidgeted and finally gave up, wondering if it had been such a good idea to buy Téa’s furniture after all. But deep down, he admitted to himself that he would have been happy to have even packing crates if they had belonged to his ex-wife. Since he couldn’t have Delgado herself, he would settle for the shadow of her presence that lurked in her cast-off furniture. Slowly, he brought a sofa pillow to his nose, attempting to detect the smallest hint of Téa’s scent.

As he looked around the room, he began to plan where he would put his recent purchases. His eyes lit up as he stared at the bare spot that would soon contain the large screen TV and sound system. But he broke out in low chuckles as he visualized the look on Starr’s face when she saw the bedroom he planned to create for her. He had already bought an ornate white bedroom set, complete with a huge canopy bed. Some obscenely large financial incentives had insured that the room would be painted, papered and decorated in his daughter’s favorite shade of pink in record time. When she returned from vacation with her mother, she would have her own special retreat waiting for her, complete with her favorite stuffed animal, Mr. Rabbit, propped up in a place of honor on the canopy bed.

Noticing the growing light outside the large picture window, Todd stood up. It was time to get started on his plans for the day, and he felt a rare tingle of anticipation as he looked ahead a few hours. As he walked toward the door, he hesitated over the pile of suits. Deciding that they would interfere with the deliveries scheduled for the afternoon, he grabbed a few hangars and headed toward the master bedroom. He had just reached a pair of low steps that led to the sleeping quarters, when Téa suddenly emerged, struggling with several over-loaded shopping bags. Thinking she was alone in the apartment, she startled and screamed loudly when confronted by the unexpected appearance of another person. Todd stepped back in surprise as Téa dropped one of her bags, spilling the contents down the steps and across the floor. Recognizing each other at the same time, Todd and Téa locked eyes and stared in silence for a long moment.

“Jeez, Delgado,” said Todd, throwing his suits toward the sofa, “you about gave me a heart attack.”

“You!” said Téa, shaking her head in annoyance. “It’s my apartment!”

“Not anymore. I believe my lease began this morning at midnight.” Téa’s eyes widened in realization at Todd’s words.

“I….I guess you’re right, Todd,” she said, looking embarrassed. “I fell asleep here last night and didn’t finish up packing until this morning. I’m sorry I startled you. Just let me pick up this stuff and I’ll get out right away.” She squatted down and began stuffing her belongings back into the bag.

“Don’t sweat it, Delgado,” he said. “Here, let me help you.” He reached down and grabbed a handful of her spilled clothing, realizing too late that he was holding a bunch of lacy bras and panties. “Uh…uh, maybe you’d better do this,” he said, dropping the lingerie quickly. Téa hid an amused smile, straightening up with the re-packed bag. Her gaze lingered over her ex-husband, noting where his pale green short-sleeved silk shirt was unbuttoned, revealing a tight tank style undershirt. Baggy khakis and leather sandals completed his uncharacteristically casual attire, and Téa found herself gaping and breathing a little hard.

“Wow. You look…..good, Todd,” she said, causing him to squirm a bit. “The softer colors suit you.” He clawed through his hair nervously.

“Well, I can hardly wear that stuff to the beach,” he said, pointing to the pile of suits.

She looked at him in surprise. “The beach? You, Todd Manning, are going to the beach?”

He flung out his arms in exasperation. “No, Delgado. I thought I’d just throw a few buckets of sand in the bathtub and pretend it was Waikiki!”

“It’s just that I could never get you to do anything….fun when we were married. I guess I assumed you’d go back to your same old workaholic ways as soon as you were released from jail. All that wasted time to make up for and everything…”

He crossed his arms over his chest and looked out the window, seeming far away for a moment. “All those months locked up, I promised myself I’d go to the beach when I got out. It helped me get through it, you know, the thought of all that sky and water,” he said quietly.

Téa suddenly felt tears prick her eyes. “I didn’t realize…,” she whispered. She swallowed hard and picked up her bags. “Have a good time, Todd. You’ve earned it.” Looking determined, she marched toward the door.

Taking a deep breath, and without moving a muscle, Todd said, “I don’t suppose you could come with me?” Téa stopped in her tracks, staring at the door. Slowly, she turned around, looking at Todd’s back as he gazed out the picture window. Setting the bags down, she padded across the room until she was at his side. She waited quietly until he turned toward her, and the longing she saw in his eyes made her heart lurch.

“Thank you for asking,” she said gently, “but I really had counted on having the whole day to unpack and organize my new apartment. I’d much rather go to the beach, actually, but…”

“Then come,” he said forcefully. He gave her a hopeful smile. “Did I mention I’m taking the Ferrari? I had them pull it out of storage and service it. You know you love that car, Téa,” he coaxed. She smiled back.

“You’re making it hard to say no,” she said uncertainly. She stared at him, knowing that she was letting him draw her into his life again. “And that’s not what I want,” she told herself, looking deep into his gold-flecked eyes. “Or is it?”

“C’mon Delgado. You know you don’t really want to spend the day organizing your underwear drawer. Think about it….sand….water…the hottest car under the sun…”

“Will you let me drive?” she heard herself asking. “What are you doing, Téa?” she asked herself in surprise.

Todd looked at her in mock horror. “You know I don’t let anyone drive that car but me,” he said in a teasing tone.

“If I don’t get to drive, you’ll be going to the beach alone,” she teased back. “I must be nuts!”

He made a great show of thinking it over. “OK, it’s a deal,” he said, not bothering to pretend he was anything less than elated. “But you have to remember a Ferrari isn’t just any old bucket of bolts. It’s a precision instrument. It’ll be like learning to drive all over again.” Téa rolled her eyes as she walked toward the door. Kneeling, she rummaged through two of her shopping bags before straightening up with a pink crocheted bikini piece in either hand.

“Then let’s get going,” she said seductively. “I’ve been waiting to get my hands on that car for a long time.”

Staring open-mouthed at the bathing suit, Todd said, “Uh…sure. Whatever you say, Delgado.” He followed her out the door, pausing only to pick up his car keys from the desk.

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Téa returned from the dressing room, easily picking out Todd among the many weekend revelers populating the crowded beach. She self-consciously tugged her blouse closed over the skimpy pink bathing suit she wore as she approached. Todd sat perched on a towel, his knees drawn up to his chin as he stared at the green waves breaking noisily on the wide expanse of sand. He had removed his pants and shirt and now wore a plain black knee-length swimsuit. He still had on the tank undershirt. Téa realized that she was seeing more of Todd’s body than he had ever allowed her to glimpse before, and she hung back a moment, openly admiring the view. He turned toward her with a little grin as she dropped to the towel next to him, and she admitted to herself how much she enjoyed seeing him relaxed and happy for once. She noticed him looking at her bare legs and felt suddenly shy about removing her blouse and revealing herself to his gaze. To her relief, he turned back to the front, again looking at the water, and she took the opportunity to strip off her cover-up. Several minutes passed before he again looked her way.

Given Todd’s shyness during their marriage any time she had worn anything remotely sexy, she now expected him to turn away in embarrassment. But to her surprise, he slowly looked her over, somehow managing to show his appreciation of her beauty without leering. It was a refreshing change from the slobbering of John Sykes. “Delgado,” said Todd in a low growl, “You look….nice.” Téa giggled at his choice of words.

“Thank you, Todd. You look…nice, too.” Secretly, she was amused that he hesitated to remove his undershirt. Trust Todd Manning not to reveal too much of himself at one time. She studied his profile as he turned again toward the ocean.

“I haven’t thanked you yet for coming along with me, Delgado,” he said slowly. “It’s great having someone to share this with, and I promise you I won’t get weird about it.”

“Weird?” said Téa in confusion. “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

“Yeah, weird. You know, thinking it’s more than just a trip to the beach and that it means we could get together again,” he said with a weary sigh. Téa widened her eyes in surprise and sat up abruptly. “I know that’s not what you want.”

After a long, awkward silence, Téa said quietly, “Todd it can’t be what you really want, either. Not after all the things I’ve done to hurt you.” He turned toward her, but his eyes were invisible behind the dark aviator sunglasses.

“I’ve hurt a lot of people and others have been hurt because of me, like Michelle,” he said sadly. He struggled for a moment, then said, “I hate all of it, Téa, and I would do anything to be able to wipe out my crummy life and start over without a past.” He shuddered and his voice broke as he said, “But there is nothing in this world that I regret more than what I did to you. I took your love and shoved it back in your face. I threw away the best thing that ever happened to me because I couldn’t let you in and trust you to love me for who I am. I hated myself so badly, I didn’t think I deserved to have someone like you.” Seeing how upset he was, Téa reached out a hand to him.

“Todd…..”

“No, let me finish,” he said quickly, drawing in a shaky breath. “I lost it all, Téa. Everything. But I’m getting a second chance, even though I don’t deserve it. The Sun is mine again, Shorty is in my life, Sam and Viki have forgiven me, and I’m free from that hellhole jail. I have it all!” he said bitterly. His voice low, he said, “Everything, except the one thing I can’t have; the one person who would make it all worth having again. And I have no one to blame but myself!” He shot to his feet abruptly, and tore off his sunglasses, revealing tear-filled eyes. Téa stifled a gasp as he pulled his undershirt over his head and she got her first look at the wicked scars left in his back by the Irish bullets many years before. Without pausing, he ran with amazing speed toward the ocean, splashing through the shallows and diving with lithe grace into a looming emerald wave. Téa held her breath until he popped up on the other side, smoothing his hair back out of his eyes. She watched as he dove into the next wave without hesitation. Slowly, she lowered her head to her knees and let the tears flow.

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A grinding sound could be heard from the undercarriage of the Ferrari as Téa missed the proper gear and frantically moved the stick shift around wildly as she searched for it. Todd gripped the sides of the passenger seat with all his strength and gritted his teeth. Distracted with shifting, Téa left her foot on the clutch too long and failed to brake adequately as they approached an intersection. The tires squealed loudly as the sports car whipped around the corner, almost up on two wheels. “That’s it!” shouted Todd. “Pull over now!” Ignoring him, Téa accelerated as she finally found the correct gear. At the next corner, she locked up the front wheels, causing the rear end of the vehicle to fishtail wildly as they went into a skid. “Delgado, you’re going to kill us both! Stop!” said Todd with a clenched jaw. After a few more hair-curling turns and skids, Téa was finally forced to stop for a red light, grinding the gears mercilessly as she downshifted. “Out! Now!” ordered Todd, wiping the sweat out of his eyes and grabbing the steering wheel, indicating that he would take over driving duties. Téa glared at him dangerously.

“Forget it, Buster!” she said, pouting. “You are dangerously close to breech of contract, Manning. You promised me you’d let me drive. You waited until we were almost back before complying with the terms of our agreement and I had more in mind than these measly few blocks from the expressway exit. So sit back and enjoy the ride because I’m not giving this baby up yet!”

“But you said you knew how to drive a stick shift!” said Todd in exasperation.

“I do. My cousin Juan Carlos taught me to drive his ’55 Chevy pickup in empty parking lots on weekends.”

“A pickup! You think that qualifies you to drive a Ferrari? MY Ferrari? Give it up Delgado. You’ve already done enough damage!” The light turned green and Téa floored the gas pedal, spinning the wheels and throwing Todd back into his seat. They flew over the bridge into East Llanview, becoming slightly airborne as Téa crested the top with too much speed. The Ferrari’s springs groaned in protest as it hit the pavement hard. A few white knuckle turns later, the car came to a stop, chortling and chugging loudly before the engine quit when Téa failed to downshift before slowing down. “Finally,” said Todd, breathing a sigh of relief. “Now let me drive, Téa, before we’re both roadkill.”

Téa smiled and unbuckled her seatbelt. She hopped gracefully out of the low sports car and reached behind the seats to grab her bag. “I guess you can drive now, since I’m home,” she said, chuckling at the look of surprise on his face. He looked curiously at the modest apartment building in front of them.

“I guess it’s not too bad,” he said uncertainly, noting the well-lit lobby and locked parking area.

“What did you expect, Todd, hookers and drug dealers hanging out in front? Most of Angel Square isn’t like that, you know.” Inviting laughter and Latin music could be heard from the open windows on the lower floors. Todd searched the darkness enveloping the farthest corners of the building, and felt his hackles rise.

“You better keep your eyes wide open, Delgado,” he warned. “Someone could be hiding in those shadows at night; someone that means you no good.” Téa fished around in her bag, pulling out a small aerosol can.

“Don’t worry, Todd. I know how to protect myself. I have mace and pepper spray.” Todd didn’t look any happier, continuing to stare into the blackness nervously. Téa cleared her throat. “Thank you for a fun time, Todd. My apartment is a mess, but I loved the beach. I really needed to get away from Llanview for a little bit.”

“I had a good time, too,” said Todd. “Well, up until the last 15 minutes. You took 20 years off my life, Delgado.” They both chuckled, until Todd became suddenly serious. “Téa, I’m sorry for getting all….heavy on you back there at the beach.” He was sitting on the back of the car, his feet resting on the seat, and Téa stepped up and grabbed his hand.

“Todd, one of the things I like the most since your return is your new willingness to talk about your feelings. It’s important for us to get these things out in the open so our relationship….our working relationship, won’t be affected by anger and bitterness.”

“Yeah?” he asked, seeming surprised at her words.

“Yeah,” she said affectionately, patting his hand. “Good night.” Todd watched as she unlocked the lobby door and waved at him when she was safely inside. He waited until she disappeared up the stairs, then slid into the driver’s seat and started up the engine of the Ferrari. As he pulled into the deserted street, a lone figure stepped out of the shadows and stood staring after his taillights. When Todd turned a corner, the lurker stepped into the street and watched as the lights came on in Téa’s third floor apartment. Slowly, he reached into his breast pocket and withdrew a wireless phone. He dialed in a number.

“You have one saved message,” said the computerized voice. He punched the proper button and returned the phone to his ear. “Ten thirty-two AM,” recited the same annoying computer.

“Uh, John?” said Téa’s recorded voice. “Uh, something has come up and I won’t be able to make our dinner date tonight. I…uh…I have to go out of town with a client and I won’t be home until late. Sorry, but…uh…you know, business before pleasure. We’ll get together some other time, OK? Talk to you soon.” Shaking with fury, he snapped the phone closed and raised his arm, preparing to slam the offending device to the pavement. Stopping himself, he quickly opened the phone and used the speed dial.

“It’s me,” he said in a low voice. “Do you have anything for me on that matter we discussed?” He listened in silence. “Well, Detective, I suggest you dig a little deeper and a little harder. You’d better have something the next time I call or that little story of taking a bribe might find its way to your superiors. It would be a shame for you to spend the next 20 years of your life in Joliet, wouldn’t it?” He closed the phone abruptly, then looked again at Téa’s window. He leered for a moment at her figure silhouetted against the drapes, then melted back into the shadows, leaving an almost palpable trail of evil in his wake.

TO BE CONTINUED

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