LONELY IN YOUR NIGHTMARE - PART ELEVEN
PREVIOUSLY
"I'll make flight arrangements," said Del, "And I'll call you when
everything is ready."
Téa turned to Sam, "I…"
"Just go Téa," said Sam smiling, "Do the right thing."
Téa gathered a few things as Del and Blair left. She couldn't believe that
Vincent would have gone to Berlin with intentions of harming Todd…but what
other choice did she have?
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December 2000, Days before Christmas Berlin, Germany
Téa sat in her seat reviewing her book.
"What's that you've got Téa?" asked Blair.
Téa held up her book, Conversational German, "I figured it wouldn't hurt to learn a few phrases."
Blair frowned, "You don't need to know German to get by in Germany. Todd's proof of that."
Del gave both Téa and Blair a look, "We're on descent to Templehof in Berlin. A polizei liaison is going to meet us. I need both of you on your best behavior."
"All right," said Blair.
"No problem Del," said Téa.
Del had managed to pull in a favor and got an FBI chartered flight to Berlin.
"Ah, Del, what's this about a polizei liaison?" asked Téa.
The sun had just risen over Berlin.
"It is their country, Téa. If Vincent has kidnapped Todd it's their jurisdiction," explained Del.
Téa nodded her head and went back to her book. After a few minutes the plane landed. As they dis-embarked, a well-groomed, well-dressed man approached them. They each had a personal carry-on bag.
"Agent Delgado?" said the man holding out his credentials in one hand and his hand for a shake in the other.v "Yes," said Del shaking the man's hand.
"I am Ritman, your liaison," said the German in his best English.
"Nice to meet you. This is Blair Cramer, and my sister, Téa…Del, ah, Manning," said Del making introductions.
"Frau Cramer. Frau Manning," said Ritman shaking their hands. They exchanged greetings and Ritman began to walk towards a Mercedes. They followed him.
"Nice wheels," said Del.
"I know little. Only that Herr Manning ran a newspaper," said Ritman unlocking the car. They put their carry-ons in the trunk and got in the car, "Do you need rest?"
"No, we're fine," said Del.
"I say we start at the newspaper," suggested Téa.
"I know where it is," said Blair.
"Gut. First you must process customs, then we go," said Ritman driving up to the main terminal.
It didn't take long to go through customs and Blair gave directions to Todd 's office building on the Kurferstendam.
Blair took them up to Todd's office. As they walked in, Blair noticed Giest at Todd's desk.
"Giest! Hey – Wie Gehts?" said Blair. That was about the extent of her German.
"Gut Frau Cramer. You look for Herr Manning?" asked Giest standing up behind the desk.
Ritman produced his credentials, "I am Ritman. This is American FBI agent Delgado and Frau Manning."
Giest looked at them all, his eyes resting on Téa.
"Nice to meet you, Frau Manning. I did not learn Herr Manning was married until recently," said Giest.
"I understand," said Téa.
"Giest, when was the last time you saw Todd?" asked Blair.
"Three or Four days ago," said Giest, "A man had come for him."v Del spoke up, "You know this man's name?"
"Nein," said Giest.
"Can you describe him?" asked Téa.
"Tall. Dark hair. Skin like yours. I thought he was Spanish," said Giest, "He waited for Herr Manning in this office. When I came back, both were gone."
"That had to have been Vincent!" said Téa.
"Great. Now what? Your psycho ex from law school has Todd," said Blair frowning.
"Shut up, Blair," said Téa snidely.
"Both of you settle down," said Del.
"I have the contract here – for Herr Manning to sell me the paper and list of his assets to sell…" said Giest.
Del took the list of assets and read it outloud, "A Porsche, local beer stock, an apartment, a house in Garmisch, and a houseboat on the Wansee. Great. Ritman, where's Garmisch?"
Ritman frowned, "Four hours by plane. It is on Austrian border."
"Blair, have you been there?" asked Del.
"No. I've been to the boat though. It's nearby," answered Blair.
"Ritman?" said Del turning to him.
"We go there first," said Ritman heading for the door.
"Good luck," said Giest.
Del, Ritman, Téa, and Blair left.
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Vincent Reyes stared out the window. It was mid-morning. The fog was burning off the water. He had a five o'clock shadow. His hands couldn't stop shaking. It had been what? Three? Four? Days? He had to make a decision soon. He had to do the right thing. But what was the right thing? Todd Manning stirred. Vincent had tied him to a chair by his hands and feet so he couldn't move. Todd also had a five o'clock shadow. Reyes had allowed him to conduct some personal hygiene – not much.
Todd opened his eyes.
"You figured out what you're going to do yet, Reyes?" muttered Todd. He was hungry.
"Yeah, Manning. I know what I want to do. It's just a matter of figuring out how to do it," said Reyes.
Vincent and Todd heard a car pull up. Vincent went to the window. Guests. He reached for a gag – just in case.
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Ritman pulled up to the dock and parked the car. The boat was fairly secluded. A Porsche was parked not too far away.
"That's Todd's car," said Blair.
Del looked at Ritman and made a face.
"This was too easy," said Del.
"Del, Vincent's not a criminal," said Téa.
"Oh, this isn't criminal behavior?" inquired Blair.
"Ritman, do you have a phone?" asked Del.
"Ja," said Ritman pulling a cell phone out of his pocket.
"Program the local emergency services number into it and give it to Blair," instructed Del, "We're going inside. You stay out here Blair. If you hear gunshots, dial those numbers and get the cavalry here."
Blair nodded her head.
Ritman gave Blair the phone and showed her how to use it.
Del took Téa by the arm, "Listen up. I want you in there – you might be able to… sooth Vincent – but you follow my lead and don't do anything stupid."
Téa nodded her head.
Ritman, Del, and Téa got out of the car, walked down the mooring and onto the boat. The door was unlocked. Del went in first.
Téa walked in last. As she shifted her eyes from the floor to the interior of the room, she gasped. Todd sat in a chair bound and gagged with Vincent holding a gun directly to Todd's head.
"Don't come any closer," commanded Vincent.
Todd and Téa exchanged looks. THE LOOK. Todd's eyes burned with fire.
"Put the gun down Vincent," said Del.
"I don't think so. You and the other guy – take out your guns and put them on the floor slowly," instructed Vincent.
Del hesitated.
Vincent took the safety off with a flick of a finger and cocked the hammer.
"All right," said Del. He looked at Ritman and they complied with Vincent' s instructions.
Téa stepped up, "Vincent, don't do this…"
"Téa," said Vincent making a face, "Oh, Téa… He doesn't deserve you. He abandoned you…" his voice faded out.
"And you do, Vincent?" asked Téa softly.
"Téa, who held you – comforted you when Trevor was sick…" Vincent's voice shook.
"Vincent, you're not a murderer…" said Téa.
Del stepped forward, "Look, I'm not a fan of Manning's either but if you care at all for Trevor, you won't pull that trigger."
"Stop right there," said Vincent, his hand shaking. Del was between Téa and Vincent – only feet away from Todd. Vincent positioned the gun so it was facing Del.
"Trevor needs that man to live Vincent… and my nephew deserves a chance at that life. Kill Todd Manning and you kill his son, Trevor Manning as well…"
Del slowly moved closer to Vincent just out of arm's reach.
"Vincent, don't do this to Trevor…" pleaded Téa.
Vincent's eyes found Téa's.
Whack! Del smacked Vincent's hand to the right. The gun went off sending a bullet into the wall of the boat.v Vincent was startled and Del attacked him. They struggled and fell to the floor. before Ritman could act the gun went off again…and slowly Del got up, his clothes wet with blood.
Téa looked at Vincent. He was bleeding from a wound in his chest.
"Ritman! Make sure Cramer made that phone call. He needs medical attention," said Del.v Del looked around for a makeshift bandage and began administering first aid. Vincent lost conscious and his breathing became shallow, his pulse racing…
Téa ran over to Todd and removed his gag.
"What…" was all Todd could mutter as Téa's mouth found his in an all consuming kiss.
"You Delgados are crazy…" muttered Todd as Téa broke from the kiss.
"Todd…I didn't know… I didn't think… I'm sorry about…Vincent…" muttered Téa.
"Do me a favor and untie me," said Todd. She nodded her head and went to the rear of the chair. The knots were difficult and it took a bit for Téa to undo them.
As soon as his bonds were released he took Téa in his arms and kissed her hungrily – with desire filled kisses. He was so glad to see her right now.
"How's Trevor? Where is he?" asked Todd between the kisses.
"With Viki. He's fine," answered Téa, "I'm so sorry…"
Del was ministering to Vincent.
Sirens wailed in the background.
Blair came rushing in. She averted her eyes from Todd and Téa and saw Vincent bleeding, Del working furiously to stop the bleeding. She knelt down beside him.
"Is he going to be o.k.?" asked Blair.
"It all depends on how quickly we can get him to the hospital," answered Del.
The paramedics arrived shortly thereafter.
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Ritman took care of the paperwork and extradited Vincent to Del's custody.
Del and Blair stayed with Vincent at the local hospital until Vincent was out of the woods. He would live and Del would take him back to the states to stand trial. However, he would be in the hospital a few more days. Del and Blair agreed to stay with Vincent. Todd, with Téa by his side was going to conclude his business and then they would take his private just immediately back to Llanview. Christmas after all, was only a few days away. They spent the night in Todd's apartment, savoring the feel of each other's arms…
The next morning Todd and Téa walked into his office at Der Post. Giest was all ready there.
"Giest!" exclaimed Todd.
"Herr Manning!" said Giest getting up from behind the desk, "It is gut to see you. I have contract for you to sign."
"Well, give it to me," said Todd with one arm around Téa's waist.
Todd took the contract and looked at it.
"Giest, it's all in German. I can't read it. How do I know you aren't pulling a fast one on me?" asked Todd.
"Trust," said Giest.
"Trust was never my strong suit," said Todd smiling at Téa, "It was a word you taught me."
Téa smiled at him.
"Where do I sign?"
Giest pointed on the contract and Todd signed.
"Congratulations," said Todd.
Giest smiled, "I hope all goes well for you and Frau Manning."
"Danke," said Todd, "If you're ever in the states and need something, give me a call."
"Maybe – if you could – show me a picture of your son?" inquired Giest.
Todd's face fell.
"I don't have…"
"I do," said Téa reaching into her purse and pulling out a wallet pic handing it to Giest.
Giest smiled, "Danke Frau Manning. Your son is…handsome."
"Bitte…Herr Giest," replied Téa.
Giest gave the picture back to Téa and she gave it to Todd.
"For your wallet."
Todd smiled and kissed his wife. The plane was waiting for them.
TO BE CONTINUED IN THE SERIES " HOLD BACK THE RAIN "
