The MST, Ch. 8

Samuel rolled over in bed "God, My head is killing me. Wait.  How did I get here? I remember standing in the sitting room talking to the girls. "Ahh, this head!" he gingerly sat up noticing that he was still dressed except for his shoes. Standing up he made his way to the bathroom. "That's strange, the medicine cabinet is opened." The pain was intense he reached for the aspirin and took two. Samuel closed the cabinet door and grimaced as he viewed those hated scars glaring out at him from the mirror. "You're the culprits for this headache, just because I wanted to remember how I got you." Samuel returned to the bed, sat down, and reached for his shoes. Doing so caused the room to spin. Samuel gripped the edge of the bed until the spinning stopped. "I might have to slow down a little bit. I'm not even going to be able to work if this keeps happening." He carefully put his shoes on and headed for the kitchen.

Grabbing the coffee pot, Samuel filled it with water, he noticed that his hands were shaking. "Get a grip, Samuel. Okay, something happened you can't explain but whatever it was you're still here." He couldn't stop wondering how he got to his bed and what had occurred before that. He looked around the room, nothing was disturbed. The front door was still bolted, no one had been in here last night, but Samuel felt like someone had put him to bed. He shook his head trying to clear the cobwebs but that was a mistake as his head throbbed even harder. "No matter, I've got to get something accomplished this morning." He reached for his cup and filled it with some of the coffee being brewed, took a croissant from the counter, and sat down at the table. "I just need to eat something and then back to work."

When he finished eating he filled his cup again and headed for the loft. The pain was easing up and Samuel had an idea for the next painting. He grabbed up a blank canvas and carefully moved his Muse to continue drying. Gathering his supplies around him, he took a brush and started to put the background in the painting. The colors were dark and murky and then shapes began to form. As he painted he found himself seeing a dark alleyway with one ghostly light shedding its glow on the scene below then a face appeared in his mind, one he had never seen. This face wasn't one of his Muses but he knew her. He found he couldn't stop painting even though the pain in his head was once again returning. He kept going as her long hair unfurled around her face, he painted her lips trembling and her eyes glistening with tears, pleading at him. Samuel stood frozen staring at this lovely woman, his heart, as well as head, pounding ferociously. She was so scared. What had happened to bring that look to her eyes? Samuel was fascinated and frightened. This woman had some connection to him. He backed away from the painting taking the whole picture in. But even as he stood there it seemed to get bigger and he was suddenly standing in that alleyway. He was inches away from that face. Just as suddenly Samuel clutched as his chest.

Searing pain was making it hard to breathe. Samuel collapsed in a nearby chair praying for the pain to stop. He willed himself to think calm thoughts, this wasn't the time to panic. He looked around for one of his paintings of Dee. She would help, she always helped him. There she was, he focused hard on the painting of Dee laughing at him. There was snow around her and he had painted her with a ridiculous Santa hat on her head. She was so endearing. As he looked at Dee the pain began to subside, his breathing eased up and he was able to take a deep breath once more. It was alright. His heart was beating normally again.

He stood back up and looked at the painting he was working on. He deliberately avoided the face and instead decided to concentrate on the background a little more. While he was looking he saw a sign appear on the wall behind the face. Picking up his brush he quickly began putting the sign in the painting. When he was done he read it to himself. "Rodi's." Was it a real place?

***

Blair walked over and looked down at the sketch. He looked so real staring up at her from the table. She remembered thinking how breathtaking Todd's looks had been in those early years. There had always been something soulful and compelling in his eyes when he looked at you. It was as if he could see the real you. The combination of those eyes and the scar added an air of mystery to him. Todd always managed to draw attention to himself simply by a nod of his head or a knowing glance in your direction. Blair sat down and drew the Sketch closer. She and Christian had talked late into the night about the possible reasons Samuel looked like Todd. Was it conceivable for Todd to have a twin? Not likely. Blair knew Todd's history and was pretty sure if Todd had had a brother, Irene would have written it in her diary all those years ago. Both she and Chris talked about the possibility of him being a double. It was a fact in the world that doubles of us do exist. Ok

Blair looked at her watch. In less than an hour, Tomas would be coming for her. She was going to have some fun. Shoot, she was in Paris. One of the most romantic cities in the world. She was single and it was time to give herself a treat. Tomas was handsome and appeared to be unattached so she was going to enjoy herself. Taking a quick trip to the bedroom, she touched up her makeup, winked at her reflection in the mirror and grabbed her bag off the bed. After a quick peek at the contents of the bag and noting that everything necessary was in it, Blair headed toward the door. Just as she reached for the handle, a knock was heard. "Yes, who is it?"

"Dearest Blair, it is your tour guide for the Day" Blair laughed and opened the door to find Tomas standing there smiling.

"You look enchanting My Dear, but don't forget your wrap. It is still nippy this time of year in Paris. I am hoping this will become a long friendship so that I'll have the privilege of also showing you Paris in the springtime. But we have today, and I will make the most of it. Come Paris awaits." He assisted her into her coat and they departed.

Arriving in the lobby, he took her arm and lead her out to a waiting Cab. "Now, if you will allow, I chose to make reservations for us in the Eiffel Restaurant. This will give you an excellent view of Paris and we can discuss where to venture next." Blair was thrilled. She was going to see the Eiffel Tower and she was in the company of a very handsome and charming man. The cab ride proved very enjoyable as Tomas filled her in about Paris and told her amusing stories about some of its famous history. By the time they arrived at the Tower she felt completely relaxed. They exited the cab and she gazed up at the incredible structure in front of her. The pictures she had seen didn't do it justice. She gave Tomas her hand and together they made their way to the restaurant. Tomas kept her fully entertained during lunch and as the meal was winding down, Tomas suggested several other places they could visit that afternoon. Blair accepted and they continued their adventure.

***

At the Charles De Gaulle International Airport, a flight from Bermuda was arriving at the gate. The gendarme watched the passengers exiting, he couldn’t help but smile when he saw a charming mademoiselle exit looking very out of place in her summery clothes. As if knowing she was being watched Alex looked up and saw the handsome Gendarme staring at her. She put on her best smile and walked to him. " Excuse me, do you speak English. my French is very rusty."

The young officer replied, "Yes Mademoiselle, what can I help you with?"

Her smile got bigger as she inquired, "Perhaps you could direct me to a Shoppe in the airport where I might purchase some more seasonal attire. I'm afraid I left Bermuda in somewhat of a hurry and forgot how much colder it was here." The young officer obligingly directed her to a great shop and Alex quickly added to her wardrobe. "Carlo's paying for all this I might as well take advantage of it." After changing into a beautiful cashmere sweater and suede leather slacks as well as some comfortable boots, Alex put on the lovely mink jacket she just purchased, gathered her new purchases, and headed to baggage to retrieve her luggage. With her luggage retrieved Alex made her way to the exit and a waiting cab. "The Ritz," she informed the cab driver.

Alex sat back in the cab recalling the recent call from Carlo. She wasn't entirely sure why he had sent her here. She recalled a night eight years ago when they had happened upon the body of a man. When Carlo had turned him over, they both had been surprised to see the face of Todd Manning looking up at them. He had been beaten to within an inch of his life and was barely alive. Carlo had wanted to leave him, but Alex felt she owed him her life. If it hadn't been for Todd she would have been rotting in Prison. She begged Carlo for his help and Carlo had agreed, but on his conditions. He told her he would take care of Todd but she was to leave everything to him. At that, he had sent her away. She didn't know what happened after that until she met Todd later with his new face. She had just assumed that Carlo had financed Todd's recovery. But now he was asking her to go see this man in Paris.

.

What did Carlo mean she would know him when she saw him? She didn't know any Samuel Toddman and it was weirder than that. Carlo said he wasn't to know who he really was? That made no sense at all.

The cab pulled in at the Ritz and The Doorman helped Alex out. She entered and proceeded to registration. Then Alex headed for the Suite. Once inside she decided she'd better let Carlo know she was in Paris. She needed a little more information but was not sure if Carlo was going to give her anymore. Taking off her Jacket, Alex reached for the room phone and called room service. It had been a long flight, tonight she was just going to unwind. Tomorrow would give her time to find out anything she could about this Samuel Toddman and she could also check into the restaurant that Carlo had mentioned.  A few hours later, relaxed and replenished, Alex picked up her wine glass and pulled out her cell phone. It was time to call Carlo!

"My dear, how lovely to receive your call. So you are now in Paris? Excellent have you already made contact?" Carlo inquired.

" Well no, Carlo, That is why I called, After running everything you said to me on the phone yesterday, I'm a little confused. You said this had something to do with what happened eight years ago. I recall that night and that was when we helped Todd Manning. But I don't understand what this man has to do with Todd. Todd's in Llanview, yet you intimated that this is about him. You told me not to let Blair see me. It's very confusing." pleaded Alex.

"It will become clearer Alex if you do what I tell you and don't ask any more questions. Now it is essential that you make contact with him before Blair can. You must get him to trust you enough that he'll be willing to go to the States with you. Don't fail me Alex and again don't let on you know who he really is? "

Just as Carlo was about to hang up, Alex said one more thing. "But Carlo I don't know who he is. I've never heard of Samuel Toddman. You say I'll know him when I see him. I don't understand.”

 Cryptically Carlo replied."You will!" and cut the connection.

Alex put the phone down. It looked like she wasn't going to be able to leave everything till tomorrow. She was going to have to find him tonight. Alex set down her wine and made a call to the Concierge."Yes, are you familiar with a restaurant known as Au Diable De Lombardes?"

"Oui Madame, the Diable is a popular place with Americans."

"Excellent.  Could you make me a reservation for 9:00 o'clock tonight?"

"Oui, Madame, there will be a car waiting for you when you are ready to leave."

"Thank you monsieur. That will be fine." Alex hung up and went to the bedroom to see what she was going to wear for this seduction scene.

***

Samuel finished cleaning his brushes and took another quick look at his painting. Careful not to dwell for a moment on his subject's face he studied the portrait. It was a dark portrait in both the color and the mood that emanated from it. He could not remember any other portrait that he had done over the last eight years being so dark. He was beginning to believe his portraits and paintings were parts of his memory. But if that were true, then this painting depicted something very alarming and very scary indeed. This portrait was screaming violence and fear.

He steeled himself and looked at the face of the woman in the picture. Again his heart started palpitating and he felt overwhelming panic, he didn't want to know this woman. He had done something awful to her and he didn't know what that was but it was tearing into his soul. He shuddered and felt tears begin to make their way down his cheek. As he looked he was again in that alleyway, but now it was like standing and watching someone else. He stood there unable to move as he watched a man move closer to her. She was crying and he, the other man, was laughing getting some perverse pleasure out of her fear. From the corner of his eye, another figure entered the alleyway and started yelling,suddenly the new figure picked up a pipe and hit the laughing man across the face. Samuel felt that blow and reeled. Dismay and anguish welled up as he realized what he had just seen. He was the laughing man and that was when he got his scar. "Oh God, I was a Monster.” He didn't want to remember, but it was too late.

The memory wasn't going to go away, and Samuel knew in his heart that there were other memories even more horrific to come. Shakily Samuel left the Loft, he felt dirty. He had to get out of the apartment. Right now he couldn't face his Muses, he couldn't face himself. He grabbed his coat but he didn't take out the mask. He was ugly and he couldn't hide from it anymore. Down on the street, he hailed a cab. "Take me to Au Diable." As the cab pulled away, Samuel felt like he was drowning in his thoughts.

***

Alex was looking at one expensive outfit after another, and then she paused. I don't even know what kind of place this is. I need more information. She went to her bags and pulled out her laptop and started searching for info on the restaurant. There it was. Well, she didn't need to dress fancy for this place. Mr. Toddman wasn't too selective where he ate but at least they served drinks. She could work with that. She looked down at the Sweater and slacks and decided they would work just fine for this initial encounter. Now all she had to do was connect with Mr. Toddman. She grabbed her jacket and headed out. Down in the lobby she crossed to the concierge and said. " I'm Ms. Olanov, would you call a cab and cancel that 9:00 o’clock reservation to the Diable, I'm going to go now." When the cab arrived, Alex got in and told the cabby "Au Diable"