Thomas Lord: Cloaked, Ch. 1

He sat at the desk going through the box. With reluctance, he put Samuel's ID in the box and removed Thomas Lord's. He remembered when he had last used Thomas's ID. He had been flying aimlessly from city to city after leaving Vicki and the rest of his family in 1998. Tom had begged him to stop and let them have someplace to call home for a while, so he made the decision to get off at the next stopover wherever that should turn out to be.  He had found himself in Savannah Georgia. He had gone to work reporting for the Savannah Herald as a freelance reporter. Maybe, just maybe, his old editor would welcome him back. Todd knew he was taking a chance with Cassie living in Savannah but the city was big enough, she probably wouldn't even know he was there. He closed the box and returned it to its slot, locking it, and taking his key. For the first time since he had left Blair, he felt like he had a plan.

He had gotten his ticket and was spending his last night in town before flying to Savannah. He reached across the bed and pulled two newspapers to him.

                               Major Conspiracy Uncovered.


After spending several months undercover, this reporter can now state that a major criminal conspiracy to perfect special government spies was being performed on unsuspecting patients at the Kipling Neuroscience Research Facility. Well-known criminal mastermind Carlo Hesser and Neurosurgeon Ivan Kipling performed numerous experiments over the course of eight years.

 Clandestine government contracts and under the table funding kept this conspiracy hidden from public eyes. The bravery of two men trapped and used by these villains came to light recently when this reporter discovered that renowned Artist and co-owner of this newspaper Samuel Toddman, along with the publisher of this paper, Todd Manning, were part of one of these experiments. Even after several attempts on their lives, both men pursued and helped bring this conspiracy to an end. Both men deserve the nation's thanks for bringing to light a dangerous and deadly scheme affecting a number of people around the world. 

The Llanview Police department in conjunction with federal law enforcement has apprehended both Carlo Hesser and Ivan Kipling.  They are facing life imprisonment for crimes committed.


Todd put the paper down and massaged his temples, he was getting one of his headaches. Reaching for the aspirin by his bedside he took two and picked up the second paper. His picture was on the front page.


              Renowned Artist Samuel Toddman Missing.


Artist Samuel Toddman was reported missing twenty-four hours after the news broke of his involvement in aiding authorities in the capture of Carlo Hesser and Ivan Kipling. It is believed Samuel Toddman might have met with foul play for his part in breaking up this organization. News from federal agencies indicates Hesser's organization was worldwide and arrests are being made across several continents. Samuel Toddman's friend and colleague Monsieur Tomas in Paris almost lost his life recently trying to aid in the capture of Carlo Hesser. Speculation is that whoever hurt Tomas might also have taken Samuel Toddman. If anyone has seen Mr. Toddman we urge you to contact Detective John McBain of the Llanview police department.


Publisher Victoria Lord asks that anyone who has even the slightest news on the whereabouts of her cousin, get word to this paper and we will relay it to the police.


This statement was released by Samuel Toddman's wife.


"Samuel, if you are able, please give us some sign you are alive. Your loved ones are waiting for you."


One final note. Mr. Toddman was recently blinded on his honeymoon and has a heart condition. All hospitals are being alerted to be on the lookout for anyone fitting Samuel Toddman's description.

Todd's eyes blurred as he read Blair's plea. He closed his eyes picturing her as he had seen her right before leaving. She had been so beautiful standing up on the landing looking down at him. Suddenly a pain ripped through him and he was reminded that he wasn't the man she thought she had married. He laid down on the bed, turned off the light, and once again prayed for some sleep, knowing full well he probably wouldn't get any.

She stood at the top of the stairs and looked down at him as he prepared to leave the house.

"You be careful and come home, all of you."

She was exquisite, hair tousled from sleep, her green eyes sparkling as she smiled down at him. Dressed in a diaphanous white gown, she was his guardian angel. He took the steps two at a time till he reached her and pulled her into his arms. He went in for the kiss and she suddenly pushed him away, anger and hatred written all over her face.

"Don't touch me, you're nothing but a monster."

She vanished and the room took on a distorted ugly appearance. A black oily substance covered the banister, clinging to whatever came in contact with it. He was afraid to touch it and backed into the wall behind him. His bare hand touched the wall and he shuddered as he realized the substance was everywhere. He tried to wipe it off his hand, but it spread instead. In horror, he watched as it began covering his hand completely and slowly crept up his arm spreading over his whole body until only his face was left untouched. Frantic he tried to wipe it away to keep it from covering all of him, it oozed up his neck and he could smell it, a putrid sickening smell of death and decay, suddenly he couldn't breathe it was as if he was now breathing filthy water. He fought for breath and felt it begin to cloud his vision. Everything was turning black and the hateful laughter began, surrounding him. Then it was no longer around him but coming from him, he was the one laughing that hateful laugh. He screamed, but the only thing he heard was the laughter. He had become the monster.

Todd cried out and came awake, his shirt and pillowcase soaked with sweat. The room was black and his heart was racing, the image and sound of the nightmare still clinging to his memory. His stomach lurched and he rolled off the bed groping for the bathroom door, barely making it there in time before his stomach gave up its contents. He wiped his mouth and stood over the sink, with shaking hands he turned on the faucet and scooped a handful of water to wash out his mouth. He stared at the man in the mirror seeing Peter staring out at him. "Go away! I'm not you. I'll never be you." his fist shattered the mirror and he saw the blood begin to drip from his hand. With tears falling, he wrapped his hand with the washcloth and went in search of a bandage. The desk clerk had a couple and he patched his hand up, then he paid his bill adding extra for the damages to the mirror. Back in his room, he gathered up the papers and the rest of his clothes, tossing the washcloth in the trash as he exited.

Landing in Savannah, Todd checked his watch. He had several hours before he was to meet with his old editor. Passing a window he caught his mirrored reflection and realized he needed to change his appearance. He went to a salon and had them cut his hair, much to the dismay of the girls in the shop. It had been years since he had worn it short. The scars on his face seemed to stand out more, now that the hair was gone. His stylist commented she'd take him either way if he was available and he flashed his wedding band at her. He had debated coloring it but opted to let it remain natural although his gray was more prominent now that it was short. He had made the decision to let the goatee become a full beard, so he was looking a little scruffy, but it didn't seem to bother the salon girls. He sensed all their eyes on him as he departed the shop. After getting temporary accommodations, Todd headed to see his old Editor.

He walked into the newsroom and over to the desk of the managing editor.

"I would have thought an old warhorse like you would have been put out to pasture by now Amos."

"Thomas Lord, it's been years and not all of them have been kind to you either I see. Where have you been all this time? You just dropped off the face of the earth. " Amos stood up and shook his hand.

"It has been some time, It's too many years to go into right now Amos, let's just say it was one heck of a story and I'm still writing the ending. Right now I need something to take my mind off it for a while. Tell me you've got something that needs investigating. City corruption, mysterious deaths, I know this city. Where's the dirt?"

"DAMN, Lord, you must have a sixth sense. There's been talk down at the docks of some real hinky happenings. This sounds like a dirty one alright. You still up to digging deep. If the stories I'm hearing are true. This is going to be a rough one."

Todd felt a shiver run down his spine. A rough one was just what the doctor ordered. "Sounds exactly like what I'm looking for. Let's hear what you have." He took a seat and Amos filled him in.

Watching and listening to it all was Tom, he had been listening a lot. Something was wrong with Todd. Tom knew it but couldn't get any answers from anyone. He knew that Samuel and Ms. Perkins both had been trying to reach Todd, but he didn't seem to hear them and Pete was a shadow of himself right now. Tom was scared for all of them, but he was really feeling the hurt in Todd. He wanted to help, but he hadn't been able to figure out how to do that yet. Amos was telling Todd about some trouble at the docks. It had to do with missing children and young women. He could tell Todd was getting mad as he listened. Todd was going to see if he could help. Tom looked over at Samuel and Ms.Perkins, couldn't they hear what was going on? Todd was going to get in trouble, Tom knew it, whatever was hurting Todd, was making him act weird. Tom made up his mind to help, he was going to find a way to get through to Todd, Todd needed him.

Amos looked hard at the man sitting opposite him, something was eating at Thomas Lord. Amos wagered it probably had to do with that story he wasn't ready to tell. Several things, in particular, caught his eye. Lord looked a bit ragged. A new and rather wicked-looking scar had been added to his face, Amos would love to hear the info on that, and Amos also noticed a wedding ring. Lord, was absentmindedly turning the wedding band, which told Amos that there was probably another story there too. Well, one thing was sure, Lord was a good reporter and he was also highly adept at subterfuge. If Lord decided to go after this story, Amos knew he was going to get good results.

"So Tom, do you think this story's something you'd like to sink your teeth into. Because if you do, I'll get you everything I've got so far and you can take it from there. One of my other reporters told me they're really baffled at police headquarters and can't get a grip on it. If these rumors are true, I want the story."

Amos got a little chill when he found himself looking directly into Lord's eyes. They had changed from warm and friendly to something cold and deadly.

"Oh yeah, Amos. I'll take this story. In my book, women and children are off-limits, but someone out there doesn't know that. It's time he found out."

Lord had changed. Amos wondered what this man in front of him was capable of. He had heard something in Lord's voice that said if he got his hands on the perpetrator of these crimes there might be blood spilled. Amos prayed he was wrong. Still, what Lord was about to do was going to require him to be tough if he was going to get close to this story. He had been an editor for a long time and many of his investigative reporters had gotten their hands dirty for their stories. This story wasn't going to be a walk in the park.

"Good, I remember your work and you always delivered. Have you got a permanent place to stay?"

"Actually no, I just arrived this morning. But I think my temporary digs will work out fine, I'm probably not going to be in them much. You won't be able to get in touch with me, I'll contact you."

"That's fine Tom, but before you disappear on me, you need my info. While I get my people gathering that, why don't we get some lunch, and maybe you'll at least tell me how you got that new scar."

"I'll take you up on the lunch Amos, we'll see about the tale."

Amos loved a challenge and Tom Lord was sizing up to be a major one. Before this was all said and done, he would find out Lord's Story.

Todd knew Amos wasn't going to stop with the questions, but hopefully, he could field them enough to keep Amos from sniffing out any truths. He had enjoyed working for Amos before and had surprised himself the first time he had actually gotten out in the trenches and found his first story.  He had felt a great deal of satisfaction seeing that first article in print. Some of his early stories had involved law enforcement corruption in some of the outlying communities of Savannah.

He had made a few enemies, in particular, a dirty Judge. It seemed the Judge had been working with a county sheriff giving him free work crews from the prison sector. Several innocent men had found themselves wrongly accused of crimes and sentenced to hard labor by the judge. Meanwhile, the judge and sheriff were raking in federal money that was supposedly meant for the hiring of official construction crews to build the highway, they had pocketed the money and used the prisoners instead. When his expose had been published, it had shaken the state government to the core and new guidelines had been implemented. The judge was disbarred, and both he and the sheriff found themselves doing some hard time of their own.

He had owned the Sun all those years and had been proud of his paper. He had gotten good people to work for him and it had been a success. But seeing his name on the byline for the expose had actually thrilled him because he had done the work himself. Blair had once told him to make something of himself and for the first time, he had done something without his father's money behind him. It had been exhilarating.

Todd kicked himself, he had managed to keep her out of his thoughts for most of the morning and now he had just done himself in. He pictured her sitting there after their first night together, she was giving him encouragement to go out and find out the kind of man he could be. Neither had known at the time that he was Victor Lord's heir. She had been his friend first, and it had been important to her that he get to know the real him. All these years later and her advice still rang true. He paused looking at his two ring fingers and the two rings. She had made them both. One out of friendship, the second out of love. His heart skipped a beat as he wondered what she was doing and if she was okay. Suddenly he was brought out of his reverie by Amos.

"Okay I know you said I probably wouldn't get a tale and I accept that, but something happened to you, Tom, and I'm guessing part of the story has to do with those two rings you were studying just now. I'm not stupid, one of them is obviously a wedding ring. Your wife must be something, you were a million miles away just now." Amos watched Tom's face and saw a flash of pain in his eyes.

Todd struggled to answer Amos but if he talked about her he'd never stop. He was missing her terribly, he was missing them all, but they were safer this way. He clenched his fists and set them on the table in front of him. "She is, but the subject is off-limits Amos, don't bring her up again."

Amos knew from Lord's voice, that he needed to back off. Something pretty intense had gone down recently and Lord was still raw about it. "Sure Tom, sorry if I overstepped. Have you got any ideas how to get started on this story down at the docks."

Todd was relieved that Amos changed the subject, turning his thoughts to the story at hand he nodded, "I know someone pretty inconspicuous who might be able to get me some initial information. If I'm right I'll be starting this tomorrow." he didn't add to that as their food arrived and Todd found himself famished. He started eating, concentrating on the food in front of him.

Amos began eating also. Thomas Lord was an enigma. After being gone for over ten years, why had he decided to drop into Savannah now? He was hiding something and apparently running from something or someone. Amos was going to find out because he liked the man and he sensed the man was in need of some help.

****

John threw the file down on his desk, he had just gotten a chewing-out from Bo because Todd was still missing. There had been no word from him since his call to Blair the morning they had apprehended Hesser and Kipling. Nora was all over his back too, because although she had Manning and the implants, as well as the signed confessions by both Hesser and Kipling, they hadn't been able to get a line on their partners. It was feared Todd had run afoul of those partners and if he hadn't he was definitely in danger from them.

Since the article had appeared in the Sun, both Manning and Todd had new targets on their backs. They had angered some serious players in and out of the government and John had read Kelly the riot act for naming them in her article. By the end of the day, The Sun's article had gone national. It had just been luck that pictures hadn't been in the article.

The FBI was hard at work rounding up anyone suspected of being involved in the conspiracy and the Llanview hospital had suddenly found itself shy of several Doctors and nurses. Nora's other star witness, Christian, was slated for surgery in the next couple of days. Michael and Marcie had come into town with their son and Blair had put them up at Dragonheart. Sam, and Marcie's son, were getting along famously and Blair needed the company. Michael's surgical team was due in that night.

John sat down at his desk thinking back to his conversation with Blair, she had sounded pretty frantic the morning of the arrest. He had driven out to see her later that day because of her tone. After talking with her again, he had gotten on the phone and put out an APB on Samuel's car. The following day the car was located in a small town outside Chicago but there the trail ended. Blair had no idea why Todd had traveled to that town. She only knew he had grown up in Chicago before coming to Llanview.

Vicki had published an article about Samuel, but so far no one had seen him and he hadn't shown up in any hospitals in any of the surrounding states. John's gut was telling him that Todd had left for reasons that had to do with Hesser and Kipling, but he was worried that Todd was unaware of the new developments concerning the conspiracy. Even Interpol had sent a warning to Bo telling him to keep Manning protected. They had word another hit might have been put out on him and Toddman. The Feds were keeping an eye out for any imported assassins coming from The United Kingdom or the European continent.

Natalie walked in looking at John. "No word on my uncle?"

"Nothing since we found his car. The trail is cold and I hope that means he's okay. If we can't find him then odds are he's safe from any assassins for the time being. How's your Mom holding up?"

"She's worried, particularly about his state of mind. It concerns her that he left Blair the way he did. Also that he's not contacted her or Starr either. She's afraid he might hurt himself or get hurt doing something reckless. It's not good for her to be this worried and on top of that, we're all coping with my father and his troubles too. You've gotten to know Todd a little bit, do you think he's out there running from something we know nothing about."

"I don't know Natalie, I've always sensed that he's been living just this side of trouble. I thought I knew everything about Todd Manning, but much of what I know was based on the actions of the fake one. If I had never met your uncle, I would have said he was a sociopath and a dangerous man because of what he did all those years ago when he was younger. Then I met him and truthfully, the man I met was totally different from what I expected. He daily lives in the shadows of his past and it has changed him. I've never been able to figure out why your mother stood by her brother all these years until I met the real Todd Manning. Now I understand. Your uncle hates the parts of himself that caused all that harm years ago. He's been trying to make up for it most of his life but that part of himself is there and it still messes with him. This is just between you and me, but I believe your uncle had something to do with Hesser and Kipling's capture. I don't have any proof, but it's possible he's the reason they were both injured when found. If I'm right, he did something that night he has tried to steer clear of all these years, and now in the aftermath, he can't live with it."

Natalie stared at John and deep in her heart she had an uneasy feeling that John was right. "John if that's true, could Mom be right? Could he be suicidal?"

John just looked at her.

"Oh God, John. You think it's possible. For my mother's sake, I pray you're wrong. Do you think Blair has any idea this is why he left?"

"She isn't saying but I think she's also figured out what I have and that's why she's frantic to find him. The funny thing is Natalie, I don't blame him. We both know what those men did to him. If it was me I would have done the exact same thing if I had been given the chance. Todd found them before us and took his chance. I give him credit, he didn't kill them, he turned them over to us, he just took his revenge first. The problem is his self-hate kicked in afterward. I hope we find him. There haven't been any hospitals reporting in so that's good. All we can do now is wait till something shows up to point us in his direction."

****

Marcie and Starr were watching Hope and Sam play with Marcie's little one. All three children were having a blast running and toddling around the yard. Marcie looked over at Starr "Has your mom heard anything at all about your father?" Starr had clued her about Samuel's real identity the previous night.

"Nothing, and she's putting up a good act for Sam and Jack, but she's crying inside."

"I never met him, your real Dad, is he different from Sam's dad?"

"They're so different Marcie, I can't believe I didn't see the differences for all those years. My real Dad turns into putty around children. He has a way with them, and only now do I realize that. The moment he and Hope met, he became the man of my memories who loved me unconditionally. My dad admitted he's unsure of how he would have handled Cole and I know he was angry finding out about Cole and his drug problem. But Marcie, he listened, he didn't yell or blow up in my face, he listened to the whole story. Hope adores him and Sam too. It's kind of sad, but it occurred to me after he came back, just how little time the Todd Manning you knew, spent with his granddaughter. I had never seen the man I thought was my dad down on his hands and knees playing with Hope and I should have wondered about that. Sure he tried to spend time with us but he was always more distant like he was a little uncomfortable around kids and I never picked up on it. The Todd Manning that you knew really never truly existed. I've met the real man who all these years raised us. You won't recognize him. His real name is Jake Boudreau and he, Tea, and Dani are coming over later. Jake is different too. Those implants did a number on him and some of the obsessive violent things that he did, were the result of their influence on him. It's strange I still feel love for him when I see him, but now it feels like the love I have for Aunt Vicki, I know him and he raised me but he's not my dad and my love has changed."

"Wow, that has to be weird. The man you thought was your dad all these years is really a stranger. How does he feel about you and your brother now that he's regained his past memories." asked Marcie

"He still loves us very much. He's been struggling with the things he did as Todd especially in the last couple of years. He even apologized to me. I think he wants to keep in contact with me and Jack because in his heart he does love us, as much as he loves Sam. We're all worried he'll take Sam if he and Tea and Dani decide to leave. Mom would be devastated."

Marcie looked at Blair talking to Michael and thought about everything that had happened. The man that Starr described as her father and the man Michael had described was indeed different from the Manning she knew. After the news of the conspiracy had gone nationwide, she had managed to worm some information out of her husband and found out he had been a part of the downfall of Hesser and Kipling. She had wondered why he had worked on Todd Manning and been shocked to find out the details. She remembered Michael telling her about the real Todd Manning and what had happened to him. Michael told her about Starr's dad literally dying on the table but somehow coming back for Blair. He said he had never seen such devotion between two people like he had witnessed between Blair and Todd. Now to hear Starr talk about him, it was hard to comprehend that he was also a rapist and scoundrel that the papers all talked about. Marcie looked across the yard thinking about the three children who were connected to her in different ways. She had raised Sam for a year and lost him to Todd, she had been promised Hope but in the end, had given her back to her mom and then a miracle had happened, she had found out she was pregnant and now she and Michael had a beautiful little boy of their own. She never wanted to be separated from him. What was keeping Starr's father away from his kids and the woman he loved? It was a mystery and for Starr and Blair, it was a nightmare.

Just then, the three children came running over wanting snacks and drinks and they gathered them up and took them inside. She nodded to Michael as they entered the house.

Michael nodded back, then continued his conversation with Blair. "I've been contacted by my team and everything is set for tomorrow. Larry and the Police have made plans to secure the operating room so no one can get to Christian"

"Michael, will Christian encounter problems like Todd?" asked Blair "Carlotta is terrified for her son."

"I've talked to Carlotta and having seen the location of Christian's implants he will have no problem with his sight. I am concerned about the long-term effects these implants have had on the area of the brain which helps us to ascertain right from wrong. Christian's implants have been blocking signals to the portion of the brain that affects his judgment making him capable of killing when in reality he would never have done anything like that. There is no telling what kind of damage has been done or if he'll recover the ability to know the difference again between right and wrong."

Blair shook her head. Christian might never be the same, and her heart went out to Carlotta. Then her thoughts drifted back to Todd, "I've been meaning to talk to you about Todd's eyesight."

Michael looked at her. "Was there any change before he disappeared?"

"Yes and no, as his Doctor I feel you should know what happened and I need to know what you think about it." Blair and Michael sat down and she began to tell him about the implants and what had occurred.

Michael listened to the story fascinated by the prospect that the implants were actually helping Todd to see. Then he became alarmed when Blair told him that she feared a piece of the implant might still be inside Todd's brain. "So let me get this straight, you think the piece inside of Todd is the reason the implants are enabling him to see? I'm inclined to believe you but Blair I must caution you if there is still a piece inside Todd he could be in even more danger. You have absolutely no idea where he
might be?"

"My God, Michael I wish I did. Now I'm more scared than ever for him. He left here so distraught and his voice was so devoid of emotion when he called me like he had lost all hope. Even Vicki is worried. I don't know how we're going to find him but we just have to." It had been over a week since Samuel's car had been found and then they had lost his trail now they were playing a waiting game hoping he would try and get in touch again. Blair began to cry. Michael reached out and put an arm around her shoulders offering whatever comfort he could. Starr watched her mom break down out on the terrace and felt her own tears start. She excused herself from Marcie and exited the room before Marcie could see her cry.