Don't Shoot the "Messenger", Ch. 37

           Todd had been quiet as he drove through the mountains between Cherryvale and Llanview. Spring had come to the mountains and Todd pulled over at a familiar site not far from Vicki’s cabin. He got out and walked into the middle of the flowers covering the meadow, and sat down, wrapping his arms around his knees and resting his head down on them. His heart hurt for the little boy he had once been and he was so tired.

Blair walked up behind him and put a tender hand on his head. Then she sat down quietly next to him and wrapped her arm through his. When he was ready, he would talk to her.


“I’m a mess. It’s like I’m teetering on the edge. Everything has become a pitfall. I thought I had finally gotten past my anger at Peter and then something like today comes out.”

“Todd, it’s only natural to have those feelings. What Peter did was unforgivable.”

“I really loved that puppy. He was a mutt, a mixed-blood like me. I’ve seen other dogs that looked a little like him. You know those little brown yappy dogs with lots of hair, Yorkies? I think he had some Yorkie in him, that was his blue blood, but he had something else in him, couldn’t tell you what. He had a gruff little bark, so that must have come from his other parent.” Todd looked at Blair. “He had two cute ears, one was always standing alert and the other flipped down like he was listening to everything you said.”

“He sounds adorable.” Blair reached and wiped the tears from Todd’s eyes. “I’m so sorry you lost him.”

“It just sucks. I never really got to say goodbye. I remember Momma sitting with me that whole night after I found him.  We both cried.  I was little and eventually children push the bad things away and keep going. That was what I did.”

“Oh Todd, it breaks my heart you had to go through that, but you’re right; you healed. When Starr was so sick with aplastic anemia, I remember you telling me you wanted her to have everything including a dog.  Is Rufus the reason you wanted that?”

“I remember thinking about Rufus and how he would have loved chasing after Starr. That night was one of those times when you just want all the good things for your child.” Todd looked away again, out over the field.

Blair wondered if he was seeing his little girl with a brown puppy as he looked across the field. “Todd, it’s not too late.”

“What’s not too late?”

“We could get a dog.  Dragonheart is ideal, with all the land and no neighbors complaining. Hope and Sam would love one.”

“Nah.  It wouldn’t work Blair.  Who would take care of it? Everyone is gone all day.  What if it ran away.  I couldn’t take that again.  I’m cursed, Blair.  I can’t even escape my most recent past. The last thing I want to do is relive my long lost past.”

She could hear it in his voice, the longing, and then watched him shut down. He was determined to put his wall back up and his thoughts were beginning to head back to Mitch. She stowed the idea away for later, a plan slowly forming. Then she decided it was time to change Todd’s mood. She smiled and absently grabbed a handful of grass.

He didn’t even notice when Blair stood up. From above him, all of a sudden, came a handful of grass trickling down into his hair and shirt. “What the..?” he looked up to find Blair standing a little bit away from him giggling, and brushing some grass off her hands. The look in her eyes was enchanting and Todd’s mood swung away from the darkness. He grabbed up his own handful and got up heading for her.

Blair laughed and stumbled back. “What? It’s just a little grass.”

“Yeah, let’s see how you like it down your shirt.” As he moved to get her, she turned and started running across the meadow, laughing. Within seconds, Todd had caught her and paid her back.

“Oh! Hey, that’s more than I dropped on you,” she said petulantly as she tried to wriggle and displace the grass.

Todd reached over and down into the top of her blouse to help her remove it, his hand pausing to fondle one of her breasts. She stopped fidgeting and reached to brush the grass out of his hair, as he unbuttoned her blouse. He slipped the blouse off and turned her and unfastened her bra. He released it and blew across her back to remove any leftover blades. Blair shivered as his breath was warm across her back and then his lips touched her shoulder and slowly made their way up her neck. She turned back into him as they moved up and claimed her lips. Todd paused, “Wait.” and moved away from her, turning his back to remove his shirt and wiped the grass off.

While Todd was taking care of the grass on his torso, Blair began to feel flushed just looking at his gorgeous back. She quickly stripped off her slacks and panties and found a comfortable spot on the cool grass amid the flowers. She couldn’t help the sigh of pleasure that escaped as the coolness of the grass touched her feverish body.

Hearing her sigh, Todd turned back and was mesmerized. It was his painting of her come to life.  Blair was all woman, Mother Earth and Goddess rolled into one as she reclined on the grass surrounded by the flowers.  She reached out her hand in invitation, the look on her face promising delights to the receiver of her favors.  Todd removed the rest of his clothes and dropped to his knees in adoration, taking up that invitation.

Blair looked up at him and quivered with anticipation. Her dark angel had arrived and was worshipping her. His shimmering hair fell about his broad shoulders. Beads of moisture glistened on his chest from the heat and the sun behind his head was like a halo as he knelt above her. She was his and he took all she had to offer and gave back even more. Time stood still at that moment. What was in the past and what was yet to come had no meaning. It was just them and their all-consuming passion for each other.

As the sun dropped below the tree line, Todd and Blair stood and redressed and wandered back to the car. Todd’s arm was wrapped securely around Blair, and he was more at peace than he had been in days.

***

John was tidying up his office when Natalie reappeared in the door. She smiled as she saw the little corral Liam was playing in. John had carefully placed a couple of chairs in such a way in one corner of his office to contain Liam, so he could sit and get some work done. She also noted the multitude of paper airplanes still decorating parts of the office.

“I see the father-son pilots were out in force. Did you make a decision regarding telling Todd about Carlo yet?”

John frowned. “Not yet. His last couple of days have been rough. I think I’ll hold off ruining his night and let him know tomorrow. I don’t think Carlo will be making any moves tonight.”


 “Did you get any more on the guy Carlo impersonated or his home?”


 “Yeah, the State Police searched the guard’s home and found his uniform and badge. It was obvious someone had been there but they came up empty-handed as far as fingerprints. The badge was wiped clean along with the guard’s wallet. It looked like Carlo did make himself at home for a short amount of time but he made sure not to touch anything there. No one living close by saw anyone arrive or leave the guard’s place. My guess is Hesser has gone into hiding but I would really like to know if he’s been in contact with Kipling and Laurence.”


 “John, you can’t do anything about that situation right now. What do you say we get out of here and go back to your place for some dinner and time alone? Liam misses his daddy, and I‘m hoping this stay at Mom’s is short.”


 John smiled one of his rare smiles and picked up his son. “Let’s do it.” He might as well give himself a breather, as well as Todd. “Oh, by the way, got some weird news today. Seems the Mayor auctioned off the Hesser Compound today. Some nudist colony bought it. From terrorist to nature lovers, quite a stretch for the place.”


 Natalie laughed. “I’ll say, Mitch wouldn’t be caught dead in such a place.” John joined her in her laughter. It really would have been strange to see Mitch walking around a la natural.


 ***


A couple days later, traffic on Llantano Mountain increased with the influx of the colonists who had purchased the compound. The compound itself was suddenly filled with activity as Mitch’s followers began making it appear to be a naturalist colony. Aware of police scrutiny, the alarms were set to alert the followers of intruders and they would quickly disappear except for the required few chosen to make it look like nudists resided there. Alison had taken over assigning quarters and chores. Many of the flock were put to work down the mountain at the Tabernacle site. The ambulance had been repainted and transformed into a serviceable van to transport supplies from Llanview to the compound.


 At first, Kipling was annoyed with the additional people. But as the ruse took shape he had to admit Mitch’s flock was a well-organized group who followed their leader without question. He decided to take advantage of the van and made a trip to his second lab to meet with Carlo.


 He walked into his lab to find Carlo enjoying a fine brandy and studying something on the computer. “I see you had no trouble getting through my security. Have you made up your mind about Manning and Thornhart as of yet?”


Carlo looked up from his business. “Yes, for now, we will give them a reprieve. There are more important matters to attend to. The first is showing our partners that we are back in business. I trust your little project has been successful. Can we proceed with production?”

Kipling nodded, “Our Mr. Laurence and Ms. Perkins have proven to be excellent guinea pigs. The nanobots have proven their worth and should net us millions, to begin with. I trust you were able to finally gain full access to Daimler’s hidden funds. Now that the furor started by Thomas Lord as lost steam, our clients have been inquiring when the business will return to normal.”

“I just got off the phone with some of our more discreet procurers and a new shipment will be arriving in the states within the week on the West Coast. You may pass on to our clients, that they will begin receiving product shortly.” Carlo sat back to enjoy the brandy and asked, “Are you staying, now that the compound is becoming so crowded?”

“Not at this time. Mitch is about to take on a fascinating mind control project, and I’d like to see how it turns out. Besides, I wish to keep an eye on Mitch’s and Alison’s child. I have plans down the road for that baby.” Kipling looked around and walked to his drug cabinet getting several of his designer drugs. After stowing them in his duffle bag, he turned to Hesser. “I don’t have to say make yourself at home, it looks like you’ve already done so. I’ll be in touch.” Carlo lifted his glass in a toast, as Kipling left the lab. Then he turned back to the computer and pulled up the traffic cam aimed at the entrance of the Manning building, taking notes as he watched.

Back at the compound, the redesign of one room was being completed. All outside windows had been closed off and sealed shut. New wiring was installed to accommodate the speakers placed throughout the bedroom. Alison was making sure everything was in working order. She put a tape in and listened as it reverberated through the room. It was perfect. Their guest would be well taken care of. The video cameras would provide them with round the clock coverage of her activity.

The first phase of her plan was finished. She just had a few well-placed calls to put into effect and with the aid of a few of Mitch’s disciples, the final plan would be initiated. Alison left the room and saw Mitch enter the women’s quarters; her heart sank. He was still punishing her. She walked back to the main house and went to bed. Tomorrow she would bring Mitch his prize and then he might forgive her.


  ***


  John walked into his apartment. He had spent a nice evening at Llanfair with Natalie and Liam. Unfortunately, he also had to inform Clint and Vicki that there had been no new leads as to the whereabouts of Mitch or Alison. For now, everyone was still on alert and maintaining security.


Two days earlier, John had been called into the Mayor’s office. The mayor had insisted that news of Carlo’s escape be kept a secret because she didn’t want to alarm the public with yet another prisoner on the loose. She had effectively gagged John from telling Todd about him because Todd’s paper The Sun was crucifying her at the moment.
  
 When Todd had found out about the sale of the compound, he had been infuriated and had begun to mercilessly attack the Mayor with his editorials.  The mayor's gag order didn’t sit well with John and he had seriously debated having a discreet talk with Todd just to notify him that Hesser was free. Natalie talked him into waiting, reminding him that Todd had been warned to keep his stress level down. Natalie had become fonder of the newer gentler Todd and she felt he and Blair needed some time to enjoy the new baby on the way, rather than dwell on things they had no control of. John had agreed to keep still for the time being.


As he got ready to call it a night, he sent a quick text to Natalie sending his love. After his conversation with Clint and Vicki, he was glad she was safely at Llanfair where Mitch couldn’t touch her.