After a long discussion, Blair had agreed to remain in the hospital a little while longer. It was decided she would stay a least a week and then if the doctors agreed, she could do the rest of her bedrest at home. Todd was grateful and put his plan into motion.
Back at Dragonheart, major renovation began taking place in the master suite. He plunged headlong into designing and remodeling the room so that a small intimate nursery took shape opposite the main bath. The focal point of the room was still their bed but by week’s end a wall bisected one end of the room. The wall was solid across the bottom ending midway up the wall with a dark wood chair rail. The upper portion of the wall consisted of four stained glass panels, framed by the same dark wood, gracefully arching and separating each panel. Two panels were on each side of the entrance to the room. Inside the room, the walls were a beautiful wash of colors. At first glance, you thought you were looking at the evening sky at dusk. Todd stood in the doorway surveying the finished room. He felt a touch on his arm and looked over to find Starr had joined him.
“It’s beautiful Dad. Mom’s going to love it.”
“Thanks, Shorty. With everything she’s been through, I wanted to surprise her.”
“I’ve got to ask, how on earth did you find painters who were able to paint the walls that way? I’ve never seen anything quite like it.”
Todd grinned, “Hey, only the best will do for my family. I actually managed to talk a portrait painter into doing it for me.”
Starr thought about it and then turned and slapped her father’s shoulder.”Daddd! Samuel painted it, didn’t he?”
“Ow! Of course. You don’t think I’d leave this room to an amateur. We’ve planned a mural, but I wanted your mom to see the room like this, first. I’m just glad this is all finished in time. I’m supposed to be bringing your mom home later today. Are you going to be here later?”
“I’m taking Hope and meeting Cole for lunch. Then we’re joining Jessica and Bree to do a little shopping. Hope’s growing out of all her clothes, and Jessica wants to get something for Natalie. What time are you getting Mom?”
“I’m not sure. I’ll head over to the hospital after I stop in at the Sun and check on the paper.” He wanted to find out if there had been any Mitch sightings. He had kept the story of Mitch’s escape to the bare minimum when he had explained about Natalie to Blair. Luckily, he had gotten most of the story told before Starr and the boys had returned. They had only heard the part about Natalie and Liam being found. Starr’s words reminded him to check on Natalie while he was at the hospital.
****
Bo had just gotten off the phone with the state police when Fish knocked on his door.
“Commissioner, this was just delivered.”
“I’ve been expecting that. Tell John I need to talk to him.”
A few minutes later John appeared at Bo’s door. “You wanted to see me?”
“Come on in John. You should know Mitch Laurence is dead. He was found by a minister outside a church late last night. The doctor called it a heart attack.”
“You can’t honestly believe that. After everything, the man dies of a heart attack?”
“I don’t know what to believe. It gets more bizarre. A funeral home already picked up the body from the hospital early this morning. A funeral is set for tomorrow.”
“Wait a minute. Surely the authorities got proof he was dead before releasing the body.”
“They did. I asked them to send me everything they had, including any details concerning his funeral. This is it.” He showed the manila envelope to John. “I figured you’d want to see the proof as much as me.”
Inside the envelope, was a picture of Mitch Laurence on a slab in the Hospital Morgue, along with a copy of the death certificate. There was also a detailed report from the doctor at the hospital about his arrival at the hospital, and all attempts to revive him. His time of death was noted at 12:00 midnight. A second report from the coroner agreed with the doctor’s call, of death by a heart attack. The Philadelphia police also sent the name of the funeral home and information about the upcoming funeral.
John looked at Bo. “It all seems so anticlimactic. I never expected this to be the end of Laurence. It doesn’t seem fair. Natalie is just starting to get her memory back and the doctors are still concerned about the pregnancy. Todd and Blair have been through hell because of this man. Why does he get to go out this way?”
“I don’t know, but I want you to go to the funeral. I have a job for you. Alison Perkins Laurence was notified of his death and she’s been given permission to go see his body and say her goodbyes. You’ll be escorting her. That way you can make sure it’s really him and that he’s truly dead. “
“You don’t trust this information?”
“I don’t trust Mitch. Besides, I figured you would want to see for yourself.”
“Thanks, Bo. You’re right, this time I need to make sure. When does all this take place tomorrow?”
“The funeral is slated for 11:00 am, Alison is being brought over from County at 8:00. .You’ll have a couple hours to get there.”
“I’ll be here at 8:00 then. How’s Alison taking this?”
“I was told the doctor had to give her a mild sedative when the word came in last night. But this morning she raised quite a commotion about being allowed to attend her husband’s funeral. Her attorney got it cleared with the judge. I don’t like the guy. He seems to have some connections, a Judge Carmichael was the one who got Hawthorne to approve Alison’s visitation.”
“I know that lawyer. The guy’s been hovering around the hospital trying to gain access to Natalie, too. He’s obviously one of Mitch’s followers. It seems The Messenger’s babies are important to them still. I’m sure now that Mitch is dead, they’ll be real anxious nothing happens to the babies.”
“If Natalie is starting to regain her memory, does she still want to have the babies?”
“She’s got a long way to go, her memories of Mitch are still all mixed up. But one thing is a certainty, she wants the babies. The doctor said she has only happy thoughts about the babies, so they’ll be wanted no matter what she remembers in the future.”
“I see, and how do you feel about that?”
“I love Natalie and she loves her babies. I know what Mitch did to her and I wish I had been the one to kill him. I can’t be, he’s dead, but I can stand beside her and be a father to those children. He’s out of the picture now. My concern right now is making sure this guy is really dead, so we can get on with our lives.”
“Fine. Go be with Natalie the rest of the day and be here first thing in the morning.”
John left Bo’s office and headed out.
Bo walked out and handed the packet from the Philly police to Fish. “File this in the Laurence File and mark the case closed.”
Oliver Fish looked at the packet and picked up the phone.
Todd was at his desk when the phone rang. “What is it?”
"There’s an Officer Fish on the line sir.”
“Put him through.” he waited, trying to figure out why the police were calling him. He had already checked with his police informant, there wasn’t any news on Mitch. “Officer Fish, we talked earlier, what happened?”
“Mr. Manning, the commissioner just handed me a packet that was delivered a short time ago. He told me to put the items in the Laurence file and mark it case closed.”
Todd swayed and sat down abruptly. “Why Fish? Why is the case closed?”
“Sir, Mitch Laurence is dead. I’m looking at his death certificate. …... Mr. Manning are you there?”
Todd took some deep breaths and answered. ”Fish, can you fax me copies of everything in that packet. It would be greatly appreciated.”
“Sure, I hope this was the news you wanted. It should help Mrs. Manning to know the man is off the street permanently now. I’ll fax the items to your office shortly.”
“Thank you, Fish. I won’t forget this.” Todd hung up and a few minutes later he watched the items come through his fax machine. Thirty minutes later he had studied it all, put it into his briefcase, and made a quick call. “Babe, I’m going to be a little late. I have a stop to make before I can get you out of there. Starr is out this afternoon shopping with Jessica, I’ll give her a call and she can bring Hope up and keep you company until I get there. …. Thanks for understanding, I love you.”
***
Nigel answered the door at Llanfair. “Mr. Manning, good afternoon. Are you here to see your sister? I’m afraid she’s at the hospital with Ms. Natalie.”
“That’s okay Nigel, I actually came to talk to Clint.”
“I see. I’ll go and tell him you are here.”
“Thanks, Nigel.” Todd walked into the library and over to the bar. He helped himself to water and waited.
Clint studied the man looking out the patio doors. In the past year, he had learned a great deal about Vicki’s brother. The young man who had created so much havoc almost twenty years before had ceased to be. The current Todd Manning was a complex individual. He was a shrewd businessman, and in that world, he could be quite cut-throat. He was also a loving husband and father. Although unorthodox and often misunderstood, Todd cared deeply for the rest of his family as well. He had had a rough life and it had tempered him into a strong man but it had also broken him a little. The last year had been especially tough on Todd and everyone around him, but somehow he was still standing. Clint couldn’t help but admire him.
“Todd, Nigel said you wanted to talk to me?”
Todd turned from the doors, “I need to know if you hate Mitch Laurence as much as I do. Because if you do, I need your help.”
Have someone put a dagger through his heart so he will really be dead.
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