Don't Shoot the "Messenger", Ch. 62

Clint looked in surprise at Todd. “Well, I never expected that.” Todd was staring at him, waiting for an answer. “Hell yes, I hate Mitch Laurence. I’ve had investigators out looking for him since this whole thing began, but they’ve all come up empty.”

“You can call them off. He’s been found. Here, see for yourself.” Todd handed the file he had been carrying to Clint. “I don’t believe it for a minute, but I wanted a second opinion.”

Clint sat down and began to look at the contents. He glanced several times at Todd pacing, he was obviously agitated by the latest development. “I don’t know, Todd, this seems pretty straightforward to me.”

“Oh come on! Are you honestly going to sit there and tell me you believed he died of a heart attack? This is Mitch Laurence we’re talking about. A man who survived five shots to the chest, then kidnapped Natalie. My God! You know what he did to her.”

Clint closed the file and laid it down. “I’m perfectly aware of the harm he caused Natalie. I wish I could wrap my fingers around his neck and strangle him right here, where I could watch him claw at my hands as he took his last breath. There’s just one problem. He’s already dead. There’s a funeral with viewing and everything. As much as I hate to admit it, the man got off easy.” He watched Todd and sympathized with him. Natalie was still in the hospital recovering and this was all they had for revenge. It wasn’t fair. Todd had come for a reason, and Clint was curious. “You‘ve seen the file. Hell, man, you brought it to me.”

“I don’t believe it. I don’t think he’s really dead. He fled with Kipling. That madman is capable of anything including making someone appear dead. What if this is all a plot to make the police think he’s dead?”

“How would you go about proving it’s all fake? More importantly, what would you do if you find out it is faked?”

“That’s simple. I would make it a reality.” Todd stopped pacing.

“I see.” Now they were getting somewhere. “Why did you come here, Todd?”

“I don’t know. I guess I wanted someone I could pitch my idea to, who wouldn’t think I’ve gone off the deep end. I also needed someone I could trust. You hate the man as much as I do. I didn’t think you would call the police and give me away, in fact, I was hoping you would lend me Nigel to help.”

“You trust me?”

“Yeah, you’re ruthless and you love your family. Well, they’re my family too. That puts us on the same side when it comes to Mitch Laurence. I owe the man for what he did to me and more importantly what he recently did to Blair. He hurt her because of me. I can’t let that slide.” Todd sat down opposite Clint. “Take a look at that file again. To me, it stinks to high heaven. Bo and the Philadelphia police are going to go by the book on this one. They see a death certificate. They believe a death certificate. Call me paranoid, but I see Mitch pulling the wool over their eyes. A lot of things don’t make sense. A Judge Carmichael ordered the release of Mitch’s body only hours after it arrived at the morgue. Who is that guy, and why would he bother with someone like Mitch?”

Clint had reopened the file and was looking it over more thoroughly. “You’re right. The time from his death to his funeral is shorter than usual, given that Mitch was a hunted man. I would have thought the authorities would have ordered an autopsy, but they didn’t. Let me make a few quick calls to see what I can find out about this Judge Carmichael.”

“While you’re at that, I’ll see what I can find out about the funeral home.” Todd got up again. “I could use a drink.” He walked over to what used to be Vicki’s liquor bar and saw only water. “Something stronger than this.”

“Nigel!” yelled Clint.

“Yes, Mr. Buchanan.” Nigel appeared inside the door like magic.

“Get Mr. Manning a drink, a real one, and bring me some water.”

“Yes, sir.”

As Nigel served the drinks, Todd looked at Clint. “What’s he do, shadow your every move?”

“Nigel is very good at his job.” He took his water. “Thank you, Nigel. You’re lucky, Manning. You can still drink. Vicki would have my head if I had any liquor.”

With drinks in hand, they began making their calls. A short time later, the phones were shut down and they looked at each other.

“What did you find?” Asked Todd.

“Something interesting. It appears Judge Carmichael informed his secretary he had to go out of town a week ago. He was attending the wedding of his minister. He said he would be unreachable the night before.”

“Let me guess. The wedding was taking place in Llanview at The Tabernacle of Joy.”

“You got it on the first try. Carmichael was one of Mitch’s followers. What were you able to get?”

“The funeral home belongs to the same organization that runs the Kipling Neuroscience Research Facility. It just confirms my suspicions. This is all a fake-out.”

“What do you want to do about it?”

“I’m going to that funeral tomorrow and this is what I need Nigel to do.”

The next hour, Clint and Todd talked and worked out all the parts of their plan.

“You realize, what we’re doing could be seen as murder?” Clint said.

“How? The man is already dead. We’re just changing a few details surrounding his funeral.”

****

Todd walked into the hospital room to find Blair, Starr, and Hope waiting for him. It was quite a picture. “Wow, now that’s a shot I’d like Samuel to paint. You three look great. Are you ready to leave this place and come home? ” he said as he walked forward and gave Blair a simple kiss.

“Wild horses couldn’t keep me here any longer. But I want to know what happened to delay you. You were rather mysterious on the phone.”

“I’ll tell you later when we’re alone. Right now, it’s time to get my four girls home. You’re all signed out and I have all the instructions from Dr. Conklin. We’re going to pamper you until our daughter is ready to make an appearance, and I don’t want anything to bring you down.”

Blair didn’t push the matter. She sensed something was bothering Todd, but she knew he’d tell her when he was ready.

An hour later they pulled onto the driveway leading up to Dragonheart. It was the most beautiful sight at that moment and Blair couldn’t contain the sob that escaped when she saw it.

“What is it, Babe?” Todd looked at her concerned.

“There was a brief time that night, when I thought I’d never see it or you again.”

Todd tightened his arm around her.”Shh, that‘s all behind you now. I’ve got a surprise for you and I think you’re going to like it.” Williams pulled the car up and they all exited and walked inside.

Blair was almost bowled over as Sam came flying out of the family room and barreled into her. “Mom, you’re home. Boy, I’m sure glad to see you. I did a cannonball into Aunt Dorian’s pool earlier. Jack showed me how it was done. Dad had Shaun take us over there to swim since it’s been so noisy here lately.”

Blair looked at Todd quizzically and then returned her son’s hug “ I’m so glad to see you too. I think that it’s great Jack took the time to teach you that. Where is your brother?”

“Right here, Mom. You’re looking good, I’m glad you’re home too. Shaun and I were upstairs putting something together.” Jack finished descending the stairs and walked to give his mom a hug.

“Welcome home, Mrs. Manning,” said Shaun who had followed Jack down the stairs.

Blair returned Jack’s hug and smiled at Shaun. “ Hey, it’s Blair, remember?” Suddenly a black and brown furball came yipping down the hall from the kitchen. The puppy bounded up to Blair and she knelt down to pick him up. “Rascal, what have you been into?” The puppy’s face was covered in frosting and cake.

Todd groaned. “Who left the cake out where the puppy could get it.” They all hurried to the kitchen and there on the tabletop was Blair’s Welcome Home cake. The puppy had somehow managed to reach the top of a chair and had gobbled a sizeable chunk out of the corner. It had been the only portion he could get close too. Everyone laughed and Shaun took the puppy from Blair.

“I’ll clean him up. Sorry about that. I figured he was still too little to get up there yet.” said Shaun as he went in search of a cloth to clean the puppy.

Todd grinned as he looked over at Blair. “Well, at least he left some for the rest of us.”

Blair threw her arms around Todd’s neck. “What else could I possibly expect from my husband’s dog. He’s as unpredictable as his master.” She reached and put a finger into the frosting and took a taste. “Mmm, Chocolate Cappachino, it’s delicious.”

Todd couldn’t resist kissing her, tasting the frosting, and hoping for something better later on. He resisted taking the kiss farther and stepped back. “We’ll continue that in a bit.“ he whispered in her ear. “ Right now let’s get you up to bed and then we can get this party underway.”

He smiled at the kids and led Blair down the hall to the elevator. “Starr, we’ll see you guys upstairs.”

“Todd, I’m perfectly capable of walking the stairs.” said Blair.

“Shush.” As the doors closed he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back into his embrace.

Blair melted in his arms. She thought he’d never get around to it.

Todd pushed the stop button. “I hope Starr can think of a plausible excuse. This is going to take longer than a minute or two.” His lips met hers, the pressure soft and slow. He could still taste the sweet sugar that remained on her lips. Blair’s hands had wound through his hair, then he felt the lightest touch at nape of his neck as her soft hands started finding their way down his back. “I love you, Mrs. Manning.”

“I love you too, Mr. Manning.” She kissed his earlobe, “I’ve missed you.”

“God, Blair, don’t do that, you know it drives me crazy. I want you so bad it hurts, but I know it’s way too soon.” Todd separated himself, putting some space between them. He saw the hurt in her eyes. “Babe don’t, I just don’t want to push things between us. I want to make sure you’re fully healed. I can wait.” To prove his point he kissed her again, trying to show her just how deep his feelings went.

She accepted him back into her arms and began to hug him desperately, returning his kiss. Finally, she broke the kiss and put her hands on his face. “I love you and the fact you want to give me time. Deep inside, I want you as bad as you want me. Mitch tried to come between us and I’ll never give him that satisfaction.. I am certain of one thing. I don’t believe for one moment that making love to you would ever hurt me. But you’re right, we should take it slowly. Just keep loving me and holding me like you’re doing this minute”

“That I can do.” he kissed her palm and turned the elevator back on. Blair smiled at him. and tucked her arm in his.

The kids were standing outside the elevator waiting for them.

“We thought we were going to have to call the fire department. What happened?” Asked Starr.

“Nothing, just a glitch. Remind me to call for a repairman to check it out. Come on, Blair, let’s get you settled.” The kids hung back waiting for Blair to enter the suite first.

The evening light was coming into the suite. The rays filling the room. The first thing she saw was an elegant little cradle sitting beside the bed. “Oh Todd, it’s beautiful.” She walked to the cradle and ran her hand atop the smooth wood and gave it a gentle push. It swung gently side to side. “I love it.”

Todd came up behind her. “There’s more. Turn around.”

Blair turned at Todd’s words and got her first look at the nursery Todd had built. Her breath caught as the light played against the stain glass partitions depicting fairy tale scenes. She walked to each noting the colors and Todd turned the back lights on and the partitions came to life.

“Wow, those are cool.” Said Sam.

Blair stepped into the room already picturing where she would put the crib and changer dresser. She noted that one piece of furniture had already been added to the room. It was a lovely rocker and a card was attached. She looked at Todd.

“It’s not from me. The room and the cradle are my gifts.”

He looked at his kids and they all smiled.

Blair reached for the card. It was hand-drawn and she was surprised to see it signed by Jack. It was a simple picture of a mother and child in very abstract form but beautiful in its simplicity. “Jack, this is lovely.” She opened the card and inside was a small poem from Sam.

My mom is very special, and she’s home again.

She loves me and calls me her little man.

She has the biggest heart

for little boys who make trouble or puppies that pee.

She has the greatest laugh

and she’s giving a sister to me.

I love you, Mom!

Sam

Down below the poem Starr wrote. I love you Mom and I can’t wait to meet my little sister. Hope is grateful her grandma is home too. Hugs and kisses, Starr and Hope

I love you too, Mom. Welcome home. Jack

Blair’s tears were falling and she sat down on the rocker to compose herself and handed the card to Todd. “It’s absolutely beautiful, come here you three.” She stood up and welcomed all three of her children into her arms. “I love all of you, so much.”

Todd stood back, his heart bursting with joy for Blair. Her children were her life and they had just given her something she could cherish forever.