Todd's Dilemma

He sat there thinking of everything he had found out in recent days. He had been so sure the man posing as him was a fake, an impostor. Now it appeared the man was as in the dark as he was. He had so many questions and Baker had only managed to add to them.

Baker said he wasn't Todd Manning, but of that he was certain. He was Todd Manning. Still Baker talked like he was someone else entirely. Was Baker trying to fool him or was Baker under some misconceived notion he was someone different. Baker thought he had something and he had no idea what Baker was looking for. Todd thought back to those few moments just before Baker shot him. It was like Baker thought he was an agent of theirs. That he had been sent on some mission and failed to complete it without being seen. The guy was clearly mistaken, but why was he acting so certain. Could the other Todd Manning actually be the man they were looking for? Why had they protected the other Todd Manning? Why had Baker said it was a shame and that he had had high hopes for him?

God it was so confusing. One thing was sure though. Agent or not, Baker had come with the intention of killing him. If he hadn't had the good sense to buy the vest he'd be dead now. Todd's ribs still ached and were bruised from the shots he had taken at close range. Whoever had held him prisoner for eight years had decided to cut their losses.

Todd's thoughts returned to the other Manning. He had held a gun to the man's chest and Manning hadn't retracted his statement that he was Todd Manning. The guy really believed it. Why, and where had he come from eight years before. The news show said he had arrived as Mitch Lawrence's brother. Could Mitch have planted him in Llanview, and if not Mitch, then who? Todd really didn't want to think too much about Mitch. He recalled his last view of Mitch but when he did it, he got dizzy. The agency said he had been catatonic for eight long years. Todd just had this feeling it had to do with Mitch. Todd tried to remember some of his other enemies and only managed to come up with two other names: Powell Lord and Carlo Hesser. Powell Lord was dead according to the news story. Could Carlo be behind this? Why such an elaborate switch? What would Carlo gain by putting someone else in his life?

Todd leaned back resting. Louie had left, but not before giving him someone who might help. That help was going to arrive soon and Todd found himself wondering how he had gotten to this point. He had hated cops for a long time, stemming back to his days following his rape of Marty. Now here he was getting ready to ask for help from a cop. When Louie had said the cop's name it had rung a bell. Baker had asked if he had given it to John McBain. Baker had wanted to know why McBain was looking into the man on the file and Todd had wondered why his picture was on the file. Todd had tried to tell Baker he didn't know anything, but it had been useless, and then Baker had sent electrical volts through him. That electricity had really done a number on him for a while. He had struggled to remember who he was and it had finally come back to him. If Baker didn't like John McBain then Todd sure as hell would. He needed help, who better than the cop the agency didn't like. His thoughts came back to the present when he heard the footsteps.

"Come out, Come out wherever you are."said McBain.

Todd peeked through the crates he was hiding behind and recognized the guy from the airport where he had seen the other Manning for the first time. So that was McBain. Well Louie said he could be trusted. "It's now or never." he thought and slowly stood up "Here we go Todd. It's time." he walked around the crates and stepped out so McBain could see him.