Battle the Dark: Chapter 14

Devon was at the penthouse when Blair arrived.  "Hey, Mrs. Manning."

"How many times have I said to call me Blair?"

"Often," he laughed, "but it just can't stick.  The boss doesn't like it."

She put the baby carrier down.  "Mr. Manning will be home soon.  We're having a special weekend together."

"I heard.  I'll be on duty tonight, at least, possibly longer.  Depends on what the boss tells me."

"You're a good worker, and if Todd trusts you, it makes you reliable."

"Thanks.  I wish everyone saw me that way."

She knew what he meant.  "Can I tell you something?"  she asked.  

"Sure."

"Give her time.  I've been there.  Todd's not always been how you've seen him.  We've had serious trust issues.  Over time, it faded.  If you're meant to be together, it will all be okay in the end."

"Not sure.  She won't even talk to me."

"There were a lot of times I wouldn't talk to Todd, or him to me."

"You two?  It's hard to believe."

"I know, but it's true."

"Can't imagine it.  I've never seen two people look at each other the way you two do."

"Love isn't everything.  And it is everything, if that makes sense."

"Somehow it does, I guess."  He stood up.  "I have to be outside the door when you're alone."

"I know the drill."

"He'll be disappointed if I'm not there."

"I know.  Devon, don't give up on Jess."

"How could I?" he asked.

Within a few minutes, while she was puttering around the room, straightening up, and Ray dozed in his carrier, Todd came through the door.  She knew this meant that Devon was back in P3, making his own dinner and relaxing for the night.   He was never allowed, however, to be out of P3 while on duty, unless she was alone, and he was outside the door.  Otherwise, he was required to be alert and on call, and have a gun in the waistband of whatever he was wearing, even lounge pants or workout clothes.  This was Todd's way of protecting them.

She skipped to him and hugged his neck.  "You're home!  Okay, let's get this weekend started."

He smiled, as the boys came down the stairs.  "We're packed," Jack said.  "Dad, can I use your credit card to watch a movie later?"

"Use your own, I'll put money on it for you guys for the weekend.  How does $100 sound?"

Jack said, "Cool."

Sam said, "Yay!  $100 makes a lot of movies."  He looked at Jack.  "Maybe we can spend some of it on candy!"

Blair said, "Now not that much of that, Jack."

"No problem."  He looked to Sam and winked.  Todd and Blair shot each other a look, proud of how the two boys were with each other.  

Todd said, "Okay, you two, Williams is waiting downstairs for you."

The family said their goodbyes.  Sam said, "Why can't Ray come with us?"

Blair said, "No honey, he can't.  I'll see you both later!  Be good for Grandma Addie."  They left, Jack taking the lead and Sam following behind.  And they were gone.

After the door closed behind them, Todd and Blair listened to the quiet.  "Wow," he said.  "This feels...strange."

"It does."  She paused.  "Now what do we do?"

He looked at her, and smiled.

***

Earlier, Michael Leona packed what he needed.  The holding area was already set up with a crib and a few baby items.  He had all of the things that he needed, but no frills.  "Babies don't know better," he thought.  He put his skinner into his pocket, and had made certain to have a length of rope, cuffs and if necessary, a syringe filled with animal tranquilizer if Blair got too tough for him, as well as a longer knife in his boot.  His plan was to wait, on the rooftop, and observe the comings and goings of The Mannings through the fireplace flue.  Taking a special camera on a very long wire extension, he would likely be able to hear, if not see, the events in the lower level.  When he felt the time was right, he would make his move.   All it had taken was a janitorial jumper and a container of tools, and he was golden.  

There he was, on the roof of the penthouse building.  Watching the street below, he spied Jack and Sam leaving with the limo driver.  He had a perfect view, to the left, of the penthouse building parking lot, and could see where the limo was parked, as well as Todd's SUV.  He also had seen, just as he arrived, Todd come home.  So, his timing had been a little off.  He knew, from experience, he could not take on Todd and Blair both.  Both would fight for the child, and for each other.  He'd have to wait.

The lobby security was no problem.  Not at bad looking man when he was not smiling, Leona knew he could charm anyone into looking the other way, even if for a moment, or slip into the crowd and go unnoticed easily.  If he smiled, somehow the whole face took on a different look.  He always had a too-big mouth, and very large teeth, so his appearance would change and take on a cadaverous appearance with a grin.  And, the deadness in his eyes played into this, though he never recognized that fact.

As for the amateur guards that Manning had hired, they were no match for him.  Neither of them.  The big one was too slow moving; Leona would have his knife strategically between his ribs before the guy got his hands on him.  The other, the smaller one, was a kid, seeming kind of green.  Before he would know what hit him, Leona would have.  He had no qualms about this journey; he was prepared.  Now to wait for the perfect, unsuspected time to pounce.  He hoped, in his heart of hearts, that it was Blair who ended up alone with the baby.  First, he didn't really feel like grappling with Manning; Blair was much easier.  Aside from that, he had wanted to defile her and cut her, since he had held them hostage together in Carlo's compound.  Whatever it was, he was aroused by the thought.  He felt rewarded by Carlo for the job he was to do.

The sky was darkening.  It was nice outside, and he loved the idea of sleeping under the stars for a few nights.  He had put down a small blanket, and found himself perfectly comfortable on his back staring upward to the stars.  He noticed that if he looked hard enough, he could see some that formed a long blade if you really imagined it.  He closed his eyes and sat back for the rest of the ride. 

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