The Shadows Fall: Chapter 49

Todd approached Mayor Finn's office without an ounce of caution or respect.  Pushing his way through the lobby and into her office hallway, he flounced past the secretary and tried the knob.  It was open.  She was sitting facing the window, and didn't move or respond when he came in.

"Ms. Finn?"  She did not answer.  He stood waiting and repeated himself.  "Mayor Finn?" He used a louder, stronger voice.

She turned slowly.  The woman was a shell of herself.  Her clothes had been slept in, her eyes were reddened and swollen.  She showed little expression.  "What do you want, Mr. Manning?"

"I want you to give me a story.  Sort of a way of repaying the pain and horror you put me and my family through by gas lighting me."

"Not that what I say matters, but I didn't gas light you.  In fact, I didn't even know about it until this very moment."

"Did you know about the planned attempt on my niece's life?"  She remained silent.  He continued, "Did you know about the young women selling their self-respect to big shots in this town?"

She waited.  Then she responded, weakly, "Yes.  I knew about all that.  I was involved.  It's no secret anymore."

"Well, here's your chance to get everything out to the public.  I want an exclusive, and I'm willing to do it your way."

"What's my way?  I'm no doubt going to prison, I've lost everything.  Nothing is my way, Mr. Manning."

"Your dime.  You can talk to me, explain the whys and the hows of it all, or just let it get picked up by some other rag.  What you might not get, Ms. Finn, is that I have a really good sense as to who was behind this whole thing.  I'm pretty positive I know.  And you may not realize that man was responsible for holding me captive for eight years of my life and torturing me in terrible ways every single day."

Her face finally showed reaction, as her tears welled.  "No Mr. Manning, you're wrong, I know what he's capable of.  It's part of the reason, selfishly, that I did what I did.  Some of it was greed, but later, it became pure fear."

He sat across from her.  "Then tell me.  If there's anyone who understands this fear, it's going to be me.  I just want the exclusive and the truth.  That's what I ask.  I probably deserve it."

She sat up straighter, "Yes, you do."

"So let's start with the obvious.  Say the name of the person who is behind it all."   He clenched his fists, because he knew once he heard it, then all the shadows of doubt he had about himself, and his imaginings and his mental stability would fall away.

"Carlo Hesser."

Todd was visibly moved at her words.  Closing his eyes briefly, and the reopening them, he said, "Start at the beginning."

"He knew everything about me.  He used it against me every way he could."

"All right.  What did he know?"

"I was a college girl, trying to pay for my education any way I could.  I couldn't support my self, so I started being an escort for wealthy men in the area.  Soon, that turned into being a high-priced call girl."

"We do what we have to," he attempted to encourage her by showing understanding.

"It just came to pass that I met Carlo.  I was twenty and he was thirty-five.  He and I connected on a very strong level right away."

"You fell in love."  He said with distaste.

"Yes, I did.  And he did.  He was virtually obsessed with me.  We started a torrid affair, and things developed quickly.  He had money.  He helped me stop turning tricks.  He wanted to take care of me; I wanted my education, and was getting both."  She stopped for a moment, sighing.  "Then, I found out he was a killer and a gangster.  I wanted no part of him; he had lied to me and I wanted nothing to do with him.  I left him, and he went almost mad, following me, stalking me.  I loved him, but he had lied to me and put me in danger.  I had to get away."

"So you ran?"

"I couldn't run.  I was in college and trying to make it work.  I'd call the police, there would be scenes everywhere we went.  Finally, something happened that really threw a wrench in things.  I found out I was pregnant with his child."  Todd, knowing how Carlo became possessive of his children, realized what this probably meant.  She continued, "I didn't tell him, and planned to run away.  Somehow, he found out, and his stalking continued and worsened.  Again, there were police calls, guys at the University would end up blocking his way to see me.  I knew he was dangerous and couldn't let him near me.  But, Mr. Manning, understand.  I couldn't turn him in or press charges because I still loved him.  So very much."

"I'm listening," Todd said, not understanding how someone could love Carlo Hesser.

"When the baby came, he was around, of course.  I relaxed a little, because I needed someone and I missed him.  Then..." she stopped, gathering herself, voice cracking, "the baby died."

Something in Todd flipped just then like a switch; he pictured Little Ray and what it would be like to lose him.  He swallowed.  She said, "He blamed me.  He left me and never bothered to look back.  It was like, something just snapped in him.  I moved on, and scratched and clawed my way to the top.  It took years, as you can see.  I never heard from him again, until recently."

"When?"

"Last summer, when I announced my bid for the governor's mansion.  He came out of the woodwork.  It was not long after...well, that you showed up here."

"Of course.  Makes perfect Carlo-sense."

"At first, he just made contact with me.  Talked over old times, told me he could help me win the election.  Then, he began to blackmail me.  He came up with the idea to use one of our holdings, from years back..."

"The Break Bar?"

"Yes.  We were co-owners, he was a silent partner.  He came up with the idea to run the prostitution ring as a way to get secrets from big wigs in town, so I could blackmail them into supporting my candidacy.  It seemed like a simple way to ensure my election victory.  Then it got ugly.  He started to reveal his true goals, and it made me sick, but I couldn't get out of it.  At first, he threatened to tell everyone about my previous life as a hooker; then he threatened my life, and the life of anyone I cared about."

"Go on."

"I didn't know about his gas lighting you until you said so today.  I did know, though, the kind of hatred he had to have for you and your family.  He cannot be beaten; this is an obsession he carries.  He is also obsessed with respectability and power.  Over time, I came to realize he wanted me in the governor's seat so he could get pardoned.  At the time, I wasn't even sure what crime he meant to be pardoned for, until I read about you.  Then I knew.  I felt I couldn't turn back.  And I believe part of me did not want to."

Todd waited, and she seemed to be done speaking.  He said, "I'm sorry about your child."

She said, "No matter.  It was his child.  Whatever would have happened, that child would have been tormented and used.  That's what he does.  He was not always that way, but it is who he has become."

Todd gulped again, and said, "Is there anything else?"

"No.  I just hope that I've made it easier for you to move past this.  I suppose your owed that.  I hope anything I've said will help them find him."

Todd stopped.  "What do you mean?"

"Mr. Manning, you're kidding, right?  You have your pulse on the goings on here in Llanview."

"I've been a little busy.  What do you mean?"  he repeated.

"Carlo's not at Statesville.  He escaped."

Just then, his cell phone rang.  He saw 'Natalie' on the screen and answered, "Uncle Todd, this is Natalie.  John asked me to call.  I'm sorry to tell you this, but, in that prison riot yesterday?  Two of the escaped inmates might be of concern to you."

Todd interrupted her.  "I know, I just heard.  I'll have to call you back."  His stomach flipped.

Natalie said, "Todd, wait, both Michael Leona and Carlo Hesser are at large.  John wanted you to know."  

Todd hung up without responding to her, and dialed Shaun's number.  "Meet me at the penthouse, now.  Have to talk to you."

Turning back to Mayor Finn, Todd said, "Is there anything else we've missed?  If so, I'll have to speak with you another time.  I have to go and protect my family.  Carlo and one of his henchmen are on the loose."  Somehow, both pity and anger were mixing in his mind as he looked at her.  "The story will be told correctly and accurately.  That I can promise."

"All right.  Mr. Manning?"  He turned before exiting her office.  "I'm sorry for anything additional this all caused.  I felt trapped.  I didn't want to...I was afraid to die."

"A lot of people are," he said, "but there are worse things than death."  Turning to go, he canceled the rest of the day in his mind and headed home to hold his new baby boy, protect him and bring him close.  Protect them all, and be where he needed to be.

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

Your comments are 'payment' for the work of the authors. Our writers like to hear your feedback. Please leave a comment when you read.