The End of Blame: Chapter 21

The morning was a dull, lifeless one.  She stirred at the buzzing of her cell phone against the side table.  She felt more tired than she had remembered being the night before.  Todd was sleeping, finally, somehow looking so peaceful, that no one could have imagined what he had endured just hours before.  His face, sans the dark bagged circles under his eyes, was a picture of serenity.  His hand was still over her stomach, and his fingers lightly wrapped around her waist.  She answered the cell phone in a low voice, as not to wake him.  "Hello.  No, John, not now.  It has to be a few hours more.  Bad nightmare,  He's sleeping now.  Okay, I'll call you."  She hung up, turned to look at her husband's resting face, and burst into tears.  She cried, alone, next to him, watching him slumber, uninterrupted.


She took the cell phone back into her hand, and pulling herself together, she called Ray Martino.  Leaving a message, she asked for him to prescribe something for Todd to help him sleep, and hopefully arrest the dreams.  After hanging up, she realized it was well after midnight in the states and she hoped she hadn't disturbed him.


It was noon before she opened her eyes again, and Todd was still sleeping next to her, his hand still over her body.  She was grateful that he was sleeping, and still did not want to wake him.  She was afraid that moving would stir him, and she desperately wanted him to get as much sleep as he could, uninterrupted.  She had read everything there was to read on PTSD and nightmare disorders, and realized that his condition was becoming chronic and disabling.  Soon, he would be so exhausted he would not be able to function in the day.  She knew if he did not receive help soon, it could even damage his health.   

She hoped that she'd hear from Ray, and be able to give Todd some relief from his torment.   She looked back to him, and gently touched his hair.  He was, still, the most beautiful man she had ever seen.  She loved him with so much of her, there was nothing left outside that love.  She continued to let him sleep, and let her mind drift to their lovemaking from the night before, how beautiful he was when he longed for her, and how good it felt to be with him.


***
John went to the home of Agathangelos without Todd, figuring it was best to leave well enough alone.  When Blair did not call him back, he took that to mean they had a very rough night.  She sounded worn, defeated.  He was concerned, and when finished, he would head over to the hotel and visit them, see if there was anything he could do to help.  He also had put in another call to Ray Martino, who had been out of town in Aruba and was hopefully returning.  If Manning had a breakdown, it would be another emotional setback for the family and for the man.  He hoped that somehow, he, Blair and Ray could ward that off a bit longer before all hell broke loose.


He knocked and a woman, in her mid sixties, came to the door.  She was well-kept and had a sparkle in her eye.  "May I help you?"


John flashed his badge, and said, "United States police, Detective John McBain.  Just a few questions."


"Certainly, officer, please come in."


Her home was neatly kept, clean and well decorated.  She offered him tea, he refused.  Sitting on a couch across from her easy chair, he said, "Very nice place you have.  Beautifully kept."


"Thank you.  What can I do for you?"


"I wondered if you could take a look at these pictures, and tell me what you make of them."


She took them from him, and immediately, her face changed.  Her hand went to her mouth, and her eyes were wet with tears.  She simply said, "Zeus."


John said, "Yes."


She said, "I raised him as if my own.  I was his caretaker.  He was raised at the The Sanctuary of the Children in Pollonia.  I am sure you know that.  He was brought to us in the early 70s.  Such a cute baby,"  she composed herself.  "I named him."


"You must care about him very much."


"I love him.  He was like a son to me.  Most of the babies get adopted or leave, for various reasons.  Zeus was there until his 18th birthday."  She got up, "I have baby pictures and other things from his youth.  I've kept them."


She brought out a small folder, and John looked through the items.  Some young pictures of Zeus reminded him a great deal of Little Sam.  He said, "Very nice."  He could not bring himself to tell her, at this time, that Zeus no longer looked like himself.


She said, "Is he in trouble?"


John was not of the mind to tell her anything about Zeus.  That would be for the man himself to do, if he chose.  But why didn't Zeus remember her, or mention her?


"Nothing like that.  Just trying to help him out, bring together some pieces of things for him."  John answered.


"I see.  I hope he's well.  Is he married?  Does he have children?"


"Yes, he's married.  He does have children."


She cried, and then smiled, "I am so glad.  He loved children when he was here.  He used to help often with the younger ones."


John swallowed.  "I am sure he did.  I have a request.  Can you think back to who brought him to you?"


Her face darkened.  "I will never forget that man."


"What can you tell me about him?"


"He wasn't much of a figure, physically.  He was quite small, with a mean glare.  He didn't want to say much.  He gave the owner a large sum of money, and left the child, nameless.  He would not even tell us his name or the name of the child's mother."


"Was this the man?"  John said, extending to her the picture of Carlo Hesser.


She barely looked, "That's him."


"Can you tell me anything else?"


"Not that I can remember, if you're asking about that man.  About Zeus, I am certain I could fill a book.  He was a wonderful boy, Mr. McBain."


"I am sure."  He stood, "I thank you for your time.  I am sure you'll be hearing from me again, soon."


"I hope so, and if you see Zeus, please, send him my love.  Tell him Agathangelos loves him.  I said that before he went to sleep every night.  It was our job, Detective, to make sure the children felt loved."


"I am sure they were fortunate to have you," he said.  Leaving, John thought, "Zeus might have his family after all."


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