Todd's Saga 37: The Trap Is Set

      Natalie looked at her results.  She had been able to match three of the existing sets of prints.  As she had figured, Nigel and John had obviously handled the basket, but there had been three more sets on the basket.  None of the three was in the police system, but one did match something else.  She reached for her phone then stopped.  On a hunch, she headed back up to her Uncle’s office.   Through the window, she could see her Uncle Bo talking, but she couldn’t see anyone other than her mother. Did you really think he would stay around and talk to you? Face it, he doesn’t want anything to do with you anymore.  Why would he, after your father put a restraining order against him?   Disappointed, she squared her shoulders and knocked.

     “Come in.” Bo got up when he saw Natalie enter. “Well, what did you find out?”

     Out of the corner of her eye, she saw movement and looked to find John moving away from the file cabinet.  He hadn’t left.  She met his eyes and then he smiled.

      Viki and Bo watched the silent exchange and Viki smiled. Bo cleared his throat.  “Natalie, what do you have for us?”

      Natalie broke eye contact with John and turned her attention back to her uncle. “There’s a match.  I found five sets of prints on the basket.  Two belonged to Nigel and John.  The other three weren’t in our system.”  She looked down at her mother.  “Mom, you were right.  Jeffrey King handled that basket, or rather the prints on your newspaper article matched one set of prints on the basket.”

       Viki stood up.  “That’s what I was afraid of.”

       Bo was disappointed too.  He had really liked the young man.  Matthew had trusted him and Destiny had been getting close to him. “Wait a minute, Viki.  You said the basket was delivered to The Banner.  He could have been the one who accepted it from the delivery man.  We need to find out who delivered the basket to the delivery service.   If it turns out to be King then I’ll have him brought in for questioning.”

     “Thank you, Bo.  You’ll let me know what you find out?”

     “I promise Viki.” Bo headed for his door and opened it for her. “I’ll have an officer take you home.” He looked at John who had moved to stand next to Natalie.   “John, do you want in on this.  You’re welcomed to go with Fish to check this out.”

      John nodded, “If this King guy is our opening to the person behind all this, then I’m in.”  As Bo followed Viki out, he turned to Natalie. “Viki told me everything was Clint’s idea.  Could I come to see you and Liam when this is finished?”

      Natalie nodded, “Liam would love to see his dad.”

      “Just Liam?”

       Natalie’s lips felt so dry, just like her mouth. She licked them nervously, “I’d love for you to come over too, John.”

       “Good.  I guess I’ll see you later.” He nodded again and smiled, then he joined Bo, who was giving instructions to Fish.

****

         Victor was walking by Todd’s room and saw him throwing clothes in an overnight bag.  “Where are you going?”

         “I’ve got some OTB business out of town.  You and Clint should be fine here.  Sam’s men are keeping an eye on things here and at the compound.  By now the FBI should be moving on the warehouse.  That’s sure to stir things up at the compound.  Sam will tell us if anything goes down there.”

         Victor shook his head and moved to confront his brother face to face.  “What do you take me for?  Your business has nothing to do with your new company.  There’s no way you would do regular business when our plans are about to come to fruition.  You’re going to try and sneak back into Llanview to see Blair, aren’t you?”

         Todd glared at his brother.  “Mind your own business, Victor.  That bastard had one of those basket’s sent to Dorian.  Blair was frantic when she found out the wine was drugged.  She’s too close to term.  You know as well as I do that this pregnancy was a risk from the start.  If she gets stressed about Carl now, she could go into premature labor.  I’m going to be there if that happens.  Look, Alison is going to be too occupied with the Feds.  Now is a perfect time for Tony Butler to fly into Llanview.  Remember they won’t be watching for me.  They think Todd Manning is dead.”

          “Hell, if you’re just going to fly in there big as life, as Tony Butler, I’m coming too.  I can hide on the plane and wait for my chance to leave, sight unseen.  You think you’re the only one worried about family.  Todd, I need to see Tea!”

         “Neither of you is leaving without me,”  Clint said from the doorway.

         “No Way!” said both brothers simultaneously.

           Todd moved around Victor and walked towards Clint. “Listen, Clint, there’s nothing you can do right now to help the situation.  Viki is perfectly safe and you need to stay hidden until she gives us the all-clear to bring you home.  Victor, you’re still wanted for killing Alison’s assassin.  If you get caught, Bo will have to arrest you.  We still have no idea how many people are working for Peterson in Llanview.  For all we know, he could have some cops in his pocket.  He had the doctor at the hospital on his payroll.  You both know I’m right.”

         Victor moved to stand beside Clint, blocking the doorway.  “Do you really think you can take us both on and get out of this house without us?  We’re both healed now and thanks to Perkins, I’ve got skills you haven’t seen yet.  Whether you like it or not, we’re coming with you.  I’m not worried about Bo and his rinky-dink cops.  I snuck into town all on my own the last time and I can stay out of their way this time.”  Victor set his feet, in case Todd decided to rush him.

        Todd looked at Victor and then at Clint.  He was tired of arguing.  “Fine.  Got any bright ideas about how you two are going to get on my plane.  Neither one of you has any id right now.  Even if we get you on the plane.  How are you going to get out of the airport once we’ve landed?”

       Clint looked at Todd.  “You’re pretty good with disguises.  Even though I know you’re Todd when you put on Tony’s makeup, you look different.  You can work some make-up magic on us.  Besides, I know you have the means of getting fake IDs.  Put your contacts to work.  I’m betting with enough money, we could have those IDs later this afternoon.”

        Todd shook his head.  Clint was sharp.  He shrugged. “Whatever,” it looked like he was going to have company on the trip home.  He pulled his cell out and made a call. “Phil, call my pilot. Tell him there is a change in plans.  I’m not leaving until later this afternoon and he’ll need to make the proper arrangements.  Yes, after I reach Llanview, he’s to continue onto South Dakota and pick up Mr. Reilly.  You’ll have to alert Rogers.  He’s working with Reilly and will handle things at that end.”

        “Who’s Reilly?” asked Victor, who, having gotten his way, now leaned casually against the door.

        “The final nail in Peterson’s coffin,” Todd answered grimly. Then he made another call.  After a few minutes, he hung up and headed back to his packing.  Over his shoulder he said. “ I guess you should get ready.  My man will be here in a couple of hours.  I’m going to need a little time to make you up for the photos.  Once the IDs are finished, we’re leaving.  If you run into the housekeeper or cook after I get you made up, just tell them it’s for the movie company.”

        Clint nodded and headed to his room

         Todd looked at Victor still leaning against his door. “What?  Get going.”

         Victor stood up straight. “Yes, Sir!”  He gave a half salute and walked away laughing.

****

        Dorian checked out her outfit in the mirror.  She wanted to look her best when Carl showed up for their evening together.  The plan was simple.   She had to get Carl to drink the tainted wine and then see what they could get him to do while under its influence.  Judging by David’s reaction to the drug earlier, she really wasn’t anticipating any problems.  She couldn’t get over how quickly the drug worked.  She thought back to the earlier events.

        After watching Blair disappear upstairs to retrieve the second bottle of wine. Dorian turned to go back to David.  She walked into the kitchen to see David still sitting exactly where she had left him. His hand held the wine glass out as if he was getting ready to drink. but he hadn’t taken a drink.  He didn’t seem to see her and yet was looking right at her.  “David, what are you doing?”

        “What you told me.  I’m not moving.” 

         Dorian moved to the chair next to David.  “You can put the glass down, David, and I want you to look me in the eyes.”

         David did as Dorian suggested and then looked at her.  Dorian noted the glazed look in  David’s eyes and the dilation of his pupils.  He was clearly under the influence of some type of drug.  “David, I want you to do something for me.”

         “Anything my love.“

         Dorian had to know just how compliant the drug made the subject.  From what Clint and Victor had told her about the drugs used on them, it was obvious Carl had created a drug to work on the general population quickly and efficiently for the greatest effect.   “David, bark like a dog?”

         David immediately began barking.  

         “Stop, David.”  He stopped and continued to look at her. Dorian felt a chill run down her back.  There had been no hesitation at all on David’s part.  She realized she could make David do anything she wanted and he would remember nothing.  Dorian licked her lips.  She felt a little sorry for David.  She intended to make passionate love to him and have him do all sorts of marvelous things and he would probably remember very little of it.  She took his hand. “Come along David.  Let’s go up to my room and you can show me how happy you are to see me.”

        A couple of hours later, Dorian had ordered David to leave the house and return to his room at the palace.  She had instructed him to act like they were separated again and he was told not to call or make any move to contact her.  She would call him when she was ready.  David had gathered his belongings and left the house.  As he left, Dorian called out one last command.  “David, stay away from Rama Patel.”

        Dorian shook her head, clearing all thoughts of David from her mind.  She needed to be fully focused on Carl when he arrived.   Blair made a show of leaving to go to work so that Carl would think they were alone.  She would return as soon as Dorian sent her the signal.

        Dorian smooth down her satin top and straightened her skirt and descended the stairs.  The doorbell rang. She advanced to the door and set a smile on her lips.  “Okay Dorian, Show Time.”

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