Memories Unlocked #42

     Todd was just clearing the building when he heard Bo's yell.

      "Stop that man."

       He immediately found himself surrounded by several officers.  He started to turn back to yell down the street at Bo only to find himself grabbed roughly by two of the officers  They pushed him up against the wall of the building and started to pull his arms behind his back.

      Todd hissed as he felt his shoulder hit the wall and start bleeding.  His legs were going to get better faster than his shoulder at this rate.  "Hey, can't you see I'm injured?  I'm the victim here, what are you guys doing?"

       "Who do you think you're talking to mister?  We know you're part of O'Brien's syndicate.  Did you really think you could just walk out of here?" The young cop cuffed him and turned him roughly around to face them.  "You're under arrest. You have a right to remain silent. If you choose to wave this right, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.  You have a right to an attorney if you can't afford one, one will be appointed for you.  If you wish you can wait until your lawyer is present to be questioned.  Do you understand these rights as I told them to you?"

      Todd stared dumbfounded at the two cops. "Are you kidding me?  You really don't know who I am? You must be new to Llanview. I'm Todd Manning. Damn It! Let me talk to Bo."

      The cops laughed. The young one looked Todd up and down. "We don't care if you're Santa Claus, Using the name of the poor guy who was recently kidnapped won't get you anywhere.  We all know Todd Manning can't walk.  Heck, I processed his braces when they came in.  It's been all over the station. Besides, the commissioner won't want to talk to a lowly mob lackey."

      Todd leaned back against the wall behind him.  His legs were beginning to get really rubbery and he wondered how much longer he could remain standing. He looked over the young cop's shoulder to see Bo and Vega walking up. He saw McKinney being taken out on a stretcher and turned his attention back to Bo. "Bo, who does the hiring at the LPD lately.  These two morons think I work for O'Brien."

       "That's enough Manning," He looked at the younger of the two cops. "Uncuff him.  I said stop him not arrest him.  Looks like you two need a refresher course in victims and perps.  I'll be talking to your sergeant tomorrow."  Bo frowned as he noticed Todd's shoulder was bleeding. "Did they do that?"

        Todd grabbed his shoulder as his arm dropped loose from the cuffs.  "It pains me because I would love to blame these two but this was all McKinney."  He looked at Bo again. "Why did you stop me, I said I would press charges?  All I want to do is get home to Blair."

        "The only place you're going is to the hospital.  Look at you, you can hardly stand up.  I'm amazed you made it this far on those legs.  How long have they been working?"

       " Long enough for me to get myself out of this joint.  I figured Vega, there, forgot about me and thought I would have to rescue myself. but when I heard the gunfire I knew I needed to find an alternate way out of there and found the fire escape.  I was just getting to the bottom when McKinney saw me and started shooting.  Luckily for me, he leaned on the wrong rail and ended up where you guys found us.  Look if that's all you wanted to know I'm out of here." He pushed away from the wall with his good arm and started to pass Bo and his men, after about three strides, his legs gave out and he once again found himself on the ground looking up.  "Damn. I can't even make a decent exit anymore,." He slammed his fist down on his legs and winced at the pain, then saw Bo and Vega head over to him.

        Bo and Vega reached down and helped him up and led him to a box in the alley setting him down. "Now you can see why you're going to the hospital.  Look, you've been missing for weeks. Obviously, there is a problem with the shoulder wound and you're as pale as a ghost. Now sit there until the paramedics get here and then Vega will take your full statement at the hospital." 

        Todd had no choice but to sit where he had been placed and to tell the truth he felt like he had run a marathon and had hit a wall.  Vega kept him company until the paramedics arrived.

       Vega looked at Todd and nodded at him as he was placed in the ambulance. "I'll see you shortly, Manning."

       Bo had just finished dressing down his two officers for not recognizing Manning and ordered them to go help with the clean-up.  "I've got a couple of calls to make.  Get yourself out of here before your gang sees you.  O'Brien was caught with his pants down but he can't know it was you who upset his little operation here.  I'll call Larry and get you an appointment for some facial surgery as soon as possible. Did McKinney get a good look at you down in the alley?"

      "I don't think so he passed out just as I got to him and Manning."

      "That's good, we'll say that Antonio Vargas was killed in the fire-fight.  Just go into hiding after you get Manning's statement.  Remember stay out of sight of any of the prisoners at the hospital."

        "Don't worry I have no intention of letting myself be seen.  I know the stakes."  Antonion slipped into the shadows and made his way to the hospital.

       Bo stood for a moment thinking about the whole night.  He pulled his phone out and made a call to Larry and then sighing, called Blair.

****

      Todd was fit to be tied.  He was lying in another bed and once again had an IV attached to his arm. On top of that Larry had also ordered a blood transfusion.  Vega had come and gotten his statement and then disappeared.  He reached for the phone and debated calling Blair.  He desperately wanted to see her but he had been hoping to surprise her by showing up on his feet.  Now that wasn't going to happen.  He dropped his arm to his side and laid back in the bed. Maybe it was for the best.  Now he could go back to his original plan of surprising her.  He closed his eyes to rest, seeing his plan unfold in his mind's eye.

         He put on the finishing touches to his black tuxedo and waited at the top of the stairs for Blair to enter the penthouse.  He had invited her over for a romantic dinner and she had been instructed to dress up and wear red.  He listened carefully and hear d her use her keys and entered the penthouse.

        Blair looked around not seeing Todd anywhere.  "Todd, I'm here where are you?"

       He stepped out at the top of the stairs and started to go down.

      Blair looked up in amazement. "Oh My God, Todd!...

      Just then Blair burst into Todd's hospital room and saw Todd all hooked up to IVs and a transfusion. " What did those monsters do to you?"

      Todd's eyes snapped open.  Standing over him was his beautiful and obviously upset wife. "Hi, Blair." He was totally unprepared for her as she flung her arms around him and hugged him tightly.  "It's nice to see you too." he gasped as she cut off his air and he was grateful she couldn't see him wince at the pressure she was putting on his shoulder.  He lifted his hand and gently patted her shoulder.  "I'm alright you know, but I am having a little trouble breathing."

        Blair immediately jumped back from him. "Oh God, I'm so sorry."

       Todd grabbed her hand before she moved too far away and began rubbing his thumb gently against her palm.  "Hey, I didn't mean you needed to stop, just give me some air to breathe.  Although, I think my lips could use some attention."

       Blair smiled and leaned down and captured his lips. With his good arm, he pulled her closer and returned her kiss with passion.  A few moments later they both came up for air.  Blair stood back up and moved some of Todd's hair out of his eyes.  "Todd, I was so worried especially after I saw the abandoned handicap limo.  There was so much blood.  When your braces arrived and they were also covered in blood, I'm afraid I feared the worst."

        "Babe, you should know I'm pretty hard to kill.  Now, will you believe me when I say it isn't smart to take on a syndicate?"Todd smiled and pulled her back for another kiss.

          From behind them came a discreet cough.  "Sorry to interrupt.  Todd, I'm going to insist that you stay the night.  I don't know who fixed your shoulder but whoever it was neglected to give you any antibiotics.  That's why it doesn't want to heal.  You're dehydrated and I don't want you getting septic."

         "Seriously, Larry?  I need to get out of here.  I have people to be with, things to do."  He looked over at Blair and winked. 

        Blair felt herself blushing. "Todd, I think Larry is right.  After everything you've been through, one more night won't hurt.  I'll stay and keep you company/"

       "Blair, you don't need to do that.  I'm a big boy.  You need to go and get on top of the story about the raid.  Hell, I'll even give you an eye-witness account.  We need to capitalize on this before the Banner gets the news.  After all, this is your story, go get your reward." He looked over at Larry.  "Okay but only one night. I'm going to get bedsores at this rate."

       Larry laughed and left to order the antibiotics.

      "Blair, pull up a chair.  Have I got a story to tell you!"  

        An hour later, Blair stood up and gently kissed a sleeping Todd. She turned off the light and walked to the door looking back and touched her hand to her heart. He was safe and she hadn't lost him again.

       

     

      

   

     

     


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Memories Unlocked #41

       Antonio left the room and walked down the hallway, his mind was in turmoil.  It bothered him that he had to leave Todd in the hands of the syndicate but he had no choice,  He reached the end of the hallway and was joined by two of O'Brien's men. they stopped him and held out the blindfold.

       "You know the drill," said one as he held a gun on Antonio while his partner tied a blindfold on him.

         "Is this really necessary? I work for you guys, why all the secrecy?" Suddenly a fist hit him in the gut. and Antonio doubled over.  A hand gripped him by the neck squeezing.

         "It's questions like that, that will get you killed.  Do what you're told and don't take any initiative and you'll live longer." They grabbed him by his elbows and led him out.

****

         A short while later Antonio walked with some of his gang.  He stopped outside Carlotta's diner. Turning to the men he said, "You stay here, I'll go get the money from the old lady.  If any police walk by don't get into a hassle with them.  O'Brien's men are watching to see if we can get the job done without bringing the law down on our heads."  He entered the diner and walked up to his mother. "You, you know why I'm here? Where is it?"

         Knowing her son was being watched, Carlotta acted upset and scared as Antonio took her arm and forced her into the kitchen area.  Once they were out of sight of his men Antonio followed her into her office.

        Bo had been waiting patiently.  He stood. "Antonio, it's good to see you.  Do you have any new information for me?"   

       "Two things.  One, we've been looking for.  There's a shipment coming into town tonight.  I'm supposed to get my guys to cause a disruption on the other side of town so they can get the shipment through."

        "That's good.  Where is the shipment going to come in?"

         Antonio looked at Bo.  "They're coming in by way of the docks, but this is even more important.  I overheard  McKinney tell one of his men that O'Brien was going to be there.  It seems that O'Brien is bringing in something extra that is for his hands only.  Bo, if we do this right you can catch him red-handed on the docks with the shipment and whatever else he's bringing in."

        "Okay. you and your gang are to go ahead and cause your distraction.  Unbeknownst to O'Brien, I've called in some favors and we're getting help from the FBI on this one.  It seems they're very interested in the items being delivered tonight.  Do you have any idea what is arriving?  I mean, are we looking at drugs, counterfeit money, what?"

        "I think it's weapons.  I'm not sure what type but they aren't for use here, I think a buy is taking place tonight and the price for the weapons is the item O'Brien wants.  I do know nothing is going down until you've sent all of your cops to stop the distraction.  Someone in the department works for O'Brien,  So be careful making plans with the FBI.  If O'Brien gets wind we're on to him the whole plan will be scratched and if I'm reading O'Brien right, heads will roll if that happens.  My own included."

         "Antonio, you keep your head down but play it straight for McKinney and O'Brien.  If this falls through we still need you on the inside.  You better go now or your boys will be getting suspicious about how long you're taking to get the protection money."  He handed Antonio an envelope and shook his hand.  As Antonio turned to leave Bo remembered something.  "Hey, you said you had two things to tell me.  What was the second one?"

         "Right, I saw Manning.  He's being kept blindfolded and his shoulder was injured.  He recognized my voice but I couldn't get him out.  They watch me too closely and besides, I still don't know where he's being held.  O'Brien's men blindfold me every time they need to talk to me.  He is alive.  You can at least tell Blair that."

         "Antonio, if this goes down as planned and we get O'Brien, I do hope he gives up where Manning is at.  I'd hate to think his men would retaliate and leave him wherever to die."

          "That won't happen, Bo, I've been trying to figure out just where O'Brien's main hideout is at and I've narrowed it down to two places.  If we get O'Brien, I'm pretty sure I can find my way back to where they are holding Manning.  I kind of promised him I would help him one way or another." 

          After Antonio left, Bo placed several calls.

****

         Todd woke up totally disoriented.  The last thing he remembered was the doctor giving him something after stitching up his wound again.  He tried to sit up but fell back when his head began spinning.  "Damn it!  That bastard drugged me."  He had no idea how long he had been out.  He vaguely remembered talking to someone else right before the doctor started working on his shoulder.  "Come on Todd. Get your head together" He tried to sit up again and this time he was able to.  "Okay, you're up now let's see if your legs are going to cooperate."  He lifted his right leg and it moved without too much trouble. then he lifted his left leg. it was slow to react but then he felt it move. "Yes!" he said gleefully.  As he sat there he finally remembered who had talked to him.  It was Vega, Antonio Vega, that was the guy but he said he couldn't get him out because something was going down that night.  Great, just great.  For all you know Todd it's way past that night and you're still stuck here.  You're going to have to help yourself.  Now get off the damn cot and walk.

      Once again he attempted to get on his feet.  Luckily the doctor had left his chair by the bed and Todd pulled it over to the left of him and with his left arm, used it to stabilize him as he got up."Yes!"  He was up and his legs actually seemed stronger than the last time he had tried walking.  He walked away from the bed over to the table and although feeling rubbery, the legs held up.  Going back to the bed, he found he was getting steadier.  After a few more tries, Todd actually felt normal for the first time in months.  "Okay, now what do I do? I can keep walking back and forth like an idiot or I can try and get out of here. It's now or never.  O'Brien's brother or some other flunky could come back at any time."  Todd reached behind his head and ripped the mask free of the lock. and pulled it off his head.  It took only a moment for his eyes to adjust to the darkness.   He made his way to the door and tested the handle.  He laughed.  They were so sure he wasn't going anywhere they hadn't locked it.

      He saw light coming in under the crack at the bottom of the door which meant it probably was some time in the night.  Opening the door just a little, Todd shaded his eyes from the light.  The hall was empty.  He started to move down the hallway to his right when he heard gunfire coming from that direction.  The shooting was getting closer, and although he was walking, running was not in the cards.

       He was a sitting duck in the hallway but the room he had just left was a dead end.  He had to find another way out and he needed to do it quickly.  Todd walked down the hallway looking in the rooms until he found one with a window.  He locked the door and walked to the window and found himself looking at a fire escape stairway.  It looked pretty rickety but he had no choice but to try and get down that way.  He raised the window and stepped gingerly onto the platform.  "You're a fool, Todd.  You just got back up on your feet and now you're risking breaking more than your legs, You could break your neck."  He looked down.  Just his luck, his room had been on the third floor of what looked like a warehouse.  He could see flashing lights and hear more gunfire coming from down the street.  "This is it, Todd. Get moving if you want to see Blair again."  Having no choice he began climbing down.  He was just nearing the bottom when he heard a shout above him, he recognized the voice.  It was the man who stabbed him..  They had discovered he had escaped.

        "Manning, I don't know how you did it, but you're not getting away." McKinney stepped out onto the platform and leaned over to take a shot at Todd.

         Todd ducked as a bullet chipped the brick just to the right of his head.  He lowered the ladder and stepped onto it, riding it down as he heard the man swear and saw him lean over the platform to take another shot at him.  Suddenly the rail in front of McKinney gave way and Todd watched as O'Brien's second in command plummeted down three stories to land at Todd's feet.

        After a moment of shock, Todd bent to see if the man was alive.  McKinney groaned and tried to turn the gun he still held on Todd.  Todd knocked it loose and picked it up aiming it at the man on the ground.  He walked dispassionately around the man lying at his feet.  He could see bones sticking out ar right angles from the man's legs. and McKinney was also having trouble breathing.  "Umm, I wouldn't move around too much.  I think you might have busted a few ribs and you wouldn't want to puncture a lung now, would you?  I've got to say, I'm surprised you're still alive, but at the same time, you're going to have a long time to heal in jail, for kidnapping and assault.  Of course, you could turn on your boss.  Oh wait, that would be tantamount to suicide.  Syndicate bosses don't take kindly to underlings who snitch."  Todd moved into the shadows of the building and leaned against the wall.  He slid down it giving his legs a rest all the while keeping the gun on his kidnapper.  The gunfire was easing up and, from above, he heard someone shouting his name.  It was Vega.

      "Down here."

       It only took Antonio a couple of minutes to join Todd and his prisoner.  "Damn, that's McKinney! Did you kill him?" he said noting the gun in Todd's hand.

        Todd laughed.  "Not likely.  I'm right-handed and as you can see that arm is still hurt.  Besides, I dare you to find even one bullet hole in him and if you were a smarter detective, you would have noticed the broken railing he's laying on."  He heard footsteps coming down the alleyway and looked up to see Bo Buchanan and several other officers approaching.  "Oh look, the cavalry has arrived."  He tossed the gun to Antonio and carefully stood back up.  "I'd like to file assault and kidnapping charges against that man and his boss.  Now if you'll excuse me.  I have somewhere important to be."
Todd turned his back on Bo and walked away.  He grabbed a loose bar lying on the pavement and using it for a little extra support, carefully made his way to the street.




       


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Memories Unlocked #40

Chapter 40 

Bo and Blair, along with the forensic team, arrived at The Sun.  They headed straight up to the executive offices and opened the door to find Suzanne behind her desk and the package that had been delivered sitting in front of her. Suzanne looked up and breathed a big sigh of relief at the sight of her boss. 

“Ms. Cramer, I did as you said and haven’t touched them after opening the package.  I couldn’t believe it at first. I mean I knew what they were but couldn’t understand why they had been sent to you until I saw the blood on them.  That was when I realized they must be Mr. Manning’s.”

“It’s alright Suzanne, you did the right thing.  Thank you for calling me. I was with Bo when I got your call.  They’re going to take it from here and make sure those do belong to Todd.”

Bo took a look at the braces. “Suzanne, did you see who delivered these?’

        “No, they were outside the door to the office when I returned from lunch.”

“We’re going to need your fingerprints just so we can separate any others we find on the packaging.  I’m sorry.”

Blair spoke up. “Bo that won’t be necessary.  We have fingerprints on file of all Sun employees.  I’ll have Suzanne’s sent up.” She walked over to the phone and made a quick call. Then she found herself going towards the braces. It certainly looked like dried blood on them but was it Todd’s.  She felt sick to her stomach. She had gotten a look at the car after Bo called her and there had been a large trail of blood from the area where Todd’s chair had been buckled in, leading to the door.  It was clear Todd had been injured but she had no idea how bad and it was tearing her up. She drew a deep breath, “Suzanne, was there any note with the package?”

Suzanne nodded and held a card out to her.  

Bo took it and opened it up.  There were only a few words inside. ‘You Know What We Want!’.  He handed it to Blair. “What do they want?”

“Bo, I have no idea.  I still don’t know who they are.  Why are they doing this? “

Bo looked at her. “This is obviously a threat and it’s clear they’ve already reached out to you, why else would they send this note with Todd’s braces?  Blair, this has to be from O'Brien's syndicate. Basically, they are telling you that Todd is now helpless and if you want him back you need to do what they’ve been asking of you.” 

****

Todd sat up in his bed. He was still forced to wear the hood and it was maddening.  He really wanted to rip the damn thing off but knew if he did they would probably kill him.  For the first few days, he had been barely able to lift his head off the bed but slowly he had felt his strength coming back.  When they removed his braces, it had been hard not to laugh. They thought they were making it impossible for him to escape. They had no idea how close he was to walking without the damn things.  They had only given him the motivation to get back on his feet faster. 

          He had spent the last couple of days keeping track of the routine the Irish were using when they came to check on him.  They left him alone for long periods and he had started using those times trying to get off the bed on his own two legs. The first couple of attempts to stand on both his feet had been a little humbling. The left leg gave out the first time and he saved himself a nasty fall by landing back on the bed.  He found himself a bit hampered because he still couldn’t use his right arm a lot. When he tried the second attempt he got off balance since he was relying on his right leg and the next thing he knew he went down hard, Unfortunately, he had landed hard on his right arm and shoulder and it had taken everything not to cry out in pain.   He had managed to get himself back on the bed but he realized his recovery was going to take a little bit longer.   

         The doctor had been curious why his shoulder was inflamed and he put it down to infection unaware that it was because of the fall. Todd had let the next couple of days go by only doing stretches and exercises that he could to strengthen his legs and his arm both. He needed to do something soon.  It had been almost a week since they had taken his braces and he could hear a lot of arguing going on outside his room. He was guessing that Blair hadn’t cooperated enough to suit O’Brien. It was time to try walking again. He swung his legs off the bed.  

Setting his feet down, Todd reached for the chair that usually sat right next to the bed. To his surprise, the chair was missing.  “Damn! They moved the chair. They must have done it while you were asleep, you fool. Well, chair or no chair, you need to do this.”  He pushed off the bed with his arms and attempted to get his legs under him. For one brief moment, he felt his left leg start to give and he willed it to stay straight as he reached for the wall.  Leaning on the wall helped him to get the left leg stabilized and he breathed a sigh of relief. He straightened up and was exhilarated. He had done it. He was standing on his own. Now the big question. Would the legs cooperate if he took a step?  “Okay, you can do this. Damn, I could sure use a cane right about now.” He shuffled his right leg a little closer to the wall and used it to steady himself as he took his first real step on his left leg without the brace. The leg moved forward and he got ready to move his right. 

  “It’s now or never. Come on leg hold up.” He settled his weight over the left leg and raised his right to take another step. The leg held and he wanted to give a huge shout of joy but caught himself just in time.  “Easy, Todd, it’s just two steps.” He held out his arms for balance and took another step and then another, soon he walked into what seemed to be a table. “Yes!” He took a minute to hold onto the table and turn around and then leaned back to rest against the top. His legs were starting to feel a bit rubbery but he was determined to make it back to the bed.  Suddenly he heard voices coming from the hallway. He had no choice, he forced himself to speed up and prayed his legs would hold him up. He heard someone unlocking the door just as his left leg gave out and he fell just shy of the bed, landing hard on his right arm. It was impossible to keep from crying out as Pain radiated from his shoulder. He grimaced and turned over onto his back, his hand going up to his shoulder just as the door opened. 

“Why Mr. Manning. whatever are you doing on the floor?   Did you really think you could crawl out of here?” The doctor went to Todd’s side and saw the blood staining the shirt.  “My, My, it wasn’t very smart. On top of everything else, you’ve busted some of my stitches. Really, Mr. Manning, you know you don’t have a chance of getting out of here. Why would you even attempt such a thing?:” The doctor went to the door. Seeing one of O’Briens’ men, he said. “Come inside, I need help getting this man back up on the bed.”

 Antonio had been called in earlier that day and was on his way out with instructions for his gang.  He was wondering how he was going to get a message to Bo when the man stopped him. Antonio recognized the doctor who had patched up a couple of his gang members and figured one of O’Brien's men had been injured somehow.  He was thrown for a loop when he walked into the room and saw a man in a blindfold mask lying on the floor. It looked like O’Brien was holding someone against his will and then he realized why the doctor needed his help. The man at his feet was none other than Todd Manning.  Bo had been searching for him for almost two weeks. All he could see of his face was his mouth and nose but when Antonio saw the wound in the man’s shoulder he was sure of it. 

The doctor looked at the man just staring at his patient.  “You, stop gawking and get his feet, I’ve got his back, I don’t want to make his wound any worse.”  They lifted Todd up and placed him on his bed. “Good, now stay here and watch this guy. I need to go get my medical kit.”  

Antonio couldn’t believe his luck.  As soon as the doctor left, he pulled up a chair next to the bed.  “Well, for a guy who’s paralyzed, you sure stir up a lot of trouble..  Can’t say I sorry to see you in this shape but at the same time anyone who would hurt an invalid is pure scum in my  mind.”

Todd turned his head in the direction of the voice he heard.  The more the man said the more Todd was certain he knew who he was.  “Vega is that you? What the hell are you doing working for O’Brien?”

Antonio covered Todd’s mouth and bent closer whispering. “I’m undercover trying to get the goods on O’Brien but Blair had to go and stir him up and look where it got you.”

Todd pushed Antonio's had away.  “What are you waiting for? Help me get out of here/”

“No can do.  The doctor will be back any minute and I’m not even supposed to know who you are.  Look, now that we know where you are, you just need to sit tight..O’Brien has something big going down tonight. I have orders to have my gang act like lookouts for a big shipment coming in at the dock.  I’ll let Bo and Blair know you’re still alive. It’s up to you to stay that way until we can rescue you. Besides, we’re deep in O’Briens hideout, It’s not like I can carry you out like a sack of potatoes.  We’d both be caught then.” The door began to open and Antonio slipped off the chair and stood with his back against the wall. “Glad you’re back, Doc The guy’s been moaning and complaining about his shoulder.  I told him to shut up but he’s stubborn. Ain’t that right pal” Todd started to curse him and Antonio reached down and pressed Todd’s shoulder eliciting another moan from him.

The doctor frowned, shook his head and moved to the bed. “Get out of here.  I’m sure your talents are better occupied elsewhere.” He positioned the chair next to the head of the bed and began removing Todd’s shirt. “Mr. Manning. I thought you were smarter.  It won’t do you any good to try and elicit sympathy from that kind of ruffian. They live to cause trouble and that is exactly why O’Brien needs them. They present a good diversion from time to time”  Exposing the shoulder, the doctor used an antiseptic wipe to clean the blood from around the busted stitches.

  Todd just gritted his teeth as the doctor once more sewed him up  “How can you work for a criminal like O’Brien?”

“Well, that’s a good question.  You see, I’m a good catholic boy and my mother always asked me to take care of my brother and that’s what I’ve been doing.  It’s because of him, I’m a doctor and it’s because of me he’s still alive. When we were younger, he began to run with this gang in New York and before you knew it, he had positioned himself right near the top. During those years, he took care of our mother and helped me through Medical school.  The same year I graduated, our mother got ill and before she died, she made me promise to look out for him. She knew the kind of life he was in and she knew it was dangerous. Several months later he took a bullet meant for the head guy and he came to me for help. Naturally, I helped him. When the head guy died, my brother took over the syndicate and I’ve been the personal physician for him and his gang ever since.:”  He reached into his bag and took out a pill. “Here, take this, it will ease the pain.”  

Todd took the pill and a swallow of water and the next thing he knew everything was going black.  The doctor had given him something to knock him out