Chasing the Monsters: 28

Pamela couldn't speak, the sobs were prevailing, but Blair could see her trying to form words, and got up and went to her other side and sat there, petting her shoulder, and the woman reached for Blair's hand.  Ribsky just stood, leaning against the mantle, watching with a sullen expression.  Finally, Pamela sat up, pulling back out of Todd's arms, and attempted to rein in her emotion.  "Mr. Manning," she began.

"Todd," he corrected.

"Todd, you don't have to apologize for what he was.  I'm sorry for the fact that she never told anyone what he had done to you after your mother left.  I'm sorry she didn't believe, and I'm sorry she let the kidnapping happen.  I don't know what it was.  The greed, or some false loyalty or what she thought was love?  Whatever it was, it had a hold on her."

"No sorries needed.  Peter's the monster who caused it all.  She was just another victim.  That's how I see her,"  Todd said.

Blair still had Pamela's hand.  She said, "Thank you.  I owe something precious to you and your sister.  She died defending my little boy.  I can't thank her enough, or you, for letting us know."

Ribsky said, "Listen, I think we've all shed enough tears over this man.  Let's eat."

Todd found himself smiling at the man's comment, and Blair and Pamela both laughed through tears.  Blair said, "Oh, we were not planning to eat here."

"I know, but it seems in order," he said.  "You've never eaten until you've eaten her pierogies, and she just made them fresh to freeze."

Todd said, "I can't resist food right now.  Is it okay with you, Blair?"

Pamela interjected, "Unless you have a plane to catch?"

"Todd has his own jet, and we'd love to stay," Blair said.

With that, the strange foursome embarked on a first meal; the men were in the living room, talking football, with beers in hand, and Blair helped Pamela with the preparations in the kitchen.  When dinner was ready, all four of them gathered in the kitchen, and talked over the food.  Todd and Blair conversed with the Ribsky's, and ate the Polish meal, which was different to them, but quite good.  

At the end of the dinner, Todd said, "I can't eat anything else! It was really good, thanks," and then turned to Ribsky and said, "I . . . think you'll be hearing from my father soon."

"Oh yeah, Mr. Broderick.  What is his interest in talking with me?"

Todd's smile faded, and he looked down at his plate.  Blair stepped in and answered, "Todd's remembered more things from his childhood.  They involve the inaction of the police here.  Needless to say, he wants to know whom it was that ignored his calls for help."

***

Timothy finished filing the proxy papers for the probate court hearing and sat back, satisfied with his work.  Todd could leave, he would stand in for him, in court, and all would be resolved with Peter's property.  "Not bad, Broderick, for a day's work."  He leaned against the couch and picked up the remote control, turning on the television.

After a few moments, flicking through the stations, he shut the television, realizing there was nothing of interest for him to see.  He sank back and listened to the complete quiet.

He closed his eyes and saw Erin.  She was wearing a white, flowing gown, loose-fitting, and she was young, as he had last seen her.  Her face seemed porcelain-perfect, and her eyes were bright and happy.  He watched as she moved along the bank of flowing water, that he recognized as the Liffey River, almost as if floating, with her hand outstretched, as if calling to him.

Suddenly, he was there, and appeared in front of her.  With all his might, he tried to take her hand, but couldn't reach.  "Erin, hold me hand.  Take me with ya," he said.

The more he tried, the further he was away from her.  "Erin! Erin, don't go," he cried into the dark.  He could see the whiteness of her gown flowing around her as she floated upward and further away until she was no more.

He sat up, back in the living room of the hotel suite, and cried.

***

"Todd, you'd mentioned that before briefly, in a cryptic fashion, when we met earlier this trip.  You remembered something else?"  Ribsky said.

"Yeah, I . . ." 

Blair saw him grip the table, and breathe deeply, so she spoke instead, "He remembers making at least one call for help when he was six, and no one attending the call."

Jack's face was indescribable.  He frowned, but it was evident he was thinking as well.  "No one attending?"

Todd said, "No."

"He can't remember everything, just that he called, and he was told to hold on, and sent to a different person, who told him to run and hide until they got there.  When he woke the next morning, and went inside, they hadn't been there.  His mother was assaulted and left on the floor in the kitchen."  She saw his hands tightening.  

Pamela said, "You were just a little boy, calling for help.  Jack, how can this be?"

The older man didn't answer, he just leaned onto his hands, folded in front of his mouth, and waited.  Then he said, "It can be, I believe Todd, but I can't believe that I worked with people who would hide something like that."

"My father had access to a great deal of money.  He was able to hide his secrets well."  Todd's expression looked as if he was tasting something bad, and Blair began to worry.  "I for one want all of those secrets exposed, so I can get on with my life."

Jack took his hands down from in front of his face and said, "I can guarantee you this.  I will work to find out who did this.  I've been a proud cop all my life, and whoever it is deserves reckoning."

Todd was surprised to hear his words, and caught eyes with Blair.  She said, "Well, I think Timothy was going to ask for your help anyway.  No telling what would have happened if Peter was stopped that night, or any other."

"So many things would be different," Todd said, studying his glass.  "So many . . ."

Blair reached across and took his hand, and he snapped out of his shell.  "I'd appreciate anything that you could do, Jack."

***

Later, Jack and Pamela finished cleaning the kitchen, and had wished Todd and Blair well on their trip home to Llanview.  Pamela was drying and stacking dishes, when the phone rang and her husband of thirty-five years picked it up.  "Hello?"

"This is Timothy Broderick, calling."

"Yes, how are you?  Todd and Blair have just left."

"They were there?  This late?  I am surprised, to say the least."

"We invited them for dinner.  Your son had a very difficult time today."

"Yes."

"They stayed and ate with us, and I found out this news about the police department.  Is there any way he can be wrong?"  Ribsky fished.

"I doubt it.  But he is going on memory.  It requires proof, first off, to be moved to the next level."

"What's that?"  Ribsky asked, believing he already knew.

"Research, investigation, and outcomes for the individuals."

"I couldn't agree more.  He's had enough."

"If you knew it all, Jack, ya would also know that his life would be very different now.  His whole make-up could be altered.  His pain would be that of everyday life, instead of years of this."  He had choked himself up speaking about it.

"Well Mr. Broderick, if you're looking for an investigator with ties to the police department, you can stop looking."

"Then ya will help?"

"I know where to start," he said.  "Leave it to me."

***

About an hour into their flight, Todd, who had dozed, lifted his head off Blair's lap.  "I feel better."

"Well, that's good.  You're in the air, and you love that."

"Yeah," he said swinging his feet around and sitting up.  "I can't let this go.  I have to get some kind of information to use against them," he said, going to his tablet.

"Not so fast, Mister," she said, blocking his way.  He stopped to look at her, from her shoes to her face, and marveled at her.  It was almost midnight, on the red eye, after his mess, and she was as stunning as the first thing in the morning.  

"What are you planning to do?"

"Whatever you want me to," she answered.

"Shouldn't I . . . be working on finding proof?"

"There's always tomorrow.  Besides, Timothy's not going to be looking for it tonight."

"True."

"How about if you catch more sleep?" she said, sitting down and patting the cushion next to her.

"I don't know," he said, plopping down on his back on the long, couch seating that lined the sides of the plane, with his head on her lap again.  "I might be persuaded, if someone rubbed my temples."

"I know who that someone is.  Do you have a headache?"

"A little.  It just feels tight, or tense."

"Okay, that's easily solved."  She massaged his temples gently.  

He closed his eyes.  Then he said, "Blair?"

"Yep?"

"Was Dad telling the truth?  Are you really willing to fulfill my every need?"

"Aren't I always?"
  
"Mmm-hmm."

"Then I guess it's yes."

"Okay," he said, wrapping one hand behind her head and pulling her mouth to his.  Letting go, he said, "You may continue," and waved her off like a servant.

She laughed and continued to rub his temples, then moved to his forehead, and jaw, and the tops of his shoulders until he was sound asleep.

She couldn't help replaying the scene at Peter Manning's house as he slept.  She had been so afraid, so terrified, for him, seeing him back there.  But somehow, he'd come through again.  She looked at his sleeping face, docile and soft in the realm of rest, and gently stroked his hair.  How has he done this?  How has he made it through ALL of this?

She sometimes thought of what she knew of her father, and then let it rest where it was: in the back of her mind, somewhere, among other things she had discarded.  She refused to spend much time with it; the stories she knew were enough and those she remembered about foster care were more than plenty.  She'd grown up thinking her life was bad, and it was, until she met his.  Once she got to know Todd Manning, and what was behind his hot-tempered, sometimes erratic anger, she fully gave up pondering her own childhood.  And she was grateful, in a strange way.

Like anyone else, there were bad moments, but they were few and far between.  There were even longer bouts of good, and positive memories with foster families.  And, there were patches of dread, mistreatment, and fear.  But nothing could compare to Todd's life, and she knew it, and somehow, it made her press the memories of her childhood tighter into the palm of forgetting.

The sadness was interrupted with a thought that struck her:  her man's strength was immense; his devotion to providing his family with a stable life was all-encompassing; his love for her was unending, as hers was for him.

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
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The Mysterious Samuel Toddman: Chapter 54

The next morning Starr and Todd headed to the hospital for his follow-up visit and to turn in the heart monitor. Todd got a talking to after the doctor read the readings the monitor had picked up. It appeared that Todd had come very close a couple of times to another attack and the doctor asked what had occurred during those times. The time reading on the monitor indicated that one of the times had been the night of his meltdown and the other had been in his session with Ray. The doctor decided to give Todd some medicine to regulate the heartbeat but agreed to let Todd continue his sessions with Ray since he was having them at the Cherryvale Clinic. Starr had gone to check on Walker while Todd was in with the doctor. She was still gone when Todd finished his visit. He turned to the doctor to ask a few more questions concerning the amount of stress he was under.

Tea came around the corner and heard a familiar voice talking up ahead of her. "Doctor, I really need some advice on some methods to control this stress. I'm facing a number of intense issues in the next couple of days. Any suggestions to lessen the effect the stress has on my heart." Tea looked ahead and stopped cold. His back was to her, but that voice was a voice from her past. He looked so familiar from his long hair to his broad shoulders. The gentleman and the doctor began walking away from her still talking, Tea followed hoping to catch a glimpse of his face, then she got her wish. Tea thought her heart was going to stop right then, it was Todd, she could have been back in 1998 as she looked at the man as he turned the corner. She shook her head, it was impossible, Todd was lying in a hospital bed in a coma how could he be talking to a doctor.

The man pulled farther away from her, then Tea saw Starr meet him. Starr hugged him and he put his arm around her and they left the hospital. Tea was galvanized to find out who had just walked out with Starr. Why did he look like the Todd of old and more importantly why did he sound like him? She stopped the doctor on his way back to his office and asked him who he had been talking to. He informed her the gentleman's name was Toddman. Tea recalled her conversation a week earlier with Blair about a distant relative. Blair had said there was a resemblance but what Tea had seen was more than a resemblance.

Tea had to find out where they were headed. She quickly went to the hospital garage and saw Starr and Mr. Toddman just getting into Starr's car. Hurrying Tea made it to her car and followed Starr, this was getting eerie. Starr was driving down a familiar road and then she turned into an equally familiar parking garage. Starr and Mr. Toddman entered the elevator and headed up the penthouse floor. Tea stepped on the elevator and rode up to the floor where their old home had been. The door to the penthouse was opening so Tea ducked out of sight. "Dad, I'll hold down the fort till you and mom get back from Cherryvale. Please be careful and don't overdo it. Remember what the doctor said." Tea's heart started beating even faster at Starr's words. When the elevator started down, Tea braced her shoulders and went to the door. She rang the bell and steeled herself for the moment when he would open the door.

"Hey, Shorty what did you forget?" Todd opened the door, he didn't know what to say. Delgado stood in front of him. Neither said anything at first. Todd didn't know if he should have Samuel come out or just face her as Todd. He wasn't sure what had brought her to the penthouse. Starr had told him she had been spending most of her days with Manning. Then he realized she must have seen him at the hospital. He closed his eyes briefly, "Samuel you should take her. She probably thinks I'm you anyway. She doesn't need this right now. What do you say?"

Samuel seemed reluctant to come out. "She'll need to know eventually Todd, don't confuse her any more than she already is. If you insist, I'll start, but you owe it to her to let her know the truth."

"Samuel just greet her, it might be useless if she happened to overhear Starr leaving, the jig is up anyway but let's play it the way we first decided." Todd pulled back and Samuel took over.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Manning isn't it. Starr has told me a lot about you. Won't you please come in. We haven't met although I understand from Blair that you came to the hospital while I was there for care." Samuel stood aside and Tea walked in slowly.

Tea was really confused now. When he had opened the door she had heard him refer to Starr as Shorty and he had sounded exactly like Todd. Then he had changed in front of her to a totally different man, a man Blair said was Samuel Toddman. Tea walked into the living room and became even more agitated. The room was the same but different, the furniture was placed in a much cozier setting by the fireplace, but her eyes were drawn to the beautiful paintings on the wall. Who was this man? The portraits were stunning, she didn't know this man but his painting of her was amazing. All three of them were. If he had just met his family how could he have painted these portraits. She walked closer and noticed they only had dates on them like Blair's had. The date on hers was 2004, that made no sense at all. She turned to him and said. "Who are you really?"

Samuel gesture for her to take a seat. "Well, that's a matter of perception. You've already realized I'm not a distant relative. I am however the artist who painted these portraits. Your next question would be how could I paint you since we never met? The answer to that question lies with the answer to your first question. I wish you to know that you, my dear Dee, are very close to my heart."

"Why did you just call me Dee," asked Tea sitting down abruptly? This was getting surreal. He had all but admitted he wasn't a long lost relative and that he had painted the portraits. How come he looked like Todd and sounded like Todd but not be Todd?

"I called you Dee, because that is my name for you, although I know he liked to call you Delgado. You see, you, Vicki and Blair have kept me company these last eight years. In fact, you've kept me sane. I've been living in Paris until recently when Blair found me. My only company has been my paintings, my muses," Samuel pointed to the portraits. "You see I was rather a blank book when Blair found me. My memories started about eight years ago. I thought you, Blair, and Vicki were figments of my imagination. That is until Blair dropped into a faint outside my apartment in Paris. I started having flashes of memory after Blair left Paris, those flashes brought me home." Samuel paused to let her take in everything he had just told her.

Tea was really having a hard time assimilating everything Samuel was telling her. Then something he said clicked. "What did you mean he liked to call me Delgado? Who liked to call me that?"

"Why Todd of course. I wasn't aware of him at first, I wasn't aware of any of them actually, not until the afternoon that Blair left Paris. I was leaving her room when I suddenly was gripped with an excruciating headache. I suddenly found myself facing him. He told me his name and introduce the rest of them to me and told me more about myself." Samuel looked at her. "You know who I mean, right?"

Okay, now she knew she was having a nightmare. It was de ja vu all over again. It couldn't be true. He had all but admitted it was a lie. He had even left town because of the hurt he had caused everyone. He had never said any more about them when he had come for her or during the months they had tried to make things work. Now she was being told by someone entirely new that it hadn't been a lie. "Could I please have some water."

"Oh dear Dee, how thoughtless of me. Certainly, at least you didn't faint like Blair did the first time we met." Samuel went to the bar and poured her a glass of water. " Maybe I could get you a wine instead. You're looking a little green around the gills."

Tea shook her head, "The water is fine." she was already confused enough without putting alcohol in the mix, besides it was still morning. Samuel handed her the water and sat down opposite her. She looked at his face remembering every line and his hazel eyes, those beautiful lips. She wondered how he had received the second scar. Suddenly she looked at his eyes again. Hazel eyes. Yes, Todd has hazel eyes. Oh my God, my Todd has blue eyes. Why had she never noticed? What was going on? Why hadn't she ever realized the eye color was different? The world suddenly turned upside down.

Samuel watched as she suddenly crumbled to the floor. Todd took control immediately "Tea, What is it? What happened? Come on Delgado wake up." Todd grabbed the water and poured some onto his handkerchief and began wiping her face. "Now you listen to me, you need to snap out of this. You know I hate it when women do these things. Come on you're made of sterner stuff. Where's that Delgado spunk?" he decided he was being too polite and poured the rest of the water on her face. That did the trick Tea woke up sputtering.

"God Todd, what are you trying to do, drown me?" She glared up at him as he sat on his haunches and smiled at her.

"Hey Delgado, it worked didn't it." Todd laughed and offered her his hand and helped her back up. He walked over to the bar and grabbed a towel and tossed it to her. "You want some wine now, Samuel tells me it's all they drink in Paris."

Tea wiped down her blouse and stared at Todd. The years dropped away and she and Todd were trading barbs and laughing about the strangest things. Then everything came back to the present. Todd was standing in front of her where moments before she had been talking to Samuel. It was unreal, but right in front of her. If this was Todd, who was the man she was married to?

She looked at Todd. He didn't seem much different then when he had walked away from her and gotten on that raft. She had stood on that beach and watched him leave. Now he was standing a few feet away from her and she really didn't know what to make of it. "Todd why are you pretending to be this Samuel Toddman. What game are you playing at now?"

"I'm not playing any game, Tea. Samuel is very real. You went through so much that last time, I would understand if you never believed me. I'll tell you this much, what Samuel told you about the last eight years is the truth. Up until mid-January of this year, Samuel has lived a quiet life as an artist. He spoke the truth about not knowing me or anyone here in Llanview. I assure you these portraits were painted by him. I did not commission anyone else to paint them and then pass them off as my own. If you doubt what I'm saying go look in his studio at the recent paintings of Starr and Hope. Samuel signed those. I'm sure you'll be able to tell they were painted by the same man." Todd pointed to a Studio set up by the windows.

Tea looked over and saw several paintings set up on easels. She turned back to Todd. "You've had eight years to learn how to paint. That makes much more sense than to believe that you have a new alter and that your other alters are real. I'm not a fool Todd."

"Delgado, do you honestly believe I would stay away from my kids for eight years and that I would let someone take over my life too. I thought you knew me better than that. And don't even talk to me about fools, you married that impostor thinking he was me. " Todd could feel his anger starting to get to him, once again Tea was pushing his buttons "Samuel get out here I can't talk to her right now I'm afraid Pete might decide to make an appearance." Todd turned away from Tea trying to gain some control. "Samuel where are you?"

"Samuel’s a little indisposed right now I'll take over for you, Todd . I know how to treat this one. She betrayed you again. Let me come out I'll take her down a peg or two and soften her up for you. Come on Todd you know that's what you want. You want to punish her for marrying that impostor, well let me out.”

Todd gripped the bar trying to maintain his feet. Totally unaware that Tea was watching him, he confronted Pete "You’re Not Coming Out! There's No Way In Hell I'd Let You Out! So Take Your Taunting and Go Away!"

" You’re getting weaker everyday just watch.' said Pete. Suddenly he was free. He had done it, he stood up tall smirking as he realized he had gotten out. He turned and faced Tea. " You're still the same whore who made out with Carpenter, I never did see what Todd saw in you. Now look at you. Married to an impostor who took everything from me. Maybe I should give you what you asked for all those years ago. Show you what you missed." Pete started moving towards Tea as she looked on horrified. From behind him came a voice.

"Pete you take one more step toward her and you'll regret it." said Blair holding a vase above her head ready to bring it down on him if he made her. His eyes still on Tea, Pete remarked. "You won't hurt me because you would have to hurt him." he took another step and Blair brought the vase down on his head. Pete dropped to the floor knocked out. Blair looked over at Tea. "Are you alright?" Tea nodded. She was totally unnerved by what had just happened.

Blair immediately went to work checking out Todd. She had no choice but to tie him up till she knew if Todd was going to come back. What on earth had happened to bring Pete out? "Tea, we've got to tie him up. Todd would never forgive me if I let Pete remain loose. Grab the tiebacks off the curtains we'll have to use those." After they had him tied up so he couldn't hurt either of them Blair went and got something to treat his head. While she administered to him she look at Tea and asked. "What the hell happened?"

Tea looked at Blair and at the man lying on the floor. " We were arguing about him pretending to have Alters, and I asked him why he made up Samuel and did he take me for a fool. The next thing I know he's yelling something about not letting you out and to take the taunting and go away. Then he got quiet for a moment and the next thing I know he was talking like he was Pete and then you came in. Why did you call him Pete, and why did you hit him? Todd was just playacting, he was trying to make me believe the alters were real."

"Girlfriend, you are an idiot. Todd wasn't playacting and his alters are very real. You were no longer with Todd, you were face to face with Pete and believe me, Pete had every intention of hurting you. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt Todd, but Pete can't be allowed loose right now or ever. I have to call his therapist. If Todd wakes up we'll be alright but if Pete is still with us I'm going to need some help getting Todd back. Whatever you do don't untie him. Pete is more dangerous now than he used to be." Blair got out her phone and called Ray. "Ray we have a problem. Pete is loose and I don't know what happened to Todd. Something just went down and I walked in on Pete about to attack his ex-wife, Tea. We have him restrained, but he's unconscious because I knocked him out. I don't know who's going to wake up... Good, how soon? Yes, we're at the penthouse. Okay, I'll expect you shortly." she hung up and looked at Tea. "We got lucky, Ray is at the police station. He'll be here directly. Tea, didn't you meet Samuel? What made you think Samuel wasn't real?"

"Blair you know it's all a lie. Are you honestly going to tell me you believe him? You were the one who found out he was lying all those years ago. Why on earth would you believe him now?" Tea asked.

"I believe him because I found out just how wrong I was in Paris. You see, I thought he was lying to and I accused him of that very thing in Paris. The thing was Samuel didn't know me or who Todd Manning was and the only memories he had were from 2003 to now. Now I know the next thing you would think was that since he had no memories, he had just taken the name Samuel Toddman and started living his life with that name. It crossed my mind but then I dismissed it because of the talent and the complete change in personality that is Samuel. Tea, didn't Samuel remind you of anyone." asked Blair

Tea looked at Blair. She had been listening to Blair and turned her mind back to her conversation with Samuel before she fainted. Come to think of it, he had reminded her of someone. " Well yes, he reminded me a little of Sam Rappaport but that just means that Todd put a little of Sam into his characterization of Samuel."

"Come with me Tea." Blair led Tea over to Samuel's studio. "You say that Todd had eight years to teach himself how to paint. Samuel was painting portraits that sold from 2003 till the present day. Have you ever seen Todd display any talent like that?.. No..you haven't. Now even if we go by your theory, would you agree that as an artist, you would probably develop a particular style and look to your pieces. For instant, would you say all three of the paintings on the wall were painted by the same artist." Tea looked at the portraits on the wall and agreed that they were painted by the same artist. " Ok, now let's assume that Todd who never painted a day in his life suddenly awakens, has no memories, but is able to suddenly paint like that. Do you think Todd could do that?"

"Well no, but how do we know he didn't have someone else in Paris paint them and just tell you that he as Samuel painted them. Did you see him paint them?" Tea asked. Blair couldn't really think Todd or Samuel had painted those pictures they were obviously done by a professional.

"No, Tea you're right I didn't see him paint those, but I sat in his apartment and watched him make a drawing of me that first night we met in Paris. If that doesn't convince you then these might." Blair led Tea around to where she could see the paintings of Starr and Hope. "Samuel painted those the first week he was in town shortly after Starr moved in with him. By the way, Todd was nowhere to be found. You see, Todd was trapped in his own mind much the same way Jessica is currently trapped by Tess, only Samuel wasn't doing the trapping. Remember the article in the paper about Samuel being taken to the hospital after being found in Victor Lord's tomb. That was the night Todd returned. Samuel went to the Tomb so Todd could face what happened to him in 2003. his last night in town. Do you remember what causes a fractured psyche? Severe Trauma and Sexual abuse. On Todd"s last night in town, Mitch Lawrence kidnapped Todd bound and gagged him and laid him to rest beside his dead father in Victor's crypt. Then he sealed him in. Todd's never been able to tell me the whole story, but in his oxygen starved brain, Todd encountered both Peter Manning and Victor Lord and they both wanted something horrendous. Whatever went on in his mind was so bad that just before he passed out from being beaten almost to death; Todd escaped the only way he knew, into his mind and Samuel was born. I have one more painting to show you. I hope you're not too offended by the subject. It was painted for me yesterday. Take a good look at it and at Samuel's paintings and see if they are alike and painted by the same person or if you think two different people painted them. " Blair lifted the cover from the painting she had viewed just the night before.

Tea looked at the picture of Blair. At first glance she thought they were painted by the same person then she realized that there were definitely a number of subtle differences, she looked over at the picture of Starr and saw that the painter of Starr's picture had a delicate and gentle touch that emanated from Starr's painting. the same quality in Starr's painting could be seen in the paintings on the wall and the one of Hope. The newest painting of Blair was richer and more vibrant there was a sharper edgier feel to it. It had definitely been painted by someone other than the painter of the other portraits. "Ok Blair I see that this painting was painted by a different painter. What does that mean?"

"Look at the signatures Tea,” said Blair and she waited for the truth to sink in.

Tea looked at the pictures of Hope and Starr and saw that Samuel had painted them but what shocked her even more was the signature on Blair's portrait. There was no mistaking the authenticity of that signature.  She had seen it plenty of times on legal contracts. The signature was Todd's. The two signatures looked nothing alike, they were obviously written by two different people. Tea turned and stared in horror at the man lying yards away from them. Oh God, he was real. The man who had held fourteen people hostage and thrown her out in the snow was lying bound just across the room. Pete was out and Todd was once again lost.

"You hit him awful hard Blair, don't you think he should have come around by now?" asked Tea as they made their way back over to the man lying on the floor.

"You're right Tea, if he doesn't come around soon, we'll have to call 911 but Ray should be here any minute." Blair knelt down to check on him when suddenly he whipped onto his back startling her and Tea and making them both jump.

"You bitch, I thought you loved him. You're as deceitful as the one standing next to you. Untie me!" growled Pete. He looked at both women with hate in his eyes. "Blair do you honestly want to take me on. This is only a temporary set back, once I'm loose I'll make you pay. Save yourself the pain and just let me free." Pete twisted and strained, trying to loosen the knots.

Blair backed away and put a small amount of distance between them. "If you'll stop struggling I'll check out your head but I'm not untying you Pete. You can't remain here. You'll ruin everything for yourself and Todd both, and the only place you'll end up is in a straightjacket. Look at you, you were so hellbent on hurting Tea you didn't see me and you misjudged me. I'm not afraid of you Pete, I know the secret you're hiding from Todd so does Tea and soon Todd is going to know it and you'll be an afterthought. You're only here because he needed you back then, even he knows you're a troublemaker and he's trying to get on with his life without you. You know it, that's why this attempt. It's not going to last. Todd, if you can hear me, help is on the way. Samuel and Tom and Rodd, all of you, you need to find a way to help Todd." Pete had stopped struggling as Blair talked, she saw his face and knew she was right, Pete was scared. Just then the doorbell rang and Pete started struggling even more. Tea went to the door and opened it to find two gentlemen standing outside.

"You must be Tea Manning. I'm Ray Martino and this is Dr. Levin. Where is he?" Tea pointed to the living room and all three made their way in. "Blair, I stopped and talked to Dr. Levin and he agreed to come help. He's more trained working with split personalities than I am and I thought he would know a quicker way to reach Todd."

Pete glare up from the floor continuing to struggle." Well if it isn't my fellow rapist. How you doin, Doc? You don't seriously believe I'm just going let him come out do you. I'm here and I intend to stay."

Ray knelt down to Pete's level. "I haven't seen you in some time Pete, in fact, my guess is it was back when you attacked me in prison right? I always thought there was something a little off that day. But you know we can't let you stay. You're poison to Todd, not to mention hazardous to everyone around him. Todd, I've brought some help, even if Pete won't cooperate, you need to remember you're the real one in charge. Listen to Dr. Levin." Ray stood up and walked over to Dr. Levin and the women.

"How long has he been Pete, Blair," asked Ray?

"I believe he had just changed when I arrived. so no more than thirty-forty minutes tops. Ray, he's scared . I saw it in his eyes right before you got here. I don't think he has as strong a hold as he would like us to believe. Dr. Levin what do you think?  I know you've been working with Jessica and Tess.  Can we get Todd back?" Blair inquired anxiously.

"From what I just overhead and how long he's been out I think you're right, Pete's doing more than struggling to get free of his bonds. I think he's already struggling to maintain control of Todd's body too. I believe I can put him under hypnotically and give Todd a chance to regain control. Do we all agree? Excellent then let's get started." Dr. Levin and Ray approached Pete. "Ray, why don't we make him just a little bit more comfortable." Ray and Dr. Levin got Pete to his feet and sat him down in a chair. Then Dr. Levin started talking calmly to Pete, "Pete you really shouldn't struggle so, we're not here to hurt you, in fact, the opposite is true we only want to help. You must be feeling fatigued after all the struggling you've been doing and I bet your head is pounding.  I'd like to help you get rid of some of that pain.  Now, why don't you at least just relax in the chair, that's it just relax. Now isn't that more comfortable already, it feels kind of good doesn't it...comfortable... you just want to lean back and rest your head just for a minute... that's it, close your eyes,... just for a moment..... there the pounding is stopping... you can relax... Isn't that much better Pete." Pete nodded leaning his head back. "There you go, Pete, just rest, let yourself start to float. Feels real good doesn't it, good, now Pete, tell me where you are?"

Pete opened his eyes but he wasn't looking at any one in particular, "This is great I'm high in the clouds. Wow nothing like it up here."

"That's excellent Pete but don't you see someone with you.  There he is, he's your brother Todd and he's looking for you, you've got to help him, Pete. He really needs your help, you're not going to just leave him lost up there, are you?" said Dr Levin. " You need to go get him Pete. You've protected him all these years, are you going to fall down on the job now?"

"No, can't let him down. Got to go get him. Hey Todd, over here bro. Yeah it's me, what are you doing? Mom's going to be worried. You need to get home. That's alright I'll stay here for a while. Yeah, see you later." Pete's voice faded.

Dr. Levin nodded and said. "That's it, Pete, Go relax, let me speak to Todd. Todd can you hear me. Nod your head if you can hear me." Todd nodded his head. "Todd you can come forward now, he's gone for the moment and you're safe. Don't be alarmed that you can't move, it's for your protection. You're going to have a headache, but you're alright. Do you understand? Excellent, Todd, come on, it's time, you're with friends open your eyes, you're back." They all watched as Todd opened his eyes.

Todd winced at the light, his head was pounding. He looked at the people in front of him. Tea and Blair were looking on anxiously and Ray, he didn't recognize the man sitting opposite him. "Ok this isn't good, is it?" he suddenly realized his hands and feet were bound. "What the hell... someone better start talking and soon or I'm going to go crazy. First off, who tied me up and who the hell are you, fella?... Hey, don't everyone start at once. God, My head is killing me."

Blair went and grabbed some ice and a towel and brought it back and laid it against his head sitting down on the chair next to him, he leaned into her and rested his head. "Thanks Blair. Well who's going to go first?  Ray how about you?"

"Relax Todd, Blair called me, you had an episode and I take it you don't remember do you?" Ray said. "This is Dr. Levin who's been treating Jessica I brought him with me when I received the call from Blair. Todd, it's not good news. Pete got out."

Todd paled visibly, "My God what did he do! The last thing I remember you and I were fighting Tea. I remember getting angry, he didn't hurt you did he?" Todd looked at Tea. She was close to tears. " NO! Please tell me he didn't. Please!"

Blair hugged him. "Todd, it's alright he didn't hurt her. I knocked him out before he had a chance. Then Tea and I tied him up. I called Ray and we waited for him, watching over Pete. Dr Levin used hypnosis to send Pete back and get him to release you.  Todd, I was so worried. I was afraid Pete might have beaten us before we could exorcise him." Todd reached over and grasped her hands in his to both give and receive the strength they got together.

"Then my thanks goes out to you Dr. Levin.  My sister Vicki has a lot of confidence in you and I'm grateful for your help today. Well I guess after this, our afternoon session might not be such a good idea huh Ray." Todd looked at Ray and grinned.

Ray nodded ruefully and began to untie Todd.

Once free of his bonds, Todd looked at the men in front of him."Well gentlemen any suggestions on how we proceed from here. Oh excuse me. Please everyone take a seat. Tea accept my apologies. If I had known there was a remote chance that Pete would surface I would have sent you away. You've already suffered from Pete's viciousness, I never wanted you to have to face it again. Do you believe me now Tea?" his eyes met hers. Tea nodded. Blair patted Todd's hands and then went to sit next to Tea and gave her a hug.

Ray looked over at Dr.Levin and then back to Todd. "Todd, if you agree, Dr. Levin has told me he'll help us when you prepare to face your alters, especially Pete. I believe it would help us to have him there but it's your choice."

"Dr. Levin, I'm grateful for your help today and I would appreciate it if you would be available when I face Pete. But I'm not real comfortable with therapy in general and I'm better with the one on one's I have with Ray. You'll have to forgive me if I think I'll stick to the one on one sessions. You ok with that Ray?" Todd looked over at Ray, hoping Ray wouldn't push him into therapy with Levin.

"Todd that's fine. We'll take these sessions one at a time and if I feel that we might need Dr Levin's assistance I'll clear it with you. How's that?" Ray looked at Todd and he nodded.
Dr. Levin nodded also, then he stood up. "Mr. Manning I'm glad I could help today. I'll be glad to be on standby if you need me. I've chatted with your sister and from what she tells me, you don't really need my help all that much. You obviously have a pretty clear picture of your alters and their capabilities and you've been functioning with them quite well as far as I can see. You do have a right to be concerned about Pete, but I don't think he's as big a problem as you think. Give me a call when you're ready to confront him. I'll see myself out."

Tea stood up, she was clearly shaken by all that had occurred today. "Todd, I don't know what to say. I'm very confused right now. Not just with the whole Alter issue but this whole real Todd issue. I have to go, I need to go to the hospital. I do want to talk but I just can't right now. Forgive me for doubting you earlier. I'm sorry." She squeezed Blair's hand and departed without another word.

Ray started to get up to leave but Todd stopped him. "Ray don't go, I need to talk. Will you stay?" asked Todd.

Ray looked at Blair and nodded. "Sure Todd, let's talk."

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The Mysterious Samuel Toddman: Chapter 53

As usual, Todd's night proved to be fitful. Without Blair to keep him from spiraling, he found himself fighting nightmares. After waking in a cold sweat for the second time, Todd gave up trying to sleep. Instead. he looked into everything Interpol had gotten on Carlo. They still hadn't figured out he was in the Caymans, which was a plus for Todd. He decided to put in a call to Tomas and find out how things were going on his end and if Carlo was still bidding on paintings. Because of the time difference, Todd pulled out his cell phone and called the Gallery. Luckily Tomas picked up.

"Tomas, I’m glad I caught you. This is Samuel.... No, things haven't gone as smoothly as I would have liked, I ran into a bit of a health obstacle. I'm currently recovering from a heart attack and my doctor informs me I need to keep my stress level down. That is why I've called. Please tell me that everything there is still the same…. So am I to assume that Mr. Hesser is still bidding on my paintings…. Both Mr. Manning and Mr. Hesser were bidding and then Mr. Manning stopped. Yes well, I know why that might have happened. Mr. Manning was recently shot. I'm concerned that whoever shot Mr. Manning might be involved with the ones who've been watching me. You must be extremely careful, Tomas. Tell me Tomas, which of Blair's portraits did you offer for sale. The sunset on the beach. Yes, she is indeed beautiful. Mr. Hesser has no idea I'm not in Paris is that correct….. Sell the painting to Mr. Hesser and I need to know when it'll be shipped out….. In three days. Excellent. I think you should wait a couple weeks before putting another picture up. It can't appear like you have a supply of my paintings hanging around. Again, I caution you to be careful, these men are dangerous my friend, and I don't want you in harm's way. If all goes as planned I hope to have the ones responsible for my memory loss caught soon. Thank you, Tomas, you are a good friend." with that Todd cut the connection.

He had tried to sound nonchalant when discussing the sale of Blair's portrait to Hesser. He had to allow the portrait to be shipped because they needed it to track down Carlo's whereabouts. But it made him mad as hell that Carlo was getting that portrait. That portrait had showed Blair standing on the beach in Key West the day of their first wedding. Blair had looked incredibly beautiful with a flower tucked over her ear and the breeze teasing her hair. He had felt so weird that day. Once he had made the decision to marry her, he knew he had to go through with it. He thought she was carrying his child at the time.

He tried hard most days to not think of the child they lost in the early days of their marriage, or of the lies told. Those days were long past, now he pictured her in his mind as she lay on the bed of flowers yesterday. "Why not." Todd got off the bed and headed down to Samuel's Studio. "Okay Samuel, give me a little help here. I want to do this one myself, so I'll draw her and you can instruct me how to paint it. Ok?”

“It'll be a piece of cake Todd.”

“Right, so I'll need an empty canvas. Ok, Here we go." Todd reached into his mind and found the picture he was looking for and he began to draw. In his mind, the bed became a meadow of wildflowers. He drew her body on the canvas the way he had memorized it that afternoon. Stroke by stroke she appeared until she lay in that meadow surrounded by the flowers. Then with Samuel's voice in his head, Todd picked out the paints to use to bring her to life. Once again he marveled that he could actually be doing this. He knew Samuel would have just started painting and the portrait would have appeared but Todd actually liked doing the drawing first and then applying the color, it was as if he got to caress her body not once but twice doing the portrait his way.

As the painting took on color Todd found himself actually having fun. It was amazing and sensual at the same time. He wanted to get the expression that Blair had beamed up at him. If she had been a cat she would have purred, but been asking for more at the same time, then he realized that it came from her eyes. Those sultry eyes looking at him like he was her prey then the very tip of her tongue just peeking out from her beautiful lips. There she was. His beautiful sex kitten just lying there ready for the taking. He stood back to look at his handiwork." What do you think Samuel? Up to your standards?" In his head, he heard a chuckle.

“Oh yes Todd, definitely up to my standards, although I think you even outshine me. It's obvious to anyone looking that you really know Blair,” replied Samuel.

"I've got to admit Samuel, I understand why this is you, or maybe I should say me. This allows us to show feelings I've never been able to express verbally. I haven't felt this good in a long time." Todd started cleaning Samuel's brushes and sealing the paint tubes. Then he carefully covered the painting so it wouldn't shock Starr. There was only one place where that painting was going to be hung, and it definitely wasn't going to be in the living room.  After getting everything back in their proper places, Todd closed the gate and went to the kitchen. He started a pot of coffee then headed upstairs to shower and change for the day.

Starr woke to the smell of coffee and knew her dad was already up. She got up and got Hope dressed for the day. Placing Hope in her bed with a couple of toys, Starr took the opportunity to shower also and get ready for her day. Starr was going to try and check on Walker after her morning class, she also wanted to spend some time with her boyfriend James. She hadn't figured out how to introduce James to her real dad yet, so she hadn't invited him over to the penthouse.  That was something she needed to talk to her dad about.  Hopefully, he was in a good mood this morning.  As she carried Hope down the stairs, she caught the scent of the oil paints.  She wondered why Samuel had come out. Had something happened during the night?

Starr placed Hope in her playpen, she wondered what Samuel had painted and moreover why had Samuel covered it. Curiosity got the better of her and she went into Samuel's little studio and decided to take a peek at his latest painting. When she lifted the cover, she felt herself blushing down to her toes. My God, it’s mom!  But there was nothing motherly about the woman in that painting. Starr had thought the painting on the wall above the fireplace was quite sexy but this was hot and beautiful and she felt like a peeping tom just looking at it. She didn't think Samuel and her mom were more than friends, why had he painted this? Then she saw the signature. Wow, her dad had painted this. "Ahem." Starr jumped, turned and saw her dad looking at her with a smile on his face. To hide her blush she reached up and carefully covered the painting again.

"Sorry Dad, I smelled the paint and thought Samuel had come out, I was curious because he doesn't usually cover his paintings." Starr could feel the heat rising in her cheeks.

"Yes, well I was trying to avoid this, so I covered it. Uh, forgetting who the subject is, what do you think of my first attempt?" asked Todd

Starr looked at her Dad, he was looking at her begging for her approval like a kid who's just finished his first drawing for his mother. She saw Tom beaming out at her just waiting for a response. It was easy to answer her father. The painting was beautiful. "Dad, I think it's fantastic, I thought Samuel had painted it, but you know what Dad, your style is a little different, it's sharper. When I looked at Mom she seemed so real. I look at Samuel's picture and Mom seems real but it's like you’re viewing her through a cloud. It's softer. Do you understand what I'm saying Dad?"

Todd looked up at the wall and realized Starr was right, Samuel's pictures had a softness about them, a gentleness, like love seen from a distance. He walked over and removed the picture from the wall and headed over to the studio. Starr opened the gate and joined him at the painting he had completed that morning. She carefully uncovered it and with Todd holding Samuel's painting, they studied the two of them. At first glance they could have been looking at pictures by the same artist then the differences start standing out. Todd's strokes were bolder and sharper much like his temperament and Samuel's were smoother and calmer. That was what Samuel had meant. Todd had infused his own feelings into his artwork and had his own style. He looked at his daughter and smiled. "Thank you.  I thought that if I was integrating Samuel, I was going to start being him but you just showed me that Samuel is enhancing me not taking me over. I love you, Starr." He set the portrait down and gathered his daughter in his arms and kissed her on the forehead. "I will always be grateful you were born."

"I'm pretty grateful you and Mom had me too. What do you say we get some breakfast? Then I have a couple of errands to run before going to my class today. Have you got plans Dad," asked Starr? She wanted to make sure he had something to keep him busy while she was out. She still couldn't get over the feeling she had let him down but she wasn't sure she could correct the problem. In fact, she felt extra guilty because one of her errands was to go check on Walker and see how Tea was doing.

Todd looked at his daughter and read between the lines. He could tell she was concerned for him and was afraid he might do something if he was left alone too long. He also knew she felt guilty about something. If he were to venture a guess it probably had to do with Manning. "Actually, Bo is coming over this morning. Your mom and I found out some interesting information yesterday and I'm turning it over to Bo. "

"Dad, you and Mom got home a lot later than I thought you would yesterday. Neither one of you said anything about the session. Didn't it go alright?" asked Starr.

"Let's just say things definitely didn't go as planned. There were a few scary moments for everyone but it's over and I'm still here. I have another appointment scheduled for tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll begin making some progress. Things are breaking open around here. I think Manning's shooting is linked to all of this, and someone is trying to cover their tracks as quick as possible. When you go visit Manning keep an eye out for strangers that might be watching his room. There's a good chance they might want to finish the job. And Starr, I know you're seeing someone. I promise I won't try to take his head off at the first meeting. You can bring him over to meet Samuel if you want, this is your home too." Todd looked at his daughter and grinned at the look on her face. "I may be a dragon but I don't eat people. Now we better get some breakfast or you're going to run out of time before your class."

Things got a little hectic as they fixed a quick breakfast and then cleaned up. Then Starr took Hope down to daycare so her dad and Bo could talk uninterrupted. She stopped back up at the penthouse to tell her dad goodbye and headed out to do her errands before class. After Starr left, Todd went up to his room and gathered all the copies of his health records from his stay in Philadelphia General. He also grabbed the list of patrons that Samuel had received from Tomas. That seemed like a lifetime ago. So much had happened since Samuel first arrived back in Llanview. He was grateful to Samuel for doing all the legwork up to this point. He still couldn't get over how severely hurt he was that night eight years before. The doctors had been right, somehow he had survived another near-death experience.

Todd reached and picked up the laptop, with it and his paperwork in hand, he made his way back down to the living room. With everything ready for Bo's visit, Todd perused the room. Something seemed off and then he realized he had forgotten to put Blair's picture back on the wall. He walked over and picked it up, looking again at Samuel's work. Todd admired the way Samuel had depicted one of Todd's favorite memories. Samuel and Rodd had something in common, they were both lovers of beauty. He hung Blair's portrait back in place, then he heard the doorbell.  Walking to the door, he opened it and let Bo in. " Welcome to our humble home Commissioner."

Bo was struck by the different feeling the room conveyed as he stepped into Todd's living room. He had always felt like Todd's house was a little cold. But there was a warmth to this room that hadn't been there before. Maybe it was the way the furniture had been rearranged or maybe it was the Gallery on the wall but altogether the effect was much more inviting. Bo recalled his conversation with Nora after the phone call from Todd. Nora had told him of her visit to Todd the morning after Manning's shooting. She told Bo how she had thought Todd was playing him for a fool until she met Samuel. Yet even after a reasonable conversation, it wasn't until Todd appeared that Nora became convinced he was telling the truth.

She said Todd had been honest and straightforward, and it had shocked her, but there had been something in his tone that had told her he meant every word he spoke. She had agreed to do her part to help and she told Bo that. To say he had been surprised had been an understatement. So Todd had gotten Nora on his side, Bo was glad his instinct about Todd in the hospital had so far been proven right. Now he was going to find out if Todd really was going to allow him to do his job.

“I must say, Todd... You are Todd, Right?" Todd nodded. "This is different from the last time I was in this penthouse. Are you aware of what took place in this penthouse several years back? It was a massacre and this is where Marty was staying when Manning found her. I'm surprised you purchased it again." said Bo.

"Well it's like this, I didn't purchase it. Samuel did. He had no idea that this place had previously been mine. He bought it sight unseen before he left Paris. It wasn't until he arrived here that he remembered it. As for what happened several years back, it's in the past. I had nothing to do with it and my first view of this penthouse since 2003 is the same view you're seeing. But you’re right, this is Samuel's set up, but I like it, so why change it? This is Starr's and Hope's home now too and that what it feels like, a home. I'm not going to rock that boat. Have a seat Bo, let me get you some coffee. I've got a number of things to show you." Todd left Bo and went to the kitchen and made a tray of coffee and a couple of pastries and rejoined Bo in the living room. He found Bo studying the portraits on the wall. "Samuel's work is remarkable. He told you he made a living at it. In fact, thanks to Samuel's artwork I think we might be able to find Hesser. Help yourself Commish. I'll explain." Todd set the tray down and headed over to where he had laid out the paperwork. He picked up everything and sat down opposite Bo. He set the paperwork down and the laptop and poured a coffee for himself. Then he began.

"You know that Samuel lived in Paris and sold a number of his paintings to make a living. This is a list of his patrons. You'll note two interesting names on that list." Todd handed Bo the list showing Manning and Hesser as purchasers of Samuel's art.

"Are you telling me that Hesser has been buying Samuel's painting all this time? It doesn't mean a whole lot other than the fact that he likes Blair. This is no proof that Hesser is responsible for your circumstances." said Bo.

"You're right Bo. His purchases don't indicate his involvement with me unless you look at some of the other things I found out about him. Remember, Hesser has a vested interest in the Kipling Facility. I just found out that Hesser's brother Mortimer was admitted for severe trauma on the night of March 14th. 2003 to the Cherryvale Clinic. We both know that Mortimer's been dead longer than that." Todd handed his medical records to Bo. "Here are my records from Philadelphia General. Note the number of injuries listed including a laceration to the cheek. Now look at this. " Todd opened his laptop and brought up Mortimer's records at the Cherryvale Clinic. "As you can see, Mortimer's injuries and mine match."

"Todd I told you we had to do this by the book, it's illegal to view someone else's hospital records without permission." said Bo, looking exceedingly upset.

"Relax Bo, all I've been doing is looking and besides I'm Mortimer, remember. Since they're a match, I was hoping you could get a copy of the records than they could be compared to mine by a reliable witness, say a doctor. Once we prove that Mortimer and I are the same, then we can start tracking down Hesser. One more thing, the gentleman in the records office told us that Mortimer was transferred to the Kipling Neuroscience Research Facility on family orders. Don't you see it's all coming together? If you can get the tangible proof, I know a way to find Hesser. What do your say, Bo?" Todd looked over at Bo. He knew Bo wanted to get that information as much as he did.

"If what you're saying is true. I think I can go to the judge and explain the situation and receive permission to get copies of Mortimer's records. Once we have the records, how does that put us closer to Hesser? He's been off the grid for quite a while. Even Interpol can't find him. How do you propose we locate him?" asked Bo. He looked over at Todd. It was apparent that Todd had been doing his homework since getting out of the hospital. He was looking like a man who had an ace up his sleeve.

Todd smiled, he knew he had Bo's attention now. It was time to show him where to look for Hesser.  “If you look at the list of patrons, you'll see the address of the Gallery where Hesser's been picking up Samuel's portraits. I know for a fact that Hesser just purchased another painting and it is due to be shipped from Paris to that Gallery in three days. With a little bit of help from Interpol, I believe you'll be able to track that portrait right to Hesser. This is the address of my friend, Tomas. He is the Gallery owner who is sending the portrait out. Hesser still believes that Samuel is in Paris, thanks to some precautions Samuel put in place before leaving. I think we can catch Carlo unaware and get him extradited home before he can completely fold up shop here. I think he might have ordered the hit on Manning which means he's getting antsy. Well, what do you think?" Todd had laid everything he had out on the table. Was it enough?

Bo was impressed. Todd had managed to come up with a way to find Hesser, when half a dozen countries and Interpol hadn't. He smiled, Todd was a very intelligent man but had always gone about things his own way and it had led him into more trouble. For the first time, he was actually trying to do things right, although he had used a little bit of hacking to help his cause. Bo had to admit, that maybe after everything Todd had been through, he finally had learned that there were others you could trust in this world besides yourself. "Actually Todd, I'm amazed. This is brilliant. Hesser won't see us coming. You realize, though, that this is only the first step to finding out about you and Manning. We've found a possible link to you but now we have to find a link to Manning too."

"Your detectives need to find that shooter before he disappears. He's the only link we might have to Hesser, Bo. From what you just said, I guess that means you'll get the records and get Interpol involved. Say the word and I'll alert Tomas." Todd said.

"That's a definite yes Todd, I'll get the records and we'll get our link to you and Mortimer. You alert Tomas that he'll be receiving a visit from Interpol. Instruct him that no one, and I mean no one in his organization should be made aware of Interpol's involvement. One loose tongue and we'll lose Hesser. This is great and I think it's going to work. Todd, I have to ask you to continue to keep a low profile around town until Hesser is in custody, all it would take is a stray reporter getting another look at you and this could all fall apart. Oh, by the way, how are you doing? I know you haven't been home from the hospital too long." inquired Bo.

It was Todd's turn to be amazed, Bo actually sounded like he cared about Todd's health. That felt strange, to hear concern for him coming from a man who had despised him for a long time. " Uh, I'm doing alright. I guess. I need to get out of here Bo, this stress will kill me. At least, that's what the doctors are telling me. I probably could be better but only time is going to tell....Thanks for asking?" Todd got up and moved away, a little embarrassed by the feelings churning inside him because of Bo's concern. "Um, I guess that's all I've got Bo. I do have to make an appearance at the hospital tomorrow, I have a follow-up with my doctor, but I'll try and make it a quick in and out especially since Manning is there. Ok?"

"Ok Todd but you're right, try and make it a quick and definitely steer clear of the area where Manning is. I'll be in touch as soon as we get the records from Cherryvale." With that, Bo gathered the information in front of him and said his goodbyes.

As Todd watched him leave, he pondered the strange way fate had of bringing people into his life. His relationship with Bo had certainly taken a new path and Todd wondered where this one would lead.

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