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The Tessarae Inn |
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Regrets In Jade Tones
CHAPTER 15 Téa picked up the receiver of the phone then felt a sudden sense of deflation as soon as she heard Carlotta’s voice. “I haven’t heard from you, Téa. Why haven’t you called?” “I’ve been busy.” “Too busy for your family? Roseanne called me last week and said she has not talked to you in months. Did you get my letter?” “No.” “These are dangerous times in the world. I guess mail delivery is slower than usual. It was nothing important. Just a way to keep in touch and let you know we are fine.” “Why are you calling?” “I wanted to check on you. You are important to me. And there is something strange here that I wanted your advice about.” “Strange? What is it?” “A letter.” Téa’s heart skipped a beat. “A letter?” “Yes. It is addressed to you but with no address. Someone just left it here.” “What does it look like?” “It’s very pretty.” “Pretty?” “The paper is very nice quality. It reminds me of the paper Dorian used to use all of the time and you know she only used the best of everything.” “What else?” “There’s a wax seal on the back.” For a moment Téa couldn’t think of what to say. “I wanted to know what to do, Téa. Do you want me to send it to you in the mail, or hold onto it until you come home in a few months.” She bristled at Carlotta’s lame attempt at manipulation. “I didn’t say I was coming home anytime soon?” “I was just trying to gently persuade you.” Téa twirled the phone cord. “Téa?” “Open the letter and read it to me.” “Are you sure?” “Just open it.” She listened as Carlotta broke the seal and pulled out the letter. “The handwriting is so beautiful. People don’t write script the way they used to.” “What does it say?” “It’s not really a letter. It looks like it’s just a quote. Does that make sense?” “Read it to me.” “It says: The
desire to make off with the substance of others is the foremost—the most
legitimate—passion nature has bred into us and, without doubt, the most
agreeable one.” Téa took a big gulp
of air. “What does that
mean, Téa?” “Read it again.” Carlotta did. “Is there anything
else?” “No, except for a
name. I guess for whose quote it
is.” “What’s the
name?” “Marquis de Sade.
The year listed after the name is 1797.” “Bastard.” “What?
Who is this from, Téa? It’s
not Todd is it? Why can’t you
come to your senses…” Téa slammed the
phone down. When the phone rang
a few minutes later, Téa was ready to let Carlotta have it with both barrels.
The woman was just a busybody. Why
couldn’t she leave well enough alone instead of trying to weigh her down with
her so-called wisdom? Hank's melodious voice took her completely by surprise.
They chatted for a minute but he got right to the heart of the matter. He
explained that a little girl had been kidnapped and he wanted her help with the
case. “I’ve already
spoken to your employer and he is willing to give you the time if you will come
and work with us on this case. There is an available seat on a flight out
today.” Téa was flattered
despite herself. She and Hank had
always gotten along and it was nice to see that he still valued her work so
much. She smiled.
The irony was that if she had stayed in Llanview, she would have gotten
his job in a short three to five years--easily.
Poor Hank would have been ousted and sent out to pasture where he
belonged. Now, even he obviously
realized that he was over the hill. “I will certainly
consider it, Hank, but why do you want me specifically?” “The kidnapper is
an old client of yours.” “Really?
Who?” “His name is Wyatt
Cooper.” =======
“Don’t you say
another word about my mother,” screamed Starr. “We have a deal,
Miss Princess, and you need to shut up now.” “Mrs. Manning is
real nice,” said Jason almost in tears himself.
“She’s pretty and real nice.” “Mrs. Manning?”
Wyatt stepped back and straightened up. “Mrs.
Manning. Yeah, she’s all right.
She’s real nice but I’m not talking about her.” “She’s my
mother.” The pressure of
everything finally caught up with her and Starr started crying full force. “Hey,” said
Wyatt. “I said Blair is okay.
What’s got you all upset?” “You said all
those bad things about my mother. Take
‘um back.” “You mother is a
lying slut. I don’t blame you for
having nothing to do with her.” Starr’s eyes got
really wide. “You just said she
was okay…” “I said Blair’s
okay but she’s not your mother.” Starr stopped crying
and looked at him in total confusion. “Yes,
she is. She’s my mother.” Wyatt cocked his
head to right. “They didn’t
tell you, did they?” “Tell me what?” “Blair’s not
your mother. She may be raising you
but she’s not your mother.” “You’re stupid.
You stupid old man.” Wyatt flopped back
into the easy chair. “Hey, it’s
not my fault they lied to you. Grownups
do it all the time. Believe me,
they lie to children most of the time.” “You don’t know
what you’re talking about,” said Jason. “Well, you tell
me, boy. Grownups never lie.
They didn’t lie to you about your real father, did they?” “You’re just
stupid,” yelled Starr. “I am not so
stupid that I don’t know who my real mother is.” “Who’s my
mother?” Wyatt threw his head
back and laughed. “Now, I’m not
so stupid, huh?” “Who is she?”
Starr wiped her face with her hands then balled her hands into fists and
moved closer to him. Wyatt watched her
movements for a second then said, “Does the name Téa Delgado sound
familiar?” “Tee?” Starr
stood still and her hands relaxed. She
stared at him. “She’s my mother?” “Tee?
Tee, huh.” Wyatt covered his mouth for a second and moved his head as
if he was laughing really hard. “Well, Tee-Tee does sounds about right.” Chapter 16 Regrets In Jade Tones FAN FICTION
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