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The Tessarae Inn |
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The Son Also Rises
CHAPTER 23 Todd stared at Bo across the desk in the cramped office where Bo held court on a regular basis. He had forced his mind into a singular path. Other than his need to hear exactly what happened to Blair, he felt nothing. His mind was devoid of emotions. “Forensics confirmed that the blood found in the car was Blair’s.” “Any other blood found?” “No. We don’t think Sean was hurt and there is no indication the assailants were wounded either.” “Any possibility that Blair wandered away wounded and disoriented? Could she be out there somewhere hurt?” “I don’t think that’s possible, Todd.” “Why not?” “One of the men you had guarding her got to her right after the shots were fired. He took her pulse and found none before he was knocked out.” “They didn’t shoot him?” “They seemed to be very focused on getting Blair out of the way and getting Sean. They wasted no movements. Lucky for us because he has proven to be a valuable resource. We have a description of the men and the car they drove away in.” “They dumped that car a few minutes after they left the scene and you’ll find no prints or any other useful forensic evidence.” “You sound sure of this. Do you have some idea who these men are?” “I hired the best security firm in the world to protect my wife and children and it wasn’t enough. Whoever they are they have to be very good. Just logical.” Bo nodded. “How are you doing, Todd? I can imagine that Starr is taking this really hard.” “I just need to know what you are doing to find my wife and son.” “We are doing everything we can. There were an inordinate number of eyewitnesses who all pretty much gave the same account. Very unusual to have that many people agree on something but they also have offered little useful information in tracking the men.” Todd nodded and stood up. “You, on the other hand, Todd, might have quite a bit of information that could be helpful. Can you tell me why someone would kill your wife and take your son?” “Can you tell me why the sky is blue instead of green?” “Is that your way of saying no?” “Close enough. Do you think Blair’s body will ever be recovered?” “No. They took her to drive home the point that they are capable of anything but I think they disposed of it as soon as possible and in a way we will probably never discover. I’m sorry but I wouldn’t hold out hope of seeing her again.” “I guess I will plan her service then.” “I’m sure that no one expects that especially with Sean missing.” “Life goes on. And Starr needs a way to say goodbye. She needs to move on.” “You know, Manning, sometimes in situations like this it helps to talk to someone. I have some idea how grief can drive you close to mad. Give yourself a chance to survive this.” “Thank you for the advice. Will you call me if you learn anything else about Sean?” “As soon as it comes in.”
======= Todd stared at the bottle of Scotch and noted that it was almost empty but some part of him still wasn’t numb. It kept calling her name over and over again as if she would hear him and answer back. She would realize how much they all needed her to just come on home. But if she wouldn’t come home then he’d have to go get her. He walked up the stairs as if the weight of all his past sins rested on each foot. He felt heavy and lost but he was focused. He watched Jack sleep and then picked him up and kissed him all each cheek. Jack stirred in his arms but he refused to wake up. He didn’t blame him. The world of dreams had to be more comforting than this one. Even the world of nightmares. He placed him back in the crib carefully. He walked into Starr’s room slowly. He wanted to make sure she was asleep because he couldn’t face her. He had to explain what was going to happen but he couldn’t watch her face while he did that. She was out like a light. Dorian asked him earlier for his permission to give her a very mild sedative that first night and God help him he agreed. But that was three days ago and Starr slept fitfully the other nights. He needed Starr asleep and quiet because he couldn’t handle seeing the rawness of her pain. And the anger. He knew she blamed him for not protecting Blair ….and Sean. He stumbled slightly. Maybe the alcohol was finally kicking in. He eased down carefully on the edge of the bed then reached out and touched her lightly. “Starr.” She did not move. He touched her again then shook her lightly. Still no response. Good. He brushed his hand across her hair then drained the rest of the Scotch bottle. He watched Starr sleep for a long time but waiting was not going to make it any easier so he just started talking: “I’ve tried to accept it, Starr. I swear I have. People tell me that with time it won’t hurt so much but I know they are lying. Nothing will stop this pain except going to find your mother. I have to do that. Please understand that I don’t have a choice. I’m useless here. I’m useless to you and Jack. I don’t have a choice but please don’t hate me when I leave again. I have to go. Can’t stay here without her. There will be people to love and take care of you. She saw to that. That was her wisdom. I always wanted you to just love me and her but me most. But she understood that you mattered more than either of us. She made sure that there would always be people in this world who will love you. And I will always love you wherever I am and so will she.” He exhaled and watched Starr sleep for a few more seconds. There it was done. She would never forgive him for going away but maybe one day she would understand. He stood up and carefully tipped out of the room and closed the door. He rushed down the hall and bounded down the stairs but his balance was off and he almost fell. He grabbed the railing and controlled his fall. He bounced down to the last step then stopped. Something grabbed his arm and yanked him up. What the hell was going on? “We need to talk.” It was Dorian. She dragged him toward the living room then all but threw him on the sofa facing the patio. He glanced over at the bar then debated whether he could reach the unopened bottle of Scotch sitting there. Dorian followed his gaze. “You want that? You want that bottle? I’ll get it for you.” She stomped over to the bar and grabbed the bottle. She removed the top and left it on the counter and then walked next to him and handed it to him. He rolled his eyes but he reached out and took the bottle then tilted it to his lips and took a long gulp. Dorian sat next to him on the sofa. He moved further away from her. “What do you want, Dorian.” “You know, Todd, I hate you. I really do.” “Yeah.” “But on some level I understand you. I understand that bottle right now. I understand that if you don’t dampen the pain and the rage in you then you will lose your mind. I know as drunk as you are that you can hear me clearer now than if you were sober.” “Whatever. Can I have some peace now?” “You’ll never have peace again.” He turned his head toward her slowly and narrowed his eyes. She stared back then said, “That is a cold hard fact. Your soul will never rest because whatever compromises you made to still your soul before were ripped apart when she died.” He turned away then took another gulp from the Scotch bottle. “I hated that she loved you. You never deserved her. I hated that she was one step from dying when you did in Ireland. I hated that you never had any idea how she suffered. No idea at all.” “What’s your point, Dorian?” “I heard what you said to Starr.” He whipped his head around and stared at her. “I’m not stupid, Todd. I know what you are thinking about doing.” “Why would you care?” “Because I loved her, too. And she loved you and you need to honor her memory.” “I can’t…” “She lived for you, Todd. She wanted to die but she lived for you. For the first time in your worthless life maybe you can understand what that took.” He turned his head and then took another gulp from the bottle. “You have to stamp out something in yourself to survive this. I understand that. Stamp out the pain and let the rage out, Todd.” What the hell? “Those people killed my niece and permanently scarred Starr and Jack and put a hole in their lives that will never be filled. I choose not to think of what has happened to Sean because it is just too painful but you must.” He crossed his arms across his chest and gripped his sweater. “I want you to find them and take care of them. I want you to find you son and bring him home because it is what she would have wanted more than her life. I want those men who killed her to pay and I don’t care how you do it. I will take care of your children until you come home to them, but not a second longer. Do we have an understanding?” He nodded his head but he couldn’t look at her. “Starr will need you tomorrow and you cannot let her down. You must be there for the memorial service. After that you do what you need to do. Agreed?” He nodded. Dorian stood up. She studied him for a moment then walked out of the room. He dropped his head then wiped away the tears that had popped into his eyes. Turn. Turn. Turn. For everything there is a season. A time for tears and a time to get even.
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