Thou
Shalt Not Kill
He didn’t know why he
was back at the grave, but as Steve remembered, everything looked just the
same. Standing there just near the small hill, the
grass surrounding him, lush and green, he held the bouquet of wild flowers and
bent down to place near the head stone. Brushing aside some dried leaves and
dirt, he stood up again and tried to read the words, but the name still
wouldn’t come to him. It was the same each time he came back here.
Frowning a little, he brushed the thoughts away as he
turned to leave. Taking about three or four steps, he pulls the harmonica from
his pocket and begins to play one of his songs. For a while the music calms and
makes him forget and then it comes to him, that he never had his harp while
Greyson controlled his life. Staring down at the instrument on his hands, he
wrinkles his brows in concentration of why it would show up now. The temptation
to turn back and look at the headstone is strong and he almost gives into it
when he hears his name called.
“Steve… hey Steve!”
Looking around, he sees no one for the grounds around him
are bare and no figures seek the shady comfort of the trees in the distance.
Steve looks again as the misshapen image begins to appear not too far off in
front and approached him.
“Steve… buddy. I’m right here.” Marcus tells him as his
childhood friend finally materializes fully. “I’ve missed you homeboy.”
“Homey? Is that really you?” He looks incredulous as Marcus
pulls him for hug. Steve stands nearly motionless for several seconds as his
friend embraces him fondly and he wraps his arms around the man he loved as a
brother. “Damn, Marcus! You’re really here!” His arms tighten around his friend
as a few tears fall and he fights back that sobs that threaten to embarrass
him.
“Whoa! Hold off there…give the man some breathing room.”
Marcus looked exactly as he remembered him last. Unlike
him, his face was still young and unwrinkled, the beauty of youth and health
still filled him while he smiled and playfully cuffed his friend on the
shoulder. Time stood still for his friend and in a way he was glad. This was
how he wanted Marcus to be. The other image he had of him was still painful and
Steve buried it deep down inside of him.
“Damn you look good! You don’t look a day older from when I
saw you in 1990… hey, wait a minute? How come I’m older and you still look the
same?”
“Beats me! I don’t make the rules around here.”
“Yeah well I look like an old man compared to you.”
“You are an old compared to me, Steve.” Giving him a
teasing grin, Marcus chuckled at that idea that he retained his youth while
Steve aged along with everyone else. “Anyway, you’re in pretty good shape for
an old man.”
Slapping him on the back, Steve pretended to beat up on
him, but he was more than happy to see his friend again. “Hey, watch who you’re
calling old man there, homey!”
“All right, all right!
“So what exactly is going on here? I mean… now don’t take
this the wrong way but you’re… you… died.”
“I did.” Marcus nodded at him. “… And I’m still dead.”
“Now you’re being morbid, man!” Steve snapped back.
“It’s not like you don’t know how that feels.”
“But I don’t know. I didn’t really die… so it’s not the
same thing.”
“You’ve got a point there.”
“This is just too weird man. I can’t believe we’re talking
about death and dying.”
“It’s part of life Steve. Everyone dies.”
“You want to try telling that to Jack.”
“Well… there are exceptions.”
He hadn’t meant to, but Steve just couldn’t help laughing
at the idea. Sure Jack had beaten death countless times, but he just couldn’t
imagine his brother dying. He watched as
Marcus just stood a few feet away smiling at him as though he had nor cares or
worries. Steve supposed he didn’t, not anymore. The reason Marcus was dead was
because of him. It ate away at his insides each time he remembered how the man
was killed. How do you apologize for something like that, he asked himself? How
could you possibly ask for forgiveness? “It was my fault!” Steve told him.
Marcus smiled a little and shook his head. “No… no it
wasn’t homeboy.”
“They killed you to keep me quiet… I think that means it
was absolutely… my fault.”
He let out a sigh and patted Steve on the back. When he
started to walk off, Steve followed him as they went towards the hill. “Still
taking the blame for that I see.”
“I call it as I see it, man.”
“Maybe it was fate… you know… my time.”
“Bull! Place the blame where it belongs.”
“I do and the blame belongs to Stefano… not you.” Taking a
seat on the grass, Steve plops down next to him as they look out in the wide
expanse of grass, letting the sun warm them. “You’re still emotionally attached
to all these, so your feelings are clouding your judgment. Me… well, I don’t
feel anymore, that allows me to view things clearer, with an objective perspective.”
“Don’t mumbo, jumbo me with this double talk dude. A, I was
a threat, B, they needed to hurt me, C,
you were a way to do that, D. you died so I would suffer... conclusion… I was
the reason… end of discussion.”
“Oh man!” Marcus exclaimed the sighed. “Fine, take the
blame if it makes you happy.”
“It doesn’t make me happy! It makes me angry and sick to my
stomach!”
“Then don’t blame yourself.”
“Easier said than done.” Sitting side by side, Steve keeps
his focus on the grass while Marcus looks up at the sun, letting it blind him
for several seconds. “Did it hurt?” Turning his head, Marcus looks confused as
Steve repeats himself. “Did it hurt?”
“Did what hurt?”
“Dying.”
He doesn’t answer right off, but lets the question roll
around on his tongue. It was over a year now, but in some respects, it felt
like just yesterday. The concept of time didn’t seem real to him anymore, but
he tried to remember anyway. “No… there was no pain… not at the end.”
“But they… they tortured you.”
“Yeah… well that part did hurt. A lot! But the rest… I just
stopped living… and there was no pain. You wouldn’t think it would end like
that.”
“It’s not how it ends in the movies then, all dramatic and
emotional.”
“I don’t know. I can’t speak for everyone, but my death
was… quiet… simple.”
“You shouldn’t have died, man.” He told him again, the
guilt rising fast to his throat.
“Like I said Steve, it’s all a part of life. Sooner or
later… everyone dies.”
“Everyone that’s been involved with my death has died.
Stefano, Portia, Greyson… there’s no one left now.”
“It seems all three paid the heavy price. Justice was
served, wasn’t it?”
“Yes it was. I’m here and alive…” Steve had paused a
moment, expecting Marcus to be offended, but his friend just smiled back and
patted him on the arm so he continued. “ … Kayla and I are together with
Stephanie and our baby… wait… you do know about the baby?”
“Ummm? Yup! A little bird told me.”
“Can you believe I’m going to be a father again?”
“Believe? I had a hard time swallowing the idea the first
time.” Steve looked surprised at him then saw the twinkle in his eyes and knew
Marcus was having some fun at his expense. He wrapped his arms around the man’s
head and tried to put a wrestling hold on him as Marcus laughingly got himself
free.
“Got that out you, or we’ll name the baby after someone
else.”
His laughter died down as the meaning of Steve’s words sunk
in and he sat back, stunned and happy at the same time. “I’m going to have a
namesake?”
Nodding at him, Steve felt his own eyes grow misty as he
grinned back. “Yes my friend.”
“He’ll probably be smart like me.” Smacking his arm, Marcus
groaned from the hit then burst out laughing again.
“He’ll be smart like his mama.” Steve said proudly. “Who
knows, he might be a doctor like her… and you too.”
“Well, if he inherits her good looks, the little guy will
do all right for himself.”
“That’s if he takes after me, homey. He’s got to inherit
something from his ole man.”
“Oh he will! He’ll get the very best from you to take with
him.”
“The best of me… you mean my musical ability?” He joked.
“No Steve.” Marcus appeared very calm and collected then as
he faced his friend and shared in the joy of his news. “From you, he’ll inherit
strength… courage… kindness… a zest for life, and a heart… bigger and more
giving than anyone has the right to have.” Steve could feel himself getting all
choked up, but he kept his face steady while his friend nodded to him in
understanding. “Don’t sell yourself short man. If your son takes after you… and
I know he will, you and Kayla… and I will have every reason in the world to be
proud of him.”
“Now… the little guy’s not even born yet and already, he’s
got a lot to live up too.”
“But it won’t be long now… will it?”
“Just around four months to go. Kayla and I will finally
raise a child together. I can make it up to her for not being there when
Stephanie was a baby.”
“I think she forgives you for that. It’s not like you had
any choice.” Getting to his feet, he shades his eyes as he stared at the house
in the distance, admiring what he sees, but feels the coldness that surrounds
it. “So that’s the place.”
Steve jumps and stands next to him. He doesn’t look at
where Marcus is looking but knows he is referring to Lansing’s home. “Yeah.
That’s it.”
“Not what I would have expected, Steve.”
“That’s what everyone says… but it was a prison all the
same.” Watching his friend, he starts to wonder why Marcus would shown up in
his dreams now and here, when he is reliving a scene from his past in that
place. “Now that I think of it. Just why are you here?”
“You’re not happy to see me?”
“Cut the crap homey… you know what I mean. Why here… in the
place?”
His face becomes all serious and he looks around as if
expecting someone to show up or watching them. Marcus scans their surrounding
one more time before talking. “Something’s going to happen… and you need to be
prepared.”
“Something… is it good or bad?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“What do you mean… look it must be bad. People don’t give
cryptic warning if it’s good news.”
“Maybe it’s both.”
“Now you’re making me worried. It’s something really bad,
isn’t it? What is it? Is something going to happen to Kayla, to Stephanie? Come
on tell me!”
“I told you… I don’t know yet.” He reiterated. “I’m just
telling you to be ready.”
“Is that it? You can’t offer any more information?”
“Just one.” Marcus tells him before he walks over to the
grave and stands before it. He motions to Steve to approach. When they both
stand, Steve looks down at the head stone, seeing everything just the same as
before. Marcus points to the words as Steve looks back on them, seeing the
letters go in and out of focus.
“Can you read it yet?”
His eye snapped open and he gazed
wildly around the room a few second before realizing where he was. Kayla was
still sleeping soundly next to him as Steve lay back down and put an arm around
her. He looked back at the clock and saw it was only ten past four. Only
remnants of the dream remained as it quickly emptied from his thoughts leaving
him with one solid memory.
“Marcus!” He spoke his friend’s
name softly before shutting his eye. It still hurt and having him appear like
that cut straight to his heart. Kayla stirred within his embrace and he
loosened his hold on her as she drifted back to sleep. He had promised her the drive
in the country today, he thought, while tomorrow, they both had to return to
work. He didn’t want to think about work, not today when he could spend almost
all of it with his wife. Sleep tried to claim him again as his body relaxed and
he started to slip back into dream land. It was then that a small snippet of
the other dream came to him and he came wide awake.
“I still can’t read it.” He told
himself. “Help me Marcus.”
**********
The man took the corner seat just
by the window. All the others gave him wary glances as they waited for their
turn to be called. He had a makeshift bandage on his arms and stared straight
ahead, avoiding any kind of eye contact. Dressed in jeans and sweats, he
blended in well enough appearance wise. But it was more than that which caused
people to give him a wide berth while casting strange looks in his direction.
His sheer physical size was daunting, as he appeared to be extremely fit and
toned. The bulging muscles were not as refined those of a body builder, but
roughly formed and chiseled on him as though carved from rock.
Not truly tall, he still gave off
that impression, and it seemed to suit him that people stayed clear away. The
information sheet he signed informed the doctor on duty that his arm injury was
a construction site accident. Such occurrences were not uncommon and more than
one worker ended up at Salem hospital from time to time. But such was not the
case here. They had planned his injury that morning using the new blade
recently purchased from the hardware store. When he was cut, the man never
flinched or yelled out. He barely spared a glance as the blood began to seep
from his open would and he used the new t-shirt to bind it before heading to
the hospital.
As the second man remained in the
parking lot, the injured one waited, watching for Dr. Johnson to call him in
next. They had carefully checked the status of the duty sheets yesterday. It
had been easy enough to call and ask when Dr. Johnson would be in. And as they
waited there, the devices were being placed in the Johnson home. It would be
only a matter of time now before they could get their information. In the
meanwhile, they had to see just how open and vulnerable Johnson was. They
needed a way to break his defenses and his wife was the fastest and simplest
way to do just that.
Kayla nearly paused in her stride
when she re-entered the waiting room and called out the next patient’s name.
There was a full room that day, but she immediately noticed that large man in
the far corner and it made the hairs on her arms stand. The feelings were
instant and she knew something was not quite right about him.
“William Martin?”
“That would be me.” He told her.
The expression on his face bordered between hostility and annoyance and it
seemed to be directed at her. Kayla took a deep breath eyeing him warily before
leading him down to the examination room.
“This way… it’s the third door to
your right.”
She wasn’t scared of him since she
had seen much worse during her residency in Los Angeles. But there was something
in the way he looked at her, something that made her want to confront him. As
he sat on the examination table, Kayla spared him another look and nearly
gasped at the anger radiating from his eyes. He looked angry and his anger was
directed at her. What could she have possibly done to make him look at her that
way, she thought? As far as she knew, the man was a stranger to her, yet his
eyes told a different story.
Taking the sheet he filled out,
she looked quickly at the cause of injury written before placing the paper down
and examining his wound. Removing the blood soaked shirt, she saw the open
would was deep and jagged, but not very long. The explanation that he slipped
when sawing would definitely account for his injury. The bleeding had slowed, but
the blood still flowed in a slow trickle. She grabbed at some gauze and held it
at his arm and applied pressure for a minute. She knew it must hurt terribly,
but the man barely moved, much the less spoke.
“I’ll clean it out first and
you’ll need some stitches, but not a lot. It’s deep but not big.”
“Do what you need to.”
“The cleaning will hurt a lot so
I’ll give you something for the pain…”
“I don’t need it.”
“Believe me… it will be painful.”
Kayla told him, but the man just gave her a hard stare and shook his head.
“It can’t hurt anymore than it
does now. Just fix me up so I can get out of here.”
Pressing her lips together, Kayla
narrowed her eyes at him while she took some more gauze as the last had soaked
up with blood. “Fine… here hold this and apply some pressure.”
Doing as he was told, Kayla then
worked as quickly as she could to clean the wound. She barely spared him a look
while she tended to him, but from the steadiness of his hold, she realized the
man wasn’t lying when he said he didn’t need any painkillers. Obviously he was
used to being injured this way, still, pain was pain and she knew he was
feeling something but it wasn’t showing on his face or body language. Before
she sutured his skin together, Kayla asked again about applying a local to at
least numb part of the pain, but the man merely shook his head and looked away.
It had taken about six stitches, and he made no movement or sound. When she
finished, Kayla took the soiled gauze and t-shirt and threw them into the
disposal bins before removing her medical gloves and then washing her hands as
extra precaution.
“Would you like an aspirin
instead?” She tried again as he merely looked down at his arm, seeing the clean
dressing and bandage.
“No. I’m fine.” He replied. But
when he looked back at her, the same expression was there as it frustrated her
as to why he would be so hostile.
“Well you’ll need something to
prevent infection. If you just wait a moment, I’ll get a prescription written
out for you. I just need to go to my office but the nurse will bring it back.”
She frowned a little in return and took a few steps away before reaching for
the door handle. As strange as the man’s behavior was, she wouldn’t let it
override her dedication to her work, which meant seeing to his injuries, no
matter how unpleasant he was being. “Just try to be more careful next time.
That wound, it could have been worse.”
He wasn’t expecting that from her.
So far, he had surmised how strong she was, being able to hold her temper
though she was clearly annoyed at his behavior. It had been a surprise, her
reaction, but then again, he wasn’t used to interaction with many women, so
maybe, her behavior wasn’t all that uncommon. He smirked a little at her
warning, but nodded his head and acknowledged it all the same. “I’ll be sure to
remember that.”
Feeling better that she wouldn’t
have to deal with him much longer Kayla mentioned the prescription again before
exiting to room. “Just wait here and I’ll have the nurse bring it to you.”
Walking back to her office, she
started to feel something wasn’t all the right about the man and stopped by the
nurse’s station. She looked back at the direction of the room first before
getting on the phone to call security. Maybe she was overreacting, but Kayla
wasn’t wrong that much when she relied on her instincts. This time, it was
practically yelling at her that something was up with that man. Waiting a few
minutes, security finally arrived and she motioned for him to follow her back
to the examination room. Knocking on the door, Kayla called out to the man
first before entering.
“Mr. Martin? It’s Dr. Johnson… I
need you to…” She stopped two steps inside as security looked over her shoulder
into the empty room.
“Where is he?” The man behind her
asked as she stepped up to the table where he patient sat not five minutes ago.
“Dr. Johnson?”
“He must have gone as soon as I
left him. But why? It doesn’t make any sense?”
“Would you like me to alert the
front lobby, just in case he’s still in the building?
“No… there’s no need for that. He
hasn’t done anything… I just thought? Never mind. I guess I overreacted.”
Looking around the room, the guard
gave the place a quick scan, noting that nothing seemed to be out of place.
“Well it doesn’t look like there was anything taken… unless you see something
missing?”
Kayla took a quick look too, but
all seemed in order until she noticed the cover on the disposal bin was
slightly ajar. She walked over and lifted to lid to peer inside. “It’s all
gone!” She said aloud.
The guard looked as well and noted
the used paper hospital gowns and discarded gloves along with syringes and
gauze all piled from that morning use. He didn’t know what could be missing
from the waste there as she closed the container and stared confused at him.
“What could he take from there? It’s just garbage.”
But Kayla bit at her lips and
looked back at the table noting something else that was missing. “He even took
the fill-in form!”
“I’m sorry Dr. Johnson… I’m just
not following you.”
“What? Oh… never mind. There’s nothing
we can do now. I’m sure he’s long gone already.”
“All right, if you say so.” He
told her before leaving the room and returning to his post on the next floor
up.
Kayla leaned upon the side desk
and thought about what the man had taken. It was all the gauze she used to stop
the flow of his blood. Along with that, he had retrieved his blood soaked
t-shirt and probably even the gloves she had used when tending to him. There
was no traces of him left in the room making it seemed as though he didn’t want
it known he was ever there.
“If we had samples of his blood…
we could trace him?” She had wondered the thought aloud, but none of it made a
great deal of sense since she didn’t know him.
In the parking lot, he approached
the car and opened up the passenger side than sat down. Tossing the bag he
held, which contained the blooded gauze and shirt into the back seat, he nodded
to the driver as the engine was started and they drove back to the room by the
water front. He flexed his hand feeling the twinge of pain from the stitches
but said nothing as the car merged into the afternoon traffic. It was another
ten minutes, when they were held up at a red light that the call came in.
“It’s all up.” The voice said as
the man smiled at last. He turned to his companion and gave him a small nod
while they continued to wait at the intersection.
“Good work.” He told him, then
quickly hung up.
For the first time that week, he
mentioned the fine weather of the early summer day and looked up at the
afternoon sun, enjoying the warmth. It had been a long time since he would have
noticed a day like today. Perhaps not since he was a child and that was too
many years ago to count. The man with him suddenly blew his horn as another
vehicle cut into the open space in front of him. Reprimanding him, the driver
scowled deeply as the light turned red again and they were stalled at another
intersection.
“What are you smiling at?” He said
angrily. “We’ll probably be stuck in traffic for a good half hour if not
longer.”
“No reason… it just felt like
something I was supposed to do.”
“That makes no sense.”
“It wasn’t supposed too.” He told
him and stared out the window with another smile forming on his face.
**********
Benjy shielded his eyes against
the late afternoon sun, then took a few steps back into the shade while he
waited as Stephanie brought her car around and stopped a few yards away. The
practice runs still were going so well and judging by the way she threw down
her helmet, he was certain she wasn’t in a good mood. Since the end of May, she
had been closed lipped about her runs and now he was getting a firsthand view
of how badly she was doing. Rushing over to the timer, her face sank when she
saw how far behind she was. Obviously the team was feeling the same and sent
her off to get some much needed practice.
No one had come right out to say
so, but Stephanie knew she was on shaky ground in her position. Rookies
couldn’t afford to lose any ground, at any time. Whatever the reason, she
wasn’t feeling right about any of it and it was showing. Though hesitant at
first to approach, Benjy smiled diligently as he came up from behind and tapped
at her shoulder.
Shaking her head at him, her
lovely face was downcast and she could barely keep the disappointment from
taking over completely. “It hasn’t been this bad in almost a year.” She pulled
her racing gloves of roughly, scratching her delicate skin and threw them on
the table. “I just don’t know what’s wrong.”
Taking hold of her arm, Benjy
turned her to face him as she let out a deep sigh and twisted her mouth into a
downward droop. His smile grew understanding as he started signing in the hopes
of cheering her up. “You’re just going through a slump… it happens.”
“But not for this long… and
anyway, I can’t have one. They don’t retain drivers who can’t keep up.”
“Did you call Elliot? I know he’s
offered to give you some pointers.” But Stephanie quickly shook her head and
looked off to the side, an action not missed at all. Benjy gave her a look as
she turned back to him. She tried a smile to deflect any suspicions he may have
had, but it wasn’t fast enough. “Are you two… not getting along?” His face was
so transparent, she almost chuckled aloud at his suggestion.
The idea that she and Elliot were
at odds seemed so fantastical and yet, she could readily see why he would think
just that. With her father so dead set against him, it wouldn’t have been
strange to think she might have changed her feelings as well. But such was not
the case here. In fact, it was just the opposite in that she was thinking about
him more and more. It would have been harmless enough if she also wasn’t just
as interested in the man with her now as she was in his cousin. But she wasn’t
about to divulge that bit of information yet. They were some things a woman
just needed to keep quiet about.
“We’re getting along fine.” She
finally answered him as his questions had hung in the air for several long
seconds. “He’s been busy… you know. I really doubt he can afford the time away
from work to help me out here.”
“Don’t be too sure about that. He
was never one to let down a friend.”
Forcing a grin, Stephanie merely
smiled back and nodded her head in agreement. “Then I know I can depend on him
when I need too. But this… this is something I have to solve on my own.” She
looked around at the track, her eyes narrowing as she imagined herself back in
her car and taking the course again and again. She could drive the place in her
sleep and she knew it. “I just wish I knew what was holding me back?”
“You know… if you ever need a
shoulder to lean on…?” He told her then motion to his as she chuckled.
“I could always you one of those
though I may be crying on them instead of leaning if things don’t improve.”
He gave her a thoughtful
expression just then and led her over to one of the chairs set up by the table.
Taking the seat across, he brought up his own recent difficulties in taking
over the company reigns and all the misgivings he had about his performance.
“Did I ever tell you how overwhelmed I felt when I first took over Brymera. I’d
have nightmares about it, especially while I was awake.” He joked. “Everything
was so different and new and so complicated.”
IT hadn’t been an easy transition
by any means, but doing it alone set new standards of hardships he would rather
forgo than live through. “I was so close to the breaking point at least ten
times a day… no make that fifty times. I was sure the Board of directors would
find a way to oust me and put Elliot in my position. I wouldn’t have blamed
them if they did. He was certainly more experienced and qualified than I was.
But I held on… maybe it was out of family loyalty, though I still wouldn’t
consider myself a DiMera. I was almost tempted to ask Elliot to take over too,
but I knew this was something left for me”
“So why did you? If you hated it
that much...”
“But that’s just it… I didn’t hate
the job, I actually enjoyed many aspects of it. The problem was I lacked the
experience and confidence. Being born into the position, it was a given. These
past months, struggling in learning how the company works gave me a better
understanding not just of corporate leadership, but of the people I work with.
In a way, I made myself learn everything all at once, to take on the huge
responsibility. Working the long hours should have shown I was dedicated, but
my lack of progress at first just kept me from feeling I had made any headway.”
Stephanie had watched the array of
emotions criss-cross on his face and nearly leaned in to give him a hug. A part
of her felt guilty then for being angry when he wasn’t able to attend any of
her prior races. In her way of thinking, his work was more important than her
and looking back now, she grew ashamed at her behavior. Benjy could almost
sense what she was thinking and took hold of her hands a moment. “It also kept
me from my friends and that is something I regret too.”
“Well this friend did miss you.”
She added.
“I missed her too… but that could
change soon.”
“Change? How?”
“Now that I’m in better control, I
can take more time off and visit. Also… I was planning an extended vacation
holiday in Italy, for let’s say August.” He had waited to see how she would
consider the idea first before making any more finalized plans. “What do you
think seeing a little more of Italy, maybe going native for a while?”
“What do
I say? How about when and how much luggage can I bring?” She teased him.
The big smile that burst on her
face eased any fears he was currently feeling. It felt right to have her with
him that summer, spending a lot of time , hopefully growing closer together if
she was so inclined. Benjy had to admit, he had noticed her friendship with his
cousin too and at times felt something may have been growing there. Her
reluctance to accept Elliot’s help in her racing roused his own curiosity and
he was still unsure what her true feelings were for him. But seeing how eager
she appeared in wanting to spend some time with him raised his own
expectations.
“I can start making the necessary
preparations… or should I wait?”
Benjy appeared to just need her
approval before making his plans and it made Stephanie halt instantly. She
wasn’t opposed to the idea of a vacation in Italy at all. She admitted she
loved the idea, but something held her back just then. Going on this holiday
meant staying with Ben, spending her time with him and suddenly the idea felt
wrong. As she thought about it, a stronger feeling of insecurity caught her and
Stephanie was less enthused about the plans than she was just seconds earlier.
“Actually, maybe we should wait…
at least until the end of July. I need to get things squared off with the
racing and all…”
“I understand. Of course… you’ll
have to forgive me, I was just caught up in the excitement.”
“No… it’s fine. I got excited
too.”
“Good, so… you’ll let me know as
soon as you can so I can make plans.”
“Of course. Just as soon as I
know.” She replied before getting up. The image of his cousin filled her
thoughts again and she couldn’t stop herself from bringing him up. “I suppose
Elliot will… visit too.”
Benjy eyed her quickly but sensing
nothing wrong just shrugged his shoulders. “I wouldn’t think so. He usually
only comes from the family meetings. Why do you ask?”
“No reason… really. He just
mentioned the other night that I could visit him in Devon anytime I wanted. But
if I was in Italy… it wouldn’t be too far for him to visit instead.”
“I don’t know what’s his plans
are, but I don’t see any reason why he wouldn’t stop by for a quick visit if he
had the time or interest. But he may feel uncomfortable… in Italy”
“Why would you say that?”
“Stephanie… no one likes feeling
like a third wheel.” Benjy wasn’t allowing her to doubt his feelings on the
subject now and the very thought made her feel more confused. The whole idea
had started out feeling wonderful, but if Elliot wasn’t there, it began to
feel… empty… hollow? Why would I think
that? Stephanie told herself as she tried smiling back at Ben.
“No… you’re right. No one likes
feeling that way.”
**********
Throwing his pen down on the desk,
Steve scowled as Elliot stopped just a foot away and asked for a few minutes of
his time. Dressed in one of his thousand dollar suits, if the man was trying to
impress, he really needs to look elsewhere, Steve thought.
“I’m sorry for interrupting your
work Mr. Johnson.” There it was again, the grating feeling Steve had each time
the man called him mister. All morning long, he had to deal with some cases the
rookies were stumped at and instead of being able to work in peace in quiet,
Lansing shows up to ruin the rest of his day. “But perhaps you could spare a
few minutes.”
“Well… as you can see…” He told
him pointing out the large files scattered all over his desk. “I’m sort of neck
deep in work.”
“Yes I can see that and again I
apologize for the intrusion, but I felt I needed to see you regarding my
father’s things.”
“Look junior… whatever things…
your father had was his business, not mine.”
“Yes… I understand that… but I was referring to certain items we were
able to uncover while in England. Items that may lead us to discover the where
about of John Black’s son.”
“So why talk to me about this. If
you’re interested in John’s son, you should be speaking with him, not me.”
“That would make sense of course…
but it would also be related to you since you were involved… “ Stopping a
moment, Elliot takes a quick breath before looking the older man right in the
eye. “There might be further information that would be of interest to you.”
“Really?” Steve’s scowl grew more
prominent as the taste of bitterness filled his mouth.
“Yes. My father may have had other
files or discs hidden elsewhere. I was intending to go back to Devon sometime
next week perhaps to look.”
“You don’t expect me to go with
you?”
“No! Of course not. That was not
my intention. I just wanted to inform you of my plans and that then possibility
of finding more information was possible and very likely.”
“And if you find more…
information… what then?”
“I would hand them over to you.”
“Just like that?” Steve was having
doubts that the man would be so cooperative, but so far, he had been very above
board with everything he did.
“I would see no reason to withhold
anything.”
“Oh I don’t know? There could be
good blackmail material in there somewhere.”
The implication was more
straightforward this time and Elliot slight warily back at him. “If there was,
I would be the last person to use it. I’m doing this to help, if that is in my
power.”
“It still doesn’t answer the
question, why? Why put yourself out to help John? You don’t owe the man
anything?”
“It may seem that way to you… but
I view things differently.”
Steve finally got to his feet and stood across
the desk eyeing the younger man. He had felt a disadvantage sitting having to
look up while the man towered over him. “Now see. I just don’t get that.”
“I can see that you don’t… but it
doesn’t follow that I am doing this as a means to harm anyone. Perhaps you can
accept it as a simple, kind gesture.”
“Fine! Let’s say you go back to
merry old England and find something… there’s no guarantees it will lead us to
the boy.”
“Man!”
“What?”
“He would be a grown man by now…
John Black’s son… perhaps close to my age.”
“Yes he would.”
“You’re correct again. What I
uncover may still lead to another dead end, but at least I would have tried.”
For a long minute Steve just stared back at
him, not really understanding the purpose and interest Elliot would have. He
almost wanted to ask what would be in it for him since he couldn’t see how it
would help him in anyway. Maybe to ease the guilt he felt since his father was
involved? If the man were to find any other parts of his past as a Gabriel,
Steve certainly would want that information given to him. With the discs still
at ISA headquarters, neither Bo nor he had been given any further news
regarding them. So far, he was assuming they had yet to break the codes.
The only good thing that could
come from Elliot going to England now was that he would be away from Stephanie.
He was entirely aware of how much time they manage to spend together since she
came to visit. Of course Benjy was usually around, but it still didn’t ease his
mind. The chance to learn the rest of his past was good news. So far his
memories were just trickling in but so much was still unknown. If he could pick
up the trail for John’s son, well, he wasn’t going to place too much on that
yet. They all had been disappointed enough.
“You can try all you want… but
it’s a fifty-fifty chance you will fail.”
“Yes. I know.” The man admitted
“But that won’t stop you.” Steve
questioned him.
“Would it stop you?”
“No. It wouldn’t”
“I feel the same.”
Giving him a slight smirk, Steve
was finding himself really amused. Though he wouldn’t admit it, he had to
accept that younger man was making him feel that he needed to think twice about
things. “Then I guess... you’ll be leaving?”
“Next week, most probably.”
Grinning more, Steve couldn’t help
himself as the man’s serious face finally softened. “Did you expect me to wish
you luck.”
Elliot merely smiled back and took
a small step back. “I had not counted on that.”
“That’s wise of you.”
“Yes.” Elliot replied while
looking down at his desk and seeing a picture of Stephanie felt his face light
up for a brief moment. “Yes it is.”