Deceptions
21-23
By Kellie
Miguel sat at a table in the basement of the Springfield Journal. He had spent hours going through their archives, reading all he could about the Bauer family. He had also looked at all articles about Mick's death and Michelle's trial. He was now viewing Danny and Michelle's wedding announcement. She was a gorgeous young woman. He could see from the photo why his son was attracted to her.
"Excuse me, sir, it's time to lock up." A gorgeous red head stood at the doorway.
"Yes, of course. I have kept you way past the normal hours of the archives."
"It really hasn't been a problem. The clerk who works down here told me that you had her pull everything you wanted to view on microfilm to start off and then left her alone to do her job the rest of the afternoon. When she told me you weren't finished, I sent her on home. I didn't see any point in disturbing your research when I was staying late anyway."
"I hope you didn't go to any trouble for me."
"Of course not. I'm Holly Reade."
"I believe I saw your name on the masthead while I was looking through things."
"Yes, you did. I'm the editor and publisher. What are you researching? Perhaps I could help you out."
Miguel knew he needed to think quick. He didn't want to give too much away. "I'm working on a free lance article about the Carmen Santos trial for a magazine in New York. Oh, I haven't introduced myself, I'm Michael Simmons."
"Mr. Simmons, it's a pleasure to meet you. I would be glad to help you out. I personally covered Michelle Santos' trial. I've known Michelle since she was a child," Holly remarked.
Miguel knew he'd found just the person to give him Michelle's version of everything that had happened since becoming involved with his family. "Please call me Michael. Is there somewhere nearby where we could have a cup of coffee and talk."
"Well, it's late, but Company might still be open."
"Sounds great." Miguel gathered the clippings he'd copied and put them into his briefcase, silently praying that no one who could recognize him would be in Company at this hour.
***
Nino walked up behind Theresa as she sat at a small table in the corner at Millennium. "It's definitely my lucky day, you look gorgeous," Nino said as he perused Theresa. Little was left to the imagination in the low cut blue silk dress she was wearing.
Theresa stood and looked at her guest. "Nino, I'm glad you could make it. You can dispense with the flattery; I'm not here as your date. We've got business to discuss."
"Theresa, you know it's much more enjoyable to mix business with pleasure. I think we should dance," Nino remarked as he took her elbow and escorted her towards the dance floor before she could reply.
It figures that I would be stuck dancing with Nino during a slow love song Theresa thought to herself. Nino's hands were all over her. Theresa knew that she didn't want to piss him off by rejecting his advances before she had laid the groundwork for Danny's plan. She had to make this work out. As far as she knew, Danny wasn't onto her yet. Finally the song ended and Theresa freed herself from Nino's pawing hands and stalked back to the table.
"Babe, that was definitely enjoyable."
"Nino, I told you I'm here on business. I have to be on a plane to LA in a few hours. I don't have time for your idea of mixing business and pleasure."
"Too bad, babe. I was hoping for a long and exciting evening with you at my place. Postpone your flight until tomorrow and we could explore our new found friendship."
Damn, this man has a one-track mind. How can I get out of this mess? Theresa thought as she squirmed in her seat. I wish he really were a part of Carmen's plan. Then I wouldn't have to endure this torture, and it definitely is torture. I can't imagine sleeping with this snake.
Theresa removed Nino's hand from her thigh and firmly stated, "Business only, Nino. I have a plane to catch."
"Whatever you have for me had better be good, because I don't take rejection well," Nino hissed. "Now what was it that you thought I'd be so interested in Theresa."
"Well, I've gotten some information about Danny's plans now that he's running things."
"Why do you think Santos' plans interest me? I'm sure he'll probably take things legit to try and get his wife to come back to him."
"Michelle's not going to come back, I'm going to see to that."
"Still chasing after Santos, huh, Theresa. Your last couple of tricks haven't worked out as you planned, what make's you think you can succeed this time?" Nino asked.
"Well, I know for a fact that Danny's working on a deal with my father and Bernard that will put him in deeper than he's ever been before. I'm just going to make sure that Michelle hears about it. Danny's planning to keep her in the dark since it wouldn't meet Michelle's idea of legit."
"How do you know Michelle's coming back to him? The last time we saw her, she had Dietz drive her to the airport to go to Europe."
"I'm surprised your little mole Dietz didn't tell you, Michelle never left town. She's been hiding out at the lighthouse. They've been sneaking around to see each other. Danny doesn't want it to get back to Carmen that his marriage hasn't ended until he knows all her secrets. Carmen still has some things about the business she hasn't filled him in on. She still doesn't trust Danny's involvement in the business completely."
"I see." Nino rubbed his chin and pondered what Theresa had told him for a few minutes before asking, "Why exactly are you telling me all this about Danny and Michelle?"
"Well, you're going to help me make sure that Michelle overhears Bernard and Danny discussing this deal. She needs to hear directly from Danny that he's still in the business."
"Okay. Before I agree to help you, tell me, how did you know about Dietz?"
"That's my little secret. Now, here's what I want you to do."
***
Miguel sat in his car watching the comings and goings at the Santos mansion. He had spent most of the day there. While he had been sitting there, Miguel had been mulling over everything he had learned the night before. Based upon what he had read at the Journal and the conversation with Holly that followed, his daughter in law was an admirable person. She had been dealt some tough cards in her young life - the death of her mother, the fire that temporarily blinded her, Mick 's attack, and being framed for murder. Despite all of these things, Holly had told him that Michelle was a loving and compassionate woman who put others before herself. He still wanted to know more about Michelle, especially since Carmen had worked so hard to get her out of Danny's life. Miguel knew his wife did not go after people with such a vengeance without strong motivation. He needed to understand why his wife hated Michelle with such passion before he knew how he was going to handle things.
Finally, he saw Dietz pull through the gate. Miguel was preparing to pull off and follow when he caught a glimpse of Danny coming out of the house headed for his own car. He couldn't help sitting and watching the son he hadn't seen for so many years. Danny was no longer the gangly teen he had left behind, his son was a grown man. Miguel could tell from the way Danny carried himself that he was a strong, determined person. "It's amazing what you can tell from the way someone walks," Miguel mumbled to himself.
Miguel knew that Danny had to be headed for the lighthouse. He decided to drive over there himself. Hopefully, he'd get there first and then he could observe his son with Michelle. He would speak with Dietz later and try to figure out Carmen's motives for her actions. He felt he needed all the information he could get in order to know which of his loved ones to back, Danny or Carmen.
Miguel raced along the beach road and pulled up at the parking area near the beach. As he got out and walked around, he spotted Bernard's men. After acknowledging each other, Miguel moved closer to the lighthouse. He was startled when he heard a squeaking sound. He crouched down in the bushes by the door as he looked up and spotted Michelle on the observation deck above. He was sure she couldn't see him. Miguel turned his head as he heard Danny's car pull up. Danny got out and started to the door carrying boxes of what appeared to be take out food. That explained why he'd ended up having enough time to get this close to the lighthouse, Danny had stopped and picked up dinner.
Danny stood on the stoop at the lighthouse door. Something seemed different tonight; he sensed a presence that seemed familiar. He shook his head and unlocked the door and went inside.
A few minutes later, Miguel heard the door on the observation deck slam shut. He looked up and saw Danny walk up behind Michelle and wrap his arms around her. He was too far away to make out what they were saying, but he could see them laughing and teasing each other in the twilight provided by the setting sun. It was apparent to Miguel that his son loved his wife. The feeling was definitely mutual based upon the way her face seemed to light up when Danny joined her on the deck.
Darkness soon fell over the beach and the lighthouse began shining its beacon out over the water. Miguel saw Danny and Michelle go back inside. He decided it was time to seek out Dietz.
As he walked back to his car, Miguel pulled out his cell phone and called Nino. "Find Dietz and have him meet me in my suite at the Towers. Tell him to go first to the bar in the Towers club. He needs to lose the tail Danny has on him with a visit to the restroom before coming down to my suite. I want him there ASAP. Call me when you've spoken with him."
_____________
Miguel was sitting on the sofa with a collection of surveillance photos spread across the coffee table. Theresa, Edmund, Danny, Michelle, Dietz, Nino, and Bernard were all in the collage of photos. Miguel was studying them when he heard Dietz knock.
Dietz entered the room and walked over to the table. He wasn't surprised that Miguel was doing his homework before revealing his presence. Dietz looked up and remarked, "For a dead man, you're looking well. Care to let me in on all of this?"
"Before you leave tonight, you'll have your answers Dietz. First, I need you to tell me about what's going on with my family."
"What do you want to know, boss?"
"Let's start with Carmen and her reasons for wanting to get rid of Danny's wife."
"I assume you know about Mick and his problems," Dietz paused and looked as Miguel nodded affirmatively. Dietz continued to tell Miguel the entire story of Danny being sent to avenge Mick's death, how he ended up believing Michelle acted in self-defense, and the long tale of their marriage. He told Miguel everything about the FBI, the church bombing, the bearer bonds, Ben and the efforts of both Danny and Pilar to get him out of Carmen's life, and finally how Carmen framed Michelle for Ben's murder.
After Dietz finally finished, Miguel sat and put his head between his hands. He was mentally blaming himself for the tangled mess that his family had become.