A Snowy Night
Part 6
By Kellie
Danny watched from across the road as his mother pulled out of the driveway. Careful to keep his distance, he followed her. Carmen's first stop was at the SanCorp offices. He parked on the street and slipped into the building ahead of her while she parked in the garage. Danny was standing unobserved behind the door between Carmen's office and the conference room as she settled in at her desk. He listened as his mother returned the usual business calls and discussed some minor dealings with Dietz over the phone. His attention was finally caught when she placed a call to Edmund.
"Good morning, Edmund. I trust that you're pleased with how our little plan in San Cristobel is working out," Carmen remarked.
Danny continued listening and realized that Carmen had helped Edmund set up an accident on the Spaulding job site in San Cristobel. "What exactly are you and Edmund up to Mother and what's in it for you?" he whispered to himself.
"Yes, my people are in place. Let me know when you're ready for phase two to be enacted. I'm sure that it will be a profitable deal for us both in the end." Carmen paused as she listened to Edmund's response. "So tell me, how is your little blackmail scheme with Phillip Spaulding coming along."
A few minutes later the conversation came to an end when Carmen made plans to meet Edmund for lunch at his suite at the Towers. Danny noticed that she was barking out instructions for the day to her secretary. He knew she was preparing to leave, so he took advantage of the opportunity to slip out unobserved. He was waiting in his car as she came out of the building. Danny looked at his watch and realized that court would go back into session in another hour. "Okay, I can only stay with you for another half-hour. Michelle will need me at the courthouse. Wonder if you're planning to go to court today, Mama?"
Danny followed her to the church. He slipped in the side door watched as his mother greeted Pilar. He could tell by the tone of Pilar's voice that she was very upset, but he couldn't make out what she was saying. Carmen was talking very quietly with her. Danny began to look around the church, trying to find a way to get closer to where they were speaking without being spotted. Danny noticed the door on the other side of the church, right next to where they were speaking. He knew that door was to the closet that held the equipment for the church's sound system. "I've got to get over there," he mumbled.
"Where do you need to get to, Danny?" Ray inquired as he walked up behind his cousin.
"Ray, uh..."
"Danny, aren't you supposed to be in court right now?"
"I have to be there in about 45 minutes." Danny turned and looked at Ray. As he turned, Ray got a view of Pilar and Carmen talking inside the church.
"What's going on Danny?"
"Ray, I know my mother is up to something. I need to find out what. I have this gut feeling that it is the key to Michelle's freedom." Danny studied Ray for a moment, "But you know what's going on, don't you Ray?"
Ray turned away from Danny and tried to figure out what to say. Finally he spoke, "Danny, what I know I learned in the confessional. I can't tell you anymore than that without breaking my vows. I have to maintain the confidentiality of confessions."
Danny stood silently for a moment. "You mean that my wife could get the death penalty for something she didn't do and you could help her - but your vows won't let you."
"I'm sorry."
Part
7