HEAD GAMES

Chapter Three

John Sykes couldn't wait to report to Tea that her ex-husband was back in town and up to his old tricks. He wanted to be the one to tell her so he could see how upset she would be. Secretly, he still had feelings for the ADA, and he hoped that she would react negatively to the news.

She entered the station from court, pausing to retrieve a requested file. Sykes slowly made his way over to her. But before he could intercept her, in walked RJ Gannon. Why does that woman have such a thing for criminals? he wondered to himself. He sneered as he watched the couple steal a kiss, unaware that they were being watched. The detective quietly made his way over to them, then cleared his throat loudly, startling them both.

"John, I didn't notice you," she said. Whether she'd intended to hurt his feelings or not was unclear. The outcome was still the same.

"Detective. To what do we owe the, uh, pleasure?" RJ asked snidely.

"I work here, Gannon. I'm a little surprised to see you hanging around the police station so often. I would think you'd have had your fill, considering how many times you've been arrested."

"I'm here because of the lovely assistant district attorney. I just can't seem to get enough," he replied, kissing Tea on the cheek.

"Alright guys. Call a truce here. Did you need to see me, John?" She was all business now.

"Actually, I wanted to warn you," the tall policeman stated innocently.

"Warn me? About what?" Tea had seen through his machinations long ago. But she had to put up with them to maintain a working relationship.

"I thought you should be aware that your ex is in town and up to no good, as usual."

Tea paled. This was the last thing she'd expected to hear.

"Todd? He's back? Where? Have you seen him? Is he okay?" She took a deep breath. Old habits die hard, and she had to remind herself that she no longer cared about him. "What has he done?" she asked in a more controlled voice.

"It looks like he broke into Sam Rappaport and Nora Buchanan's law office and stole several client records, including his own." Sykes was eating this up.

"But why? That doesn't make sense. Why would he need to steal his own case record? He could just ask Sam for it," she puzzled.

"Who knows why that psychopath does what he does? The point is, he's back in town. You need to be careful." He gloated ever so slightly.

"I agree," RJ chimed in. "No telling what Todd is up to now. You know how obsessive he gets. You'd better be on guard. I'll stick close by, just in case."

"Oh, now that's rich, coming from a man who had to be convinced to talk to the police after receiving a death threat," Tea scoffed. "I appreciate your concern. Both of you. But I don't need a baby sitter. I can handle Todd."

"Better get your shovel ready," Sykes quipped.

RJ smiled at the dig; Tea bristled at the memory.

"That isn't funny," she growled. "I have work to do. If you children will excuse me."

She turned on her heel and exited, leaving the two enemies in each other's company. Sykes grasped RJ firmly by the arm.

"You better make sure that loser stays as far away from her as possible," he warned.

RJ jerked his arm free.

"I don't need any advice from you, Detective. But don't worry. Todd Manning won't get within a mile of her."

They glared at each other for a moment before RJ decided it wasn't worth getting into yet another fight with a policeman. He left the office. Sykes returned to his desk to check the progress of the search for Todd.

*****

Viki answered the door and smiled in surprise. She was happy to see her former brother-in-law, Bo; he rarely stopped by anymore. She missed getting visits from him and Nora. So much has changed in the past year, she mused.

Bo's expression clearly indicated he was there on business. She invited him in and braced herself. Receiving a visit from Bo Buchanan, police commissioner, was never as pleasant as receiving a visit from Bo, her friend. They went into the study and took a seat.

"Have you heard from Todd lately?" he blurted.

The hair on the back of her neck immediately stood on end.

"No, Bo. I have neither seen nor heard from him since he left town over a year ago. Why?" Please don't let him be in trouble again, she wished.

"Someone broke into Sam and Nora's office early this morning and stole a bunch of files. Todd's was one of them."

"Well, Bo, that doesn't mean that Todd was the one who…"

"He fits the description given by a witness."

Viki was crestfallen. She so hoped that her brother had left for a better life. She prayed constantly that he would get the help he so desperately needed.

"I'm sorry. I can't help you," she said somberly.

"Can't or won't, Viki?"

This riled her. It was easy to push her buttons when it came to her brother.

"I've already told you, I don't know where he is."

"He hasn't called you? Dropped you a line? Anything?"

"I haven't heard from him," she replied icily.

"What about Starr? Surely, she's gotten calls and letters from him."

"No, he hasn't contacted her either." This fact deeply saddened her.

"Don't you think that's kind of strange? I mean, he claims to be so devoted to her, and yet he hasn't bothered to call her? Not even on her birthday? Guess he really only loves himself."

Viki stood angrily. "No, Bo. Actually, I doubt that Todd has ever loved himself. But I have no doubt in my mind that he would lay his life down for his little girl. Whatever reasons he has for not contacting her are perfectly reasonable. At least, in his mind. Now, if you don't have any further questions, I have work to do. Please show yourself out."

She stalked out at a fast clip. Bo deliberated for a moment, making mental notes before leaving Llanfair.

*****

Tea and RJ strolled hand in hand through the parking lot at the Palace where they had just eaten supper. It had taken a lot to convince him to even go out for the evening. He was certain that Todd was after her. Finally, Tea had allayed his fears, and they were able to enjoy a fairly pleasant meal.

They stood by the car for a moment, gazing at the full moon, their arms embracing each other against the cold night air. She looked over to see a scowl on RJ's face.

"Penny for your thoughts," she said playfully.

"Oh, nothing."

"RJ," she warned.

He chuckled. "Okay. I was just wondering about Todd. Why do you think he's back?"

"I have no idea. And I don't care."

"You say that, but…"

"I didn't know what went on in his mind then, and I certainly don't know what's going on in it now. Why do you keep bringing him up?"

"Tea, c'mon. I saw how you reacted when Sykes told you he was back in town. Your first reaction was one of concern. I know you were in love with him. Are you sure those feelings are in the past?"

"Look, RJ, it took me a long time to get over him," Tea stated sternly. "Some of that pain will never go away. So can we please just drop the subject of Todd Manning?"

She got into the passenger side of the car and slammed the door. RJ stared at her through the window for a moment; Tea's focus was straight ahead. He crossed behind the car, all the while wondering whether or not the "lady doth protest too much."

Suddenly, the air was filled with the rapid sounds of gunfire and squealing tires.

HEAD GAMES

Chapter Four

Tea ducked down in the front seat as the back windshield shattered. She heard a car screeching away and leapt into action. She tore around the back of the car to find RJ crumpled on the ground.

“RJ!” she screamed.

“I’m okay, Tea. It’s not too bad. Just help me up.” He was slightly out of breath.

“No, stay down. Wait until an ambulance gets here.”

“Tea, really. I’m okay. I think it just scratched me.”

“Don’t argue with me! Stay there!” She used her authoritative ADA voice, and RJ obeyed.

Some patrons from the restaurant came out, assuring them that the police and ambulance had been called.

“Did you see who it was?” Tea asked, while keeping pressure on his wound.

“No, the windows were blacked out.”

The drone of sirens could be heard in the distance. An ambulance trailed the platoon of squad cars that soon pulled up.

John Sykes quickly made his way to the shaken pair. A call was placed to both Hank and Bo, who arrived in short order.

A cursory examination by the paramedics revealed that RJ had, indeed, received only a bad flesh wound. They stayed his trip to the hospital in order for the police to question him. Again he was asked if he saw the shooter.

“No, like I told Tea, the windows were heavily tinted. And it all happened so fast.”

“Did you get a chance to see what kind of car it was?” Bo queried.

“Yeah,” RJ admitted through gritted teeth. “It was a black Porsche.”

Tea felt faint. She had to sit down on the concrete beside RJ. How many times had she ridden in Todd’s black Porsche? Could it be him? A wave of nausea hit her.

Bo noticed that she had paled at the mention of the car. “Tea? You okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine.” She put on her brave face, trying desperately not to let them see how this had unnerved her.

“You think it was Todd, don’t you?” Bo pressed.

“I…I’m not sure,” she admitted. Deep down, however, there was little doubt in her mind that her ex-husband had just tried to kill her new lover.

Bo called her bluff. “I think you are sure, Tea. Was it Manning or not?”

She stood up from the chilly concrete and brushed the dirt from her skirt. She was stalling. She wanted it not to be true. She pulled herself together mentally before looking Bo straight in the eyes.

“Yes, Bo. I think it was Todd.”

Bo pulled the two-way radio from his coat pocket and contacted Police Headquarters.

“This is Commissioner Buchanan. I want an All Points Bulletin issued for Todd Manning.”

*****

Viki sat by the roaring fire deep in thought. She’d been waiting hours for Ben to return from wherever he’d wandered this time. She had been seriously rethinking her relationship with the short-tempered doctor. And she’d come to some painful conclusions.

I fell in love with him before I ever really knew him, she realized. She chastised herself for being so foolhardy. Perhaps I’m going through a mid-life crisis, she pondered.

The chiming doorbell broke her from her reverie. She was surprised that someone would be calling so late in the evening. She opened the door to find Bo, looking official again. This could only mean more trouble.

She allowed him into the foyer only. There would be no pleasant chat on this night. She braced herself for the inevitable bad news.

“Viki,” Bo began. “I just wanted you to know that I’ve issued an APB for Todd.”

“Why? The evidence of the break-in was entirely circumstantial.” How many times had she defended her brother to this man?

“There’s been another incident. RJ Gannon was shot tonight.”

Viki gasped. “Is he alright?”

“He’s fine. Just a scratch really. He’s already been released from the hospital. But it was Todd who put him there.”

Viki’s worst fears had been realized. “Are you sure?”

“The shooter was driving a late model black Porsche, just like Manning’s. Yeah, we’re sure.”

Tears sprang from her eyes. All those years of trying to convince her brother that he was not a lost cause, that there was a good person deep down inside him just flew out the window.

“I’m sorry, Viki, but if he should try to contact you, you’ll need to call the police ASAP. Okay?”

She merely nodded her head. With unbidden tears streaming down her face, she showed Bo to the door, locking it behind him. Once he was gone, she began to cry in earnest.

*****

He plopped down on the frayed couch in the living room of the small house he’d recently rented. The only light in the room came from the street lights out front. He was angry with himself for being such a poor shot. The radio report said that RJ had been treated and released already. He kicked off his shoes and flung them across the room in anger.

Although his latest scheme had not gone exactly according to plan, he was still rather pleased with the progress he was making. He had time to relax for a while before heading out again for the next step. He settled down, trying to get comfortable on the worn couch. He struck a match and lit a cigarette. The bright orange glow briefly illuminated the scar on his cheek.

to be continued