Love And Anger - Part 17
Llanview Police Station…
Téa paced near the window while she waited for José to answer Bo’s questions. She was pissed and upset to say the least. She wanted to believe that José was legit…that he wasn’t involved in any illegal…transactions but she knew her brother well enough not to put it past him.
And Todd. Watching Todd take that pill upset her as well. He took them often and she was very worried for him. At least she felt confident now that he had been diagnosed with PTSD. They knew what was wrong and now they could go about getting Todd the treatment he needed to get well. That reminded her of the hospital. She had to stop by the hospital and get that test.
“Téa, you all right?” came a voice.
She looked up. It was her boss, Hank.
“José is in for questioning,” said Téa crossing her arms.
“That’s all it is,” said Hank, “How’s Todd?”
Téa shrugged her shoulders and looked away.
“Is he all right?” asked Hank.
“Hank…no, he’s not but I’d rather not discuss it, if that’s all right?” she asked.
“If you need time off, let me know,” said Hank.
Finally José and Bo walked out of the integration room. José walked up to Téa.
“Well?” she asked, concerned.
“Everything is fine, Téa,” said José with charm. Téa looked away from José and at Bo.
“Bo?” she asked finding Bo’s eyes.
“José is free to go for now but I’ve got my eye on him,” said Bo with a sly grin.
José shrugged his shoulders.
Téa took him by the arm and dragged him into a quiet corner.
“José be straight with me. Are you on the up and up?” she asked, “Because as Starr’s stepfather you…”
“I am aware of my responsibilities Téa. I will do nothing to put that little girl in danger,” said José firmly.
Téa let out a breath, relieved at her brother’s answer, “I’m sorry. It’s just that - both Todd and I…we want the best for her and we want her to be happy you know…” she said softly.
José nodded his head, comforting her. Easing her worries.
She looked at her watch. She was due in court for an arraignment.
Llanview General…
Dr. Larry Wolek walked into Dr. Luke Michaels’s office carrying a clipboard of paperwork.
“Hey Larry,” grinned Luke looking up from his own paperwork. He was reviewing treatment plans for PTSD. He had several options including cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure therapy and group psychotherapy.
Larry looked serious, “I’ve got Todd’s medical work up,”
Larry sat down in the chair opposite of Luke.
“How is he?” asked Luke sensing Larry’s tension.
Larry let out a breath, “I’m sorry Luke. Todd’s therapeutic levels of Xanax are off the charts…”
“Damn! He’s addicted to it, isn’t he?” said Luke leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms.
“Yeah, Luke. You can still help Todd you know. It’s just going to be a little bit more challenging,” answered Larry.
Luke let out a deep breath, “Let me call the Mannings and tell them the results are in - make arrangements to meet with them and discuss treatment.”
“I’ll be available when you need me,” said Larry.
Luke nodded his head and picked up his phone.
The Banner
That afternoon…
Viki Carpenter was busy at the Banner as crisis after crisis presented itself. A copy machine broke. An ad didn’t make it in the paper, but despite her problems she had expected to see Todd today and he never showed up. She couldn’t help but wonder if anything was wrong. Finally, the nagging, pestering feeling got the better of her and surrounded by Kevin, Joey, and Zach, Viki walked over to a phone and dialed it.
Kevin looked shocked, “Mom? What are you doing?”
“Give me a minute, Kevin,” instructed Viki turning her back to him and speaking a low tone, “Téa? It’s Viki…”
“Viki…Hi…” Téa’s voice was flat and drained.
“Rough day?” asked Viki.
“You could say that. First, José gets dragged down the police station for questioning in front of Starr and now I just got off the phone with Luke. He wants to meet us but I can’t track down Todd. I dropped him off at the Banner hours ago…” began Téa.
“You did? I never saw Todd today…” said Viki. A wave of uneasiness passed over her.
“What? Where could he be?” Téa’s voice sounded very worried to Viki, “Why didn’t he go in to see you? I dropped him off in front of the main doors…He watched me pull away…”
“Téa - I’ve got a bad feeling about this,” said Viki.
“So do I,” said Téa, “Look, Viki, let me make a few more phone calls…”
“I’ll do the same Téa…” interjected Viki.
“Thanks. Can you meet me at Dr. Michaels’s office in about…say…an hour?” asked Téa. Viki could tell Téa’s voice was nervous but there was something else…something…a twang indicating an additional - heightened worry.
“Sure Téa,” said Viki.
“Mom!” cried Kevin.
Viki hung up the phone and looked at Kevin crossing her arms, “Kevin, look, I know it’s very busy today but something personal has come up and it needs my immediate attention. I need you to step up and take over. Can you do that?”
“Sure Mom…but you want me making decisions?” he questioned.
“I trust your discretion Kevin,” said Viki. She turned around and headed for her office.
Llanview General…
Téa fidgeted in the chair as the doctor approached her with a syringe and a needle. She swallowed looking at the size of the thing.
“It’s just a needle Mrs. Manning,” said the doctor.
“Needles make me nauseous…” said Téa.
The doctor identified the vein on her arm and placed the needle on her skin. Téa felt the prick and the syringe filled with her blood.
I don’t need this right now. Not now! How could we have been so stupid and not even thought about using birth control?
He withdrew the needle and cleaned up the arm. Téa felt a bit sore as she stood up.
“I’ll have the results for you tomorrow, Mrs. Manning,” said the doctor.
“Thanks,” said Téa walking out.
She briskly strode down the hall to Luke’s office. Viki should all ready be there. Téa was very concerned. Todd might have been more upset than he had let on witnessing José get called down to the police station for questioning. Todd hadn’t said anything really bad about José but she could tell Todd was a bit leery of him. And certainly José and Blair’s news that they were expecting had surprised both of them.
Something wasn’t right there. José and Blair married so suddenly was shocking news. And Blair - her enemy - a woman who openly despised her - married her brother! There had to be something in it for Blair. Money? José had that. Love could not be involved in that marriage but it appeared to be.
That’s how her and Todd started out. Money. Todd. If Todd was upset maybe he taken more Xanax - more pills - gotten confused…and if he was confused… Oh God! Maybe someone tried to mug him? Kidnap him and hold him for ransom? Even kill him for the cash in his wallet. She couldn’t think these horrible thoughts. And it had only been a few hours. Maybe Todd was feeling insensitive and went to Rodi’s to hang out? No! She’d checked Rodi’s. What else could she think? She got to Luke’s office and walked in. The receptionist nodded her head and Téa walked into the office. Luke, Larry, and Viki were all ready there.
“Hi Téa,” said Luke seriously.
“Hi. Sorry I’m a few minutes late…” she mumbled. Nervous. Scared. Her pulse was racing.
“Where’s Todd?” asked Larry.
Téa looked at Viki. Viki looked at Téa. Téa’s face fell.
“He’s not anywhere. I can’t find him! He’s not at the Sun or Rodi’s or our house taking a nap or even with Starr and Blair…” started Téa. Her voice was shaky and uneven.
“He was suppose to meet me at the Banner and never did…” said Viki.
“But I dropped him off there Viki! I did!” exclaimed Téa.
Luke and Larry looked on intently.
“Téa, what happened today? Did Todd do or say anything out of the ordinary?” asked Luke trying to keep his own voice calm.
“Well, we went to drop Starr off with Blair and José because it’s their month to have her and José got hauled off to police headquarters for questioning in front of Starr and I think it upset Todd. He got in José’s face but calmed down enough so as not too upset Starr. We left to go to the Banner. I was going to drop him off and then go to the police station to see José…” started Téa.
“Why did you think Todd was upset?” asked Luke.
“He…he took a pill in the car. He was irritable and nervous I guess and he took a Xanax. I think he was trying to hold off taking a pill in front of me but couldn’t. I know confusion is a side effect of the pills…could Todd have gotten confused…when I dropped him off and that’s why…he didn’t meet with Viki?” finished Téa.
Larry looked at Luke and wrinkled his brow.
“Anything’s possible Téa,” said Luke, “Look - we’ve got to find Todd - the sooner the better.”
“Why? What is it? What are you keeping from us?” asked Viki walking over to Téa, putting a comforting arm around her upset sister-in-law.
“Téa, Viki, Todd’s therapeutic levels of Xanax in this body are astronomical…” began Larry.
“What do you mean?” Téa asked. Her stomach felt as if it was sinking.
“Todd’s body is physically addicted to the Xanax Téa. I’ve got - we’ve got to find him and begin to wean him off this drug…” started Luke.
“Wean?” asked Viki.
“Yeah Viki. Todd can’t go “cold turkey” from this drug. It will kill him. He has to be brought off this drug gradually…” explained Larry.
“So, if Todd doesn’t take this drug…” began Téa.
“He’s got two - three days tops. His body will begin withdrawal and it will get worse - not better until his body shuts down…” said Larry, “And when his body shuts down, Todd will…die.”
Tears fell down Téa’s checks. Tears she couldn’t hide anymore. Viki held her tight.
“What happens when we find him?” asked Téa. And she was going to find him. She needed a husband and the thought of her raising a child without him - scared her to death.
“Well, I’ll admit him. He has to be monitored as he comes off the drug. And we’ll begin exposure therapy to help him deal with his nightmare. Téa - I will do everything I can within my abilities to make him well,” said Luke, moved by his own emotion as he watched the tears roll down her face.
Téa nodded her head.
“Let’s go to Bo and see if he’ll let us a file a missing person’s report,” said Viki, “In light of these circumstances.”
“I’ll go with you,” said Luke, “Help him understand the urgency of the situation.”
Téa nodded her head and Larry handed her a tissue to dry off her face.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Love And Anger - Part 18
March 1999
Enrique’s houseboat
Late at night…
Todd threw up in the garbage can that was in his room. His stomach was upset - in knots. He looked up and stumbled to the adjacent bathroom getting a towel and wiping his mouth. Then he took soap and water and splashed it on his face to feel clean - to get the pungent odor of the vomit off his face. He looked up in the mirror. Was that sweat or still water on his brow?
He briefly closed his eyes and returned to the other room, pacing it, full of anxiety and very irritable. He wasn’t sure how long he’d been here. There were no windows in this room or the bathroom. Both rooms were sparse. Towels and papers and soap in the bathroom. A bed, a can, not much else. His captor had brought him some food to eat, which he did since he was starving, and he quickly threw up. Disgusting smell! He put the can in the bathroom and closed the door.
He was surprised he wasn’t tied up. Usually most kidnappers tie people up. No. He was captive in a handsomely provided room. That surprised him. The only thing between him and his freedom was a locked and bolted door.
He had gotten a look at “The Boss”. The Hispanic man on the docks who had refused to sell him the drugs he wanted. He assumed this man was his captor - the man holding him. Buy why? Todd still had all his personal effects on him - all except the pills. The pills were gone. What did this man care? He had never seen this man before in his life. Except there was something familiar about his eyes. He knew those eyes. Those eyes reminded him of Téa. Deep brown. Sad. Haunted. Lonely. Soulful. Why would this man care if Todd used pills or not?
Téa. Téa would be worried about him. He was worried about Téa. She was late. She didn’t need to be pregnant. Not now. And he needed her. What would he do without her? That kiss! That last kiss goodbye! He had to see his wife again! He had to know if she was having his baby!
He heard the door lock twist and with lighting quickness the door opened and that man - his captor walked in, dressed in a business suit. The door shut and a lock bolted from the other side. Todd lunged at the man to strike him but he missed and struggled until finally the man got the upper hand on Todd, striking him in the face, drawing blood from his lip. The fight drained out of Todd as he sat there on the floor across from his captor who was talking deep breaths and rubbing the back of his head. Todd could feel his pulse racing.
“Who in the hell are you?” asked Todd whipping his lip. He had been sleeping before and didn’t see his captor bring him his earlier meal.
“You may call me Enrique,” he asked standing up on his feet.
“Enrique who?” spat Todd standing up as well.
“That is all you need to know Todd,” answered Enrique.
“You know my name, I see,” said Todd, his voice not hiding his fury.
“I know a lot about you,” answered Enrique crossing his arms.
“Well, I know Jack squat about you! But am I curious Mr. Kidnapper dude - why?” asked Todd full of contempt.
“Why?” echoed Enrique.
“Why kidnap me? You know I’m rich? Expect to ask my wife for a hefty ransom?” suggested Todd.
“No. I don’t need your money,” answered Enrique glaring at the man who was his brother-in-law.
Todd felt his jacket - he could really use a pill right now. Damn!
“Give me my pills back!” said Todd, irritable.
“No,” said Enrique firmly, “You will not take those drugs while you are here. I won’t allow it.”
“What? What’s this? Forced Rehab? Those drugs are prescribed…” began Todd.
“You abuse those drugs and you will stop even if I…I have to force you too,” said Enrique very firmly.
“Why do you care? You don’t know me,” said Todd. He paused, “But you do know me, don’t you? You care about what happens to me. How do you know me?” asked Todd, his curiosity peaked.
Enrique looked away, “I run this organization that has been providing you with this drug. You will not get anymore from me and I won’t release you until your body is washed clean of it.”
“I need that drug!” insisted Todd, “It’s legally prescribed.”
“Why? What is wrong with you?!” demanded Enrique.
Todd bit his lip and looked away. Why couldn’t he stop his heart from racing?
“I’m not telling my problems to you!” spat Todd.
“When you are better, I will let you go. Until then, enjoy my hospitality,” said Enrique going for the door.
“Look - Rico - whatever! Wait! I got a family! But you know that. You know I have a wife. What do you know about my wife? Are you a sick bastard that watches her from afar? You know you have her eyes? Do you think she’s attractive? Are you some sick former boyfriend?” Todd paused.
Enrique said nothing.
“I have a daughter too…” began Todd.
“I have a daughter as well,” answered Enrique.
Todd raised an eyebrow, “Oh, so now you want to tell me about yourself?”
“I love my family as much as you love yours Todd. Do them a favor and clean up your body’s addiction to this drug,” said Enrique knocking on the door.
A bolt unlatched and Enrique walked out. Todd stood there and watched.
“Damn! Damn! Damn! Sick bastard!” yelled Todd kicking at the door. Nothing happened. He had to get those pills back. The dark was coming! How would he know if Téa was safe? Who was this asshole who held him captive - for his own good? He’d never heard of that!
“Téa!” he yelled.
Llanview Police Station…
Téa was a bunch of rattled nerves as she walked into the police station accompanied by Viki and Luke. They went straight to Bo’s office and knocked on the door. Hank opened it up and let them in.
Bo looked at them intently.
“What’s wrong?” asked Bo with concern.
Téa ran her hand through her hair in an attempt to gain her composure, “Todd’s missing. Hank - I’m going to need to take some time off work.”
“I see,” said Hank, “I understand…I think.”
“Téa, Viki, how long has it been that Todd’s been missing?” asked Bo.
“About seven hours,” said Téa, “It’s been seven hours since I’ve last seen him.”
“Now you know we need twenty-four hours…” started Hank.
“Damn your twenty-four hours! We need to find Todd now!” yelled Téa letting the cracks in her resolve show.
“Téa,” said Luke walked up behind her and placing his hands on her shoulders, “It won’t help…”
“And who are you?” asked Bo.
“I’m Todd’s doctor, Luke Michaels. I’m treating him for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder…” said Luke taking charge.
“I’m familiar with PTSD. We had briefings about it when I was in Vietnam. You keep reliving a traumatic event in your mind,” said Bo, “You’re telling me Todd has PTSD?”
“Yes, Bo. And Todd’s been taking certain medication that helps him deal with the anxiety the PTSD brings. A specific medication called Xanax,” added Viki calmly.
Hank handed Téa a tissue and she wiped her face.
“Xanax is used for treating anxiety, huh? Isn’t it addictive?” asked Bo.
“Yes,” answered Luke, “Todd needs to be found immediately. Especially if he is denied access to the Xanax. He can’t go “cold turkey” from this drug. It will kill him.”
“I see. How long does he have?” asked Bo.
“Two - three days tops,” said Luke.
Hank turned to Bo. Bo sniffled and wrinkled his brow.
“Well, I guess I can make an exception and do a missing persons report,” said Bo.
“Thank God!” said Viki.
“Thanks Bo,” said Téa letting out a breath to relax.
“All right, I’ll have Det. West take your statement and we’ll get an APB out on Todd, all right?” said Bo.
Téa nodded her head and went out into the squad room, giving her statement to Det. West.
Late that night,
The Docks…
Téa was bundled up against the cold as she walked along the docks. It was a bit foggy but she didn’t mind. She had been checking alleys looking for Todd. Dirty things - those alleys with homeless people but none of them were Todd. It was a bit scary and even nerve wracking but she had to find him and she would brave anything to do it. She knew Todd would hang out on the docks on occasion. And she knew she shouldn’t be alone. Common sense be damned! She had to look for Todd. She had to find him. She paused to look out onto the marina.
“We’ll make this work…I swear to you…”
“Todd! I need you. Our baby…if I am pregnant…Starr…we need you. I can’t lose you. Not now…” she whispered.
A puff of fog flew past her and she realized just how drained and exhausted she’d felt.
She thought of Todd. Of their life together. Of the nightmare that haunted him. What would he do tonight, without her by his side to comfort him? To hold him. To lose herself in him. To kiss his lips…his deep sensual lips that drew such passion from her.
“I love you Téa…”
Those were his last words to her. Her lover. Her lover needed him. He was like a wounded lion and she had to watch over him…
“Todd!” she yelled into the deep, foggy darkness that surrounded her. She was empty and scared without him.
TO BE CONTINUED…