Téa walked into Hank’s office, sat down in front of his desk and threw a picture down in front of him.
Hank just grinned at her, “What’s up Téa?”
“Hank there is no way José killed Pedro Cruz,” said Téa firmly. She kicked her feet up on Hank’s desk.
Hank laughed, “I think my young ADA is a bit cocky today.”
“Sorry,” said Téa removing her feet, “Want to hear what I’ve got?”
“Sure,” said Hank leaning back in his chair.
“Hank, there’s been two attempts on José’s life since he was taken into custody. That alone is suspicious enough. Del gave me a bunch of pictures to cross reference - see that pic on your desk?” questioned Téa.
Hank picked it up and looked at it, “Who is it?”
“Miguel Coronado. Ten years ago he was a small time thug working for Carlo Hesser. There’s a rap sheet a mile long down at the police station with various misdemeanors and felony crimes on him. He broke away from Carlo’s organization and started his own. Recently, he’s been involved with several gang-related shootings against Paulo Hesser. Del tells me the feds have Paulo under investigation for money laundering. I’m thinking José worked for Miguel. José did something to piss Miguel off. Now Miguel wants José dead…” said Téa.
“Like talk to his fed brother perhaps?” suggested Hank.
Téa’s face grew concerned, “Del didn’t tell me that. He said nothing about José being an informer.”
“Maybe he’s trying to protect you,” said Hank.
“Sounds like a Del thing to do,” added Téa.
“You know, until José gets better,” started Hank, “The trial is postponed.”
“I know,” said Téa, “Thanks Hank.”
“Look, Téa, if your brother isn’t responsible, I want the real killer caught,” said Hank.
“You and me both,” said Téa.

The Banner…

Todd waltzed into the Banner newsroom and immediately observed Blair at Cassie’s old desk. He walked up to her.
“Blair. How’s tricks?” asked Todd, “When can I see Shorty again? And why are you working for Viki?”
Blair looked up from her computer, “It’s a long story, maybe this weekend, give me a call and tricks suck. Why are you here Todd?”
He grinned, “Wanna talk to Viki. Adios,” he said walking off into Viki’s office.
Blair nodded her head and kept on typing. She had a deadline for her story and it was getting close.
Viki was sitting behind her desk, lost in thought playing with her fuzzy dice. She didn’t notice Todd walk in. Todd crossed his arms and looked at Viki.
“I know that look,” said Todd.
Viki snapped out of her daydream, “Todd! What look?”
“You’ve got a man on your mind,” said Todd grinning.
“What if I do?” questioned Viki.
“My sister, Viki… is love on your mind?” asked Todd.
“I know it’s on yours,” said Viki trying to turn the conversation around.
Todd grinned, “All right. No mushy talk. Look, I’m working with the therapist, me and Téa moved into the house… things are looking up Viki.”
“Todd, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you were happy,” said Viki.
“I don’t do happy. Don’t want to jinx it. Let’s just say I’m…amused,” he replied.
“I bet you are,” said Viki, “Now what brings you by?”
Just then, Todd’s cell phone went off. He reached into his pocket.
“What?” he demanded.
Pause.
“Oh. Téa…” he said.
Viki grinned.
“Six? Why six? You’ve got a surprise for me?” he questioned.
Pause.
“O.k.” He hung up.
“That was Téa. She’s got a surprise for me. Doesn’t want me to go home until six,” said Todd.
“So Todd,” said Viki, “Where is your new house?” “Ah, I don’t want to say just yet. Things are good right now between us. I kinda want to keep it a secret for a bit longer. Me and Téa’s secret,” said Todd putting his hands in his pockets.
“Todd - are you and Téa trying for a new little Manning?” asked Viki.
Todd’s mouth dropped and he quickly closed it, “Whatever.”
Viki had her answer.

That Evening,
The Manning Estate…

It was five o’clock. Téa pulled up into the driveway and walked into the house, grinning from ear to ear, thinking of Todd. She laid out her clues for Todd to find, leaving one in the hallway, one in the kitchen, and one on the stairs. She waltzed into her bedroom and began to undress, preparing to take a shower.

The man with the scar, in the black BMW, saw a light go on upstairs and used his binos to look into the upstairs window. The blind was half-open and he watched her undress, grinning. He looked at his watch. Five-thirty. He got out and approached the house. Confidently, he walked up to the front door and tried it. It was unlocked. He grinned and quietly opened the door walking inside. He could hear the shower running. He began to walk around the house, scoping it out.
The furniture was nice but at a minimum. Not too many pictures. He peered into the kitchen. A bottle of wine was on the kitchen table chilling. Enough of the downstairs, he thought…time to go upstairs…

Téa got out of the shower and put the red thing on that Todd liked so much. She brushed her hair out and put a dab of perfume on. She went to the bed and struck a seductive pose. She heard a car drive up, and peered out the window. It was Todd. She looked at the clock. Six exactly. She heard the door open and close. She got up and turned on the CD player in their bedroom. The soft sounds of Sara McLaughlin played. She turned to the door and saw the knob turn. Boy, that was fast, she thought. Suddenly, the knob stopped turning. She made a face and went back to the bed again, striking her pose. She saw the knob turn again and the door open. It was Todd holding the wine and wine glasses. He put the wine and glasses down on the bureau and shut the door. They made eye contact and Téa got up off the bed and walked up to him.
“Nice surprise Delgado,” he said softly.
“You like what you see Todd?” she asked putting her hands on his arms.
“Yeah,” he said.
She tilted her head and his mouth took hers and he forced his tongue into her tender mouth…
Her hands slid to his chest and he took his own hands, placing them on her hips, rubbing them hard through the fabric of her nightgown. He could feel her unbutton his shirt and slide it off his shoulders. And he could feel the aggressive scratches of her fingernails against him, heightening his sensations…

“She likes it rough…” he thought.

His hands ran up over her chest and his fingers began to pinch her.
“Harder Todd,” she said between breaths.

“Delgado likes it rough…” he thought.

He gasped for air, pausing between kisses. His eyes lost in hers - trying so hard to assure himself this was what she wanted.
She tenderly bit his lip with her teeth.
Todd snapped and grabbed her arms, pushing her toward the bed with his weight, not breaking eye contact once. He threw her on the bed and hovered over her.

“She likes it rough Todd…” he thought.

He looked down at his chest briefly then at her. Her eyes still burned with desire for him.
He aggressively fell on top of her again, forcing his mouth onto her - her kiss just as aggressive as his…
He reached for her hands, kissing her, her kissing him…
SLAM!
Startled, they bolted upright, Todd falling off of her, breathing heavily, “What was that?” he demanded.
“I don’t know. It sounded like the front door…” muttered Téa running her hand through her hair and propping herself up on her elbows.
“Someone else is in the house with us,” said Todd protectively looking at her. Panic overcame both of them.
“Téa! Your lip!” exclaimed Todd.
“What?” she asked. She got up and looked in the mirror. She was bleeding from a cut. It was minor.
He ran his hands through his hair and watched her tend to her lip. She threw on a bathroom.
“Stay here. I’m going downstairs,” said Todd.
“No way Manning,” said Téa following him out the bedroom door.
Suddenly, he turned around to face her, his mouth trembling…
“I’m fine Todd. We’ve got other worries,” she said in a calm, reassuring voice.
“Right,” he said racing downstairs.
She followed him. Todd stopped dead in his tracks.
A newspaper article had been attached to the front door with a knife. The article was accompanied by a picture of Téa and the headline read, “Local ADA’s brother accused of murder.” Written in red over the article were the words, “You’re next Ms. ADA.”
Todd immediately took her in his arms. He could feel her soft cheek against his bare chest. She could feel his heart racing - her own heart racing as well.
“Not you. Not my wife…” he whispered.