Bo Buchanan sat behind his desk in his office. Facing him were DA Hank Gannon and his ADA, Téa Delgado. Both were sitting down. Téa was supposed to be taking notes but appeared to be gazing out his window.
“…So,” said Hank, “We’ve got Barbara Graham’s confession?”
“Yep,” said Bo, “It corroborates everything that John Sykes has said about Graham obstructing justice.”
“I’m willing to cut Barbara a deal. If she testifies in the case against her father, I’ll recommend a light sentence with mandatory therapy. You have a problem with that Bo?” asked Hank.
Bo frowned, “If you have to do it to get Graham, I’ll deal with it.”
“What about Sykes?” asked Téa. She had been trying to focus on the work to be done.
“Well, I’m willing to offer the following deal to Sykes’s lawyer. If Sykes pleads guilty to his own obstruction of justice charges, I’ll recommend a light sentence. That's o.k. with you Bo?” asked Hank.
“Ah, I have a suggestion,” said Téa turning her head back from the window. “Oh?” said Hank raising his eyebrow and looking at Téa.
“Well, if Sykes is willing to testify against Graham, I suggest community service and a fine. After all, the stigma of losing his job is penalty enough to live with,” said Téa.
“Téa… you sympathetic?” questioned Bo.
“Me? Ah…sympathetic?” muttered Téa.
Bo chuckled, “Well, you do have a thing for bad boys…”
Téa frowned, “Don’t remind me. Besides, Sykes isn’t my type. His hair isn ’t long enough - and his eyes…”
“Téa, we get the point,” said Hank, “However I do like your idea. Bo?”
“Well, I think your ADA is pre-occupied…” commented Bo.
Téa made a face, “I am not pre-occupied.”
“If you say so,” said Bo.
“All right Téa. We’ll go with community service. Bo?” asked Hank.
“Sure,” said Bo.
“I am not pre-occupied,” muttered Téa glancing at the window.

A cold, chilly day
St. James cemetery…

Téa sat on a bench in the cemetery of St. James. She was bundled up in winter clothes to keep warm. She stared at the picture Todd had sent her. She felt a presence over her and looked up. Viki stood over her, bundled up in winter clothes.
“Can I join you?” asked Viki.
“Yeah,” said Téa, “I was just thinking.”
“You know, Victor Lord’s crypt isn’t that far away from here,” remarked Viki.
“Todd’s biological father?” questioned Téa.
“Yep,” said Viki.
“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking Viki, trying to make sense out of it all,” remarked Téa.
“Oh?” questioned Viki.
“You know Todd told me a little about the abuse - the physical abuse - the emotional abuse he suffered at the hands of Peter Manning. I believe that was real,” said Téa.
“What else do you know is real?” asked Viki.
“The key. This picture. I called several real estate agents to see if they sold Todd a house. They said they would check and get back with me,” explained Téa.
“That’s good,” said Viki.
“I was going to talk to Sam, find out what “Tom” was like, since he knew Todd back then but I haven’t gotten around to it yet… I guess I’m kind of scared, you know… you suspect the DID might be real, right?” said Téa.
“Yes, Téa, I suspect the DID is real. That’s not to say it is or it isn’t…but I suspect…you know where I stand on this…” replied Viki.
“I know,” said Téa, “Maybe I’m trying to convince myself. I’m torn Viki…Between loving him and hating him - between wanting to explore this mystery that Todd’s left for me and just saying to hell with it - with Todd and move on with my life…” said Téa.
“Téa, maybe you have to put this mystery to rest before you can move on with the rest of your life,” suggested Viki.
“Maybe you’re right,” replied Téa.

Carlotta’s Diner…

Andrew sat at the counter in Carlotta’s diner. Carlotta and Roseanne were talking to him. Another federal express package rested on the counter top addressed to Téa.
“So, who’s the package from?” asked Andrew.
“Well, let’s see,” said Carlotta eyeing the package, “It’s addressed to Téa - no return address - it’s from Todd.”
Roseanne looked on in disgust.
“Todd… sends Téa… packages?” questioned Andrew, “Is that healthy?”
“Who knows,” muttered Roseanne, “Todd is a weirdo and Téa’s just as weird for marrying him.”
Carlotta gave Roseanne a frown, “You and your Aunt have a lot in common Roseanne. Your choices in men are poor. But I will admit, all these packages do is cause Téa grief when she’s trying to heal.”
“Andrew!” came a cry. It was Nora getting his attention. Andrew went to join Nora at her table, his back to the counter.
“Hey Momma,” said Cristan coming in from the backroom, “The distributors are here…”
“I’m coming Cristan. Watch the counter, Roseanne,” said Carlotta leaving.
“Yeah,” said Roseanne. She picked up Téa’s package, “You don’t need Todd Manning’s grief Téa,” said Roseanne throwing the package in the trash. The phone rang. Roseanne answered it, “Will?” She slammed the phone down and ran out.
“You know Roseanne threw out an unopened package and bolted out of here just now. There’s no one watching the counter,” remarked Nora.
“What?” muttered Andrew, “I think I know who that package belongs too.” He got up, fished the package out of the trash, and left.
Nora got up and walked to the counter, “Carlotta!” she screamed.

Téa’s office at work…

Téa sat back in her chair and listened to the little pink cassette in a cassette recorder on her desk. It was after hours and it was dark outside. The DA’s office was empty.
“To hell with Starr!”
Téa paused the tape. Todd would never say that. Pete might say that. Todd loved - loves Starr too much to say that. There was a knock on the door and Hank walked in.
“Téa, everyone’s gone home. Why are you still here?” asked Hank.
“Oh, I’m just a workaholic,” muttered Téa, “Look, Hank…”
“What?”
“I’m planning a trip to Chicago for this upcoming weekend…” started Téa.
“What’s up, Téa?” asked Hank.
“It’s a trip for personal reasons - but I’ll be back to work on Monday,” finished Téa standing up and playing with her pen.
Hank frowned, “Everything o.k.?”
“Everything’s fine,” said Téa, “I’m going with my instincts…”
“Well, that’s a first,” said Hank smiling at her, “Go home. Get some rest.”
“Thanks Hank,” said Téa. She watched Hank leave thinking only of Todd.

Todd’s room…

Todd sat on his bed looking out the window. It was dark outside. It was cloudy and no light from the night came inside the room. Todd ran his hand through his hair. He had expected Téa to act on the clues he had sent her by now… but maybe she was too caught up in her own life… being an ADA and all…
No! Not Téa! Not Delgado! She knew… Téa knew…him.
Her eyes…her hair… her lips… Delgado had the most sensuous lips he’d ever tasted. He never tired of her kisses.
He turned and faced her picture on his nightstand, drinking in her face…
“…I’ll be in your fairytale forever Todd…”

To be continued...