Chapter 4

Tess sat in the interview room trying to suppress the sudden urge to go and make faces in the mirror at the end of the interview room just to see if they were really watching her. They'd come thinking she was cracking, instead she took a deep breath and looked round the room again … no nothing had changed from the last time, the cobwebs were still in the corner and nothing on the walls to distract her mind from going round earlier events.

It will be fine, she consoled herself, Derek had warned her they would watch her every move if she was brought in here, it did not have to mean trouble … just standard procedure. She knew her story inside out, back to front, lived it for the past year. Ok so there were the odd times they had made love when Maria was out the way. Hell! she had to have some compensation for watching that cow with her partner and son! … Surely Ricardo could not have found anything out they were so careful. … Why the hell had he chosen now to make his recover for heaven sake? All they needed were a couple more days, instead of being nicely tucked up in bed distracting Maria he was walking round causing trouble!

She ran her fingers through her hair in a nervous gesture then stopped self consciously realising the watchers might read something into it. … What the hell had gone wrong to cause the police to swoop like that and dusting for prints from the main rooms in the house? Not every inch thank goodness, obvious places used everyday and a few places where things had been left for a while…. Ok so they'd find two lots of prints that was fine the twins had been in the house at the first kidnapping, Derek had cleaned some places and handled most things he could think of so it would not look too staged. … No need to panic the police never went to her room it was not a search warrant; so passports and papers were safely hidden … they had taken her fingerprints, fine she could cover that … no direct link to Derek there. He will cover and back her up …

She suppressed the jump of surprise as the door opened and Ricardo and Dr Estrada walked in with coffee, Ricardo placed a cup in front of her.

She watched silently trying to read their expressions but got nothing, Derek's words raced through her mind 'get your story out first but not too quickly and not all at once, that way they play catch up, have to alter their thoughts. Base lies on some truth, twist rather than out right lies they are the ones that come back the quickest and start the domino effect.' She decided to ignore the cup of coffee for a moment and get them before they sat down properly.

Making her voice sound curious, not anxious as she felt, she opened the conversation. "Glad to see you're up and around Ricardo, Maria was getting really worried about your lack of progress since your stroke. Perhaps you can tell me why am I here, it's meant to be my evening off as Benjy has a sleepover. Officers came storming into Ben's house, waving a piece of paper around and dusting the rooms for prints causing chaos. They refused to answer my questions took my prints and demanding to know where Ben's been today and where Maria was."

She raised her voice just slightly to show her puzzlement/anger. "As far as I know no one's broke into the house while I was there and I certainly did not dial 911. As for Ben and Maria they are adults I'm not their keeper! Come on! I'm leaving in a couple days time what they do in their time is their business certainly not mine! So can I go home now!

She paused for a second then added. "I just hope your men have left the house tidy and don't expect me to do it! Ben and Maria can give you hell when they get back! … Come on! I need some rest I have to pick Benjy up by 9.00 tomorrow morning. You know he's going to a real handful being Christmas Eve, expectations for Christmas Day the first one with his Mum and Dad together have some pity on me!"

Ricardo put his coffee on the table quelling the feeling of anger and disgust for the woman who helped hold his sister and her child away from family all those years. And as she started talking part of his mind took in what she said the other picked up what she was doing and countered silently. 'Hell here we go again fire from the front, … nice tone though could be genuine or did Derek teach you that technique in which case… Ok forget about twins concentrate on her story pick out the holes.'

Ignoring Tess's first comment, which she obviously hoped would soften him up he made his voice business like and said. "Dr Estrada is here as an observer because we are lacking in Police Officers at the moment they are all out following up leads on the case. The Officers are trying to get Ben's fingerprints to prove he has been at the house since September. We needed yours to eliminate them and in doing so we find out you have a record, which you did not declare when we first met you. It made me wonder what else you have hidden, hence the room for the evening."

She sighed as though it was old news, which it was and knowing would not in itself connect her to Derek admitted. "That was years ago! Just out of teenager stuff! I was fined nothing more been straight ever since. What do you mean Ben been here since September?"

"Depends what you call straight Tess. You have a partner in every sense of the word called Derek Evans."

"What the hell do you mean by that!" She exclaimed in shock.

Ricardo kept his face expressionless, she had not liked that news and hoped the next would knock her off her feet and give him the break he needed, keeping his voice cool explained. "Tess I have two men in the cells at the moment and they are both claiming to be Ben Evans and disclaim being Derek. When I pointed out one of them had to be Derek they both claimed the other one was. You see my problem."

Ricardo noted Tess froze as she listened though he tried anger started to show as he carried on. "Oh yes the one thing they agree on is you are Derek's partner and helped keep Maria prisoner in Seattle. I find that sickening, you kept a mother and baby away from husband and family. You come here claiming to be her friend and yet you could have stopped this as soon as you walked through the door at Ocean Drive!"

He took a breath and eyed her, changed tone and tried to tempt her. "You know the system! You are looking at serious charges Tess. So get your story in first before the twins tear you to pieces! Derek will take you down with him and Ben well I should think he's more than pissed off at you!"

Fear flashed through her mind and she suppressed the giggle which threatened her act, as she pictured the brothers together in the cells at each other's throats, then the thought …Ok I can use it but I need time to think and exclaimed with feeling. "Hell! Thought that bastard was dead! Killed when he fell off a damn cliff! Might have know he'd bounce perhaps the fish threw him back in disgust! …Guess I need a lawyer before I breathe another word then."

Ricardo, saw the flash of fear, which was suppressed too quickly for his liking, she was not going to be an easy conquest and decided to concentrate on the first bit of her outburst, leave the lawyers out of it for now. "How did you know about Derek and the cliff? No-one talks about it around here, certainly not Maria, Meg and Ben."

Tess started to breath easier again she was on safe ground she could lead the way again. "Oh well Tim did when I first met him, though you only have my word for it now he's dead." She suddenly looked scared and exclaimed. "Hell! Are you saying Derek's been here since September! No he would have killed everyone in sight including Ben by now! … It was Ben who came back from Seattle, …Come on Derek could never love Maria and Benjy the way Ben does, it started before his trip and grown deeper in the months since.

Yes Ben was really cross about me but after he calmed down we talked, he understood about Derek, and agreed I had no choice in what I did.

She turned to the silent watcher. "As you know Dr Estrada, Ben cannot say anything to Maria because of her memory loss; you always insisted she had to regain her own memories. He knows there is a risk that once Maria remembers she may reject him and he will lose them both, have to walk away from his family even Sunset Beach. He really loves Maria and Benjy it's not on the rebound from Meg walking away from him either; he knew that was over before he left for Seattle she made that plain enough. Is Ben all right?

She paused but not enough to give Ricardo a chance to answer, this time she let her voice sound as though she was speaking as she thought. As she did her hands on the table got nearer the cup of coffee as she got more agitated.

"He must be if you've got him in the cells rather than hospital. Hell! Derek must have visited Sunset Beach. Hey! Do you think he killed Tim, used him then killed him … you know what Tim was like do anything to cause trouble... He was acting strange a couple of days before he disappeared I knew he was not over Meg no matter what he said… You really don't know the kind of hold that Derek can have over people." She came to a stop wondering how to carry on without giving anything away, she had been tempted to tip the cup of coffee but resisted in case it looked too obvious.

Ricardo sighed and Dr Estrada tried to hide her smile.

"Tess do you want to tell me your story." Ricardo said encouragingly hoping she would fall for it and give him something to work with, even lies would be good.

Tess toned her voice down to defeat and sadness. "If I say anything you will only twist it, we all know that. So I should see a lawyer first but I cannot afford one."

Ricardo decided not to rise to the insinuation and said calmly. "Ok Tess if that's the way you feel. You will have to stay in this room till a lawyer can be found that might not be till the morning. You know lawyers can also twist things to their advantage so it might be better if you talk to me now. At the moment you are facing aggravated kidnapping charges and that is life without appeal. If you change your mind knock on the door and an Officer will get me."

Tess sighed partly with relief she could work her way around that charge. "I did not kidnap anyone Ricardo, I'll wait thank you."

She turned her attention away from Ricardo and looked straight at Dr Estrada again. "You know what kind of pressure a dominating person can bring to bear don't you?

Dr Estrada was hoping Tess would not bring that one up but realized it was the obvious card to play and answered reluctantly. "Yes"

"Will that stand up in Court as a defence?"

"You will have to consult your lawyer Tess and get proof."

Tess smiled sweetly as she said. "Oh Ben will be my proof. He went through hell with his brother that's why he was willing to let me have a second chance with a new life." She looked at the cup of coffee in disgust and then back to Ricardo. "I'll have a cup of coffee now please white with no sugar this one's cold. Oh and something soft to sit or lie on."

Ricardo decided to play her game for now and started to get up Dr Estrada followed, Tess added anxiously. "Hey if I'm till the morning what about Benjy. What about Maria? You don't think Derek's harmed her do you!"

Dr Estrada walked out the room first; Ricardo ignored the question till he was in the doorway then hesitated in the doorway and said. "As you said earlier Tess Maria is not your problem, we will sort something out about Benjy." He closed the door told the Officer on guard to stay, feeling stiff he slowly followed Dr. Estrada down the corridor. Dr. Estrada slowed and sighed. "Fell right into that one didn't we!"

Ricardo nodded and asked. "Can she use Ben as her defence?" then as they passed another Police Officer ordered. "One coffee, white no sugar and something for Tess to lie on, make sure she stays in the room get a female Officer or two to escort her if she needs the bathroom. I would really hate to find she got through that window!"

Dr Estrada smiled at Ricardo's tone of voice; no one was going to lose Tess tonight and live and answered his question. "Yes if Ben has been treated the way I think he has by his brother. Trouble is he will have to go through it all in Court so she can prove her point. That is her trump card against us she knows we do not want to put Ben through that." She clicked into her doctor frame of mind and voice as she explained.

"Physical abuse by a child can be picked up once you clear up the competitive nature of the children. Mental abuse of one child on another is more difficult, the dominant one could threaten to hurt someone or something close to the child in fact anything the child loves. It's only recently children have been offered instant refuges, in the past there has always been a time lapse between telling and action that's when the dominant child would act to bring the victim into line, change the story so nothing would be done, the parent or who ever would just be put down to the child wanting extra attention or growing up tantrums."

"Hell this is not going to be easy."

"Not till we prove which one is Ben then it will be easy as a hot knife cutting through butter."

"Why do you say that?"

"He is an adult now and knows where his brother is and all the parties concerned are safe, he knows he has people he can trust around him. But he needs evidence that will stand up to anything that is thrown at it, which ever one he is Ricardo." Dr Estrada gently made her point.

Ricardo felt a shiver run through him. "Then we had better find out which one it is and get the evidence, the office is this way Gabi has collated the reports and Officers where possible. Ben has thought Derek died twice but still did not say anything to anyone."

"Years of conditioning to break through is not going to drop over night, did he have anyone close he could really trust Ricardo?"

"I suppose not… Circumstances never allowed it." Ricardo reluctantly admitted Dr Estrada kept silent.

Silence fell on the crowd in the office when they entered.

Ricardo took advantage of the situation. "Right this is Dr. Estrada who is helping to sort out who is who in the cells. We know Derek is behind something we have to find out which story is true. One is a kidnapping in Seattle four months ago and the false Ben living here, which means extra charges of fraud and rape. Or is it a case of an attack on a partner or burglar, an attempted murder regarding the car crash and kidnapping of Maria today which could have led to goodness knows what if it succeed! We have some pointers to the latter being the case but everything needs double checking that's why you are here." Ricardo looked around the room and accepted a couple of biscuits and coffee from Gabi before carrying on.

"I need the paramedics who looked at Evans A, sorry that is the one who was unshaven I am not going to use Ben and Derek for the brothers because it assumes we know who is who. B is the one who has been living here at Sunset Beach with Maria and Benjy." He nodded at the two paramedics, who raised their hands, and took a bite out of his biscuit realizing how hungry he was and wondered what time was.

The senior paramedic stood up. "We found Evans A and B fighting near the car where Meg was sitting, that was the front passenger seat we attended Meg, the Police Officer stopped the fight. After that my partner attended Tyus and Casey who were already clear of the crash then checked the other car. The Police Officer made sure Evans B kept away while I checked Evans A. he was near collapsing and dazed but when spoken to was able to focus enough to make sense of what was happening. He insisted that Evans B should not be anywhere near the other casualties and was concerned about Meg, Casey and Tyus in that order. I found a slight cut on his head just by the hair line, he did not lose consciousness so any bruising is superficial, there are abrasions and bruising on the wrists he said they were from handcuffs, I bandaged them. Then he seemed to lose focus completely repeating the address 137 Southern Avenue, it was not clearly said each time I picked it up better each time he spoke it, when I asked about it he just became more and more agitated less coherent so I stopped talking about it.

He obviously has not eaten properly for a while and was slightly dehydrated. I tried to give him an IV drip but he refused did not like the needle or trust me so I gave him water which he drank slowly. He had some bruising on his chest that will be added to by anything he got from the crash, as he was not strapped in, nothing appears to be broken but if he has difficulty breathing I would like him to go to hospital. I informed the staff as soon as I arrived here. From what I could gather he pushed Casey one way and drove the truck into the car said something about a gun and the windscreen falling but nothing clear... His confusion came in waves it could have been from shock and dehydration. I then checked the other brother and left my partner to look after A."

The other paramedic stood up "I was worried by the way he reacted on being told what day it was I thought it could have brought on a complete collapse but he recovered in the ambulance. I gave him a special liquid food solution to give his body some food it works quicker than a meal. He seemed better after that but remained silent, his attention still drifted, never became unconscious … sometimes he acting as though he was afraid of us but then he would come back to what was happening around him. He reacted very wary when his brother was near him once we were in the station and in the cells it was almost as if he was trying to make himself quieter."

Ricardo questioned, "I thought you said he did not speak."

"Sorry I mean his body language rather than words showing his quietness possible fear but I could not be sure."

"Thank you may go back to your shift now. Please don't say anything about the brothers I want to keep the media out it for the moment." Ricardo took advantage of the disturbance to finish his biscuits and coffee. "Right who was on the scene first?"

"I was, Officer Brent Sir. I was driving several car lengths behind the Rescue truck when it suddenly swerved into the car coming in the opposite direction. The road is straight although we had just come round a bend there was no warning of any trouble with the truck, I guess the Evans brother must have seen the car recognized it and taken advantage of the situation. I was driving towards the town the car was going out of town; the residential area eventually peters out into countryside until you get to the next town. I called in the accident, and then checked the scene.

I did not know who was involved in the crash till later, I saw one male from the car start to get out and movement from the truck I yelled at them to get everyone out, because of the smoke or steam from the front. I went to the third vehicle, which took a little time because it was buried in fence and bushes the driver was semi conscious drifting to unconsciousness but breathing all right, his air bag had saved him any bad injuries I made sure he was safe. There was a strong smell of drink; I guess he might have ended up in the fence regardless of the crash. I left him in the car and I went back to the crash scene, and confirmed numbers I saw Tyus and Casey were out and unconscious, one on each side of the road. I had to put Tyus in recovery position he had been left lying on his back, Casey was in recovery position and something thrown over him. The twins, although I did not realize they were twins then, were both round Meg's side the paramedic joined us just after the fight started. It was a bit one sided but I kept them separated till everyone turned up. They were both calling the other one Derek."

Something he heard the Evans brother say started to niggle Ricardo but he could not recall it so carried on with the debriefing. "Right any sign of a gun or shots being fired as mentioned by the twin to the paramedics?"

The Police Officer thought for a moment before replying. "The windscreens of both vehicles were smashed I assumed it happened when the vehicles hit, if the passengers did it that would be Meg in the car and I suppose the twin or Casey if he was pushed front and sideways. Can't say I heard a shot but the engines might have masked or it might have had a silencer."

Ricardo nodded and asked. "Can you get the CSI to look at the cars and the area, if you have to wait till morning someone needs to stay at the scene. Check that a gun has not been hidden in the car or undergrowth nearby please. Yes I know pig of a job but you were on the scene and have a better idea of the area covered."

There was a murmur of sympathy as the Officer got up to leave. Another Officer came into the office and started to talk to Dr. Estrada and waited as she stood up to speak.

"Ricardo, Tyus's files on Ben Evans and other patients are missing I think you should have a guard on Tyus's room he is the only one who can tell who is who in the morning or Court later."

Ricardo had a sinking feeling as he asked. "Any idea when the files went missing?"

The Officer spoke up. "No Sir possibly a day or so ago the staff are checking appointments to find out when Tyus saw the patients last, he's been on leave for a couple of days so they had no need to go to the cabinet. The Officers did a quick check for finger prints everything has been wiped clean they checked the rest of the office in case the files were on the desk no luck there."

"Damn! Right! You know the procedure do it for all the victims and explain to their visitors why they have to be checked and named Doctors and Nurses only you might just as well explain we do not know who we are looking for that way they will double check for us."

The Officer left, Ricardo looked across to Dr. Estrada who said quietly but everyone heard. "That could be what dominant twin knew and we did not. No records no proof its down to Tyus and Meg, which will be hearsay no written proof. The quiet one was banking on the files clearing him. Let's hope Tess is the only accomplice."

"Do we tell the twins about the files or leave it till later?"

"Oh later you can drop it in when you want to."

Ricardo thought for a moment. "Of course A could be making us believe he is banking on those files perhaps he knows they prove he is Derek so steals them before he rings Ben and makes his move. We only have his word that he arrived in Sunset Beach today as Tess said he could have been here earlier.

So! Let's examine every piece of paper, under the floor boards if needs be at 137 Southern Avenue and at Franklin Street, if Seattle doesn't want to get a Court order then we will get one and fly it up on the next flight get AJ to use his jet if needs be. Yes I know if it's B then Ocean Drive, The Deep and Java Web anywhere else we can think of. Umm get the hospital to check other offices as well we don't want it turning up in someone's out tray and it's all a mistake, and the twins knew nothing about them missing."

Gabi exclaimed. "Ricardo all the paper work there!"

He sighed. "Ruin everyone's Christmas not just ours! Yes and the bins in case they have been dumped. I'll ring round and get that started then perhaps some shut eye for us if the twins keep quiet. We know B had a message but that can't be pinned down unless we find the owner of the cell phone number. Any other suggestions... No Ok then carry on with your other jobs as well please."

Everyone dispersed to do their jobs leaving Ricardo alone with the phone calls for the moment till Gabi popped back in with a plate of sandwiches. "Mind if I wait while you ring round."

"No that will be great just a couple to finish. The hospital are going to keep their tapes for us so when we know who and when we can start looking." Ricardo took bites of the sandwiches used to eating while talking.

Gabi gave a short laugh. "You mean some poor rookie or officer who's rubbed you up the wrong way will sit looking at the screen all day."

Ricardo tried to look innocent. "Gabi as if I would be that… Umm not a bad idea … I'm going to sleep in the Officers quarters in case something happens what about you?"

"I'll pop home and get you some fresh clothes, then come back early morning with food. Shall I call in on Maria and see the others?"

Ricardo dialled and listened as he spoke "Only if you want to, Mama will most probably be hostile I'll ring in a moment to see how things are. It's too late for these calls anyway I'll do them first thing at least the rest were all right."

An Officer poked his head round the door. "They checked that cell phone it was the one that rang Ocean Drive. First ideas back on the selected areas we finger printed in Ocean Drive match Evans B that was kitchen, lounge, study area as well as computer, bathroom and bedroom. Before you smile too much, match on Evans A in the studio on some books, couple of glasses in the cupboard in the kitchen and in the study, could have been left when he was there from the first kidnapping before Maria turned up. Nothing to suggest things were placed to make us believe one twin had taken the place of the other recently. Sorry about that."

"Great I thought you have might have cracked the case! Right we know A's story is wrong he rang using the cell phone possibly had an argument with his partner and pushed him down the stairs did not kill him so handcuffed to the stairs to make sure he did not escape so he could finish up later. So never had any an intention of ringing for help. …."

Gabi butted in. "Ok why did A cover the man with a blanket or mention him later?"

"Good story if he was found out, please sir did try phone, battery dead and I could not get help felt too ill ask the paramedics. Or the shock of the accident made him spill the beans."

"Ricardo!" She exclaimed he silently challenged her so she continued heatedly. "Ok! Make it stick in Court, time the tape and the time of the call now we can put them together."

Ricardo laughed he knew when he was beaten and she had made a very valid point, which was why he liked her… no loved her and needed her. "Good point, I knew you were good to have around!" And kissed her, and then realized the Officer was still waiting, watching with a smile on his face.

"Ok you can check the phone call, time the tape, get it checked for any background noise etc and get any other information you can from the cell phone get an order if necessary. I want it by the morning if possible if not before lunch! Hey! No office gossip I can kiss my wife you know!"

"No Sir, Yes Sir or should that be Yes Sir, No Sir." Was heard as the Officer quickly disappeared along the corridor.

Gabi smiled and turned to leave. "You need rest I'll see you later." Kissed him and left.