Chapter 6
Ricardo pulled up behind the queue of vehicles waiting for the lorry at the road works to dump its load and move off. His mind ran over the tumbling thoughts he'd had the night before as he lay in bed trying to get his tired muscles to relax and switch his mind off from the day's events and felt as though a dark curtain had been lifted from his mind.
True he'd been gutted by their actions and it would take time for trust to come back, he missed them…loved them. He'd felt so vulnerable after the stroke … so alone, helpless and worse of all he did not know how to ask for the help from those around him. In his family and work life people turned to him for help and support, so how could he turn to them for help. His family were also covering things up and he'd bulked at the idea of talking to Michael. He was the one outsider who could have helped and he'd offered to be a listener as a friend and therapist even casually reminding him that everything would be confidential. If he'd taken the offer could things have turned out differently for all of them? He hadn't he found it easier to say no and curl up in his anger than face it and say yes.
Dr Estrada's words, that Ben would have needed someone really close to talk to, came back to him. And realised Ben might have been in the same position as he was now when he had met Maria and joined their family. He knew Ben was an independent person like himself and their friendship hadn't been deep enough for Ben to talk about his past. Perhaps he had not allowed it to grow because he saw Ben as someone able to look after Maria, and it was his turn to fulfil his own goal of becoming a detective and have his own life. So he didn't take on another soul who needed help to talk, and his brother's friendship to Ben … well, that was of a young man starting out in world and seeking an outsider's guidance rather than giving it. And yet Antonio had been the one who'd seen the cracks in the marriage but hadn't the confidence to voice it even to him.
He moved the car forward as the other ones moved; his mind as before registering what was happening but ran on with his thoughts. Could Dr Estrada really be right that Ben trusted him because of that early friendship and not the bitter years after Maria's disappearance? True because of those years Ben knew he would preserve and find the truth, even if things leaned away from the one he'd preferred. The one his brother so kindly pointed out was the easier and cleaner one … Derek's quick swoop into Sunset Beach that was stopped in its tracks by the accident.
Unconsciously he tensed up remembering the figure huddled in the cell after the flare up of anger, curling away from his twin's outburst about Meg. It was so like himself hitting out at Antonio and Gabi in anger and pain. If so that outburst came from Derek, he had thrown his brother's memory back at him to hurt him, which meant Ben had hurt him deeply in the past. He knew he had to find out from Casey and Meg about that night of the storm and clear it up, and let them take it from there with all its fall out. It would also mean Ben would need their strength to get him through the next few days, and then start facing normal life, without having to skirt round one another in case they hurt each others feelings. If that was case how had Ben stayed sane all these months? ….
He sighed releasing his breath and tension knowing Ben would be all right, Dr. Estrada was watching him while he was here getting the information needed to set him free. Derek … His thoughts stopped as the man with the stop/go sign was going to walk out in front of his car and stop his slow progress. He moved quickly and one handed grabbed his shield from the shelf and flashed it at the man… he did not want to stop … the man looked at it and him, then smiled and stepped back but pointed to the car behind him to stop.
Ricardo smiled and nodded thanks and moved on in a better frame of mind.
oxoxo
Outside Casey's room Ricardo explained to the Officer he wanted him to come in and listen to the conversation. He opened the door and saw Casey propped up by pillows looking pale with a bruise on the side of his forehead, and could almost feel the headache.
Sara who was sitting quietly beside his bed looked up and, before Ricardo could say anything, said, "I'm staying with Casey Ricardo!"
The Officer made himself comfortable on a stool near the wall, and Ricardo moved over to the other chair on the opposite side of Casey's bed and sat down saying. "That's fine Sara but I need this to be between Casey and myself only."
Sara understood the order of 'shut up' and nodded her acceptance.
Casey asked anxiously just as Ricardo finished talking. "Where is Ben Ricardo? No one will tell me, all they say is he is all right, even Sara's keeping quiet."
Ricardo hid his smile at that bit and answered quickly. "The Evans brothers are in cells at the station."
"You idiot!" Casey shouted ignoring his headache and making the others jump. He took a breath and carried on calmer. "Derek kidnapped Ben, I don't know when, he was not too clear just wanted to find you and Meg, Maria and Benjy!"
"Why me?" Ricardo asked.
"He knew you would get his brother for him. He did not say very much I think he could have been drugged or ill."
Ricardo had deliberately kept the victims in isolation from what was happening so he could get their own story. But now he needed certain information quickly, and in spite of his thoughts it could go either way said. "This is important Casey did he mention Maria or 137 Southern Avenue or a man needing help there?"
Casey closed his eyes and thought back, how in the headlights he saw the staggering collapsing figure on the beach … driving close to him … stopping and the shock of finding out who it was. … How he had to convince Ben it was all right to get in truck … and their odd conversations after. Then as he gathered his thoughts said. "Umm… he kept on repeating 137 Southern Avenue but not as one thing or all at once … so I picked it up as he went along I think there was something about a man, but nothing about Maria. No, he wanted you to find her along with the others."
"So he did not know Maria was in the house."
"No. What was she doing there for heavens sake?"
"She was drugged in a bed upstairs. Evans says he was only downstairs."
Casey came back with his answer straight away. "That's not surprising, he could hardly walk when I saw him on the sands. He kept on complaining about black outs, cramp, something about a trunk, I don't know as I said he was muddled nearly blacked out on me when I was getting him into the truck."
Ricardo thought out loud. "Trunk of a car from Seattle to Sunset Beach possibly."
Casey stared at Ricardo for a moment as the words sunk in then exclaimed. "Hell! Does that mean Derek kidnapped him when he visited Seattle in September and he got back yesterday!"
Sara said softly in distress as her went over the possibility. "Oh No! … I … I told him he would not be missed Ricardo!"
That surprised Ricardo he had forgotten she was there, as she had kept so quiet and said. "Sorry Sara?" needing clarification.
Sara sighed and got her thoughts together then started calmly though she didn't feel it. "A couple of days before his trip in September, I over heard some conversations between Tess and Tim …I thought they had a scam going to get a million dollars. Meg and I cornered Tim, he tried to cover pretending they had put money on the lottery thing but I could sense it was wrong. I knew Tim could be lead a stray and Tess has a strong enough character to use him. Anyway the more I thought about it the more I did not like it so I went round to Ben to tell him my fears … after all he is the only one they both knew with money like that. I think he was going to look into Tess's past again anyway but I pushed it said I did not have enough credit to pay for the trip and he could travel on business and not be missed by any one…"
Casey butted in. "Surely Tyus and his records have shown you the difference between them if there is one?'
Ricardo explained. "The records are missing and Tyus was a passenger in the car and is still unconscious or sleeping. Either way the Doctors have not given me the all clear to see him yet. The same with Meg but don't worry about her she will be fine. Of course we have two Bens and no Derek and their stories can be turned round either way, and the one who's been in Sunset Beach has the stronger alibis. If push comes to shove that twin should have been freed last night, but it didn't happen so I had them both put in jail, that way one could not do a runner on me if he really was Derek. I must see the man with a broken leg, and hopefully he will confirm one of the twin's stories, then I will return and explain it all to you."
He got up to leave and then stopped remembering his earlier thoughts, and said. "Sara I need a private word with Casey, do you mind?"
Sara recognised that tone and go up saying. "No not too long though. I'll get drinks for us Casey."
Ricardo added gently but firmly. "Not a word to anyone Sara." She smiled and went out with the Officer.
Ricardo had not been too sure how to phrase it and decided to come straight to the point. "Right I need to know what happened under South Pier between you and Meg, one July evening in the pouring rain. No hedging because it could hurt you or Meg, anything said will be kept between ourselves, if I should have to make the information public I will warn you and Meg first."
Casey closed his eyes for a moment wondering where it was all leading, he knew Ricardo well enough to realize he had a good reason to ask, and wondered how had he found out about it and why was Ben involved. He didn't want it opened up again, he'd hoped that the episode had been closed now he was with Sara, she knew some of that evening but not about the kiss and that could cause problems.
He opened his eyes and fidgeted a bit and explained. "Ok. I made a big mistake Ricardo, I thought I loved Meg and nearly lost one of my best friends, and lost Ben I guess … Sorry you need to know about that night."
He took a deep breath and began. "Started at Surf Central, myself, Sara and Meg were living there, it was earlier in the evening before the storm. I had gone out to get a pizza for Sara and myself, Meg had gone off for the day without leaving us a message which was a bit odd. Sara stayed in, in case Meg rang otherwise she would have been with me and perhaps things would have been different.
When I returned to Surf Central with the pizza the front door was slightly open and I over heard part of an argument between Tim and Sara during which he revealed they had been plotting to break Meg and Ben up, and Sara had taken something from my car to delay us following Meg as planned. Sara thought she was helping Meg find her love for Ben again in fact Tim wanted to use it to his advantage to get back with Meg. Things got twisted around because Tim ended up bringing Maria back to Sunset because of the cave-in, and Meg and Ben accidentally met in a lay-by and found what they called their Casita and their love again.
Anyway, back to that night I'd thought Sara had stopped plotting because she loved and trusted me, so I was furious walked in and threw Tim out, told Sara we were over and she should pack her things and go before I returned. I was too cross and hurt to listen to her or anyone else so I went to the Pier to try and get my senses around it all, and found Meg there in distress as well.
Eventually we traded stories, she had been to their Casita, earlier that day she had seen Ben and Maria go off together then later heard Tess and Benjy talking about Ben and Maria being at the Casita. She went to investigate and found signs that Ben had slept there with Maria, but had not seen them in person if you know what I mean. I tried to tell her that Ben would not do that kind of thing but she would not listen, the evidence had been too strong apparently and I was not going to ask for details. … I also think she always thought Ben's place was with his family now he had one, not with her. She did not want to be the one to break it up and hurt a child who had just found his father. When it was just Maria and the gap between them it would have been all right … two adults etc.
Meg tried to consul me about Sara, as you can guess we were pretty cut up about our situations we had a friendly hug which progressed to a kiss after she'd told me it was finally over she never wanted to hear Ben's name again, and never wanted to be hurt like she had been with Ben and her father had been right he was not for her. After the kiss I took her back to Surf Central, as you can imagine we were soaking wet, it was a bad overhead storm there was a lot of thunder and lightening … the lot. We dried out, talked and she realized it was wrong and she did not see me as a lover only a friend. I accepted her decision but it took me a while longer to fully realize it. Our friendship is stronger now and I think Sara understands it but she does not know about the kiss, which could cause trouble. … How come you know about it we certainly haven't told any one and I thought we were the only ones around in that storm?"
"Ouch!" Ricardo sighed realizing what the twin had been doing to his brother, and the pain Ben must have felt seeing it all and explained. "You were not the only ones under the South Pier that night, I guess it's a good thinking place, the pillars make you invisible to people passing by. One twin just let the other one have it full force while hoping we would be fooled into thinking something completely different. We also found out that Tim and Tess set Meg up regarding the Casita … Ben was never there with Maria. It was part of a plan to get Maria and Ben back together to what end we are not sure yet. You see Tess is connected to Derek but we are not sure how closely. Hopefully the threat of life in jail might prise the truth out of her."
Casey had closed his eyes hoping his slight headache would ease remembering South Pier used to Ben's thinking place and understood for the first time why Ben had nearly knocked him out when their paths crossed later. He opened his eyes but remained silent for a while then said quietly. "Ben came round to Surf Central to see Meg later that morning I came in and he hit me, certainly saw stars. He did not say anything about that night, perhaps he would have if Maria had not come in and Meg threw them both out.
There was never a chance to settle things properly after that I guess the damage had been done; she lost trust in him, he and I lost friendship. …What a mess … You mean Tess could have been stirring things in the background since she arrived with Benjy. Hell. … Ben's always been a private person, well you know that … and now Derek's got his memories guess that must have been through drugs … he's had a rough time Ricardo."
Ricardo stayed silent and was going to leave it at that but Casey's expression and words stopped him. He realized Casey needed to know more about his friend. The 'Ben' in Sunset Beach had hurt him as the friendships had been completely dropped … the excuse had been to concentrate on Maria and Benjy with the added fact that Meg was staying at Surf Central would make friendship awkward. Ricardo felt a shiver go through him, wondering what had happened in Seattle if Derek had been with Maria for all those missing years. He slammed the thought away it would have to wait till she remembered, and he'd have to remember Derek and Tess's versions might not be trusted.
He nodded and said. "We don't know what happened there yet, it's been like a tennis match in the cells, information being the ball slamming between two players. We have a choice of stories, the twin you picked up, Evans A, as I've called him, was planning to take over his brother's life, we found Maria drugged at 137 Southern Avenue as a pointer towards him being Derek, there is no reason why Ben would do such a thing, as well as an unconscious male who could have been his partner, of course they have not given us their story yet.
Hang on before you interrupt I'm not disregarding your version that Ben, Evans A, was kidnapped in Seattle transported here broke free, found you and tried to stop things by causing the accident, nothing is straightforward, these are just bare facts so you can see what we are up against.
Ok added to the other evidence against Evans A is the fact that Evans B who has been at Ocean Drive got a phone call from Derek. There was a phone message we've a tape of it and we have confirmed that Evans A could have made the phone call. There was a cell phone with the man we found at Southern Avenue also a car, which was in Franklin Street, Seattle. Evans B says he could not find Maria but found Meg and was taking her to Tyus's flat to hide her, which is on the edge of town, when he came across you and Derek in your truck and Derek caused the accident in order to kill him. He …"
Memories of the crash hit Casey and he exclaimed. "Ricardo! He was trying to stop his brother not kill them! To be honest I did not see much guess headlights got in the way, perhaps he sensed his twin was there acting dangerously. Anyway Tyus's flat is not on that edge of town he was going the wrong way that way leads to the estate and Southern Avenue!"
"Oh Great! I knew something was wrong with it but could not put my finger on what it was. Is it definitely the wrong way?"
Casey thought for a moment then said hesitantly, "Well... if the road works blocking the feed road into that part of the town are still there then no because some people were going out of town to come back on the old road. Sort of feel good factor … keep moving rather than sitting in a queue I doubt if it actually saved time though."
Ricardo sighed and said. "Thank you very much, no further forward am I ... the road works are there, getting worse by the day. See what I mean everything gets cancelled or twisted. Things are beginning to point to A being Ben which really stinks but I need something solid, in stone preferably to prove it… Dr Estrada was right about one thing A has got time on his side.
Twin B has been louder than the Ben we are used to but we've never seen them together so it could be just natural reaction. Or it could be what he thinks we would expect of him I mean if I had a brother who did what Derek did in the past and he was one side of the bars and I was the other I would give him hell. Twin A is the quieter one, more like Ben the longer I look at him, but that could be guilt or shock from his treatment if he was a prisoner or it could be a ploy to make us believe his story. Thanks for helping him, can you make a statement when and where you found Mr. Evans etc to the Officer outside."
"Yes and I see what you mean… But I know Ben is the one I picked up. Can I explain it all to Sara?" He ended hopefully not looking forward to the barrage of questions that would heighten his headache.
Ricardo smiled and relented. "Yes but I don't want it all round the family just yet, you know what Hank's is like where Ben and Meg is concerned."
Casey gave a heartfelt sigh. "Oh boy he must be up the wall by now, and when he finds this out … hell!"
Ricardo nodded and left letting Sara and the Officer in.
A nurse in the corridor stopped Ricardo to inform him he was wanted on the phone. He followed her to the extension on the wall. He listened for a while and confirmed they should stop the searches. After putting the phone back he walked thoughtfully along the corridor to the room he wanted and asked the Officer standing guard to come in with him.
Ricardo stood just inside the doorway having closed the door after the Officer had come in and found a seat and took out his pad and pencil and waited.
The silence started to unnerve the man lying in bed with his leg in plaster so he broke it. "Ok I plead guilty to robbery but I want the man who attacked me caught and charged. He nearly killed me!"
Ricardo could not help smiling as he walked over to the other chair putting a small tape machine on the table, switching it on before saying. "Today is December 24 1999. I'm Detective Ricardo Torres also with me is Sergeant Smithson taking the statement. Mr. Jake Kincaid I'm arresting you for the kidnapping of Benjy Evans and the later kidnapping of Ben Evans in September 1999. Anything you say …."
"Hey! Stop! I did not kidnap any child or Ben Evans. I broke into 137 Southern Avenue then a lunatic attacked me left me for dead!" Jake shouted back terrified of the implications.
Ricardo hid the smile that was threatening and replied calmly and clearly. "How do you think we found you? … Did you dial 911 or wrap yourself in that blanket which kept you warm so you would not die? … No thought not. … We know the man who attacked you was defending himself, after all you'd put him in the trunk of a car and drove him from Seattle; in case you have forgotten his name is Ben Evans and you were there, that is Franklin Street in Seattle and Southern Avenue in Sunset Beach on the orders of Derek Evans his twin brother!"
Jake said quieter hoping to hide the panic in his voice. "I did not kidnap anyone. Hey! I bet that lunatic who attacked me is the man your after. Must have been the one in Settle or where ever, did I foil a kidnap attempt then. Sorry can't help with a description it was dark in the passageway."
Ricardo kept a straight face and carried on as if Jake had not spoken. "Let's go back further. Remember the fight under the Pier when you got money for Benjy Evans, you know Ben's son, and the group who tried to keep you till Benjy was found. Well they will identify you from a line up, even if their description of you was poor then. We now know someone in that group could have been helping to spoil the chances of you getting caught. I don't know if you realize it but you are held responsible for the explosion, which could have killed Ben and Benjy."
He paused but not long enough for an interruption and dropped his bombshell. "The line up does not really matter as the crime lads got lucky found a partial fingerprint, kept it safe and matched it with yours as you slept! Kidnapping an adult and a child means life in prison as attempted murder due to the explosion things could get difficult for you so tell us what happened and we can talk to the DA about better accommodation than the hell hole you deserve."
Jake reckoned he could still get out if and stubbornly repeated. "Perhaps I turned the place over but I am no a kidnapper … I break into places like 137 Southern Avenue. This time a man attacked me and knocked me down the stairs and handcuffed me so I could not raise the alarm."
Still keeping his voice calm Ricardo came back at him remembering the phone call just now. "I see so you go for dumps with nothing much in them to steal. Sort of learning the craft hoping to progress to better things. …. Ok you want it the hard way fine we will add the break-ins to the list of crimes and recommend the hardest jail we can find for the rest of your natural life! … You might be pleased to know that we found your broken window." Jake started to smile which faded as Ricardo went on. "I would like to know how all the broken glass was on the outside of the house if you were breaking in. … You see usually when you break a window the force of the object going into the glass carries it away from you; you managed to do the opposite strange that."
He stopped for a second to allow the officer to turn the snort into a cough and then carried on. "Of course the CSI team wants to know exactly how you did it in case it's a new idea amongst thieves. So they will be along soon with their questions. Also they would like to know what you used because they found a paperweight in some cloth outside in the grass and reckon that was used to break the window. …. The cloth protected your hand and stopped fingerprints but it was outside not inside the house. I suppose you could have dropped it there on purpose just to confuse everyone."
Ricardo had kept eye contact with Jake through out and Jake had starred straight back and stayed quiet but he reckoned the man would really start to squirm now and carried on deceptively casual. "Oh yes your finger prints, … they seem to get around a lot even if you don't found them at Franklin Street, Seattle. There is a photo of Ben and Meg in the basement and a half empty syringe with a truth drug in it with Derek's finger print on it and your fingerprints are all over the basement. Oh yes including the metal ring that kept the chains attached to the wall! … No doubt they will be all over the food wrappings found in the bins as well. The Officers love that job especially the big one waiting to be collected by the truck. But don't think it will be necessary as there was a nice easy one left in the kitchen. That one was dated 22 December 1999."
He sharpened his voice. "So don't claim you've never been to Seattle, or you have a twin! We, that is the Seattle Police, are checking that food wrapping with others then they will find the store and the tapes from those stores will be watched and guess whose going to be on them! Of course there is the car your prints all over it forgot the cleaning rag obviously."
Ricardo carried on watching him silently; Jake was the first one to break eye contact and looked away only to find the Police Officer staring at him, he looked down at the bedclothes as if they would help him. He realized he had to change his story quick get the best deal, what the hell had happened to Derek, he would no doubt put the boot in, make it all his fault. No if Derek had spilled the beans this detective would have been even harder on him. What about Ben if he had made a statement, could they both be dead, or out of it? Ok my side of the story and see what happens. He looked up at Ricardo and said. "All right do a deal for me with the D.A as you promised. It's on tape so you can't break your word. Mr. Derek Evans told me he wanted me to look after his brother then bring him to Sunset Beach. I was to leave Ben Evans at 137 Southern Avenue and he was going to deal with him from there I was to collect money and leave."
"How was Derek going to deal with him?"
"No idea, would not tell me."
"How did you kidnap Ben?"
Silence.
Ricardo started to lose patients he wanted this done quickly now he knew the truth. "Come on! Derek cannot get near Ben without him knowing so you had to help. Think on this, the longer you take less of a deal you get. Ben got you help, Derek would have left you to died and on his past record most probably will have killed you rather than paid you!"
Jake knew the last bit was true he was still owed the last payment the rest had nearly all gone paying debts. "All right! I followed Ben out of the hotel; he wandered around for a while possibly getting the feel of the place I was to drug him as soon as possible. He stopped for a coffee break and I managed to drug his coffee with a quick working calming drug. It works within seconds gets stronger as time goes by, the person is open to suggestion so I told him I would take care of him and then guided him to the car and told him to sit quietly while I handcuffed him then drove him to his brother in Franklin Street. I handed him over to his brother and left returning when Derek left for Sunset Beach several days later. I have no idea what happened between them, Derek trusts no one more than he has too. I fed and looked after Ben till yesterday, I gave him a drug to carry him through the journey; he was still drugged when I dragged him from the car to the top of the basement stairs.
I thought he was helpless I was so wrong, he waited till I was balanced at the top of the stairs then started to struggle, I over balanced and ended up bouncing down the stairs. While I was out of it he must have found the keys and released himself and made me comfortable. I treated him as fairly as I could, no way could I go against his brother's wishes, I was being watched by Derek's friends and he rang me for progress reports, there was no given time for the phone calls. I had to do as he told me … He has false evidence on me that could put me away for life. I did not kidnap Benjy, he came willingly, we knew each other from Seattle and Tess told him what to do. So no way am I going down for that!"
Ricardo could feel anger rising and gave a small shake of the head deciding to ignore the false evidence ploy, it sounded too familiar. "You could have called the police they would have come undercover and as for Benjy you asked for and took money that makes it kidnapping of a minor and he nearly got killed because of it! Now we need a statement from you in full no lies understand! The Officer here will deal with it!" Ricardo could not keep his anger in any longer switched the machine off and exclaimed as he slowly got up to leave the room. "Chuff him to the bed regardless of the Doctors! How the hell am I going to tell Maria this!"
oxoxo
Gabi was waiting for him in the corridor and started talking immediately he joined her not really noticing his distress. "That answer tape message is longer than the phone call, there are a lot of calls to Seattle on Ben's cell phone, that's the one registered to Evans in Sunset Beach and a couple on the Ocean Drive phone. We did destroy all the copies of the fingerprints you took off Ben after the warehouse kidnapping so I thought I'd check with The Deep and see if there were any bottles of wine that could be checked and dated. Apparently Ben, Evans B, had staff move all the bottles in the cellar moved last month so there will not be any clear fingerprints." She suddenly realized Ricardo was not happy. "What's wrong I thought Casey and what his name would help solve the case?"
Ricardo tried to smile and sighed. "He has and so has Kincaid our so called burglar. Derek's been living here at Sunset Beach as Ben not only deceiving Maria, but Benjy as well! How do we explain that to a child, and how do you think Maria will react, she's been sleeping with him thinking he is Ben for heaven sake? … We should have taken more notice of Meg and the way Ben so quickly turned to Maria after his business trip. … … I also reckon Derek killed Tim and I expect Tess could be involved, after all she helped break Meg and Ben apart. Perhaps Derek was jealous or Tim found something out I guess we will never know."
"Oh No!" She exclaimed putting her hand on his arm not knowing what else to do then remembered her other messages. "The others are awake and can you ring base the Officer who was first at the scene of the accident wants a word he's at the garage not the station said it is urgent."
Ricardo trying to understand his feelings as he went to find a wall phone, he had to admit he had the kick of pleasure at finding who was who but the shockwaves from it all and Ben's possible treatment made him shudder. He dialled the number and listened then acknowledged the information before returning to Gabi.
He shook his head and gave a little smile put his arm round Gabi's shoulders and guided her in the right direction as he spoke. "You have to admire the guy for quick thinking…Lets say Derek sets things in motion to kill everyone at 137 Southern Avenue and blame dead Ben as Derek. Despite the shock of the crash and his brother appearing like that he manages to hide the gun, which had been fired. They found a dent in the frame work of the rescue truck's passenger window. Anyone else would have panicked and thrown it in the hedges no not our Derek no he hides it under the driver's seat of the damn police car when the officer was checking the third car.
He felt Gabi's silent laugh and carried on. "The real Ben was most probably looking after Casey or Tyus or still too drugged and shocked to notice what his brother was doing. We were lucky our Officer had everywhere local to the scene checked then started thinking about unlikely spots and remembered leaving the door of his car open as he ran to the scene but had to open it when he returned. So he had the lads check the car and they found the gun with Derek's prints on it. Our piece of solid evidence."
He let his arm drop from Gabi's shoulders and shivered exclaiming. "Hell of a brother hey! To think if those two had teamed up they would have had the world at their feet whichever side of the law they ended up… I need to see Antonio first I want him to talk to Maria. Then it will be Tyus and then Meg. Can you ask Maria who drugged her while I speak to Antonio?"
Gabi nodded then said gently but forcefully. "We need to put the real Ben out of his misery."
Ricardo sighed he understood Gabi's reasons but he needed it done his way. He made his voice gentle, less of the official police officer, so she would realize he understood her. "He knows we will get to the truth and this should not take long with a bit of luck Meg might be able to come back with me. I'm sure Maria will not want Ben anywhere near her for a while, I can't even guess how Benjy will feel."
Gabi smiled and nodded her acceptance, Ricardo knocked on the door and Antonio opened it, and joined his brother in the corridor, Gabi went in to see Maria who was talking to Carmen. After a while Antonio went back in and sat on the chair beside Maria and started to tell her all Ricardo told him, Gabi quietly left closing the door behind her and linked her arm through Ricardo's as they walked along the corridor.
Her voice was gentle reassuring as she passed on her news. "All Maria remembers is having a drink at home then waking up here, either Tess or Derek could have done it and she's not too sure whether it was early morning or afternoon I expect that will come clearer later... She'll be all right eventually Ricardo you know that, good family and friends around her. Antonio can tell Benjy when he comes back from the play area. Come on, Tyus next he should be the easy one."
oxoxo
She was right he was all ready talking to a Police Officer and another Doctor, when they entered the room. Tyus greeted Ricardo with a smile. "I've given a statement Ricardo and they said my files are missing."
"Glad to see you are all right Tyus, the missing files have turned up would you believe it Tess posted them to Franklin Street they got delayed and arrived this morning straight into the Officers hands. Her fingerprints are all over them we can get them back on the next plane. Can you confirm for me that Ben's eyes are clear no scaring of any kind?"
Tyus answered straight away. "There's no scaring in his eyes, glad about the files I need them as soon as possible. I'm just suffering a headache and confusion, one moment I was talking to Ben about the Christmas Eve party when he knocks me out, started to come round in a car when something hits the car, and I blanked again. Now I find out it could have been Derek I was talking to and Ben's been in Seattle since September! How is he apart from cross?"
Ricardo smiled it was nice to have it put so clearly. "Slight bruising, needs feeding up and rest I should think. He's had a verbal bashing from his brother but I get the feeling he's used to it. I'm going to see Meg now; I suppose you will want to check him over as soon as you are fit."
"Yes. I trust he's been seen to properly."
"Paramedics did a good job and Dr Estrada is keeping a very close eye on him."
"Good I want her to carry on seeing him after you've finished with him. I must admit I would have split those two up immediately but she is the qualified one, it must have been something to see the two of them together." He eyed the man standing next to his bed and said. "Once this Doctor has finished with me I'll join him at the station."
"No you will see him later, you have to rest. That is my order!" The Doctor said sharply.
"But…"
"You were knocked out twice!"
"Hey I can see one of you!" Tyus hit back.
"And I'm the one in charge! You're staying!"
Ricardo laughed and left the two Doctors to argue it out and turned to Gabi. "Go back to Casey's room and explain everything to him for me. I'll see Meg, if she's fit and wants to go I'll take her down to the station, so I'll see you there later."
Gabi smiled and left.
As soon as he opened the door to Meg's room he knew he was going to be in trouble no one had told them anything so nerves were getting frayed, voices raised. Despite being pale and a small bruise on her forehead Meg was arguing with her father. Joan was trying to stop the pair of them without much success. Meg spoke in a concerned rush as soon as he was in the doorway.
"Ben was with Casey, Ricardo, Derek's been here in Sunset Beach! Is Ben all right? Dad says you have them both in the cells."
Ricardo said quickly "He is all right Meg."
Then looked at Hank and spoke with authority "Hank I want you to sit down and be quiet or go out of the room while I speak to Meg and Joan. I have not got time to argue with you."
Hank looked shocked and started to object. Ricardo carried on "I have the authority to do it Hank your daughter is an adult and does not need you here to protect her! Now shut up and sit down or get out!"
Hank sat down speechless.
Ricardo's voice lost all its anger. "Right. First of all Meg we have them in the cells safe. Tyus and Casey are awake with headaches just like you. Maria was found drugged at 137 Southern Avenue, the house where Ben had been kept in but she is awake, shocked but all right. Now I need to give you some information and then I want your true feelings not what you think everyone else thinks you should feel Ok."
Meg looked across at her mother then back at Ricardo dreading what was coming and said. "Ok Ricardo, what's wrong with Ben?"
Ricardo smiled "Nothing really that freedom will not cure, Ben was kidnapped by Derek while in Seattle, he was kept in a basement at Franklin Street. Mr. Kincaid helped kidnap Benjy and looked after Ben in Seattle, Ben has got bruising from the crash, slightly undernourished and has not seen daylight for four months and been kept in chains." He paused for a moment as Joan had gone to Meg and held her hand because she was starting to cry. He carried on gently.
"I know you sensed something was odd about Ben but we still thought he was safe here and did not jump to the identical twin thing. We have to understand that guilt and put it to one side, so we can give him and his family the support they need. Derek drugged Ben and took his memories, Dr Estrada is watching him at the moment and will help him get over that. We have found out that Tess is Derek's partner but we don't know how much she was working on her own or from his instructions, so everything that has happened since she came with Benjy has to be sorted out.
There is something you must know... It's difficult to put this properly... Think back to your last visit to the Casita not with Ben, by yourself Meg just before you finally broke up with Ben July time. I don't know all the details but you thought Ben had taken Maria there and slept with her right."
Meg was speechless and just nodded Hank started to exclaim and Ricardo spun round on him sharply. "Hank! Leave it or the room!"
Then turned back to Meg and carried on gently. "Meg, Ben did not take Maria there it was a set up done by Tim and Tess to get you to break with Ben. Ben saw you and Casey kissing under the Pier later on, I've spoken to Casey about it so don't be cross with him, I don't know what Ben did after but I assume it was something drastic because he threw his plate and it broke on the bars, when his brother dropped that bombshell. You could say he was pretty pissed off at himself."
Meg was crying and ran her hand through her long black hair as she tried to understand it and realized what it meant.
Ricardo added. "It's possible that Derek killed Tim, Joan I'm sorry."
Hank and Joan looked sadly at each other but remained silent.
Meg said shakily "It was the next morning I got to thinking about Casey's words that Ben would not take Maria there and I wanted the truth from him so I went looking for him and found him and Maria together at the Deep. That's when I knew I had lost him Ricardo. Later that day we met and argued again I threw him out then we met again accidentally under the pier he told me then he was hurting but I did not listen just told him there was nothing more to be said he didn't force the issue, never did, not his way, we agreed to go our separate ways and he wished me well."
Ricardo understood the unsaid implications and knew she would not say anything else with her parents there and said gently. "I know from what Dr Estrada said, and the fact they found a photo of you and Ben in the basement in Seattle you were on his mind a lot more than Maria was."
"Oh Ricardo all these months! … " Meg exclaimed and wiped some tears away.
Ricardo gently stopped her words as he said. "I want to know quickly, how Derek got you into the car then we will go and see Ben if the Doctor will allow it."
The Doctor as if by magic came in and waited silently in the doorway.
Meg shook her head to clear it but regretted it and paused for a moment then said quickly "I was walking to Sunset Sister's Derek pulled up beside me and pointed a gun at Tyus who was slumped on the back seat. Told me he had Ben and if I wanted to see both of them alive I had to get in the front with him. He drove towards the edge of town and then recognized the rescue truck and knew his brother was there, I don't know whether he recognized him or felt him. He rested the gun against the steering wheel pointing it towards them. I think I screamed possibly hit out, he might have used it I don't know as we crashed it was so mixed up. I hit my head on the something and blanked out."
The Doctor spoke before Ricardo could say anything. "Providing you do not do too much Meg you can sign out. The forms are all ready Casey and Sara are going to Surf Central to rest and said you can use that as a base if you and Ben want to."
Meg looked at Ricardo as he said. "Ben has not got anything to his name at the moment not even clothes. The CSI are keeping the ones he was wearing, they are too dirty to wear anyway. His money will be frozen till we sort out what Derek has taken off him and Ocean Drive is a crime scene, I should not think he will want any clothes from there anyway. The Deep and Java Web will remain open but their records will be gone through. I need to know if you want to be with him?"
"Of course I do!" She started to try and get up then realized "Mum what about my things?"
Hanks' quiet protest was lost as Joan smiled and answered. "There's a blouse and trousers in a bag here. Now give me the number or name of the shop Ben uses I'm sure they will let him pay for the things later, if not Dad and I will pay for them. I'll ask them to deliver something to the station and the rest to Surf Central. Dad and I will get some food for all of you and I expect you to see us sometime tomorrow for Christmas lunch or tea but we can confirm that later. Give him my love and don't smother him too much if he's been alone for four months it might be too much all at once."
"Thanks Mum it's in my bag if you'll look for me. Dad, you do understand don't you? I love him more than anything else in the world and this time I'm going to stand by him. Now let me get dressed!" She pleaded.
Hank felt shocked by what he had heard but still could not stop voicing his doubts. "I don't approve Meg he's brought you nothing but trouble, and he still has Maria and his son to think of!"
Joan finished writing the information down and got up saying sharply. "Hank! We've got to talk outside now! Don't worry sweetheart you go to Ben he is your top priority."
Ricardo followed Hank and Joan out the room and waited outside. He smiled as Joan led Hank down the passage her words were not clear but tone and body language said it all ... she was laying down the law.