FORGOTTEN MEMORIES!—9

"So, Joseph is feeling better," Al smiled at the policeman before her.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Excellent. What's he doing?"

"Yesterday he was at the station and went through the records there. He's trying to figure out who kidnapped him," Martin explained.

"Did he have any success?"

"No, all he did was give himself a headache."

"Poor, Joseph," her voice lacked the sympathy the words usually conveyed. "How many policemen are watching him?"

"There are still four men stationed around his home and one inside."

"How long before they're called off?"

"I don't know."

"If they aren't called off soon we'll just have to get to him in another way," she grinned as she picked up a picture of a pretty dark skinned woman and a boy. "Perhaps it's time we used the ones he loves to bring him back to me."

Martin swallowed, unable to believe how cruel this woman could be. Taking Joe Mannix down was one thing, but he didn't cotton to the idea of using a woman and child to help her get what she wanted. A grown man took his chances in their line of work, but Toby Fair was an innocent and he drew the line at hurting a child. "I won't..."

"You won't what," Al interrupted. "Hurt a child? A woman? Then get Joe Mannix here within the week. I won't wait any longer than that. You bring him to me or I will use this boy to bring him here. Do I make myself clear, Daniel?"

"Perfectly," Martin spat.

"You have one week."

"I'll get him here."

"Make sure you do…now get out of my home."

MANNIX-MANNIX-MANNIX

"Peg."

"Yes, Joe?"

"Go home. I'm sure Toby misses having his mom around."

"He understands, Joe."

"I'm sure he does. Look, Peggy, Art's staying with me until the doc clears me. Your son needs his mother at home with him."

"I..."

"I know you're worried about me, but I'm fine. Peggy, I love having you here, but it's time you went back to a normal routine. Toby needs his mother. It's time to go back to your normal working hours."

"Joe," she tried to hide the pain the words caused her, but couldn't.

"Peggy," he stood on shaky legs and lifted her chin until her eyes met his. "It's not that I don't want you here. It's just that I can't help feeling I'm being selfish. You need to get some rest and you're not doing that by staying here."

"I'm worried, Joe," she sobbed as she leaned into his broad chest, noting that he was finally gaining some weight back, not enough, but it was a start.

"I know you are, Peg." He held her tight and kissed the top of her head. "I'm not going to do anything stupid," he told her knowing what was on her mind. She knew how frustrated he was by the lack of progress with his memories and the police files. "Heck, Peg, if I did I'd have to put up with your temper. I don't think I'm ready for that yet."

Peggy pulled back and looked up at the handsome face. The dark circles under his eyes were gone; the face was gaining some color back. The eyes sparkled with mischief as she looked into them and she knew she was lost. She watched as his mouth descended on hers and felt the warm fire his touch ignited. All too soon it ended, leaving her breathless and weak. "Joe, I..."

"I know, Peg, just give me a little longer, and we'll finish that date we planned before all of this happened."

"All right, Joe," she pulled out of his safe arms, and watched as he sat back in the chair before leaving for the night.

Joe watched her go. His feelings for this woman were growing with each passing moment. He loved her, he knew that, but for now he needed to keep his distance in order to keep her safe. The forgotten memories were slowly coming back and the woman's face was becoming clearer. He knew it was only a matter of time before he knew who she was.

Mannix rubbed the bridge of his nose in an effort to ward off the headache he felt building there. He knew it had nothing to do with the severe concussion he'd suffered. This headache was caused by memories flashing before his eyes, dark hair, dark eyes, flowers, and a brandy snifter. He groaned as the headache increased. He had to find out who she was and make sure she didn't hurt any of the people he cared for.

Art stood in the door watching the pain and emotions warring for dominance on his friend's face. He knew Mannix hated admitting weakness and didn't want to acknowledge the need for help. He looked toward the door as a policeman walked in.

"Anything?"

"No, Sir, I did a patrol of the area and didn't see anyone. How is he?"

"He's being Joe. Not wanting to be a burden on anyone. Wanting to do things in his own way."

"He's always been that way."

"I know, Danny. Look, the order came down today and the Captain had little choice but to obey the order. You're here..."

"On my own time, Lieutenant. I knew that when I signed on. Joe's helped a lot of us and we're all ready to help him. Does he know?"

"No, and...

"Know what?"

Malcolm looked to the door and found the pale detective leaning heavily against the doorframe. "Nothing, Joe..."

"I'm not a kid, Art! What were you two talking about?"

"Damnit, Joe, it's nothing," Malcolm tried, but the look on his friend's face told him he wasn't buying it. "The higher ups have decided the threat against your life is over. They seem to feel that since no new attempts have been made on your life the manpower would be better used elsewhere."

"Guess that means you guys can all go home," Mannix said.

"Now wait a minute, Joe," Malcolm stepped toward him. "Just because the bureaucrats..."

"Art, it's okay. I can handle myself," Mannix assured him as he took a step into the room. He forced the weak tremble from his legs and walked to his desk.

"Joe, you don't need to be alone. Danny and a few others are willing to stay with you."

Mannix smiled, his usual trademark smile that only his friends understood. "I don't need babysitters, Art. I'm a grown man..."

"A grown man who's been put through hell," Malcolm stressed as he placed both hands on the desk and looked into the haunted eyes of his friend. "We're friends, Joe, and friends take care of each other. Look at you! I've seen the tremble in your arms and legs. You've still got a ways to go before you're at full strength. Right now you couldn't fight your way out of a paper bag. Give us a chance to return some of the favors you've done for us over the years."

"Art, I..."

"You what? Want to prove how strong you are. How you can still be the man we know?" Malcolm saw a flicker of anger in the eyes and knew he was getting close to the truth. "Well, Hell, Joe, it's time you realized you're not as strong as you were. You need help and I don't mean just finding out who kidnapped you. You need to face what it's done to you. What they took from you!"

Mannix stood up and faced down his friend. His eyes were filled with anger as he looked at Malcolm. "They took away my freedom, Art. Whoever she is did this for revenge and I aim to find out who she is and I aim to tear her down. I...I..." he stammered and held his head as a flash of intense memories came unbidden to his mind. He cried out as pain lanced through his skull. He heard Malcolm speaking to him and felt hands on his elbows, easing him back into the chair. He kept his eyes closed as vision after vision swam before his closed lids. A fist flashed out, striking him in the face. A woman's lips moved in an unknown face as blow after blow connected with his body. He flinched and tried to move away, but was unable to do so as daggers of light flashed through his mind. A name, that's all he needed, yet it wouldn't come to him, staying just beyond his sight.

"Easy, Joe," Malcolm said as he watched the lines of pain crease the handsome face.

Mannix grimaced and rubbed at his throbbing skull. "F...feels like my head's going to explode. T...thought the h...headaches w...were gone," he groaned as what little he'd managed to eat fought it's way up in his throat.

"Danny, there's a bottle of pills in the medicine cabinet. Get them!"

"Right away, Lieutenant."

"Let's get you to your bedroom, Joe." Mannix barely managed a slight nod as he felt strong arms helping him stand. He kept his eyes closed and leaned heavily on his friend as he was led up the stairs and into the bedroom. "Sit!" Malcolm ordered and knew just how bad his friend felt as he sat down with a groan.

"Lieutenant?"

"Upstairs, Danny," Malcolm called. He pulled the black shoes from the detective's feet just as Daniel Martin entered the room. "Thanks, Danny," he said, accepting the pills and water from the detective. "Here, Joe."

The swirling images behind his closed lids refused to stay in focus and the throbbing pain increased. He reached for the pills and the glass. His hands shook as he put them in his mouth and swallowed them with the water. His rebelling stomach churned with the addition of the pills and he fought to keep it down. He lifted his feet onto the bed and waited for the medication to take control. He felt the blanket eased up over his body and smiled thinly.

"T...thanks, Art." Mannix shivered, but it had little to do with the cold. A woman's face had finally come into focus and he knew who was behind his kidnapping. 'Al Pulverante,' he thought as he succumbed to the call of sleep.

"Is he okay, Lieutenant?" Martin asked.

"Not yet, but he will be," Malcolm vowed. "I've got to go down to the station for a few hours, Danny, can you stay with him?"

"Of course," Martin agreed.

"Alright, you call me if you need help. I mean it, Danny, don't try to be a hero. Anyone comes to that door who shouldn't be here you call headquarters. I'll have a patrol car ride by every half hour or so."

Martin nodded as Malcolm left the bedroom. What he was about to do went against every instinct he had, yet the thought of a lifetime behind bars was more than he could stand. He waited until he heard the front door open and close before moving back downstairs. He lifted the receiver from the phone and made the call he dreaded, but knew he had to make it. A male voice answered on the second ring.

"It's Martin. Let me speak to Mrs. Pulverante!" he snapped, angered at the situation he'd put himself into.

"What is, Danny?" the icy smooth voice asked.

"I'm with Mannix."

"Alone?"

"Yes!"

"I'll send Jake and Carter for him. Make sure there's no one to stop them. What's Joseph doing?"

"He's sleeping right now. He's still not well." Martin could almost hear the laughter in her voice as she answered.

"That's okay. He'll have plenty of time to heal when he's in my company. Jake and Carter will be there within the hour."

Martin heard the phone click and turned back to the stairs. 'I'm sorry, Joe,' he thought as he locked the doors and headed towards the kitchen.

MANNIX-MANNIX-MANNIX

Al Pulverante stood on the terrace overlooking the ocean. This would be the perfect place to bring Joe Mannix. Here she would finish what she started and rid herself of a man she'd been ready to bring into the fold. He would've been the perfect body guard and could've made a name for himself. Her thoughts went back to the betrayal and her anger grew as she thought of how easily he'd won her trust. She knew he was younger than she was, but the feelings she had for him went beyond employee/employer.

"I could've made something of you, Joseph!" she hissed as she threw the crystal goblet to the ground at her feet. "I could've made something of us!" She stalked back inside and poured another glass of the amber colored whiskey and watched as one of her maids cleaned the glass from the terrace.

Her eyes twinkled as she watched the sharp pieces of broken glass twinkle in the light. "Soon, Joseph, you'll pay dearly for your betrayal very soon!" she vowed, knowing Jake Mallory and Carter Blake were on their way to pick Joe Mannix up once more. The smile on her face had no warmth in it and didn't bode well for the man she was thinking of.