Chapter 49: Tracking down
"April it's Becky - if you're free could we meet for a drink or snack..or both! ...and a catch up? I'm free...now actually...for a while...I'll be over at the dog stand in Central...I fancy a blow out...just text...or phone...anyways, hope to speak soon, thanks, bye"
Rebecca ended the call. She realised it sounded muddled but in truth she didn't know who else she could turn to. Nick was back at work, and besides he'd already given her the morning to go over the case and would he really want to listen to all this...she thought not. She really had no other friends to speak of except April. Casey was a friend but wasn't really much a 'listener' he was more of a 'doer' and would beat anyone up for you but asking him to sit through an hour of heavy duty 'girl talk' just wouldn't be his bag.
As she made her way into Central Park she could see the hot-dog vendor over the other side serving a line of hungry New Yorkers. Rebecca had a mad craving for a hot dog. And a hot dog with 'the works'.
In the van, or 'party wagon' as Michelangelo liked to call it, Leonardo and the youngest were scanning for any sights of Rebecca but so far there was no sign. He'd already contacted April and Casey, checked the apartment - all with no luck. During this time he had the opportunity for several re-runs of 'that conversation' in his mind.
And it was conclusive: he'd been an idiot.
He wished he could rewind the whole event and start again. She had been honest with him - told him about Nolan - and he'd shut her down. All he could hear was Raphael laughing and saying 'way to go Leo - she'll be on the first train back to me then!'. He felt sure that the thought would stay with him until he managed to get hold of Rebecca and check she was okay and, of course, that she'd forgiven him. He really, really hoped for that.
Michelangelo was sitting in the passenger seat next to his brother attempting to shake some moves. What he was really trying to do was attempt to lift Leonardo's spirits - the eldest knew this and he felt so grateful. Everyone, he decided, should have a Mikey.
"What if we try the speaker?"
Leonardo frowned "Speaker? What are you talking about? For the music?"
"Nah, Donnie put a speaker in for us to communicate to the outside world... say if I'm up there and you're down here and our T-phones are broken...slight chance I know...but he wanted us to be prepared! And I for one am all for that, besides it meant I got to shout at Raph whilst we tested it"
"Oh, the speakerphone, I get it...is that the thing you were testing three months back when Raph..."
"Strangled me and threatened to ram it up my a..."
"Yes thanks Mikey, I remember. But are you saying you want to shout out for her?"
Michelangelo nodded "Of course. We ain't gonna find her this way are we? There are billions of folk in this City - and she's only tiny. We stand more of a chance of getting to her by shouting. Don't you think?"
As usual, Michelangelo had a point, a very valid point and this amused Leonardo. His little brother may be a little crazy at times but he always came up with great ideas.
"Go for it" he agreed "Only...keep it clean...I don't want to get stopped by a cop.."
"You got it!" Mikey pressed a button and picked up the radio mouth piece.
Leonardo noticed that by all accounts it actually looked like a mouth piece which a cop would use. He wondered where Donnie had actually got it from...
Rebecca found herself a bench and sat down with her dog. She'd asked for it to be fully loaded and that was what she'd got. This thing was smothered in ketchup, mustard, onions and gherkins. She wanted it all! And after the first bite realised just how much she'd craved it. Her cup of hot water sat balanced on the vacant side of the bench, waiting until it was cool enough to drink. The vendor had looked at her a bit bizarrely when she said that was all she wanted but she wasn't one for sugary drinks.
"Fancy meeting you here - it is just too much of a small world or what?"
She recognised that voice and the hand attached to it which picked up her drink and held it whilst taking a seat down next to her.
"Must you?" Rebecca scooted further along the bench in order to create some distance between them.
"And yet again here you are being all grumpy..." Nolan gave her a smirk "And all I'm doing is making polite conversation"
She turned round to face him "Have you followed me? It seems like a strange coincidence that you have shown up here at the exact same time as me?"
"Me? Follow you? Don't flatter yourself girly I was merely taking in some air and then I spot you all alone. Thought you might fancy some company"
She stayed quiet - his arrogance was more than a little offensive and he was playing for a rise; she wasn't about to give him the satisfaction so instead she took another bite of her hot-dog and tried to enjoy it.
"I hope you've had time to think about our little arrangement. It will play to your favour if you go with this - New York is safe and I am out of your blonde locks for good"
"How do you know so much about all this?" she asked before taking another bite; this dog was so good it was allowing her to tolerate him. Just.
He leaned back and stretched out his legs "I told you, I have a lot in common with these beings but mores to the point I can turn invisible and walk through walls - it is pretty useful in helping you find out things"
She smiled falsely and took her final bite before throwing the rubbish in the bin next to the bench. He held out her cup - she took it off him and opened up the lid. She had wanted to snatch it but didn't want to get burnt.
"They won't stop you know; she won't stop; her very role is to fulfill that prophecy and you can't let the Master down can you"
"Master? What on earth are you on about?" She took a sip of her drink.
"Him" He pointed down below "The big D; Beezlebub; Satan - whatever you want to call him. This is Biblical stuff - hope you realise that. And I also hope you realise that I won't wait forever"
She was about to respond with a smart remark when she realised she was now sitting alone. As per usual Nolan Carter had done a disappearing act. She did think that also knowing him he was probably just playing another game and was in fact still sitting there, albeit invisible. She shook her head and got up: April obviously wasn't coming anyway so she may as well move.
As she made her way towards the other side of the Park she heard a second familiar voice but this one was coming loud over what appeared to be a speakerphone...
Mikey?
"Calling out for a Miss Becky Madison - Leo is really sorry and he know he behaved like a dork...ouch...sorry, he just hit me - please make yourself known - meet us at the usual place...pretty puuurrrleeaasse! Roses are red, Leo wears blue, he thinks your hot and he loves you...ouch, bro! Knock it off, I'm helping!"
Rebecca couldn't help but smile.
She also realised that Leo must have told Michelangelo that the two of them had gotten a lot closer. She made her way to the alley - the van was already there parked up and waiting. As she approached the door slid open and Michelangelo's head poked out: "You came!" he whispered before widening the door further and holding a hand to drag her in. She crossed her arms and looked at him "Aww c'mon Becks, you can make him pay at home"
Rolling her eyes she clambered up inside. Leonardo was looking at her - a pained look of regret etched on his face.
"I am really sorry...I'll make it up to you...forgive me?"
She held out on a response for a couple of minutes; enjoying the time to make him suffer and then she gave in and smiled at which point Leo pushed the chair back and grabbed her into a hug. Michelangelo took this chance to hop into the drivers seat.
"How about you two lovebirds get re-acquainted and I drive home!" he announced.
"No way" replied Leonardo "Move yourself outta my seat"
"Awwwww" The youngest climbed in the back and let Rebecca sit up front next to Leonardo who grabbed her hand and held it tightly, covering it in kisses whilst he re-started the engine.
"I will make it up to you...I am so very sorry I upset you..."
"And I'm cooking for you both!" added Michelangelo "Something I am allowed to do...a nice romantic meal...lower the lights...soft lovely music..."
She smiled "Thanks Mikey but there's no need"
"But I want you..I love you two being back together...it's so special and to know that I had a hand in that romance will make me so happy!" He threw his arms round both of them, pressing them together.
"Thanks Mikey" began Rebecca, feeling like the breath was being squeezed out of her. As he let go she leaned towards Leo: "Does Raph know too?"
"No, just Mikey and Donnie, they kinda guessed and I kinda didn't deny it...hope you don't mind...I want everyone to know what you mean to me and so Raphael will just have to get used to it"
She tucked her arm into his, enjoying feeling his large muscles so close to her body, inhaling the scent of him and loving that too.
"Whatcha bet Raph is gonna hit the roof" whispered Michelangelo from the back
"Not necessarily. He may well surprise you all" answered Rebecca hopefully.
