PROMISES – PART FOUR
Todd dashes down the stairs taking three to four steps at a time, his heart pounding furiously as he seeks refuge. He barges through the basement door and leans back against the wall desperately trying to catch his breath. He looks frantically both ways and runs over behind a concrete barrier and slides down to the floor. Closing his eyes he curses silently to himself. I was so close. DAMN IT. The agony of his situation is written clearly on his face and then panic as he looks down at the ankle monitor. NO....I've got to get this off. Looking around the underground parking area he spots the maintenance room and quickly goes over to find that the door is locked. He kicks the door in frustration realizing his time is running out. If he can make it to his car maybe there will be something he can use in there. Ducking down Todd runs between the vehicles until he reaches his car. Reaching into his pocket he remembers where his keys are right where he left them...in his bedroom. Anger and fear build to a boiling point as Todd holds back a scream of frustration. Okay Manning.... it's not like you haven't done this before. Let's go... Todd looks once more at his car and then up in the direction of his penthouse. His penthouse where Tea is...where Sam and Viki are...where his life is...no....where his life was.
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Tea paces back and forth crossing her arms over her midsection in a tight aching grip. Blair watches Tea and then lifts up her hand to look at her watch and she begins a countdown.
"Ten...nine...eight..."
Tea looks at Blair with exasperation. Viki and Sam look perplexed.
Tea snaps, "What the hell are you doing Blair?"
Blair looks at her innocently, "Isn't it obvious Tea?"
Tea runs her hands through her hair pulling at it.
" NOT NOW Blair.... I'm NOT in the mood for games, especially yours!"
"Give me a break Tea...everyone in this room knows that within the next five minutes you are going to go running out that door after Todd, but looks like you're going to be too late." Blair gives Tea a snide look " Figures…"
Tea gives Blair a searing look as she runs over to get her purse.
"God I hope I'm not too late..." Tea looks back at Viki and Sam " I have to go. I have to..."
They nod in understanding. Tea runs to the door, wildly throwing it open and runs straight into the chest of John Sykes.
"Whoa...where are you going in such a hurry?"
Tea looks up at John speechless searching for the right words.
"Uh, you surprised me..." Tea tries for a feeble smile " I was just going out to pick up a few things."
John nods suspiciously as does Hank when he steps out from behind John.
"Well Tea...I've got some bad news for you. I'm afraid we have direct evidence that your husband is faking. We've come to arrest him."
Tea backs up thinking furiously how to cover for Todd.
"I...I don't know what you mean. His doctor confirmed he has DID..." she looks back at Viki just in time to see Sam slipping the cassette into his pocket.".... Isn't that right Viki?"
Viki has hastily composed herself and walks over calmly "Yes, the diagnosis was final. I see no reason what so ever to question it. What possible evidence could you have?"
Hank whips out a cassette " We have Mr. Manning's confession in his own words - in his own voice. Not some alter."
John steps into the room followed by Hank and two uniformed policemen.
John apologetically says to Viki " We have no reason to doubt to validity of this tape and we need to see Mr. Manning right now. He's to be remanded into immediate custody."
Hank points the officers in the direction of the stairs and Tea runs in front of them
"No....please...let me go get him. Please...Hank…"
Looking doubtful Hank shrugs and then with a sigh "Well, it's not like he can go anywhere from the penthouse windows so...okay. But make it quick."
Tea breathes a sigh of relief and as she walks back looks at Viki and Sam with desperation.
Sam pats her on the shoulder as she walks by and then tells Hank "As Todd's lawyer I need to accompany Mrs. Manning when she speaks with her husband. "
Hank nods "That's fine Sam, let's just get this over with."
They silently enter Todd's bedroom and close the door behind them. Tea turns to Sam in frenzied panic sputtering whispered cries "Sam....oh god...Sam what are we going to do?"
Sam paces around shaking his head "I don't know Tea.... but we have to decide really fast. Hank won't wait."
Tea takes Sam's hand seeking assurance "Do you think he's had enough time to get away?"
Sam sighs "Tea you 're forgetting about something...."
Looking even more frantic Tea asks "What?"
Solemnly Sam replies "The ankle monitor "
Unable to contain her fear Tea starts crying "Damn.... I should have gone with him. I was just so afraid. Sam you understand don't you?"
Nodding "Oh yes. I understand perfectly. Todd is a man that can make you want to kill him one moment and cry for him the next. Yes Tea, I understand."
Tea reaches down to softly touch the pillow that just last night she had watched Todd sleep on. She picks it up and buries her face in it trying to breath in the very essence of Todd...as if somehow he might magically appear if she wishes hard enough. A loud banging at the door startles Tea out of her trance and she drops the pillow. Hank walks in abruptly looking around the room "Where is he?" frowning John walks in saying "Well he has to be in the area. Our monitor shows that he is still somewhere here."
Coming back to her senses Tea says, "We were just coming down to tell you that Todd is gone. We were so shocked. I mean I couldn't believe it. How did he get by us like that?"
Hank immediately pulls out his cell phone and places an APB on Todd directing all officers that he should be considered possibly armed and definitely dangerous.
Listening to Hank an idea occurs to Tea and she asks to hear the tape.
In the living room everyone sits quietly as the tape comes to an end and John presses the stop button on the cassette player. Blair sits watching Sam for any sign of what he thinks about all this. It was clear that Todd threatened her on the tape. But would that matter?
Tea takes a deep breath and turning her back away from Hank and John while facing Sam and Viki she gives them a wink before she screams "THAT B@STARD...I should have known what a creep he was. I want you to find him and lock him away for EVER. I hate him and I never want to see him again...when you need me to testify...I'll be there."
Looking somewhat taken aback Hank starts to agree with her but then Viki stands up "Well.... I never thought I would say this but.... Tea's right. I've been wrong about Todd all along. I thought I seen something good in him... but if he can use me like this..." Viki appears to try to compose herself then adds " As far as I'm concerned I don't have a brother...and I never want to see him again either."
Sam stands up "He used us.... everyone of us. He made complete fools of us and I don't think I can ever forgive him for this. When you catch him, make sure you get him a new lawyer. I'm done with Todd Manning "
Hank nods "Well, sorry about that folks. I can see this has hit you all hard. That's Todd, he's a miserable.... well let's not worry about that for now. Right now my only concern is finding him and putting him away for the full 350 years he has coming to him."
Blair is still sitting trying to rationalize what the heck those three are up to. Something was up, no doubt about it, but what?
Hank and John prepare to leave and John says, "Now I'm sure I don't have to remind you of the charges you will face if it is shown you are helping Todd in any way."
Viki,Sam and Tea look innocently at him and Tea says "No worry there. Todd Manning is a monster. I think we all agree on that now. " Sam and Viki both nod. Viki adds, " I was wrong about him and I'm not making that same mistake again."
Seemingly satisfied Hank is halfway out the door when his cell phone rings.
"What, that's great. I'll be right there."
Todd's loved ones try not to look too concerned as Hank says "Well, we've located the signal for the ankle monitor and we should have Todd in custody within the hour"
Forced smiles all around as Sam says "Well that's one less thing to worry about." he looks at the other three " I guess it's time for us to get out of here. Nothing left for us here now is there?"
Hank smiles proudly "See the justice system does work sometimes. I'll notify you as soon as we have him in custody."
Nonchalantly Tea says "Whatever.... I have some errands to run and a life to get back to living again."
Hank and John leave and as soon as they are gone Blair whirls around and yells, "Does someone want to tell ME what is going on?"
Sam walks over to her " Yes Blair why don't you tell us what's going on. It seems like you've known for quite a while"
Blair softly says, " He's Starr's daddy. I couldn't be the one responsible for putting him in jail. Hate me if you want to...but I just couldn't do it."
Sam frowns at her but softens his look with" Blair, I don't hate you but we could have taken a whole different approach with Todd if we had known the truth. Now I fear we will never know. I can't see Todd giving up peacefully.... can you?"
Tea whispers "Don't say that Sam....please...."
Blair glances at Tea "You know Sam's right."
Tea walks over to Viki " What are we going to do? Help me Viki. Help me help him."
Viki puts an arm around Tea. "Tea, I think we only have one thing left that we can do...pray."
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With the sirens screaming their way throughout the night sky the three police cars come to a screeching halt outside of the alley. Hank jumps out and runs over to meet with John. John is looking quite excited as he says "We've narrowed it down to this alley here...we've been tracking the monitor and we are just moments away from an arrest."
Hank frowns "Just be careful. Manning isn't stupid and I don't think he's going to just come in willingly. Don't forget for a minute just how dangerous Todd Manning is."
John just looks more excited " No way is Manning getting out of this.... no way."
The police officers take cover as one officer watching the tracking device whispers loudly
"Here he comes.... get ready."
The police officers as well as Hank and John get into the classic shoot to kill positions. The tension mounts as they each hold a collective breath waiting for whatever moves Todd Manning has planned for them. There is a sudden shuffle and a darting shadow fleeting towards them as the monitor comes into clear sight. The officers all stand up and lower their guns. Hank yelps in frustration as a small cat wanders out of the alley...with the ankle monitor around its neck.