Chapter 7

On the way to The Deep Ricardo was trying to ignore Carmen's chatter from the back seat and concentrate on his driving but odd words then sentences keep getting his attention.

Of course he didn't realise Tess was sat next to Carmen calling out Derek's name, and reminding her that she had recognised Derek and he was at the Deep waiting for them, as well as Ben was in Seattle needing their help now not tomorrow. Tess was getting crosser and crosser because she was getting absolutely nowhere.

Feeling an unusual itch and not wanting to be troubled by it at the moment Carmen raised her hand to her face and Tess felt a flicking sensation and found herself outside the car dumped in the middle of the road still yelling. She panicked for a second as a car came towards her, then calmed herself down and thought of the car again and after the flash of darkness found herself beside Carmen and knew nothing had changed.

As Carmen carried on confirming how right she was and how Maria and Benjy should not be together she could feel little questions like an itch in the back of her mind. They were just whispers as to why hadn't she questioned about Benjy not being in the cards with Maria or why her readings about Benjy had never been clear. She knew that one Maria had given her the information as she had with Ben and as that had been faulty so had the readings and that was why she hadn't known about Derek.

The itch tickled her mind again but she over rode it, she had worked hard on keeping her family close because she knew what it was like to lose a loved one. Ben was caring enough to provide for her retirement should things go wrong. Ricardo needed to be kept away from Gabi; she was an independent free spirit and could entice him away. Antonio was safe though with the Church he had returned on his own free will. Now she had to make Maria see her destiny was with Ben without Benjy.

Maria had tried to blot her mother's voice out by drawing into herself thinking how much she loved Benjy, wanted him to stay with her and how she had to stop Tess from having custody of him. But it hadn't worked and suddenly exclaimed crossly. "Mama shut up! I will! Look after Benjy! Tess gave him to me and Ben so leave it!... And don't start on about Ricardo and Gabi either! Just because you were right about me being alive all these years does not make you right every time! It didn't do you or me any good did it!"

Carmen shook her head shocked by the outburst bur quickly realising Maria was getting her old stubbornness back said gently knowing she could retract it later. "It's all right, I understand you are feeling hurt by it all... perhaps Gabi could be good for Ricardo." She paused for a second the itch had suddenly surfaced causing her to carry on. "In fact I had a strange visit this morning well would have if the spirit stayed long enough. You know, the new ones are always impatient never willing to rest and wait, give their energy time to settle down, mature a bit. They do not seem to realise they have time on their side, after all nothing can harm them now."

Tim spluttered remembering his visit to her then went quiet.

Carmen warming to her subject spoke quickly. "This one was a bit different it had some knowledge because managed to light a candle for a second just before it left, of course if it had waited longer I could have talked to it. So I touched the table where I thought it must have been and found an aura message, which is very unusual. It showed when Ricardo and Gabi are together they have the same kind of aura as Hank and Joan, who are very close and loving in a mature way so Si it is good for the future.. It is strange..."

The rest was lost by the sound of a car blasting its horn as it came towards them and Ricardo swinging the wheel hard over so they moved out the way. He had wandered onto the wrong side of the road having lost all concentration when Gabi's name had been mentioned; he had expected his mother's usual tirade against her and was hooked when it didn't come. When he got them back on the right side of the road he commented half seriously; "I need that last bit in writing and framed Mama!" Even Maria smiled now she knew they were safe.

"Yep it might work!" Tim said very quietly as he lay curled up on the rear parcel shelf. Tess nodded and started to relax knowing they'd be at the Deep in a moment.

oxoxo

When they reached the lobby at The Deep, Ricardo told Spencer to wait by the door to make sure no one came in. Then the group walked down the steps to the dance and bar area. Ricardo looked around for Ben and asked the barman to find him telling him it was personal.

As he went the barman wondered 'What now. It had to be trouble brother-in-law, wife, ex-girl friend and her parents turning up together and with all the other little things that had been going wrong today Ben was going to go spare!' He tentatively knocked on the office door and went in saw Ben was talking to someone on the phone and expected to wait.

Derek broke off from the conversation immediately and listened to the barman's message then nodded and spoke back into the phone "I'll put you on hold for a moment." before pressing some buttons on the base and putting the handset back. Then he followed the barman wondering what the deputation could mean and couldn't believe it would be about Tim's body or to arrange a 'do' in his memory.

The barman quietly encouraged the rest of the staff into the restaurant area but left the doors open just in case things got heated.

Derek in Ben mode smiled his greeting to them and picked up the cordless phone from the bar. Ricardo nodded back and waited, he was a little way a way from the rest hoping Ben would not feel threatened by them all being there at once.

Derek spoke into the phone "I'm still waiting." then faced the group and explained. "I'm waiting to finish an order; they are checking details so I'll keep this line open while you tell me what this is all about Ricardo."

As all the stools where tucked into the tables Tess and Tim sat on the table in the corner away from everyone ready to wait and watch. They felt more relaxed sitting on something, when they stood they felt they should be going somewhere or doing something. Tess was she was trying to consul herself that if Carmen remembered Derek was out numbered by Ricardo and Hank. Tim was watching the dark aura around Derek and realised it was shimmering and tried to reassure himself it was all right but couldn't and started to worry.

Ricardo knew from Ben's tone of voice they were on the polite relationship that had grown since Maria's comeback and this was not going to be a brotherly chat of the very old days. He also knew as spokesman he didn't want to spark off that rare short sharp and very occasionally violent temper Ben had so kept his voice casual saying. "Ben it's about your trip to Seattle and what you found out there and who Benjy's mother is."

Derek froze for a moment he'd not expected that and knew there could be trouble but put on his best Ben act on and replied gently but firmly. "It's really a private matter Ricardo. But I suppose, as Maria is with you she obviously doesn't mind you being here." He could resist a dig at the others they looked so dammed concerned and it had nothing to do with them and added with an edge. "No doubt the rest have come a long for the ride."

As no one flinched he huffed and carried on. "Sorry... I just don't like private things done in public and it only concerns Maria and myself."

He'd hoped they take the second hint but they didn't so carried on watching Ricardo carefully knowing he was the danger and would try and bore them with facts they already knew.

"Basically we know I'm Benjy's father through DNA and Maria is Benjy's mother because I did not cheat on her and she did not cheat on me. I checked the birth register with the names she gave me and the birth certificate is there. But we knew that from your checks Ricardo. And yes I had a look at the hospital where Benjy was born, I suppose I just wanted to get the picture of it in my mind but didn't go in I realised there was not any point.

Anyway it was Tess we were worried about so I checked all the things she told us and I managed to find a close neighbour who knew them in Franklin Street. She moved there shortly after Benjy was born and confirmed they lived there as a three some. That Tess is Maria's friend. I stayed the extra time in Seattle so I could sort out my feelings between Meg and Maria away from interference from both families and friends. Meg had just left me and I realised I wanted to try and stay with my family. But I told Maria all this when I got back so what's the problem?"

He turned his gentle encouraging gaze on Maria who stood between Carmen and Meg, hoping she would speak for herself and noticed she looked nervous and unsettled as well as staying silent.

Ricardo kept his voice causal wanting to take any threat out of the next words. "Ben I'm sorry... but a lot of that is lies."

Managing to stay silent Derek looked sharply back at Ricardo and dreaded what might come next.

Ricardo didn't falter as he carried on. "Maria's memories are returning and in one of them she remembers Tess breast feeding Benjy which means Tess is Benjy's mother making Derek his father... We should have checked Maria's DNA at the same time as yours. Being an identical Derek probably has the same DNA as you. Tyus can check that out later."

Everyone thought Ben's loss of colour was due to shock of the news and were ready to give him a moment to compose himself.

Mind racing Derek looked quickly round at everyone to see their reactions and accidentally made brief but full eye contact with Carmen and saw her frown but nothing more. He knew he had to say something and stuttered out looking at Maria hoping for her sympathy. "No cannot be true... You love Benjy so much... You mean…. that Derek must have rescued you then... Oh God! Kept you there for those years... Then..." but was stopped by a cell phone ringing.

Ricardo answered his phone and listened then disconnected saying. "That was the station, Seattle found out Derek Evans leased the house...and one of the men living at Franklin Street fits the description Casey and the others gave as the man who kidnapped Benjy. I suppose Tess could have organised Benjy's kidnapping to make sure Maria and Ben stayed together. She was the one in the water that afternoon, which provided the distraction and she clouded the issue of the description and number of people involved. They are watching the property and will send in the patrol as soon as a raid they have in progress is over."

Derek silently cursed and was going to say something when there was a gasp and exclamation from Carmen. "He's Derek not Ben!... That's why I fainted at the house... I looked into his eyes saw too much evil! He threatened me!" The cloud around her mind had started to clear after she'd caught Ben's eyes for a second and itch in her mind had focused.

Derek gave a short sharp laugh "Carmen your imagination!" and carried on gently hoping to gain time. "We know Derek was killed at the Cabin... Ricardo and Casey saw his hands slip through mine and fall to his death... You fainted at your house because things had been getting too much for you and it seems to be happening again."

Carmen shook her head and spoke as she put everything together "Maria told me today on the beach - when Ben went away to Seattle Benjy had a nightmare that Ben was lost would not be coming back... He's been dreaming about his 'dream Daddy' he senses he is in trouble." She looked at him in horror "Benjy's connected to Ben not you, because of the unconditional love he gave him at the beginning, it did not matter whom Benjy's mother or father was, he would love him...respect them. Meg said she always felt a connection to Ben... Of course! Ben's a giver that's why he's linked, to you and all his friends. Once made never broken!"

She spoke quickly but turned her attention to Maria and Meg, "Both of you are The Gemini twins in spirit linked to him one is a lover, soul mate; the other friend forever... I'm sorry I should have realised! It's meant to be a triangle of love and now Benjy's included it becomes a circle adding to the rest!"

While Carmen was speaking Ricardo threw his cell phone over to Hank, who instinctively caught it, saying, "Press call back. Tell them Ben's at Seattle and needs help now!" got his gun out pointing it at Derek and as Carmen finished called out "Derek your under arrest drop the phone and raise your hands now!"

oxoxo

It took a second. - Tim realised what the phone meant and screamed. "No!" Thinking of Ben and Seattle, the energy from his anger gave him momentum. He left at lighting speed straight through everyone with the call of his name from Tess ringing in his ears...

Tess called his name, feeling the vibrations of his anger as he left. She felt so alone and frightened, she rested her chin on her knees as she hugged them to herself, waiting, watching, and hoping he would come back for her.

oxoxo

In that second - Derek stopped laughing and smiled at Ricardo. All pretence of being Ben had gone everything looked harsher from his smile to the way he stood and his eyes twinkled evilly instead of the gentleness had been there before. It was as if he had shed a layer of skin before their eyes and along with everyone else Meg and Maria were stunned by the change and realisation of what had happened - they also had the feeling of disgust, rape, and hurt.

It was Derek's cold harsh words of command that brought everything to a stand still. "No Hank not a word into Ricardo's phone just drop it on the floor!"

Hank reluctantly did so and stood still as Derek continued. "One word into this phone and Ben is shut down! Stunned to death!... Ricardo Put the gun down and let me walk free. There's nothing you can do about it! You're here he's there. Oh yes proof I'm not lying... You can hear his last scream if you like!

Ricardo could not stop a shiver running down his spine his instincts told him that Derek wasn't lying, he'd been checking on Ben when they arrived and had put the call on hold. But he also knew he had to keep the gun trained on Derek and released the safety catch. He hoped he could keep Derek's attention and try to stop or at least delay him taking the final step. In the very back of his mind he hoped Spencer, who'd kept out of sight at the top of the stairs, would be able to put a call through.

Ricardo said without a threat or fear in his voice. "Derek you know you've lost. Don't make it worse. You are twins, connected it would be like killing yourself. You need each other. After all that had happened between you two, he tried to save you when you fell at the cabin. "

Derek showed no reaction to Ricardo's words just calmly but coldly spoke into the phone. "Kill him. Agh!" Ended in a cry of pain as Ricardo's bullet tore into his upper arm making him drop the phone over the counter out of everyone's reach.

Derek fell against the counter, blood pouring from his arm; he steadied himself saying through clenched teeth at first. "Ricardo I have nothing to lose! His death will be the icing on the cake!... Granted I'll not be there to do it as I had hoped...See the light fade from his eyes and hear his last breath. ... You see I've had his money and every night I can relive both our memories of life and making love to both his women! and my own memories with my wife! Don't you understand I am complete now! Just one of us! He's dead and I am alive!" Derek sagged against the counter and shook his head, against the pain that seemed to flash through it. He forced himself to concentrate and push it away realising it was not his pain it was Ben's.

At the same time Meg collapsed screaming out in pain clutching her stomach trying to breathe, calling out Ben's name.

Maria's cell phone rang she automatically answered it. Sara was distressed Benjy had just woken up frantically crying that 'dream daddy' was hurt.

Carmen hearing Sara's voice grabbed the phone pushing Maria against Meg so they were touching.

Maria tried to steady herself, without touching Meg, in case she hurt her, and could feel her own anger rising.

Carmen said into the phone quickly. "Sara cuddle Benjy, open your mind and heart to love not fear, Ben has been hurt and is in Seattle not here at The Deep! Stay there but keep the line open if you want." Carmen then ignored everything else and spoke to Meg and Maria "Hold each other and think only of your love and friendship to Ben. You are connected to him! Use it to help him!"

Ricardo threw Hank the handcuffs while keeping the gun trained on Derek, couldn't keep the anger out of his voice as he gave Derek the caution then added "Keep still Derek ... Hank careful of his arm and use a towel to stop the bleeding."

None to gently Hank put the cuffs on Derek and put a bandage in place.

In spite of everything Derek could not resist taunting them as he did it. "You have to be careful Hank! …Don't forget I'm connected to Ben remember the headaches he had when I was around first with Maria and then Meg were from me. I can still make it difficult for him it takes just at a thought. You know I can feel him slipping away."

Meg still touching Maria, started to breathe better and straightened up Joan came over to her and Carmen helped Maria with gentle words of reassurance.

Spencer walked half way down the stairs and called out; "I've contacted Seattle they are already responding with paramedics, there was a police car nearby. They will ring base later and Tyus will be waiting at the police station to look at Derek

Ricardo nodded motioned Derek to go in front of them out of The Deep, as Derek passed Carmen he gave a gentle laugh, and said. "What's it like to be right Carmen."

Carmen frowned and he carried on; "You always said Maria was alive and would never divorce Ben, that's come true she's his widow now! Ben's Will is interesting everything to Benjy nothing to Maria or anyone else."

Ricardo cut in sharply "That Will is not valid Derek and you know it! Ben could still be alive your morons might not have carried out your orders. Now move!"

As Derek went up the stairs he spoke, his voice was gentle with a playfulness in it that sent a shiver down the listeners' spines. "The connection is getting fainter see even Meg has recovered back to normal...The pains all gone!... Think of it Maria! You had a bonus and it was great while it lasted, thank you. But Meg was always the chosen one for Ben!"

Carmen felt a wave of energy in the air beside her as she followed Maria and looked around her wondering what it was. For a moment she saw a shimmering light that hovered by a table then it was gone, she smiled and hoped it had been in time.

The shocked barman looked around at the empty room and the blood on the counter and wondered what the hell to do.