This chapter is a reward for all the wonderful responses yesterday...I thought I would finish out the flashback scene for you.
Enjoy my lovelies...you deserve it.
MAN OF SORROWS
CHAPTER 23
Flashback continued…
It didn't take but a few weeks, and Loraine announced that she was going to have a baby. Erik was beside himself with joy, and decided to make use of another skill he possessed, interior design; this would allow him to make more money and provide for his growing family.
Unbeknownst to them, a storm was brewing in Vatican City; the eye of that storm was Monsignor Wallace Neville.
"Discreet; do you understand me?"
The two men, trusted associates, stood in good form and awaited their orders.
"This must be done under the cover of night, preferably just before the dawn breaks."
Wallace was pacing the floor in nervous strides, unaware of the doubting stares he was receiving from the men who stood in his company.
"Erik is not to be harmed, is that understood?"
He stopped his pacing and turned to the men, fearing they did not understand the importance of secrecy in this matter, and the importance of following the orders.
"That she-devil has bewitched him…she controls him with her pert breasts and swaying hips…she probably opened her legs to him before they were properly wed – despite what Erik stated."
His evil, burning eyes bored into both men and he spat his words at them, "Do him a favor and cleanse him of her wickedness…do I make myself clear?"
No words were spoken; Wallace's steely gaze conveyed everything they needed to know.
♫♫♫
The house was still and lifeless, as any house should be at 3:30 am. The spies had done their work well; Benson and Hedges were aware of the security system and had arranged to have an "inspection" pulled the previous morning.
Of course, a faulty wiring job while "fixing" the kinks, had rendered the monitoring system useless; and the best part of it was that Mr. Argeneau wasn't even home. He wasn't due home until later in the afternoon.
A strategically placed spark needed very little encouragement and spread quickly through the kitchen, engulfing everything in its path. The house was full of accelerants, so there were no materials needed; Benson and Hedges couldn't resist a few moments of reflection as they watched the house go up in flames.
Little did they know that the "nosey" neighbor had a case of insomnia and was watching their movements and recording them on his video camera. That is, until he realized the house was on fire.
Erik had gotten an earlier flight and was going to surprise his wife by coming home and fixing her breakfast in bed; it was 3:52 in the morning when he made the last turn toward his house and saw the flames.
Mr. Gentry, the neighbor, had called the fire department and was hanging up the phone at the same time Mr. Argeneau was pulling into the driveway and rushing from the car in a panicked rush.
Erik missed the two dark figures that disappeared into the woods behind his house as he rushed to the window that led to the bedroom.
The house was filled with smoke, and flames licked his legs as he broke the window and entered the enflamed room. The firemen had arrived by now and were immediately informed by the neighbor that Mr. Argeneau had entered the house is search of his wife.
"Mr. Argeneau!"
Erik heard them yelling for him as they moved through the house, but he advanced on the torched bed and looked at the charred figure that was curled up on what remained of the bed.
"Loraine!"
As he reached for her, caring not that his own life was in dire danger, the roof collapsed and a burning beam landed atop his head, knocking him out.
He awoke in the hospital; the right side of his face had suffered third degree burns, but the firemen were able to get him out before any other damage was done, other than smoke inhalation.
He had missed the funeral; he hadn't even gotten to say good-bye. For weeks, the tears had not stopped, despite Julius and Evie doing all that they could.
The recovery was painful and required several attempts at plastic surgery. However, his system rejected all skin grafts and there was nothing more that they could do; he would forever live with the physical memory…possibly relive it on a daily basis.
As he recovered, everyone but his doctor and nurses avoided him, but he heard the whispered comments…
"They were only married eight months."
"She was six months pregnant…such a tragedy."
"It wasn't until the neighbor came forth that they cleared his name…they thought he had started the fire…imagine that."
"All evidence points to foul play…"
It hadn't taken long for the neighbor to produce the video tape he had made. The police detectives showed up in Erik's hospital room only a few weeks after the fire.
"We understand you are in a great deal of pain, sir…but we have some questions."
Erik had lifted empty eyes and nodded his consent for them to proceed.
They had taken the film the neighbor made and blown it up, frame by frame.
"Do you recognize either of these men?"
Erik examined the faces that stared back at him. They had been computer enhanced and the features were very visible.
His face went as white as a sheet and a wave of nausea swept over him
"It can't be…please God…no." Erik moaned and hung his head.
Erik did know these men…he had seen them coming out of Monsignor Neville's office and private quarters on several occasions.
"Mr. Argeneau…we have evidence that these men are responsible for the fire that claimed your wife and unborn son."
That was the first time someone had told him that his child had been a boy…Erik shed new tears and his heart ached even more with the knowledge.
He looked at the detectives with renewed vibrancy in his eyes; he would see that the man responsible for this heinous act got what he deserved…and anyone who was in league with him.
"They're just the lynch mob…the real brains behind the outfit it virtually untouchable."
The detectives regarded him with doubt, but listened to him explain.
"He hides behind the church…a wolf in sheep's clothing." Erik began. "Once his crimes are discovered, he will be turned over to Italian authorities and sentenced.""By the church, you mean the Roman Catholic Church… Vatican City."
Erik managed a shrewd smile, "I see we have a Catholic in our midst."
The smile faded and Erik continued…
"He was like a father to me once; I studied under his tutelage to become a priest…he was livid when I left my studies and married."
"Livid enough to stage a murder?" The shorter of the detectives asked.
Erik swallowed hard and once again lifted turbulent eyes, "I had hoped not, but it's the only solution that makes any sense." Anger swelled in his gut and he spoke through clenched teeth, "If you find these two…" he pointed to the pictures, "…they'll lead you to him, and if you make the pot sweet enough, they'll give him up…no honor amongst thieves…or murderers."
His voice trailed off and deep rooted, acidic anger settled in his heart. The devil did indeed wear many faces.
End Flashback
TBC