FORGOTTEN MEMORIES!—12

Peggy shifted on the sofa and sat straight up as pain shot through her. Her dreams were a distant memory as she sat up; realizing instinctively that the pain wasn't hers. The pain she dreamed was real, but it belonged to the missing man. She shivered as she threw back the blanket and walked towards the window. The darkness did little to alleviate her fears and her mind turned to the man she worked for. A man who was more than an employer, more than a friend, and she wanted the time to see where they were headed. She wanted, and needed to see if the love she felt for Joe was real.

"God, Joe, where are you?" she jumped as the doorbell rang, but hurried to answer it. She looked out the small window and felt relieved when she saw Art Malcolm standing there. She unlocked the deadbolt and opened the door.

"Anything?" she asked hopefully.

Art shook his head as she closed the door behind him. They walked silently into the living room and Peggy sagged back on the sofa.

"Nothing. I've been over her files and we've checked all her old holdings. I thought she'd be in her old townhouse in San Diego, but the place is deserted."

"Dammit, Art, we need to find him."

"Have you heard from Albi?"

"Not since he called earlier. He's checking his sources and hopefully he'll have better luck than you did."

"I hope so, Peggy."

"What aren't you telling me, Art?" Peggy asked, detecting something new in Malcolm's voice.

Art walked to the bar and poured a small amount of whiskey into a glass. He downed the fiery liquid and finally turned his attention back to the worried woman.

"We've talked to a couple of the cons who knew Pulverante. They all told us the same thing..."

"What?"

"That she hated Joe and planned to make him suffer for every day she spent in jail."

"Did she tell them what she planned to do to him?" Peggy asked, not really sure she wanted the answer.

"You don't need to hear that, Peggy..."

"Yes I do, Art. Tell me everything!"

"No! You saw the shape he was in when we went to New Orleans!"

"Yes, Art, I did and I saw what she did to him. I saw how she hurt him. I listened to his cries of pain and I couldn't help him and now she...she..." Art pulled her into his arms and held her as she sobbed against his chest.

"I saw what she did to him and I couldn't do anything to help him and now she has him again. Oh, Art, we have to find him!" She pulled away and dried her tears, knowing in her heart that she needed to be strong.

"We'll do everything we can, Peggy."

"Will that be enough?" she asked her voice barely audible as she walked to the window once more. 'God, Joe, don't you dare give up on us. We're coming for you!' she thought as she leaned her head against the cool pane of glass.

Art watched as she moved across the room, his heart aching, as much for her as it was for his missing friend. He knew they were just beginning to acknowledge feelings for each other and he hoped they'd get the chance to see where those feelings led. He walked over to her and placed his hands on her arms. They stood together, silently looking out at the empty street, thinking of the man they both called friend.

MANNIX-MANNIX-MANNIX

Minutes, hours, days, Mannix didn't know anymore. All he knew was the sound of her voice and the feel of the needle as she pressed it into his unwilling flesh. He'd lost count of how many times she'd sent him into madness, for that's what it was to him now. A world where insane images danced before his eyes, where bodies contorted in the violent throes of death. He didn't know how many times he'd seen Peggy's decapitated body dropped in front of him, but his voice was hoarse from the screams that erupted from his throat.

Joe shifted and realized something was different. His shoulders ached, his knee throbbed, and his chest heaved as he finally forced his eyes open. Candles flickered all around him, bathing the room in a soft light as he slowly moved his head from side to side. He breathed a sigh of relief when he realized he was alone in his new prison. He shifted his weight until he rested no his left leg, grateful for the respite on his right knee. He let his head drop forward as his meager energy was depleted once more. He drifted toward a warm dream, and felt soft sea spray on his face. A woman sat across from him, her bronze skin and soft eyes filled him with desire, and he sighed contentedly as they sailed the small yacht across the bay.

His body jerked as the dream swiftly dissipated in the wake of a fiery pain across his shoulder blades. The heat returned, but this time it landed across his lower back, leaving in its wake a searing pain that would not be doused. He lost track of how many times he was struck as the woman's laughter washed over him in a tide of hated maniacal waves.

"B...b...bit..." the stammered word came to an abrupt halt as a powerful blow impacted his lower back. The air was driven from his lungs as another blow landed on his right side, bruising his body to the bone as another one landed below the first. Flashing lights danced before his eyes as he tried to draw air into his deprived body. A final blow struck his right temple and he felt blood trickle down his cheek as he dropped over the abyss into the comforting darkness.

MANNIX-MANNIX-MANNIX

Albi rotated his shoulders while he kept his eyes on the road ahead. The fact that he was exhausted was a given, yet he would not give into it. Joe Mannix was missing and he owed the detective a lot, this was something he would and could do for him. Mannix had saved his life in more ways than one, including coming to his rescue when no one else believed him. He'd been set up and was one the verge of losing not only his license, but his freedom as well. Joe stuck by him and proved his innocence.

He drove north along Mulholland Drive, praying that this lead was not another false one. So far he'd been searching for the missing man for two days. His snitches had been busy during that time and he wasn't surprised when one of them connected him with a man Joe had also helped out during a bad time in his life. He smiled as he realized something, Joe Mannix may have made a lot of enemies during his years as a PI, but he'd also made a lot of friends. Those friends had been searching for the detective and he'd soon know the results of the latest lead.

Albi was nearly outside of LA now, where most of the bigger estates were. The beach area here was some of the best in the state, and real estate was expensive. The fact that one of his snitches heard of a woman and several men being seen at a house surrounded by a high fence was nothing new. Albi knew it was still a long shot, but the fact that one of his own contacts recognized the dead cop and was certain he'd seen him at this particular estate on Mulholland Drive gave him hope.

He rounded a sharp bend in the road and saw the fenced in home he'd been searching for. The lights on the upper floor were visible and he knew whoever lived here was home. A search of the city records would probably have turned up a name, but he was certain it would not be that of Alexandra Pulverante. It would take time to backtrack and see if she was tied to this particular beachfront property, time Joe Mannix didn't have.

Albi wished he could see inside the grounds, but the fence was too high. He knew his best bet would've been to come in by the ocean, but the private beach at the south end of the property was well patrolled, again this gave him reason to believe he was on to something. He pulled to a stop in a copse of trees and reached for the binoculars on the back seat. He looked around for the best vantage point and sighed as he settled on a tree not far from the back of the house. His stomach clenched at the thought of climbing the tree, but he fought against the nervous tension, knowing a friend's life was at stake. All he needed was a glimpse of Pulverante and he'd be able to call Malcolm to bring in the troops. He exited the car and ran across the narrow path to the tree he'd spotted. He climbed without thinking, knowing if he looked down and thought about what he was doing he'd never make it. Three quarters of the way up the tree he found a broad branch that opened onto the property and he reached for the binoculars around his neck.

The immaculately landscaped grounds were spread out before him, drenched in the white light of several huge spotlights. He could hear dogs barking at the far end of the property and hoped they'd stay there. He saw one man walking along the edge of the house toward a small cabin, but the man quickly turned back when a male voice called out to him. Albi held his breath as the man stopped and looked in his direction, breathing a sigh of relief as he turned back to the house.

'Too, close,' he thought as he leaned heavily against the trunk of the tree and settled in for a long night. As the minutes became hours his exhaustion intensified and he drifted toward sleep. His eyes snapped open when he heard a gull screeching in the distance or the braying of the dogs from the property he continued to watch. The sky was beginning to brighten with the promise of another wonderful day of sunshine and surfers, yet the house remained ominously silent.

MANNIX-MANNIX-MANNIX

Joe knew better than to move, he'd tried several times to get off the floor. Each time met with failure as the room lurched violently and his stomach rebelled against the nauseating feeling it caused. His upper body had taken some serious damage, yet it barely registered now as the effects of the drug she'd given him began to wear off. He swallowed, coughed, and gasped at the arid feeling in his throat and realized he was dehydrated as his mouth couldn't form enough saliva to moisten the interior of his mouth. He heard the door open and knew he was no longer alone as long fingers gripped his hair and lifted his head from the floor.

"So, Joseph, how are you feeling? Did you enjoy my skill with the whip? How were the dreams? If your screams were any indication they were extremely disturbing."

Joe tried to speak as she turned him onto his back, but again could not find the strength to do so as she tapped his cheek.

"Oh, you're a bit warm, Joseph. Are you running a fever? Perhaps a dip in the ocean will cool you off. Charlie, Jacob, would you come in here?"

"Is something wrong, Ma'am?" Charlie asked, hiding the grimace of distaste he felt at seeing the battered body lying on the floor.

"Nothing at all, Charlie. Our guest is in need of a bath to bring down his temperature."

"Yes, ma'am, I'll speak with..."

"I wasn't thinking of a bath in the house…after all we wouldn't want Joseph contaminating my home," she said as she pulled his head back further, smiling as the hatred flared in his eyes. "Still defiant, Joseph? I assure you it will not last long. Once the salt water hits the wounds on your back and chest you'll come to realize I am in complete control of your life..."

"...ne...ver..." his voice was barely audible as he was dragged to his feet.

"You're so wrong," Pulverante said, placing her finger under his chin and lifting his head until their eyes met. "I not only have control of your life, Joseph, I have control of your death. You may think the pain cannot get any worse, but I assure you it can. I have only just begun to show you what I've learned over the years. Take him to the beach and wait for me there."

"Yes, ma'am," Jacob answered as they pulled Mannix from his cell.

MANNIX-MANNIX-MANNIX

Albi tried to find a comfortable spot in the thick branches, but he knew it was going to be impossible. His body was already familiar with every knot and broken branch of the tree. Not for the first time he wished he'd brought a thermos of strong coffee from the deli on Mulholland Drive and Topanga. He rubbed at tired, burning eyes before lifting the binoculars back to his eyes. He panned the edge of the estate before drifting slowly back toward the house. Something near the small cabin caught his attention and he quickly turned them toward the structure. He gasped when he spotted the familiar figure outlined against the backdrop of lights.

"Oh, hell," he swore when three other figures emerged from the cabin. Two men were holding something between them and he knew in his heart he'd found Joe Mannix. Now all he had to do was get him away from Pulverante and her men. He knew he would be unable to do anything on his own and quickly descended from his vantage point and hurried back to his car. He quickly unlocked the door and reached for the phone embedded in the dash as he slid onto the seat. He pressed the redial button, knowing the last call he'd made was to Mannix's office and that Art Malcolm would be there with Peggy Fair. The phone was snapped up at the second ring and a sleepy voice answered.

"Mannix's office," Peggy answered automatically.

"Peggy, it's Albi, I found Joe..."

"What? Oh, God, Albi, where is he? Is he alive... Art Albi found Joe...Please, Albi tell me he's..."

"Peggy, listen to me," the man interrupted as he tried to answer as many questions as he could.

"Albi, where are you?"

"Lieutenant Malcolm?" he recognized the policeman's voice and answered quickly. "Listen I'm at the old Gardner estate on Mulholland Drive..."

"I know the place. Are you sure Joe's there?"

"Yeah. I saw him and that Pulverante woman."

"Okay, just hang on while I get dispatch to send..."

"Make sure they don't use the sirens, Lieutenant."

"I will, just hang on."

Albi drummed his fingers on the dash as he waited for Malcolm to come back on the line. He'd never been a patient man and he knew from the way Mannix sagged between the two men he needed help.

"Albi, patrol cars are on the way. Peggy and I should be there shortly."

"You sure she should be in on this?"

"Are you going to be the one to keep her out of it?"

"Oh, I see what you mean, Lieutenant."

"Albi?"

"Yeah?" he asked, knowing what the next question was going to be.

"How did he look?"

"Not good. I hope you had an ambulance dispatched."

"I did."

"I'm going to see if I can find out what they're doing to him," Albi explained.

"All right, just stay out of sight."

"Will do," he hung up the phone and walked back to the tree he'd spent the night in.

MANNIX-MANNIX-MANNIX

Joe tried to keep his feet under him as he was dragged across the well manicured lawn and onto the sandy beach. The sun was just beginning to make an appearance, bathing the land with the promise of another glorious California day. He had a feeling this could possibly be the last dawn he'd ever witness as the ocean lapped at the sand, pulling it out before spraying it back where it belonged.

Al smiled as she stood at the ocean, the waves lapping at her feet. Her nerves were tense in expectation of what she was about to order. She knew the salt water would sting in the open wounds on Joe Mannix's body and she stepped in front of him.

"Well, Joseph, would you like to beg me not to do this?"

The detective lifted his head and glared at her as their eyes met. He forced a cocky half smile to his face and spoke through trembling lips. "W...wouldn't beg...no...thing... fr...from you..."

His head snapped back with the force of the open handed slap, but he didn't close his eyes as he met her gaze once more.

Al reached out and wiped the blood from his mouth and turned to look at the ocean once more.

"I've always had a thing for sunrises, Joseph. I'm angered at how many I missed because of you. Being alone in that cell surrounded by nothing but four walls and having someone tell me when I could eat or when I could bathe! My life was not my own!" she snapped as she turned back to face him. "That's all changed now, Joseph and you know why?"

"D...don't g...give a d...damn," the prisoner answered weakly and watched as her head snapped back and she laughed maliciously.

"Oh, but you will, Joseph. You see I've taken your freedom from you, not once but twice..."

"Es...caped...once...do...a...again..." Her hand cupped his chin and she forced him to meet her eyes.

"Not likely, Joseph, you won't be alive much longer," she warned and stepped back. "Make sure you tie him good and tight before you give him his bath."

MANNIX-MANNIX-MANNIX

Albi could see the small stretch of beach where they'd taken his friend. There was a pier jutting out over the water and Albi could see that's where they were headed. He shivered as he watched what was happening, and knew he had to stop whatever their plans were as Joe was shoved forcefully to the ground. He swore as the one man held his friend on the ground while the other one proceeded to wrap rope or cord around his bare wrists.