Chapter 7

Bo decided it was time to question Lindsay. As he was leaving his office, she appeared. She was crying, and simply handed Bo a small tape. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “Come in,” Bo told her and closed the door behind them.

“Sit down,” Bo said. Lindsay was still crying, but he had run out of sympathy for this woman. “Let’s hear it,” he said.

“I did it because I love you,” Lindsay wailed. “I didn’t want to lose you.”

“Did what?” he asked.

Lindsay couldn’t look at him. “I knew Nora was alive, but things were going so good for you and me. I didn’t want to lose you again.”

“What did you do Lindsay?” Bo had to hear her say it.

“I paid Colin to keep her away from here. I was going to tell you as soon as I knew you still loved me and not her. I found that tape. It must have been with her things. Bo, it’s Asa’s confession! Now will can come home!”

“Giving me the tape in no way excuses you for what you’ve done!” he roared.

“I know that. I’m willing to go to jail as long as I know my son is safe,” Lindsay whispered. Bo asked one of his policemen to come in and read Lindsay her rights. She was crying harder now. “I’m so sorry Bo,” she said. But he ignored her and walked out.

When Kati got back to work, Kevin was sitting at her desk. “Where have you been?” he wanted to know.

“I was getting an interview, like you asked me to do,” Kati answered.

“I wanted you to get a statement, not to leave with him!” Kevin said through clenched teeth.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I thought you’d be happy.” She was more than a little irritated with his tone of voice. And how did he know she had left with him anyway?

“Well did you get anything?” he asked. She felt like slapping him.

“Yes I did. I’ll get the notes to you by the end of the day,” she told him.

“Okay.” He sighed, and then got up from her desk. Apparently he was still angry that she had rejected him. She wondered just how badly she wanted to keep this job.

Todd was driving to the penthouse. He figured now that he’d been cleared, he would buy it back. On the way there, he couldn’t get Kati out of his mind. He had felt so comfortable with her. He was seriously thinking of asking her out sometime. But it had been so long since he had gone on a date and she seemed so sweet. He was afraid he would eat her alive.

When he got to the penthouse, he was glad to find Roseanne at home. When she answered the door, Todd held up his checkbook. “I’m buying the place back. How much do you want?”

Back in his office, Bo listened to the tape. “I’ve got you now Pa,” he said. “Let’s see you try to get out of this one.”

On her way out the door at the end of the day, Kati dropped her notes on Kevin’s desk. He stopped her.

“Kati look. I’m sorry I was so rude earlier. Todd Manning just gets under my skin.”

“Mine too,” she thought. She just looked at Kevin for a minute and then said “No problem.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Kevin said, but Kati was already out the door.

Asa was in his office when Bo came to arrest him. “Hi son! I’m glad you came for a visit.”

“This isn’t a social call, Pa,” Bo said. He began reading Asa his rights.

“What the hell is this about?” Asa yelled as Bo handcuffed him.

“I have a tape of you confessing, Pa. The charges have been filed and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

“We’ll see about that!” Asa said as Bo led him off to jail.

Kati sat at a table in the hotel bar. She had eaten dinner earlier in her room, but couldn’t stand the silence any longer. She was thinking of ordering a second glass of wine when Todd walked in.

He saw her sitting there and his first thought was that she had somehow found out where he was staying, and had come to ask him more questions. But then he remembered the way she had been at lunch and was sure she wasn’t the type to be a “hounding” reporter. He walked over to her table.

“Hi,” he said.

The butterflies had started in her stomach the minute he walked in. She couldn’t get over the effect he had on her. “Hi.” She smiled.

“What are you doing here?” he asked.

“This is the hotel I’m staying at. How ‘bout you?” she said.

“I’m staying here too. Small world huh?” He smiled back.

“Sit down,” she invited. “I was just going to have another glass of wine.”

He thought about it a moment, and then sat down. He signaled the waiter and ordered a beer.

“I wanted to tell you I had a really good time at lunch,” Kati told him. Todd looked surprised and said “Me too.” They smiled at each other.

They sat there for two hours, drinking and talking. She told him about journalism school and about moving from place to place and some of the things she had seen. But when Kati started yawning, they decided to call it a day.

“I’ll walk you to your room if you want,” Todd offered. He looked a little nervous.

“Thank you,” Kati said. “That would be nice.” They stood up, and Kati took his arm. He looked a little startled but then he smiled at her. Kati’s heart melted at that smile.

When they got to her door, Kati looked up at him. She wanted very badly to kiss him, but didn’t want to make the first move. She couldn’t keep her eyes off his mouth.

Todd noticed where her eyes kept straying, but was afraid to kiss her. After a few tense moments, he leaned down and kissed her cheek. She looked a little disappointed, but smiled. Her smile made him want to grab her and never let go.

“Well,” Kati said reluctantly, “I’d better get some sleep. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” Todd replied. Kati opened the door and went in. After closing the door, she leaned against it. Her heart was pounding.

On the other side of the door, Todd still stood. His heart was pounding too.

*****************************************************************************************

Chapter 8

Bo called Viki. He told her that Jessica, Christian, and Will could come home. Viki tried calling Todd so he could relay the message, but got no answer.

Jessica was alone in her hotel room when there was a knock on the door. She opened it to find Christian standing there. For a long moment they just stared at each other. “Come in,” she finally said. She closed the door behind him. Then she turned around. A single tear ran down her face. He came closer and then bent down and kissed the tear from her cheek. She took his face in her hands and peered deeply into his eyes. She placed a soft kiss on his lips. She pulled back slightly and gave him a small smile. Then she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again. This time there was no question what the kiss meant. Their tongues found each other. Without breaking the kiss, Christian picked her up and carried her to the bed.

When Todd entered his hotel room, the phone was ringing. “Hello,” he answered. It was Viki. She told him about Bo’s phone call. He promised her that first thing in the morning, he would bring Jessica home.

Saturday morning Jessica woke up in Christian’s arms. They made love again.

As they were having breakfast in bed, there was a knock at the door. Jessica looked out the peep-hole.

“It’s Todd,” she said as she grabbed her robe. Christian hurriedly put on his pants.

When the door opened, Todd surveyed their state of undress. He smirked. “I hate to spoil the fun kiddies, but the party’s over.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Christian wanted to know.

“It means you can go home. Will’s being cleared. The tape of Asa confessing has been found,” Todd told them. Jessica hugged Todd and said “Really?”

Todd was taken aback by the show of affection, but he awkwardly hugged her back. “Get packed. I’m taking you home,” he said.

Later that day, Jessica walked into Llanfiar. “Mom, I’m home!” she called.

Viki came rushing to greet her. “Jess! Let me look at you.” She held her daughter at arms lenghth for a moment, then pulled her into a tight embrace.

“How are you Mom?” Jess asked. “Is the chemo working? I’ve been so worried about you!”

“I’m fine honey. I had a blood test, and my doctor says the chemo’s doing the trick. How are you?” Viki pulled away to look at her.

“Mom, I love Christian. I know that now.”

“Darling that’s great! What about Will? Have you told him how you feel?”

“Not yet,” Jess told her.

Will went to see Sam. “Son, I’m so glad you’re home.” He clapped his son on the back. “The charges have been dropped.”

“How’s Mom?” Will wanted to know. Sam filled him in on what had been happening; that Nora was alive, and that his mother was in jail on kidnapping charges.

“I can’t believe she would do that!” Will exclaimed.

“She did. You should go see her. She’ll be happy t know you’re okay.”

Todd moved back into the penthouse that day. Roseanne was more than happy to let him buy it back considering the money he gave her.

As he was checking out of the hotel, he saw Kati entering the lobby. She smiled at him and walked over.

“Hello,” she said. “Are you checking out?” She hoped not. She liked the idea of sleeping in the same building as Todd.

“Yeah. I’m moving back into my penthouse,” he told her.

“Here in town?” Kati asked. He nodded. “Wow, a penthouse,” she remarked.

“Would you like to see if?” Todd surprised himself by asking.

Kati’s face lit up. “I would love to!” she said.

“How about I pick you up at 8:00. It’ll give me a chance to move in.”

“Okay.”

“See ya later,” he said and then left.