That's what he was now. And even though, thanks to his father's connections in this small town no one would know, Jamie knew. He would always know. But, at the moment, that didn't even matter. All that mattered was that he had been spared that morning. Spared of being the target of dear old Dad's morning workout. And why?
Because he had made his father proud.
*****
Police Station
Commisioner Frank Wesley stares down at the file in front of him. A brutal tragedy. Nineteen year old Amanda Cook had been found raped and murdered in an alley behind Malloy's, a local bar. Nineteen. He rubs his tired face with his hands. God. His own daughter was twelve. Only a little younger. His daughter's face had never left his mind as he informed the young woman's parents. The part of the job he hated the most.
It had started out like any ordinary night in this small, Midwestern town. A couple of his men had driven by the alley on their routine beat, and had seen some shadowy figures. They decided to check it out. That's when Frank had gotten the call.
The sight had sickened him, it never got any easier. She had been a beautiful girl. Petite. Long brown hair. And the dirtbag they had picked up at the scene. Drunk beyond all comprehension. Crying over her...
Oh God no...I'm sorry...I'm sorry...
They had dragged him away from her, despite his slurred protests that he couldn't leave her side. He had passed out in the cop car on the way to the station, and they were still waiting for him to wake up. And considering where they had found him, he was there number one suspect.
"Frank?"
He looks up, spotting Officer Daley in the doorway.
"What's up?"
"Just got back that info you wanted."
"Wow, that was fast. So, tell me about our friend? Priors?"
"Yeah, you could say that. Convicted of rape a few years back. Part of a gang rape at a college in Llanview, Pennsylvania."
"Llanview? That's what his license said, right?"
"Yeah, guess he's from there. Anyway, he spent some time in Statesville Prison, was eventually pardoned. Has had a few run ins with the law since then, most recently in the summer of '98. He was brought up on kidnapping charges, but was found not guilty."
Frank leans back in his chair. "Sounds like a real prince."
Just then, the door burst open. A uniformed cop shoves a handcuffed Todd through the door and pushes him down into a chair.
"Sleeping Beauty here finally woke up and started screaming his fool head off," the cop says, glaring at Todd.
"Thanks," Frank nods. The cop turns and leaves the room.
"Don't ya think you guys are taking this a little far? I didn't realize public drunkenness was such a huge offense," Todd quips. He still felt like pure Hell, but one thing he had learned was never to let the cops see weakness.
Frank looks at him, his eyes wide. "Mr. Manning, is that what you think you're here for?"
"Well, what the hell else?"
Frank shakes his head and leans forward on his desk. The guy's cocky attitude was annoying him.
"You're a suspect in the rape and murder of Amanda Cook."
Todd jerks his head back slightly, as though the wind had been knocked out of him. No. No. He was still drunk. Yeah, this was all just some bizarre dream. He'll wake up in his crappy little apartment, hungover as all hell. Yeah, this wasn't happening.
"Nothing to say?"
Todd stares at the police commissioner, trying to deny what appeared to be a very harsh reality. His mind desperately tries to wade through the alcohol induced haze of the previous night. The bar...he remembers the bar. Remembers stumbling through an alley. His wrists strain against the cold metal handcuffs as his breathing quickens slightly. God, he had to remember.
"We have a few questions for you, I suggest you get in touch with your lawyer."
"My...lawyer?"
"If you don't have one, we'll get the public defender."
Todd's eyes dart around the room, looking for an escape. Some sign that this was some weird parallel universe and wasn't really happening to him. A lawyer. Jesus. he needed someone good. Not some police provided public defender. Someone he could trust. Someone who understood him.
"No..uh I need to use the phone."
Frank nodded at Officer Daley, who pulled Todd up. "Officer Daley will take you to the payphone."
"Actually...it's long distance."
*****
Llanview
ADA's office
Téa Delgado stares at the pile of paperwork on her desk. Perfect. Just what she needed to forget how miserable her life was. How lonely. Everyday it was the same. Work til all hours, go home to the Penthouse, watch some TV. Go to sleep, get up and do it all again. Miserable.
She opens up a file and begins making notes when her intercom beeps.
"Yes?"
"Phone call, Téa. Your brother Del?"
Téa's face brightens. "Oh, put him through!" She picks up the phone. "Delmonico Delgado, it's about time you gave your hermanita a call!"
Silence.
"Del?"
She hears someone clear their throat on the other end.
"Alright, who is this?"
A long pause follows, but for some reason, Téa can't bring herself to hang up the phone.
"Delgado....I need you."
To Be Continued...
