Chapter 17: Just In The Line Of Duty
Chapter 17:
Sam, Tina and a half a dozen officers entered the cabin. Three officers removed Roger, Pierre and Antoine, while the rest secured the crime scene. The medical examiner showed up shortly after that along with the police photographer. They went through their duties, as dispassionately as if it were a trip to the dentist’s office. Sam was thunderstruck at the likeness of the lifeless body on the floor to Luis. He kept staring at the corpse in amazement. Finally the medical examiner asked him to step aside, and he reluctantly broke his stare. He then decided it was time for some answers. While the forensic team was doing their job, Sam ushered Hank Luis and Sheridan into the kitchen to try and sort out what happened. Tina as well joined the group in the kitchen.
The group seated themselves at the table. There were only four chairs and five of them, so Sheridan gratefully sat in Luis’ lap. Several days ago, Sheridan would never have been caught in public deliberately in such a position, but after everything that had happened, she now could care less who thought what. Before they started, Tina decided to put on a pot of coffee for everyone. It was very late and the signs of exhaustion were evident. Sheridan offered to help, but Tina just winked at her and informed her she’d manage. While the coffee was still brewing, Sam decided to get started. He decided to start with Hank, as his curiosity was getting the better of him as to what he had to do with the whole thing.
Hank’s mind was racing. He was trying to come up with a plausible explanation for his involvement of this. He could feel Sam’s eyes on him and knew he’d be the first to tell his story. So Hank, Why don’t you start by telling us how you became involved with these killers,” Sam asked curiously. Hank grinned nervously. He glanced from face to face and saw they were all intently looking at him. He inhaled deeply and began his tale.
“Well, as some of you already know, I was pretty upset at Luis and Sheridan when I found out they have a ‘thing’ going on behind my back. I became particularly angry when I found out that Sheridan never even wanted to go out with me on the dates we did have. It was more of a pity thing.” Hank glared at Sheridan who was not looking at Hank. She had her eyes downcast and her head leaning on Luis’ shoulder. “Anyway, like I said I was pretty mad and I vowed I’d be the one that ended up with Sheridan, not Luis,” Hank continued. “Last night, or earlier tonight, actually, I ran into this guy in a bar. He must have known what happened, because he kept questioning me about Luis and Sheridan’s relationship. He really got me steamed and I blurted out that I would do anything to take Sheridan away from Luis. He then told me he could make that happen. He said he wanted to teach Luis a lesson himself and I could help him do that and get Sheridan at the same time.”
Sam looked at his brother in distaste, but said nothing, as he wanted to hear the whole story. Luis looked at Hank with anger, but he also said nothing. He too feared stopping Hank at this point would ruin any chance at getting to the truth. If this was indeed the truth. “So this guy, his name was Frank. I didn’t catch his last name. Frank got into my car and told me where to drive. He then had me stop the car and had to show me something. He made me get out of the car for a few minutes. When I got back in I saw his face. It was Luis’ face. I was shocked! Then to make matters worse, when he spoke, it was Luis’ voice coming out of his mouth!” Hank paused briefly as he remembered his first encounter with “LUIS”.
“Hank,” Sam frowned, “did you even ask where he got the mask?” Hank laughed. “I asked him all right and he told me. That was when I knew I’d made a big mistake.” Hank’s tone now became quite serious. “It seems, Hank said, “that Frank was working directly for Alistair Crane.” Sheridan perked up and looked directly at Hank when she heard her father’s name mentioned. “Frank used the mask once before. Back in March, Frank made a certain phone call down at the wharf. It was deliberately orchestrated so Sheridan would think it was Luis on the phone. He said things to make sure Sheridan thought Luis was using her.”
Sheridan’s body tensed as she heard this. Tears began to form in her eyes. ‘My own Father!’ she thought. ‘How could he do this to me?’ She felt her cheeks get hot and her tears began to burn. Luis just held her close, gently rubbing her back in an effort to comfort her. “I’m sorry to have to be the one to tell you this Sheridan, but this is what Frank told me,” Hank said with genuine sympathy. “From what I gather, Julian was the one involved with the original set-up. Alistair blamed Julian for the two of you getting close again even after Frank said those things about Sheridan. His plan this time was to have Frank hurt Sheridan so badly, that she would NEVER speak to Luis again. I‘m not sure what his plans were for Luis, but I do know he was planning on taking care of him somehow.”
“How could a father do this to his own daughter?” Sheridan asked in despair. Sheridan then laughed wickedly. “He claims he loves me. He claims he only wants what’s best for me. He wants me to be happy. He calls hiring an impersonator to pretend he’s Luis and saying he’s using me for my own good? That will make me happy?” Sheridan was becoming quite angry and her tone was getting louder. “It’s OK, Sheridan,” Luis said soothingly. “It’s all over now. He didn’t win this time. I don’t like it anymore than you do, but he didn’t win!” “Luis,” Sheridan said looking deep into his eyes, “After the last few days we’ve spent together, there is nothing anyone could say to change my mind about you. But I have to tell you, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, standing there tonight listening to that man say the things he did.” Sheridan was choked up and the tears were falling freely down her cheeks. Luis gently stroked her cheeks wiping away the tears.
“Even though in my heart, I knew you couldn’t possibly say those things about me, it was still your face and voice. I kept telling myself this isn’t Luis. He wouldn’t do this to me. He promised. That’s why I chose to confront you, I mean him, this time. I never did get anything out of him, because almost as soon as he was off the phone Roger Pierre and Antoine came in.” “Luis, Sheridan said after a moment of thoughtful consideration, “I can’t go back there. I won’t go back to that house. To that family.” Sheridan gently rested her head back on Luis’ shoulder.
“Sheridan,” Sam asked gently, “I know this is hard for you right now, but if you just answer a few questions for me now, I can let you and Luis go for the night. I will still need you to come down to the station sometime tomorrow and give your statement, but at least you’ll be out of here.” “Sure, Sam, “ Sheridan said quietly. “Who actually killed Luis’ double?” Sam asked. “Antoine. He fired three bullets into his chest.” she replied. “And you saw him do it?” Sam asked. “Yes.” Sheridan choked out. “Do you know why he was shot?” he asked.
“Roger told Antoine to shoot him. He said Luis was expendable, where I still had value. They called my Father and asked for money and safe passage to Brazil,” Sheridan explained. “Are you sure about this Sheridan?” Sam asked. He didn’t doubt her, just organizing the facts in his head, so he knew who to charge with what. “I’m sure. Pierre is the one that held me down when they shot Luis, er I mean the impostor,” she said. Sheridan was getting weary of all the questions and Sam decided she’d had enough for one night. “Sheridan, that’s it for tonight. Luis can bring you down to the station sometime tomorrow after you’ve had some rest,” Sam told her. Sheridan was very grateful for the reprieve.
“Luis, Sheridan will be staying at your house tonight?” Sam asked. “You’re damned straight Sam,” Luis answered. “I’m not letting her out of my site for a second.” Sam gave a faint smile and nodded approvingly. “Tina, will you take Luis and Sheridan home?” “Sure thing Sam,” Tina said. “Luis I need to talk to you for just a minute,” Sam said. “Come on Sheridan,” Tina urged with a friendly smile. “I’ll take you out to the car and we can wait for Luis there.” Sheridan reluctantly stood up. She didn’t want to leave Luis, but knew she couldn’t stay there forever. Luis stood up with her and gave her a lingering kiss on the cheek. “I’ll be right out Sheridan,” he whispered in her ear. “I promise.”
Sheridan gave him a slight smile and left the room with Tina. Hank decided he was going to slip out of the room as well until Sam stopped him. “Hold on little brother,” Sam said, “Not so fast. You and I still have a few things to discuss.” Hank gave a resigned smile and sat back down. “Luis, I just thought you’d like to know what happened at the hospital,” Sam offered. “After I received your call I phoned the hospital and it appears that the other agent had been drugged. Probably by Antoine. The best guess at this point is he took the sleeping pills from Roger and Pierre and placed them in Jake’s coffee. We won’t know anything for sure until we get the toxicology reports.”
“I told you I had a bad feeling about this whole thing, Sam,” Luis reminded him. “I also never trusted Antoine. Now I know I was right when I thought he was trying to push Sheridan over the balcony in Paris.” “Luis, I’ll never doubt your gut instincts again. So far in this case they have been right on the money every time,” Sam agreed. “I have a feeling you will be wearing that detective badge before too long buddy!” Sam said cheerfully.
“Thanks Sam,” Luis said. “Right now my main concern is Sheridan. “Not only did she think I betrayed her again, but she also thought she saw me killed. Add to that, she found out her father is responsible for all of it and that’s an awful lot for a person to go through in one day.” “It sure is Luis,” Sam readily agreed. “You go take care of her and we can straighten out the rest tomorrow.” “Thanks Sam.” Luis started to leave the kitchen when Hank stopped him. “Luis?” Hank said. Luis turned around and eyed his lifetime friend with suspicion. “I’m glad things turned out the way they did,” he said with sincerity. “Are you Hank?” Luis asked sarcastically.
“Luis, look,” Hank was having deep feelings of regret and was unsure what to say to Luis. “I know what I did was wrong. I did it out of anger and jealousy. I didn’t think the whole thing out ahead of time,” he lied. Hank had thought the whole situation out ahead of time, but wasn’t going to admit it to Luis. Hank had somewhat come to his senses and did regret his decision. “I had no idea Alistair Crane was involved in this mess. If I did, I never would have agreed to it.”
“Hank,” Luis said angrily, “had the situation been reversed, I never would have agreed to it and YOU know it. I know we’ve had our petty differences and competitions before involving women. I also know that you don’t always play by the rules. I’ve learned to live with that. But THIS? Hank, I don’t know if I will ever be able to forget this.” Hank watched Luis as he angrily spouted out his feelings. He knew he’d caused serious damage to his friendship with Luis. “Hank, you were my best friend. Now I know I can’t trust you. What does that tell you?” Luis gave Hank one last look and shook his head before leaving.
Once Luis had left, Hank exhaled in relief. “Luis is right, Hank,” Sam said in disgust. “What were you thinking? Agreeing to hurt your best friend just because your pride was wounded?” “Sam, I don’t expect you to understand,” Hank said defensively. “You’ve always been the righteous one, Brother! Always walking the straight and narrow! You have the perfect job, the perfect family! You have no idea what it’s like to want a woman and lose her to another man. Grace was your first real love and she married you! You don’t know what it’s like to have your heart broken.”
“Are you trying to tell me you are in love with Sheridan?” Sam asked in surprise. Hank had to think about it for a moment. “Well I’m not actually in love with her, but I could have fallen in love with her if I’d had the chance.” Sam smiled. “That’s what I thought. Hank, Luis IS in love with Sheridan and Sheridan IS in love with Luis. Those two have a love that is very rare. With all the obstacles they have encountered, all the trickery and backstabbing, they have managed to come through it more in love with each other than ever. I’m very sorry to say that my brother was part of the team that deems it necessary to keep them apart.”
Hank just looked at Sam. He couldn’t think of a reply. “Oh, one more thing Hank,” Sam said slyly, “don’t ever think I have no idea what it’s like to lose a woman to another man. I know only too well the pain involved in losing someone you are desperately in love with. But you see brother, then someone else comes along in your life, like Grace did in my life and helps take away the pain. So don’t tell me I don’t know what it’s like.”
Sam paused for a moment. He watched the shocked look on Hank’s face and immediately regretted telling him. “That’s it for now Hank,” Sam said changing the subject. “Don’t EVEN think about leaving town.” “Thanks for the vote of confidence Sam,” Hank said glaring at his brother as he left the cabin. Sam stared after Hank until he was out of sight. He heaved a deep sigh wondering why his brother harbored so much anger and suspicious of his real involvement in the whole deal.
Tina pulled in front of Luis’ house. Dawn was breaking as the first signs of light appeared in the sky. “Sheridan, I dropped off your packages here last night so at least you will have some clothes this time,” Tina grinned. “Thank you Tina,” Sheridan said as she stepped out of the car. Tina motioned for Sheridan to move in closer so she could say something to her. Sheridan leaned in and Tina whispered, “When you’re feeling up to it, you can tell me all about your evening with Luis. I mean before all this happened. I hope everything went well?” Sheridan smiled happily for the first time in hours, as she recalled the most romantic night of her life. Her eyes were sparkling and her cheeks flushed.
“You don’t have to tell me now. I know the answer,” Tina said sweetly. “Just remember those moments when you try to go to sleep.” “I’ll do my best,” Sheridan grinned. Luis and Sheridan both thanked Tina for the ride home and Tina pulled away and drove out of site. They entered the kitchen to find Pilar making breakfast. Pilar turned to see them standing there and gave them a look of disapproval and relief at the same time. “Where on earth have you two been?” she asked inquisitively. There was faint suspicion in her glare. “Mama, you’ll never believe this,” Luis started to explain, “But Roger and Pierre escaped from the hospital last night and tried to kill me.”
“Dios mio!” Pilar exclaimed. “Actually Mama, they did kill me. At least they thought it was me, which brings on the next part of our night. We finally found out why Sheridan thought she heard me at the wharf that night. Alistair Crane hired an impostor to make Sheridan believe I was using her. He wanted to keep us apart and it worked for awhile. Tonight the impostor struck again. He was unfortunate, however, because The French drug dealers struck at the same time.”
Pilar found herself becoming unsteady. Luis was at her side in a flash and helped her to a seat. He then pulled out a seat for Sheridan who also sat down. “Are you all right hijo?” Pilar asked with concern. “And Sheridan. Poor Sheridan, having to go through such an ordeal again.” “I’ll be fine, Pilar,” Sheridan assured her. She was trying to convince herself as well as Pilar. “We’re both fine, Mama,” Luis agreed. “I must admit, it was weird seeing my face on the dead man, though.” “Dios mio!” Pilar whispered as she put her hand over her mouth. She blessed herself and said a quick prayer. After a moment she asked, “Luis, how could this happen?”
“It’s really a long story and we’re both exhausted, Mama,” Luis said wearily, “but basically the French Cop that was assigned to guard the two drug dealers was dirty. He helped them escape. At the same time, Alistair was having Sheridan watched and sent the impostor to make another appearance. He wanted Sheridan to believe I was still using her. I guess he figured if she heard him again, this time I’d never be able to convince her it wasn’t me. I have no idea how Roger and Pierre found us. That’s still a mystery, unless it was just a strange coincidence.”
“I’m so happy you too are all right,” Pilar said with relief. “Sheridan, this must have been terrible for you.” “It was Pilar,” Sheridan agreed. I was in a state of shock at first when I heard him saying the things he did. After Luis and I had just m... I mean it was incomprehensible to me that Luis would say those things after everything.” Sheridan gazed at Luis with a combination of love and sadness. Her cheeks slightly flushed, as she almost spilt everything to Pilar. “Sheridan, you never did tell me what he said to you,” Luis said. Now Sheridan did blush. “I’d rather not go into it right now, Luis,” Sheridan said with a pleading look. “I’m absolutely exhausted and I don’t want that to be the last thing I think about before going to sleep.”
“I’m sorry, Sheridan,” Luis apologized. Sheridan gave him a grateful smile. Pilar stood up and returned to making breakfast. “Can I get you two something to eat before you go to sleep?” Pilar asked. “Oh, no thank you Pilar,” Sheridan smiled appreciatively. “I just need sleep right now.” “Same here Mama,” Luis said giving his mother a kiss on the cheek. “Well, you two will be able to sleep well today. No one will be home until late tonight,” Pilar told them. “I’ll leave something for you in the refrigerator, so you’ll have it when you wake up.” “Thank you Pilar,” Sheridan smiled. “You really have been too kind.” Sheridan stood up and gave Pilar a hug.
“Sheridan, I’ll do anything for you. You know how special you are to me,” Pilar said with a faint grin. Sheridan smiled back and left the room. “Good night Mama,” Luis said with a huge grin. He pulled his mother into a big hug. “Sleep well Hijo,” Pilar said kissing her son on the cheek. “Guess what Mama?” Luis said with a sly look as he pulled back slightly from the hug. Pilar gave Luis a questioning look. “She loves me too!” Luis announced, unable to keep the giddiness out of his voice. Pilar smiled broadly at her son and pulled him back into the hug. “I am happy for you Hijo. I truly am happy for both of you.” With that, Luis kissed his mother again and left the room to go find Sheridan. Pilar stood there thoughtfully for a few minutes. “I so hope they can live the life they deserve.”
To Be Continued…
