When Tea saw the mysterious package in the mail, she was curious to know the identity of her secret admirer. If it wasn't Todd, then who? Was it one of Todd's alters? Was it her current beau John Sykes? Tea hasn't seen John in awhile because he's been extremely busy on a special assignment, so she assumed it was him that sent the gift. Tea quickly opened the present and when she looked inside, there was another message and a motel room key shaped in the form of a heart. Delgado started to read the note that was enclosed in the package.
My Dearest Tea,
Since you walked into my life, you've brought out another side of me that I never knew existed. I'm so grateful to have met a wonderful woman like you who shed her light of kindness on my darkest soul. I thought the best way to return the favor is to send my love with a key attached to it. I'm more than willing to share my heart and allow you into my world so I can reward you with the compassion and understanding that you have given me. I'll be staying at the Lover's Lodge located on the edge of town. Until our evening rendezvous, I'll keep thinking about you.Sincerely yours,
Someone SpecialTea was so touched by the letter, that a tear fell from her cheek and landed on the paper. She knew the only way to know who sent her the present was to go to the Lover's Lodge and find out. Tea put on her coat and drove to the Lover's Lodge. When she finally arrived, she got out of the car eager to know the identity of her admirer. Tea finally got her answer when she opened the door and saw RJ Gannon sitting on the bed with a bottle of champagne and dinner for two.
"RJ!" She exclaimed. "I should've known it was you. You would go to any lengths to get a date with me." Said Tea with a shocked and angry look on her face.
"Please, Tea. Don't flatter yourself. I moved on with my life."
"So why did you invite me here?" Asked Tea.
"To see what's under that sexy lawsuit of yours." Answered RJ. "Seriously, I invited you here to tell you about your boyfriend in blue. How well do you know him?" RJ hands Tea a glass of champagne.
"Well enough to know he's more of man than you'll ever be." Tea takes a sip of the champagne from the wine glass.
"Oh really? Have a seat, my dear. I'm about to show you a side of John that you never seen before . RJ picks up the remote control and turns on the TV and puts it in VCR mode. He presses play and the video footage with John pops up on the screen.
Tea's mouth drops to the floor when she sees John dressed in Drag.
"There's your boyfriend right there getting in touch with his feminine side." Gloated RJ.
"I don't believe what I'm seeing. This is too good to be true." Tea said as she looked at the video footage of John in drag.
"That's your guy, Tea." Laughed RJ. "John's about as masculine as RuPaul. Now keep watching. This show is just getting started." Smiled RJ.
The drag queen scene of the tape cuts to John in a building pointing a gun at a police officer. Tea reacts in shock as she watches Sykes shoot the cop in cold blood.
"Omigod!" Tea pauses. "RJ, where did you get this tape?" She frantically asked.
"Can you keep a secret, Tea?"
"Yes." Tea stared at RJ and wondered if he'd forgotten that after he confessed to burning down Club Indigo to her.
"So can I, which is why I'm not telling." Laughed RJ.
"Ok, let's cut to the chase. What do you want from John? Better yet, what do you want from me?"
"What are you offering?" Questioned RJ.
"Do you always answer a question with a question?"
"Only when it involves blackmail. Now what are you offering?"
"Let's quit playing games, RJ. I know you wanted me for a long time. So if you give me what I want, I'll make it worth your while." Tea slowly gets close to RJ and begins to take off her clothes.
RJ looked at Tea and said, "I know you will, but I'm not going to give you the benefit of the doubt."
"I can't stand you, RJ. You're really pissing me off." Angered Tea as she was puting her shirt back on.
"I know and it feels so good too. It seems like you're willing to go all the way to keep John's fat butt out of the frying pan."
"Actually, I care what people are going to say about me when this all gets out."
"So you are really thinking of yourself ? You're a self-absorbed wench. Figures you're out to cover your own ass. "
"You don't know a damn thing about me, so don't go making assumptions about my life. Besides, my reputation is on the line."
"Don't make me laugh, Tea. I'm not interested in your reputation or knowing whats it like to walk in your goody two-shoes, especially when John's been wearing your high heels on the sneak tip."
"You have some nerve implying that I'm self-centered when you go around and act like the world owes you something. Why did you tell me about John in the first place?"
"Because you're his girlfriend and you have the right to know the truth."
"That's a load of bull. You told me so I could break up with him and then date you. It's not going to work. I still remember your confession of the Indigo fire."
"Come on, Tea. We both know that you don't have the heart to blackmail me. Admit it? You love to cover-up crimes that involve bad boys? It's a foolish flaw that you have, but you don't have the courage or the desire to inform the authorities that I torched my club."
"You must really get a kick out of watching people suffer. I guess its true about misery loving company." Remarked Tea.
"The only company I appreciate is being around attractive women like yourself. However, I enjoy tormenting my adversaries. Seeing them getting their just deserts makes me smile."
"You're full of hot air. Nice con, RJ, but I'm not buying this one bit. I know how tapes can be doctored. I'm not going to fall for this." Tea takes the videocassette out of the VCR and destroys it by pulling the strips from inside the tape. "So much for your blackmail scheme." Snapped Tea.
"I was counting on you doing that. I made several copies of John's home movies just in case something happened to one of them. Stupid move, Tea, but you at least you gave it the ol' college try."
"I still don't believe this. That videotape has definitely got to be fake."
"It's very authetic, counselor. You're living denial."
"Denial is a river in Egypt."
"Cute comeback, but denial happens to be your current state of mind. I know you find it hard to accept that John is hiding secrets about himself behind that blue wall of his, but it had to be told. From the looks of things, the truth about Sykes is a bitter pill to swallow. I hope you don't choke on it."
"I'm going to leave. Next time you want to throw a party, don't invite me." Tea slams the door shut.
Tea was digusted with what RJ divulged about John. She found it hard to believe that Sykes was a cop killer and a cross-dresser, but she kept it all in stride.
RJ was satisfied that his personal vendetta against John Sykes was working so far. He knew that Tea believed him, but she insisted on lying to herself rather than acknowledging that RJ was right about John.
Moments later, RJ checked out of the Lover's Lodge and took off in his Sonota. About ten minutes into his drive, RJ heard police sirens. He looked in the rearview mirror and saw a blue Lumina trailing behind him. RJ pulled his car to the right. Gannon assumed it was Sykes that pulled him over to engage in another round of quarreling. The law enforcer who got out of the Lumina was none other than Agent Delmarco Delgado of the FBI.
RJ was surprised to see Del. He didn't think that his next encounter with the G-man would be on the long stretch of road, but RJ had a feeling that he would meet up with Tea's brother once again.
To Be Continued ....