At long last, RJ had John right in the palm of his hand. As RJ stared in Sykes' cowardly eyes, he realized that he was on the right track to achieving the thrill of victory over his wretched foe. John was wallowing in the agony of defeat as a sudden chill went down his spine. Detective Sykes knew that he was stuck in a no-win situation, but before he made up his mind about retrieving the police files from LPD Headquaters, he asked RJ a question.
"What do you plan on doing with those police files?" John curiously asked.
"I intend on dismantling the LPD's police stings by selling vital information from the files to every criminal in town." Divulged RJ.
"That's downright immoral and dangerous. There's no way I can go through with this." John nervously said as he paced back and forth.
"There's nothing immoral or dangerous about making money or taking advantage of an opportunity. It's the American way." Smiled RJ.
"That's so patriotic of you, RJ, to hide behind the cloud of capitalism and undermine the police department in the name of the almighty dollar. You rate right up there with all the great industrialists of the freeworld." Expressed John.
"It's been an American Dream of mine to expose the hypocrisy and injustice that's commonplace among the LPD as well as empower the poor and oppressed people of this town with the information to protect themselves against pigs like you. After all, what good is information if you don't share it? I figure I might as well delve into my humanitarian side while I make your life a living hell." Remarked RJ.
"So what makes you think that you'll get away with this, Robin Hoodlum?" Inquired John as he smirked at RJ.
RJ pauses for second and laughs and then said, "Robin Hoodlum?" He giggled. "You have a colorful way with names, Johnny. Now to answer your question, my plan is foolproof and you're the fool who's going to take all the credit for it. Once the files go public, your superiors will suspect the Chief of Detectives before they finger me. As for yours truly, my tracks will be covered so my involvement won't be discovered. Ah, I'm a poet and I didn't know it."
"So what makes you think I won't fink on you?" Sykes sneered at RJ.
"I knew the conspiracy question was coming up. Let's just say that would be a stupid move on your part because you'll be joining me in prison too. Either way, I win." RJ said in a sly manner.
John knew that RJ had him cornered, but he was determined to go down fighting. As a last ditch effort, Sykes attempted to apologize to RJ for the way he treated him in the past.
"I know you're hellbent on seeking vengence against me for falsely arresting yourself and Ms. Hayes, so I want to apologize for all the trouble I may have caused you. Let's just shake hands and bury the hatchet. This revenge scheme of yours isn't worth it." John extended his hand to RJ.
RJ slapped John's hand away from him and said, "You're not getting off the hook that easy. Now in order for me to provide my services to the people, I need you to supply me with the product. You have twenty-fours to retrieve the LPD files or the next time we meet will be on visiting day at Statesville Prison. Goodnight, John boy."
"Hold up, RJ." John halts RJ. "I want to know why you told Tea about my past? It's because of you that she broke up with me."
"Sorry to hear that. Perhaps you'll be more focused now that you have no girlfriend to console you. I did you a favor, Sykes. That's all you need to know." RJ retorted.
RJ walked away from John with his henchmen not far behind him. The two men gave John his revolver unloaded and left the docks. John was running out of options on how to handle to RJ, so he went to go seek help from a problem solver that he previously worked with--Marco Dane. Sykes drove towards the Albion Hotel to go meet with Dane. When he reached his destination, John got out of the car and made his way inside the hotel. He knocked on the door and Marco answered it.
"Hey Sykes, it's so nice to see you. Why are you looking so glum?" Wondered Marco.
John was still in an emotional rut from breaking up with Tea and RJ blackmailing him. John brushed off Marco's question.
"Nothing. How's that plan of yours coming along?" He asked.
"Very slowly. I had to put a little fear into Sophie, but eventually she'll be on our team."
"Well I need you to speed up this plan. I want RJ Gannon taken care of, immediately!" Exclaimed John.
"Relax, tough guy. A well-planned revenge scheme takes time to develop. I just need to put the finishing touches on this coercion caper and I'm all set."
"You know something, I think you're secretly working with RJ Gannon. You been playing me for a fool all this time and it's going to stop." John quickly draws his revolver out of his holster.
Marco pleaded his side of the story to John as he stared at Sykes' handgun.
"So why did you come to that conclusion? Did that briefcase I give you have anything to do with it?"
"Bingo, Dane! The trick briefcase with the videotape was a dead giveaway. The two of you have to be working together."
"I just got the briefcase, John. I wasn't responsible for whatever was in it, pal."
"That's a load of bull." John cocked his gun.
Dane bravely stared at the gun and said, "Let he who is without sin cast the first bullet. If it'll make you feel better shoot me, but you're never going to find an ally like myself. You're on your own."
After John heard Dane's testimonial, Sykes had second thoughts and put his gun away and apologized to Marco.
"I believe you, Marco. So tell me about your plan?"
"Like I said, the key to breaking RJ Gannon is to hurt the people close to him. Sophia and he have been pretty close lately and that's where I'm going to start."
"What makes you think it'll work?"
"I use to be a pimp and the best way to control women is to make them feel guilty, intimidate and manipulate them. You mix those ingredients together and you can't go wrong. But I don't want to hurt Sophia. I just want to scare her. She's like a daughter to me."
"I get it. Vengence is a dish best served cold. You bring a new meaning to the term, "tough love", Dane, but I want results. I hope your plan is effective."
"Don't worry. It's foolproof. By the way, you have those plane tickets to the Bahamas I wanted?"
"I don't have that kind of money."
"Well I officially withdraw my support for your cause. Have a nice life."
"Look, I'll get the money. You just keep your part of the bargain."
"I intend to do just that. How soon will I get it."
"Give me time."
"Okay. Let's say forty-eight hours from now. I expect to see the plane tickets plus travel expenses."
"You're out of your mind, Dane."
"Just do the best that you can. Emphasis on the word "best", Johnny".
"Swell. I'll be seeing ya." John exits from Dane's hotel room.
The next day at Dorian's house, RJ is on the phone with Dorian having a feel-good phone discussion.
"Hey Dorian!" RJ gleefully said. "It's such a pleasure to hear your voice."
"Why thank you, RJ." Responded Dorian. "So how's everything in Llanview?" She asked.
"Same ol story. It's exactly the way you left it. I wish you were here. This town definitely needs your presence."
"Well Llanview will have to do without yours truly for the time being. Are Blair and Kelly around?"
"Kelly's in New York and Blair took Starr to the park."
"Be sure you send them my love, RJ."
"I'll give him your best, Dorian. So how goes the search for Mel?"
"I didn't find anything yet, but I did run into an old friend of his by the name of Drake Faraday." She stated.
"Where did you meet him ?" Asked RJ.
"Would you believe I met him on the plane. Out all the people I run into on the plane, it was Mel's friend. What were the chances of that happening?"
When RJ heard Dorian mention that story, he thought it was too good to be true. For the time being, RJ put his suspicions aside and continued his long distance chat with Dorian.
"Well you be careful, Dorian. I don't want you to get hurt or anything." RJ said in a concerned voice.
"Relax, RJ. I'll be fine. I'm in no type of danger. Well I gotta run. Talk to you soon. Love you."
"Love you too. Bye." RJ hangs up the phone.
RJ then hears the doorbell ring. He walks to the door to answer it and it's Sophia with a sad look on her face. Tears were coming out of her eyes like rain from the sky. RJ then asked her what was wrong.
"What's the matter, Sophia?" Inquired RJ.
"It's my brother. He's dead." Sobbed Sophia.
To Be Continued
....