by Soulfingaz
When the new hour arrived, a series of loud and powerful explosions occurred outside the barn. Frantic over the whole situation, Del and his fellow FBI agents hit the ground and covered their ears. In the midst of the commotion, John hid in a pile of hay while RJ pretended to be startled and hit the dirt as well. As Sykes lay hidden in the haystack , he suspected that RJ was privy to what happened. Prior to the explosion, John noticed that RJ kept looking at his watch.
Moments later, the explosions stopped. Del and his two agents decided to go outside and investigate the disturbance. Little did they know that outside the barn there was a man hiding in the shadows waiting for them. The shadowy man positioned his handgun to aim at the barn door. His handgun also contained a laser pointer for target accuracy. As Del and the agents walked out the barn, they were immediately shot with tranquilizer darts before they had a chance to defend themselves. All three of them fell to the ground and were rendered unconscious. The shadowy man quickly fled the scene.
When the shadowy man was far from the barn, he removed his camouflage mask. The marksman in the bushes was a man from RJ’s past, but it wasn’t his father. This man had short brown hair and a beard like Kenny Rogers . He had a pearly, white smile and eyes that sparkled like diamonds. The man in question was Mel Hayes, a reporter for the Banner who was believed to be killed in a plane crash.
“RJ, old friend.” He paused as tear ran down his cheek. “If only I could share what I know with you, but the time isn’t right.” He thought to himself as he got in his car and drove away.
It was killing Mel to keep this information to himself, but for the time being, he had to remain dead until he settled some old accounts.
The scene switches to the barn, where John and RJ are looking at the unconscious bodies of Del and the two FBI agents.
“Well it looks like our captors are out cold. ” John said as he bent down to check their vitals.
“That’s a damn shame. Just as I was enjoying their company, something like this happens. There goes my whole day.” RJ sarcastically said.
“From the way things are looking, these three will be out of commission for awhile. Well, at least until the effects of the tranquilizer wear off.” John put his hands on hips.
“Now that’s something I’m not looking forward to.” Smirked RJ. “At any rate, when they regain consciousness, I’ll be long gone. Speaking of which, sayonara, Sykes! It’s been real.”
Just as RJ walks away from Sykes, the detective puts his hands on his shoulder. “Not so fast, RJ. You and I have some unfinished business to discuss.” John said in a stern voice.
“Later for that.” RJ shrugs John’s hand off of his shoulders. “Whatever business we had is over. Besides, I had enough action for one day.” Once again RJ walks away from Sykes.
Furious over RJ’s behavior towards him, John quickly grabbed him and tried to stop him from moving.
“This is far from over. I want that tape and those photos you have of me now.” Demanded Sykes as he struggled to maintain his physical grip over RJ.
“How does it feel to want, detective?” Smiled RJ.
“Gannon, you have a lot to answer for and I’m going to make sure you get what’s coming to.......” Before John could finish his sentence, he was hit by a stun gun. The shocking jolt of the gun caused him to fall to the ground.
RJ turned around and was surprised to see Sophia Pelligrino, holding the stun gun in her hands.
“Sophia, I could kiss you.” Grinned RJ.
“Hold that thought, RJ. We have to haul ass. I just heard on the police scanner that the troopers are coming. They’re headed in this direction!” Sophia frantically said.
“I figured that as much. By the way, there’s been a change in plans. We’re taking him with us.” RJ said pointing to an unconscious John.
“RJ, are you out of your friggin’ mind! This moron tried to kill you!” She exclaimed.
“Work with me, Sophia. This guy is our hostage. We’re going to need him just in case certain problems arise, such as the one you just informed me about.”
“It makes sense. I’ll pop open the back of the Expedition and swing by for you and our hostage. I just parked a few steps away from here.”
“While you do that, I’ll put John’s handcuffs to good use.”
RJ proceeded to put Sykes’ hands behind his back and place the handcuffs on him. His real reason for not leaving John behind was because he didn’t want something dreadful to happen to him, if he was, in fact his brother. RJ already has Hank’s shooting on his conscience. The last thing he didn’t want was another relative’s blood on his hands. Besides, RJ had other ideas for his newfound sibling, and they didn’t include leaving him to meet an uncertain fate at an abandoned barn in Cherryvale.
Sophia drove the Expedition right beside RJ. After he put John in the back of the vehicle, he then got in the front seat with Sophia and they drove off.
About twenty minutes into their drive, Sophia and RJ realized that the heat was off and they breathed a sigh of relief. They eventually made it back to Llanview without incident.
Once RJ and Sophia arrived in Llanview, they stopped at a trashy alley, uncuffed John’s hands and drove away.
John started to slowly regain conscious when he heard the sounds of RJ and Sophia’s vehicle drive off to parts unknown.
“Where am I?” Wondered Sykes.
Confused about his whereabouts, John got up and walked out the alley to inquire about his location. To his surprise, Sykes discovered that he wasn’t far from his apartment.
For the moment, Sykes ceased pondering about the events that transpired thus far and walked to his apartment for a well-deserved rest.
Meanwhile, RJ and Sophia were on the road discussing their plans for the future.
“So where do we go from here?” Sophia asked with a smile on her face.
“I thought we went over this already. We’re going to hang out at Atlantic City for a couple of days and then go to the Bahamas.” Answered RJ.
“I’m not taking about places, RJ. I’m talking about what’s in store for you and I.”
“What do you have mind, Sophia?” RJ dotted his eyes at her. “I’ve been thinking about what I want to do with my life, and I decided that I want to go into business with you once you get your nightclub off the ground. So how about it, RJ? Are you game in letting me be your new partner?” Inquired Sophia in a persistent voice.
When RJ heard Sophia’s offer regarding the club, he was flattered, but he was taken by surprise by Pellgrino’s proposal to throw in stakes with him. RJ immediately wasted no time in answering her question.
“I appreciate your offer, Sophia, but I’m not looking for a partner. Club Indigo is a one-man show.” He replied.
“By all means, RJ, I don’t want to steal your spotlight. If anything, I want you to teach me the business. You see, I originally wanted to go to college for business and management, but school dulls in comparison to having hands on training . I want to be your apprentice. I want the experience that a classroom and a textbook can’t offer me and I think you would make a great tutor and mentor.”
“I’m touched, but the best advice I can give you at this point is it’s all roll of the dice. Strictly profit and loss. Are you gambling lady?
“Risk is my middle name.”
“You see, if I form a partnership with anyone it’s for the long haul. I hope you can hang.”
‘Well, I detonated those explosives for you, not to mention that I zapped Sykes with the stun gun. If that’s not determination......”
“I’m convinced Sophia. I just wanted to see if you had what it takes to join up with me. You passed.”
“Dammit, RJ. I’m going to get you.” Sophia playfully said. One of these days, RJ.”
“I’m sure you will, but keep your eyes on the road.”
“Are you saying I can’t drive?”
“I plead the fifth.”
“While you’re on a roll, what exactly happened between yourself and those people at the barn? What did Marco have to do with it?” Sophia curiously asked
“Loose lips sink ships, it’s your love boat that I want to keep afloat.” RJ said as he put his hand on her lap.
“RJ, you know the right words to say.” Sophia stops the car and her and RJ engage in a heavy kissing session.
As RJ unbuttoned Sophia’s shirt, he was happy that he made a wise investment in Sophia. After all, if he was going to get back on his feet, he needed person with a clean record to make it possible and Sophia was the ideal candidate.After she removed her shirt, he wrapped his arms around her and the two made love in the Expedition.
The scene switches to Washington DC where a mysterious man cloaked in silhouette was shredding confidential documents regarding the Curtis Gannon Investigation. Upon receiving news that Operation: Bait and Net was unsuccessful, Del’s boss decided to destroy all the information about the case in an effort to keep the investigation from leaking to the press. When the procedure was completed, the man emptied his desk and left the office. The only item that remained on the desk was a photo of RJ Gannon. For the time being, the FBI’s vendetta against Curtis Gannon has subsided.
The scene switches to Statesville in the not too distant future. RJ, Hank and Nora are outside of the walls waiting for Rachel Gannon. As the cold, iron gates opened up, RJ, Hank and Nora are bracing themselves for reunion with a loved one who’s been locked away for a long time. Rachel walks out and is happy to see the three people who have occupied her thoughts during her imprisonment. Rachel runs toward her uncle, father and mother to give them a hug. “It’s so good to see you. Thanks for coming to see me. I always looked forward to your visits.” She said as she hugged Hank.
“I looked forward to your release for a long time, Rachel. Now we can be a family once again.” Smiled Hank.
“You were with me in spirit, especially Mom and Dad .” Rachel turned away from Hank and ran over to Nora and RJ and embraced them.
When Hank saw Rachel acknowledged RJ and Nora as her parents, it puzzled him.
“Rachel, I’m your father, not RJ.”
“Nonsense, Hank. You’re my uncle.”
“Why so glum, Henry? You knew Rachel was my daughter.” Smiled RJ as put his arms around both Rachel and Nora.
Hank looked at RJ and said nothing. His facial expression was one of total shock. Nora smiled at him and then kissed RJ.
Seeing all this unravel in front of him sent Hank over the edge and he yelled, “NO!!!!” in a loud voice. He woke up to discover that it was only a dream. Hank was worried that his mind would dare conceive such a sick and twisted notion of reality.
In bed right beside him was Nora, who woke up when she heard Hank shout in his sleep.
“Hank, why were you yelling like that?” Nora curiously asked.
“Nothing.” He wipes the saliva off the side of his face. “I just had a horrible nightmare.”
“Like there’s a such thing as a good one.” Nora said as she massaged her temples.
“You got a point.” Sighed Hank.
As Hank and Nora continued their chat, they were interrupted by a loud knock at the door.
“Who could that be at the door?” Wondered Hank.
“It’s probably another reporter looking to get a story from you. I’ll get rid of them.” Just as Nora was getting out of the bed, Hank grabbed her arm.
“Look, Nora, let me take care of it.” He insisted. “I’ve been wasting in this bed all week. I should do at least one thing for myself.”
“The doctor’s orders were for you to get some rest and minimum excitement.” She remarked as she put on her robe.
“Don’t remind me.” Hank stretched his arms. “I live for being an invalid. If you want to get the door, be my guest.” He replied in a sarcastic voice.
“I’ll be back before you have a chance to miss me.”
Nora walks out of Hank’s room to answer the door. When she opens the door, she’s surprised to see RJ Gannon. RJ just got back from his one week vacation in the Bahamas and he decided to drop in on Hank to see if his condition improved.
“Hi, RJ. How are you doing? I haven’t seen you in awhile.” She said in a friendly but nervous voice.
“Good morning, counselor. Is Henry around?”
“I’m house-sitting for your brother. He’s out of town at the moment.” Explained Nora.
“Let me guess, you’re watering his plants? Well he won’t mind if I wait for him to come back. “ RJ walks right into Hank’s apartment much to Nora’s approval. “I been out of town myself and when I came back, I heard that Henry was released from the hospital.”
Uncomfortable that RJ was in the apartment, Nora decided to think on her feet and persuade RJ to leave before he finds out the real reason why she’s there.
“RJ, this isn’t a good time right now. I have to get ready to meet a client........” Nora’s cut off by Hank Gannon’s loud voice.
Hank walks into the living room with his cane and asked, “Nora, when are you coming back to bed?” Hank paused for a moment when he saw RJ. The last time they laid eyes on each other, was the day he was shot by an unknown assailant. Now that Hank was out of the hospital and recovering, he was hoping that there was a second chance for them to reconcile their differences.
Nora’s mouth dropped to the floor, and for the time being, she was speechless.
RJ had a feeling that Nora was hiding something, which is why he entered Hank’s apartment uninvited. He knew that there was more to Nora’s story than what she was willing to reveal.
“So this is how the prosecution rest? I didn’t mean to interrupt you two so I’ll be on my way.”
“RJ, it’s all right. You’re not prying. I know you two have a lot to talk about, so I’ll let the both of you have some privacy.”
“Nora, you don’t have to leave. You’re family.” Expressed Hank.
“Hank, you been talking about ironing things out between yourself and RJ for sometime. Now here’s your chance. I’ll throw on my jeans and leave you two to talk in private.”
After Nora puts on her pants, she gives Hank and RJ a kiss on the cheek and walks out of the apartment. Now that RJ and Hank are alone, they proceeded to have a lengthy discussion on the couch.
“I’m glad that you’re alive Hank. I held bedside vigils and prayed to God to let you live.”
“I know. Nora told me. Needless to say, the only damage sustained in the shooting was my leg. I’ll be walking with a cane for awhile, but other than that I’m fine.”
“So if you’re alright, why are you taking a leave of absence from the District Attorney’s office?”
“Doctor’s orders. It’s only temporary though. At least I have Nora around as my private nurse.”
“I noticed that you and Nora are quite close. It looks like I missed out on a lot since I been out of town.”
“If you want to know the truth, RJ, Nora and I have always been close. Those feelings we had when we were married never went away. Sam and she aren’t together any more and Lisa and I called it quits, so it was a matter of time before we found our way back to each other again.” Revealed Hank.
“Well your secret is safe with me.” He responded.
“Speaking of secrets, I know you’re over here to ask me about the letters I wrote to you in while you were in Joliet, but never sent you.”
“Henry, you read my mind so well.”
“RJ ,if you thoughts were literature, you would be a Great American Novel.”
“And I thought I was the only one who came up with clever lines like that.”
“Now you know better. My reason for not sending you those letters RJ was that I always saw of part of you in myself.” Hank paused. “You see, I was once headed down the same beaten path you walked on, but luckily Mama saw that there was untapped potential within me that needed to be utilized, cultivated and nurtured. Mom was the one who encouraged me to channel my anger to sports and academics. Needless to say, using my energy for positive purposes paid off in the end. When you got out of jail and came back into my life, I was determined to help you find a righteous and rewarding direction in life, so you wouldn’t fall sway to same vices that resulted in your prison sentence.”
RJ was not surprised by Hank’s behavior towards him. In the back of his mind, he was hoping things would change, but they haven’t.
“Henry, you can rationalize your actions all you want, but the bottom the line is this is, it's all about you. It always has and always will be about you.”
“You got that wrong, RJ. It’s about us as a family mending our differences and uniting as one. “
“Interesting concept. Too bad you don’t practice what you preach. When the cops are harassing me, where’s the unity? I don’t certainly see it.”
“Quit being so cynical. Remember how you were fussing that you were fed up with living in my shadow? Congratulations, RJ. Since you came into Llanview and back into my life, your notoriety and infamous image precedes you so much that it’s having a direct impact on my professional life.”
“Not surprising since they say nice guys finish last.”
“You have no idea what I go through with you, RJ. I have to put up with rude and snide remarks from my colleagues and other people in Llanview, and each time I always defended you, but in the end, I’m proven wrong.......”
“And you can’t stand that cause it makes you feel like that you’re not flawless. That you’re a mere mortal like the rest of us. So how does it feel, Henry, to have your accomplishments overshadowed by my reputation?”
“It embrasses me, because mama and pops raised us better than that. When you know better you do better, bro.”
“Well if I make you feel so ashamed, why don’t you change your name to “Buchanan”. You've been more of a brother to Bo than to me anyway.”
“Bo’s not blood. You are, RJ. We’re supposed to be looking out for each other because we’re a family. The way I see us is as each other’s crutch. We’re the only ones we can rely on RJ, and whatever crisis we face, we can work together as a team.”
“I’ve been a team player for years and I have nothing to show for it, but a criminal record and excessive emotional baggage. As far as I'm concerned, my team playing days are over. I’d prefer to be a team owner.”
“Now that’s a bold dream you’ve decided to pursue, RJ.”
“I don’t have dreams anymore, Hank. Dreams is what lead to the demise of our father. I have goals and objectives.”
“That’s an interesting way of looking at things, RJ. You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk? Action speaks louder than words.”
“With the moves I’m planning with my new club, I hope to make so much noise that it will register on the Rictor Scale.”
“There’s something that’s occupied my thoughts since I was shot, RJ. What did you want to tell me. I had a feeling that it had something to do with the break in.” Hank said as his mind flashbacked to that fateful day at the park.
“Well, actually, your chat on forgiving myself got to me.”
“Oh really?”
“You asked if I could ever forgive myself? I found that question to be irrelevant. Forgiveness is God’s job and man is not equipped to handle that responsibility or burden.”
“You remember what Mama use to say to us when we were kids?”
“Ma said a lot of stuff to us. Be specific.”
Ma said, “If you don’t have a plan, someone will have a plan for you.” If you’re really serious about your life, then you have to be in charge of your own destiny. Don’t let fate be in charge of you. If I sound tough or intrusive with you it’s because I haven’t given up hope with us even if you have.”
“Please, Henry. I grown accustomed to your interloping ways, even if you tend to be a bit irritating.” RJ gets up from the couch and heads to the door. “Well I have to get going. I’m glad you’re doing better and I’ll see you around. May you live in interesting times. ”
“By the way, RJ, a relative of ours came to see me recently and you wouldn’t believe who it was.”
“If you’re talking about Aunt Clara, that’s one visit I could do without.”
“Not even close. John Sykes.”
RJ was reaction was that of pure shock when Hank divulged that he knows John’s their long lost brother.
“That’s the same expression I had on my face when I found out, but we’ll have this discussion at a later date. I’m going to take a shower and then go for a nice walk in the park. Have a good day, RJ.” Hank gets up from the couch and opens the door for RJ and then closes it.
RJ was more curious to know what other bits of information John shared with Hank. For the time being, RJ had to put that on hold and intend to matters concerning his new club.
...epilogue coming soon!
....