Forever Love
The sequel to "Dangerous Illusions"
by Jericho
Chapter 10
Donna Love's Apartment
Cameron and Amanda were seated with Donna, Marley, Vicky and Jake. The four were looking at Cameron and Amanda expectantly.
"Amanda, what is this all about?" Donna asked, curious about the urgency of their visit.
"I've been working on an article for Brava about a baby selling ring working here in Bay City," Amanda said, as she pointed her finger at Jake. "Uh-uh, Jake, this story is mine."
Jake opened, then closed his mouth. "Gotcha, Amanda."
"The reason for our visit is I thought you would like to see some information we've come across," Amanda told them.
Cameron handed a copy of the Carson file to Donna. Donna looked through the xeroxed pages then looked at Amanda and Cameron with wide eyes.
"What is this?"
Vicky and Marley looked at each other in concern. Donna had become very pale.
"It's a file that belongs to George Weston," Cameron began.
"Weston? He was my father's lawyer. But this is. . .this is. . " Donna tried to explain.
"It's an adoption file, which is obvious, but I think your question is about the large amount of money recorded there."
Donna nodded as she continued to stare at the file in disbelief.
"What is all of this?" Vicky asked unsure of what was going on between Cameron, Amanda and Donna.
"What is in the file, Donna?" Marley inquired just as jittery and unsure as her twin.
Donna looked at the floor and began explaining, "It is a file on the adoption of a baby girl by the Carsons of Lassiter, Pennsylvania, in 1967."
"Me?" Vicky asks with her eyes widening.
"I'm not sure what you want from us, Amanda," Jake stated, agitated by the whole scene unfolding before his eyes.
"You want to know if I knew about the money?" Donna asks. "No, I didn't know about the money."
"What are you talking about?" Vicky asked, succeeding in getting the file away from Donna.
"It appears that your grandfather sold you to the Carsons for a large sum of money, Victoria."
"But it didn't stop with Vicky. There are hundreds of files just like this one. All of which have this crest stamped at the bottom of the page," Amanda told them.
Cameron handed a copy of the enlarged crest to Donna. Vicky, Marley, and Jake leaned over her shoulder to get a look at the photograph.Donna's hand went to her throat, instinctively. The photograph shook in her hand.
"It's a vulture," Marley said.
"With a heart," Vicky added.
"I have seen it before. It's the crest that my father used when he lived in Portugal under the name 'LaSalle'. He was known as 'the Vulture'."
"There is more," Amanda told them as she took the other photograph out of the file folder.
"There is more?" Donna asked with disbelief in her voice.
Amanda gave Donna the picture Cameron took outside George Weston's office.
"This is a picture of my father," Donna told them.
"Cameron took that picture outside George Weston's office three days ago."
"Ms. Love, is it possible that your father is alive?"
Donna looked straight at Cameron. She did not blink as she gathered her thoughts.
"With my father, anything is possible."
************************************
"So Reginald Love did have a look-alike."
"Welcome to Bay City," Amanda laughed.
"Wait until Gary hears this one. Amanda, you may be about to bust a major criminal and a major baby selling ring."
"No, Cameron. We are."
They hugged and kissed.
"We do make a great team," Cameron laughed. "Do you mind going on home by yourself? I want to go tell Gary about the information Donna told us."
"Sure, don't take too long."
Cameron kissed Amanda then took off to find Gary. Amanda watched him until he disappeared, then went to her own car.
*****************************
Office of George Weston
"Neale here. Cameron Sinclair and Amanda Sinclair just went in opposite directions."
"Good."
Reginald Love closed his cellular phone and looked at George Weston.
"It looks like everything is falling into place, George. Make your phone call."
*******************************
Amanda turned down Center Street heading for Cory Publishing. She wanted to pick up a few files to work on at home. She could not believe how this story was falling together. It sometimes amazed her how the most difficult story always managed to start falling in place with just a little patience. She turned on the radio. She smiled when she heard the song and allowed herself to relax and enjoy the words.
"Love wandered inside
Stronger than you. Stronger than I
And now that it has begun
We cannot turn back
We can only turn into one
And I won't ever be too far away to feel you. . . ."
Cameron opened the door to the office. Gary was engrossed in some research he was doing. He closed the door. He was surprised to hear the mellow song on the radio. He did not pay much attention to the song as he tried to get Gary's attention.
". . . And I won't hesitate at all whenever you call
And I'll always remember that part of you so tender
I'll be the one to catch your fall whenever you call. . . "
(Mariah Carey 1998)
Amanda was still thinking of Cameronwhen her phone rang. She punched the small button to use her hands-free phone.
"Hello, Amanda Cory Sinclair."
"Mrs. Sinclair? George Weston, here. Dr. Hale is in my office right now. He has some information that he would like to talk to you about. Would you be able to stop by right now?"
Amanda could not believe her luck. She smiled.
"Sure, Mr. Weston. I'll be there in. . .let's say. . . ten minutes."
"We'll be waiting for you."
Amanda turned on to a side street making her way toward George Weston's office.
"See, if you're patient everything falls into place. I really should call Cameron. He'll be furious with me if I go without him."
Amanda dialed Cameron's cell phone. She shook her head in confusion when the cellular service said that the customer was unavailable. She tried again and got the same message.
"He must have accidentally turned his phone off. I'll just have to tell him about it later."
******************************
Office of George Weston
George Weston's secretary recognized Amanda and motioned for her to go on back to Mr. Weston's office. Amanda knocked on the door and went inside when she heard George Weston's invitation to enter. She smiled at Mr. Weston who extended his hand to her.
"I'm glad you called, Mr. Weston, but where is Dr. Hale?"
"Have a seat Mrs. Sinclair."
Amanda was puzzled. She looked at George Weston waiting for him to answer her question. She jumped when the side door opened. Her eyes widened when she saw the man entering the office. She immediately reached for her purse and stood up quickly.
"There is no need to look so frightened, Amanda. I have no intention of hurting you. . . .if you cooperate," Reginald Love told her as he walked toward her.
Amanda walked to the door and opened it. She cried out when she saw an ominous man standing on the other side.
"That will be all, Neale. Come. Sit, Amanda. We have so much to talk about."
"I really don't think this is the time for us to catch up on old times," Amanda said sarcastically.
Reginald laughed, "Oh, I knew you'd have your mother's spirit. Now, Amanda, I would really like to meet that husband of yours. He is number three, right? Hmmm? Like mother. Like daughter."
Amanda's blood was boiling. She tried to will herself to calm down. She had to keep a level head about her. What did Cameron always tell her? Just concentrate on the present. Transfer your vulnerabilities and concentrate on getting out of this place!
"I am very disappointed, Amanda. I really don't like it when people start poking their noses into things that don't concern them. You have learned far too much, and I simply cannot allow it to continue."
Amanda raised her chin defiantly. She was trying everything she knew to remain brave. She was not succeeding. She kept remembering the promise she had made to Cameron to never meet with these people alone. Now here she was all alone, and Cameron had no idea where she was.
"What are you going to do?" Amanda asked not wanting to hear the answer.
Reginald Love leaned over her and Amanda sank lower in the chair.
"I've got plans. Yes, indeed, I've got plans. The first of which involves your full cooperation."
******************
Sinclair & Sinclair
Cameron had briefed Gary on everything they had found out from Donna Love. It was not much, but it certainly was a major development.
"This has really turned out to be exciting," Gary said as he continued to look through the file on Reginald Love.
"Yeah, but I'm ready to be done with it."
The phone rang. Cameron walked over to it and picked up the receiver.
"Hello, this is Cameron Sinclair."
"Hi, it's me," Amanda told him.
"Did you miss me?"
"Listen I'm at George Weston's office. He has some more information for us. Can you get over here immediately?" she asked abruptly.
"I'm on my way."
Cameron stared at the phone after he hung it up. An icy, cold feeling filled his entire body.
Chapter 11 Amanda laid the phone on its cradle. She looked into the cold eyes of Reginald Love. "There, I did it," she spat openly displaying her animosity for this vile man. "Very good, Amanda." George Weston shifted in his chair. He did not like the scene unfolding before him. Did he dare stand up to Reginald Love after all these years? "What now, Reggie?" Weston asked in a defiant tone. Amanda jerked her head around to look at Weston. The tone in his voice had changed. Could it be that he was her ally? She studied his face and could read nothing in it. Reginald Love folded his hands in front of him. The corners of his mouth were upturned. Weston's change in tone had not gone unnoticed. "I'm taking Amanda and leaving before Cameron Sinclair shows up. And I suggest you follow my lead." Reginald stood up and yanked Amanda from her chair. His fingers dug into her arm, evoking a strangled cry of pain from Amanda. Weston had had enough. He stood up and faced Reginald. "I am not going to let you take her out of here. There is no reason for this. Look at her. She's in no condition to be your hostage." "What's this, George? Concern? I would say it is too little too late." Weston reached for the gun in the top drawer of his desk. Amanda screamed as a shot rang out, and George Weston fell to the ground clutching his chest. She tore her eyes from the scene before her and looked at Reginald holding a smoking pistol. He had a look of cold satisfaction on his face. Amanda felt the fear wash through her body. "What a shame. I had no choice, you know. Come on, Amanda. It's time to go." "No!" she screamed. "I won't. Leave me here." "That is not the plan, Amanda. Quit fighting me." Reginald waved the gun under her nose, and she walked in front of him as he pressed the warm barrel of the gun against her back. ********************* Cameron stopped his car across the street from George Weston's office. He could not shake this feeling of dread. It was all-consuming. He opened his cellular phone and dialed. "Hey, Gar, I'm at Weston's office. Could you get over here? I've got a bad feeling." Cameron did not wait for Gary's answer before he ended the call and ran across the street. Instead of entering through the front door, he walked into the dark alley. He jumped to the side as a car almost ran him down, and as he got to his feet, committed the license plate number to memory. Cameron entered the side door of Weston's office and was shocked to find it unlocked. He walked the short distance down the hall. The door to Weston's office was open. He carefully pushed the door the rest of the way open. The smell of gasoline was so strong that Cameron could barely catch his breath. He looked around the room from the door way. No one was there. He was about to leave when he heard a distinct moan. Cameron was instantly alert. He edged around the corner of the desk and saw Weston lying on the floor in a pool of blood. "Weston! What's going on?" "Trap. . .he's got her. . . airport. . .go!" "Let me call for help." "Leave me. . .his goon doused this place with. . . gasoline. You. . .have to leave." Cameron looked at the fallen man. The fumes from the gasoline were burning his eyes. His sense of honor would not allow him to leave without this man. He pulled Weston to his feet. "No. . . leave me. . . run!!!" "I'm not leaving you. Let's go." Cameron struggled with the large man, but he was determined that they would both leave this place alive. ******************** Gary's car skidded to a halt outside Weston's office. He looked at the seemingly harmless building. Cameron was having one of his feelings, and he knew better than to disregard it. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the front door to the office swing open and Cameron in the doorway. Gary started across the street to his brother when he saw that Cameron had his arm around Weston, obviously helping him walk. Gary took one step when the ground began shaking. He fell as the building exploded. Windows shattered and debris fell from the sky. When everything was still, Gary wiped the dirt from his face and tried to shake the ringing from his ears. He looked around for Cameron and saw nothing. His blood turned cold. **************** "What are you going to do with me?" "Oh, don't worry, Amanda. I am not going to harm you. I'm just removing an obstacle that will ensure your silence." Amanda rocked with a sudden chill. Her heart fluttered and her body shook. A feeling of emptiness filled her, and it felt as if the breath had been knocked from her. "What obstacle?" Amanda managed to ask through the strange feelings invading her body. "The only obstacle that I can remove that will ensure your silence. Cameron Sinclair, of course." Amanda raised her chin, "What do you mean by 'remove'?" Reginald laughed, "Oh Amanda, you really don't want me to say it out loud." "Just say it!" she spat. "Cameron is going to die." Amanda sank into the seat. The empty feeling was now replaced by a rage that filled her body from the very depths of her soul. She flung herself at Reginald. She wrapped her hands around his throat and began squeezing. Reginald was caught completely off guard. As he struggled with her, he lost control of the car. The car careened down an embankment and crashed into a tree. Amanda was thrown from the car and lay lifeless beside the road. ************************ Gary looked around at the destruction in awe. He frantically looked for Cameron. He did not even question Joe's presence as he dug through the rubble surrounding the building. It was ironic that just a year ago Cameron had been digging through rubble to find him, and now he was diggng for Cameron. "Gary, what are you doing here?" "Cameron was inside the building when it exploded." "No," Joe said in disbelief. "Okay, I'm calling an ambulance." Gary nodded and continued digging. He stopped for a moment overwhelmed by it all and looked around. He blinked a couple of times when he saw what appeared to be a piece of green cloth in the rubble. He tried to remember what Cameron had been wearing. "That green shirt." Gary began digging and soon uncovered Cameron. He tried to stay calm when he saw the injuries and broken body of his brother, but a single tear slid down his cheek. "Cam! Cam! Come on, bro. You're not going to give up now. You've finally got your life in order." Miraculously, Cameron began to stir. Gary shouted for joy, bringing Joe to his side. "The ambulance is on the way," Joe told him as he, too, knelt beside Cameron. "Amanda," Cameron whispered as he gasped for breath. "Love. . . .airport. . .BCB 8197." Cameron lost consciousness and Gary felt for a pulse. He was relieved when he found one. "Hang on. I hear the ambulance now." Gary stood with Joe as he watched the paramedics carefully load Cameron onto a stretcher and into the ambulance. As they stood there together, Joe's police radio buzzed. "Carlino, here." "Captain, Code 10-00 on Bluebird Lane. The license plate number is Illinois BCB 8197." Joe and Gary looked at one another. They both knew that code meant a one-car accident with fatalities. A dawning realization washed over Gary. "Cameron was trying to tell us that Reginald Love had taken Amanda and they were heading to the airport. That's the tag number he was saying. Joe. . ." "Amanda was in that car," Joe said in disbelief, as he and Gary looked at each other in shock.