When Evil Prevails

Section 4

Writer - Gabriel Shaytan

FX is a Rysher production in conjunction with Fireworks Entertainment Inc. and Winterset Productions Inc as well as Hallmark Entertainment.

Don’t own ‘em, aren’t bein’ paid.
 

         Rollie had just finished getting everything ready for the first day, a few days away he thought.  He had his black coat swung around him and absently put his hand into the large pocket.  He felt a crinkle of paper and wondered, he couldn’t remember putting anything in there.  Reaching the paper out he looked down at the lines written on it and his mildly happy mood evaporated like a morning mist on a hot day.
        He read the lines again, Angie hadn’t told him about this, and it became so clear why she’d been so afraid of him, Loubar was trying his best to spilt us up he thought then added and it’s working.  The last week or so Rollie had been more aware than ever of the tension in the relationship.  Mira had moved in with Angie saying her apartment had been put off limits while the roof was checked, the person above had been flooded out and the water was pushing the cracks wider.
         Angie still came to work but closeted herself in her workroom most of the time, almost unhappily coming down when he needed help setting something up or when he made them lunch or tea.
 

         Looking downstairs from where she sat, Angie saw the monotonous way Rollie went about his work, as though he had the weight of the world resting on his shoulders, and she knew who was to blame.  ‘ As long as we stick to work, it'll be all right’ Angie thought, work was where Rollie was Rollie, only when things became personal did the Rollie/Loubar demon come to haunt her.

 
        Rollie looked around, trying to find something else to do.  That was his defence against what was happening, to submerse himself into doing what he loved, except now that was tainted, he found he couldn't enjoy it without sharing it with Angela… and he was the last person she wanted to see.
         Looking up he caught Angela looking at him and he smiled, waved up at her and watched her roll away from the edge, out of his view.
 

         Angie heard the loud thump come from downstairs, Rollie slamming his fist against something in exasperation, helpless to do anything about what was happening.  She knew that moving away at that point would only hurt his feelings more, but she was just as helpless to do anything about how she felt.  Pushing the keyboard away she sat looking at the fruit of the morning's work.  Not the best she'd done, not the worst either, it was good enough she decided.  Another few days would see them on set and part of her was glad that they'd be back to work, maybe their friendship would recover as they worked side by side.

         Saving the file, Angie looked around and picked up the bag she used for the few things she'd brought with her that morning.  Standing up she headed quietly down the stairs, hoping to get to the door before Rollie spotted her.  What a way to act she thought, running and hiding from her best friend.  Was he though?  Still her best friend?  Could he ever be again?  Could she ever fully trust him again?
         Reaching the door she pulled it open and shouted a quick ' I'm going home Rollie' before pulling it shut behind herself, hearing his faint ' All right' as she did so.
 

         Loubar slid the second package through the mail slot in the door with an evil light in his eyes.  If someone from the dark ages had seen him they would have thought him possessed by that evil look in his eyes.  Carefully, Carefully he thought, the package was stamped but if anyone saw him at her door then they'd know for sure he was in the city.
         Sliding away, his face unmasked, Loubar headed out the back stairs rather than facing the possibility of running into someone inside that might remember his face when asked.

 
         Walking home, Angie decided to stop by Midtown South and see her "room mate".  Walking in she was quickly addressed by Frank ' Hey Ange, how are you going?'
        ' Fine Frank.  Mira around?' Angie replied not wanting to talk about it.
        ' Vanduran's office, should be out in a moment' Frank said ' Have a seat'
        ' Thanks'

         Angie watched the door waiting and while she did Frank carefully watched, he could almost see the tension the young woman was holding in.  Rollie had called him and Mira had explained about the note but it seemed not everything was back to normal, despite Mira saying they were ok when she'd left.
         Mira walked out of the room, spotting Angie waiting for her immediately.
        ' You almost finished?' Angie asked.
        ' Looks like a late night actually'
        ' Oh, just thought I'd drop by and see'
        ' You alright?'
        ' Fine'
        ' Frank, you're almost done aren't you?'
        ' About two minutes, just got this form to finish'
        ' Feel like taking Angie home?'
        ' Sure, no problems'
        ' You don't have to do that Frank' Angie said.
        ' I know, still, friends and all' Frank answered, hurrying on his report.
 

         Rollie sat on the couch, miserable.  He'd been reminiscing over the good times he'd share with his partner, the open album sitting on the table where he'd finally dropped it.
        ' Maybe I should go' he said quietly ' Leave her to get on with her own life'

         He laughed, that'd be about as easy as telling her to her face he never wanted to see her again.  Whatever light shined down on him it was because of her that he took delight in it, no one could cheer him up better when he was in a bad mood… or he thought with a smile, put him in a bad mood when he was in a good one.

         He reached over, paused a moment and then picked up the phone.  Just hearing her voice would be pleasant, she hadn't said much since Mira had left the other night.
         The phone rang, and rang, and rang.  No answering machine Rollie thought, then remembered she'd turned it off when she'd come to stay and must have forgotten to turn it back on.  Still, she should have been home by this time unless…

         Rollie grabbed his coat from where it sat and got in the van.
 

         Frank walked by Angie's side, up the stairs to her apartment door.
        ' You want to…umm… come in?  Have a coffee?' she asked.
        ' Thanks, if it isn't any problem'

         Angie shook her head and opened the door, bending over to pick up something off the floor.  Following her in, Frank drew the door shut and followed her to the kitchen.  Making two cups she unwrapped the item, it was a CD, Deuces Wild by B.B King.  She saw the note, writing like Rollie's covering it.  Reading through it she moved over to the stereo and put the CD on the tray.  Reaching over she looked down the list and saw that the track the note had asked her to play was the very first on the album.
         Frank listened as the music started, a nice mix to it.  " If you love me" by Van Morrison was playing away when Frank looked up, the CD case dropped onto the floor and Angie trying to get the cabinet holding the stereo open.  Pulling the CD out she threw it across the room, into a wall, tears running from her eyes and her body shaking uncontrollably.

         Frank jumped to his feet and gently led Angie to the couch, the reaction puzzling him.
        ' What is it?' he asked.
        ' Loubar… I thought it was from Rollie but it wasn't' Angie mumbled through her tears.
        ' I don't get it' Frank said, arm wrapped around her shoulders.
        ' It was playing the night he…' she choked off.
        ' Ok, you don't say anything else' Frank assured her.

        Reaching into his pocket for his phone when a knock came at the door, Frank stood up and moved across to open it, gun in hand behind his back.

        Rollie looked at the detective, eyes widening as he noticed the way Frank was standing with his gun behind his back.
        ' What…' Rollie started.

         Frank grabbed him, hauling him into the room and slamming him up against the wall, hand cuffs clicking around Rollie's wrists.
        ' Surprised Loubar?  Boy am I glad I came here tonight' Frank said, turning to see Angela backing away, a terrified expression on her face, turning into the bedroom and slamming the door.
        ' Frank it's me damn it, what the hell are you doing?' Rollie muttered, face pushed against the wall.
        ' Nice try'

        ' Mira it's Frank' Frank started ' Think you could come to Angie's place'
        ' On my way' Mira answered.

         Frank still had Rollie pinned to the wall when Mira walked in, looked at Rollie in surprise and then at Frank.
        ' Want to fill me in?' she asked.
        ' Yeah Frank, tell us what this is about' Rollie said.

         Frank explained only to feel Rollie start to move, seeing Rollie pull his head back and headbutt the wall.  ' Now she's never going to trust me' he kept muttering again and again.
        Mira looked at Frank and moved up to Rollie, reaching for his face.  Touching it she pulled and nothing happened, she tried again with the hair eliciting an ' ouch' from Rollie.
        ' Rollie' Mira said.
        ' That's what I've been trying to explain' Rollie said in frustration.

        Turning around in the cuffs, Rollie stood for a moment and then handed the opened cuffs back to Frank.  ' I'm not going to shout at you Frank, I'll go through it every time I come here if you want, I'm just glad you're taking this seriously.  Now mind telling me what provoked you to a " Detain on sight" attitude?'
         Frank walked over and picked up the CD walking back and handing it to Rollie along with the note.

        ' Damn him to hell.  I'm going to kill him for this' Rollie vowed looking at both items ' I take it this is like the perfume'

         Frank nodded his agreement.

        ' I'd better go' Rollie said shaking his head ' I don't want to upset her any more.  Mira will you talk to her… please?' Rollie begged.
        ' Rollie, I'll talk to her' Mira replied ' Frank why don't you follow Rollie in your car and see if you can come up with a way to sort this mess out'
        ' I'm on it' Frank said, calling goodbye to Angie then following Rollie out.