Mick Farrell was doubtful of her claim of being married to Johnny Rhodes. She said that was fine, because the only people she had to convince were the lawyers and she had the marriage certificate to prove it. Then she hit him between the eyes and said that she knows he killed Johnny because of the massive debt he's under. He asked her why she doesn't just go to the police if that's what she believes. She said she would if the two of them can't come to a deal.
"What kind of deal?" Mick asked.
"There is going to be a lot of unwanted publicity once the press finds out that I'm Johnny's widow. I can't live under that kind of scrutiny. Why do you think Johnny and I kept our marriage secret? I'm a recovering addict...do you think I want that plastered all over the news?"
"So what are you saying?" Mick asked again.
"I'm saying that we could come to a mutually beneficial understanding. We split the profits from all of Johnny's material, released and unreleased...and that includes any movies and book deals you're working on, and I won't tell the police my theory that you killed Johnny."
"Why should I make this deal? You have no proof."
"No? How about the fact that Johnny was no longer using. How about the fact that the contract you once had is reason enough to cast doubt on you? How about the fact that since you didn't know about my marriage, that makes you their number on suspect? Besides, all I really have to do is raise enough suspicion and the police will do the rest. "
"You're barking up the wrong tree. The police don't even suspect me. They think Johnny overdosed and accidentally set the off the explosions."
"Oh really? I guess Johnny's ambidextrous too since he's left handed and he managed to shoot up on his left arm."
The phone line was quiet for a few moments. Mick knew he had been careless about that.
Angie looked over at Rollie and Mira. Rollie gave her the two-thumbs up signal that she was doing fine.
"All right," Mick said finally, "Don't say anything to anybody about this. I'll call you in a day or so. Where can I reach you?"
Angie looked at Mira in a panic. Then Rollie wrote something down and handed it to her.
"I'll be coming to New York tomorrow. I'll be staying at the Warwick Hotel. You can reach me there."
Angie hung up the phone, "Whoa! I wasn't prepared for that. What do you think he's going to do?"
"It doesn't sound like he's too scared of the cops right now," Rollie observed.
"No," Mira agreed, "maybe I can help out on that end. I think I'll pay Mr. Farrell a visit and let him in on some of our suspicions. That might put the fear of...something into him," she smiled and turned towards the door. "I'll let you know how it goes. In the meantime Angie, I think you better get yourself set up at the hotel."
"Will do, Mira," Angie promised as she picked up the phone right away and made a reservation for Jane Rhodes.
Rollie was busy with the mask making equipment. Once Angie was done with the reservations she helped Rollie on the computer to do a 3D rendering of Jane's head. Then they used the information to make the mold, which Rollie later used to make the partial mask. Angie worked on the wig that she would need to wear since Jane was a brunette and she had a spiky pixie cut. She would also need brown contact lenses. Angie smiled to herself as she worked on the wig, wondering how Rollie would like her in it.
Then, Angie packed up the equipment they might need for this scam and packed some of it into the van. When she was done she went over to sit near Rollie.
"How's it going?" she asked.
"Good. Let's test it out," Rollie suggested as Angie placed a smock over her clothes and Rollie wheeled over in front of her. With his glue stick sticking hanging out of his mouth and a picture nearby, Rollie set to work on transforming Angie. Angie put the wig on when he was done. Rollie saw her first and she studied his reaction. His eyes narrowed slightly and he chewed on his inner lip.
"Well, what do you think?" she asked finally, unable to gauge his reaction.
"Umm, it's different. You're cute. You're definitely cute," he replied slightly flustered. There weren't many changes but what was done definitely changed Angie's appearance. "But I think that I prefer you just the way you are."
"Ooh, good answer."
"You know though, we could keep this in mind if we ever needed to spice things up a bit," Rollie smiled mischievously.
"Oh really?" Angie poked him in the ribs, "Are you saying we need to spice things up? Has the bloom gone off the rose already?"
"No. Definitely not," he smiled as he leaned in for a kiss, "I'm just saying you and I might want to have a little fun, that's all."
"Oh yeah, and I get to dress up like this and you get to be Mr. Buck-toothed nerdo. Not a fair trade off."
"Fine," Rollie sighed, "I guess we'll just have to be ourselves then won't we," he said as he nibbled Angie's ear.
"Well," Angie moaned, "we could always see what else that green goo is good for...."
"Angela, you naughty girl," Rollie eyebrows waggled indicating that being naughty wasn't necessarily bad.
The next day Rollie and Angie set themselves up at the Warwick Hotel. Angie set up the ambler to record Mick's call if and when it came. Mira hadn't been back around to tell them how it went with him so they left a message with her machine that they would be ensconced at the hotel. They figured; why waste a room.
Rollie had brought the make-up kit, and some of the tools he would need for the masks, though obviously he couldn't cook up the latex in the room. He had cooked a few batches and had them ready just in case. If he needed more, he would have to go back to the loft. Somehow, he figured, it wouldn't take long for Mick to call. It all depended on whether Mira spooked him enough.
When she was finished with the ambler Angie bounced onto the bed, propping herself up on her elbows.
"So, this is nice, isn't it? You know, this is only the second time I've stayed in a hotel in New York. The first time was when we scammed Sebastian. My dad wouldn't even let me stay at a hotel for my high school graduation."
Rollie looked at her from where he was setting up the makeup and latex. "Yeah, Manny was pretty protective of you. This is nice though, and slightly cheaper than the St. Marcus."
"Did you know that The Beatles stayed here? And Cary Grant?"
"Really? I can just imagine Cary Grant staying in this very room," Rollie replied in his best Cary Grant impersonation, "Judy, Judy, Judy—"
"Who's Judy?" Angie asked.
Rollie rolled his eyes, "Never mind."
"Must be a generational thing," Angie teased.
"Hey, for your information Cary Grant was before my time, but classics and great actors are timeless."
"Actually, I love Cary Grant," Angie giggled, "But I still don't know who Judy is."
"Actually, I don't either," Rollie laughed as he moved over to the bed and plopped down on it. He propped himself up against the headboard.
"Isn't this bed heaven?" Angie sighed as she curled up next to Rollie.
"Mmm, now it is," Rollie answered as his arm draped around Angie's shoulder, "I hope we get to enjoy it a little bit before we go into crime mode."
"Me too," she replied and looked up at him, "we do have tonight," she said with a twinkle in her eyes.
"Yeah, unless Mick calls," he reminded her.
"Well, even so. We could keep the room an extra night after we catch Mick."
"I don't know, Ange. We've got a lot of work ahead of us for the Bradford picture," he reminded her.
"You're right," Angie replied trying to hide her disappointment, "work awaits," and she reached up and pulled him down to kiss him, "some other time then."
"Definitely. I will make it up to you, Angie."
"There's nothing to make up for. I love that you are doing this for me, considering how you felt about Johnny. And we do have a real job, and that is the most important thing besides you," she kissed his cheek, "you know, just laying here with you is nice too. And maybe we could check out that shower later on."
"That was already on my 'to do' list," Rollie laughed.
Mira came by to let them know about her talk with Mick Farrell. She believed she spooked him, but the result appeared to be that he was ratting out Benny Vega. She said that Farrell was now claiming the Vega was selling drugs to Johnny and that he was trying to get rid of him because of it. He claimed he and Johnny argued about his drug problem several times on the set. Farrell figured that Vega and Johnny had a falling out and that's why Vega called him back into the building. Farrell claimed that he never asked to see Johnny, as some witnesses had claimed. Farrell figures that Vega and Rhodes had a fight and Vega murdered Johnny and made it appear as if he set off the explosions too.
"That's just great," Rollie sighed, "well at least there's confirmation that Johnny didn't set off the explosions."
"Yeah, if Farrell can be believed. I think it's safe to say that Rhodes did not set off the explosions but we will need more than Farrell's word for it," Mira said, "has he called Jane Rhodes yet?"
"No, he hasn't," Angie replied, "Do you think he will now? I mean if he's trying to shift the blame to Vega he may believe that Jane doesn't have anything to hold over him."
"That's true," Mira replied, "which means that he feels he'll be free to off Jane anytime within a year. So why make a deal now when he can have it all if he kills her within a year?"
"So, we have to try to force the issue somehow," Angie suggested, "but how?"
Mira thought about it, "By taking Farrell's insurance away. Why don't I go see Vega? Let him know that Farrell is rolling over on him, and he's facing a very long jail term if he succeeds...maybe Vega will roll over on Farrell."
"It might work," Rollie agreed.
"Can you wire me?" Mira asked Rollie, "I want anything he says on tape."
"Sure," Rollie answered, then looked at Angie. "But what if Mick calls while we're with Vega?"
"I'll stay here in case he calls," Angie suggested, "and I won't agree to any meeting until I know the two of you can be there."
All three exchanged glances and nodded their approval.
"All right, let's do it," Rollie said as he clapped his hands together.
Rollie and Mira had been gone for a few hours. Angie stayed in the room awaiting word, busying herself with the internet or the television. It was getting late in the day, so she was giving up on any hope of Mick Farrell calling. The phone rang and Angie went to pick it up. If it were Rollie he would let it ring three times, hang up, and call again. But this phone call rang more than three times and sent a rush of adrenalin through Angie. She knew it was Mick Farrell.
Mira was in Benny Vega's apartment. Rollie thought their conversation was going well. Rick didn't take the idea of being Farrell's patsy very well. He wasn't about to go down for murder. He admitted that he did supply the heroin, but he didn't know why Farrell wanted it. He also had no idea that he was going to kill Johnny Rhodes or set off the explosions. All Farrell paid him to do was supply the heroin and guard the explosives and then tell Johnny Rhodes that Mick wanted to see him. He swore that was all.
Rollie was hoping Mira now had enough to steer the investigation back towards Mick Farrell. Rollie was getting antsy. He wanted to get back to Angie. He felt uneasy leaving her at the hotel knowing Mick Farrell knew that Jane Rhodes was staying there. Then, the call came.
"Rollie? It's me. Farrell just called. He wants to meet with Jane. I tried to put him off but he wouldn't take later for answer. He wants to meet right away. He said if I didn't agree to meet him right away then he would come here. He sounded really buzzed. I know he meant it. I had no choice, Rollie—"
"Angie," Rollie's voice was serious, "you can't meet with him. Not alone."
"But Rollie, he's going to come here," Angie's voice quavered, "and then everything will be blown. Jane will be in danger. He'll get away with murder...."
"Not necessarily," Rollie insisted, "Mira's getting some information from Benny Vega. From the sounds of it, they're both going down for Johnny's murder. Angie, don't meet with Farrell," he pleaded.
There was silence on the other end for a moment of two. Rollie broke the silence, "Angie?"
"I have to do this Rollie. I have to make sure that he doesn't get away with it and Jane could be in danger if he does."
"Angie—"
"I'm meeting him at La Petite Café in the village."
"Angie please—"
"I'm going to be wired and I'll have the tracker activated as soon as I leave here. Everything's going to be fine, Rollie."
"Angie," Rollie pleaded again even as he heard the dial tone, "Angie!"
Rollie called Mira over the mic and told her to cut it short. He was leaving in five minutes with or without her. When Mira climbed into the van he told her what was going on and ordered her to drive. He was going to monitor the tracker and Angie's mic from the back. Mira drove to La Petite Café.
Angie arrived at the outdoor café and grabbed a table. She wanted to get there before Mick so that she could grab at table outside and in the open.
"Rollie? I'm here. There's no sign of Mick though. Wait...." Angie paused, "I see him coming. I sure hope you can hear me."
"I can hear you, Angel, loud and clear. Where are you?"
"I'm sitting at an outside table," Angie whispered, "He's here. I can't talk anymore."
"You just be careful," Rollie reminded her, "we're on our way. We should be there soon."
"Step on it Mira," Rollie pleaded.
Midtown traffic was heavy. Rollie chewed on his fingernail as they weaved their way past other vehicles and down one-way streets. All the while Rollie listened to Angie through the remote.
"So, I assume that since you wanted to meet me that you're willing to come to a deal?" Angie asked, as Jane.
"Actually," Mick puffed on one of those expensive cigars he liked so much, "I'm here to tell you, no deal. You've got nothing on me. And if you go around making accusations then I will have to get my lawyers to go after you."
"Really?" Angie stared at him unfazed, "well, you could have said all that on the phone. Why meet with me?"
"Because," Mick leaned in so close Angie felt sick from his cigar-laced breath, "I needed to clear up some loose ends," his eyes were steel and though he was smiling, there was not a hint of warmth in it. "Come with me," he ordered.
"No way," Angie replied as he grabbed her arm and she yanked it back.
"Mira! The deal's gone sour. He's trying to get Angie to go somewhere with him," Rollie informed Mira as she continued to maneuver the van through traffic. Mira got on her cell phone and called Frank.
"I don't want anymore trouble from you, do you hear me?" Mick warned her as he grabbed her arm again.
"Look, buddy! I am not going anywhere with you. Do you hear me?" Angie issued her own warning as she rose up from the table.
"Yes. You are."
Before Angie could do anything Mick pressed something into her side and Angie was about to collapse to the floor until Mick caught her.
"Angie? Angie!" Rollie cried through the mic, "Angie, are you all right?"
When there was no answer Rollie saw onscreen that the tracker signal was no longer being tracked.
"Mira, something's wrong. Mick must have used a tazer or something...the tracking signal is lost," Rollie's voice cracked, "he has her Mira."
"Okay. Okay," Mira breathed, "let's not panic. Think! Where would he take her?"
"He's going to kill her Mira and you're asking me not to panic?"
Mira pulled up across from La Petite Café. It had been a few minutes since they had last heard from Angie. Frank ran across the street over to the FX van.
"Some of the customers saw Mick leave with a woman he called his wife. He told them that she had a little too much to drink and they left about ten minutes ago." Francis informed them.
"Damn it!" Rollie cried as he hit the side of his van with his fists.
"All right, this is getting us nowhere," Mira said sternly, "We need to figure out where this guy took Angie," Mira turned to Francis. "Francis get a uniform and haul Benny Vega down to Midtown. Maybe he'll sing like a bird if he doesn't want a murder charge against him. Rollie? Where would he take her?" she didn't know if he really knew the answer. She was just trying to get him to focus.
"I don't know Mira!" Rollie practically yelled as he leaned against the van. "The only thing Angie ever told me about him was that he was a jerk and that she didn't trust him. The only time she ever saw him was at the Gasworks building—"
"The Gasworks Building?" Francis interrupted after he finished his phone call, "I heard on the news this morning that the city ordered some contractors to finish demolishing the building. They said it was unsafe to have a partially demolished building still standing. It's supposed to happen in an hour or so."
"That's it!" Rollie yelled, shaking Francis by the shoulders. Francis worried for a moment that Rollie would kiss him. "He's returning to the scene of the crime," Rollie continued
"Get in," Mira ordered Rollie into the van, "I'm driving. Francis, call the Van Duren and see if he can get the demolition delayed. I'll call the fire department and the ambulance to make sure there on the scene. We'll meet you there."
Rollie sat in the back at the computer, hoping against hope that the tracker signal would reappear. He stared at the screen.
"Come on, Angie," he whispered and touched the screen. He fingered the headphones and wondered for a minute if he should put it on. Then he did.
Angie groaned. She felt stiff and sore on her ribs and neck. She was lying on her back on a table. Her arms and legs were tied down. Fear gripped Angie.
"Wh...where am I?" Angie asked, her voice echoing in the expanse.
"You're where no one is going to find you," Mick came over and loomed over her, "In a few hours or so this building is going to be dust...and you along with it."
"What...what are you going to do?" her voice shook.
"I'm going to make sure you're not a problem for me anymore," he hissed as he grabbed Angie's chin roughly. Angie felt the latex come loose. "What the? What the hell is this?" he asked as he pulled it off. Then he reached up and pulled off Angie's dark wig. "You!" he seethed.
"You bitch!" He yelled again as he spun away from Angie. "I suppose there isn't even a Mrs. Rhodes?"
Angie wouldn't answer. She couldn't answer and put Jane in danger. She hoped he would leave it at that.
"No. Of course there is a Mrs. Rhodes," Mick surmised, "it would be too easy to check out," he pulled at his hair. This was another complication. When was it going to end?
"No. You're wrong. I made it up," Angie said quickly.
"You're lying," Mick said as he pulled at his hair again and paced, "but no matter. I'll take care of her in due time. You however, were pretty stupid to involve yourself in this—"
"Why? Why did you kill Johnny?" Angie asked, her voice shaking. She could see that Mick was beyond reason. She could only hope that Rollie and Mira were nearby.
"I knew. I knew they were going to get rid of me," he spat, "the ungrateful little idiots. When I first met them, they all wanted the same thing as me," he said as he turned from Angie. Angie couldn't see what he was doing. He came back. "They wanted to be rich rock stars, they wanted to sell millions of records and go on tours, stay in the best hotels and have women throw themselves at them in every town. And then," he grabbed Angie's arm, "they changed."
"Wha...what are you doing?" Angie asked as she tried squirming.
"Suddenly...they were artists with a capital A," he seethed. "They didn't want to make videos or go to the awards shows. They even scoffed at me because I still wanted all of that," he brought out a needle.
"No, no please!" Angie eyes grew big as she saw the needle.
"This is the stuff of dreams. When Johnny was on this stuff he was like gold. His writing was like magic. He and I were best pals. I asked for a loan and he gave it, no questions. Then, he went to rehab," he squirted a little juice out of the needle.
"Oh God!" Angie realized what he was going to do. "Please, please no. No one knows...just let me go, please. I promise you, I won't give you any trouble. Please!" Angie wasn't used to begging for her life but she couldn't get loose and she feared what was in that needle.
"And...he changed," Mick continued as if he didn't hear her at all, "he looked down on me and my lifestyle. He wouldn't give me money anymore. I was going to lose my mansion! My cars! What were people going to think? He was where he was because of ME! I made him and that crappy band and they were going to get rid of ME! I couldn't let that happen. And now, I can't let you mess with my plans. Now I have to kill you and Jane, but I will get what's coming to me...what I deserve!"
Mick grabbed Angie's arm and as Angie screamed "No" over and over again, he thrust the needle filled with cocaine into her veins.
Rollie and Mira heard the whole conversation over the microphone. They raced to the Gasworks building.
"My God, what is he doing to her?" Rollie asked, afraid of the answer.
They sped into the parking lot of the Gasworks building just as Francis had arrived as well. He told them that the demolition was delayed and firemen were going in now to search the building. Rollie said he was going in too. Mira and Francis expected that and joined him. Francis said there were no other cars in the yard as they arrived. Mira called in an APB on Mick Farrell and ordered that all points of exit be watched, including the ferries and subways.
Rollie ran up towards an area of the building that wasn't in too bad shape from the explosions.
"Angie!" he called, "ANGIE!" Then he heard what sounded like laughter.
"This way," Mira called, as she followed the sound too.
As they entered the room they saw Angie strapped to the table and laughing hysterically. But as they approached she started screaming and writhing, trying to get loose. Rollie ran up to her and cut the ties. He held her face tightly in his hands but she didn't recognize him. Her eyes were dark and bloodshot. She was rambling incoherently and trembling.
"Where the hell is that damn ambulance?" Rollie asked, absolutely terrified.
"They're on their way up here right now," Mira answered as she looked on at Angie in concern, "I'll go wait for them out there," Mira offered. Francis stayed with Rollie.
Then, Angie started convulsing. Rollie and Francis had to hold her down as her body shook uncontrollably. Rollie was crying as he yelled for the ambulance. The crazed look in Angie's eyes frightened Rollie so much it took everything he had to keep from throwing up.
"Ramirez, don't you dare leave me!" he ordered her, his voice breaking. "Don't you dare leave me Angela!" he looked over at Francis forlornly. Francis eyes showed his worry and sorrow and it was almost too much for Rollie to endure.
"Mira!" he yelled.
"They're here," Mira called as she and the EMT's rushed in. They pushed Rollie and Francis aside as they set to work on Angie.
They had to stabilize her. Once of them said she was going into cardiac arrest. One EMT plunged adrenalin into Angie's heart. Rollie watched as they worked, his heart in Angie's hands right now. Francis squeezed Rollie's shoulder and Francis swore that if he tried that again Rollie would break or just disintegrate underneath his touch. Mira stood near Rollie too, and reached out and grabbed his hand in hers. She squeezed it gently.
Finally after many agonizing minutes, though no one was sure exactly how long, the EMT's had Angie ready for transport to the hospital. They said she was stabilized somewhat but that she would be going through withdrawals and the doctors at the hospital may put her on an IV of barbiturates or diazepam. They said it was close but she was treated quickly and that would make all the difference.
Rollie rode with her to the hospital. Mira would take the van and follow and Francis would check on the status of Farrell and would meet up with them later.
Rollie was in the waiting room with Mira. Angie was going through withdrawals and they advised him that he shouldn't be there. They said however, that they shouldn't be too bad because Angie wasn't a regular drug user but that she had been given enough cocaine to cause an overdose, so a lot of it was in her system. They wanted to keep an eye on her heart so she was hooked up to a heart monitor. They told Rollie it could take several hours or even a few days or so for the entire drug to be out of Angie's system. Before he left, the doctor advised Rollie to go home and get some rest. Rollie wasn't about to leave but when he heard that Farrell had been picked up at the airport about to board a flight to Seattle...he had an urgent need to go to the Midtown South precinct.
Mira and Francis walked ahead of Rollie into the precinct. Detective Tony Rizzo was just bringing Farrell out of a room, when the three of them entered. Rollie moved so fast, they thought it was a special effect. He had Farrell pinned against the wall with his forearm crushing against his throat.
"You bloody bastard," Rollie seethed and thrust his arm harder against Farrell's throat.
Tony and other officers started yelling at Rollie. Some of them had their hands on their weapons.
"Mira? Francis? What the hell is Rollie doing?" Tony yelled, wondering why neither of the two detectives seemed shocked or sorry that Rollie was accosting a prisoner.
"Farrell here tried to kill Angie Ramirez a few hours ago," Mira explained. She had unshed tears rimming her eyes.
Rollie lifted Farrell up off the floor with his forearm still pressed against his throat. Farrell started choking. Francis went up to Rollie.
"Rollie, c'mon. Let the law handle this bum now. We've got him. He's not going to get away with any of it."
Rollie didn't budge.
"He's going to pay for what he did to Angie. She needs you now. She needs you to be strong for her because she's going to need you to help her get better," Francis said as he placed his hand on Rollie's shoulder.
Rollie pushed once again against Farrel's windpipe causing him to gasp for air, and then he released him. Tony grabbed Farrell roughly as Farrell said he wanted to press charges against Rollie Tyler. Tony asked what charges? Unless he has witnesses, Tony said as he looked around the station as the other officers turned their backs against Farrell... then nothing happened.
Rollie handed Mira the tape he had made of Angie's meeting with Farrell, beginning at the cafˇ and later.
"You're going down Farrell," Mira spat at him, "for the murder of Johnny Rhodes, the attempted murder of Angie Ramirez, and the attempted murder of Jane Rhodes. That's where you were headed isn't it?"
Farrell looked up at her with disdain, "I don't know what you are talking about. I don't know anyone named Jane Rhodes—"
"Oh really?" Mira smiled, "well this says differently," she explained as she held up the tape Rollie had made.
Francis wanted in too. "Angie Ramirez and Rollie Tyler were working with us. Everything you said is on tape, including the fact that you knew of Jane Rhodes."
"Get him out of here Tony," Mira ordered.
"Yeah, he's stinking up the joint," Francis added.
Rollie returned to the hospital. He still wasn't allowed to see Angie as she went through the DT's but he wanted to be there in case she needed him. Rollie sat alone in the waiting room and wondered what his life would be like without Angie Ramirez in it. Even if they had not become lovers, her influence on his life has been huge. She impacted so much of his life, his work, and his private life, such that it was. She was the one person besides Mangela whom he knew he could count on for anything, anytime, and anywhere. Rollie wiped a tear from his eye as he huddled into the corner of the couch that was in the waiting room.
"Sir? Sir...why don't you go home and rest?"
Rollie woke when the nurse nudged his shoulder. She was offering him a cup of coffee as well.
"I'm sorry, what?" Rollie asked.
"Sir, there's not much for you to do. Why don't you go home and get some rest. You can return in the morning fresh and rested."
"No. I want to stay here just in case. If that's all right?" he wasn't sure if he was being told to leave in a polite manner.
"Well really, you shouldn't be here but I understand your wanting to stay. But there's nothing you can do. Your wife—"
"We're not married."
"Your girlfriend is going through a very rough period where the drugs are leaving her system. She is going to need you afterwards though as she will be shaky and may feel the need for the drug. How long has she been using?"
"Angie wasn't using. Someone injected her with it. They tried to kill her."
"Oh, I'm so sorry. The fact that she wasn't a drug user before will aid in her recovery. But she may still feel very shaky the first few hours or days after she leaves here."
"I understand."
"That's why you need to get your rest. The next few days are going to be hard on the both of you."
"All right. I'll go home...but if there's anything, any change...if Angie needs me, please call me," Rollie handed her his card.
"I will. I promise."
It had been eighteen hours since Angie had been admitted to the hospital. She awoke slowly now, her eyeballs hurting from the reaction to the lights. She blinked several times and looked around the room, which was unfamiliar, and yet she knew she had been here before, or at least a room similar to this one. Then, she saw the figure slumped in the chair.
"Rollie?" her voice cracked, "Rollie?"
Rollie awoke and moved quickly to be beside her bedside. He caressed her face and smiled gently down at her.
"I'm so sorry—" she said weakly.
"Hey, none of that. No more 'I'm sorry' from either of us," Rollie said softly, "I'm sick of that word."
Angie had tears in her eyes. She was pale and weak. Rollie didn't look much better. He looked like he hadn't slept in two days.
"I was so scared when I saw that needle," Angie began, "I begged and begged but he didn't care," Angie cried. "God, Johnny must have been so scared too," she sniffled. "All I kept thinking was that I didn't want to die. And then all I could think of was you...how I didn't want to leave you. I was so scared Rollie."
"I know Angel, I know," Rollie hugged her tight, "I was too."
Angie pulled away from him and looked away, "Then, I was in this dark place and I was so cold. It seemed like I was so far away. The darkness kept getting closer. It was like it had hands and it was trying to pull me into it and I almost went...I was so tired and alone," Angie shuddered, "And then I could hear your voice. You were telling me not to leave you and you were crying."
"You...you heard me?"
Angie looked at him, "You mean you really did say it?" she sniffled.
"I sure did. Angie, it was so close. Your were having convulsions and going into cardiac arrest."
Angie was quiet for a few minutes, "It was so hard and I was so scared. The blackness kept coming for me. It was like a fog, it was at my feet, and it was everywhere. It was cold and I was so tired. I felt the darkness getting heavy all around me. I couldn't breath. I could feel myself slipping into it, almost wanting it," Angie paused for a few moments and bit her bottom lip. Rollie squeezed her hand. "And then I could hear your voice again. It seemed so far away but it gave me strength. I wanted to find you but all around me was black, but I wouldn't give up. Then I saw this...white mist and it came and rolled at my feet. It seemed to push the darkness at my feet away...but it was still pulling at me. I took a step into the white mist and I could feel myself getting stronger and stronger with each step. It guided me back to your voice...back to you," Angie looked at Rollie, "were you here? Did I hear you again? Or was it a hallucination?"
"I was here." Rollie replied slowly, "at first, they wouldn't let me be with you while you were going through withdrawals. I went home but I came back an hour later. Something told me you needed me. You weren't coming out of it they way they thought. Maybe it was your previous head injury or something, I don't know, and neither do they...but you were struggling Angie. It was close. You nearly died and I could feel you slipping away. I guess because it was so close...they relented and let me in here with you," Rollie's eyes teared up when he remembered how Angie looked when he came in the room, she wasn't just pale...she was blue. "I began talking to you but it didn't seem to mean anything. I was so afraid and, of all things, I could hear Mangela's voice in my head telling me to remember the teachings. So I went...I went into Dreamtime and I saw you struggling. I saw the blackness all around you. I wouldn't give up on you Angie. I called to you over and over and as I did, the 'white mist' that you spoke of got brighter and brighter and the more I called the more it moved closer to where you were," Rollie paused, looking down at their entwined fingers, "I don't know. I can't explain it, Angie. Nothing like that has ever happened to me before. And I don't really know if it was Mangela's teachings or just something else, because when I woke up, it was to your voice calling my name," he kissed her forehead, "and here we are," he smiled.
They were quiet for a few moments as they both tried to understand what had happened. Then Angie rolled on her side towards Rollie and caressed his face.
"Could you...do me a favor?" Angie asked, finally.
"Anything."
"I know it's probably against hospital regulations but could you...climb into this bed and hold me? I really need to feel your arms around me right now."
"Damn the regulations!" Rollie smiled and moved around to the other side of the bed and curled up against Angie, his arms around her waist and his chin resting at her neck. He could feel her body shaking. "How's that?" he whispered into her ear.
"I feel safe now," Angie said quietly as a tear rolled down her cheek.
Angie had been sleeping for ten hours. Rollie didn't stray from her side despite the fact that the nurses had given him a disapproving look when they came to check on her. The nurses told him that Angie's vitals were good. Angie didn't even wake when they took blood or checked her blood pressure. Rollie's arm was numb but he didn't want to move for fear of waking Angie. His stomach growled as it ignored his order to stay quiet.
"You should eat," Angie's voice was like a whisper.
Rollie moved to look over at her face and saw that her eyes were still closed. He thought maybe he was hearing things. Angie turned in his arms and looked up at him.
"You stayed with me all this time?"
"You wanted to feel safe. I wanted to help."
"How long did I sleep?" Angie asked as she licked her lips, which felt dry and parched.
"Just over ten hours. You needed it," he remarked, as her eyes grew big at how long she had slept. "The nurses say your vitals are good. Rest is what you need."
"No. What I needed was you," her finger caressed his cheek, "but you should go eat. I felt your stomach grumble against my back. You've got a tiger in there," she smiled.
"I am a bit hungry," he admitted. "Maybe I'll go to the cafeteria and grab something. Are you hungry? I can bring something back for you."
Angie thought about it. She wasn't really hungry but realized she probably hadn't eaten in a couple days and she didn't want to be fed intravenously. "Maybe some yogurt and some fruit salad. I don't think I could take anything else right now. Some tea would be nice too."
"You've got it," Rollie smiled and leaned down for a kiss. Angie's lips were chapped but it still felt good kissing them.
"Take your time, Rollie," Angie said as she watched him get out of the bed, "I think I'll sleep some more."
"Okay, love."
Angie was asleep when Rollie returned. He put aside the food and sat at the side of her bed. The doctor came partway into the room and motioned for him to come out.
"Miss Ramirez is making much better recovery now that she is over the hump. I was concerned about a slight arrhythmia but since her crisis last night her vitals are all getting stronger. If she has a good night, I don't see any reason to keep her. She can be released tomorrow."
"That's good news," Rollie smiled, "so the arrhythmia...is that still a problem?"
"As I said, her blood pressure is good, her heart rate is getting back to normal. That's why I want to keep her here overnight...but I don't see anymore cause for concern. I'd like to see her in a week but other than that...she put up quite a fight and it's taken a lot out of her so she should rest for a few days once she gets home. I need to warn you that she may still experience withdrawal symptoms at home. They won't be as strong but...." the doctor patted Rollie on his shoulder, "you should get some rest too."
"I think I will finally," Rollie smiled.
Rollie was about to return to Angie's room when he heard someone call his name and turned to see Lucinda coming down the hallway towards him. She greeted him with a great big hug.
"How's Angie?"
"She's sleeping. The doctor says she should be able to come home tomorrow."
"And how are you?" she asked as she dragged him to the waiting area so they could sit down.
"I'm better now that she's better."
"You look terrible," Lucinda smiled and took his hand, "why don't you and I go get something hot to eat?"
"No, Luce. I'm not really hungry—"
"I wasn't really asking, Rollie. You are coming with me. Angie would want you to be taken care of and I am volunteering for the job. Come on, you said she was sleeping."
"Yeah. She needs to rest."
"Lets' go."
They went to a restaurant not far from the hospital. While they waited for their order Rollie filled Lucinda in on what happened. She was sorry she couldn't have been there to help and that was when she told him that she was thinking of moving back to New York.
"Luce, it wasn't your fault. This didn't happen because you weren't here," Rollie assured her.
"I know. But I miss you guys. It wasn't until I was back here for a few days and then I went back to LA that I realized it. I mean, I missed you while I was out there too...but when I came back, I couldn't believe how hard it was to leave."
"What about your work? Don't you do a lot of pilot work out there?"
"Yeah. I don't know. It's just...this is home. I always feel like I'm just visiting out there. And everybody is sooo image conscious. It's practically a sin if you don't have plastic surgery. I know of at least three teenagers who have had plastic surgery done on them. One girl has had three operations on her face and two on her breasts. Did you know that some girls get plastic surgery as a graduation present? Whatever happened to a new car? It's disgusting."
"Well Luce, we would love to have you back,' Rollie smiled.
"Thank you. I love you Rollie Tyler," she kissed him on his cheek. Rollie looked sheepishly away. "Now, what kind of homecoming are we going to have for Angie?"
"Ah, Luce I don't know. Angie may not be up for a big party."
Lucinda slapped his arm, "I'm not talking about a big party but we have to have something. I was thinking some cake, a few streamers, and a few friends, that's all. Please?"
"A few friends and some cake. Don't overdue it Luce," he warned her.
"I won't. So, let's see...who should we invite?" Lucinda brought out a pad and pen to start a list. "You, of course. Francis? And what about his partner? Mira, is it? Anybody else?"
"Maybe Francis can bring his wife?" Rollie suggested. He knew how worried they had been about Angie and they never did get to go over to their house for dinner.
"We should have more male guests. After all, Mira and I will be the only guests without dates—"
"Luce, this isn't that kind of party." Rollie reminded her.
"Ooh, right," Lucinda shook her head, "anyone else?"
"There is one person," Rollie began, "I'll call though."
"All right. I'll take care of everything. Just call me when you know when Angie will be released."
"Yes, master."
Rollie returned the next morning to the hospital. He was pleased to see that Angie was sitting up in bed eating breakfast...or at least trying to.
"What's that look for?" Rollie asked as he entered the room and noticed Angie's facial expression.
"This," she said as she played with her food and crinkled up her nose, "this is supposed to be scrambled eggs and this is supposed to be toast. Both taste and feel like rubber. Yuck!"
"On the bright side...you get to go home."
Angie's eyes brightened, "really?"
"Yep. I saw the doctor this morning."
Angie pushed the tray away, "Great. Maybe we can stop somewhere for real food along the way."
"We don't know how long it will take to get you checked out of here. How about I go get something for you now? You need to eat."
Angie pouted a little but realized she would be out of here soon enough. "All right. Umm...I need some clothes too."
"I already thought of that," Rollie handed her a bag with some clothes and toiletries in it. "Why don't you get dressed while I get your food?"
"Deal."
Rollie returned as the doctor was finishing examining Angie. He gave her strict orders to rest and not to rush back into work. He also told her she might experience cravings for the drug along with feelings of restlessness. These were all normal symptoms of withdrawal and he expected them to pass quickly for her. He gave her the name of a counselor but didn't expect any real problems for Angie since she wasn't a drug user. On his way out he said that he would sign her release papers.
Angie got up from the bed and walked over to Rollie and hugged him, "I want to go home now."
Rollie hugged her tight, savoring the feeling. "In a few minutes," he sighed. "I brought you breakfast remember? And we are not leaving until you eat."
"Jeez, you're getting bossy," Angie smiled as she took the food and sat back down on the bed and ate. She offered half of it to Rollie but he was satisfied just watching her eat.