FanStory.com - Miracles - Chap 10by Begin Again

Background
The powerful Judge Doyle vows revenge against those who brought him down. As his reach extends beyond the prison walls, a grieving Eleanor, armed with ghostly powers, is ready for battle.

It's movie night at the State Prison, and most inmates have crammed themselves into an overpopulated theater, leaving Doyle and a few other inmates hanging out in their cells. Of course, none of the others have their own television and a comfortable chair to relax in while watching their favorite show.

In the flickering glow of the TV, Doyle's eyes were fixed on the screen, where Tony Soprano sat across from one of his underlings, his icy stare demanding obedience. The low rumble of Tony's voice filled the silence of the cell.

Doyle leaned forward in his chair, clutching the remote tightly in his hand as if the mere act of controlling the TV could bestow a semblance of power upon him.

"Show 'em who's boss, Tony." He shook the controller at the TV.

That's what it's all about — Control. Respect. Power.

Doyle watched the show as if he were part of it, his mind's eye projecting him into Tony's shoes — calm, unbothered. He could almost taste the rush of authority, the thrill of making people bend to his will.

As Tony handed out an order, Doyle's lips curled into a smirk.

I'd handle it like that. Not a single soul would get away with crossing me.

Involved in the TV world of Tony and the Sopranos, Doyle didn't hear the clink of the prison bars or the echo of footsteps in the hallway. Instead, he could almost smell the leather of Tony's office chair, a cigar in his hand, and feel the power he'd hold again once he was free.

"Judge!" a voice called from the door. "You've got a visitor."

He groaned but didn't look away from the screen. "Tell 'em to wait, Charlie. I'm busy."

The guard lowered his voice and leaned into the bars. "It's Rossi."

Doyle's expression shifted from amusement to irritation. "Rossi, huh? Since when did he start making late-night visits?"

"Got me, Judge. But you can't keep your fans waiting." Charlie slid the door open. "You'll have to catch this one on a rerun."

Doyle stood and straightened his uniform, chuckling. "You gotta always look good for 'em, Charlie."

Charlie laughed as Doyle stepped out in the hall, joking, "You going to put the chains on?"

"Nah, we're only going down the hall. Besides, unless you have an escape plan to get through these cement walls, you'll stay with us tonight."

They both laughed and headed toward the conference room where Vince Rossi was waiting.

Charlie opened the door and let Doyle enter. "Just buzz when you're finished."

"Yeah, maybe I'll catch the end of my show." Doyle turned and grinned at his visitor. "This better be good. Tony Soprano and I were just getting to the good part."

Rossi stared at Doyle. His expression remained cool. "Someday, that attitude of yours is going to backfire. Not every inmate has the privileges you enjoy. My boss can make it all go away if he hears you've decided to be less than cooperative."

The grin slipped from Doyle's face, but he still leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. "I'm here, aren't I?"

Rossi raised an eyebrow. "Barely. Don't think Charlie's loyalty will last if a better offer comes his way. So, let's get one thing straight. You cooperate, and you keep your perks. Otherwise —" Rossi let the silence hang.

Doyle clenched his jaw and nodded. "Fine. What's the latest?"

Rossi shrugged. "The board said five more years, Doyle. These things take time. It's not exactly a quick fix."

Doyle snarled, "You're talking to the king of fixes. If your boss wants it done, it'll get done." This wasn't the news he'd expected to hear. He paced the room under Rossi's cool stare. Finally, he stopped, his voice cold, "I don't have time for games. I want to be there when they drag Donatelli in on murder charges. Tell me what you want, and I'll make it happen."

"See, here's the crux of the problem. You think you still run things, but you don't. You have the power to pull lots of strings in this town, but my boss works on a large scale."

"Even inside this pile of rock, I still run my town. People listen and do what I say."

"Like William? First, his drug scheme goes sour, and now you've got him pushing those art pieces again. Care to explain?"

"It takes money to get things done."

"Framing Donatelli was one thing — which, by the way, isn't happening yet. But I've been told you were behind not only the murder of Margaret Ashley, but the rape of a local businesswoman."

"Margaret forgot who she was in bed with. She got what she deserved."

"And the other woman? What could she have possibly done to you?"

"Word was that she's Donatelli's woman, or should I say was — maybe she'll pay him a few conjugal visits after she has the kid." He chuckled, amused by his own thoughts.

"You're disgusting." Rossi walked to the door and buzzed. "When your old friends start doubting you, you'll be out in the cold, Judge — and that could be a problem. Think about it." The door opened, and Rossi left without saying another word.

After Rossi walked away, Charlie entered the room. "Everything okay?"

"Sometimes when you want things done, you have to do it yourself. Give me your phone."

"My phone?" Charlie didn't like that idea. He'd been careful not to leave any direct links to the Judge — letting him use his phone would violate that rule.

"Yes, your phone. Unless you want those checks to stop coming in, you'll give me your phone. Now!"

Charlie pulled it from his pocket, and Doyle snatched it. He dialed the number and paced the floor while it rang.

Crystal answered. "Hideaway."

"Put Bruiser or Tony on the line," he snapped.

"Bruiser's off tonight and Tony's outside having a smoke."

"Listen, you don't know who you're talking to, but if you want to keep breathing, listen very carefully."

Crystal cringed. "Sure. I'm listening."

Doyle snarled, the irritation seeping through his words. "Tell them both that if this Donatelli mess doesn't start moving forward, they'll find themselves sleeping with the fishes. I want that car found, and I want Donatelli arrested. Clear?"

Before she could answer, he disconnected the call and handed the phone to Charlie. "Let's go. Maybe I can catch the last half hour of Tony kicking butt."

*****
Eleanor paused outside Danni's office door before tapping lightly. "Any news on Matthew?" she asked, her voice lined with worry.

Danni glanced up, meeting Eleanor's eyes briefly before returning to her files. "Nothing yet," she said quietly. "We're still waiting on leads."

"How can he just disappear? You'd think the APB would have turned up something on his car by now."

"I know. It's like he just vanished. And we don't even know where he went that day. All he said was that he needed a few stiff drinks."

"I'm sure you've checked all his usual spots, but maybe the search should expand. It's a big task, though."

Danni sighed, frustration flickering in her eyes. "Do you know how many bars are in this area, Eleanor? We need a better lead than that."

Eleanor nodded, pensive. "I still can't understand why I'm not picking up any vibes from him. Usually, I'd sense something — he'd be thinking about a case or someone he knows, and I'd catch a hint. But there's been nothing."

Danni bit her lip, clearly holding back darker thoughts. "You don't think —"

"No," Eleanor interrupted. "Don't even go there. He's out there, and we're going to find him."

Danni nodded, seeming to draw strength from Eleanor's conviction. Then Eleanor softened her tone, shifting gears. "By the way, do you know Jenna's new assistant? Have you met her?"

Danni's expression lightened slightly. "Yeah, I ran into her while picking up lunch for Donatelli and me — right before he went missing." She trailed off, momentarily lost in thought, before snapping back. Eleanor noticed the shift, but let it pass.

"Anyway," Danni continued, "what were you going to say?"

Eleanor leaned in, lowering her voice. "Rebecca just found out she's adopted, and her birth mother was Angela Giordano. Turns out Rebecca's inherited some property in town."

Danni raised her eyebrows. "No idea until now? She must be reeling."

"She is. We were going to lunch to celebrate, but Jenna got sick again."

"That's a shame. Rebecca must be thrilled, though."

"Garth was there when she shared the news, so the two of them went off to celebrate."

"Garth and Rebecca — hope he talks about something other than Allie."

"Me too," Eleanor said with a smile. "Rebecca and Allie actually have some similarities."

Danni shrugged. "Donatelli found Jenna. Maybe Garth will get lucky, too. He just needs to give someone a chance."

"Curiosity's got the best of me, though," Eleanor mused. "Why did her parents keep the adoption a secret? And no one left to explain it to her — how sad."

"Did the lawyer give her any details?"

"Not many, but she'll find out more about the property soon. It's supposedly an abandoned estate."

"An abandoned estate, huh? That could be the old place, about three miles out off the highway. It's been empty for years. Heard there was a lynching, and folks say it's haunted."

Eleanor chuckled. "Let's hope it's no one we know."

"There's not much out that way," Danni replied. "Just an old biker bar and some cliffs the kids like to party by. Those backroads are dangerous, though. I'm surprised more people haven't driven off them."

"Think that might be the place?"

"I'd bet on it. And I heard it used to have a vineyard. Giordano sounds Italian, right?"

"It's a good lead," Eleanor agreed. "Rebecca mentioned vineyards, too. Her birth family came from Italy."

"If I can, I'll check the files for anything on that lynching. It's eerie, though. And hanging was always a crime, right?"

Eleanor chuckled, feigning exasperation. "Yes, Danni, even in ancient history, it was a crime. You surprise me sometimes with the things you say."

Danni rolled her eyes, but Eleanor's thoughts were already drifting. The mystery of Rebecca's family and the eerie estate swirled in her mind.

"Eleanor —are you alright?"

Eleanor snapped back. "Oh, sorry, Danni. I guess my mind wandered. I'd better get back to Jenna. Let me know if you dig up anything on Rebecca's family or that estate."

"Will do."

With a final nod, Eleanor left the precinct, her mind fixed on a new destination.