Previously, on Tomorrow Waits For No One: Marcus explained to Rhonda that he'd recovered most of his memories but that he'd have to quit.  Rhonda convinced Marcus to take two weeks off and return to work.

Chief Evans suggested to Cole that he take vacation time.  Cole agreed but didn't divulge that he was planning to fly to Twin Creeks to look for the stolen jewels.

Under hypnosis, Marcus recalled burying the jewels under an oak tree at his Lake Claire cabin.  Later, Marcus told Cole that he didn't get a chance to tell Frank he was moving out because he wasn't home this morning.  Unaware that Frank had already left for Twin Creeks, Marcus assumed Frank was avoiding Cole.

After a romantic evening together, Philip and Rhonda made love.

Ginny met Marcus and Cole at the airport and they drove up to Lake Claire.  Marcus dug up a spot under the oak tree and came upon a metal box--but it was empty.  Ginny shared with Marcus that Vincenzo's cousin Vittorio is poised to take over as the head of the local mob.
.
.
.
Installment 16

Sept. 21

Twin Creeks: Commonwealth Diner

     Sitting at a booth in the crowded downtown diner, Frank is approached by an elegantly-dressed man vaguely resembling Vincenzo.  "Excuse me.  As you can see, it's rather busy in here today.  May join you?"

     "Uh, yeah, sure," Frank uncomfortably agrees.

     The man strikes up a seemingly casual conversation.  "Hard to believe they're expecting a hurricane here soon."

     "Um, yeah...whatever," Frank replies tersely.

     The man's demeanor quickly darkens.  "So, why are poking around town, looking for information on the Lazano family, eh?"

     Stunned, Frank tries to cover.  "Huh?  Me?  Uh, I'm...writing a book about prominent Twin Creeks families."

     "I don't buy it," the man caustically replies.  "I suggest that you leave town before you have an accident or something."

     "And who the hell are you?" Frank brashly demands.

     The man subtly flashes a revolver concealed underneath his jacket.  "You sticking your nose into my family, and I don't like it," the gentleman calmly states.

     Frank realizes that he has nothing to lose by telling the truth.  "Thanks.  I appreciate the advice but I'm specifically looking for a relative of yours.  Maybe you know where I can find him?"

     "Who are you be looking for?  And why?"

     "I'm trying to catch up to Marcus Lazano.  He owes me something."

     "That's a debt that won't be repaid," replies the man with a laugh.  "Marcus died a month ago."

     "Naw.  That's just what he wanted everybody to think," Frank explains.  "He's been in California for the past month."

     "Marcus is alive?!?" declares the man, shocked.

     "News to you, huh?" Frank replies with superiority.  "Not so close a family unit, are you."

     "Tell me what the hell you know about Marcus!"

     "Oh yeah, Marcus?  He faked his death and took off to San Marcello.  Why do you care?  Wanna have a little family reunion?" Frank taunts.

     "Marcus's father Vincenzo is my cousin.  According to my sources, 'Cenzo just fell into a river in San Marcello and is presumed dead."

     "And, why lean on me?  What, Marcus needs you to protect him?" mocks Frank.

     "Protection?  Ha!" spits the man.  "Nothing would make me happier than to rid myself of the rest of the Lazano clan.  A thorn in my side, all of ’em.  What does Marcus owe you?"

     "My share of the Van der Griff jewels."

     The cousin's eyes widen.

     "I take it, you're familiar with them."

     "Am I?" retorts the gentleman.  "Vincenzo never did cop to that job.  Marcus's death occurred right after the jewels were stolen.  That little son of a...didn't know he had it in him," comments the man, pleasantly surprised.  "He faked his death and bolted with the loot, huh?"

     "It appears he did," Frank answers, smugly.

     "So how is it that you come to have a claim on the jewels?"

     "Marcus promised to split them with me for keeping his secret and helping him find him," explains Frank.  "Then he double-crossed me."

     "Hmm.  Turns out he's got more cajones then I ever gave him credit for," the man muses with admiration.

     "Say, what do you think about working together?  I'd be willing to share the wealth if you can help me find where he hid his stash."

     "Yeah," Vincenzo's cousin agrees.  "My name is Vittorio Cuzzupe."  He extends his hand.  "Seems like you and I might could make good partners."

     The two men shake hand and eye each other suspiciously.

Philip Benton's House

     In Philip's bedroom, Rhonda lies in the afterglow of their lovemaking session while Philip showers.  The phone rings, and is answered by the machine.

     "Philip, this is Gail.  I was wondering if you'd like to accompany me to the wedding next Saturday.  Give me a call when you get a moment.  Bye."

     Rhonda reacts furiously, erasing the message.

     "Did I hear the phone ring?" asks Philip as he emerges from the bathroom, wearing a towel.

     "Uh, you must be hearing things darling," she suggests.

     "My ears must still be ringing from that passionate performance of ours," Philip tells Rhonda as he kneels on the bed, kissing her on the neck.

     "What should I wear to the wedding Saturday?" Rhonda asks.

     "I thought you weren't going," Philip responds with surprise.

     "I've changed my plans.  I'd love to attend your dear sister's wedding," replies Rhonda.

Twin Creeks: Old Dominion Motel

     Upon returning to their room, Cole receives a call from the SMPD.  After hanging up, he relays news to Marcus.

     "After sweeping Emerson River and the San Francisco Bay, Vincenzo's body still hasn't been recovered.  Without a body he's still considered a missing person but he is presumed dead.  It's not likely anyone could have survived that fall."

     "I guess...I guess that's a relief," Marcus states, not too sure of his emotions.

     "Family relationships are complicated.  I understand that this has to be difficult for you," comforts Cole.

     Marcus smiles at Cole.  "I guess I should call Ronni," he states.

     "Ronni?"

     "Veronica Roderick Lazano," explains Marcus.  "She's my stepmother."  He heaves a heavy sigh.  "I can't wait 'til this phone call's over."

     "Look, Marcus, that's my job," Cole offers.  "You don't need to deal with this on top of everything else."

     "Thank you," Marcus says, giving Cole a kiss on the cheek.  "I will have to touch bases with her soon though."

Twin Creeks: Commonwealth Diner

     Frank and Vittorio meet again to discuss their progress.

     "I spent the afternoon checking out the morgue at the Twin Creeks Informant," Frank explains to Vittorio.  "It wasn't much help.  I learned a lot more about your messed up family though.  You think maybe Marcus stashed the jewels at his old man's house, Villa Lazano?"

     "No way," Vittorio replies with certainty.  "Vincenzo would have killed him, his own son, if he knew that he'd pulled off this scam and gotten away with that loot."

     "What about you?  You find anything worth looking into?"

     "I checked out all of his old hangouts, the video arcade, the computer store, his old high school.  Nothing panned out."

     "So, what do we do next?" Frank asks.

     "Just sit tight," Vittorio calmly states.

     Frank begins to gesticulate, trying to form words to express his frustration but Vittorio pacifies him.  "I got my people on the lookout for him.  He'll turn up soon enough.  Then we make our move."

Twin Creeks: Old Dominion Motel

     After calling Veronica to tell her that Vincenzo is missing and presumed dead after a fall from the Hollis Ave. Bridge in San Marcello, Cole breathes a heavy sigh.

     Marcus walks in with a bucket of ice, some soft drinks, and a handful of snacks.  "I raided the vending machines.  Should we invite Ginny over and pig out?"

     "I just got off the phone with your stepmother."

     "Oh," replies Marcus, suddenly somber.  "How...how is she?"

     "Surprisingly, she seemed...I don't know exactly.  Relieved.  I got the feeling that she wasn't all that comfortable being married to a mobster."

     "That makes sense," muses Marcus.  "I always got the feeling she didn't really marry my father for love.  I almost had a sense that, well, that maybe she was coerced into that marriage."

     "Sounds like Vincenzo's style from what I've learned about him so far."

     "So, since my cabin turned out to be a bust, do you have any ideas what to do next?" wonders Marcus.

     "Well, Hurricane Jorge is barreling down on the coast.  Let's check the weather report first thing in the morning before deciding whether we should stay in town or give up and head home."

Sept. 22

Twin Creeks: Commonwealth Diner

     As he approaches the eatery, Frank is buffeted about by high winds.  Dark, ominous clouds seethe overhead as Hurricane Jorge approaches the Virginia coast.  He struggles to make it in through the door.

     Frank spies Vittorio seated at a booth and takes a seat across from him.

     "Some weather, huh?" Vittorio nonchalantly comments.

     A waitress draws near to take Frank's order but he waives her away.

     "You're not having breakfast?" Vittorio inquires.

     "I don't really have an appetite," Frank anxiously replies.

     "You know, it's the most important meal of the day," retorts Vittorio.

     "Can we talk about something other than the weather and my eating habits?" Frank crossly suggests.

     "I'm just saying—"

     "Last time I was in town, I went to the County Recorder's Office," Frank explains to Vittorio, cutting him off.  "That's how I found out that Marcus had been presumed dead in the fire at his house on Colonial Drive."

     "That seems like a good place to start," nods Vittorio, casually taking a sip of his coffee.

     "Yeah, but, once I identified that he did actually live at that address, I left and went to check out the news archives at the Twin Creeks Informant.  That's where I learned all about what a piece of work he was."

     "The Lazanos are no good, I tell ya," sneers Vittorio.  "When I heard Vincenzo was missing and presumed dead, I was glad to be rid of the whole damned family.  Now you tell me Marcus is still alive."

     "And, somewhere in Twin Creeks, I'll bet.  What if..." Frank wonders.  "You know, I stopped searching the public records once I found his death certificate.  There might be more info. about Marcus at the recorder's office."

     "It's worth a try," agrees Vittorio with a gleam in his eye.  He pays his tab and leaves with Frank.

Twin Creeks: Clairemont County Building

     Arriving at the recorder's office, Frank and Vittorio begin researching Marcus's public records.  After several minutes of searching through mounds of old documents, Vittorio finds something that piques his interest.

     "Good hunch, Cain," Vittorio says as he shows Frank a copy of the deed to Marcus's cabin.  "According to this document, Marcus purchased a cabin at Lake Claire last year."

     "You thinking what I'm thinking?" asks Frank.

     "If you're thinking the jewels could be there, yes."

     Vittorio jots down the address and they head to the lake as Hurricane Jorge hits the coast.

Twin Creeks: Old Dominion Motel

     In Ginny's room, Cole, Marcus, and Ginny watch the news update.

     "A hurricane warning remains in effect from Cape Fear, NC to Cape May, NJ," announces the meteorologist on TV.  "This includes the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds, as well as the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays.  Jorge has now been upgraded to a Category 3 hurricane.

     "Maximum sustained winds are near 115 MPH with higher gusts likely.  Wind speeds are expected to remain the same for some time after Jorge makes landfall.  Although Jorge will weaken as it moves inland, unusually strong winds with gusts to hurricane force may be experienced far inland over the elevated terrain of Northern Virginia and Maryland.

     "We can expect storm surge flooding of 4 to 8 feet above normal tide levels in the Chesapeake Bay.  We're expecting total rainfalls of 6 to 10 inches, with locally higher amounts likely.  As if that weren't enough, there is the threat of isolated tornadoes over eastern North Carolina, Eastern Virginia, and Southeastern Maryland today."

     "I think it's time for us to evacuate," Cole suggests as he turns the television off.

     "No.  We have to return to Lake Claire," Marcus insists.  "I just remembered another hiding place up there.  I used to keep other things under the floorboards of the cabin.  I think either the jewels or a clue to their location might be there."

     "Are you sure Marcus?" asks Cole.

     "I'm sure it'll be worth our while to go back to the cabin," Marcus responds.

     "Well then, I'll go with you back to the lake."

     "I don't know guys," Ginny worries.  "The weather is getting pretty bad."

     "Det. Riley, I understand your reluctance," Marcus begins.  "But I have to know what happened to me between the time I left Twin Creeks and the time Frank Cain ran me over.  I think the key to that mystery is still at the cabin."

     "Alright.  I did become a detective because I always loved a mystery.  Against my better judgment, count me in," agrees Ginny.

Lake Claire: Marcus's Cabin

     Arriving at the cabin in the midst of torrential rains and high winds, Marcus, Cole, and Ginny do not notice Vittorio's car parked further down the gravel driveway.  As they enter the cabin, they are confronted by Frank and a gun-wielding Vittorio.

     "My, back from the dead, I see" says Vittorio mockingly, feigning surprise.

     "You snot-nosed little punk, thought you'd screw me out my fair share?" Frank retorts.  "What did you do with the jewels?"

     "Frank, I didn't double-cross you," Marcus begins to explain.  "I was kidnapped after you left the hospital that day."

     Just then, a strong gust blows the front door open, extinguishing the lantern.

     Cole and Ginny take advantage of the distraction, drawing their weapons, and taking cover with Marcus behind furniture.

     Vittorio fires a shot in their direction.  Cole and Ginny engage in a shootout with Vittorio who, at the first opportunity, runs out the back door, toward his car.

     Once outside, a large tree limb, battered by a strong gust, breaks off and clobbers him, knocking him unconscious.

     Realizing that Vittorio has left the building, Frank attempts to flee as well, but is apprehended by Ginny.

     Cole runs out the back door and frees Vittorio from underneath the tree limb, dragging him inside.

     "He's in need of medical attention," states Cole as he kneels over the motionless body.

     Ginny handcuffs Frank and Vittorio.  She escorts Frank to the car while Cole carries Vittorio and places him in the back seat next to Frank.  Cole, Ginny, and Marcus pile into the car and begin down the mountain.

Lake Claire: Lakeview Rd.

     Further down the road, a bridge has washed out.

     "There's no way we can go any further," Cole announces.  "We'll have to wait out the storm in the cabin."

     He turns the car around and heads back up the road to the cabin.

     Just then, a levee breaks, and a wall of water rushes over their vehicle!
.
.
.
On the next installment of Tomorrow Waits For No One:

Gail to Rhonda: "Oh, that is nice, isn't it.  I'm sure Ann will be touched by your...thoughtfulness."

Rhonda to Gail: "I was suggesting it as an option for you, dear.  I presume it will fit into your budget."

Rhonda to Rico: "Her name is Gail Renwick.  Her birth name may be Abigail, I'm not sure.  I want whatever information you can find."

Cole to Marcus: "I think we should focus our attention on trying to reconstruct the events between the time you faked your death and the night you were hit by Cain's car."

Marcus to Cole: "I'll call Dr. Park for an appointment."
.
.
.
Next Installment

Back to Archives

Back to Main Page