Previously, on Tomorrow Waits For No One: Rhonda became nervous when Philip began talking about an embezzlement at the Bank of San Marcello.  Rhonda abruptly changed the subject, accusing Gail of having ulterior motives with regard to Philip.  Philip stated that he and Gail are just friends.  Rhonda tried to bring up the possibility of marriage but Philip wouldn't discuss it.  After, Rhonda was relieved that they didn't discuss the bank crimes.

Marcus and Cole returned to Mrs. Williams house to pick up some of Marcus's clothes.  Marcus told Cole about the visions he's been having of horses, the beach, and a chandelier.  As it was late, Marcus decided to see Mrs. Williams the next day.  Cole invited Marcus to stay at his apartment and he agreed.

The following morning, Marcus worked with Dr. Park to retrieve his memories.  The session was fruitless, prompting Marcus to vow that he'd see Mrs. Williams to see if she can shed some light on his recent past.

Cole visited Ginny after she was released from the hospital in Twin Creeks and flew home.  As he shared with her Marcus's strange visions, she remembered going to Seaside Funland on the coast as a kid.  Ginny told Cole of a merry-go-round with a large chandelier in it.  Ginny's parents arrived for a visit.  She asked for directions to the amusement park.  Mr. Riley explained how to get there but mentioned that developers plan to demolish it soon.

Cole picked up Marcus and they drove to Seaside Funland to search for the Van der Griff jewels.  Marcus didn't recognize anything there but they found the ride Ginny mentioned.  Marcus discovered the controls and started it up.  He and Cole had some fun riding the carousel.  While they enjoyed themselves, a strange man watched from the distance.

The next day, Cole learned that Vittorio had escaped custody.  He told Marcus that Vittorio may come to town looking for him.  Frank eavesdropped on the conversation.  Seeing a newspaper article about the Wilhelm Estate jarred Marcus's memory.  He realized that he'd hidden the jewels in a secret compartment in the mansion.  Frank left to get there before them.  Vittorio, seeing Frank leave suddenly, decided to follow him.

Marcus and Cole arrived not long afterward.  Marcus picked the lock on the door and they entered the foyer which was decorated with paintings of the beach.  The parlor had horse-patterned wallpaper and an ornate chandelier.
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Installment 19

Sept. 26

Wilhelm Estate

     Marcus approaches the opulent fireplace.  Behind the mantle is a paneled wall.  He maneuvers a button hidden underneath the mantle which opens one of the panels to expose a secret compartment.  Inside lies a black velvet pouch.

     Marcus opens the pouch to reveal the much sought-after jewels.  Cole's eyes widen at the precious sight.

     Suddenly, Frank emerges from the alcove, pointing a gun at Marcus and Cole.

     "I'll take those off your hands," says Frank with a sly grin.  "And I'll take that from you, Detective," he demands, referring to the gun in Cole's pocket.

     "What do you think you're doing, Cain?" demands Cole.

     "You let me worry about that," Frank replies.  "Remember, I'm dangerous and I'm not stupid.  I have a plan.  The gun, please."

     With a smoldering rage, Cole relinquishes his revolver, staring Frank down.  Frank maintains eye contact, not flinching.

     "Marcus, would you be so kind as to take this rope and tie the good detective to that?" Frank commands, gesturing them toward an antique chair next to Cole.

     Cole hesitates.

     "Sit!" Frank bellows.

     Cole reluctantly takes a seat and Marcus begins to bind him to the chair, purposely tying the knots loosely.

     "You were never a Boy Scout, were you, Marcus," Frank scorns.  "Now, tie 'em so he won't escape!"  Marcus complies.

     "Now, you take a seat," Frank directs once he's satisfied that Cole is securely bound.  Frank ties Marcus to another chair.

     "I'm sure you'll eventually get free, but I'll be on the other side of the globe by then," Frank laughs as he bids them farewell.

     With dramatic flare, Vittorio steps forth, aiming a gun at Frank.

     Frank stops in his tracks, becoming nervous.  "Vito.  Hey, I, uh...we got the goods now.  I, um, I was just coming to find you," he stammers.  "50/50, you and me, all the way."

     "I want to thank you for all of your hard work, Cain, but I won’t be requiring your assistance any further."

     "Vito, come on," Frank pleads.
    
     Without further ado, Vittorio shoots Frank in the chest!

     Frank clasps his chest and drops his weapon.  Letting out a wheeze, he falls backwards to the floor, lifeless, a pool of blood spreading across the chestnut floor.

     "Now, to tie up the last two loose ends," says Vittorio as he aims at Marcus and Cole.

     As he begins to pull the trigger, a lead crystal vase shatters over his head.  A shot rings out and a stray bullet flies through the air, lodging in the wall above Marcus and Cole.  Vittorio falls to the floor, unconscious.

     Behind him stands Lillith Williams.  She helps untie Marcus and Cole.

     "Mrs. Williams!" exclaims Marcus.

     "I had a premonition of evildoing at the estate," she explains.

     Cole rushes to Frank's side and checks for a pulse.  "He's still alive," he shouts as he dials 911 on his cell phone.

     "You saved us!" Marcus thankfully tells Mrs. Williams.  "But, how were you able to knock him out?" Marcus asks her, pointing to Vittorio.  "I thought you were blind."

     "Legally blind," she corrects.  "I can still see light and shadow, blurred shapes, that sort of thing.  That was enough to allow me to target that awful man."

     The authorities arrive and Frank is rushed to the hospital, while a groggy Vittorio is once again taken into custody.

     Chief Evans arrives and personally takes possession of the Van der Griff jewels.  "Good work, Washington," he commends.  "I plan to recommend to the police commission that you receive a commendation for your work on this case."

University Hospital: OR

     Frank undergoes emergency surgery to remove the bullet lodged in his collapsed lung.  Unsure whether the bullet or its fragments may have penetrated the abdominal cavity, the surgical team performs a perioteneal lavage to check for the presence blood in the abdomen.  Finding none, a cardiothoracic surgeon removes a .22 caliber bullet embedded in the tissue of his left lung and reinflates the lung.  During the procedure, Frank receives five units of blood.

SMPD: H.R.

     "Here's your mail," announces Jenny as she brings a stack of envelopes into Rhonda's office.  "You got a big one," she says, handing a large manila envelope to her.  "From R. Galindo."

     Rhonda excitedly snatches the packet from a surprised Jenny.  Noticing Jenny's reaction, Rhonda sits back and tries to regain her composure.  "Oh, good.  I've been waiting for this...catalogue.  Thank you, Jenny.  That will be all."

     "Sure," Jenny leerily says as she goes back to her desk in the outer office.

     "Let me see what Rico dug up on Nurse Renwick," Rhonda thinks to herself as she tears open the envelope.  "Had the lead in her college production of Our Town.  How original," she scoffs.  "Received the Florence Nightingale Award for Clinical Excellence in Bedside Nursing.  Oh, please.  There is nothing of value here," Rhonda complains to herself.  She continues reading the report.

     "Oh, my," Rhonda murmurs with contented surprise.  "Now, maybe that's something I can use."

University Hospital: Nurses Station

     "How did surgery go, Doctor?" asks Gail after Dr. Martinez emerges from the OR after Frank's surgery.

     "Mr. Cain is a very lucky man," he says. looking at Frank's x-rays.

     "How so?" wonders Gail.

     "The bullet entered here," he says, pointing at the image.  "It traveled down about three inches and struck his seventh rib here.  That deformed the bullet which then continued another three inches, lodging in the tissue of his left lung here."

     "It looks like it just missed the aorta," Gail comments.

     "You're right," agrees the doctor.  "The bullet missed all vital structures.  And, the operation went well.  But I'm afraid Frank Cain's recovery will be lengthy."

     "It looks like Mr. Cain's past has finally caught up with him," Gail notes.

SMPD: H.R.

     "Good work, Rico," praises Rhonda into the phone.  "So, little-nurse-hot-pants is adopted, eh?  I want you to follow that lead.  Get me everything you can on the details of that adoption."

     She continues to beam as she listens to the private detective's reply.  "Yes, of course I'll pay you to continue the investigation.  Remo's Landing, at 6 p.m., tonight."

Mrs. Williams' House

     After giving her statement to the police, Lillith Williams sits in a glider on her front porch, gently swinging back and forth while petting the cat sitting in her lap.

     "Marc?" she asks as Marcus and Cole approach the front porch.  Marcus and Cole look at each other with surprise.  "Is that Marc Lanza?"

     "Yes, Mrs. Williams," Marcus replies.  "Well, not exactly...how, how did you know it was me?" he stutters.

     "Well, are you or aren't you Marc Lanza?" she asks, cocking her head.  "You sound like him.  You walk like him.  Your aura looks like his."

     "I'd like to explain everything, Mrs. Williams," Marcus tentatively volunteers.  "I'm here with Det. Washington.  I feel I owe it to you to come clean."

     She invites both men in.  "May I get either of you something to drink?  Tea maybe?" she offers.  Marcus and Cole politely refuse.

     Marcus explains to Mrs. Williams that he created the name Marc Lanza to hide from his father and to begin a new life after having stolen the Van der Griff jewels.  "I'm sorry for lying to you Ma'am."

     "Well, under the circumstances, I'm sure I can forgive you," she states with civility.  "What do you think, detective?"

     "Me?  Well, you see Ma'am, I uh...I'm uh...I really care for Marcus, Ma'am," stutters Cole.  "I think that he is a really good person inside.  He only did those things out of desperation.  I believe he deserves your forgiveness, Mrs. Williams."

     "Well then, it's settled," Mrs. Williams beams as she stands, extending her hand.  "Welcome back."

     Marcus shakes her hand appreciatively.  "Mrs. Williams, thank you so much for understanding.  I'll get my things from Cole's and move back in."

     As Marcus and Cole leave the house, Marcus stops in the front yard.

     "What?" asks Cole.

     "What next?" Marcus wonders aloud.  "I mean, now that we've gotten the Van der Griff jewels back, what's the next step?"

     Marcus and Cole sit on the curb.  Cole puts his arm around Marcus.  "I won't lie to you," he begins.  "You may be in for a rough time.  You did commit several felonies in Twin Creeks."

     "Do you think I'll go to prison?"

     "No.  No, I don't think so. There were extenuating circumstances," offers Cole, supportively.  "I used to date a lawyer.  I'll give him a call, see what he advises."

     "Thanks, Cole," Marcus says appreciatively.  "I don't know how I would have made it through this whole mess without you."

Sept. 27

Cole's Apartment

     Cole and Marcus awaken as the morning sun shines into the bedroom.  "Good morning," Cole hails smiling groggily.

     "Morning," Marcus says as he stretches.  "I never made it back to Mrs. Williams' last night, did I?"

     "No.  You laid down on my bed to take a nap after we visited her yesterday, and you've been out since," Cole explains.  "After all you've been through this month, you were exhausted."

     "Thank you for letting me sleep," Marcus quietly responds.

     Cole looks deeply into his eyes.  "You can sleep here whenever you want," he says before kissing him gently on the lips.

     "I, uh...I guess we should, uh, get to work, huh," Marcus nervously suggests.

     "Yeah, it's about that time," Cole agrees.  "But, we don't have to rush.  Join me in the shower?"

     A grin envelops Marcus's face.  "That sounds like a really good way to start the work day."

University Hospital: Patient Room

     Frank regains consciousness, and is taken aback to find that he is handcuffed to his hospital bed.  He rings for the nurse.

     Gail enters the room.  "Good morning," she says coldly as she begins taking his vital signs.  "How are you feeling?"  She roughly shoves a thermometer into his mouth.

     "I'm...confused," he mumbles.  "What happened?"

     "You've been shot and had emergency surgery to remove a bullet from your lung," explains Gail.  "And, apparently you've been arrested."  She takes the thermometer out of his mouth and jots down his temperature on the chart.

     Frank's memory returns, and he realizes that Vittorio shot him point blank.  "That bastard!  He tried to kill me."

     "Maybe you should choose your friends more carefully," Gail says snidely.

     As Frank takes a breath to respond, Cole enters the room to formally arrest Frank.

     "Did you get that son-of-a-bitch-Vittorio?" demands Frank.

     "Why, yes we did," Cole informs him.  "He's in custody at the San Marcello jail right now.  He'll be tried for the crimes he's committed here, including shooting you, and then he'll likely be extradited to Twin Creeks to face charges there."

     "You'd better keep me away from him," spits Frank.  "I swear, if I get my hands on him..."  Frank notices that Cole is grinning.  "What?"

     "Oh, sometimes I really like my job," Cole tells Frank.  "Frank Cain, you have the right to remain silent."

     "I don't believe this," Frank says, shaking his head.

     "Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.  You have the right to have an attorney present during questioning."

     "You couldn't wait to do this?" Frank asks in disbelief.

     "If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you.  Do you understand your rights as I've just read them to you?"

     "You know I just got out of surgery," complains Frank.  "Is it medically wise to do this now?"  Frank looks to Gail for a response.

     "Don't look at me," she replies.  "Dr. Martinez doesn't seem to have a problem with it."

     "So I'll ask you again," Cole reiterates, "do you understand your rights as I've just read them to you?"

     "Yes," an aggravated Frank sneers.

     "Well then, you'll be transported to the jail's infirmary as soon as you're well enough to travel.  I suggest for find a good lawyer.  You're gonna need one."

     Cole turns to leave.  "Alright.  My job is done here."

     Cole and Gail leave together leaving Frank to stew.

SMPD Headquarters

     Marcus and Cole return to work.

     "I wish you could have been there, Marcus," Cole laughs.  "You'd have loved the look on Cain's face when I began reading him his rights."

     "I'd have given almost anything to have seen that," Marcus chuckles.  "But I understand that it had to be by the book."

     "Speaking of 'by the book,' I'll call my ex- this morning and see what he has to say about your legal standing."

     "Great.  Thanks, Cole.  I really appreciate it," Marcus says, gratefully.  "Well, have a good day."

     They part and Cole continues into the squad room.

     "Washington, please join me in my office," Chief Evans summons as Cole approaches his desk.

SMPD: Chief Evans's Office

     DA Benton and another man wait.

     "Det. Washington, I'd like you to meet Det. Dillon MacCaskill from the Twin Creeks Police Department," Chief Evans says.

     Cole draws a deep breath as he extends his hand.  The two men shake.

     Det. MacCaskill hands Cole extradition papers.  "I'm here to inform you that Marcus Lazano has been indicted for the theft of the Van der Griff jewels.
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On the next installment of Tomorrow Waits For No One:

Marcus to Jenny: "Um, Jenny, would you mind letting Rhonda know that I have to leave again and it may take longer than a couple of weeks this time."

Cole to Marcus: "I’ll get you the best lawyer available to defend you."

Rico to Rhonda: "Gail’s adoptive mother Amanda Renwick paid Gail’s biological mother Mary Rhoades to leave town after the woman killed her husband."

Rhonda to herself: "Now that I’m armed, I’ll have to plan just how and when to drop this bombshell."
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