Chapter Seven:

She came home a half hour after he arrived. He walked up to her front door and rang the doorbell.

“I’ll be right there”, she shouted from inside the house. (opens the door) Commissioner Buchanan. What are you doing here?”

“I’m sorry to just drop by unexpected like this but I need to ask you a few questions.”

“About?”

“Your ex-husband.”

“Bo, I haven’t seen or spoken with Nick since the trial 7 years ago. I’m sure I won’t be of any help with whatever you’re trying to find out.”

“Please, Grace (I have no idea if they ever mentioned Nick’s wife’s name on the show but I just pulled Grace out of the air so I’m sorry if any of you actually know what her name might be) it’s a matter of life and death.”

“For who, because if it’s Nick’s I could really care less.”

“It’s my wif—it’s Nora. Nick has Nora, Grace and I was hoping you would know where he might hide out.”

“I’m sorry to hear about Nora, Bo and I wish I could help but I honestly don’t know.”

“He took my son’s mother from their home in the middle of the night. I promised my son I would bring her home to us and that’s exactly what I plan on doing. Please Grace anything no matter how small or insignificant could help. Here’s my card. Please call me day or night if you think of anything.

“I will Bo, I promise. Again, I am sorry Bo; I can tell how much she means to you.”

“Yeah she does, it just took this to make me realize it”, he said sadly as he walked away.

Bo drove back to Llanview with nothing but thoughts of Nora and he prayed that he would find a way to get to her soon before it was too late. Little did he know what had just happened, in that remote cabin in the woods, was the beginning of the biggest fight either of them would ever face.

Nora sat against the wall that evening trying to keep the memories of that afternoon out of her mind. She squeezed her eyes closed and forced herself to think about anything but Nick Manzo. He had left the bedroom door open this time and she could hear the radio playing in the other room. Nora closed her eyes again and concentrated on the music. One song turned into three and then she heard it, Bo’s voice over the radio.

“Nick, its Commissioner Buchanan. We know you’ve got her there with you. Come on Nick, it’s not too late. You can still turn this around. Call us Nick; if you let this go on any longer I’m not going to be able to help you. Turn yourself in Nick. And Red, just hang in there and I’ll find you. I promise you that. This song’s for you Red, just remember what you have to come back to, a family who loves you. Don’t give up, keep us close, and I’ll find you…”

Here comes the weekend, honey.
What's going on?
Do we put our feet up, honey,
Or call it all night long?
Oh, baby, whatever... I'm With You

Are we staying home, are we going downtown?
Are we dressing up baby, or dressing down?
Oh, whatever... Baby, I'm With you

Nora let the music bring her comfort. She pulled her knees up against her chest and leaned her chin against her knees. She closed her eyes and let the music take her back. She thought about that night in their bedroom when they held each other close and danced, when he did everything in his power to make her feel like the most desired woman in the whole world. She thought back to what it felt like to be in love and to be loved. The emotions were more than she could hold in and she finally let the tears fall. She cried for the love she had had with Bo, the love they lost, and the love that could’ve been again, if not for Nick Manzo.

You're my sunshine in the morning,
You're my stars at night.
You're all I ever dream about.
Anything you want,
Well, baby, that's alright.
Anything you don't,
I can learn to live without as long as...

I'm with you, till the Sun stops burning.
I'm with you, till the world stops turning.
Till the end of time, Oh, I'm with you.

Bo sat in his car outside the radio station. He laid his head back against the seat and let the music take him back in time. He thought about all the times he had held her in his arms as they danced. Dancing was about more than just the music for them. It was one way they communicated, it was as sensual as making love, and it was who they were.

I'm with you, till the Sun stops burning.
I'm with you, till the world stops turning.
Till the end of time, baby, I'm with you.
Till the end of time, Oh, baby, I'm with you.

Bo was brought out of his thoughts by the ringing of his cell phone…

“Buchanan.”

“Well, well if it isn’t the Police Commissioner himself. So I hear you’re looking for me.”

“Nick Manzo…”

“The one and only”, he said as he staggered towards the bedroom. He looked over at Nora satisfied that the drugs he’d just given her had taken effect. “She’s quite the spitfire Bo, can’t believe you ever let her go. One taste and I was hooked.”

Nick’s words made Bo’s blood boil.

“You better keep your hands off her Manzo.”

“No can do Commish,” he slurred.

“Let me talk to Nora, Nick.”

“Nora can’t come to the phone right now, she’s well…she’s indisposed at the moment.”

“I’m going to find you, you son of a bitch, and when I do I’m going to make you pay.”

“Catch me if you can, Commish.”

The line went dead. Bo threw his cell phone down on the seat beside him and started the car. He drove back to the station as fast as he could. Antonio was just hanging up the phone when Bo walked in.

“Talk to me people!”, he yelled as he walked past him and into his office.

Antonio quickly looked around the squad room and decided to take it on himself to report to Bo what they had been able to find out. He walked into Bo’s office and closed the door.

“Nick Manzo was paroled six months ago. He had been living in a halfway house in Philly until a month ago. His parole officer is John Elliott. According to Elliott’s office Nick hasn’t reported in to their office in the month that he’s been missing from the halfway house. I wasn’t able to speak with Mr. Elliott because he’s on vacation. His office gave me his cell phone and I’ve left a message. I told him the situation and I hope to hear from him soon.”

“Damnit, I hope he calls soon, I have a feeling we might be running out of time.”

“Sir did something happen tonight?”

“Nick called me a little bit ago.”

“What did he say?

 

“Its more like what he’s implying that has me on edge.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just find Mr. Elliott. Call him every minute if you have to. For some reason I have a feeling he’s the key to finding her.”

“I’m on it sir.” (starts to walk out the door but turns to face Bo again) Commissioner, I hope you don’t mind me saying this but you look like hell. Why don’t you go home and kiss your little boy goodnight. I’ll call you the second we have information on Mr. Elliott.”

“Thanks for your concern Antonio. Actually I was heading home anyway. I don’t want Matty home alone with Maryann anymore than he has to be. I know the investigation is in capable hands and it’s your number one priority. I have to make sure Matthew is taken care of. I’ll be waiting for your call.”

“We’re going to find her, sir. You can count on it.”

Bo just nods his head as Antonio walks out the door.

“I just hope when we do that it’s not too late.”

“I’m With You” by Delbert McClinton