After breakfast the boys and I followed the footsteps that led away from the cabin. The trail initially led us to the reception building. We concluded that one set of tracks belonged to Carl when he brought our luggage. Another set of impressions were left by two people in snow boots. About twenty yards outside the reception building the prints veered off at a forty-five degree angle to the right and third set of foot prints appeared to have joined them. I felt one set must belong to Lee.
The clothes we bought at Eddie Bauer’s were not only essential for the below freezing temperature but also allowed us to blend in with others out enjoying the fairyland atmosphere. There were polite waves as the three of us trudged in the direction of the footsteps. The three sets of footsteps were side by side and unusually close together as if the two people on the outside were walking arm-in-arm with the person in the center. The tracks were easy to follow because there were no others. The path led first through a clump of pines; then behind a cabin and into the woods. They ended when the threesome got into a vehicle. The road had not been plowed so we continued to follow the only vehicle tracks. The vehicle made several turns and we found ourselves back at the main reception lodge. After about one hundred yards the tracks made a sharp turn to the left. The walking was tiring because of the heavy snow.
As we walked I said, “It is eleven in the morning and we haven’t seen one policeman or sheriff asking any questions. No one seems to ask any questions in this place.”
The tire marks led up a slight incline to a large stone house. The place was much larger than the cabin we were in and was located among tall pines laden with snow about one hundred-fifty yards from the road. Approaching the house we thought was dangerous so we turned around.
Retracing our steps we returned to reception and went inside. Carl was standing beside a small desk away from the main registration desk. He smiled as I approached and stood straight and stiff. “Carl, could you give me a little information?”
“I don’t know. There is a lot floating around this place. I will if I can.”
I described the house in the woods. Before I finished Carl jumped in with an answer, “That’s Mr. Brisbane’s house. Mr. George Hartford Brisbane. I was on my way down there with this stack of newspapers.”
“Do you know if there are visitors staying there?”
“I suspect so or why would I be taking two copies of each of the Chronicle, LA Times and Journal. I overheard one of the guys at the desk say that there is a United States Senator staying there.”
Carl noticed the man at the desk looking his direction. He abruptly turned, picked up the newspapers and walked toward the front door without another word. I walked to the front desk clerk and introduced myself as a friend of Mr. Kwan. I said, “Have you heard anything from the police? You are aware of the stabbing last night?”
Seemingly uninterested he said, “They’re on their way. Do you know something?”
Instead of answering his question I asked, “Have you seen Mr. Kwan this morning?”
“No, I don’t think I know Mr. Kwan.”
“I have another question for you?” as I pulled out the key on a wrist lanyard we found in Andrew’s box. “Do you have any lockers or security boxes that this key might fit?”
He picked the key and looked at the “BC” stamped on one side. “It is our key. It may be from one of the lockers at the swimming pool and gymnasium.” He handed it back to me.
“How do I get there?”
He looked toward the side window and said, “Go past the cabin where you are staying to the second road on your left. The athletic center is one hundred yards down that road. You will see it.” He stepped back implying that he was finished.
I walked over to the fireplace where Michael and Rob were standing with the key in my hand. Rob said, “What now?”
“We’re off to the athletic center.”
“Why?” Michael questioned.
I held up the key and lanyard. “We may find a locker for this key.”
We could see the dark brown building as we turned the corner. We walked in the tire tracks to the front but there were no vehicles there. We approached the door expecting it to be locked but it opened with a push. Heavy brown couches and massive wooden coffee tables doubling as foot rests sat empty on the left side of the room and eight shrouded billiard tables stood silent under shaded, darkened lamps.
The boys walked toward a door marked “Swimming Pool.” They confidently pushed open the doors. A wooden counter covered in many coats of varnish was unattended but the boys' chatter alerted a burly young man in a track suit who came out. He had a nice smile. Holding up the key I said, “A friend of mine asked me to pick up something from his locker.” He handed me a clipboard and indicated that I should sign in. I wrote, “Andrew Henley.”
Without any expression he looked at the name and took the key without a word. He returned and handed me the locked box. “This one is dusty. Your friend hasn’t been around for a while.” I acknowledged his statement. I opened the box with the hinges toward the attendant. There were several bulging envelopes inside.
I was looking at the contents as Rob and Michael burst through the doors. Rob blurted out, “Find anything?” Realizing what he had done he looked at Michael and said, “On second thought…Let’s go for a swim.”
The attendant said, “Put your wallets, keys and watches in your friend’s box for safety.” I did not disturb the envelopes but knew we had found more of what Lee and others wanted. I relocked the box, put the lanyard on my wrist and followed the boys through the double doors.
Rob said, “This way to the locker room.”
“We have no suits or towels.”
“None needed, follow me.”
In the pool two older naked men swam slowly. Three other men sat in loosely draped towels on loungers under heat lamps. Towels were stacked high on a small counter. The smell of mildew and stale cigar smoke filled the space. We hung our clothes on hooks that lined the walls of the room. There were no fancy lockers with padlocks or color televisions revealing the latest stock quotes. The chairs near the pool were like those in the front — brown with cracked leather. I followed Rob and Michael toward the pool as the attendant approached us. I was prepared to tell him that Lee invited us to use the facilities.
Rob and Michael dived into the pool with Michael coming up quickly exclaiming, “Whoa, this is cold!” I slowly inched my way down the ladder extending the torture. After a brief swim I climbed the ladder and walked across the white tile floor with blue turquoise design toward a door with a faded sign with blue letters that read “Steam Room.” Rob called, “Are we leaving? I’m just getting used to the water.”
“No, swim as long as you like. I’m going to the steam room and get warm.”
“That sounds better to me.”
“Where?”
“As the door says — it’s the steam room.”
Pulling open the door a cloud of hot mist hit my body. Michael and Rob who were behind me backed away and then cautiously stepped onto the slatted wooden, floor. The room was dimly lit with the hot, opaque steam restricting visibility to a few feet. I could hear voices but could not see bodies. We climbed to the upper ledge. As my eyes adjusted I could see two men sitting on the lower level about ten feet from us.
“It’s hot on my butt,” Michael complained.
“Sit on a towel.”
The environment in the room was comforting. Michael exclaimed, “God, it’s hot as hell in here.”
“John, did you find what you were looking for?” Rob whispered. “Did you find more
pictures and negatives?”
“I didn’t open the envelopes but I’d put money on it. Andrew literally hid the evidence under their noses.”
“I’m out of here. My face is burning,” Michael whimpered.
“Sit on a towel, I told you. Shut up,” Rob commanded
“I hate you. I’m gone. I’ll be outside when you have cooked your wiener.”
Rob continued, “If we have the stuff what are we going to do. I am ready for all this crap to be over.”
The steam room door opened and a voice called, “Mr. Haffner.”
I hesitated and didn’t say anything knowing I had not given my name to anyone.
Then I responded “Yes.”
“The sheriff wants to speak with you,” the voice continued. Rob followed me out. I found a towel and wrapped it around me as I stepped toward the attendant. The two older gentlemen walked out behind us.
The blond, blue eyed attendant said, “Mr. Haffner, this is Sheriff Evans.” Evans was a guy in his mid-thirties with a heavy mustache. He was dressed in a heavy wool sweater and too-tight, gray wool trousers that touched the top of his motorcycle boots. The attendant continued, “Mr. Haffner do you want me to get you a robe?
“No, I’m fine but I bet the sheriff is warm” He nodded his head affirming my statement.
Feeling confident, I suggested, “Why don’t you join us in the steam room? We can talk there privately.” I didn’t wait for his response and turned toward the door. The interview if there was going to be one was going to be on my terms. I didn’t want him pulling the macho-cop routine on me. Minutes later wrapped in a towel the sheriff opened the door. But he wasn’t alone. The attendant with only a towel over his shoulder followed him in. The attendant spoke first, “Mr. Haffner, I my name is Troy. Andrew Henley was a friend of mine. And you should know that the sheriff is my cousin.” I sat on my towel thinking Andrew doesn’t have anything to do with Jim’s accident.
Troy spoke cautiously, “The brass will have my ass if they see me in here with a guest. We’re supposed to do as we’re told and pretend we see nothing. Never speak unless spoken to.” The sheriff still hadn’t spoken.
I asked Troy to turn off the steam because the heat was going to drive us out before our conversation got started. He proceeded to turn on a cold water sprayer and the temperature dropped rapidly. The door opened and Michael and Rob appeared. I introduced them by their first names. The sheriff said, “As Troy said my name is Randy Evans. Thank you, Troy, for the promotion but I am only the deputy sheriff. I have never conducted a murder investigation in the nude. But I’ll try to keep it going.”
Startled, I said, “Oh, No, You mean Jim is dead!”
He corrected himself, “Sorry, attempted murder. When I left the hospital he was in a stable condition and improving.”
“Why are you interested in me? I said sharply.
“I’m not but you were with him at the hospital. You filled out the forms so I had your name.” He continued, “Do you know if Mr. Park is a member at this club?”
I laughed, “Come on sheriff he is a Korean. Any chance of that happening?”
He said sheepishly, “I didn’t know. I rarely ever come out here. This place gives me the creeps. Troy tells me a little now and then.”
Troy joined, “Randy, let me fill in some details. Park was found crawling or walking from the Brisbane place, right?
“Who’s Brisbane?”
Troy answered, “George Hartford Brisbane is a millionaire or billionaire from San Francisco. He has a big place down the road from reception on the right hand side.”
Troy got up to turn the steam back on. I stared at his well built torso and bubble butt tanned except for a white strip across his ass. When he turned around I silently gulped at the size of his cock. The steam came on. “Troy, is Brisbane a distinguished older guy with gray hair; slight build but tall?”
Troy laughed, “You’ve described half the men in this club, but ‘yes’. I would call him dapper except for the excess of gold chains and medallions he wears.”
“You said Park was not found at Brisbane’s house?”
“Correct, some guy who works at the lodge dining room found him on the road. That guy called the ambulance on his cell not the reception desk. If the lodge staff had found him they would probably have driven him to the hospital and told them he had been hit by a car. This place does not like anyone, Randy, asking questions. Believe me.”
Randy picked up the conversation, “If Park isn’t a member why was he here?”
“Jim drove up here with our boss, Lee Kwan. Lee invited us as well.” He is a member. The boys are on Christmas break from college. I flew the boys out from Philadelphia to spend a few days in San Francisco.
“How well do you know Park?”
“Jim and I both work for Lee Kwan. I work in Hong Kong and Jim works in the states or in Korea. When we arrived last night the EMT team was trying to resuscitate Jim. Our seeing him was totally a coincidence. ”
“Did they have business with Mr. Brisbane?”
“Truthfully, I don’t know but if George Brisbane is who I think he is…Jim and I had lunch with him three days ago on Union Street.”
“Where’s your boss?” Where’s his place?”
“You passed it coming over here. I don’t know where Lee is. We have not seen him all morning. When I got back from the hospital at 7:30 this morning he was gone from the cabin. There were no car tire tracks just three sets of footprints that we followed to the Brisbane house.”
“Sounds like this Brisbane’s house is where I need to go. Troy come with me and shows me where it is.” He turned to me, “Are you leaving?”
“If we’re not here we will be at the cabin or at the hospital. Randy’s body was shining with sweat as he opened the door. He turned toward us and laughed, “I’ll have to try this type of interrogation again. You can get down to the basics real quick.” We laughed.
Rob said, “Can you believe the size of Troy’s cock. Do you think he is gay?”
Before I could comment Troy reentered, “I gave Randy directions and he can find his own way.” As he sat down Rob and Michael went out to cool off.” I have more to tell you if you have another minute.”
“Sure, but I need a steam reprieve, too.” We stepped out. I saw the boys swimming laps. I covered myself with towels to keep warm.
I was in a tired daze when Troy put his cool hand on my shoulder. “Mr. Haffner! Come over to the massage table with me,” he said standing with his legs apart in a sensual, muscular pose.
“For a massage, I hope,” I said half joking.
“Sure, but first I need to tell you something,” he continued seriously.
“Can the boys come?” I asked.
“He stumbled with a response, “Do they know Andrew Henley?”
“They knew Andrew.”
“Knew!”
“Yes, Andrew died, or was killed two and half years ago.”
“God, I didn’t know,” Troy said with genuine sadness in his voice and tears filling his eyes.
“Why do you ask? Did you know him?”
He looked around and I could see he is holding something in his right hand. He motioned for me to follow him. Michael saw us walk behind the steam room where several massage tables were separated by curtains. Once we were inside Troy pulled the curtain partially closed. He handed me a picture and asked, “Is this the George Brisbane you had lunch with?” The picture was bent and had a corner torn off. I picked it up and looked closely at it. It was Andrew with his dick firmly planted in the old man’s ass.
“That could be the man but it is a little hard to tell. The man I met was older. How old is this picture? How well did you know Andrew?”
“Pretty well. He came up here with that man for a while.”
“When you signed his name on the locker log I figured something was wrong. I haven’t seen Andrew in five years. We had some great times at the bars and mud baths in Calistoga when he wasn’t on call, so to speak.” He paused, “Actually Andrew and I were more than just friends. When he came up to the BC he would come over here to use the gym since I was one of the few people around his age. He and I became friendly. Excuse me for saying but he loved to fuck and I loved to fuck him. Over time he asked me to do him a favor which is what led to the picture.”
“What do you mean?”
“Andrew gave me this picture to protect me if the guys at the front office even tried to fire me. They have threatened a couple of times but I have never had to use the picture.”
“Who took the picture?”
Before he answered the boys pulled the curtain back, “What’s up?
I handed Rob the torn picture. “Ugh, more!”
“Can I speak in front of the boys?” Troy asked quietly.
“Yes, they know the whole story. Sounds like you can add more.”
“I bet Andrew’s death and Park’s attempted murder have to do with finding pictures like this. If you don’t mind me talking, get on the table and I will give you a massage. He gently pushed my face down on the massage table.
Michael and Rob stood watching my body getting prepared. Michael said, “I’d like to learn to do that.”
“Get your friend on the table and watch what I do.” Rob winced but agreed to be Michael’s first client.
Rob said, “Let’s be clear. I am the receiver and have no intention of returning the favor.
Michael snapped, “No one touches my beautiful body unless I tell them they can. And that certainly doesn’t include you.”
“For the record guys, offering to give a massage is a great pick up line at a bar… for a boy or a girl,” Troy continued, “But, I could lose my license if anyone caught me giving a rub down in the nude. Well, let’s get going.”
Michael ordered Rob to lie face down. His nose like mine was pushed against a sheet that covers a hole in the padded table top. Troy first stood at the head of the table and covered his hands with warm oil that was sitting on the heater near my head. The room was cool and there were no longer sounds coming from the pool area. All four of us were inside this white walled tent whose sides were gently being moved by the warm air from the furnace. Troy put both hands on my shoulder blades and made great sweeping motions down my spine then back up my sides. Troy did each stroke slowly and stepped around to Michael’s table to show him how much pressure to use on Rob. I lay motionless. He finished my back he moved down each arm and thoroughly rubbing each hand. His half-filled horse cock bumped my leg as his hands moved back and forth. He skillfully worked each finger and joint. He stepped over to Michael to show him how to hold Rob’s hand.
As he worked on my back he started again, “One time after Andrew and I had a bit too much to drink he told me he had a proposition for me. I was curious because he said he could pay well.”
I was enjoying the feeling of his massage but knew I had to keep listening. “Yes, what did he want you to do?”
“He wanted me to take pictures like this one while he was in bed with this Brisbane guy.”
I lifted my head which he gently pushed back down. “How did you do that?”
“Well, Andrew knew that I had been on the construction crew that built Brisbane’s house. I told Andrew that there were servant hallways that were well hidden. The guests probably never knew they were there. Andrew and I would agree on a time for me to be set up with Andrew’s expensive camera in one of the secret hallways off a specific bedroom. The timing was never precise. Sometimes I would wait an hour and sometimes five minutes. But Andrew would get going with the guy and I would open the door slightly and take pictures and video. As things were winding down I would gently close the door and leave.”
“No one ever caught you?”
“I probably took pictures five or six times and after each time in two or three weeks he would send me $500 and one time he sent me the picture I showed you. It was shortly after receiving that picture that Andrew didn’t come back. I did not know until today what happened to him.”
Troy asked me turn over. As Rob turned over Michael asked, “Maybe sometime you’ll return the favor?”
“Rob cooed, “This is great. You’re good at this massage stuff.” Troy handed Michael the warm oil.
“Put the oil one your hands. We’ll do the next part at the same time. Stand at the end of the table by Rob’s feet.” The same firm, gentle massage was repeated on each foot. Calves were kneed. With his hands covered in oil Troy slid up to my groin. With hands inside of my legs Troy circled my left thigh and then moved around to work on the right thigh.
Troy’s cock brushed against my arm as it lay on the table beside me. The more he rubbed the stiffer I got. I didn’t move. He stepped away momentarily and I could hear him say to Michael, “Think circles; circular motion.” He returned to me and put his warm hands in my crotch and one on my hip. He squeezes which tickled me. I was completely stiff. He moved his left hand to my stiffened cock.
A moan from the next table told me that Michael was doing the same to Rob. My climax was what I needed to relax. I lay on the table wasted. Troy gently wiped the cum off of my stomach. I heard Rob say, “Off to the shower…That was a trip to outer space. Will you do that again?”
“Maybe, if you’re nice to me,” Mike replied.
Troy and I were alone. I rolled on my side, “That was a trip.” He smiled. With my head propped on my right hand I said, “Do you know what Andrew did with the pictures?”
“He never told me but I guessed. I got pleasure knowing these arrogant assholes that treat the staff like dirt were getting some of their own medicine. Besides I got paid well; but I always wondered what happened to Andrew.”
“Do you know how we can see a list of the members?”
“I have never seen a list but Carl has.”
“We know Carl. He was in the hot tub with us this morning. Can he get the list without causing suspicion?”
“How did that happened? Was he trying to get himself fired? Troy said as we stood outside the showers waiting for the boys.
Michael must have overheard because when he stepped out he said, “Carl came right out and asked to join us in the hot tub out in the snow. He made me nervous with all his piercings. The one on his dick is really weird.”
“I will call Carl and see if he has access to the list. Up at reception everybody is suspicious of everyone. They’re totally paranoid group. Do you think Mr. Park got into something like we were talking about and got hurt?”
“Could be,” I offered.
We returned to Lee’s cabin and he still was not there. We had the contents of the locker room box in the car so we decided to go to the hospital and check on Jim. If he was too ill to leave I would take the boys to San Francisco and return for Jim. We were ready to leave and there was a soft knock on the front door. Standing there were Troy and Carl who said, “Mr. Haffner, I have what you want.”
I invited them inside. Carl said, “Troy told me what happened to Mr. Henley. That is so sad because I really liked him. I have a copy of the current members' list for you. I will get fired if anyone ever finds out I gave it to you. But Troy told me…”
“Thank you, Carl; we will keep the list hidden.”
We packed and drove Jim’s Saab convertible along the unplowed roadway with Andrew’s envelopes in our possession. We vowed that one of us would have the pictures in sight until they are in the safety deposit in San Francisco. Rob made a genuine appeal, “Why don’t we destroy these ugly things and get the whole thing over with?”
I flatly responded, “A good question. Someone killed Andrew, someone tried to kill Jim and Lee has disappeared. I don’t think we should throw up our hands and walk away.”
“But you can get yourself killed in the process.”
“I guess I could,” I admitted. “But I am committed to solving this bizarre puzzle. I never thought about it but I can’t believe Andrew recruited people like Troy to take the pictures. I am dense.” As we drove up to the hospital emergency room entrance I had an eerie feeling that we would not find Jim. I blurted out, “I bet they took him!”
“What?” Rob and Michael said simultaneously.
“I bet we go inside and find out that Jim is gone. You wait.”
As we opened the door I entered hours before I saw the tall, muscular nurse who helped me last night. I smiled at her and said, “How is Jim Park?”
“Stable. Vital signs weak but OK. He had a temperature that keeps spiking every so often. Seems to be under control now. That’s what I am concerned about.”
“Did you rule out a concussion? That’s what you thought last night.”
“No, we didn’t do a CAT scan. Are you taking him home?”
“Yes,” I said as I noticed a guy standing at the pay phone watching us. He held the phone to his ear but didn’t seem to be speaking to anyone. When he noticed me he hung up and stepped back to the couch where I sat last night. I suspected he was sent by Brisbane to see what we would do. I didn’t acknowledge him and went to call the sheriff’s department. I asked to be patched through to Randy but I got his voice mail. I left a message, “Sheriff, this is John Haffner. Will you call on my cell 840-332-7910?” I hung up. I stood silently with the boys for three or four minutes. Randy called and I said loud enough for the guy on the couch to hear, “Sorry to ask you to call. I know they are having us followed.” I listened.
“We are ready to take Jim with us to San Francisco. Have you talked to him?”
Another longer pause. “OK, we’ll wait.”
When Randy walked in the guy on the couch walked out of the door. I lowered my voice, “What did you find out when you went to Brisbane’s?”
After a long pause Randy said, “Why are you whispering? Anyway, I am sure I was duped.
“What happened?”
“I knocked on the front door and Brisbane himself opened the door. He invited me in for coffee. He introduced me to United States Senator Paul Ward, a guy named Gus Bartoli, executive vice president of some big company and Jim someone who is an executive with the Bank of California. They were doing a snow job. They told me that they saw Park at dinner. They acknowledged that he was staying with them. Brisbane said, ‘After dinner we watched a NFL game and he disappeared. We assumed he went to bed but I noticed his bed hadn’t been slept in this morning.’ They all had iron clad alibis as to their whereabouts all evening. I told them that Jim had been brutally attacked and they acted shocked. They spoke in a concerned way about Park and wondered about his condition.”
“Did you ask if they had seen Lee?” I spoke in a frustrated tone.
“No, I just left. What do we do now?”
Randy’s walkie-talkie squawked and after listing to a code number, He said, “Got to go. You taking Park with you, right? I have your cell phone if I find out anything else. See you.”
He sprinted toward the two double glass doors that automatically opened. We turned around to see Jim being wheeled toward us. I checked with the nurse to make sure the insurance papers were in order. She checked and told us we were free to leave.
After carefully helping him into the car I drove toward San Francisco and stopped wondering about Lee’s disappearance. Jim slowly walked into his building supported by Rob on one side and me on the other. After a quick stop in the bathroom we undressed Jim and put him in bed. He was asleep in a few minutes. Rob, Michael and I walked onto the deck to watch the vibrant yellows and oranges of the sunset. The cables of the Golden Gate Bridge were clear enough to count. When we went back inside I noticed that the message light was flashing but I ignored it.
Rob and Michael were lamenting not being able stay to help me solve the increasingly unclear puzzle. Rob said, “I can stay, John, if you call father and tell him you need me. He likes you.”
I laughed, “You go back to school and I’ll call you when I need you. Besides you are going to Florida not school.”
“Thanks,” came out dripping with sarcasm.
Michael chimed in, “I can stay and you don’t have to call anyone.”
“What about those charters you have booked for the Sulu that you told me about. Who is going to take them?”
“She’s been sold so there’re no more charters,” Michael said sadly.
“Call Marci and tell her you are on your way to Florida tomorrow morning. Seriously I will call you if and when I find out something. In fact, I like the fact that the two of you know what is going on. I have told no one else and don’t intend to.”
Rob got serious, “You realize that Brisbane guy suspects that you have the pictures. Don’t get yourself hurt.”
I acknowledged his comment with a nod. To change the subject I turned on the answering machine. The first message was from my father, “John, this is Dad. I have an estimated amount of the estate. Call when you get this message.” The second message was from Lee. I tensed up as I listened to it. “Sorry I had to leave so abruptly. I’m at SFO heading for Sydney. Head back to Hong Kong. I’m working on a big deal and I need you there by Friday. Bring the pictures.” That was it.
As I dialed father I knew for certain Lee knew that I had the pictures. He didn’t know about the negatives. Father answered and I said, “Hi, Dad, its John.”
He started without any pleasantries. “I talked to the Northern Trust today… with Mr. Goode who you met. He says the gold is worth about $850,000.”
“Whoa,” I breathed.
“But that is not the real news. Those mining company stocks Andrew owned have skyrocketed. They are worth $2.2 to $2.3 million.” I couldn’t speak. Rob and Michael were standing beside me both looking puzzled but waiting.
“What do I need to do?” I continued. “I’ve got to go back to Hong Kong soon. Did you get the impression that this could wait?”
“The gold is safe and nothing needs to happen. But you need to call him. Here’s his number: 312-444-7094. How’s everything else?”
I lied. “OK, I’ve got to get the boys to the airport and get myself on the way back to Asia. Tell Mom hello and tell her I love her. Talk to you soon. Thanks very much for doing all this. I will send you a note after I talk to Goode. Thanks again. Bye.”
I put the receiver down and turned to the boys, “Guys, Andrew’s estate is worth more than three million dollars without the life insurance money. Being a big time black mailer pays off.”
“Right,” Rob said. “It gets you dead.”
“Sorry, you’re right. You want my advice — don’t prostitute yourself for any reason.”
Michael surprised me. “Sounds like good money and not too hard work. I may try it for a while. It beats the shit out of calculus.” We laughed with him but I hoped it hadn’t given him any ideas.
The next day was rainy and cool. I dropped the boys off at San Francisco International. As we parted I promised, “I will call or e-mail you if things get interesting.” I hugged both guys and sent them off. As I drove back to the city on rain slick Highway 101 I thought about the money Andrew accumulated. By making me executor Andrew expected me to create a good reality from blackmail money. I shook my head.
Once back to the condo I found Jim awake and watching TV. I called Mr. Goode at the Northern Trust. He said that I should keep the gold but suggested that I liquidate the mining stock. “The stock is at an all time high price and my advisors don’t think it can sustain the price on the current earnings. I’m only suggesting you consider it because I am not a broker.” Acknowledging his caution I authorized the sale of the mining shares. I told him to divide the money between two Northern Funds — one large cap and the other their index fund. He faxed me the authorization papers which I signed and put in an envelope ready to be mailed. In less than an hour I have sold and bought two million dollars in investments for the foundation. I told Mr. Goode that Mr. Kincaid had been working on getting IRS approval for the foundation. I thanked him and said I would email all the ways he could reach me. I hung up realizing it was past lunch and I was starving.
Jim was sitting up in bed staring out the window into the bright sunshine. He was pale and looked away when I entered the bedroom.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’ll be OK. I am so fucking mad at myself for letting Lee drag me into something that I knew was going to end badly.”
“What do you mean?”
“As Lee and I drove up to the Bohemia he asked me if I was going to see Brisbane. Stupidly I told him you and I had met with him. I didn’t tell him why. Well, when we got to the club the first person I see in reception was Brisbane. I introduced Lee who Brisbane did not seem to recognize. He invited us over for cocktails. I drove with Brisbane to his house. Lee told us that he would come later after he cleaned up at his place. I realized later Lee never told me why we were going to the Bohemia in the first place. I wonder if he was setting me up.
“When Brisbane and I walked into his house there was silence. He introduced me to Charnoff who acted like he didn’t recognize me and three other men. The conversation immediately turned to Andrew. They were blaming me for the blackmail. They started yelling at me and cursing me. I thought that Lee would appear soon and they could turn on him. He didn’t show up. Out of nowhere two beefy guys in leather police-like uniforms grabbed me and pulled me upstairs where they stripped me. They punched me, spit on me, screamed into my ears, and finally one of the guys stabbed me with a pair of scissors. They left me in this room strapped to the bed. Sometime later the thugs threw me into the street thankfully with my clothes on or I would have frozen. You know the rest of the story.”
“So you think they thought you were the guy behind the blackmail.”
“I don’t know what they thought. All I know they were crazy angry. It seemed like none of them had ever spoken to any of the others about being blackmailed and it all came to a head at Brisbane’s.”
“So you think Lee set you up?”
“That thought crossed my mind but he could not have timed the meeting with Brisbane in the lobby. That must have been an accident. I don’t know. I am so fucking stupid. I almost got myself killed and Lee got away. Where is he anyway? Have you talked to him?”
“I never saw him after I came to the hospital. He was gone when I got back to the cabin in the morning. When we got back to your condo yesterday there was a message from him telling me he was on his way to Sydney. I’m supposed to fly back to Hong Kong to help him with some big deal.”
Jim quietly said, “Do you feel like walking down to Union Street to get something to eat?”
“I’m hungry. Are you sure you are strong enough.” He nodded. A half an hour later we were in the restaurant where we had dined with Charnoff and Brisbane. “Maybe we shouldn’t eat here. Bad memories.”
“No this is fine.” After a salad and bowl of soup, we walked slowly back to the condo. Jim clung tightly to my left elbow. I pushed open the condo door and slipped on the woolly rug trying to get to the ringing telephone. I caught it breathlessly before the answering machine picked up. I motioned to Jim with my index finger to my lips. I decided to listen. The recorded message began and ended with “if you wish to leave a message do so now.” I listen holding my breath and the phone clicked dead.
I returned to Jim who is leaning against the door jam. “John, where are the pictures and the negatives. They may come here looking for them.”
Walked over to my suitcase and showed him the pile of envelopes. “These are the ones from England and these are the ones from the Bohemia locker which I haven’t even opened.”
“Let’s get them out of here.”
“What do I do with them?” We considered several options. I didn’t want to fly to San Barbara to put them in the safety deposit box so that option was out. We decided I should go to Kinko’s and FEDEX them to my apartment in Hong Kong. I wrapped the envelopes in a box and left for a nearby Kinko’s. Jim got back into bed and by the time I left the condo he was sound asleep.
As I finished the paper work and customs forms I remembered Lee’s phone message instructing me to bring the pictures. I asked the Kinko’s sales person the expected delivery date in Hong Kong. She said it would be delivered on Friday. I knew that would mean I had to arrive back before the package got there. I slowly walked back wishing this confusing mess was behind me. Working for Lee had become dangerous. I decided I would go back to Hong Kong and resign. Back in the condo I wanted to get into the hot tub. I slipped out of my underwear and walked onto the deck. I heard Jim’s voice, “I’m coming, too.”
I got in first and helped him slowly step over the side. We sank into the warm, bubbling water. Jim seemed alert and pushed up close to me. “John, how are we were going to get away from Lee? He is going to get both of us killed.”
“I was thinking the same thing walking back from Kinko’s. I decided to quit but he promised me a huge raise and a big bonus.”
“He said something about a big deal he was planning when we drove to the Bohemia. He promised me stock but he never said what it was.”
“All I know is what he said on the answering machine.”
Jim spoke quietly as he reached his left arm around my shoulder, “John, do you have any interest in being more than business acquaintances?”
I paused as Jim drew me closer to him. “Jim, you know me pretty well. I don’t think I would be much of a partner. I have pretty well concluded I am meant to be alone. I am afraid I would disappoint you.” I knew I was lying because I remember what my sister had said to me when she saw Rob and me together in Florida.
“Why do you say that? You brought Andrew out of his shell. You gave me the confidence to work for Lee, the asshole. You sit up with me all night in the hospital. You take care of those boys like they are your own children. What are you talking about? What you don’t do very well is take care of yourself.”
“That’s so right!”
“Let me make a suggestion. Let’s keep this place and your place in Hong Kong. We’ll have two homes. We can schedule ourselves in the same place when we want to. I like being with you even though I never told you. I had the best time when were together in Tampa. Maybe we can sail together again?”
“What about Jeremy?”
“He just rents. I can ask him to leave anytime. He is a good tenant, pays his rent on time and keeps my costs down.”
“Jim, I don’t even know where you live in Asia.”
“Well, I have a small efficiency in Seoul but I would get rid of it because I would fly from Hong Kong to be with you.”
I thought 'why am I trying to find ways to talk myself out of his offer​'. I said, “Jim, I like you and maybe we could grow closer. I’m a pretty independent guy. I am not sure I can take care of a partner. I have never let myself love anyone. I didn’t even love Andrew.”
Jim continued, “You don’t like Asian men?”
“No, that is not it at all.” He reached and pulled my face toward him lips. He gently kissed me. I let him. His lips were smooth and his tongue slipped into my mouth. After a few minutes Jim reached for my hand and suggested showering. I let Jim lead. The shower rinsed off the hot tub smell as we stood close together both flaccid. He pulled me close and kissed me again. After toweling he led me to the bedroom where he dimmed the lights. In bed we held each other desperately until I fell into a deep sleep.