Endings and Beginnings Book 5 Chapter 2 It was late in the afternoon, Carl was happy about that fact. The man would be tired and fatigue tended to work in the favor of the police. Men who were weary made mistakes. Carl had been impressed by the building. He’d been past it hundreds of times. It was a huge glass building set in the middle of downtown. It smelled like money inside and out. The fact that Hobbs’ company occupied an entire floor was indicative of why the little shit was roaming the streets instead of being lock in some 2 by 4 cell, playing house with some tattooed tough guy. Carl stepped off the elevator and headed to the receptionist. She looked up, giving the man a doubtful look. Carl supposed his less than stylish suit and old trench coat didn’t measure up to what the usual clientele wore. “May I help you?” She asked, a note of arrogant indifference bringing a smirk to the detectives face. “I’m looking for Chris Hobbs.” He smiled then flashed his badge. “Any idea where I might find him?” He noted the sudden change in the young girl’s demeanor. She finally managed to get Carl pointed in the right direction. Looking back over his shoulder he noticed that the receptionist was hurrying away from her desk. He smirked, by the time he was finished with Hobbs it would be all over the building that the police had come to question the man. Sometimes Carl really loved his job. He announced himself to the woman who was Hobbs’ secretary. She spoke briefly into an intercom before granting him permission to enter the office. Chris Hobbs had risen from his desk and started toward the door, his country club manners in full force. “Detective Horvath?” He questioned, hoping he had the man’s name right. “Nice to meet you; what can I do for you?” He asked. Carl refused to shake his hand and chose instead to stare at the man with cool indifference. “Well you cut the bullshit to begin with. Manners will get you no where with me boy.” He walked passed the man moving deeper into his office. He was searching the man’s bookshelves and desk, increasing Hobbs’ obvious discomfort. Carl wasn’t sure if he was guilty or not, but his instincts told him, Chris Hobbs was hiding something. Chris followed him feeling his pulse increase and his temper flaring. He felt trapped in his own office, in his own life. He cleared his throat and nervously ventured once more. “Why are you here?” He asked cursing the slight tremor he heard in his voice. ‘Bingo.’ Thought Carl allowing a smile to curl his lips. “Well, Chris you’re a smart boy, why don’t you just tell me.” Carl played enjoying the way the young man tensed. Chris’ eyes darted to the left as he wondered how much this man knew. “I have no idea.” He replied hoping that he hadn’t just made a mistake. He crossed the room returning to his desk. Carl was standing on the other side. He picked up a portrait of the graduating class from St. James off of the bookshelf. “When did you get back into town?” Carl asked absently. “Not that it is any of your business, but a few months ago.” Chris replied not sure how to play this. “You know at this point you’re right, it isn’t any of my business. I suggest you keep it that way.” He raised an eyebrow watching the other man sweat. He smiled at him, giving him that knowing smile he had perfected as a long time detective. “Do I need a lawyer?” Chris asked wondering once more what it was that this man knew. “I don’t know? Broken any laws?” Carl asked nonchalantly strolling over to the shelves. Chris watched him but didn’t reply. “I’m going to have to ask you to leave.” Chris muttered his voice sounding as weak as he felt. Carl smirked at that remark, amusement obvious, as he moved back until he was standing directly in front of Chris’ desk staring down at the man. “I’m going to ask you to leave Justin Taylor alone.” He stated firmly. “I haven’t bothered him.” Chris demanded. This was fucking unfair. “I haven’t spoken with him.” Chris walked the thin line hoping he could avoid falling. “What were you doing down on Liberty Avenue?” Carl asked. He watched as Chris weighed his options. The kid was a hot head, but a smart one. He watched the boy’s bravado return. The young man opened his mouth to reply when the sound of a voice caught both men off guard. “Chris?” Both men turned toward the door. Chris’ father sized up the man in the trench coat then narrowed his eyes. He looked from the man to his son, then back to the man. He mimicked his son’s action from before as he crossed the room. “Richard Hobbs.” He extended his hand and this time Carl shook it. “Carl Horvath, Detective Carl Horvath.” He clarified. Carl watched the man’s face carefully. If Richard Hobbs was surprised to find the police questioning his son, no one would ever know it, his face remained perfectly masked. “What is this about?” Richard threw a cold glance in his son’s direction. Chris’ stomach twisted further. He was grateful the police man had missed the exchange. He felt quite certain he had winced under this father’s quick glare. “Seems your son here has been spending some time down on Liberty Avenue.” Carl glanced over enjoying the way Chris was reacting under the added heat of his Father’s presence. He realized that if a scare from the police failed to shake Chris up enough to leave Justin alone, that perhaps the senior Mr. Hobbs could find a way to persuade the boy to steer clear. “My son has no business in that part of town.” Richard replied his contempt for “that part” evident. “He was spotted there.” Carl checked his notes lifting one eyebrow as he turned back over his shoulder catching Chris’ eye. He conveyed to Chris with a look that they both knew who had spotted Chris. Carl just allowed that shoe to dangle wondering what the boy would do. “What if I did go to Liberty? It’s a free country.” Chris demanded. “Well it won’t be if you continue to harass Justin Taylor.” Carl warned him. “Justin Taylor.” Richard Hobbs stated shaking his head. “That little faggot has caused my son enough trouble.” He spat. “My son was provoked. He served his time and has moved on with his life. He has no intentions of being any where near that disgusting little degenerate.” Carl felt his own anger boil up. There was a time when he held these same beliefs, but those days had long since passed. “You’re son was spotted by Mr. Taylor outside a Diner on Liberty last night.” Carl refused to let his emotions interfere with his job. Richard threw his son an inquiry. Chris shook it off. The older man sighed with what appeared to be relief. “He was here until six, then home with his mother and I. There is no way he could have been on Liberty.” Richard excused. “So if you are finished harassing my son—“ “You like baseball Mr. Hobbs?” Carl turned back to confront Chris. Chris felt his face flushing slightly. “What the hell—“ Richard began. “Your son here bought four tickets to tonights Pirate’s game.” Carl explained, his eyes still locked with Chris’. “And that is a crime?” Richard asked wearily. “Oh no sir.” Carl replied politely, glancing back a the man waiting for just the right moment. “But buying them and then sending them to Justin Taylor’s partner, Brian Kinney, seems a bit odd don’t you think?” Richard looked past the detective realizing for the first time how anxious his son was. He felt something tighten in his chest and old fears spring back to life. Chris stood for a moment realizing that Mark had played him perfectly. The tickets had been purchased in his name, he had picked them up as well as delivered them to Kinney’s office. “Nice touch that you chose bat night.” Carl turned back to him. Chris knew he couldn’t deny buying the tickets. “I felt bad.” He admitted trying to offer plausible reason. “I feel bad about what happened, about what I did.” He finally confessed. “I didn’t want to freak Taylor out so I sent them to that guy who had been with him at the prom. I figured it was the easiest way to say I’m sorry.” Carl furrowed his brow reassessing the man’s intelligence. “You thought baseball tickets would be a good way to apologize to the man you laid open with a baseball bat?” Carl asked letting the stupidity of the gesture penetrate the two men. “How did you know that Kinney and Taylor are still together?” Carl asked. Chris realized in that moment that he needed more time to get his story together before he made more obvious mistakes. “If you want to question my son Detective, I suggest we all go down to the station and we’ll have our attorney meet us there.” Richard Hobbs intervened. Carl turned back to the man and smiled good naturedly. “No that won’t be necessary.” He replied as he closed his notes and stuffed them back into his pocket. “I got everything I need.” He glanced back at Chris. “I’ll be seeing you around.” He warned. He disappeared through the door, leaving Chris and his father alone in the office. “What the fuck have you done now?” His father demanded, stalking to the desk. He moved around the huge wooden monstrosity to stand next to his son. “Nothing. I didn’t do anything.” Chris muttered. He felt his father’s hand on his arm as the man whirled him around to face him. “You leave that fag alone. Do you hear me?” He demanded, his fingers digging painfully into his son’s upper arm. Chris squirmed but knew as always it would only make it worse. “You understand boy?” Chris nodded. “He almost destroyed your life once. You want that again? Now leave him the fuck alone.” He released his son muttering under his breath as he left. “I don’t see why you can’t just stay away from that faggot.” Chris watched him go, hating him more with each step. He waited until his father was out of the room before he rubbed his stinging arm. Chris felt an overwhelming need to see Justin. He needed to warn him, he needed to explain that the tickets weren’t his idea. He needed to let him know that Mark Reinhold was out for blood. Something about that thought pulled Chris up short. Was Reinhold out for blood? Would he really take it that far? Would he actually hurt Justin? Chris slumped down at his desk burying his head in his hands. How had he gotten to this point? It was amazing out one little lie led to another until it was impossible to recognize the truth. The sound of his secretary’s voice on the intercom startled him. He reached for the switch and noticed that his hand was shaking. “Mr. Hobbs, you have a call on line two.” She stated professionally. He knew that she had to have a million questions about what had just happened, but lucky for Jeanie, she had the sense not to ask them. “Put it through.” He wearily replied. He picked up the receiver. “Hobbs.” He greeted. “If you told that flatfoot one fucking thing, I’ll ruin you. I’ll send these precious little pictures to your father and your whole fucking life will end.” The phone went dead. Hobbs held it to his ear for a moment longer feeling paralyzed, but then why shouldn’t he feel that way. He was. ***************************************** Brian had been quiet all evening. Justin wasn’t sure what to do about it. He was just getting Stephen a drink of water before putting him to bed when the phone rang. “Hello? Hello?” Justin waited for a long moment then furrowed his brow and hung up. “Who was it?” Brian called from the bedroom. “Wrong number.” Justin replied as he headed into the bedroom to tuck his son in for the night. “Who was it?” Brian asked once more as he looked up from their bed. Justin picked up Stephen’s blanket before heading down to the day bed set up just outside their bedroom. “I don’t know. They never said anything. Wrong number.” Justin said dismissively. Brian rose out of bed and followed him, the sound of his bare feet on the boards strangely comforting to the blond. He turned and watched as Brian stared at the phone lying on the desk where Justin had left it. Brian rolled his lips into his mouth considering who could have called. Justin watched him warily. “What are you keeping from me?” Justin confronted him. Brian turned to him, carefully hiding his growing concern. He shook his head. Justin kissed his son then placed him in the bed before taking Brian’s arm and pulling him back up into their room. “Don’t lie to me.” He spat. “I’m not some child you have to protect.” Brian pulled his arm free. “I know that.” He declared realizing that he did know that in theory but was having a hard time accepting the reality of it. “Then tell me.” Justin persisted. “I have a right to know.” Brian moved away. “I know you’ve been upset all night. Just tell me. I’ll find out anyway, you know I will.” “Fine.” Brian turned on him, his voice raised. Justin gestured toward the bed in the other room and Brian took a deep breath. “Fine.” He repeated softer this time. “I got a little delivery today at work.” Justin quirked up a brow, needing more information. Brian sighed looking down at the floor then back up at his lover. “It was from Hobbs.” Justin froze. Brian moved up beside him, taking his arm as he led Justin back to the bed. Once they were seated Brian continued. “He sent us some tickets.” He admitted hating how pale and confused Justin looked. “Tickets?” Justin managed to ask. Brian merely nodded solemnly. Justin lay back, staring up at the ceiling. “Tickets to what?” He asked. Brian sighed wearily. He reclined until he was lying beside Justin admiring his profile. “Tickets for a baseball game.” Justin turned his head, his eyes meeting Brian’s. “That fucker.” He sat up. “There’s more.” Brian offered weakly. Justin turned back. “It was bat night.” “What?” Justin asked in confusion. “Your dad must not have taken you to the games either.” Brian observed. “They have promotional nights where they give items away to the first 3000 fans. Tonight’s game was bat night.” “What?” Justin asked weakly as he rose to his feet, his breath now ragged. He felt his vision narrowing and knew that a panic attack wasn’t far behind. He could hear it plainly in his head the sound of the bat— “Justin!” Brian caught him just as he was going down. They both wound up in a pile in the floor. “I want it to stop.” Justin mumbled softly into Brian’s chest. “I just want it to go away.” He admitted taking comfort in the strong arms holding him. “I know.” Brian offered. “I told Carl. He was headed over to have a little talk with Hobbs this afternoon.” Justin pulled back. “What if he comes after me? What if he comes after Stephen?” His breathing began to be more labored as he considered the danger Hobbs might pose to his son. “Relax.” Brian offered. “No one is coming after you. They’d have to come through me to get to either of you. I’ll never let him hurt you again.” “Don’t let go.” Justin tightened his grip on Brian. “Don’t let go of me.” He felt like he was floating on a stormy sea and only the feel of Brian’s hands on his body was the only thing keeping him afloat. “Daddy?” Both men turned to see Stephen making his way toward them. “Hey Sunny Boy.” Brian greeted him softly. “Come join the fun.” The little boy climbed up into his Father’s lap but rested his head on Brian’s shoulder. “Daddy’s sad.” He commented touching Justin’s face. “Yeah.” Justin stated. “But I’m okay.” He reassured the little boy. “Daddy sad. Papa say Daddy no be sad.” Stephen offered. Justin furrowed his brow for a second. He smirked then bit his bottom lip. “The kid is channeling Ethan.” Brian offered bending to kiss Stephen’s head. Justin watched his son carefully before venturing his next question. “Stephen, who is your Papa?” He asked. Stephen leaned back further into the strong body that was supporting both Taylor men and definitively announced. “Bwi.” ********************************* Emmett, Ted and Michael had made up their minds. Ted still had his doubts about going along with the two other stooges but felt that there was strength in numbers. They waited patiently for the man to appear. “That’s him.” Michael announced. It wasn’t necessary as Ted and Emmett remembered him as well. They waited for the man to reach his car before they started to move out from behind the pillar. It was then that someone else made a move. The three men stood frozen as Mark Reinhold stepped out of the shadows and approached the other man. “So what did you say?” He asked startling Chris, who dropped his car keys. “Fuck Mark you scared the shit out of me.” He spat. “I’ve had a shit day so just fuck off and leave me alone.” “Aw poor baby.” Mark mocked as Chris located his keys and forced them into the lock. Michael, Emmett and Ted tried to make out what the two men were saying. It was obvious that Chris was upset but the echo in the garage was making it hard to make out the words. “I want out.” Chris stated turning to face the man. “No.” Mark replied sweetly. “Not yet. I have a couple of more things for you to do then I’ll give you the pictures and be out of your life.” Chris sighed in defeat, feeling certain that Mark would never be completely out of his life. Men like Reinhold never quite let go once they had a person in their nasty grip. Chris entered his car. “I want you to run by a store and pick something up for me.” Mark stated. Chris glanced up at him. “More tickets?” He asked sarcastically. “Oh no, nothing like that.” Mark reassured him. “It’s something that I need.” “I’m not your little errand boy.” Chris grumbled. “You’re anything I want you to be.” Mark replied. Chris grabbed the address from the man and slammed his car door. Mark watched him squeal out of the garage. He slowly made his way back to his car. “We should follow him.” Michael urged. The other two men nodded as they hurried back to Ted’s car a few spaces away. ************************************** Brian stared up at the ceiling feeling a pressure in his chest he couldn’t explain. He glanced down at the blond who was curled into his side. How many nights over the last three years had he wished to look down and find Justin back where he belonged ? Brian reached out and touched the silky blond strands and was rewarded by Justin’s inching closer in this sleep. Brian smiled at the other man’s instinct to stalk him even in his sleep. He heard the other blond fidget in his bed just outside their bedroom. He slowly rose from the sheets and headed into the living area to check on the boy. The light from the moon was pouring in through the window illuminating the small boy’s bed and his tiny body. “If he’d never left, you’d have never been born.” He stated as he moved the side of the little boy’s bed and knelt down pulling up the soft blue blanket to cover his cooling arms. Brian sat back on his heels considering the little boy’s words. Stephen was attached to him. He knew Justin had been disappointed by his reaction to Stephen’s revelation. Brian had tensed and then made an excuse to get up and head into the other room. Honestly, it had shocked him and overwhelmed him. He knew that he loved Justin and he knew that he loved Stephen but the thought of their being a real family hadn’t really registered yet. Now it was pounding down on the man like a lead hammer. Only a few weeks before Brian had been with Tyler. He’d realized that he missed Justin. He’d wanted Justin back then but now that he had him he was beginning to doubt whether he was the right man for the job. Justin needed someone he could count on. He needed someone who could be a partner to him, love him, be faithful to him, set a good example of his son. Brian felt utterly unprepared and ill equipped for the job. He knew Justin wasn’t okay with the tricking and yet Brian wasn’t sure he could stop. He wasn’t sure he wanted to stop. The sex wasn’t about love or any of that bullshit. It was about escape, mindless escape. Something Brian needed at times more than anything else. “It’s not that I don’t love you.” Brian whispered to the little boy. “I do. It’s just that I was never going to do any of this. I was never going to do this hetero family bullshit.” Brian whispered. “I love your Daddy but I am just not the type of guy who walks down the aisle in matching Vera Wangs. I’m not a family man.” The little boy shifted and Brian waited a moment before continuing. “ I don’t want to be some old married man with a family. I don’t want to have locks on the doors and a jealous spouse giving me the third degree as to why my dick smells like Polo Blue.” He leaned back against the nearby column thinking over the situation. “I love him. I just don’t want to be married to him. I won’t be committed that way. We’re queer and that means that we fuck other people. It’s no big deal. It’s just sex. I love Justin, but I want to have sex with other men.” Brian continued to sort things out. He knew what he had to do. He rose and quietly dressed. Throwing on his jacket, he headed out. It was late but Woody’s was still open. There were a few truths in life that Brian had come to count on, one of which was that it was never too late for a blow job. With the sound of the loft door closing, Brian made his escape. ******************************* “Man, whoever he is, he lives in a shitty neighborhood.” Michael announced as the three men returned to Ted and Emmett’s house. “I mean shittier than mine and that’s saying a lot.” “Really. It was a total dump.” Emmett announced. “What was?” They all seemed surprised when Ben appeared from the back of the house. The men all exchanged a look before Emmett stepped forward. “It’s a long story, but we did a little private dick work tonight.” Emmett declared. “Private dick?” Ben asked more amused than confused. “We went to confront Hobbs.” Ted announced. “Oh shit, you’re kidding right?” Ben laid the book he had been carrying down on the table and crossed his arms over his chest. His amusement gone. Michael immediately keyed in that Ben was pissed. “No, we aren’t kidding. He was on Liberty, he was more than likely stalking Justin, he needed to know that he wasn’t welcome.” Michael piped up knowing that there was a chance that his involvement could further lower his stock in Ben’s mind. “He could have hurt you.” Ben warned angrily. “All three of us?” Ted rolled his eyes. “We’re wimps but come on.” “Speak for yourself, Teddy boy.” Emmett argued. “I’ll have you know I’m pretty good in a fight.” Ben eyed Emmett suspiciously. “Well I am.” Emmett persisted. “We didn’t talk to him though. We were about to when this other guy came up to him in the parking garage.” Michael continued the tale of their adventure. “Yeah and Chris seemed none too happy to see him.” Ted added. “Really? Why is that?” Ben asked as he leaned back against the wall. “Because he jumped when the guy approached. We couldn’t make out what they were saying but it wasn’t a friendly conversation. He handed Chris a slip of paper and Chris tore out of there like his pants were on fire.” Michael explained. “So being the good detectives that we are,” Emmett eyed his cohorts playfully. “We followed the man and that was what we were talking about when we walked in. The guy drives a jag but he lives in a total piece of shit apartment building right off of Liberty.” “So he’s gay?” Ben asked his curiosity deepening. “Who knows.” Ted replied. “I mean not everyone who lives on Liberty is gay.” “That’s true.” Ben conceded. “So once he got home?” He wanted more information now that things were getting intriguing. “We watched and a light came on up on the top floor.” Emmett had been the one to suggest that they wait to see if they could pick out the man’s apartment, so he was eager to provide that bit of information. “It doesn’t make sense.” Ben muttered aloud. “What?” Michael asked moving closer to Ben. He knew if anyone could figure any of this out, it would be his ex-lover. “Well, I mean if a guy can afford a jag he can definitely do better than some dump off of Liberty.” Ben pushed off of the wall and walked to the living room deep in thought. “He was talking to Hobbs and Hobbs seemed upset.” “Yeah, pissed.” Michael followed him trying to read the man’s mind. “Hobbs was on Liberty Avenue the other night and now he is seen with someone who lives near there. Maybe they’re lovers.” Ben offered looking up at the other men. “You think?” Emmett asked feeling disappointed. He wanted somehow all of this to be linked to something deeper and more exciting. “What else could it be?” Ben asked. “Maybe they are lovers but Hobbs is still in love with Justin.” Emmett theorized. “Hobbs was never in love with Justin.” Michael argued. “How do you know that?” Ted asked. “He tried to kill him.” Michael replied confidently. “Crime of passion.” Ted replied, silencing the room as the weight of that possibility somehow pushed all other reasonable options away. **********************