Title: Settling up one Agenda, Starting Another.
Rating: M (Language & Situations)
A/N: Dick Wolf owns LOCI characters, all others are mine. Yes, this is a revamp of a chapter I posted a few days ago. In order to keep the overall story event flow right, it was necessary. Aside from that, NO LINKS BETWEEN THIS CHAPTER AND REALITY ARE INTENDED.
A month and a half later…
Seated by each other in their living room, Tynie's ripped from relaxing, by her phone going off. Answering it, she finds Kurt on the other end of the line, with news. He and his men got her family's post-storm remodels done, but the state licensing boards, sent Kurt a notice. January first of next year, licensing costs will triple, and he doesn't have the customer base to support paying it. "If it were me, I'd sell my shop and everything that's linked to it, then retire. You don't need to risk enduring those boards adding petty regulations to their fee spike, because that stress isn't good on your heart. I know we made a different deal, but we didn't see this shit coming. Here's the thing, I've advised other relatives the same way I am you, for similar reasons. I had backup on the sales end of it, but to get that this time: I'd have to call you back with the specifics on who's helping me. Sorry, man." Tynie regrets. "Don't be. I didn't expect that offer, but I have to ask you a favor. Can you call me back around six tonight?" Kurt proposes. "It depends, man. Would you vouch, the timing's because you have other jobs and don't want those clients overhearing the details of our deal?" Tynie counters. "It's not a lie, or a problem, Tynie." Kurt instills. "Ok, man. We'll talk later." Tynie adjourns. Ending the call, she lays her phone aside, and gazes across the room. "Sis, next time you speak to Kurt, tell him I'm taking lead on your offer. You were right to make it, but I don't want the stress of it to land you in St. Lucia's." Frank purports. "You got it, brother." Tynie asserts. "We need to let our family know." Anita notions. "Split the calls with me, sis?" Bobby goads.
Curtly nodding, she grabs her phone, leading her brother in law in fulfilling that promise. Forty five minutes later, the involved phones are stashed, and Bobby gives Anita a nod. "You won't have to call Kurt back, sis. Jeremiah's hellbent on taking over your sale idea, and using his retirement status on it. My honey explained why, when he referenced St. Lucia's, but Jeremiah will need you both as witnesses." Anita reports. "Tell him I'll be glad to, sis?" Tynie coaxes. "I'd rather she tell him you spoke for us both, sis. You didn't know yet, so it's alright." Frank prefers. Flipping her bangs out of her eyes, Tynie nods, while her sister text-updates Jeremiah. "Guys, I just got word. Keisha's adamant about giving Kurt and his crew a retirement party, but Liza told her to wait until his store's been sold for at least a week. She also made a deal with Burt, so we're called to his house closer to then, to discuss those party particulars." Anita educates. "Sis, on that note, I need a favor. If you would, ask Jeremiah if my comin' off retirement as a bartender for the party will violate our deal on the sale." Tynie requisitions. "I'm on it now, sis." Anita obliges. Proving herself, Anita's informed, there's a two part condition to the answer being no. Tynie must realize, Markus is her backup, and bartending is the only work she'll do for that event. Assuming Tynie's OK with that, Anita lets Jeremiah know, then lays her phone on the nearest endtable. "Sis, you must have bumped your text to speech feature "on." I heard everything, and you didn't lie on my name." Tynie reckons. "Good." Anita howls. Shutting her eyes, Tynie compels her spouse to ask "Frank, what would I owe you for finding out if we can give Kurt and his crew retirement trust funds?" "A Sake King, before we meet at Burt's." Frank names. "Get yourself my last one, brother. You know where they're kept, and we are supposed to restock tomorrow." Tynie redirects. "Honey, I'd rather we make it a round for us all, but most of them will be beers. You already said why, too." Bobby objects. "Lead the way, brother." Frank dares. Obliging that, Bobby and Frank serve their women first, and let the area fall silent.
As that occurs, Kurt's crew works through the next job, under his watch. Walking up on him, the client asks "Would it violate your bonding or insurance if I left you guys long enough to deliver divorce papers?" "Sam, as long as you don't have to leave the property for it, no." Kurt discredits. "Ok. Sorry, I wasn't sure. I wouldn't even be in this position, if my daughter didn't find evidence my husband's been cheating. She also found proof, his new lady taught him to mistreat everyone who isn't her. I'd have asked you for an earlier appointment, if mine with my attorney wasn't a squeeze in." Sam justifies. "I'd have made the same moves myself, Sam." Kurt guarantees. Exchanging a brief nod, she leaves to meet her pending former husband, whom loudly snipes "Where the fuck do I sign?!" "Jeff, unlike you, I read these. It's how I know they explain three options, and come with affidavits for each one. One's page two, which is your way to vow you'll show at the hearing. Another, is on the same part of page three, which removes my need for a hearing, and your rights to communicate with me or Teri, in any way whatsoever. All you'll get from that is, your half of what we built. The last one is page four, which also gives up your right to everything you'd get in option two. Any way you choose to go, you'll have thirty days, from today, to be off this land. If you refuse, you'll be arrested, then lose everything. You can thank state laws on divorces on grounds of domestic violence, and spousal extortion for all that, too!" Sam jeers.
Grumbling a breath, Jeff signs the last affidavit, then lays the papers aside. Hastily exiting the room, he goes to pack his stuff, as Teri secures what he left. Briskly closing the gap between them, Russel admits "Ladies, I'm Russel, and Kurt sent me. He needs to know if you want us to escort Jeff off this property. We have to wait for the new windows to settle anyway, so it wouldn't be a problem." "Russel, I'm Teri, and I'm also curious. Exactly how fast can you and a couple of your co-workers get that fucker out of here?!" Teri inquires. "I'm getting it set up now, Teri." Russel assents. "Thank you." Sam ingratiates. Abruptly nodding, Russel's met by Justin and Derek, whom help enforce his word. While it's done, Sam calls her lawyer's office, to provide the affidavit ID number and an update. After being placed on a brief hold, Sam learns her divorce will be final within the next two hours, then cuts a deal to settle her legal fees after being texted with word it went through. Sharing well wishes, Sam ends that call, and puts her phone in it's holster. Exhaling a relieved breath, she updates her daughter, whom prays "Thank you God." "Amen." Sam gasps. Smiling together, they head to meet Kurt and his crew. Greeting them, another one says "Sam, I'm Derek. I don't mean to ruin your mood, but Jeff threatened our lives a few minutes ago. Russel was the first one, so he's getting Jeff arrested as we speak, and they may need to talk to you. If they do, Russel said he'd bring one up to us, so you can do it away from Jeff." Derek informs. "You didn't ruin my mood, Derek. You made it better, because there's a condition of my divorce, that says he loses everything if he gets arrested after being served. I have the papers on me now, if you want to see them, too." Sam debunks. "I'd feel better if you saved showing those, for when you deal with the cops. No offense, but it beats them getting damaged, when you need them for proof." Derek rescinds. "None taken." Sam denies. Standing by her mother, Teri's met by an officer, who asks for a rundown of the situation.
Breathing slowly, she gives it, surprising Kurt and his crew in the process. Gazing over Teri's left shoulder, Kurt intervenes "Officer Burean, I'll have to check with the boards I get licensed from, and call her back with the answer. She didn't know, but they sent me a notice this morning, that said their rules and fees are being enhanced next year. On the fee side, it's due to triple, but everything else she told you is true. I was five feet away from Russel when he advised the divorce, and I stand by how all my men have handled today's scene." "Alright Mr. Hobarthman. After I see the divorce papers, I'll explain how they'll affect the arrest my superior's making now." Offc. Burean implores. Extracting the forms from her purse, Sam surrenders them, and says. "He signed page three. Page four explains what it means, as far as our divorce goes, but if there's more, I'm open to learning it." Simply nodding, Officer Burean examines page four, and explains "He'll go in on a no bond. New laws for your divorce grounds, and his actions, make the charges state level terrorism ones. I'll have to report in to base, you'll need case updates sent by certified mail so it's noted, though." "Go ahead, Officer Burean." Sam pardons. Flinching another nod, he acts on her consent, and learns base has it covered. "Ten four." Officer Burean cites. Closing their meeting out by getting Sam and Teri's information, he watches them head to Kurt, to resolve the bill on today's work order. Stashing all the papers in her purse, Sam witnesses Kurt lead his remaining crew out to Russel, while Teri locks the house.
Resuming their day, Kurt and his crew feel pride at how they helped Sam and Teri, who share a relieved smile.
Considering the fact Tynie's family isn't near Kurt right now, they have no clue how his day's going. Secretly hoping it's good, they let today center on housework, in home dates, and restocks. Assembling as they were first thing this morning, Jeremiah relaxes with his wife, until it nears time to call Kurt. Briefly conversing, Jeremiah learns one of today's work orders involved a realtor, who's willing to help sell his business property. "I've looked into it, and the only way I can let you guys collaborate is: if you agree to use your retired judicial status, and act as the sale administrator." "I was just about to offer that, man. You didn't know, but I didn't want to be rude about it. If you can text me Sam's number, I'll take it from there, and have you kept posted." Jeremiah proffers. "Jeremiah, Kurt must have bumped his speaker button, because I heard everything. If you're OK with me sending the text, and fielding the updates: I'll keep Kurt in the loop, so he can focus on running our shop until it sells." Derek interjects. "Sounds good, Derek." Jeremiah consents. "Alright. You'll have the text, in a few minutes." Derek precludes. Ending that call like all other business ones, Kurt lays his phone aside, moments ahead of Jeremiah. Seconds pass, before Liza's phone goes off, with a call from Frank. "Tynie asked me to find out, if there are any updates. After I get them, I'll need to set a meeting, so we can discuss giving Kurt and his men a retirement trust fund and party." Frank recaps. "I don't have much new information, brother. You'll get what I got, but we'll need to meet at my house in a few days, to handle the rest." Liza warns. "It's fine, sis." Frank sates. Enacting her promise, Liza's informed, Tynie insists on having her and her spiritual brother drive for the meetings connected to Kurt's retirement. "All she did was, beat me to advising that, by a couple minutes. We'll be using her Mazda, unless it has to be towed into the shop. If that happens, we'll need picked up." Frank defends. "Should that happen, call me, and I'll send Markus out to you. I'd do it myself, but since this traces back to a volatile divorce and death threats, it's not safe." Liza prescribes. "Alright, sis." Frank reclaims.
Finishing that call like any other family one, Frank holsters his phone. "Guys, that was code. Liza just told us, without blatantly telling us, we should treat those meeting days like we're under a shelter in place order." Anita decrees. "Share getting the word out with me, sis?" Bobby challenges. "Sure." Anita quips. Obtaining their phones, which are used to prove that plan, those two are distracted as their spouses arise to get drinks. Distributing them, Tynie mumbles a prayer over everyone else linked to the newest arrangement. "She just gave me perfect grounds to act as the armed chauffeur on those meeting days, sis. I need you to tell Frank it means I'm using DaJuan's Expedition, leaving my baby's Suburban for him, Frank will need to be armed, and they'll be picked up two hours before the actual meetings, so we have time to deal with traffic." Jack repudiates. "She's been having issues with her speaker button, brother. I heard, and you've got it." Frank signifies. "Alright." Jack restates. Keeping family trends for phone calls between each other, Anita closes her eyes. "Sis, you just helped cover bases I missed. I know, you wish we didn't have to go that far, but Liza was right about the surrounding circumstances forcing it." Frank discerns. "You read me, for the most part, brother. I want you to use the last of my ammo stash, since my gun cards expire at the end of next month." Tynie allocutes. "Consider it done, sis." Frank eludes. Grinning, Tynie reclines in her seat, and gets a short kiss. Enjoying their drinks, Anita and Bobby clean up, letting it lead into a discussion on their next meal. Collaborating on it, that pair gives their spouses a perfect opportunity to get the items and table needed ready, only to reconvene when it's done.
As some irony would have it, Tynie's household enjoys and clears from this meal, not knowing they're continuing a family wide consensus. Surprising them, Tynie's phone goes off, Bobby intercepting it. Finding Kendra on the other end of the line, he learns the deal with Sean will go through, in a matter of days. "I'm glad to hear that, Kendra. As I said, my wife left her phone by me, because she had to wash up from cleaning up our meal. I'll have to get in touch with my family, to see when we can arrange you and Karrigan's retirement parties. My uncle Jeremiah's helping our preferred contractor retire the same way, so it may be a couple weeks. You can blame our state regulators, for being petty about how people like Kurt Hobarthman retire for that, too." Bobby simplifies. "You're not the first person I've had tell me something like that, Mr. Vantman. Luckily, you'll be one of the last, because I'm taking your latest offer. All I ask is, you don't call me or have me called with those specifics at an obscene hour." Kendra recounts. "Call me Bobby, and you'll be right about us having a deal." Bobby amends. "Alright Bobby, we'll be in touch." Kendra adjourns. Ending the call on that note, he returns the phone to his wife. Cueing up the text messaging app, Tynie sends Bill one, which reads "Just found out. We need to meet at your house; as a family, by Friday, to discuss news Bobby doesn't want shared over our phones." "Markus just sent me a similar message a few minutes ago, sis. He asked me to let you know, your only part in the meeting is, bartending it. He'll get the others to cover the rest, when we meet, but Friday's out. I have to renew my drivers's licenses that day." Bill replies. "Ooh, bad move. DMV offices are packed elbows to assholes, with upright standing ones, on Mondays and Fridays. I know from experience, so your best best would be to: understand I'll swing by tomorrow with Anita's Gladiator and my Harley so you can use them for the renews with a witness, and have Flo move our meeting to the day after." Tynie balks. "Are you sure Anita will be OK with this?" Flo worries. "She's using my Mazda on a restock, sis. We stayed home to clean up, because we didn't know how this week would roll out. So really, this is just a vehicle swap, that means Bobby's got to stay back and watch our house." Tynie clarifies. "Sis, Ted has a different preference. He'll come over to handle your last line by nine, if you bring Bobby with you, and let him watch over me and Kiki." Flo informs.
Looking over his wife's right shoulder, Bobby requests "Let Ted know we have a deal, babe?" "Technically, you just did, brother. Our speech to text apps are really acting up, but I hope Anita and Frank are OK with their parts in it. After all, she did set it up without warning them." Kiki interrupts. "Sis, you just gave me perfect grounds to research a different phone model, and have our entire family switch to it. You'll learn how I want that done, in due time, too." Bobby explicates. "Kiki, Tynie's having the same issue as you guys. I stand by their decisions, but they mean I'm her backup, on Markus's for our next meeting." Frank intercedes. "So am I, brother. Bill's hosting it, so we should cut him as many breaks as we can. If it means my power of attorney's used on our insurance, so be it." Kiki alters. "I hope it doesn't come down to that, sis. You're right to make Bill's hosting us easy on him, though." Anita prays. "Yeah. I just learned, the others will plan the rest, when we meet up. Is Wednesday at ten good for you guys?" Ted inquires. "Yeah." Frank replies. "We'll see you then." Bill intrudes.
Endingthat conversation in the family's norm for texted ones, Tynie fields good night messages from everyone else she loves. Sending the regard back, she puts her phone up, and is lead through the process of winding down a day. Closed off from the remaining world, Tynie gives her suitor a passionate kiss, which kicks off the intimate part of their waking hours. Engrossed in it, Tynie and Bobby are intentionally oblivious to the fact, it's timed perfectly with every other couple they know. Sweaty, satiated and snuggled up near the end of the night, Tynie's family awaits slumber, like always. Overtaken by it before long, everyone from Clint to Keisha secretly realizes one thing:
A day grounded in settling one agenda, and starting another, ended in peace.