Chap 3 - Dancing in the Moonlight
March 2023
Logan came through the door loosening his tie as he walked. He threw his jacket on the couch and headed for the refrigerator. "Max, do you want anything?" he called.
"Not unless you have something for aching feet. Whoever invented high heels should be shot." Max walked into the living room, plopped down on the couch and kicked off her shoes, four inches of peach sling-back pumps. She was dressed in a pale peach, silk suit. It was conservative, but very feminine and emphasized all her assets. She slipped off her jacket, revealing the sheer shell beneath and deposited the jacket next to Logan's. Sitting back on the couch, she picked up her leg in a very unladylike manner and began to rub her foot. "There's something to be said for being a bike messenger, sensible shoes. I want my old job back," she called to Logan.
He came into the living room, smiling, and handed Max a glass of water and sat down on the couch beside her. "What, you don't like being Seattle society's hottest craze?" he teased.
"Logan, I liked being anonymous," Max growled. "I hate being in a fish bowl. I'm just a freak to them. I smiled so much my teeth itch, and my feet hurt," she grumbled.
"Well Max, I have to tell you, anonymity flew out the window when you came flying in Jam Pony's window on a hoverdrone. And the negotiations over Terminal City made you a celebrity. I'm a mere satellite in your orbit." Logan grinned. He took her foot and started rubbing it. "If you're a freak, then what am I?"
Max looked at Logan and grinned. "I seem to recall a few pictures of a man later identified as Logan Cale, flying across the crowd, guns blazing. 'Protecting his transgenic babe', I recall the papers saying after the fact."
She watched in amusement as his face reddened and his mouth opened but no words ensued. Then she turned serious. "It's not funny Logan. I'm not made for this. You were born doing this; I wasn't. I just want to do my thing you know, a little breaking and entering, maybe kicking a few asses, not standing all day in high heels and making nice to people." Max frowned and retrieved her foot from Logan's hand.
"Max, it's not that I like this either. Blame Bennett. He dragged me into this. I spent most of my adult life flying under the radar of my 'kind'. I hate the shallowness of the society crowd, but that's where the money is. Funny; so did my parents, but they played the game well and I learned. If we want to be able to do everything on the trust's agenda we need money, lots of money. Cale money can't do it all, and as head of the trust it's up to me to find other sources of income."
"On the plus side, there will be lots of opportunities to find out what the leading lights of society are up to. We had two of the biggest racketeers in Seattle at the luncheon today Cyrus Peterson and Lawrence Vance attempting to gain some respect. They laid out some serious money."
"You were the perfect diversion. With you in the room, no one even noticed I was there, and I was able to scope out Vance and Peterson without suspicion. The information I got could be very useful for Eyes Only."
"And, I have to say I was proud to announce the Olivia and James Cale Charitable Trust first project. Ground breaking on the new cancer treatment center at Metro Medical will happen in two months." Logan smiled slightly at the memory of his parents.
"Not to mention the Logan Cale Brigade for the Defense of Widows, Small Children and Lost Animals." Max beamed a huge smile Logan's way.
"That is entirely your fault, Max. I should never have allowed you to take the microphone," Logan began, then he threw Max a pleased smile of his own, "But, you'll have plenty of time to make up for it field commander, since you'll be running the Logan Cale Brigade."
Max's face fell. "I don't know anything about running a charity," she countered.
"Well, I guess you had better talk with Marianne. She can give you all the pointers you'll need." Logan refused to back down. "Besides, it'll keep you out of trouble."
"Me, trouble?" Max sighed in resignation. She knew when to retreat. As she gazed at Logan, she noticed seriousness behind his teasing smile. "Logan, did one of your parent's have cancer?" she asked quietly.
Logan finished taking off his tie and laid it on the jacket before responding. "My mom. She had leukemia. She did well for two years, and then took a turn for the worse. We tried everything even a bone marrow transplant, but it didn't work. She died three months after the transplant. My dad and I didn't have a good relationship at the time. We never spoke of Mom around each other again. He left for Europe on business two months after Mom died, and planted me with Uncle Jonas. When he came back we could never seem to talk about it. He died in an auto accident a year later. I went to Yale that summer on an early admission. I was sixteen. I've been running from my family ever since." Logan looked at his hands and kept turning his wedding ring on his finger. He looked at Max, a deep sadness in his eyes.
"My dad and I could never seem to see eye to eye. He was very protective when I was younger and I chafed under the scrutiny. So when I got old enough to rebel, I did, in spades. We never really had the chance to reconcile."
Max grasped his hand in both of hers. "Logan, I can't make what ever happened go away, but it made you who you are. The man I love."
Logan stood and looked away, embarrassed. "Yeah, well, anyway Bennett managed to rope me back into the family I've spent most of my adult life avoiding," he said quickly changing the subject.
"I've noticed that Bennett is a very smart guy and he only wants the best, kinda like his cousin."
Logan snorted, "Whatever you say," Logan pulled Max to him and kissed her quickly. "I'm going to do some research. There's word of a new drug on the street. I need to check it out."
Max watched him walk into the computer room. He had a long, lanky, slightly disjointed stride that she never tired of. She got up from the couch and headed for the bedroom to change clothes. Ten minutes later she was back, dressed in her usual attire of black low cut jeans and a blue sweater that just brushed her midriff. She sauntered over to Logan, who was, as usual, completely engrossed in his research. Reaching down, she ruffled his already unruly hair, then kissed the top of his head.
"All this society stuff's made me hungry to see my peeps. I'm gonna head down to Crash to see the gang. Wanna come with?" Max asked.
Logan looked up and grinned, "Not tonight; I've got work to do. Give Original Cindy and the crew my regards. I'll fix us some sandwiches when you get back." Logan said, already turning back to his research.
~~~
In another part of town, a man pulled a portfolio out of a briefcase. "These are the pictures you asked for sir." He opened the portfolio and laid the pictures on the desk. They were all pictures of Logan. Most were recent. There were pictures of him leaving Fogle Towers, at the foundation offices, playing pickup basketball, and walking down the street with Max. There were also older pictures, a grainy society-page picture of him and Valerie together after the wedding, one of him graduating from Yale, one of him and his parents when he was about ten.
Ames White sat behind the desk and smiled. "Good job, Leo, but I need much more before I'm ready. I want to know everything about this man, and I mean everything, strengths and weaknesses. I want to know when he gets up and when he sleeps, even when he goes to the can. You get my meaning don't you? Leo?"
"I anticipated that you might, sir. I have his entire history in the portfolio."
"Such as?"
Leo pulled out a grainy newsprint picture of a man carrying a young child in his arms. The caption read: Kidnapping ends. Logan Cale found safe after missing one week
"This benefits me how?" asked White clearly irritated.
"Well Logan Cale was home schooled for five years after the kidnapping. He was never alone. He apparently hated having a bodyguard. It caused a rift between him and his father. It also made him notoriously reclusive as an adult."
"He also gave his mother a bone marrow transplant. She died three months later from complications of leukemia. He has a lot of baggage to exploit."
"One other thing, sir. He is afraid of spiders."
"Very good Leo, I did ask for everything," replied White. "You will be well rewarded for your work."
He picked up a picture of Logan and Max together and smiled a very predatory smile. "There are consequences to every action, 452, and you are going to find out exactly how high the price of your actions will be."
March 2023
Logan came through the door loosening his tie as he walked. He threw his jacket on the couch and headed for the refrigerator. "Max, do you want anything?" he called.
"Not unless you have something for aching feet. Whoever invented high heels should be shot." Max walked into the living room, plopped down on the couch and kicked off her shoes, four inches of peach sling-back pumps. She was dressed in a pale peach, silk suit. It was conservative, but very feminine and emphasized all her assets. She slipped off her jacket, revealing the sheer shell beneath and deposited the jacket next to Logan's. Sitting back on the couch, she picked up her leg in a very unladylike manner and began to rub her foot. "There's something to be said for being a bike messenger, sensible shoes. I want my old job back," she called to Logan.
He came into the living room, smiling, and handed Max a glass of water and sat down on the couch beside her. "What, you don't like being Seattle society's hottest craze?" he teased.
"Logan, I liked being anonymous," Max growled. "I hate being in a fish bowl. I'm just a freak to them. I smiled so much my teeth itch, and my feet hurt," she grumbled.
"Well Max, I have to tell you, anonymity flew out the window when you came flying in Jam Pony's window on a hoverdrone. And the negotiations over Terminal City made you a celebrity. I'm a mere satellite in your orbit." Logan grinned. He took her foot and started rubbing it. "If you're a freak, then what am I?"
Max looked at Logan and grinned. "I seem to recall a few pictures of a man later identified as Logan Cale, flying across the crowd, guns blazing. 'Protecting his transgenic babe', I recall the papers saying after the fact."
She watched in amusement as his face reddened and his mouth opened but no words ensued. Then she turned serious. "It's not funny Logan. I'm not made for this. You were born doing this; I wasn't. I just want to do my thing you know, a little breaking and entering, maybe kicking a few asses, not standing all day in high heels and making nice to people." Max frowned and retrieved her foot from Logan's hand.
"Max, it's not that I like this either. Blame Bennett. He dragged me into this. I spent most of my adult life flying under the radar of my 'kind'. I hate the shallowness of the society crowd, but that's where the money is. Funny; so did my parents, but they played the game well and I learned. If we want to be able to do everything on the trust's agenda we need money, lots of money. Cale money can't do it all, and as head of the trust it's up to me to find other sources of income."
"On the plus side, there will be lots of opportunities to find out what the leading lights of society are up to. We had two of the biggest racketeers in Seattle at the luncheon today Cyrus Peterson and Lawrence Vance attempting to gain some respect. They laid out some serious money."
"You were the perfect diversion. With you in the room, no one even noticed I was there, and I was able to scope out Vance and Peterson without suspicion. The information I got could be very useful for Eyes Only."
"And, I have to say I was proud to announce the Olivia and James Cale Charitable Trust first project. Ground breaking on the new cancer treatment center at Metro Medical will happen in two months." Logan smiled slightly at the memory of his parents.
"Not to mention the Logan Cale Brigade for the Defense of Widows, Small Children and Lost Animals." Max beamed a huge smile Logan's way.
"That is entirely your fault, Max. I should never have allowed you to take the microphone," Logan began, then he threw Max a pleased smile of his own, "But, you'll have plenty of time to make up for it field commander, since you'll be running the Logan Cale Brigade."
Max's face fell. "I don't know anything about running a charity," she countered.
"Well, I guess you had better talk with Marianne. She can give you all the pointers you'll need." Logan refused to back down. "Besides, it'll keep you out of trouble."
"Me, trouble?" Max sighed in resignation. She knew when to retreat. As she gazed at Logan, she noticed seriousness behind his teasing smile. "Logan, did one of your parent's have cancer?" she asked quietly.
Logan finished taking off his tie and laid it on the jacket before responding. "My mom. She had leukemia. She did well for two years, and then took a turn for the worse. We tried everything even a bone marrow transplant, but it didn't work. She died three months after the transplant. My dad and I didn't have a good relationship at the time. We never spoke of Mom around each other again. He left for Europe on business two months after Mom died, and planted me with Uncle Jonas. When he came back we could never seem to talk about it. He died in an auto accident a year later. I went to Yale that summer on an early admission. I was sixteen. I've been running from my family ever since." Logan looked at his hands and kept turning his wedding ring on his finger. He looked at Max, a deep sadness in his eyes.
"My dad and I could never seem to see eye to eye. He was very protective when I was younger and I chafed under the scrutiny. So when I got old enough to rebel, I did, in spades. We never really had the chance to reconcile."
Max grasped his hand in both of hers. "Logan, I can't make what ever happened go away, but it made you who you are. The man I love."
Logan stood and looked away, embarrassed. "Yeah, well, anyway Bennett managed to rope me back into the family I've spent most of my adult life avoiding," he said quickly changing the subject.
"I've noticed that Bennett is a very smart guy and he only wants the best, kinda like his cousin."
Logan snorted, "Whatever you say," Logan pulled Max to him and kissed her quickly. "I'm going to do some research. There's word of a new drug on the street. I need to check it out."
Max watched him walk into the computer room. He had a long, lanky, slightly disjointed stride that she never tired of. She got up from the couch and headed for the bedroom to change clothes. Ten minutes later she was back, dressed in her usual attire of black low cut jeans and a blue sweater that just brushed her midriff. She sauntered over to Logan, who was, as usual, completely engrossed in his research. Reaching down, she ruffled his already unruly hair, then kissed the top of his head.
"All this society stuff's made me hungry to see my peeps. I'm gonna head down to Crash to see the gang. Wanna come with?" Max asked.
Logan looked up and grinned, "Not tonight; I've got work to do. Give Original Cindy and the crew my regards. I'll fix us some sandwiches when you get back." Logan said, already turning back to his research.
~~~
In another part of town, a man pulled a portfolio out of a briefcase. "These are the pictures you asked for sir." He opened the portfolio and laid the pictures on the desk. They were all pictures of Logan. Most were recent. There were pictures of him leaving Fogle Towers, at the foundation offices, playing pickup basketball, and walking down the street with Max. There were also older pictures, a grainy society-page picture of him and Valerie together after the wedding, one of him graduating from Yale, one of him and his parents when he was about ten.
Ames White sat behind the desk and smiled. "Good job, Leo, but I need much more before I'm ready. I want to know everything about this man, and I mean everything, strengths and weaknesses. I want to know when he gets up and when he sleeps, even when he goes to the can. You get my meaning don't you? Leo?"
"I anticipated that you might, sir. I have his entire history in the portfolio."
"Such as?"
Leo pulled out a grainy newsprint picture of a man carrying a young child in his arms. The caption read: Kidnapping ends. Logan Cale found safe after missing one week
"This benefits me how?" asked White clearly irritated.
"Well Logan Cale was home schooled for five years after the kidnapping. He was never alone. He apparently hated having a bodyguard. It caused a rift between him and his father. It also made him notoriously reclusive as an adult."
"He also gave his mother a bone marrow transplant. She died three months later from complications of leukemia. He has a lot of baggage to exploit."
"One other thing, sir. He is afraid of spiders."
"Very good Leo, I did ask for everything," replied White. "You will be well rewarded for your work."
He picked up a picture of Logan and Max together and smiled a very predatory smile. "There are consequences to every action, 452, and you are going to find out exactly how high the price of your actions will be."