7: Cooperation
Monday always comes too soon.
A dozen or so students had gathered around the trio as Dee and the girls were regaling the crowd with tales of their adventures in high-life or low-life as the evening turned out to be and ended their story with a blow-by-blow account of the night's conclusion. Unknowst to Dee while he had been working the room, the girls had been approached by recruiters asking them if they were getting enough 'satisfaction' in their current careers. They reported some infamous celebrity sightings that had their classmates clamoring for autographs if they should encounter them again so wrapped up were they in the excitement of being involved in real-life intrigue outside the textbooks.
Even with witnesses some people still found the scene difficult to picture. One skeptical observer said "I find it hard to believe that the owner of this floating palace of decadence didn't know what was going on. Maybe you're the one getting played and he's pretending he doesn't know what's going on to protect himself if the place ever gets raided."
Dee was starting to fume. His instinct to defend Ryo's honor was tempered by his constant struggle to stay out of trouble for the sake of his calling. "Damnit. He's not like that. I doubt he knows what distinguished guests he has but he's trying so hard to show he doesn't give a shit. It's not likely he's made their acquaintance though it was hard to dodge all those chiselers coming at him."
Another gave a snort for what she perceived as an easy mark. "He sounds like an airhead and a playboy. With that combination he's going to lose the shirt off his back if he's not careful."
The lure of easy-living caused the group to converge closer around the table. "Yeah Laytner, what's he really like? He must be something special for you to stand up for him or is it his shirt that you want." Unaware that Dee already had it.
Not wanting to fester any animosity, his friends intervened. Noting that the owner was about their age they talked about his gentle expression, quiet demeanor and genuine interest in the comfort of his guests despite the debauchery. "We all spent some time in his company and there were other people seeing the two of them together in conversation that weren't too happy about it."
"Bold move, Laytner. What gave a street rat like you the idea to rub elbows with the elite? Doing a little wheeling-and-dealing of your own by trying to get on his good side."
Dee took pride in considering himself better equipped to handle the harsh reality of law enforcement than those who were learning about it from case studies and never attempted to hide from his past and who he is. But he couldn't ignore those barbs and the orphan was weighing lines of retribution.
Recognizing the signs that Dee was going to lose it and not back down from the not-so-subtle and derogatory comments, the professor, a retired police lieutenant who had kept himself in the background, signaled that class had officially started and the scattered students returned to their chairs and opened their notebooks. Despite his years of service, he had a soft soft for those who were willing to dedicate their lives in service to the public whether they were appreciated or not.
As he stood before the class an unusually serious expression was on his face. "Remember that if you're involved in a crime for God's sake don't brag about it. 'Loose lips, sinks ships.' You've admitted that illegal activities and wanted fugitives are using a private residence as a meeting place. Furthermore by not considering what you were getting into you could have really been hurt. I suspect you guys weren't just out cruising if Laytner talked you into coming up with cover stories and I also suspect being there was no coincidence."
Dee had to admit it. "The owner's family was worried about the company he was keeping and wanted me look in on him. I helped him clean up afterwards and got to know him better. I know he's an honest guy and is letting himself be used."
The professor took his observation into consideration. Someone like Dee had the innate instinct to spot a hustler a mile away. "Let me guess. You want to help him extract himself from whatever trouble he's being dragged into. Have you thought about how you're going to do it?"
The obvious question was met by a blank stare. "We were just hoping he would see the error of his ways."
With a slight sigh of exasperation the elderly man said "I thought not. I get the feeling you may be getting in over your head. I'm concerned there are bigger fish to fry. If the owner is as indifferent as you claim and his place is becoming a hotspot for criminal activity, the police may be able to use that to their advantage. We'll start off with a stake-out to see if there's any basis for prosecution and then coordinate the operation with the harbor patrol."
Dee rose from his seat in protest. "You can't! I don't know how he'll react to having his personal life dragged into the open."
The experienced officer knew how to put the screws on a witness. "You should of thought of that before you opened your mouth. He's an adult. If he doesn't want to be pulled in as an accomplice or charged with sheltering fugitives we need proof that he's not implicated. Get his cooperation and we'll try to get your friend out. I can't swear you all to secrecy since you've name-dropped enough to be sued for libel but you need a plan and you need backup."
Dee calmed down recognizing his mentor's wisdom and felt a sense of relief. "You're right but this is a friend, not a research proposal. He needs help." He then sent a glare around the room. "And I don't want anyone involved who already thinks he's guilty."
Appreciating the need for confidentiality the man gave a curt nod. "Understood. See me after class." And the topic was closed.
Along with Dee and the two females who were already involved, he had signaled a couple of other friends he knew could be depended upon if things got rough. They were meeting in the professor's office with the door closed.
Dee was prepared to tell what he knew from Elena but concealed the fact that the heir was on a course of self-destruction. "Does the name Maclean mean anything to you?" The dark-haired young man paused a moment to allow his professor's memory to travel back. "They were a husband and wife team who were art dealers in Europe. On Christmas Eve they came home to spend the holidays with their son when their car was ambushed. The victims had been shot up so many times it was hard to identify them and a large amount of cocaine was retrieved from the crime scene."
The elderly man had closed his eyes briefly during Dee's narrative. "Yeah, I remember the case. It's easy to remember the gruesome ones. What you may not be aware of though it that there have been 5 cases in the past 7 years that have followed the same M.O. the most recent one last fall."
Giving them some instruction on what it meant for crime to be organized he said "It's preferred practice to use third party carriers rather than their own family to handle any smuggling-related activity. They're just a whole lot easier to erase when things get bad. And in order for the operation to be successful, custom and security officers are bought off or blackmailed to avoid detection. This particular case made the front page because the assailants weren't exactly discreet."
Being sensitive that they were getting involved in real people and not just lines in the newspaper, he continued. "Whether they were knowing carriers or two completely innocent strangers who just picked up the wrong box at customs, they drove away with a nice stash of coke. In the end, the suspects were released. There wasn't enough evidence offered by the state to determine guilt or involvement but the victims were never declared innocent in the public eye."
He then sat up straight and peered into Dee's face looking for any sign of doubt or reluctance. "Are you sure about this Dee? If his parents were guilty they say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
Dee had too much respect for the man to call him an expletive. "It's innocent until PROVEN guilty. Or have you forgotten that!"
The professor sat back with a smug look of satisfaction. "I won't deny there's an element of danger as the young ladies have experienced. If all of you agree to participate you will need to have the ability to blend into the crowd and not appear conspicuous. If any of you feel uneasy about it, it would be better if you sat this one out."
The lure of a field assignment was too tempting to pass up. The novices may not have had to face the reality that they may be killed in the cross-fire between drug-buying scumbags. Some thought they'd be doing society a favor if they were allowed to blow each other away but a stake-out seemed harmless enough and they were prepared to put their personal feelings aside. They knew Dee had asked for their help because he trusted them. In return, they looked towards Dee for his leadership and to see any difficult task through. They knew he would look after them as they would for him.
The mood was solemn as each one was nodding to show he or she was in. The officer was pleased. "You were right to be selective, Dee. You won't be armed but you'll need to be prepared for anything. Here's your assignment. Come up with a proposal and plan of execution. And Laytner. Make sure I can read it this time."
The laughter broke up the somber mood and the small group quickly got to work. They were allowed to utilize one of the department's conference rooms to continue staging the various roles already assuming Dee would get the owner to agree to this infiltration.
The weathered veteran decided to quietly ask his old colleagues to keep an eye on a certain houseboat but suspected these hot-headed youngsters would go ahead with a scheme anyway. Any mix that involved Laytner was bound to be volatile. At least this way they had someone to guide and oversee their escapades.
Ryo didn't want to think about the events of the previous weekend.
He was prepared to spend the week doing what he did best. Going down the checklist in his head.
The demolition crew had been efficient in removing the debris and had tacked on an additional bill for overtime that Ryo had paid without hesitation.
There were huge gaps where doors had been removed from their hinges and he could feel the harbor breeze wafting through the window panes where glass no longer existed to block its passage.
The laundry service had left with huge bags full of linen to be fumigated and refluffed.
And the cleaning crew had tried its best but there's not much you can do with burns from ground-out cigarette butts in the upholstery and carpeting. He told them to rip up the carpet to replace it with hardwood flooring. He would have to go looking for area rugs and outdoor furniture to fill in the space left behind when what had been there had been thrown overboard.
He was essentially faced with a blank slate inside and outside.
He reached for his cell phone to call the various vendors when in his frustration he threw the phone against the wall facing the fact that the place was totally trashed. There was no way the place could get back in order in time for Saturday night, let those toadies find some other sucker to feed off of.
His Aunt Elena had called him earlier to tell him she was being sent on assignment for the next two weeks to a place where she could possibly hear news about her husband. She was a strong woman but couldn't avoid the stress and uncertainty of the two males in her life. She waited a moment to see if he would mention Dee and braced herself in case he blasted her for thinking he needed a babysitter. When he didn't say anything, she reminded him that there were people who cared about him and that she loved him. He knew he was being selfish so he told her he'd be fine and for her to take care of herself for once.
He decided to fix himself a few drinks. While he poured himself straight shots from one bottle, he took out what was left of his current inventory and lined them up. "Okay troops. At-ten-tion! Carpe diem because you're going to be a bunch of dead soldiers before the day is done." He popped the corks and unscrewed the bottle tops to let the contents breath.
His mind began to wander as the alcohol took its effect and he projected what the main room would look like after the repairs were done.
"I can come up with a different theme every week. This week beatnik minimalism" because there was no way in hell he'd get everything refurbished by then, "next week a '70s disco," he laughed when he pictured the portly men with Rolex watches, hairy chests and gold chains doing the 'Hustle'. He replaced that unappetizing thought by imagining Dee in the "John Travolta" stance. His long, lean body stretched to full length and all in white on a pulsating dance floor, illuminated by lights reflecting off a mirror ball.
"And then after that was trashed maybe even back to '60s shag." He said in an Austin Powers imitation. "Oh yeah baby. Shall we shag now or shall we shag later?" He laughed again before remembering the compromising position he had been in yesterday morning and the soft, seductive kiss later that evening.
"Before you know it the place will be fixed up as good as new. A housewarming deserves a celebration." He rearranged the bottles like a birthday cake putting a rolled up linen napkin in the mouth of each bottle as a wick. He was prepared to propose a toast with a couple of high-grade Molotov cocktails.
Dee was walking down the gangplank thinking of an angle he could come up with in order to get Ryo's cooperation for the stake-out that wouldn't invade the man's privacy when he noticed smoke rising from the boat. Without a moment's hesitation he kicked open the door to find Ryo motionless on the floor. The flames were travelling down the thick cotten material and with Ryo passed out, he knew he couldn't get them out in time. He was grateful for his training when he found the fire extinguisher from behind the bar that he had noted when he first cased the place. The fact that the windows were broken probably prevented danger from smoke inhalation.
He then checked on Ryo to make sure he was uninjured. He hoisted the unconscious man and took him to the same room they had occupied the day before. Finding the door locked he balanced Ryo against his shoulder while he fished for Elena's keys sparing Ryo the pain of more destroyed property (ignoring his footprint on the front door).
He gently laid Ryo on the floor but found himself suddenly unable to extract himself from two slender, yet strong arms pulling him closer. He felt hungry lips pressed against his own as the body beneath him arched up to increase contact. Recovering from the shock and gasping for breath, it took all of Dee's willpower to pull back and give Ryo a sharp slap across the face.
Stunned, Ryo could just stare into the angry, blazing eyes of who he thought was his friend. He turned away in shame and curled himself into a ball to unlease his emotions.
Dee couldn't keep the frustration from his voice. "Ryo. Talk to me."
Hearing no response except sobs. Dee got up to get a glass of water and a cold washcloth from the bathroom. He wanted to comfort Ryo desperately but until he knew the state of his mind he didn't want to risk having to reject the vulnerable man again with violence.
Dee set the items down on the side table and reached over to rub Ryo's shoulders. "Okay, if you don't want to talk then listen or I'm locking you in here and leaving." Ryo initially shyed away but craved Dee's touch and relaxed beneath his caresses until all one could hear was sniffing.
"Know this, Ryo. I'm not sorry I slapped you."
Ryo cringed at those harsh words and felt unworthy and useless.
"I admit I think I'm falling for you. The person kids want to crawl into his lap and who enjoys a Sunday stroll. The person whose aunt wants to smother with love and who loves and respects his parents. But not this sniveling brat unwilling to face reality. That person I want nothing to do with. If he wants to dig his own path to Hell, I'll give him a shovel."
"I'm sorry. I just keep screwing up."
"Sorry isn't going to cut it. Show me that you give a shit before something big goes down. Help me out here and get professional help."
"What do you mean?"
Dee tells him about the stake-out.
"I can't believe you spilled my guts in front of everyone."
"You wouldn't recognize them but there are some baaad riffraff taking advantage of your hospitality. I needed advice from someone with more brain cells than both of us put together. I didn't mention that that wasn't the same reason your aunt called Mother."
Ryo knew Dee was making an allusion to being found passed out on the floor. "I'll just shut down the place, then I'll be out of it."
"You don't understand. If you shut down the place, the police are going to know that I tipped you off. That will implicate you and my friends and I will have to testify to everything we saw and heard that night. How many people are going to believe you knew nothing was going on except a friendly game of cards?"
Dee hated to do this but the professor was right. Here was a ripe opportunity to get the inside scoop for much bigger busts. Using the same arguments as his professor not only was Ryo risking being charged with felonies but also arson and attempted suicide.
Dee was no longer pleading but stating a fact. "You have to have another party."
After calling the brunette all kinds of names, the least of which was traitor, Ryo was forced to agree. "And then I never want to see your face again."
"If it keeps you alive I can live with that. I'm doing what your aunt couldn't. It's called tough love, dude."
TBC.
A/N: I'm really enjoying the writing process and reviews definitely help. Shoutouts:
HeeroDuo4eve: I hope you still like the story.
firgodes7: Hopefully, the writing is flowing smoother. Thank you for pointing that out.
Seashell Mist: I'm glad you found the story original.
Mauzkateer: Once in a while I get a zinger.
Mikage-chan: My heroine. I looove your stories and I'm glad you think it's different.
space-cadet6: Thank you for your continued support. Sorry, no room for Bikky and JJ in this story.
monica: Your enthusiasm makes me so happy.
voiceless009: I'm trying to mix action with romance.