"Brian, you're shitting me, right?" Cynthia looked at Brian incredulously as she placed a mug of coffee on her boss' desk. "You can't possibly think that Ted – sorry, no offense, Ted – could take your place on this trip! After all, Belden asked for you PERSONALLY – do you know how huge that is?"
"No offense taken, Cynthia," Ted answered with conviction from his perch on the couch. "I actually agree with her on this one. There is NO way I can convince Jack Belden to sign with Kinnetik. I've heard enough about him to know his main hobby is eating ad agency execs alive. He fired the last three agencies he signed up with. He's NOT going to be happy with a second-string player trying to get his business. Why would you even entertain that thought? The great Brian Kinney THRIVES on besting the competition. And nothing BUT the best will work where Belden's concerned, and you know that."
Brian pinched his nose with two long fingers. He knew they were both right – he HAD to be the one to try and lure Belden's business to Kinnetik; Belden Industries was a powerhouse in spirits manufacturing, and a successful advertising relationship with the large, multinational corporation would be a major coup. But how could he take off for Chicago right now with Justin's situation not resolved? Granted, there had not been any further contact from the "Secret Admirer" in three days now; it would appear the fucker had finally given up. But something just didn't sit right. The man had been so aggressive, sending his partner expensive gifts and explicit messages for four straight days, then all of a sudden he had stopped. Why? Had the alarm system and web cameras that Brian installed been enough to discourage this guy from any further overtures toward his lover? Still, how could Brian be sure Justin wouldn't be in any danger if he were to go away for maybe as long as a week?
"Brian?" Cynthia was still standing at his desk, waiting for an explanation. Turning his attention back to the moment at hand, he sighed – he realized he would have to be the one to go, but that didn't mean he couldn't take some more precautions. He knew, however, that a certain stubborn, blond-haired artist would NOT like that one bit. Well, what Justin doesn't know won't hurt him.
"Okay, okay, you're both right. I'll have to be the one to go. Cynthia, you said Belden's agreed to see us tomorrow morning at 11:00 a.m.?" At Cynthia's affirmative nod, he instructed her, "Then call Will and tell him to have the jet readied for a departure first thing tomorrow morning, let's say 8:00 a.m. That should give me plenty of time to get to Belden's office well before my appointment." Turning to Ted, also, he barked, "And tell Andrew and Jamie to get those mockups done ASAP! They have until 2:00 today, or from now on they can use their art skills to create Job Wanted signs!" he barked. "GO!" he shouted, startling even his usually unflappable assistant; Cynthia rolled her eyes, sarcastically commenting, "Ooh, I love it when you get controlling," as she ran out to make the necessary travel arrangements. Ted, also, jumped up from the couch to follow up with the Art Department.
Picking up the phone, Brian began to put his plan into action. "Lee? Brian. Yeah, I'm good. How's the little wifey and kids? Listen, I need a security detail right away for a job – might be for as long as a week." Brian had used Lee's security service frequently in the past for social events related to various clients, and trusted the man's instincts. He gave the man the address for the loft, and filled him in with sufficient details about what he needed. He also obtained Lee's promise that the three men assigned to watch over the loft, and consequently his lover, would be discreet and not even discernible to his partner.
Somewhat satisfied that Justin would not be able to go anywhere without the security men following his every movement, Brian closed up his briefcase and prepared to go home to pack for his business trip.
"Free at last!" Justin flopped down on the loft's leather couch as Daphne grinned at him.
"Well, Mr. Jailbird, what are you going to do now with your new-found freedom once you're done savoring it?" she asked him.
"Oh, so much to do, so little time," he grinned back at her gleefully. As much as he hated to admit it, while he missed Brian terribly whenever he was away, the thought of finally being able to go out and do something without his shadow diagramming his every move, did have a certain appeal. While "Simba" was away, the cub was definitely going to play….Thank God, too, that he finally persuaded Brian to give up the one-per-hour check-ins. He managed to talk him into letting him call once in the morning, and once in the afternoon. The evenings were going to be reserved for the more important activity of phone sex until the real thing could be revived when Brian returned…....For now, though, he was on parole, he thought, smiling.
The ideas instantly tumbled out. "Well, how about a movie for starters? There's the discount one down the street that shows the independent films. Then afterward we can hit that retro ice cream parlor three doors down? Then, we could go over to the Eight Ball and shoot some pool. By then…."
"Whoa, Tex, I think I take it back! I'm exhausted and we haven't even left yet!" she laughed, giving her friend a sharp poke in the ribs, producing a melodramatic "ouch, I'm dying" from the blond. Standing up, she said, "Well, how about some breakfast for starters? Looks like the first showing doesn't start until almost 11:00," she observed, peering at the entertainment section of the paper. "I can't believe you guys still get the paper delivered," she said. "Haven't you two heard of the internet?" she teased.
"I know. But Brian practically devours the business section of each paper we get, so he can look for possible leads for Kinnetik. I have to admit, he has become pretty adept at scoping out new clients that way. He's pretty anal about it – he evens tears out the articles and puts them in a fucking notebook," he laughed.
Daphne scrunched up her nose. "You're kidding…That is so lame!" Justin threw one of the couch pillows at her, Daphne adroitly ducking as it barely missed her. Standing up, she stretched out her hand to her friend as she said, with a pronounced drawl, "Well, pardner, better saddle up now because we've got a full day ahead of us."
Justin rolled his eyes and laughed. Putting on his jacket, he replied, "Let me go find my horse and we can be off, then. I think I hear a Belgium waffle calling me…."
Lane Prescott was NOT a happy man. He had easily managed to dupe that asshole Kinney into leaving for Chicago this morning to meet with his friend, Jack, who was only too happy to oblige him. God knows he had done enough favors for his former fraternity brother when he needed assistance getting his business off the ground. And he liked the fact that Jack never asked questions. Besides, Kinney was just arrogant enough to actually appeal to the business mogul. They were both driven and conceited in a self-confident way. They should be perfect for each other, Lane thought smugly. Jack was only too happy, also, to make sure that he asked enough questions and demanded enough research from the ad exec to keep Kinney busy for at least the good part of a week. And the fact that Belden no doubt would find Kinney attractive couldn't hurt, either; that might help to keep Kinney occupied just a little longer.
But Lane was NOT happy to discover from his detective that Kinney had not only installed a state-of-the-art security system and web cameras around the loft, he had also obtained a private security detail to watch over his lover while he was away. Damn that son of a bitch! How DARE he spoil my plans? Now, even though Justin was becoming more willing to roam outside the confines of the loft, his every move was now being watched by some fucking armed babysitters. Lane would just have to do something about that little problem...….
"Everwatch Security."
"Is this Mr. Keller?"
"Yes, that's right. May I help you?"
"Yes, Mr. Keller. My name is Ted Schmidt. I'm the comptroller for Kinnetik. Brian is out of town on business, as you know. He's been tied up in meetings all day, but he just called me on a short break and asked me to make this call for him."
Lee heard the man on the line clearing his throat. "Yes, I know, Mr. Schmidt. Mr. Kinney gave me an assignment just before he left that he indicated might last for a week until he got back."
"Yes, that's correct, Mr. Keller. Actually, that's what I'm calling about. He wanted me to apologize for the inconvenience, but he told me to advise you that he is cancelling the assignment, effective immediately. It seems Mr. Taylor found out what he was doing and is extremely angry about it. He insisted Mr. Kinney cancel the security detail, or he threatened to move out of the loft they share. Mr. Kinney instructed me to assure you that he will still pay for any time and expenses your men have incurred."
Lee chuckled. "I understand. I'm never met him, but from what Brian's told me, Justin is a very independent man. That's why Brian was so insistent that everything be kept hush-hush while he was gone. How did Justin find out, then?"
The man on the phone smiled. He anticipated this question would be asked. "It seems a friend of Justin's is very observant. TOO observant. Brian told me she came to visit him this morning and noticed a strange man, as she put it, loitering outside around the building. This man, who turned out to be one of your security personnel, wasn't told about her and, therefore, evidently didn't hide his presence from her very well. She told Justin and he must have figured it out, because when he spoke to Mr. Kinney earlier today, he totally erupted in anger and told him in no uncertain terms that he was being completely paranoid, and that he would not tolerate being babysat while he was gone. I'm sure you can understand the situation."
Lee replied smoothly, "Of course. If I may please have the cancellation code, I will take care of it immediately."
"Certainly," the man replied confidently. "The cancellation code is Sunshine."
"Thank you, Mr. Schmidt. Please tell Brian to keep us in mind the next time he needs any security work done."
"I will," the man assured him. "Thank you again for your assistance in this matter."
As the man ended his conversation, Lane smiled. "Good work, Kingsley. You even had ME fooled that you really worked for that asshole. It's amazing what a little phone bug and some undercover detective work will reap in dividends, isn't it?"
"Always glad to be of assistance, Mr. Prescott," the man replied, as he accepted the thick envelope offered to him. Good old American cash – the perfect spending money, he thought to himself smugly.
As the detective left the rented penthouse, Lane breathed a sigh of relief. At last. I have Kinney out of the way and Justin right where I need him to be. It's time to launch the next part of my plan. Soon, Angel, soon.