Chapter 4 – The Client

The least she could do is answer the damn phone.

Brian stood in the state-of-the-art conference room, wondering why Jennifer Taylor didn't answer.

He looked over at his new client. John Avery defined elegance – about 5' 10", slim, dark brown hair, aristocratic features. Very nice. Brian smiled as he reached the conclusion – gay.

John looked up from the boards he was studying "My marketing director was right, it's the campaign we're after. I do, however, have a few questions." He sat down at the table.

Brian joined him "I'm sure I can supply the answers."

"I had you checked out." John watched the other man tense slightly. "I like to know who I'm dealing with. Standard operating procedure within the Avery clan, I'm afraid. I must admit the report on you made a more interesting read than most."

Brian grinned. "I'll bet. What do you want to know?"

John thought for a moment. The ad campaign was brilliant but almost everything in the detective's report had portrayed a narcissistic, ambitious, selfish man. Someone John knew he couldn't work with long-term. There had been two glaring exceptions – his friends and the Stockwell campaign.

John got straight to the point. "Why relocate to New York? You appear to have family and friends in Pittsburgh."

It was a fair question, Brian thought. If he was a client, he'd want to know how committed Kinnetics was to the New York move.

"Two reasons – I was getting bored. Kinnetic is up and running in Pittsburgh. Clients come to us now. New York is a challenge. The second, more important reason is that Justin Taylor, my," Brian hesitated, "partner, needs to live in New York for his work. I can move part of my business to New York. He can't stay in Pittsburgh and become everything he should." Strange how much easier it was to talk about Justin with strangers than with people he'd known all his life.

John nodded thoughtfully. "Second question. You lost everything when you sabotaged the Stockwell campaign. Why'd you do it?"

Brian studied John as he leaned back in his chair, his posture changing - more arrogant, almost aggressive.

"The guy was a corrupt, homophobic, power-hungry bastard who covered up a murder. It isn't likely to come up again. Why do you care?"

John smiled slightly at the belligerent answer. He was starting to like Brian. "Just wondering what motivated you. You sacrificed everything."

The phrase triggered memories. Brian eyes softened as he thought back, his voice soft as he replied "Sometimes you have to for what you believe in." His focus snapped back to John. "Anything else you need to know? What I had for breakfast last Wednesday? Or some other equally riveting detail?"

John smiled "One last question. Don't answer if you don't want to, it's just curiosity on my part. The report was pretty descriptive. Why so many guys?"

"Just curious?" Brian stood with a knowing smile. "You're right. It's none of your business, but I don't mind telling you. I like to fuck. And I'm good at it – fabulous." Brian sized John up. "How curious are you?"

John laughed, avoiding the answer. "Welcome to New York, Mr. Kinney. You've got the contract. I think we'll work well together." John held out his hand to shake Brian's.

Brian took the hand, a slightly puzzled look on his face, quickly masked. "You know," he drawled "after asking about my sex life you can call me Brian."

"Do you have plans for dinner tonight, Brian? I thought we might celebrate." John asked.

Brian smiled slightly. "Justin's show opens at 7:00. I need to be there."

"Well, the Avery's have a long history of supporting the arts, " John continued. "Why don't I join you after we eat? Just let me make one phone call first."

John pulled out his cell and hit auto-dial "Marc, slight change of plans. Care to join me at an art show?" After a slight pause he laughed "I know it's not your style. It won't hurt you to try something with a bit of class. You spend too much time surrounded by brawny men." John smiled slightly at the response. "Great, I'll text you the address."

Brian started to move toward the door as John put the phone away. All his worries came back when his phone rang. After a glance at the caller ID, he asked "Where the fuck have you been?" Brian moved to the window to look out over New York as he waited for Jennifer Taylor's reply.

"My cell died this morning, just before I went to see Justin's father at the hospital. There's no signal there. I'm at the airport now with Daphne and Deb. I couldn't talk while they could hear. Our flight's late, so I had a minute."

"What's wrong with his father?"

"Leukemia. He needs a bone marrow transplant. He wants to find Justin. He says Justin owes him." Jennifer's disgust for her ex came across loud and clear. "Molly's not a match."

"I'm surprised he wouldn't rather die than get polluted with gay bone marrow. Did you give him Justin's number?"

"Not yet – but it's just a matter of time until he gets it."

Brian thought quickly. "Will two days make a difference?"

"No, the doctor said Craig's got to recover from chemo before they can do a transplant. That's going to take a couple of weeks."

"Well – give the son of a bitch a message for me. He calls Justin before Monday and I will do everything I can to talk Justin out of helping Craig, including kidnapping. Craig waits and I won't work too hard at it. Justin's earned this show. I won't let that bastard ruin it for him."

"Do you think Justin will do it? Should we stop him?"

"I don't know. Justin will make his own decision. He always does. He always has." Brian shook his head in disgust. "I'm not sure his father has been enough of a bastard to stop Justin from helping him. He's only had Justin arrested and tried to kill me."

"Well, at least I can convince Craig to wait. He thinks you're Satan. He'd believe that you'd kidnap Justin. I've got to go. Deb's looking for me. I'll see you at the opening."

Brian stared out the window as he listened to the dial tone. "Fuck."