Moonlight, The Next Chapter: Darkness
Chapter 12
The Devil Inside
Author's note: Apologies to those of you for whom this chapter won't be new. I had mislabeled a file and originally posted this chapter out of order. I took it down as soon as I realized it. We are now at late Saturday morning of an eventful weekend. And the conspiring and intrigue continue.
In that original posting, I asked if anyone recognized the last line in this chapter and what movie it was from. One reader correctly identified it. Can you?
Intro song: Save the Hammer for the Man, Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman
The three men lingered over their coffee, enjoying the atmosphere at the Four Seasons, one of Beverly Hills' more exclusive hotels. The sun shone down on the trio with just enough warmth to be pleasant on a leisurely Saturday.
Edward Garfield leaned back in his chair and looked around approvingly at the orange trees and greenery surrounding the patio of the modern Italian restaurant. A unique, fire-water fountain was an eye-catching focal point for the outdoor area. "I've been curious about this place ever since they reopened after the remodeling. Culina has been getting a lot of positive press and sometimes you are suspicious about that kind of thing. After all, money talks out here and it's easy to buy goodwill."
"That sounds a tad cynical, Edward, especially given the wonderful brunch we just had." Christophe Durand smiled across the table as he fiddled with his cappuccino. His finicky nature demanded that it have just the right ratio of steamed milk to espresso and stirred counter-clockwise until the temperature was perfect. "Is he always like this?" he asked of the third man.
Ben Talbot nodded, his blue eyes warm as they trained on his surrogate father. "I think he was born cynical, Christophe."
Garfield protested. "Hey, be involved in politics - especially California politics - as long as I have and see if it doesn't make you cynical."
"I'll go you one better." Christophe brought the coffee cup to his lips for a taste. Frowning, the big man snagged the bone china bowl holding chocolate shavings and dumped a spoonful into the hot liquid. "Try dealing with the federal government - like I've had to - over and over again when CHOIR is trying to help during a disaster. That'd make your California politicians seem white as the driven snow." He smacked his lips in satisfaction, the coffee finally to his liking.
"Oh, come on, you two," Ben protested. "I'm young and idealistic and you are ruining things for me with all this negativity!"
All three men laughed out loud.
Much to the dismay of the waitress, the meal had been going on for several hours now, as Edward Garfield and Christophe Durand caught up. It had been quite some time since they had seen one another face-to-face and they had spent the time talking about projects and mutual acquaintances. And Donna Garfield.
It seemed clear to Ben that Durand had something of a crush on Edward's wife, a fact that appeared not to bother his mentor in the slightest. In fact, he seemed to revel in it, almost as if the idea that another man might covet his wife, made her more desirable in his eyes. Donna deserves better, Talbot caught himself thinking. He shrugged to himself. Much as he loved them both, the status of Edward and Donna Garfield's marriage was none of his affair. With difficulty, the ADA refocused on the discussion at hand, and, when a lull came in the conversation, he cleared his throat to get the attention of the two older men.
"Mr. Durand, I-"
"Christophe, Ben. I mean it." Durand's voice was sharp, but he smiled to take any sting out of his tone.
"Alright...Christophe." Talbot leaned forward. "I just wanted to thank you again for the statements you made to the press on my behalf. I know that made a big difference in how things were perceived here - especially with the DA. And let me tell you, my boss was not happy with the whole situation." Ben fiddled with the long-stemmed water glass in front of him. When he raised his eyes to Durand, it was with a hint of embarrassment. "I thought I might even lose my job over the whole thing."
"Well, if I ever needed a measure of how fucked up California politics are, you being fired would have done it. You were just doing your job and following up on a case involving the murder of innocent children!" Durand sputtered convincingly. "How the hell were you supposed to be responsible for some...some terrorist attack on border agents and cops two hours away? It's beyond me."
"Like I said," Garfield retorted, "California politics. It isn't really about catching the bad guys, Christophe. It's all about how you look."
"Well, you look maaahvelous!" Durand quipped with a broad grin, prompting another round of laughter from the three as he did a passable imitation of Billy Crystal in one of his old skits, imitating the Argentine actor, Fernando Lamas.
Edward Garfield had always held a fascination for the CHOIR leader. A product of Stanford's renowned law program, Garfield was a successful attorney, a power broker who sat at the governor's side during important policy discussions and effortlessly rubbed elbows with the rich and famous. And then, there was his wife. Donna was the type of woman that Durand had always imagined he, himself, would marry - intelligent, warm, fun-loving but classy. When all this was over and he'd rid the world of this scourge, he'd allow himself to look for that for himself. Hell, maybe even if the circumstances were right, Donna Garfield might be available. You could make those circumstances part of the plan. The thought was intriguing. Right now, however...
"Edward has certainly done enough favors for me over the years," Christophe said, thinking of a recent key appointment of one of his hand-picked operatives. "Don't get me wrong, though, Ben. I would have been happy to do it under any circumstances. It's just that, being clear out on the East Coast, I might not have heard about it unless someone like your advocate here brought it to my attention."
Durand continued, allowing himself to editorialize for effect. "Terrible business. Just awful. Especially with children involved. In my experience, children always suffer the most when there's a crime or disaster..." He groaned as if he carried a heavy burden. "I'm sorry, I get carried away sometimes. So, I take it that the firestorm has died down now that you're a few weeks out..."
When Talbot nodded, he added casually, "Any leads?"
The younger man shook his head. "Not yet. There are a lot of unanswered questions, but I think once Carl Davis returns, we'll get the investigation back on track. He's been on leave."
"Still?" Edward asked skeptically.
"Well he apparently asked for some extra time. That's not like him – he's not the type to milk the system. It all must have hit him pretty damn hard. He comes back next week, though, according to his supervisor."
"So he doesn't report to you?" Garfield frowned. "I didn't realize that."
"Not right now he doesn't. I'm going to talk to the DA about making a spot for him on my team though. The office has a few investigators and I can justify adding one that reports to me. It's a promotion and the spots are really coveted, so I think Davis would jump at the chance."
Durand leaned forward, putting both elbows on the table and tenting his fingers. "Ah, the detective lucky enough to have a friend willing to sacrifice himself for him. A very fortunate man. Speaking of that, how is our hero, Mr. St. John? Still recovering, I take it?"
"So I gather. It's actually pretty remarkable that he's alive at all, given the extent of the injuries Carl described to me."
"So, have you seen Mr. St. John for yourself?" Durand's eyes gleamed with curiosity.
Talbot frowned, forced to admit that he had not yet seen Mick in the flesh. His excuses about giving the P.I. time to recover at home sounded lame, even to him.
"Ben, you need to go visit the guy." Garfield's forehead creased with concern. "It does not look good for you to stay away. It gives the appearance that you don't care. I didn't ask Christophe to get involved to-"
"Dammit, I know, Edward!" Ben seethed, clenching his fist around his coffee cup. Then, seeing people at the next table turn in their direction, the ADA reined in his anger and continued in a quieter voice, "I'm sorry for my tone, I'm not angry at you. But I know how it looks. Since he's been home, Beth has been putting me off. Says he just isn't ready for visitors. What am I supposed to do? Do you want me to say, 'I don't care if he's still an invalid, I want to see him anyway so I look good'?"
Durand chimed in. "And, you don't have any influence over her? I'm afraid I must agree with Edward on this. The unfortunate incident was - what - three weeks ago? It does look bad that you have not yet visited him."
"Given how Carl described his injuries, it makes sense that he wouldn't be ready for visitors yet." Ben protested. "He's only been back in L.A. for about a week - up till then, he was at some private clinic that his buddy, Josef Kostan, arranged."
Garfield leaned forward at the mention of the billionaire. "Speaking of that, Josef Kostan is someone I want to know, Ben. I've tried to get to him before but it's like he's got a stone wall and a moat around him. I'm going to need for you to broker a meeting."
Talbot sighed. "I don't know him either, Edward - and, as you pointed out, I'm having enough trouble just getting to St. John."
Edward pushed. "Not yet, you don't know him. But now that you're going to have a relationship with St. John, you will. Make sure you get close to St. John and then, we can get the intro to Kostan we need."
Ben couldn't help thinking that, after all that had happened, it was unlikely that Mick would want to have anything to do with him. And as for introducing him to Josef Kostan... Not too frigging likely. He kept that council to himself, however. Edward had no idea that he had essentially blackmailed the P.I. to go to San Diego with Davis.
Durand sensed the tension across the table. It was clear that Garfield found his protégé lacking in his actions. Not that he didn't agree with that assessment, but he needed to ensure that Talbot felt beholden to him. He decided to inject himself into the conversation.
"Hearing Ben talk, I have changed my mind, Edward. I have to agree with him. If he pushes too hard, he will be seen as opportunistic and insensitive. It's a fine line between that and seeming uncaring, but I think that he is threading that needle very deftly so far. I greatly appreciated Ben providing me with the opportunity to meet Beth Turner yesterday at his office. I shared with him my sense that she is extremely stressed and emotionally fragile after what happened to her boyfriend – or whatever he is to her. If Ben were to push too hard on this, it might go very poorly. I'm sure she has a lot of contacts in the media from her previous job so that could get ugly very quickly if she were to reach out to them…"
Garfield sighed. "You're right of course, Christophe. I apologize, Ben. You are much closer to the situation than I."
Thanks, Christophe, Ben thought silently. The man had just saved him a world of grief from his mentor.
There was silence around the table as their waitress approached the table.
"Can I get you gentlemen anything else?" the young woman asked with a smile.
"Just a check, thanks." Ben looked at the two older men, who nodded in acquiescence.
After an awkward silence, Durand cleared his throat. "Well, delightful as this has been, gentlemen, I have to get on with the business at hand."
"You never said what you were here for, Christophe. If I can help in any way..." Garfield paused. When his friend was not forthcoming with information, he finished awkwardly, "Of course, it's none of my business."
No, it's not, Durand thought. It was driving Edward crazy to not be involved in his business and they both knew it. He allowed himself a tiny smile. If Garfield knew what his business really was, well...he'd shit himself.
"It's personal this time, my friend. But, thank you for your concern. And, speaking of personal, I have a favor to ask of you, Ben. Well, two, actually."
The ADA bent forward again, squinting as the afternoon sun hit his face. He reached for the Ray Bans he had tossed on the table when he sat down, but Durand put his hand on top of the younger man's. "I like to see a man's eyes when I ask him for something. Do you mind?" The Crucis leader carefully moved the expensive sunglasses to the side.
"Of course." Ben leaned back to take advantage of the shade and crossed his arms. He knew a power play when he saw one. But why is he bothering? "I owe you a lot. Just tell me what you need. Got a kid with a speeding ticket?" He smiled at his own feeble joke.
"No," Durand snorted. "But I do have a colleague who needs a job. A former colleague, actually," he amended. " Jen is an amazing woman. She was a senior director with CHOIR. Worked her way up in the organization through sheer talent, dedication, and hard work. Without the benefit of a college degree."
Ben raised his eyebrows questioningly. "And she needs a lowly admin job in an ADA's office? Why wouldn't she just stay with your organization? I-"
Christophe raised one large hand. "I'm sorry, Ben. I wasn't being very clear. Jen didn't have a degree when she came to work for me, but she went to school - while working full-time - and finished her law degree. I honestly have no idea how she did it, but the overachiever was a straight 'A' student. Passed her bar exam on the first try, too." This last was a subtle dig at Talbot. When looking into the ADA's past, Durand had discovered that Ben had had to retake his bar exam. He didn't intend to let it be known that he was aware of that fact - but that didn't keep him from having some fun at the attorney's expense.
Garfield was under no such constraints.
"There you go, Ben. Better than you!"
Talbot glared at his mentor, then decided to ignore him. Turning back to their guest, he said, "So, you are looking for a spot for her on the DA's staff?"
"Preferably with you," Durand responded. "She's been such a tireless worker, I owe her a lot. It would mean a great deal to me to know that she's in good hands." Where she can keep an eye on you...and Beth Turner. "And," he added, "I can assure you that she would be a tremendous addition to your team or I wouldn't ask this of you."
"Surely this is something you can do for Christophe," Edward chimed in.
"Absolutely." Talbot's blue eyes were locked on Durand's. "I'd be happy to take care of this for you. Feel free to give her my contact information. I just had a person leave, so you would be doing me a favor - I hate going through the interviewing process to find someone. It's time-consuming and a real headache."
"Good!" Durand moved Talbot's sunglasses back to the center of the table with a smile and settled back in his own chair. "Now-"
"Forgive me," the ADA interrupted smoothly. "I do just have one more question for you."
"Oh, for god's sake, Ben!" Edward fumed.
"No, no, Edward." Durand waved his arm in the direction of the other man, silencing his protest. "Ben is right to get all his questions answered now. I'd want to know all I could about someone I was bringing on to my team if the situation were reversed." He smiled disarmingly at Talbot. "What can I answer for you? I want you to feel comfortable with this."
The ADA picked his words with care. "I don't mean for this to be disrespectful, but if she is so terrific...why isn't she staying with CHOIR?"
"That's exactly what I'd be asking in your shoes. A very legitimate question, so please don't feel badly about it. I actually fully expect that Jen will be back with CHOIR again in a few years. She knows she has an open invitation to work for me - whether it's a paid job or volunteer work. Sadly, however, she has elderly parents in the L.A. area that are in need of her assistance. I don't have much of an operation here in California at present - which is one of the reasons I'm out here. There is a lot of work to be done in this part of the country." He glanced at the two men, and then looked down, skillfully playing their sympathies. "I greatly admire her willingness to sacrifice her career aspirations for the time being in order to come to their aid."
"I'm sorry, Christophe. I didn't know." And you made me feel like an ass for questioning your motives.
"How could you? It's a very personal - and selfless - reason for changing jobs. I can say with some pride that such self-sacrifice is a hallmark of CHOIR employees." Durand paused, transfixed by the sight of a hummingbird hovering and darting among the red hibiscus along the edge of the patio. "I ask you, is there a more beautiful sight than that of one of God's most mystical and beautiful creatures?"
Seeing the quizzical look on his companions' faces, Christophe cleared his throat, feigning embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I tend to wax philosophical at times. I blame it on my seminary training."
"I didn't know you went to the seminary, Christophe!" Edward exclaimed. "And here I thought I knew everything about you! If I wanted to be snide, I could say that explains a lot." He threw back his head and laughed, thinking of the evenings when Durand had refused alcohol - and his offers to procure women for them both. No wonder!
The taller man smiled faintly. "Yes, it does, doesn't it. I don't talk about it often. I find that it tends to cause people to look at me differently. There may be vices I opt not to participate in, but I'm by no means a saint." The look on his face indicated that this was a topic on which he would not elaborate. He turned back to Talbot. "Now, if you are comfortable with Jen, I'll send her resume and contact information to you, Ben."
"Please do. I would be happy to give her a job," the ADA responded. "You mentioned something else..."
"Yes, thank you." Christophe leaned forward, his gaze suddenly intense. "I'd like to have the opportunity to meet Mr. St. John. Anyone who would make that kind of sacrifice...well, I just find him fascinating and I'd like to be able to look him in the eye. I broached the topic with the lovely Miss Turner when I met with her in your office, but she was very non-committal. Can you help to keep that top of mind for her? If it doesn't happen on this trip, I will be back in the near future."
Ben frowned. "I'll- I'll do what I can, Christophe. As we were just discussing, I've had difficulty getting to him myself, but I'll certainly ask Beth. How long are you in town?"
"Just until mid-week. I have to be on my way back to the East Coast by Thursday morning. If we can get it set up for early in the week, that would be ideal."
"I'll do my best."
"Make it happen, Ben," Edward interjected. "You owe Christophe that."
Fuck you! The words blazed in Ben's mind. He was immediately ashamed of the thought and tamped down his anger. "I will do my best."
"Thank you, Ben." Christophe's eyes bored into Talbot's.
Why do I feel as if he knows what's going on in my head, the younger man thought uneasily. He began to wonder if perhaps being beholden to Christophe Durand was not in his best interests. A line from a favorite movie flitted, unbidden, through his head...
I trust everyone. It's the devil inside them I don't…
End song: Turmoil, DHeusta