Teddy paused out of what appeared to be mental exhaustion and Basil could see she was tired. He could also see she seriously believed what she was saying and he had enough wisdom to know that if the infamous Teddy Alexander believed she had evidence linking the Illuminati to a global conspiracy, who was he to question her theory? He was the new player at the table and based on what she knew, he now wanted to know more.
“Are you all right?” Basil said, slowly caressing her shoulder. “Do we need to take a break?”
“No, I’m fine,” she said, shaking herself back to attention. “I want to go back to your TQ-CI formula.”
“TQ-CD.”
“Yeah, that.” She smiled. “The questions you raised were very interesting and the two that caught my attention dealt with who would have the power and influence to keep the findings secret, and what lengths they would go to keep it underground. Well, in my book, both of those questions can be answered: the Illuminati and murder.”
“Wait a minute,” he said. “This is the last time I will ask, but do you really believe that Illuminati stuff?”
“Yes, I do, Basil. Yes, I do. But, before you ask another question, I have another theory I need to discuss with you, the one we discussed briefly the other day.”
“And that is?” he asked, not knowing where the conversation was heading.
“Like I said the other day, I believe the weapon had an unintended consequence, one that marshaled in a super-minority.”
“Oh, no, here we go again. Are we talking about that gay thing again?”
“Yes,” she said. “Let’s face it, Basil. Before the advent of AIDS, the gay community lingered in the shadows and we didn’t have the freedom to come out. But when AIDS hit the scene, the gay community saw its way out of the closet and once out, the world realized my community was much larger than they had anticipated. At the same time, the world had to face other truths about my community. For example, we had discretionary income and an established voting bloc — a voting bloc that could unravel any party’s political hopes — and we already held key political and financial positions worldwide. Our influence created the complicity in the cover-up. I also believe that membership in the Velvet Mafia includes key gay people in government, business and industry.”
“Come on, Teddy,” he said. “Do you hear yourself talking? Do you really believe what you are saying?”
Basil was obviously beside himself. To this point, everything Teddy had shared with him had made sense and he could easily ascertain the probability that the government had engaged in a conspiracy. But the “Illuminati” and gay people masquerading as killers in order to stay relevant in the public discussion was just too much.
“That’s a hard pill to swallow, Teddy,” he continued. “If I understand you correctly, you’re basically saying that a class of people —yourself included — benefited from this conspiracy. And you further believe there is a diabolical connection of some sort through this band of merry men — no pun intended — who, you say, are responsible for making sure this conspiracy is never uncovered, revealed or exposed.”
“Yes, that’s what I believe,” she said emphatically. “Think about it, Basil. If the goal was to create a new world order by changing the world’s landscape, gay people — like other ‘social undesirables’ —would be the target. However, the Illuminati didn’t count on the fact that the gay community and their sympathizers would galvanize around the issue of AIDS and in doing so, become what we are today, a super-minority. There is no other super-minority like the gay community, Basil. No other! And, yes, I believe that in order to maintain this status — as crazy as it sounds — people would kill rather than have the truth exposed.”
Basil was stunned. ”I need to sit down and smoke a cigarette.” This was a habit he’d been trying to quit for several years, but it also brought him comfort when everything around him didn’t make sense.
I’ve been in this place before. And now I finally see why my colleagues have thought I’m crazy. His theory about HIV was as profound as Teddy’s theory. And as odd as it was, he now believed her.
For about thirty minutes, the two sat next to each other at a bus stop as if they were strangers waiting for the bus, neither one saying anything. Basil seemed to take delight in creating smoke rings as he chain-smoked, while Teddy sat cross-legged staring.
Finally, Teddy grabbed Basil’s cigarette from his hand and started smoking it. “I’m not crazy, Basil,” she said. “The Illuminati killed Isabella. They slit her throat, mutilated her body and have been taunting me ever since. They think I know more than I do, but I don’t. And to make matters worse, they have done it again.”
“They have done what again, Teddy?” Basil asked, perplexed, as he took out another cigarette, lit it and started puffing.
“They kidnapped my lover, Kennedy.”
“What!” Basil choked on the vast amount of smoke he had just inhaled. Coughing, eyes watering and bloodshot, Basil tried to talk through his body convulsing like someone who’d just taken a hit from a joint. “Are you telling me that another woman connected to you has been killed?”
“Are you all right, Basil?” she asked, fearing he was about to collapse from smoke inhalation.
“No, I’m not all right!” he said with agitation as he bent down, grabbing his knees and continuing to choke some more before bringing his breathing again to stillness. “So, again: are you telling me another woman connected to you has been killed?”
“No, she’s not dead yet,” Teddy said as she sat back down on the bench as the number 2 bus to Hyde Park pulled up. “But she’s in trouble, Basil, and if I don’t find out what they think I know, she will surely die a horrible death. And there’s more, Basil.”
“More!” Basil’s face showed total disbelief as he dropped his cigarette to the ground.
“Yes, more. She’s married to a local reporter and that local reporter is Lance St. John. The same Lance St. John who developed the antidote to the formula we have to find. And it gets worse,” she said. “In order to save Kennedy’s life, we need his help and I’m not sure he is willing to work with me, especially considering the fact that he just recently found out that his wife and I were seeing one another. He doesn’t know for sure, but he feels strongly that it was me. And if Lance refuses to work with us, Kennedy will die, Basil. And I won’t be able to live with myself if this happens again.”
“Oh, Teddy, what have you gotten us into?” he said as he put his arms around her. Despite her superwoman façade, Basil could tell Teddy still grieved the loss of Isabella. And now, with Kennedy in harm’s way, it appeared she was beginning to unravel. But she wasn’t alone. Basil too was unraveling and on sensory overload. However, he knew he had to stay strong for the two of them. As he calmly stroked her hair, Basil felt a sense of purpose. He had never quite understood how his own career had plummeted, but now, in just a short moment, he realized he was exactly where he was supposed to be and he knew that he would be on this journey with Teddy, to the end.
“Let it go, Teddy,” Basil said gently as bus after bus picked up passengers and kept on going. “You have to let it all go so we can move on.”
Embarrassed, Teddy lifted her head from Basil’s shoulder. She knew exactly what he meant so there was no need to ask. Basil was referring to Isabella and the grief she still harbored. But there was something different about the man now holding her. If she hadn’t known before where he stood, she did now. She could see from the strength in his face that Basil was just as committed to finding out the truth as she was, even if it was for a different reason.
“Does Lance know about the antidote?” he asked. “Does he know how critical it is?”
“He doesn’t know anything right now. The last time we spoke, I didn’t get a chance to lay things out fully.” She laughed hollowly.
“What’s funny about that?” Basil asked now looking at her inquisitively.
“The last time I saw Lance, he knocked the shit out of me and left me uncons
cious in a park. I woke up just in time to keep from being robbed and having a rat take a piece of my face. Since then, I’ve been leaving him messages. The last time I called him, he picked up the phone and just listened.”
Basil was exhausted. The same angst he saw on Teddy’s face had now embodied him too and all he wanted to do was go home. After all, four hours of conspiracy thinking was enough and it was time to let everything discussed marinate.
“Listen, Teddy, it’s getting late, so why don’t we touch base with each other in a few days? We covered a lot of ground today and truthfully, I need some time to process everything. How does that sound?”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea,” she said. “I need some rest, too.”
“Are you going to be all right?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine. Listen, Basil, I know I told you more than you probably expected, but I had to get everything out in the open. If you choose to join me, you need to know that our lives will be in danger and I can’t predict the outcome. So, if you want to pull out now, I’ll understand.”
“So now look who’s being melodramatic?” Basil laughed. “It’s too late to offer me an out clause, don’t you think? Sure, there’s a lot to think about and if what you believe is true, we’re all in danger. So what choice do I really have? Anyway, I’m not much for sitting on the sideline and doing nothing. Plus, if what you say is true, then my theory was correct all along and I’m willing to go the distance to prove it.”
“Okay,” Teddy said. “I’ll use our usual way of communicating, but not just for fun this time. For security reasons. In a week there will be a message in the Washington Daily News outlining our next steps. Thanks, Basil, and be careful.”
“I will, Teddy, and you do the same.”
Hugging each other good-bye, they each flagged down a cab and went their separate ways.
By the time Teddy climbed into the cab, she was drained. Sunday, she would be on a plane headed back to DC. Until then, all she wanted to do was rest and spend time with Lauren. The thought of seeing Lauren made Teddy feel good, but that feeling didn’t last long. All she could think about was Kennedy and the fact that time was not on her side. Wherever she was, Teddy could feel her pain and discomfort and like Kennedy, she was not in a good space.
Instead of the usual Lake Shore Drive, Teddy asked the driver to take a road less traveled. She didn’t really care which way he went, as long as he took his time. She had wanted to escape for a moment and stay in the moment at the same time. After talking to Basil, she could run no more. Reality had found its way out from the depth of her inner chambers and with its freedom, came an emotional accusation she could not bear. For several weeks, she had convinced herself Kennedy’s abduction was just another case she was working on and by doing so, she could suppress the fact that Kennedy’s situation was her fault. But the game had changed when she had broken down in front of Basil. Now she was a wreck left to fight an emotion that up to this point, had evaded her. Fear was real and now she was terrified that Kennedy’s fate would mimic the fate of Isabella.
Teddy realized the car had stopped; she was at her family’s South Side home.
“That will be twenty-five dollars,” the driver said. “You said drive, and that’s what I did.”
Seeing the meter, Teddy reached in her coat pocket for the small Louis Vuitton clutch, pulled out a hundred dollar bill and handed it to the driver.
“Sorry, lady, but I don’t have enough change. You’re my first ride for the evening.”
“That’s okay. Keep the change; the therapy was worth it.”
“Are you sure?” the driver said, a disbelieving look in his eyes.
“Yes, I’m sure,” Teddy said. She placed her scarf over her head and made her way out of the backseat.
Even inside her front door, Teddy could still smell the interior of the cab. It was a reminder of where she had been and what she had been feeling. Emotionally tired, all she wanted to do now was crash. As she sat on her bedroom floor, contemplating her next task, her phone rang. Expecting a call from Lauren, she picked it up eagerly. Much to her surprise, it was Basil.
“Hi,” he said. “I was just calling to make sure you arrived home safely.”
She laughed and said, “If I were looking for a boyfriend, Basil, you would be it. There is nothing like a seasoned man,” she said laughing. “Thanks for calling. I really appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome, Teddy, but, trust me; I have had two failed marriages and I’m in divorce court now, so I’m definitely not the boyfriend type.” After a good chuckle, Basil seized the opportunity. There was something on his mind.
“You know, Teddy, I was thinking —”
Teddy heard a noise on her line. “Basil, hold that thought. I’ve been expecting this other call. Can I call you later?”
“No need. It’s not important. Take your call and then have a good night’s sleep.”
“Thanks, friend.” Teddy clicked over to the other call. “Hey, girl, how was your meeting?” Lauren said with excitement.
“It was fine,” Teddy replied. She didn’t say the rest of what she was thinking: After all, nobody was murdered today.
“I hope I wasn’t overwhelming this morning,” Lauren said. “I tend to go on and on and on, and once I feel the spirit hit me, I just have to tell it, girl!”
“Tell what?” Teddy said, trying to follow Lauren’s enthusiasm.
“How good God has been to me,” she said. “When I tell my story, I always include the piece about you. Now look! God has finally allowed me to share my testimony with you. I’m so grateful, Teddy. Thank you, Lord!”
Teddy sat silently as she listened to Lauren passionately praise God. As she listened, she was also trying to take in all the things that had transpired.
“Teddy, are you all right?” Lauren said. “Why are you so quiet? Did I say something?”
“No, Lauren, I’m fine,” she said, barely audible. “I’m just overwhelmed right now. I’m so glad you came through your journey safely and I’m even happier that you have a relationship with God. He and I, on the other hand, haven’t talked for a while. I used to talk to Him all the time. But after Isabella was murdered, we stopped.”
“Why?” Lauren said.
“Why what?”
“Why do you think God stopped talking to you? Don’t you know that the God we serve will never leave His children? In fact, it’s the other way around. His children typically leave Him.”
“I didn’t leave Him, Lauren,” Teddy said, now offended by Lauren’s suggestion. “He left me the day He allowed Isabella to be brutally murdered. She loved Him with all her heart. Every day she would pray and thank Him for being in her life.”
Lauren accepted the silence that had suddenly entered their space. Teddy was being reflective and so was she. Like Teddy, she too was thinking about Isabella and was sad that she hadn’t had a chance to meet her. Lauren could see Teddy was not only still grieving, but she was angry with God too — an emotion that Lauren knew all too well.
“Of all people, Lauren,” Teddy said, now full of uncontrollable emotion, “why didn’t He take me?”
Lauren continued to listen. She knew that if later in their conversation Teddy asked the same question again, she would try to answer it. But for now, God was telling her to be still. Teddy’s grief was deep and devastating and at that point, the only thing Lauren could do to help her through this process was turn Teddy over to God. He will know what to do.
After several minutes of silence, Lauren heard Teddy blow her nose. “I’m sorry, Lauren,” Teddy said. “After eight years, you would think
I wouldn’t be so emotional.”
“Trust me, Teddy; it’s okay. As far as I know, there are no guidelines as to when we stop grieving someone we lost. So, if you are still grieving, it’s okay by me.”
“Lauren, can you hold on for a minute? I have to go to the bathroom.”
“Sure, Teddy.”
Teddy could no longer hold back h
er tears. She needed to let everything go, but for some reason, she just wasn’t quite there yet. As she wiped the tears from her eyes, she could see remnants of her pain. Her eyes were now swollen, red and tired. Her pain was no longer concealed.
“Hey, girl, I’m back,” Teddy said. “You still there?”
“Yeah, I’m here,” Lauren replied. “Now tell me what’s really going on.”
“It’s complicated, Lauren.”
“Try me, Teddy,” Lauren replied, unwilling to give up simply because Teddy pushed back. “I may not have any answers, but sometimes you just have to get it out. And when you do, you’d be surprised how answers come to you.”
Recognizing that Lauren wasn’t going to just give in, give up and let things go, Teddy blurted out, “I’ve spent the last eight years of my life looking for Isabella’s killers and while I’ve looked, they have done nothing but taunt me. And now I’m afraid for anybody who comes in contact with me because they too could be in danger.”
“Why do you say that?” Lauren said.
“Because the people who killed Isabella are extremely dangerous and they are connected to some of the most powerful people in the world. These people control everything, from governments to business, commerce, healthcare, media … you name it. These people control the world and they wreak havoc and leave carnage wherever they go.”
“Honey, do you know what you sound like?” Lauren said. “You sound like you’ve been reading conspiracy books. Do you really believe what you are saying?”
“Yes, I do, Lauren! I know exactly what I’m saying and I also know what it may sound like to others. But, the fact of the matter is, it’s true. Even us talking puts you in danger.”
“Okay, let’s say I buy what you’re selling. What are you doing that makes them, whoever they are, feel threatened by you?”
“I can’t share that with you, Lauren; it’s too dangerous. I’ve already jeopardized the life of my lover and possibly two other people.”
Suddenly, the pain Teddy had been carrying inside finally found its way to the surface. No longer able to hold back, she began to cry uncontrollably and nothing could prevent the breach in what now seemed like a dam overflowing. Teddy’s pain could be felt throughout Lauren’s entire body. Despite the fact that the only thing connecting the two women was a telephone wire, it was as if nothing could keep them from morphing into one another. And the solid mass of painful space seemed as if it could never be contained.
Velvet Mafia Page 14