Velvet Mafia

by Lydia L Watts

  “Tomorrow?” Lauren said confused. “I thought you were leaving tonight and that’s why we had to meet this morning.”

  “I was, sweetie, but it can wait until after your show. So why don’t you come back here after the show and we can have a sleepover?”

  “Sure,” Lauren said. “But why the sudden change? What’s up? You were so serious and now, all of a sudden, whatever you wanted to discuss can wait. What gives? I don’t know if I can wait until tomorrow. Maybe I should hear what you have to say now.”

  “Really, Lauren, it can wait. Trust me,” Teddy replied. “I was being selfish. This is your time. Right now, my concern is you and I need to respect what it is you are trying to accomplish. You’ve been on this musical journey for quite some time and I don’t want to take you off your game. Trust me when I say that what I have to tell you can wait.”

  “Okay, I get that,” Lauren said. “I know what it’s like to try to make my needs more important than others, so I appreciate you pulling back. But it still doesn’t change the fact that you got me wondering. So you have to promise me something, Teddy.”

  “What’s that?”

  “When the show is over and I meet you here tonight, you will tell me everything. And I mean everything, Teddy. You promise?”

  “Yes, Lauren, I promise.”

  “Well, since the conversation has been delayed to later this evening, if you don’t mind, my beautiful Winifred Theodora, I need to leave so that I can make sure some things are in order. And, oh yeah, I will leave a couple of tickets with your name on them at the door for the VIPs so you can see us rock out tonight.”

  As Lauren kissed her good-bye, Teddy was relieved she hadn’t spoiled Lauren’s moment. Just seeing Lauren strut her stuff as she headed toward her truck made her happy.

  “Hey, Lauren!” Teddy yelled as Lauren stepped into her truck. “Diamonds forever, baby!”

  “And you know it!” Lauren said as she waved.

  Chapter 19

  DESPITE A DOMESTIC labor protest that had engulfed the downtown Hilton where Blake would set up shop for the day, he managed to enter the hotel, register, and settle in without too much fanfare. He had his own agenda and with only a few hours to go before his meeting with Teddy and Reverend Wiley, Blake wasted no time jump-starting his day.

  “Hey, Charlie, how’s it going?”

  “Fine, son; just fine,” Charlie said. “I take it that you’re in Chicago.”

  “Yeah, Houston, we landed.” Blake laughed.

  “How was your trip?” Charlie asked.

  “It was kind of strange,” Blake said. “We argued and had these little spats after takeoff, and then she finally fell asleep.”

  “Oh, boy, you’re in trouble now.”

  “In trouble? Why? What did I do?” Blake asked. “What are you talking about, old man?”

  “I’m talking about the fact that it sounds as if you two argued like lovers,” Charlie replied. “I don’t want to beat a dead horse, but we have too much going on for you to wear your emotions on your sleeve. Teddy is a complex woman. And even if she does have feelings for you, she’s probably having difficulty understanding them. All I’m trying to say is, just stay focused on the task at hand. The game we’re playing is real and the lives that have been lost are gone for good. I promised your mother I would look after you like a son, Blake, and as such, my advice is based on my desire to protect you. So stay focused. When this is over, and if you still want to, then you can pursue your desires for Teddy. But not until then.”

  “All right, all right, all right,” Blake said as he rubbed a hand through his neatly groomed hair. “Whatever you say old man. Anyway, I didn’t call you to talk about Teddy, although she did ask me to go with her to see Rev. Hershel Wiley this afternoon.”

  “Oh really?” Charlie said. “What’s up with that?”

  “She believes he can be useful to us. And when I told her I knew him and what our relationship entailed, she asked me to join her.”

  “Well, that should be interesting. Wiley is very powerful and influential. I just hope she knows what she’s doing. He likes to showboat and sometimes he loses sight of the mission.”

  “Point well taken, Charlie. But from the sound of things, he’s like a father to her, so maybe he’ll act right.”

  “Maybe. Only time will tell. Anyway, is this why you called me? Or is there something else you want to discuss?”

  “Eli Edelstein,” Blake said with clarity and determination.

  “Eli!” Charlie said, surprised. “Your associate?”

  “Yeah,” Blake said. “I’m starting to feel uncomfortable when he’s around. Do you remember our conversation when we discussed the personality of a sociopath?”

  “Yeah, sure I do. Why?” Charlie asked.

  “Well I can’t quite pin it down, but I think Eli bears watching. He’s changed and every time I’m around him, I get this uncomfortable feeling. I need you to do what you do and see what you can find out about him.”

  “Sure, son. I can do that.” Blake didn’t know that Charlie had already started to uncover what it was that was different about Eli: Eli was one of them, a stone cold killer.

  “So, son,” Charlie said, “after your meeting with the Reverend Wiley, what do you and Teddy plan on doing?”

  “I don’t know, pops. She asked me out, remember. One thing for sure, the weather here is beautiful and tonight should be beautiful, too. I just hope we enjoy ourselves, especially considering that once the date is over, we fly back east.”

  “As much as I hate saying it, I hope you enjoy it, too. Just remember to go slow. And do me a favor.”

  “What’s that?” Blake asked.

  “Refrain from telling her any of your corny jokes. They’re corny, son; they really are. I just laugh because you really believe they’re funny and up until now, I haven’t had the heart to tell you the truth. But tell her one of my jokes and you might get lucky. Maybe she will let you take her dancing. You can dance, right?”

  “Get off my phone, old man. I can’t believe you want me to tell her one of your jokes. You can never remember the punch line, so how can I tell her one of your jokes?”

  “Aha, I knew it. Boy, you can’t dance,” Charlie said. “You can’t … .”

  “Charlie, are you there? I can’t hear you. Are you there? I lost you, old man. If you can hear me, I’m saying good-bye now.”

  After talking to Charlie, Blake could finally relax a little. Soon, he would meet up with an old college buddy at the Chicago Art Institute. Julian was a prolific artist and a man with talent far beyond comprehension. In college, Blake had referred to him as God’s personal designer because Julian could take any object, regardless of its texture, and turn it into a magnificent design — something so unique that once completed, he would say his designs took on the characteristics of the human experience, an experience felt by many but realized only by a few.

  Even though Blake and Julian had not seen each other for several years, they routinely stayed in touch. Blake followed his career through the Arts and Entertainment section of all the major newspapers and on occasion, he had even purchased a few of his works for display in some of his businesses. But now that Blake was in Chicago, he couldn’t wait to see his old friend.

  It was time to shower and find some breakfast. First, however, he tried to connect with Teddy:

  Hey Teddy, listen, I’m sorry for calling but I forgot to ask what time and where we’re meeting this afternoon. Call me when you get this message. You can either reach me by cell or call my room directly. I’m in PS1244. Hopefully I will hear from you soon, at least before I head out. If for some reason we miss each other, leave a message with the concierge.

  While in the shower, Blake heard his room phone ring. Since only Teddy and Julian knew which room he was in, it was simply a matter of deduction as to who the caller was. He knew it wasn’t Julian because he was teaching his morning class. So it had to be Teddy returning his call.

&nbs
p; Once he finished showering and lining his shadow, he was surprised to see he had two messages waiting.

  Hey, Blake! This is Julian, man. I let my class out early today and I was just calling to make sure you were still coming. I can’t wait to see you, man. Listen, don’t eat breakfast. I have this wonderful restaurant in mind. See you soon.

  Beep!

  Hi, Blake. I got your message but I guess you are already out for the day. I was thinking we would meet up at Wiley’s complex around two o’clock. Also, there has been another change in plans. I hope you don’t mind, but we need to stay over tonight. I couldn’t finish my business this morning so things were pushed back. I hope you don’t mind the change, but, if you do, I promise I will make it up to you. You will love what I have planned.

  As Blake headed back to his hotel, he couldn’t help but think about the great time he’d had with Julian and how he regretted that he hadn’t spent more time with him over the years.

  He was proud of his friend. His career had taken off and his work had become nationally recognized, featured in museums and in various other venues around the world. Now he was a tenured professor at the Art Institute of Chicago.

  The only thing that seemed to have evaded him was love — something they both understood very well. The difference between the two men, however, was that Julian wasn’t making any excuses as to why he hadn’t found love; he clearly knew it hadn’t been a priority. But for Blake, it was different. Up until now, finding love had not been an option. He had spent his entire life hiding his identity, and could never really connect with anyone because he could never be himself.

  The walk back to the hotel, although warm and humid was also refreshing. Being in Chicago made Blake think about Devon and how much he missed his little brother. He hadn’t realized that spending time with Julian would make him miss Devon. Julian was like a brother to him, too, but their relationship was no substitute for the real thing. In fact, if things had been different and Devon were still alive, his brother would have loved to have seen Julian, too.

  By the time Blake reached his hotel room, he had come to the realization that he was becoming increasingly tired of his secret and the enormous distance it had wedged between him and his friends. It wasn’t that he had a lot of friends, but the ones he did have, he loved and trusted. He longed for the opportunity to shed his secret. And more than anything, he longed to tell Teddy.

  Teddy and Blake arrived at People’s United about five minutes apart from one another. Of course, Reverend Wiley was running late so the two of them began sharing how their days had gone while waiting in the corridor of the building’s main entrance. Blake was not only excited but animated in his descriptions. He took delight in sharing Julian’s accomplishments with her and told her he hoped one day he could show her his work. Teddy took in everything like a sponge. She really had no choice; Blake was so excited about seeing his friend, she couldn’t get a word in even if she’d tried. And by the time Blake had taken a breath, Reverend Wiley appeared and consumed their full attention in a matter of seconds.

  “Will you look at this?” Wiley said. “Two of my favorite people — the daughter I didn’t have and the man that keeps on making me money. I didn’t know you two knew each other.”

  As Wiley reached out to shake Blake’s hand, he used his other arm to hug Teddy. In one move, this giant of a man had bonded Blake and Teddy by touch. They were intimately close for the very first time, and they both felt something as they innocently came in contact with one another.

  “So, Blake,” Wiley said. “What are you doing here, man? I wish I would have known you were coming because after I meet with Teddy, I have to fly to New York.”

  “Don’t worry, Rev. He’s with me,” Teddy said.

  “Oh, really? Well, this meeting should be interesting. Come on back to my office and when we’re done, I want to show you my studio. I have my own forum and now I’m seen in every state and at least forty countries. The best part of this blessing is that I don’t have a megachurch, the overhead, or the headache to worry about as I do what I do.”

  As they headed through the corridors of Wiley’s operation, the three just enjoyed each other’s company. It was obvious that the Reverend Wiley was fond of both Teddy and Blake and he seemed genuinely eager to hear what they had to discuss with him. Wiley could only assume Teddy was ready to confirm or refute his theory, but one thing was for sure: he knew it wasn’t simply a social visit.

  “So, welcome to my humble abode,” Wiley said as they entered his large, but rather understated office. “Is this your first time here, Blake?” Teddy asked surprised.

  “Yes, it is,” Blake said. “I’ve been waiting on my own personal invitation, but since I haven’t received it yet…” “You of all people should know you do not need an invitation,” Wiley said. “Unless, of course, you are just trying to get points with this lovely lady.”

  Busted by an old player, Blake realized he should have known better. Wiley was an alpha male and as the alpha dog in this situation, he was going to make sure everyone knew it.

  “I know, Rev,” Blake said. “I was just yanking Teddy’s chain. In fact, I was an unintended guest, but then, suddenly, this young lady invited me to join her after I informed her that we knew each other. So, I guess we are both being bamboozled. Only Teddy knows the real reason for this meeting.”

  “Now that I can believe,” Wiley said with a smile that lit up the room as he showed them to their seats and headed toward his large Brazilian wood desk. “Teddy is like her mother when it comes to the art of persuasion. So I guess it’s now up to you, Teddy. Why did you bring us together today?”

  “Come on you guys. Why the song and dance?” Teddy said. “Blake may not know why he is here, but surely, Rev, you know why I need to see you. Other than the fact that I don’t really need to have a reason to visit you.”

  Looking at each other, Wiley and Blake began to laugh as if they had planned Teddy’s response. After realizing they’d been pulling her leg, Teddy played them both as if they didn’t exist.

  “Anyway, Rev, I need to discuss the theory you presented to me in DC at Reagan National,” she said. “If you recall, I told you that once I checked things out, I would let you know what I found.”

  Wiley immediately looked over at Blake for two reasons. First, it didn’t take him long to realize that, if Teddy was going to share her thoughts about Whitherspoon in front of Jones, then Jones was intrinsically connected, too, and second, Blake seemed to make Teddy act out of character. This made things interesting.

  “I’m listening, Teddy,” Wiley said. “Go on.”

  Not knowing really what was going on, Blake sat back and watched the exchange. He had his thoughts, but he couldn’t verify them because Teddy had never mentioned that Wiley knew anything about what she was working on. So he decided just to listen.

  “Well, Rev,” Teddy said, “I think you were right on with your theory in regard to the connection between the deaths of all the elected officials and I think I know why they all had to be eliminated.”

  “Eliminated?” Wiley sat up straight. “Are you saying all the deaths were contract hits?”

  “Yes,” Teddy said, “including the death of your friend Rachel McClendon.”

  “And the reason for their deaths?” Wiley said as he leaned back again into his leather chair.

  “AIDS!” Teddy said. “They all believed the virus known to cause AIDS was in fact a biological weapon produced solely for population control.”

  Wiley looked at Blake to see if he was on board. But, before he could ask Blake his thoughts, Teddy again took control of the conversation.

  “Listen, Rev,” she said, “I know that what I’m about to share with you may at times seem unbelievable, but it’s real, and the death toll is a reminder of how real it is. What I need for you to do is just sit back and listen to what I have to tell you. It will require that you keep an open mind because in some aspects, it will be very challenging and difficult to
comprehend. Once I finish explaining everything and addressing any questions you might have, we will need to talk about your role.”

  “My role?” Wiley asked.

  “Yes,” Teddy said, “your role. No one but you can pull this off.”

  “Okay, Teddy,” he said. “Now you really have my attention. There will be no more interruptions from me except this one. Hang on for one second. I need to let my staff know I don’t want to be interrupted for anything.”

  Wiley never flinched during the next nearly two hours Teddy took framing the issue for him and making the connection among the dead politicians, Isabella’s letter, the FSA program, the Illuminati, and the creation of a biological weapon eventually known as AIDS. When he finally spoke, he said, “This is all very interesting, Teddy, but I’m not surprised about anything you’ve shared. I have always known there was a secret society with the capacity to do exactly what you have theorized. I just never knew who they were. At times, I may even have been in their company. I am sure that some members, if not all of them, have attended some of the functions hosted by the president, events at the United Nations, and various other foreign affairs gatherings. When AIDS hit the world’s stage, there was tremendous trepidation about the disease and how it should be handled. That’s why the Ratcliff administration took so long to respond to the epidemic and its impact.”

  “So none of this is surprising to you?” Blake said in disbelief.

  “No, son,” Wiley said. “Nothing! Well, I take that back. I was surprised to find out that Isabella was involved and that she was killed because of her research.”

  Wiley couldn’t help but get up from his desk and walk over to Teddy and touch her shoulder. He knew how she had suffered when Isabella was killed, and just as he had been then, he wanted to reassure her he was there for her now.