“I’m going to ask Tower to try for a postponement again.”
“He’s not going to do that.”
“I know.”
“Then what?”
“Let me talk it over with Black. He’s got a couple of ideas he wants to think over.”
“I can’t take the pressure anymore.”
Cory hugged his wife. “I’m sorry, but it’ll be over soon.”
“It doesn’t sound like it will be.”
“Maybe, maybe not, but we got something to work with now.”
“I hope it works.”
“It will.”
Linda broke out of his arms. “I have to run to pick up Tommy, he’s at Marissa’s.”
“No, I’ll get him.”
“Are you sure? Don’t you have to work on the music for that commercial?”
“It can wait. I want to see Tommy.”
* * *
“Where’s Mommy?”
“Home. I figured it would be fun to surprise you.”
“Okay.”
“Hey, who wants to go to Toy Space?”
“Me! Me! Me!”
“All right, let’s get going.”
“Can we get a video game?”
“We’ll see. Let’s look at something we can do together. Maybe there’s a cool-looking model we can build. Or an erector set.”
“What’s that?”
“I used to have one when I was your age. It’s a bunch of metal pieces that you put together and you can make a building or a bridge.”
“A bridge? That’s cool.”
“Yeah, and we can put it in your room forever. Maybe we can get a model car. They may have a Tesla one like we used to have.”
“We had a Tesla?”
“Yeah, when you were little. If they have one, we’ll get it and build it. I wish I had kept some of the things I made with my father. It’d be super to see them now.”
* * *
“Daddy, hurry up, so we can make the car.”
“I am. Finish your vegetables.”
“Do I have to? I don’t like broccoli.”
“Me too, but I eat it because it keeps me healthy.”
“You know, Tommy, when I met Daddy, he never ate vegetables. He used to live on pizza and junk food.”
“I wasn’t that bad.”
“I like pizza. Can we have it tomorrow?”
“No. We had it last week.”
“How about we make a deal, tiger? You eat all your veggies, and we’ll get some pizza tomorrow?”
“Okay. Then can we make the car?”
“Absolutely.”
Tommy gobbled his broccoli, and Cory told him he had to wash his hands before they built the model. As his son headed to the bathroom, Cory said, “What time does Ava need to be picked up?”
“Eight fifteen.”
“I’ll get her.”
“You looking to earn a father of the year award?”
“No. Just feel like doing it.”
“What’s going on, Cory?”
“Nothing, it’s just that because of me, the kids have been through a lot.”
“We’ll get through this as a family.”
Cory exhaled “I hope so.”
Chapter Forty-One
Though the wind was whipping off the East River, crowds of tourists, half of them snapping selfies, flooded the Seaport District. Cory flipped up his collar and headed for the lightship.
He eyed the restored vessel that used to leave the harbor to act as a lighthouse for the shipping channel into New York. He thought about how technology had changed things. Today, you could pinpoint a location within a couple of feet.
Cory wondered whether there was a technological answer to the jam Tower had put him in. He spied Black. He was leaning on the railing with his face to the wind.
As Cory approached, Black turned around. Cory said, “Don’t you get cold?”
“You’ve got to train yourself.”
“I don’t know. My blood’s too thin.”
“The bottom line is you have to ignore it. Focus your mind on something else.”
“Maybe I’ll give it a try sometime.”
“It takes discipline.”
Cory searched for a response, but Black said, “The key to getting Tower is figuring out what makes him tick. Is it money? Power? Or something else? Everybody has a secret. What’s Tower’s, and is it big enough to bring him down?”
“Maybe we can uncover a case he fixed and use it against him.”
“Don’t you go poking around. You’ll tip Tower off.”
“What’ll we do if he finds out?”
“We’ll deal with it, if and when that happens.”
“But—”
“I don’t waste time on hypotheticals. I deal in reality. Now, you’re going to have to play along with Tower, make it look like you’re going with the self-defense plea. He never lets his guard down, but I want him as relaxed as possible.”
“He knows I want a postponement.”
“That’s good. Tell him it’s family stuff, you have kids; he’ll buy it.”
“What else do you want me to do?”
“If I need something, you’ll know about it. Otherwise, stay out of the way.”
“What about getting ready to run? Maybe to Mexico or—”
“As far as disappearing goes, I got an idea. It’s outside the box, but I’ve used it before.”
“Whatever you say.”
Mr. Black explained his plan.
“I like it.”
“If you’re going to do this, you can’t tell anyone.”
“I know. Don’t worry.”
“Not a soul, not your wife, mother, kids, nobody.”
“I got to say something to Linda.”
“Not if you want this to work.”
“But—”
“No buts. The only way you can keep a secret between two people is when one of them is dead.”
Cory knew Mr. Black was right. How many times had someone confided in him, saying not to tell anyone? Not only had Cory broken the vow, but he’d learned others knew the secret before he did.
“Okay, okay. I get it.”
“You leave the slightest trail, they’ll track you down in a month.”
“I’ll keep it between us.”
“There’s no second chances with this. You do it, there’s no turning back.”
“I got to do it. There’s no other way.”
“I’ll set it up.”
“How will I know?”
“You’ll hear from me, and when you do, be prepared to go immediately. No excuses, no delays.”
* * *
Mr. Black’s warning not to tell anyone, even his wife, ricocheted in his head. He trusted Linda implicitly. She was his soul mate and partner. They’d ridden the roller coaster of life together, and though he’d screwed up, she’d stuck by him.
But this was different. She’d be under enormous pressure from the authorities, Tower, and who knew who else. Was Black right? Cory forced his mind off his wife. The visualization of her pain when she would learn he had gone was too difficult to bear.
The faces of his kids swam through his head. How would they react when they learned Daddy wasn’t coming home? They’d wonder how he could leave without saying goodbye. Linda might be able to explain it to Tommy, but Ava would use the disappointment to cement her antagonism toward him.
It was a no-win position to be in. Cory had to do it, but doing so would crush those he loved. If it turned out that proving Tower had framed him was impossible, he’d never be able to return. He would disappear, without explanation.
He had to use whatever time remained to shower his family with love. But it would only go so far; Tommy was too young to have lasting memories, and Ava would be angry.
He’d have to write something they could look at a year or five from now. Something to assure them he loved them and had no other choice. He wouldn’t be able to mail it, unless he did it on the way o
ut the door. Would it be enough, or would Ava rip it to shreds?
He fished out a notepad and sat at his workstation. Cory wrote several opening sentences, crossing out each of them. The right tone was hard to strike. He crumpled the pages and got up.
Cory sat behind his electric piano. He took manuscript paper out. Plugging his headphones into the keyboard, he played with bits of melody. He wasn’t used to putting his feelings in a letter. It wasn’t much different than writing lyrics, but composing a tune came easier.
He’d need three separate songs. They’d express his love, but each of them would have to be different. Since he’d been writing children’s tunes, he started with one for Tommy. Jotting down a couple of guiding words—hopeful, persistence, dreams—
Linda knocked on the door. “I’m going to bed.”
“Okay, I’ll be in later.”
Two hours passed. Cory had finished the one for Tommy, naming it “Chasing Rainbows.” He was altering the rhythms in Ava’s song when Linda knocked again. “What are you doing? It’s two in the morning.”
“I’m almost done.”
“Finish it tomorrow.”
“I can’t. I’m going to see Tower, and Donny needs me to cut two tracks with him.”
“You’re going to burn yourself out.”
“I’m okay. I’m feeling creative.”
Linda exhaled, “All right, but you need your rest.”
“Go to bed, I’ll see you later.”
He finished the first draft of all three tunes. They needed tweaking, but Cory had something. He read the lyrics to each one last time. It was five fifteen. He tiptoed out of the studio and opened the door to Tommy’s room.
Cory pulled the covers over Tommy and slipped in beside his son.
Chapter Forty-Two
Cory kept telling himself to relax. It was important Tower be convinced he was moving ahead with the self-defense plea. As the elevator doors opened, he assured himself it was natural to be nervous, his lawyer would expect him to be.
Announcing himself, he saw Tower heading toward reception and did a double take. The lawyer was smiling as he pushed a woman in a wheelchair. As they neared, he heard the lady say, “But I can’t afford to pay your fees, I’m on Social Security.”
Tower replied, “Don’t worry, Mrs. Parma. I’d be more than happy to provide our services on a pro bono basis.”
“What is that?”
“Free. It will cost you nothing.”
“Oh my, Mr. Tower, you’re a good man.”
He rolled her to the elevators, saying, “We do our part.”
“Thank you.”
He pressed the elevator button and said to the receptionist, “I’ll be back in a minute. I just want to make sure Mrs. Parma gets off okay.”
Tower and the lady got on the elevator, and Cory said, “Who’s that? A relative?”
“No. Just someone who needs a lawyer.”
“Boy, I’d like to get represented for free.”
The receptionist smiled but said nothing. Cory took a seat wondering if there was another side to his lawyer.
Tower bounded out of the elevator, and Cory followed him to his office. The attorney slid behind his desk.
“You ready to finalize the plea?”
“Did you speak to the DA to drop the charges?”
Tower sat back in his chair. “Yes. I’ve had several conversations. Unfortunately, they’re unwilling to go that far.”
“I’d much rather avoid trial.”
“I would as well. But you’re credible, and the jury will believe your version of events.”
“Are you sure?”
“As sure as I can be.”
“I’d really like to spend as much time with my family as possible. Isn’t there a way to postpone the trail?”
“I’m afraid not.”
“Not even a couple of weeks? If this doesn’t work out, I’d like to have had enough time with my children. My youngest is only six. Doesn’t the court care about that?”
“Family situations are rarely considered by the court, especially in criminal court and when there’s another parent to care for the children.”
“That’s unfair.”
“The system does a poor job in dealing with children. Both as victims of a crime or as family members of a perpetrator or victim.”
“That’s a shame.”
“It is. Lasting damage is inflicted on many defenseless children. So, are we ready to proceed with the affirmative defense?”
“Yes, but I want to hold off as long as possible. The press will start up as soon as it gets out. Last thing I need is them hounding me and my family.”
“I understand. The DA will not look kindly on a last-minute change, and we don’t want to antagonize them. Let’s settle on two weeks before the trial date.”
“If we have to, all right.”
“I’d like you to give a sworn statement as to what happened with Mr. Stein. I’d like to schedule that for tomorrow.”
“Uh, tomorrow doesn’t work. I have a studio session that’s going to last a couple of days. Let me see how it goes the first two days, and I’ll let you know when I can break free.”
* * *
Cory heard the sound of a bass playing on top of a drum machine before he reached the stairs to Donny’s house. When the bass stopped playing, Cory rang the bell several times.
The door creaked open. Donny smiled. “Hey, man.” He looked at the guitar Cory was holding. “You came to do a little jamming, like the old days?”
“Figured I’d pop over and see how my man was doing.”
“Come on down.”
Cory followed his friend down a flight of stairs. The room in the basement served as the bass player’s makeshift studio.
“I liked that line you were playing.”
“Which one?”
“Doom, da-da, doom, uh, dat doom, uh, dit doom.”
“I was hearing something from Bobby Dee’s session.”
“When was that?”
“Yesterday. I don’t know why he didn’t have you on it. I don’t like Chris’s playing.”
“Since they charged me, I’m getting shut out.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“Tell me about it. Whatever happened to the innocent until proven guilty stuff?”
Donny shook his head. “Sorry, man. What’s going on with the case? Last time, you said you were going to do the self-defense thing, even though you didn’t do it.”
“You got to keep that between us, Donny. If it gets out that I’m saying I did it, it’ll work against me.”
“I didn’t say anything. You still going with it?”
“Uh, maybe. I’m not sure. You know what Ava said to me? She said if I said I did it, I couldn’t take it back.”
“She’s a smart kid. But you got to do what ends this madness.”
“It’s not going to be over for a while.”
“What do you mean?”
“I can’t say, man. Just call it a feeling.”
“What’s going on, man?”
“Do me favor, will you?”
“Sure, man, anything.”
“Whatever happens to me, I need you to promise me you’ll look out for my family. Okay?”
“Sure, man, but I thought things were going to work out.”
“I think they’re going to, it’s just not gonna be a straight line.”
“I don’t get it.”
“Donny, we know each other since we’re five, you gotta trust me on this. Can you?”
“Of course. Whatever you need, brother.”
“They should have enough money, but if they need something, you know I’m good for it.”
“Stop with that. I got your back, man.”
Cory hugged his friend. “Thanks. It takes a load off my mind knowing you’ll be there for them.”
“No problem.”
Cory pulled away from his friend and pointed to his guitar case. “Do me favor and hold onto my
Gibby for me. Something happens to me, I want you to give it to Tommy when he turns sixteen.”
Chapter Forty-Three
A week later, Cory was walking along the High Line to a meeting place picked by Mr. Black. Though it was dark, the elevated park was full of people who didn’t care what time it was: teenagers and tourists.
As he passed the Twenty-Eighth Street entrance, he saw Black sitting on a park bench. Black rose. “Let’s walk.”
“Haven’t been up here in a long while.”
“And you won’t be for a while.”
Cory stopped walking. “Is it time to go?”
“Yes. Everything is set. You leave in the morning, after rush hour, say ten o’clock. Okay?”
Cory nodded.
“You sure you’re ready?”
“Yeah, it just feels surreal.”
“Focus. You get sloppy or sentimental, it’s over. You understand?”
“I get it.”
“Act normally around your family. I don’t want you tipping off anybody.”
“No problem. I’m ready.”
“This could be going on a lot longer than you think.”
“I’m hoping sooner than later.”
“All right, you need to memorize what I’m going to tell you. If you need to, write it on your body, somewhere nobody can see.”
Black gave Cory details of his plan. He handed him an envelope and disappeared down the Thirtieth Street stairs. Cory looked at the black sky. He stared at the sliver of the moon, silently repeating what Black said.
Satisfied he’d remember what was necessary, he took a deep breath and started for home. It was seven fifteen. It would take him forty-five minutes to get home. He called Linda.
After telling her that the visit with Mr. Black was nothing more than a touch base, Cory asked her to let Tommy stay up late tonight. He said he wanted to read a book to him.
He expected Linda to give him a hard time, as she believed kids needed a regular schedule. But she didn’t. She understood his need to connect. Cory knew his wife was one of a kind.
He understood what Mr. Black said about telling anyone, but Linda was different. He searched his mind for a time when she’d broken a vow and couldn’t come up with any. Besides, Linda rarely, if ever, gossiped.
The subway jostled him, and Cory reached for a bar. He steadied himself and realized Linda had been the stabilizing force for him and the children. She deserved to be told. It wasn’t right if he left without telling her.
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