by Trey Martini
The accommodating steward brings back 8 little bottles of vodka and four big glasses of orange juice. Tony nods his thanks as the steward sets them down on the table between them.
"These'll go down very well with my protein shake after they turn down the lights." Todd does the thing with his tongue again.
Tony is startled. "What're you talking about?" Todd leans in to explain. Tony drinks the first screwdriver with a single gulp. Todd gives Tony a squeeze and smiles.
"You ready to tell me about Jacques now? Where’d you meet him?
Tony sighs and looks directly at Todd. "Jacques came to the house with Chen last Sunday. With his …uh…friend Jeanne. They did an IT upgrade on our home network."
Todd laughs at this news. "Upgrade? No way. Your system’s ancient."
"What?" Tony is stunned.
"I’ve been checking out your home system all week. Router was nothing fancy. There really is no network security to speak of and what little you have is obsolete. Just some virus protection software you can download for $100 or pick up at any electronics store for a little more."
"Chen is head of IT at the firm. He said it was the latest."
Todd thinks aloud for an explanation. "Then he’s buying it cheap and skimming. A lot is government surplus. Either he’s a crook or a Fed. Makes me feel better about the risks I took to get them on this plane so we could watch them."
Tony belts back his second drink. "Don’t tell me."
"Lighten up. You need to know what goes on in the modern world. It’ll make you a better judge."
"Please don’t tell me. Please, I just don’t want to know any more."
"Come on, you might like the story."
"Just skip over the felonies."
"Then there won't be anything to say."
A look of terror sweeps over Tony’s eyes.
Todd gives Tony a little tug on his cheek. "Joking. Sort of. The Four Stooges were supposed to be on the American flight 30 minutes ago. I cancelled their reservations so they’d have to take this plane and we could keep an eye on them. You have nothing to hide, you’re on your way to a judges’ conference. What's their excuse for the trip? If they have something up their sleeve then they’ll be trying to hide if they see you. Understand?"
Tony thinks about it. "I guess."
Todd goes on. "The firm’s New York billings were zero last year. If they avoid you then chances are reasonable that they planned the trip just to keep tabs on you in New York."
"How’d they know I was going to New York in the first place?"
"Claire must have mentioned it at work. Or they could have picked up the news when they were eavesdropping on your conversations at home. Somebody has installed listening devices in almost every room in the house."
Tony's eyes grow wide. He belts back another screwdriver in a single gulp.
"You just said the home network security was junk."
"It is, but the home surveillance devices are really pretty good. Maybe they were doing more than protecting you from viruses last Sunday. Looks like they were planting bugs and programs so they'd know what's going on in the house."
"You’re kidding, right?" Tony downs a third screwdriver.
Todd reaches out to rub Tony's arm and calm him down. "Sorry. No kidding. Think about my earlier question. Do you know if Claire is working on any case that's so big the firm would give it this kind of attention?"
Tony is starting to slur. "Nope. Just the standard California bullshit divorces. They tend to get the big-buck, high-society cases but nothing that deserves the spy vs. spy stuff you found."
"Is there anything special you're working on?"
Tony laughs as the vodka kicks in. "Lots of domestic abuse to go with those California divorces. Drug and alcohol-related crimes all the time. Corporate greed is not my specialty but I see my share of that. No Pelican Brief in my closet that I know of. Small-time stuff generally. I'm not what you'd call a hanging judge," Tony laughed again. "This Vodka does the job pretty well. I forgot how good hard liquor can be. I've been wasting too much time smelling the Chardonnay."
Todd keeps on guessing. "Could there be anything personal worth the firm investing the time and travel of these four goons? Is Claire planning to switch firms or anything like that?"
Tony thinks a minute but dismisses the idea. "No way, they keep her too busy to get into any trouble. No IRS or NSA or anything else that I've heard. On the other hand I really don't get out much. My life is too boring for me to be in trouble. Probably the same thing with Claire. Maybe you just got your wires crossed. Shit happens." Tony raises his glass and gives Todd a little toast, "To New York."
Todd has to grin at this side of Tony. He toasts back. "Glad to see that you’re relaxing a bit. We'll have a good chance to watch them during the flight. I made them buy First Class tickets to get a seat so they’d have to pass by you–see you. Did they say hello when they boarded?"
"No, but I was sort of slouched down."
"Did they seem to avoid you?"
"They were avoiding me as much as I was avoiding them–I guess."
Todd smiles at Tony. Don't worry, we’ll have more chances. They’ll have to come back here before the flight ends."
"How do you know?"
"Everything is electronic on these planes. I disabled the First Class toilet. Unless they have bladders of steel they’ll pass right by. And the main draw flying First Class is the free booze. We'll be able to see how they react when they see you."
The booze has loosened Tony up and his laughs flow freely now. "You seem to think of everything."
Todd raises his hand in a salute, "Eagle Scout."
Tony salutes back, "Me too!"
"Be Prepared has had a generation to evolve since you got your badge. Now tell me about Jacques."
Tony looks at Todd more closely and smiles, "I’d recommend that you not kiss any frogs in case you had plans."
Todd smiles back, "Jealous?"
Tony takes another drink and laughs again. "You seem to know me quite well. Maybe I am. Jealous, I mean."
"Of Jacques or me?"
Tony leans back and sips on the screwdriver. "Now that's what I'd call a great question. Let me know when you have the answer." For the first time, Tony really looks at Todd and the man who lives beneath the unlined face and bright blue eyes.
Todd moves in to snuggle. "We’re at the same hotel. You, me and the dudes from the firm."
"Please tell me it’s a big hotel,” Tony is nervous again."
“Yeah, 200 rooms. But we’ll probably be on different floors."
"How do you know?"
"I requested special rooms."
"What do you mean ‘special’?"
"We have ‘Fresh Decorator Rooms’–it's a code. There are lots of gay men in the travel business and we like to be on the same floor so we can relax, make a bit of noise and be ourselves. Reservation systems have a special requests section–ask for a Fresh Decorator Room and you can usually get on a floor with some other gay guys. Alan’s travel profile doesn’t include the decorator request so it’s not likely we’ll be bunking beside any of them. We’re smarter than them. Relax."
"Easy for you to say. I feel like I’ve been kidnapped."
Todd's response is tender, "Look at me, Tony."
"I've been looking. So. What?”
"What do you see, Tony?"
"A boy. An intelligent and very attractive young man."
Todd strokes Tony under the blanket. "I’m 21. A man who knows what he wants. Men like Bernie chase younger women all the time. You like men…what’s wrong with me?"
"I loved a man. Once. But I’m married now."
"You’ve never cheated on your wife?"
Now Tony has to face the truth and it's painful.
"Just once."
Todd tries to be gentle. “I’m not judging, but 1 is the same as 100 except for the zeros. We have separate rooms. I’ll leave you alone if you want. I’m gambling that you’ll come t
o life in New York. We’ll take separate cabs to the city if you’re so paranoid. Here’s my number. Todd offers Tony a card."
"I still have it," Tony admits.
"That’s a good sign. Now tell me about that once. Was it Sunday, with Jacques?"
Tony leans back and watches Todd. "I’d say you amaze me but I don’t want you to be any more conceited than you already are."
Todd takes that as a compliment. "Actually, I have low self-esteem so I try harder. But I do have some amazing things to show you in New York. Drink up and watch the show."
"What show?"
"The tricks those morons use to disguise themselves when they have to go back to take a piss. They know you're on the plane. And they know they'll have to pass right by you."
Tony falls asleep not long after finishing his fourth screwdriver, but Todd manages to stay awake long enough to catch the parade from First Class back to the Business Class restrooms. Alan moves by quickly and unsteadily, his head deep in a magazine. Jacques and Jeanne dart down different aisles at the same time, hoodies raised and sunglasses on. Chen walks by without looking away or disguising himself.
When the pilot announces their descent into New York, Tony awakens cautiously.
"You alright?" Todd asks.
"Yeah, a little bit of a headache but not so bad. That must have been good Vodka. How was the show? What did I miss?"
Todd describes Alan, Jacques and Jeanne and Tony laughs. At the description of Chen, Tony has to stop and think. "Now there’s a sign."
Todd is confused. "Why's that a sign?"
"Chen doesn’t care that he’s recognized."
"Or thinks we can’t tell ‘em apart." Todd is always quick with the comeback.
Tony looks closely at Todd again and resists the urge to kiss him good morning.
"You kids keep getting smarter every day."
CHAPTER 20
Grand Hotel Central Park, NYC
Two taxis pull up to the opulent Grand Hotel just as dawn breaks across the spectacular Manhattan skyline. Alan, Chen and the Moreaus arrive first, just before Todd's cab pulls up. Todd hangs back and watches as the four check in. He remains out-of-sight and waits several minutes in a corner of the lobby until Tony has arrived. When Tony has come inside to register, Todd watches the scene from far across the huge lobby. Tony scans the gaudy opulence of the lavish space with a look of wonder.
The Front Desk Clerk smiles broadly when he sees Tony approach the counter.
"Good morning, sir. May I help you?"
Tony is still sleepy and a little hung over. "Morrelli, Tony. Checking in."
The desk clerk undresses Tony with his eyes and types in the name. "Ah, Judge Morrelli. And a decorator room–another judge in the family.” The clerk’s smile widens. “Welcome indeed." He takes another long stare at Tony. "You certainly qualify for a free upgrade. An honor to have you with us." The clerk rings a bell. "Charlie, help the judge with his things. Our finest decorator room–2020. Quite a view."
Charlie is 25 and as handsome as a man can be. He gives Tony a brilliant smile and begins to flirt and chat and joke until they reach the room. Charlie unlocks and opens the door and gestures Tony inside. Tony is surprised to see that it's a very deluxe suite. "Wow!" is the only word Tony can manage.
Charlie opens the drapes and points out the landmarks beyond the Central Park view. He puts Tony’s bag away and presents an inviting grin when he's done. "This is the nicest suite on the floor, I hope you enjoy it. Have a great time in the city and, if you need anything while you're here, I've written my cell number on my card."
Tony is startled and tries to give Charlie a tip. Charlie backs away with a wink and a smile.
"That's OK. It was my pleasure just to meet you. But, if you'd like, give me a call and I'll let you buy me a drink. I'm a native New Yorker. Nothing makes me happier than showing out-of-towners all the sites."
Tony is flustered. "Thanks very much. I know my way around the city." He tries to give Charlie a tip again but the bellman refuses.
"That’s OK, hope to see you later." Charlie leaves before Tony can object any more.
With so much on his mind, Tony needs to do something–anything to take his mind off the crazy events of the past few hours and days. The elegant room offers nothing to distract him. Tony needs something more. Checking his watch, he realizes that the conference registration table will open soon. Register. That's something he can do to eat up some time while he tries to make sense of his past and his future.
Following the signs to the conference area, Tony finds the registration table and approaches the young woman sitting there. Her badge reads simply, "Mary". A young redhead, whose beautiful face could only have been created in Ireland, smiles as he draws near. Tony smiles back and memories of his parochial-school past make him laugh. "Good morning Mary, I'm Tony Morrelli. Is it too early for me to register?"
"Good morning, Judge." Mary gives Tony a broad smile. "Welcome to New York. You must be just off the redeye. Are you always in such a good mood so early in the morning? We have you here as Anthony Morrelli from San Francisco.” Mary looks at the roster and back at Tony. "Anthony is so formal. Shall I change your badge to “Tony”?
Tony is upbeat now. "If you’d like. I always feel like my father when someone calls me Anthony–he’s the family Anthony."
Mary gives Tony a smile that's more than friendly. "Anthony, that’s my father’s name too."
Tony moans just a little, "Suddenly I feel very old."
"Don't." She wags her finger. "He's 42, much older than you."
Tony's response is frank. "I'm 43."
Mary laughs out loud. "Really? That's fantastic. Tonight I'll tell my Dad that I met the most attractive man I've ever seen–and tell him your age. Maybe that'll get him out of his recliner and back to the gym." A look of embarrassment finally sweeps across Mary's face. "That didn't exactly come out right. I'm sorry if I offended you," Mary blushes deeply then laughs, "43 looks very good on you. Age is just a number isn’t it?"
"A very high number in my case,” Tony groans.
"Now I’ve made you feel bad–which was not my intention–at all. Let me." Mary takes back Tony's registration booklet and writes a number and some notes inside. "Here's my cell number and the name and address of a place near here where I sometimes go after work with some of the other staff. Let me buy you a drink to apologize–any time after 5. Then you can tell me all about that fountain of youth you have in California."
A hacking cough in the background signals the arrival of another, much older judge. From the sound of him, this conference could be his last.
Tony brightens. "Thank you very much, Mary. New York wasn’t this friendly when I was in law school."
Mary gives Tony a wink. "Maybe you were studying too hard to notice."
With what could only be described as a bounce in his step, Tony returns to his room, paces for several minutes, then calls Todd.
Todd lays naked on his bed surfing channels. He watches the room phone ring without picking up and listens as the hotel voice mail takes over. A moment later, his cell phone rings and Tony's caller idea flashes on the screen. Todd lets that phone go to voice mail as well. Moving to an elegant armchair with an incredible view of Central Park, he listens to the messages on both phones and slumps in the chair, the sadness overcoming his face and every joint of his body.
Just down the hall, Tony paces anxiously as both phones go to voice mail. On both phones, a nervous Tony leaves the same message, his voice breaking as he does. "It's me. You know the room. I'll be waiting."
Tony sits down. He’s confused, anxious and embarrassed.
After a few minutes Todd makes a call.
"Good morning, Trash or Treasures. "Susan Connors answers brightly.
There's emotion in Todd's voice as he responds. "Hi Susan, it's Todd. Tony called. Didn't take long," his voice turns bitter, "guess I have the knack for coaxing the tortoise out of his shell. He's ready, able and apparentl
y willing. Grand Hotel Central Park, Room 2020," Todd’s voice breaks, "he's all yours now."
Susan is kind and understanding. I'm so sorry to put you through this, Toddler. I’ll call Liam now. You sound like you could use a drink. Come down to the shop, we'll have a liquid brunch."
Todd is polite but reserved. "Maybe later. I need to take a walk. Then, maybe a nap. I'll probably end up in your neighborhood but I don't know exactly when."
"The invitation is open–any hour. You know I live just above the shop. I hear my hugs are world class. Be careful now."
"Not a chance." Todd is sad and lonely.
CHAPTER 21
Central Park West, NYC
Once Todd is off the line, Susan immediately calls Liam. Liam answers on the second ring.
"Dr. Liam O’Connor speaking. How can I help you?"
"Liam it's urgent. Put on your glasses and look at the caller ID. It's your mother."
"Hi Mom." Liam puts on his reading glasses. "It's always urgent. What's up?"
"It’s life-threatening…"
"It's always life-threatening with you, Mom."
"Smart ass. This isn’t about me–listen up.”
"OK, details."
"Anthony Kowalski–you remember him, he worked here."
"I remember him. Like I said, it's always life threatening."
"Shut up and listen. He phoned his mother, Helen. She said he was suicidal and called me.
"He always says he’s going to hurt himself. What’s different now?"
"He was crying and said he had pills. He checked into a hotel."
Liam rises from his chair and grabs a jacket. "Did either of you call 911?"
"I’ll call them next. Helen just called looking for you. She thinks this time is different. Anthony hung up after saying he loved her. He's never said that before. She thinks he’s serious today."
Liam grabs his keys. "Where’s he now?"
"Grand Hotel Central Park. Doesn’t answer. Room 2020. He asked not to be disturbed–operator won’t connect Helen–or me."