“They are all the same size and there are probably ten or more in the closet. There are ones right inside the door of my room too but those are for Carla. Any of the ones in the closet she can ship,” he said looking at her with a smile.
“I’ll take care of calling Carla,” Greg offered. “If I can borrow your cell phone…”
Chuck opened his cell phone and selected the contact then handed the phone to Greg. “Just hit send,” he said.
“Well, let me introduce you to Daniel and Cameron,” Becca said to Chuck.
Daniel had rejoined the group and it was obvious they were talking about Chuck because when they approached the talking died down and all eyes turned to him.
Becca introduced them to Chuck and they shook his hand. Dana moved to take Melody from him but he only grinned and turned away, indicating he wanted to continue holding her.
“Chuck, I wondered if you had a few minutes to come back to my office and talk about some of your artwork.” Cameron asked.
“Sure,” Chuck replied.
Cameron led the group down a hallway into an area laid out much like a living room while Daniel snapped his fingers at another man and made a sign to him. Once everyone was settled a woman came in carrying a tray with bottles of flavored water on it.
Chuck had taken to carrying Melody around the room looking at some of the art work hanging from the walls as well as a sculpture in the corner.
“So have you ever sold any of your paintings, Chuck?” Cameron asked as yet another man entered the room.
“Nope,” Chuck replied, staring intently at a smaller painting in the corner of the room.
“Have you given much of your artwork away?” Cameron asked.
“The people in this room are about the only ones who have any of my art. Gran has a couple of paintings, Dickie’s got a couple, Tommy’s got one, Meredith’s grandfather has one and her mother has a few. Why?” Chuck asked.
“Are they all genre works, like the one you made for Becca?” Cameron asked as Daniel walked over and handed him a piece of paper.
“Genre works?” Chuck asked.
“Paintings of people in ordinary, everyday scenes… that type of thing,” Cameron replied.
“Yea, mostly, except for the two that Dickie has… they are of some old school choppers… motorcycles,” Chuck responded.
“So you paint other things besides people?” Cameron asked glancing at the paper and then putting it in his jacket pocket.
“Yea, I paint all kinds of things… sometimes I even paint my dreams,” he said.
“I would like to see some of the paintings you’ve done. If they are as good as the one you made for Becca, I’d like to offer them for sale in this gallery. What do you think of that?” Cameron asked.
“You think somebody would really want to buy them?” Chuck asked in astonishment.
“I’m certain they would,” Cameron said.
“How much do the paintings out there cost?” Chuck asked, pointing toward the gallery.
“Each painting is unique and we evaluate them on several different merits to determine the price for each piece. Those out there range from thousands to millions,” Cameron said.
“Are you shittin’ me, Pyle?” Chuck asked with his mouth hanging open. Bobby and Tommy snickered at the look that passed Cameron’s face at Chuck’s outburst and even Dickie turned away trying to hide his amusement.
“You mean I could get a thousand bucks for one of my paintings?” Chuck asked in amazement.
“Actually, in looking at the painting you did for Becca, my colleagues and I think your paintings would sell for a bit more than that… again if they are as good,” Cameron replied.
Seeing that he now had Chuck’s attention Cameron continued, “However, I would want all of your paintings. That means I would be the only gallery allowed to sell them. Additionally, any paintings we decide to sell would need to be autographed by you. Those paintings you give to your friends here must never be autographed nor should any we decide not to sell in the gallery.”
“Ok, if that’s how you want it,” Chuck said with a shrug. “Greg called Meredith’s mom, Carla, to ship some of the paintings in my closet up here.”
“If those paintings are as good as Becca’s painting, we’d want to see all of your work. Then at some point we would have a gala to showcase your work, perhaps in a couple of months or so?” Cameron said. “In the meantime I will draw up a contract for your attorney to look over. Do you have an attorney?”
“Yea… Becca,” Chuck said as though the man was not a particularly intelligent individual.
“I’d be happy to bring the contracts to your office along with your painting when the frame is complete,” Cameron said. “In the meantime Becca, I’d recommend your agent to insure it for no less than a hundred thousand,” he finished, standing up and extending his hand to her. Then he turned to Chuck and offered his hand to him as well.
“Wait… I realize I’m a few fries short of a happy meal most times but are you saying that Becca’s painting is worth one hundred large?” Chuck asked.
“Not currently but in six months to a year I expect it to be… at least once you autograph it for her,” Cameron said winking at Becca.
Chapter Eighteen
“Damn, man…” Tommy said with a grin and smacked Chuck on the back in congratulations and then extracted Melody from his arms. Melody immediately began to fuss so he handed her right back to Chuck.
“I’ll put some provisions in the contract for a studio apartment up near the park for him to work from along with an allowance for living expenses and supplies. We can settle upon his first sale,” Cameron said to Becca.
“Wait, I can’t live in New York…” Chuck said. “I work in Florida… that won’t work.”
“No, Chuck, you would be working for the gallery here in New York, painting will be your job now,” Cameron explained with a smile.
Chuck’s face changed to a look much like the one he’d had the day the men had died in the foyer of her house. The look screamed that the other shoe had finally dropped. He sighed heavily and flopped down in a chair beside her.
“What is it?” she asked.
“I love the shop and I love to paint. Asking me to choose between working at the shop, being with my friends, being with you and your family or painting and making a mint doing it is just wrong. I want to be with you and I want to work at the shop but I want to paint and see my shit hanging on the walls out there too. What do I do, Meredith? Would you move here with me?” he said, standing up and handing Melody to Dana and then walking away with his back to the group.
“You heard my client. Make it happen… set him up with a studio and supplies in Florida or no deal. He will continue to work at his current job painting motorcycles and paint for the gallery at will. I will work out a schedule of personal appearances but if you want him, those are his conditions,” Becca said smartly upon seeing Cameron’s questioning look.
Cameron looked amazed at Chuck’s reaction and said, “I think we can work out something that will allow you to stay in the south with your friends and family.”
Chuck turned back to the group. She stood and approached him. “Share… remember?”
He stared at her and after few moments his gaze dropped to her lips. She caught her breath at the sexy grin that spread across his mouth.
“I want to take you back to the hotel and love you up rich fucker style… see if it’s as good as it is broke fucker style,” he grinned at her. “How’s that for sharing?” he asked. Bobby and Tommy started laughing.
“I’ll put that in your contract as well,” Cameron said with a light laugh.
The room broke out in laughter and Cameron led them through the gallery showing Chuck several paintings. The group decided to get some dinner together again as a celebration and the ride to the restaurant was full of excitement over Chuck’s good fortune.
The rest of the weekend went too quickly and soon enough Monday arrived and
found her sitting next to Chuck in a crowded courtroom. All four guys from the shop had taken to mean mugging the defendant, a former FBI Agent, who kept his eyes forward as his attorney and the prosecutor entered the judge’s chambers.
After an hour had passed and they still sat waiting for the attorney and prosecutor to return, Chuck leaned forward and looked around her to where Lilly and Bobby sat. “Maybe we should go for round two with the bastard… see if that speeds up the process a bit.”
“Don’t you dare!” Meredith said to him.
Laughing he put his arm around her neck and pulled her to him and placed a kiss on her cheek. “Kidding… guess I shouldn’t have shared that.”
Another hour passed before the defense attorney and prosecutor returned to the courtroom and the judge soon followed. The judge said something to the bailiff and she knew they must have come to a plea agreement. Wondering how the group would take it she whispered, “You’re not going to have to testify after all.”
The group turned to look at her just as the bailiff released the jurors.
“A plea agreement has been filed with this court that is acceptable with the state,” the judge said before banging his gavel.
Becca stood, walked forward and spoke to the prosecutor for several minutes before returning to the group.
“He agreed to plead guilty and testify against Simon, Kyle and Judge Henry in exchange for being kept out of general population and being housed in a unit specifically designed for imprisoned law enforcement and corrections personnel,” Becca said.
“You mean we came all this way for nothing?” Bobby asked in disgust.
“No, Lilly still has to testify against Simon Barhorst. I would think once Kyle and the judge find out Mr. Brower will be testifying against them they will cut a deal as well. It’s possible that even Simon will cut a deal… it’s hard to say,” Becca said.
The group looked a little dejected over having come to New York only to sit around for two hours and find out an agreement had been reached. They shuffled out of the courtroom and headed out the front. It was decided to return to the hotel for lunch.
Upon arriving back at the hotel the clerk flagged down Becca, stating that a package had arrived for her. They all stopped at the front desk and the woman handed Becca an un-addressed mailer. Flipping it over Becca started to open the package when Dickie placed his hand on top of the envelope.
Becca gave him a dirty look but unfazed Dickie slid the mailer out of her hand and opened it to shake the contents onto the counter. A picture of her sitting in the courtroom earlier in the day was accompanied by a note saying it would be her last time in a courtroom.
“Call your boys,” Dickie said to Greg. “Do you have your room key?” he asked Becca.
Shock showed on her face as she continued to stare at the picture until Dickie stepped up close to her blocking her view of the photo and said, “Room key,” and held out his hand. She pulled the flat card out of her purse and handed it to him.
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and guided her to the stairwell then turned back to Chuck. “I need to check her room, can you watch her in the hall for me?”
Looking at Meredith, Chuck said, “Stay here with Bobby and Lilly.”
Greg pulled his cell phone out and made a call while Chuck followed Dickie out into the stairwell.
Within minutes two men who obviously knew Greg showed up and began questioning the clerk. They went into a backroom and watched surveillance tapes of the delivery guy who had brought the package. It was apparent that the envelope had been delivered by a standard currier service rather than the suspected stalker.
Sometime later Chuck returned and Bobby and Lilly excused themselves to go to their room. Turning to him she asked, “Is Becca ok?”
“She’s pretty shook up but Dickie’s with her. We should go to our room, if Dickie needs us he’ll call,” he replied.
When Dickie did call they headed down the hall to Becca’s room. He opened the door for them and upon entering she noticed Becca sitting in a chair with her knees drawn up. Walking over to where the petite woman sat in an upright fetal position, she laid her hand on her arm.
“How are you holding up?” she asked softly.
“I need to work… take my mind of this craziness,” she said, looking over at Dickie. “The warden there says no.”
“Perhaps Chuck and I can run to your office tomorrow and bring your work here to you?” she offered.
Becca smiled but waved her hand, “No, I have already reassigned what cases I could to my other associates. Those cases that I couldn’t reassign I have asked for extensions on for any upcoming court dates,” she said angrily. “I just need to be busy… this sitting around waiting to die business just isn’t me.”
“One more time,” Dickie threatened. The tension between him and Becca was so thick you could slice it with a knife and serve it on toast.
“I brought a book. You could have it if you want to read,” she offered again.
“Wrong kind of busy…” Becca said with a heavy sigh.
Looking thoughtfully at Chuck, Dickie turned to her and said, “You want something to do… something constructive that I’m sure you are probably good at?”
Becca looked at him but didn’t say anything
“Find Chuck’s birth parents,” Dickie said.
“What?” Chuck asked angrily. “They didn’t want me then… why would they want me now and why would I want them for that matter?”
“Look, man, when these rich New Yorkers start buying your paintings you’re going to have a little cash. Don’t you think it’s best to know before strangers start showing up claiming to be mommy or daddy and needing a loan?” he asked Chuck. “I didn’t say you had to meet them or anything… just know who they are so your ass is covered.”
Chuck looked thoughtful for a moment before smacking Dickie on the back, “You got my back, man… thanks. Can you really find people Becca?”
“It’s a little more complicated than that but I could do a little digging and see what I can find,” she said, sitting up and putting her legs down.
“See, there is something to keep you busy… however, your new office is going to be the living room of my house in Florida,” Dickie said. “This man got close enough to practically touch you today… it won’t happen again.”
Becca looked at Dickie and then blushed and looked away again. “I have a beach house in Florida. I can stay there,” she said.
“My house is setup where I can work out of my garage and it isn’t that far from the shop anyways,” Dickie said as though the matter had been settled.
“You can’t force me to go with you,” Becca said quietly.
“I didn’t say anything about forcing you, Becca… I’m asking you to come,” Dickie said.
Chuck snickered and a small giggle suddenly escaped Becca and she glanced at Chuck with heated cheeks and shook her head in disapproval.
For once his inappropriate behavior had actually been a blessing. Then Becca glanced back at Dickie and upon seeing the look on his face she quickly looked away.
“Fine… but only for a week or two,” Becca replied after a long moment.
“I need you to let Bobby and Lilly know that I’m heading back tomorrow morning first thing. She needs to get out of town as quickly as possible… load my bike in the camper and bring it back with you guys. I’ll drive us back,” Dickie said to Chuck.
“Sure, man…whatever you need,” Chuck said. “I’ll take care of it.”
The following morning Meredith told Lilly about Dickie taking Becca back to Florida and Lilly simply smiled and winked. “Let the games begin,” she laughed.
They spent the day sightseeing and enjoying a brisk fall day. Once again Chuck managed to monopolize the baby whom Meredith got to hold for a whole five minutes before he took her back.
She stood watching him show Melody a brown leaf that had fallen from one of the trees a few yards away when Dana approached.
&
nbsp; “He’s great with the kids,” Dana said. “That was his job in most of his foster homes… to watch the other kids. He prefers it… it’s his way of making sure they are ok… provided for.”
“He may seem like an overgrown child himself but when he stops by the house he always starts looking in the cabinets. I asked Tommy why he did that once and he said to make sure we had food for Gretchen and the baby. I tell you this in hopes that you don’t give up on him. He loves you desperately,” Dana finished.
“Never. I love him just as desperately,” she replied, continuing to watch him. She could watch him for days and still see something new.
Dana put her arm around her shoulders and hugged her before walking over to join Tommy who stood talking to Bobby. At her approach Tommy stopped talking mid-sentence and looked at her as though she was the most beautiful woman in the world.
Leaning in he said something to her that made her mouth drop open. He smiled a mischievous grin at her that probably made women’s knees go weak. Tommy was every bit as good looking as Chuck, though smaller in size, but pretty mellow where Chuck was wild and exciting.
The following morning a knock on the door interrupted Chuck’s attempts to wake her up. Scrambling out of the bed, Chuck said, “Stay here.”
He pulled on some jeans, went to the door and opened it a crack only to have Lilly nearly push her way into the room.
“Simon and Kyle both made a deal and it’s looking like the judge will as well. We are free to go and I will be notified if I need to testify against Judge Henry. Bobby’s pissed that they made me worry and travel all this way for nothing when I’m pregnant,” Lilly said before noticing her lying there attempting to hold the blankets around her naked body.
“Who knew he was so old fashioned? Can you go talk to him Chuck? Tommy’s already on his way but… he’s kind of scary when he’s like this,” Lilly finished.
“He’s scary only when he’s like this?” Chuck said with a laugh before closing the door. Then looking at Lilly he patted her arm and said, “Watch this.”
Wild Ride Page 19