by KL Shandwick
Flynn rang Craig to tell him of his decision and when Craig heard what he had to say he was naturally in agreement that they should both leave together. Flynn had promised Craig he’d keep him with him if a new band was formed, but that he’d try to protect him from the fallout from the decision he was taking. Craig told Flynn to do what he needed to do and that he was with him one hundred percent.
Decisive and resolute, Flynn was determined to brave it out and kill the contracts he’d committed to. As we were being driven to the gate, my heart was in my mouth and feeling a mixture of being both proud, and scared for him. I glanced at Flynn, and he squeezed my hand. “You okay, babe?”
I knew I’d been quiet. He’d worked so hard to get where he was. “We’re still alive, and we have each other, Valerie; that gives us a fighting chance in life. Everything will find a way of working itself out.”
Flynn tugged my hand and eased me out of the car. Wrapping his arms around me, he dipped his head and leaned in to place his forehead on mine. “We’re solid, Valerie. No one is going to take us down as long as we have each other, right?”
Reaching up on tiptoe I kissed him like my life depended on it. Breathless, we broke the kiss, and he rewarded me with a wide, loving smile, “Watch your sexy rock star boyfriend commit professional suicide,” he winked. There was no hint of nerves from him, and I’d thought he was the bravest person I’d ever known at that moment.
Nodding his head, Lee signaled to the guard and the metal gates ground opened. Instantly, cameras were flashing relentlessly, and I shielded my eyes but noticed that Flynn stood completely still, confident in his decision about disappointing not only all the supporting industries but his fans as well.
A barrage of questions came thick and fast as reporters sought their pound of flesh from Flynn, and the cameras flashed as they continued to click loudly. Flynn stood motionless and waited until he decided to speak. He was in control of his future. After a minute, he raised his hand and everyone fell silent.
“Thank you for coming over this evening, I hope you are all well. Forgive me but I’ve had a very long day, and I’m not taking questions. It’s 3:45 am, and I’ve had a hard day at work.”
The media crews all laughed, and Flynn commanded their attention. He knew exactly how to handle them. When the laughter died down, he narrowed his eyes and drew a breath and my feelings for him ran deeper for what he was about to tell them.
“I’m here to issue you with a statement and to allow you all to see that I am here in the flesh, not in a drug rehabilitation clinic as my ex-management would have all of you believe. Let me make this clear. Despite what is being reported in the press, I do not take drugs of my own free will. Yes, I can confirm that earlier I was taken to a local ER in the Baltimore area after I somehow ingested narcotics. The method of administration is being criminally investigated. I am not going to speculate as to how that happened. That is for the police to decide.” Low murmurs rippled through the reporters as Flynn quickly pressed on.
“As you can see, I am fit and well as I stand before you. Today was the first day of what was to be a sold-out tour of many dates for Major ScAlz, the band of which I am the lead singer. I am announcing tonight that I am no longer a member of this band.” One reported began to ask a question and Flynn held up his hand.
“For reasons that will become clear over the following weeks and months I cannot discuss what has prompted my decision, nor has this been taken lightly. To my fans, I am deeply sorry. I have worked tirelessly to earn your respect as a musician and performer, and I am very thankful for your following. I hope you understand that if there were a way to resolve this issue without leaving the band, I would endeavor to do that. Unfortunately, there isn’t.” Flynn commanded the media’s full, silent attention by that point.
“Irreconcilable differences mean that Bernie Laker, Tyler Chisholm and Tommy Alzaci will no longer be working in partnership with me or my Major ScAlz bandmate, Craig Southers. To clarify who will be dealing with any correspondence regarding Craig, or myself, my law firm, namely Clinton Bright, should be contacted in the first instance until my new public relations team are identified. Contact on a personal level will be directed via my lawyer’s assistant for the first twenty-four hours until further arrangements have been made.” Just as Flynn looked like he was done he leaned back towards the microphone and added one more thing.
“The last point I’d like to make is there has been much speculation about my relationship with my girlfriend, Valerie Darsin. Only a week ago, most of your press offices had to issue a retraction around us. Make no mistake. This time, if there are any derogatory personal remarks levied toward Ms. Darsin or I, there will be no leniency to the offenders. Another press release will be issued when we have clarified the situation, thank you.”
As soon as Flynn stopped talking, the questions became noise as hundreds of reporters shouted at the same time. Flynn bowed his head to them, turned and reached for my hand then slowly walked back behind the gate. The reporters continued with their onslaught, but Flynn lifted his hand, waved and the tall black gates ground mechanically until I heard the dead bolt lock into place. I realized they were sound reduction gates because all I could hear was a muffled buzz from behind them.
Flynn squeezed my hand and smiled reassuringly, “How did I do? Was I sexy? Did that turn you on, all that masterful behavior?” He smirked wickedly, wiggled his eyebrows like what he’d done was fun and pulled me into his side. “Fuck everyone. Fuck music. I don’t need any of it as long as I have you, Valerie. I could have died tonight. I was lucky I didn’t. Knowing you’re here and standing beside me no matter what tells me that we’ll do just fine.”
By the time we got back to the house, Flynn was in a much more somber mood. He spoke to Lee and Niamh, and both said they’d stay with him without pay if necessary. Pulling out a pad I started to jot down some of the most basic things I could think of that we could work on and wondered how to find Flynn some public relations. There was no doubt he’d have been discarded by his PR team as soon as they’d heard his statement. But then again, hadn’t he just dumped on them?
Flynn’s legal team speculated about the potential losses, and they said the extent of the financial damage to Flynn would be huge. They also said the final total of compensation wouldn’t be known for many months while legal negotiations took place.
At 6:00 am, Simone called Flynn to inform him that Craig was being released, and he told her Lee had arranged a plane to bring them back to Chicago.
My cell rang once the statement was aired on TV. It was my dad. He spoke to Flynn and told him he’d been very proud of his approach and professionalism despite what happened to him only hours before. I saw him swallow roughly at my father’s praise. Flynn went off to talk to Lee while I continued to talk to my dad. I explained how worried I was about keeping Flynn safe if all of his money went in legal proceedings. Dad went quiet for a moment, and I had the feeling he had something on his mind.
I was prepared for a lecture about not using my money because he knew I had a couple of hundred thousand dollars sitting in the bank, and some more tied up in investments. My royalty check was due any day again, and my disposable income could well have doubled by then. My business was doing well. As I prepared to defend myself for how I used my money, what he said stopped me dead in my tracks.
“Listen, Valerie, I have something very important to tell you. We didn’t say anything because we weren’t sure quite how to tell you, but I guess Martin and Adam have decided it’s time.”
The mention of my brothers’ names while my emotions were raw made me choke back tears that suddenly sprang to my eyes. I swallowed everything down, inhaled deeply and forced myself to respond.
“It’s time? Time for what, Dad?” I said quietly. My heart raced from the squeeze of pain I felt at remembering their loss again.
“When you were kids, your Grandad kept harping about getting life insurance for you all. Well, we had these policies and th
e bank just kept taking the money. Anyway, it was something we thought we’d never need,” clearing the emotion from his throat, my dad pushed on.
“They paid out on the deaths of my boys, $250k each, but that’s not all Valerie. Ziggy’s father sued the river rafting company for reckless endangerment and wrongful death; they settled out of court three weeks ago. It isn’t public knowledge. Ziggy’s Dad had a long battle, but as the rafting company was found guilty of negligence, Ziggy’s parents were awarded money for his ‘wrongful death.’ In a closed court hearing, a judge awarded the same to the families of the others who lost their lives as well.”
“Money isn’t going to bring them back, Dad.”
I heard a smile in my father’s voice when he answered, “I know that, baby girl, but we had no idea how to use it. We felt it should benefit something and Kayden thought some should go to better safety training for outdoor activities staff, so we’ve earmarked ten percent for that. We don’t want it to buy any houses or fancy cars. My boys died, and that money should be used for something appropriate. I’ve spoken to Kayden and your Mom. Kayden doesn’t want any of it.”
I wasn’t sure where he was going with the conversation, but my head was buzzing with the sad fact that my brothers had earned my family money by dying. I zoned out for a moment then tuned back in to the sound of his voice.
“So we figured this: we leave this house and land to Kayden when we’re gone, and you use the money to start over with Flynn. This money came from a lack of protection, and you both need to be protected from any backlash Flynn’s band members, or manager may be concocting. Let Flynn pay his debts with what he has. Once he’s done that, it’s up to you how you spend your money but we feel it’s appropriate that it’s used to protect you both in the future.”
I thought my dad had flipped trying to give me extra money like that, and I was about to refuse until he spoke again, “It may sound insane handing over a large sum of money to an eighteen-year-old and a rock star, but your Mom and I have watched you two over the years. Despite what we said before you went away, we figure that you have a special bond that will survive most things, and you’ll work it all out together. I’ve got to know Flynn pretty well and I have faith in him. Your Mom and I were your age when we got together so we know that love can be real no matter how young you are. You may only be a slip-of-a-girl, Valerie, but if you apply everything I’ve taught you about business, I know this money will only continue to grow. You’re feisty and passionate; use those skills, and with the money behind you, we’re confident you’ll put Flynn and you in a much better place.”
My heart raced because he was placing his trust in us and treating me as an equal, “Dad… I don’t know what to say,” I said as my heart thumped away in my chest at his and my family’s selfless generosity and their belief in me.
“It’s not being given without conditions, Valerie, but you’ve proven yourself as a great little businesswoman. You’re shrewd, and you’re not easily fooled in the business world. With the right people behind you, you’ll fly. Flynn’s your partner and he’s already proven himself in his field of work.”
My dad had been a small businessman for thirty years running his successful little garage. He could have done things on a much larger scale, but he wanted to see his children grow and not spend all our childhoods as a slave to his business. He’d survived slumps and recessions, so I was awed that he thought I’d had the ability to help Flynn.
“Thank you for believing in me, Dad, but running a small business isn’t the same as taking care of a rock star. I doubt a couple of million dollars would even buy enough to produce and promote a CD these days.” I said, feeling the weight of responsibility about that.”
“Valerie, hon, I’m not talking about two million, the total amount in the bank is around $12.5 million. The tour company had big liability insurance.” My heart stopped. I’m sure for two beats— it stopped.
I thought I’d misheard him, “Excuse me? What did you say?” My hands shook and I felt light-headed as the sum sunk in.
When he’d said it again, I almost choked for real. I’d always thought my dad was a quiet genius, but his decision to give that kind of money to me made me think he’d finally fallen on the insanity side of the wall.
“Take your time. Absorb what I’ve told you, and what you’re being offered. We’ll talk again in a couple of days, honey. Stay strong.”
I concluded the call and wandered back into the room where Flynn was sitting. My mind was going a mile a minute, and I wondered how to tell Flynn. He had switched on his huge TV screen and was sitting in the dark apart from the glow from it. He was deep in thought and not watching anything in particular.
Being near him was the only thing that had seemed to center me, so I climbed on the couch and snuggled close to him. Immediately, his arm slid around my shoulder, and he pulled my head to rest on his chest. We didn’t speak, and I just sat in his arms for about forty minutes while he and I mulled everything over in our minds. Eventually, after a period of consolidating my thoughts I raised my head to look at him.
“They’ll catch Bernie and Tyler and then what, Flynn? Do you want to keep performing?”
“I don’t see any way I can, babe; without funds. Even if they do catch them, the damage taking time out does in this industry would just make me yesterday’s front man. It would take years for someone to take a chance on me after this… if ever.”
“What about me? What about if I took a chance on you, Flynn?”
He chuckled and shifted then took my face in his warm hands, “Valerie, you are so fucking adorable. You’re definitely my number one fan, huh?”
I pushed away from him trying to be taken seriously, “You don’t think I’m capable of managing a rock star?”
“Valerie, I think you are capable of just about anything except murder, but knowing how to run a business and loving me isn’t going to get us very far.”
“I came here with you because I trusted you. I went to the press with you because I trusted you. Now I’m asking you to trust me, not only to help you recover from this but to be bigger and better than anything Bernie Laker did for you. What do you say to me learning to manage you? If I can get the right team behind me, I believe I can do that.”
Flynn sat up and ran his hands through his hair, “Do you even know what you’re trying to take on, Valerie. These people are slimy bastards, there’s so much cut throat…?”
“I’m taking on a whole heap of shit I expect, but I’ve never taken anything on I’ve not managed and made a success of. It’ll be a steep learning curve in muddy waters, but I’d do it to the best of my ability. You asked me to trust you. I do. Do you trust me?”
Flynn gave me a soul-searching look then nodded, “Of course, I do.”
“Do you want me to take you on, Flynn? I’m ready for you, just like you told me I had to be. Question is, are you ready for me?”
Flynn stared through me for a few seconds and grinned, “Fuck yeah, with a manager with the balls you just showed, how can I not be ready. Bring it, Valerie. People are going to say I’m crazy to trust my career to some girl from nowhere, but they have no idea who you are or what you’re going to be in the future. I’m in.”
Without knowing the financial power behind the words I’d said, Flynn placed his life and his career in my hands. The feeling was indescribable to have that level of trust. I had to ensure I’d make the most of that.
Bernie and Tyler could wait; I knew we’d get them and that they had days of freedom left at the most. However, it was important to Flynn and Craig’s future that I told no one about the money until the financial shit storm that they were facing had passed. Then my plan was for Flynn Docherty to rise from the ashes of his previous band much bigger and better.
Martin and Adam died, and their legacy made them a part of what I was about to do. They’d always protected me and somehow even after their deaths, they were continuing to do that. The money from the company that hadn’t kept th
em safe meant nothing to us in material terms, but it could teach the Bernie’s of the world that they can’t manipulate, control, and monopolize people. And if it could achieve and protect someone else in the future, then I’d use every penny of it.
First of all, I wanted to protect my father until the time was right, because if anyone knew he had passed all that money to an eighteen-year-old girl to manage a rock star they’d certify him. They could also say that Flynn manipulated me to use it for his own gain as well.
Flynn stood and stretched, kissed me tenderly then told me he had some calls to make and I knew I had no time to lose. Reaching into my oversized bag, I pulled out my detachable keyboard and notepad and fired it up. Flynn had to be seen to be still buoyant and resilient and a positive professional profile had to be maintained.
My business brain was already in action, and I was determined Flynn would come back fighting. At best, I’d have a few months to rebrand Flynn, learn about the music business and how things got done, and to build a loyal team of experts around us. We’d have to be clever about how it was all done, and once we had our plan in place, we’d sit waiting in the wings.
Meanwhile, I was a photographer and made videos, so I’d cover Flynn’s PR but find a public spokesperson to act on his behalf. I could easily pay for that. Flynn could write new material that we’d copyright after his solvency issues were settled, and he’d be free of all ties. We’d find a recording studio, or better still, build one in my old studio at my dad’s place. No one would have to know about it.
Opening a word document, I smirked and titled the file, ‘Rock Bottom to Rock God: Shortcuts for Beginners.’ It was a tongue in cheek title, but my intentions were deadly serious. The first rule in business is to believe in the product you have, and I had no hesitations about that. I believed in Flynn.
I had no nerves or doubts about Flynn’s come back. All I needed was the right skill-set for the job. As for the financial backing, that was secure. Once the time was right I’d tell him about the money. My guess is if he knew he’d object. My intention was only to use what we needed, when we needed it. If my plan worked, Flynn could pay it back, and we’d decide how to donate it in the future.