Exit the Pawn

The direct continuation of Victim of Love

By Atonia Walpole

(Picture creations also by Atonia)

Chapter 1

“Come what sorrow can, it cannot countervail the exchange of joy that one short minute gives me in her sight.” (Romeo and Juliet Act 2 Scene 6)

The last of the evening sun was streaming into her bedroom and bathing them in a golden light. The rumpled sheets took on a glow that spread up the pale blue walls and bounced off an oil painting above her bed. Their fingers were entwining, releasing and entwining again.

“I don’t know what…when I first saw you I think here is a man I wish to know. You were with your little daughter.”

“I felt something of the same thing. Except I felt I already knew you.”

“I am so happy you come to me.”

Blaine’s mouth closed over hers and he rolled back on top of her, taking some of his weight on his arms.

“You are what I needed, Christine, and I do need you.”

“I think you do. You have so many scars. You suffer too much.” Her arms went around his neck. “I will treat you tenderly and kiss away your hurts.” She softly kissed the bruises on his throat.

“Kiss them away…kiss them away, Christine.” Blaine had many hurts.

His arrival that morning had been a surprise but a welcome one. Christine was preparing the vegetables she’d brought earlier from the market.  She had a freshly caught fish and herbs from her little garden. They’d never said anything but hello during a brief stop at the airstrip when he’d brought Lara and Janine back with Janine’s kitten.

Sometimes you meet someone and you know. You have connected without words or deeds. She looked into his eyes and saw something there she recognized. And now he was here and there was no awkwardness for he was not a stranger to her. She cooked for him and they shared a bottle of wine out in her garden. Throughout the afternoon they gently flowed together. She took him upstairs and loved him.

She was a balm to his wounded self and he lost himself in her soft arms. No explanations were needed between them. He had known it would be this way with her.

When Sir Brennan suggested he take a holiday he first balked at the idea until he thought of Christine. It all seemed right and it was. He told his Uncle Trevor where he would be and his uncle took his children to the farm. He’d then invited Lara and her daughter Janine to come over for a visit. This gave Blaine and Christine time alone.

Christine knew nothing of his problems at home and he told her nothing of them. This was a little space in time he’d carved out for himself to be with her, to forget for awhile and to restore himself.

He would go down to the market with her early in the morning where she would haggle for the best prices. She bought the food they would eat that day and placed tidbits on his tongue for him to taste and approve or not.

She took him down to the beach where they would walk or lie in the sun, touching, always touching. He did a lot of walking with her and not once did he reach for a pain pill. He was totally relaxed with her. She eased him.

Lara had told her about him, about the time she spent with him on the little island in Corfu. She’d had to tell someone about the magic of the dolphins and David. But Lara would never know him as she did. Christine sensed there was a lot of pain associated with Blaine but she didn’t ask questions; she would only kiss him and draw him to her.  She never asked him how he came by the terrible bruising on his neck, the fresh scars on his left arm or the bruised and swollen knuckles he arrived with. They faded and healed while he was with her. She knew he’d been in a fight but unless he chose to tell her she didn’t want to know.

She found him to be a gentle soul who delighted in little things. With his artist's eye he would point out things to her she’d passed by daily and had never noticed. He was sensual and uninhibited, the most complete and perfect lover she’d ever had.

It was an idyllic time that could not last forever. He’d been with her for three and a half weeks when he got a phone call from his solicitor. Sir Brennan had contacted them and told them that Abdul Kazan was out of his coma. He’d awakened and he wanted to talk to Blaine.

She stood in the doorway to her living room. “You have to leave?”

Blaine laid his phone down on a table. “Yes, the world has called me back.”

“I am sorry to see you go.”

He took her in his arms. “You do not know how sorry I am to leave.”

“I think for us there will always be good-byes full of tears and hellos full of joy.”

“It has to be this way. I love you, Christine. I do not say good-bye. I will keep you in here, in my heart.”

“You will come back; you must come back because I’ve fallen in love with you.”

“I will be back.” He held her tightly against him and closed his eyes.

His solicitor met him at the airstrip. “I’m going to stay near, Mr. Blaine. There is the possibility that you may be arrested.

Blaine looked at him and said nothing. Once he passed through customs he saw two men waiting for him with a car. He brought his solicitor along with him. The car had been sent by Sir Brennan to take him to Cambridge.

He watched the landscape speed by outside of the tinted windows and wondered if indeed he might be arrested in Cambridge. His uncle’s words came back to him, “...throw you to the wolves”.  He and Sir Brennan had a rather strange relationship. There were times when he thought Sir Brennan actually cared what happened to him and then there was the fact that he used him unmercifully.

The driver was talking to someone on his phone. Blaine sat back and tried to relax. He closed his eyes and tried to send himself back to Christine but he couldn’t get there. An unbidden nervousness had taken up residence inside of him.

When they arrived at the hospital he was taken to a rear entrance. The driver hopped out along with his mate and looked around before opening the back door for Blaine. Haines and another man came out of the hospital door. Thus he walked between their corridor to the elevator and was escorted down a hallway strangely unpopulated. It appeared to him they were on alert for something. He hadn’t time to think about it for they’d reached Abby’s room. Haines opened the door and he and the solicitor stepped inside with Blaine.

Blaine’s eyes went directly to the hospital bed. The boy looked pale but he’d been propped up in the bed and his eyes were very much alive.

Part of his scalp was covered in a bandage with a drain lying down beside his head. Blaine approached the bed. He quickly took in the machines attached to him and then looked into his eyes.

“How are you?" he asked.

“They say I will live. You have survived better than me.”

“I’ll never sing tenor again.”

“Did you before?”

“No. Why did you want to see me?”

“They say you have been on holiday.”

“Who are 'they'?”

“Um, one is over there…Haines.” He sipped water through a straw.

“You’ve been talking to them?” Blaine was surprised.

“There is something you must know. I did not pull the trigger that killed your friend. I gave him the gun. I said some things to him. I said you would die.”

“You planned to kill me.”

“I was sent to kill you. I could not do it.”

“Why did you give him the gun?”

“I hoped he would shoot me. He became upset. I did not know he would turn it upon himself.” He waited a beat. “That is a lie. I was told he was unstable.”

Blaine clenched his jaw. “Were you there when…Renee...?”

“No, no, I was not there.”

“Why couldn’t you kill me, Abby?”

He looked down towards the foot of the bed. “Because…my father loved you and so there must be something worthy inside of you. You are in danger, Blaine…and so am I.”

“What…? I don’t understand.”

“There are people who wish your death, people who are part of my family. I was chosen. They chose badly. I am not a soldier for them.”

Blaine remembered him saying something about being disowned by his uncle. “What can I do?”

“Stay alive. I will try and do the same. They are going to move me somewhere, I think, to another hospital.”

“I know it well. Is your mother still here?”

“She is still here but my brother goes back to Switzerland.”

“Is that where you live now?”

“That is where she lives and the others. I went to Saudi.”

“You won’t go back there, will you?”

“No, I cannot go back there. I wanted you to know.”

“Thank you, Abby. I’m sorry about…I’m sorry I hit you. You’re a good strong fighter.”

He smiled slightly. “You are stronger than me.”

“Have you told them who wants me dead?” Blaine indicated Haines.

“Yes, I have.”

Blaine looked toward the window. A helicopter was arriving. “Abby, because I loved Ali for so long and so well, I think he would want me to look over you now, to watch out for you. I don’t know what you knew  or did not know about us or about his other life that I had no knowledge of, The one he kept hidden. We are strangers, you and I, but we have a common ground.

“This hospital that you are being taken to is safe. I have been in it many times. You will meet someone there and you will have to trust him as I did. He will keep you safe. When you are well, we will talk again.”

Haines cracked the door and looked out. “Sir, his ride is here.”

“Now, you will have a helicopter ride. I don’t think I’ve ever been awake when I’ve been flown about.”

“Can’t you come with me?” It was almost a plea.

“No, but I will visit you…soon.” Blaine had a strong desire to kiss him. He looked so young, so helpless and so injured. Instead he touched his hand, not wanting him to take offense.

He waited in the hallway until his entourage was ready for him. Was this how he was going to have to live now? He watched as they wheeled Abby to the elevators and they motioned for him to come, too. He hadn’t expected Abby to turn around so fast. He looked down into his dark eyes on the elevator. The boy was scared. He’d been prompted by fear.

He was aboard and up and away. Blaine was hustled into the vehicle.

“Where are you taking me?” he asked the driver.

“Sir Brennan wishes to see you.”

Blaine looked over at his solicitor. “I will not be held there against my will.”

“No, Sir, that’s understood. It’s a meeting he wants.”

“In light of Abby’s conversion, what effect will this have on Mr. Wright?”

“He doesn’t want to press charges, perfectly willing to let it drop. He’s still considered a minor by the courts and his family, in particular his mother, has the authority to press on his behalf and she has.”

Blaine shook his head and looked out of the window. He’d never met Ali’s wife and had no desire to do so. Ali was forced to marry her at a young age by his father. He’d grown to love her over the years but that initial separation of Ali and himself was still in his mind. He couldn’t imagine what it must have been like for her.

Chapter 2

“All the world’s a stage and the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances” (As You Like It Act 2 Scene 7)

Sir Brennan cast a quick glance over Blaine when he came in. “You’re looking better. Amazing what holiday can do for you.”

“It was an amazing time.”

“Voice is better, too. They probably won’t let you back in the choir.”

“No, Sir.”

“Have a seat. Tell me, Blaine, what do you make of young Kazan?”

“He’s very young and very frightened.”

“Do you think he’s a threat?”

“No, Sir, I don’t.”

“Neither do I. They sent him over here as a weapon and it backfired on them. The boy doesn’t have it in him.”

“Have you talked to him, Sir Brennan?”

“Not personally…not yet. He’s talked to Haines and was very glad to have someone to talk to.”

“What prompted him; was it fear?”

“Oh, undoubtedly it was fear. Someone paid him a visit. Haines, of course, wasn’t allowed on the floor where he rested. But he’s been there since the boy was brought in. People got used to seeing him about. He was supposed to monitor the comings and goings of his visitors. He was in the elevator when a particular person got on and he could hear a commotion down the hall so he got off. Somebody disconnected all his machines and had plans for more but he was being monitored closely. The alarms went off.”

“They tried to kill him?”

“That’s what he says. The hospital called Cambridge police. Kazan told them he didn’t know who the man was. Later when Haines was able to get back in his room, he spilled. Got pretty emotional about it and his doctor came in and tossed Haines out.”

“Was it his uncle?”

“His uncle’s emissary. You know about him?”

“I know after his father died he was a threat to Ali. Ali called me to come and help him.”

“Hmm, of course, we can’t touch him but we can stop this sort of thing. Blaine, there is a Fatwa out on you.”

Blaine rubbed his eyes. “I really…did not want to know that.”

“Better that you know. I’m offering you protection.”

Blaine looked up at him. “Not here…I won’t be kept here.”

“I didn’t think you would although it’s the safest place for you. I’ll give you a car and a driver and a bodyguard.”

“My bodyguard is in jail.”

“I may be able to do something about that now. I have Mrs. Kazan and her brother here. With Kazan’s help we may be able to convince her to drop the charges against Billy.”

“I just came from the most wonderful place and left the arms of a beautiful woman to come home to this.” Blaine rose from his chair and walked around.

Sir Brennan narrowed his eyes. Blaine and a beautiful woman.

“I am going to collect my children and go home. I am going to live my life, Sir Brennan. I will not hide and walk with fear. I told Abby that I would look out for him and that I would talk with him when he is recovered. The Ali I knew would wish me to do this. I am aware, Sir Brennan, that it was my long relationship with him that has brought this upon me, and I do not regret a moment of it.”

“I wish you the best of luck.”

“I left my car at the airstrip. I’d like to be taken back there.”

“All right. If at any time you change your mind about what I offered you, call me.”

“Thank you, and thank you for your efforts on Billy’s behalf. I was wrong to doubt you.”

Sir Brennan slightly nodded his head.

After he picked up his car he drove back into London and to Renee’s house. He’d promised Lyssa he would bring her Llama Bama. The house was already acquiring a staleness about it. Perhaps now that they knew the truth about Renee’s death his estate would be settled. Blaine didn’t spend much time in the house. He made his way up the stairs, picked up the toy and came back down. He paused at the front door and looked toward the back of the house. Renee had been happy here…here in the house William had decorated for him. He’d been proud of it. Blaine had never felt he quite belonged there. He locked the front door and left.

It was a four hour drive to the farm and traffic made it nearly five hours. He was exhausted mentally and physically when he arrived, but there were his children and an extra. Janine was still there. He grabbed up Lyssa and Willy for kisses and hugs. Willy was crawling about now and pulling up.

“Ah, Mr. Blaine!” Toomes was glad to see him too. “They’ve gone out to dinner, the other Mr. Blaine and Mrs. Holdridge.”

“And left you with all of them?”

“It’s only for a couple of hours and they are good children together.”

“It’s Llama Bama.” Lyssa informed Janine from her perch on her daddy’s arm.

“I never had a Llama. Can I hold him?” Janine asked.

Blaine set Lyssa down but held onto Willy. He sought a comfortable chair.

“Could I get you something, Sir?”

“Toomes, would there by chance be something to eat? I don’t believe I’ve eaten since breakfast.”

“Certainly there is. I’ll just be a moment.”

“And some coffee, please.”

Lyssa and Janine ran off to play in her room and Blaine had a look around the main room. He was satisfied with the décor. He smiled, remembering Trevor’s complaints about frou-frou. There was none of that. Bucolic scenes graced the frames over the sofa. He was sitting in a leather club chair with an ottoman in front of it. He stood Willy up at the ottoman. It was a good house and now it had been brought back and would stand for another hundred years.

“Will you be staying the night, Sir?”

“Yes, Toomes, it’s been a long drive.” He went to the table and sat down to  a meat pie, salad and macaroni cheese. A nursery meal but he cleaned the plate.

After he ate he brought in his bag and found a bedroom. He could hear the girls chattering across the hall while he took off his shoes and found a pair of knit pajama pants to slip on with a tee shirt. He took a second look at the bed and would like to have gone beneath the covers. Instead he went across the hall and played with the little girls, letting them decorate him with plastic tiaras, hair bows and play nail polish with sparkles.

Trevor and Lara came home and, hearing laughter, she went up to check on the girls. “Well, aren’t you lovely!”

“Hello, Lara,” he grinned from the twin bed where he was sprawled.

“We didn’t know you were back.”

He caught the ‘we’. “I came back this morning.”

“How was your holiday?”

“Wonderful,” he smiled.

“Good. Mine’s been very nice and enjoyable. We’ve had fun, haven’t we, Janine?”

“We can’t go, Mommy, we can’t!”

Lara looked up and rolled her eyes.

“Are you still homeless?”

“Yes, and it’s wearing thin. I’m going to run out of friends.”

“I may be able to help you but it will take a little time...if you are interested in a house in London.”

“Very interested.”

“I will let you know when it is available.”

“Thanks, David. You are a sweet princess.” She placed a kiss on his forehead.

“David’s back?” Trevor asked.

“Yes, says he came in this morning. The girls are playing with him…he looks really pretty.”

Later David came down and Lara went up to get the girls bathed and put to bed. He went over and gave his uncle a hug. “Thank you.”

“I take it all was well?”

“Very and just what I needed. You know Abby has regained consciousness?”

“Yes, I heard.”

“He asked for me. That is why I am back. I saw him this morning. He is a very frightened young man. Sir Brennan had him transported to the country.”

“Why is he frightened?”

“He was sent to kill me and he failed his mission. I agree with Sir Brennan in that he does not have it in him to kill. Already there has been an attempt on his life. When he recovers I am going to try and help him.”

Trevor shifted in his chair. “David, I can’t tell you what to do but it’s my opinion that you would do well to put as much distance from the Kazan clan as you can. You’re not helping yourself by becoming involved with Ali’s son.”

“It is not myself that I wish to help.”

“All right, I’ll just lay it out. There’s a fatwa out on you. You know what that is?”

“Yes, I do know. Sir Brennan told me. Have you talked with him?”

“No, no, I haven’t. I got a call from an old adversary. You’ve met him, Fadi.”

“Fadi called you?”

“Yeah, he wanted me to warn you.”

“Well, I have been warned and so I know. It does not change anything for me. I will not hide in a closet.”

“You will take precautions. Just be aware of your surroundings, David. I’m surprised Sir Brennan let you walk out of there alone.”

“He offered and I declined.”

“I’m glad you had your little holiday because it would not be wise for you to travel outside of the country right now.”

“Do you not think it strange for a man who wanted his own brother dead to now recruit assassins to kill the one that caused his death? To persecute me because I was a partner in a love affair with him that lasted nearly twenty years? What purpose does this serve? It is all over and done with. He is dead and I am no threat to them, their way of life or anything else.”

“I know it makes no sense at all. The only thing I can think of is something has been revealed since his death. Maybe the fact that he was gay is now out. That might be a big embarrassment to his brother. Kill all the players and make it go away.”

“Abby knew we were lovers.”

“Well, there you go. It’s out.”

“He knows I came to his country for his father.”

“Because you told him or...?”

“He knew before.”

“You didn’t ask him how he knew.”

“He said he was very close to Ali. He knew Ali occasionally had liaisons with young men.” Blaine looked at his uncle thoughtfully. “What is it that you think?”

“You tell me, David.”

“I would hate to think that it is so. He is so young and…vulnerable.”

“It’s because he’s young and vulnerable, David. You don’t know him so don’t start making him up.”

David rose, found his cigarettes and stepped outside.

Trevor ran a hand over his face. David was driven by emotion and that was going to get him in trouble. Wait a minute – more trouble. Did he have on purple nail polish?

The night air was cool on his skin as he walked out barefoot.  He did not like to think that Abby, in his ignorance and for whatever reason, had set this terrible thing in motion. Why would he have done such a thing? To gain favor with his uncle? It was a family divided. This he knew from Ali. Abby had not reckoned with the man he was dealing with. He was speculating but there was a seed of truth in that.

Chapter 3

Now we go in content to liberty, and not to banishment (As You Like It Act 1 Scene 3)

It was good to be back home again where he could swim daily and work out on his own machine. He began to catch up with himself, had his hair trimmed and a manicure. He bought himself some new gardening gloves and tended his neglected gardens. He reviewed pictures and notes on the progress of the garden restoration he and Margret Langston had designed. She had a new laptop and was making progress in that direction, too.

Word came from the estate agent he’d engaged that the building on Regents Street had a buyer. It was welcome news to him. A piece of his past he could put to rest.

His solicitor contacted him about Billy. His legal team managed to have the charges changed to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, slightly less than attempted murder. They were still working to have it settled out of court and stood a good chance of it because of the publicity a trial would draw. The Kazans did not need the publicity. The best news he had to report was that Billy would be let out until the case came up in court. Blaine’s solicitor would be bringing him to Gravesend.

After the initial greeting by his staff and Willy, whom he kept in his arms, Blaine led him to his study and closed the door.

“Lyssa will be home from school in an hour. Ah, Billy!” Blaine embraced him.

“Missed you,” Billy said, returning a one-armed embrace.

“Is that all you have to say? Damn me to hell; it is what I deserve.”

“Watch your language, Blaine, there’s a young man present,” Billy grinned. “It wasn’t your fault. I acted on instinct…didn’t think. I wanted him gone.”

“You never backed away from that, did you? Even when it might have helped you get out of jail.”

“No, no, Blaine, I thought it was time to take a stand. You mean more to me than anything they could take away from me.  It wasn’t so bad. I was kept in a cell by myself, which was good. I don’t recommend the food.”

Blaine thought he looked thinner and pale. “It’s over now except the trial…if it comes to that.”

“Yeah, it may not.” Billy set Willy down on the floor and sat on the sofa. Blaine joined him and laid a hand on his arm.

“I am so glad you are here, that they let you come here. I was afraid you would be taken to the country with Sir Brennan.”

‘The worst part of it was not knowing how you were. The solicitor that I worked with wouldn’t tell me anything. It was Trevor who set me right there. He’s all right, you know?”

‘Yes, I know.”

“Your voice has different sound to it.”

“Believe me, it is much better than it was. I sounded like a frog.” Blaine watched Willy pull himself up on the zebra striped ottoman. “Watch him now.”

Willy walked around the side, holding on, and then took three steps to Billy. Billy’s eyes filled. “Oh, what I’ve missed!”

“It won’t be long before he is following your steps. Billy, I have been thinking and I want you to move back here to Gravesend.”

Billy held Willy’s hands. “You think too much, Blaine.”

“Explain, please.”

“I’ve been on me own now for nearly a year. You’ve been able to do what you want, you know, and so have I.”

“Are you turning me down?”

“I wouldn’t want you to think you have to do this because of where I’ve been for the last three months.”

“Billy, I do it because I love you, because I want to share my life and my children with you. We are not married and you are free to do as you please. I need you in my life. I do not ask you back here as my employee. You are not my servant. We are equal, you and I.”

“I…I would…like to come back. I’d want to keep my flat.”

“Of course and keep your independence.” Blaine leaned forward. “I have made many mistakes in my life. Sometimes I cannot see what is before me. I do not know what I have of value until it is gone. I have treated you unfairly, treated you badly for my own ends, but one thing good has come out of it. That is Willy. He is ours, a child conceived unconventionally, it is true, but conceived out of love. I look at him and I see you, your soft brown eyes.”  Blaine kissed him and Billy’s arms went around him, hugging him tightly.

“You’re okay now, Blaine?”

“I am okay now,” Blaine smiled. “I am okay now that you are out of jail. I cannot tell you how that tortured me.”

“Well,  it wasn’t the first time for me. At least I got a private cell. It was just the sitting around with nothing to do, knowing you were hurt, knowing that bastard lived. I knew what I’d done and I figure I’m up for doing some time for it. Did he hurt you badly?”

“As you can see I’m fine. He has remarkably strong hands and there were times during the fight that I thought I was going to pass out. It was my fault because I hit him first…striking out in blind anger. He’s twenty and like many young people he displayed an attitude I could not swallow, especially about Renee. You would think that at my age I would have more control over myself.” Blaine had to be careful what he said to Billy because he may yet go to trial.

“You handled yourself pretty well. He was covered in blood.”

“Yes, Billy, but most of it was mine,” Blaine chuckled.

“Your, um, solicitor said you were out of the country for awhile.”

“For a little over three weeks I was in France. I could not come home to Lyssa battered as I was. Sir Brennan recommended I go on holiday for awhile.” Blaine looked at his watch. “Speaking of Lyssa, I should tell Toomes to go and fetch her from school. Excuse me a moment.”

Toomes, however, was already gathering up her shopping bag and her purse. “I’m stopping at the market for Fish on the way to pick up Lyssa. She’ll be that happy to see Mr. Billy home.”

“I am sure she will. Thank you, Toomes.”

Blaine already regretted mentioning holidaying in France. Christine was someone he wanted to keep separate, in a special place that he could return to time and time again. He and Billy would have to find their footing together again. He meant what he said about Billy keeping his independence for he intended to keep his.

“Billy,” Blaine stopped at the door, “bring Willy and come into the garden."

Billy stopped by to talk to Fish for a little bit and then came outside. “Ah, it looks good, Blaine. I think Fish is cooking everything she knows.”

“She will fatten you up. You’ve lost weight, but it looks good on you.”

Billy walked around with his son on his arm, picking a leaf for him from an herb patch.

“Blaine, you never said whether Kazan was really bent on killing you or if he killed Renee.”

“The truth is not so simple, Billy.  He asked to see me before he left the hospital in Cambridge. He was sent to kill me but could not do it. He says he did not kill Renee. He gave him a gun. I am not sure I believe him completely about Renee. He evidently said some things to him and upset him. Still, it is hard for me to believe he would shoot himself. Even if he wanted to kill himself, which I do not believe, a gun would not have been his choice.”

“Are they still looking for his killer then?”

“No, it has been ruled a suicide.”

Billy looked over at him and nodded slightly. Blaine would eventually get to the truth. He just hoped he was there with him and not locked up in prison. “What’s Sir Brennan say about it?”

“He does not believe it either, but I think he is trying to accept it. He had so hoped that Abby Kazan was the answer. I…I want to believe that Abby is also a victim. He has been used badly by his uncle. I have this thing inside of me that wants to help him…to watch over him. He is a very frightened young man.”

“Who’s he afraid of?”

“I think…his uncle. He has failed in his mission. He knows about Ali and me. He also knows I killed his father.”

“Maybe he’s afraid of you.”

“Of me? No…no, he has no reason to fear me.”

“Except that you were going to kill him.” Billy put Willy down on the walk and held his hands so he could walk, too.

“Only in self defense.” Blaine paused and looked up at the sky. “But I will tell you this and I have told no other. Once when I had him down during the fight I reached for my gun but it was gone. Lost in the grass. Had it been there…I do not know, Billy, I do not know. What have I become that I would want to shoot a 20 year old boy?”

“A survivor. You’re a survivor, Blaine. He had a knife, so the police said. They tried to pin that one on me, too, but one of Sir Brennan’s guys, Howard, backed me up. He saw me run over and pick the gun up off the grass. That was about the time Haines pulled him off you. At that time I didn’t know if you were alive or not. So, I shot him…meant to kill him but the damn gun pulled to the right.”

“I am very sorry, Billy.”

“No need for you to be sorry. I’m not sorry I shot him. I’d like to wipe out the whole family. The kid’s got younger brothers, don’t he?”

“Yes…three.”

“Just a matter of time…they’ll be coming for you, too.”

“I sincerely hope not. I want it to end here with Abby.”

“Just…don’t go getting involved with him. He doesn’t need you to look out for him…he’s got family.”

Blaine bit his lip and looked at Billy. He was the second one to tell him not to get involved.

Chapter 4

“For courage mounteth with occasion.” (King John Act 2 Scene 1)

Three days later Blaine sat across from Sir Brennan. “I appreciate your coming, Blaine. I’m sure this must be awkward for you.”

Blaine didn’t answer.

“She requested to see you.”

“You told me to stay away from the Kazans and now I am invited to visit. There is a thing to be said for it. Confusing signals at best.”

“I want to break this open. I’ve had several interviews with Abdul Kazan. My opinion is that he is a first rate liar. Perhaps you can find the truth.”

“All right, where is she?”

“She’s upstairs and her brother will be with her.”

When Blaine entered the suite her brother stood up but her back was towards him. She was dressed in traditional garb, covered from head to foot except for her face when she turned around. Sir Brennan made the introductions then left the room. Blaine bowed slightly. She was not a beautiful woman but striking, with large eyes outlined in kohl. She stared at him for a long time, flicking her eyes over him.

“You wanted to see me?” Blaine finally broke the silence.

“Yes, I thought it was time we met.” She flicked her eyes over to her brother who retreated to another part of the room. “Please, we sit.” She indicated two chairs drawn up by the unlit fireplace.

“All those years I thought it was another woman. I knew he did not love me, from the beginning I knew. It was an arranged marriage. For a long time I did not love him either but things change.”

“How did you find out?”

“He foolishly kept some letters that you sent to him. They were found after his death.”

Blaine knew they had to be old letters. He had not written to Ali in many years. They sent text messages or called.

“It was a shock to us. I asked my son to find out who this Blaine was. With new information, the picture became clear to us. Ali was not who we thought he was. He had secrets he kept from us, terrible secrets. He did not have a mistress…he had a man. It nearly destroyed me personally. Knowledge has placed a great burden on Abdul.”

“Why should it matter now? He is dead. It is over and I am no threat to you nor have I ever been.”

“It matters to a holy man. Abdul confessed Prince Al Waleed’s secret life to him. We hoped to cleanse our family of this abomination. The cleric passed this information on to Prince Kazan to gain favor in his house. He sent for Abdul.”

“And he sent Abdul to kill me, a twenty year old university student. Listen to your own words. Do you not see how absurd this is? We are civilized people.”

“A fatwa has been issued for you,” she said with some satisfaction.

“Yes, I know,” Blaine said softly. “They would kill me because I loved someone for twenty-five years? It is over. He is gone.”

“It will not be over as long as you live.”

“ My death will erase nothing.”

“Your death will allow my son to live.”

“I am not a martyr. I will not give up my life for anyone. I respect your culture but this is my country. We do not have fatwas here nor do we honor them. I do not apologize for being who I am or whom I have loved. I realize it must have been quite a shock to you to find out Ali was gay. It is not the end of the world. He is no longer here to defend himself. You should let it rest and get on with your life.”

“Pah! What life? With my son at death’s door.”

“But he is not at death’s door. He is here in a safe place. You live in Switzerland, do you not?”

She glanced around at her brother and then spoke quietly. “We have lived there since the first attempt on Ali’s life. We feel safe there but I fear Abdul will not be safe anywhere while you live.”

“Were you directed to talk to me of this? It is all right to say so. This has to stop, Mrs. Kazan. I have my own life to live and I intend to live it. Your son is not an assassin. I am sure he wants to finish his education and be with his friends. He made a mistake in disclosing his father’s secrets. I will not pay for his mistakes. Ali was capable of great love and also of deceit. You would do well to direct your anger where it belongs. It does not belong with me.

“I have offered to watch over Abdul. Whether this can happen I do not know. “

“And who will watch over you? The two of you together will not happen. I will not allow my son to be influenced by your kind.”

She may as well have slapped him. Blaine’s face was devoid of emotion He withdrew from her completely.

“I am going to take him from university and bring him home with me when he is able to travel.”

Blaine looked at her. “There are other ways of dying.”

“I do not understand.”

“No…your kind wouldn’t.”  He knew it was bad manners on his part but he rose from his chair and left her sitting there.

Prejudice was nothing new to him. He’d struggled against it all his life…it never stopped hurting. Abby was to be taken from his ‘English friends’ back into her world. He knew nothing of the boy, what kind of friends he might have or what he enjoyed doing. But he did hope, in her ignorance, that she did not destroy him, split him, and create another monster as Ali’s father had.

“Well?” Sir Brennan awaited him at the door of his office and moved aside, inviting him in.

“They found some letters that I wrote to Ali many years ago. She was…shocked and encouraged Abby to tell a cleric…so that they might be cleansed of this abomination. He told Prince Kazan, who sent for Abby. You know the rest of the story.”

“It did not go well.” Sir Brennan rubbed his eyes.

“She plans to withdraw him from university and take him back to Switzerland.”

“I personally do not care what she does with him after I have the truth out of him.”

“What truth are you seeking?”

“The truth about Renee.” Sir Brennan looked Blaine in the eyes.

“That is for you to determine. I am sorry for the boy and his situation but I cannot help him. Renee is…gone. I do not believe he willingly put a gun to his temple, Sir Brennan, but I will not be the tool that digs for the truth. I could have killed Abby or he might have killed me. I think, Sir, there has been enough killing, enough death, to last me for a lifetime. Mrs. Kazan wants me dead to save her son. I will not be a martyr for anyone. I will not throw myself on Renee’s funeral pyre. He would not want it and I cannot do it.”

Sir Brennan looked down at his desk. “I understand you completely. I’ll say this…if that boy ever comes clean, he won’t be going back to Switzerland. I’ll see he spends his youth in an English prison.”

Blaine was so weary of the whole thing. “Is there anything else, Sir?”

“No, no, Blaine. Thank you for coming in. I understand Billy Wright is with you.”

“Yes.”

“She still has not dropped the charges against him. I don’t think she understands what a trial will bring for her family.”

“I pity you, Sir Brennan, for she is an ignorant woman.”

“Be that as it may, Blaine, she loves her son…and I have him.”

“I wish you luck, Sir.” Blaine stood up, wanting very much to put that place behind him.

As he drove through the gates of the compound he thought he would have liked to talk to Abby. Perhaps it was best that he didn’t.  He made his way through the village and out to the motorway.

He thought about his visit to Ali and the circle of friends that he had. What happened to them? Why could they not protect his son? Ali had defied tradition, religion, culture…everything. They were cowards. Without Ali…they were all cowards. Among the circle he had dined with…Fadi.

Had he been a friend or…what? He’d sent word through Trevor about the fatwa. He didn’t have to do that. Why had he? Had he done it out of worry for him…whose purse was he now attached to?

He came to a roundabout and instead of heading south he went north.

He found Trevor in the old stables wearing a pair of ragged jeans and wellies. He was mucking them out and already had an impressive pile of rotted straw and debris piled outside.

“David, what a good lad. Hope you brought your wellies.”

“Uncle Trevor, you have quite a job of work going.”

“What brings you up here?”

“I needed to talk to you about something.”

“Okay, time for a break anyway. Let’s go in.” Trevor led the way to the house, stopping to toe off his wellies and beat the straw from his jeans.

Seated at the kitchen table with a beer, Blaine recounted his visit to Sir Brennan’s and his thoughts on Fadi.

“So where are you going with all this?”

“I do not know…I do not know where it leads. I am trying to make sense of it.”

“Well, I’ve known Fadi for probably, oh, fifteen years or more. I ran into him or against him many times.”

“Do you trust him?”

“Only if I’ve got money to spare.”

“He was among Ali’s circle of friends in Riyadh. I am not saying he was a friend but he was someone that Ali trusted or he would not have been there. He helped me in Beirut. He brought you to me. Who paid him to do this if he is, as you say, a mercenary?”

“Could have been because he knew me. He’s got his greedy hands on the pulse of the Middle East, David. He’s aware of what’s going on.”

“Well, then he knows Ali’s son is in England, knows he is with Sir Brennan. If he knew a fatwa was in effect for me, he had to have known the reason for it. Prince Kazan’s plan had failed.”

“If you want to know what motivates Fadi, follow the money trail.” Trevor took a long drink from his beer bottle. “David, why are you getting into this?”

“I don’t know…something bothers me about Abby. Why, in all of the Middle East, in the circle of friends that Ali had…men he trusted…why have they not offered to help Abby? Where are they now?”

“Fair weather friends? Maybe they’re afraid for their own lives.”

“This could be so. Fear. But then…Fadi was not afraid; he’s not of them. He belongs to someone else.”

“Fadi is an independent operative. He belongs to no one but himself.”

“And whoever is paying him at the moment. Abby knew the last attempt on his father’s life was a set up, a set up after the fact. They found no trace of Ali, only his glasses and some personal objects, things that would have been destroyed in the blast. Someone very much wanted the world to believe that Ali was dead. I believed it and…for me he was. What followed was…not…Ali.” David frowned, turning his bottle around and around on the table.

“His brother, Prince Kazan, wanted him dead. That is what I was lead to believe and I do know he is a despicable character. He would have had plenty of opportunities to take Ali’s life. It was not him who planted that bomb. I do not believe it was him.”

“That was the second attempt, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, and I will never forget the first attempt. I was in Cramer’s office when the report came across the TV. That was the day of the elevator. Many months later Ali came walking up my drive. He had been in hiding, moved his family to Switzerland. I do not think he really knew from what direction the threat came from.”

Trevor could see Blaine was trying to work something out. He didn’t know why he bothered. All that was over and done with. What difference did it make who the players were? Ali was dead now. David had made sure of that.

“David, why not leave it alone? It doesn’t change anything in your life now. This kid of Ali’s, he’s got to fight his own battles.”

“It is easier to fight when you know who the enemy is. Uncle Trevor, how do I contact Fadi?”

“I don’t know and if I did I wouldn’t tell you. You’ve got enough on your shoulders right now. Go home, David. Go home and live.”

Chapter 5

A plague a’both your houses! (Romeo and Juliet  Act 3 Scene 1)

David couldn’t leave it alone.

“He called you. Fadi called you. How is it that he had your phone number?” Blaine could see the wonder growing in Trevor’s eyes.  “Are you that close to him that you exchanged phone numbers?”

Trevor looked off to the side and was quiet for a moment. “I can say truthfully that I have never exchanged phone numbers with Fadi. We are not and have never been buddies, David. He has helped me when it was to his advantage and there were times when we were working cross purposes. There was a time in Turkey when I was trying to take him out. That was a long time ago.” He looked back at David. “Phone numbers…nothing is private anymore. You can find out anything you want  to find. Why he would want to find my number…I don’t know…unless he truly wanted to help you.”

“Why did he not find my phone number? If it is so that we are all public…why not call me directly?”

Trevor shook his head.

“Do you think it possible that perhaps you were working for the same people? Did that ever occur to you?”

“No.”

“Might it be possible that he is one of Sir Brennan’s operatives?”

Trevor flicked a piece of straw from his leg. “Anything is possible. If he was useful…yeah.”

“If he was useful.” Blaine rubbed his forehead with the bottle and took a drink. “Sir Brennan knew me long before I knew him. May I tell you what I think has happened?”

“I don’t think I have a choice.”

“Fadi was planted with Ali. Fadi, a whore who would do anything.  Fadi knows all the players in the Middle East. He knows how to orchestrate a car bombing. Twice he tried to kill Ail and twice he failed. I believe he was working for Sir Brennan. Ali trusted him, perhaps one of the only members of his circle that could move about from country to country without suspicion.”

“One thing I do know, David, Fadi was not allowed to come into this country. He would have been stopped and arrested.”

“Depends on whose plane he files, Uncle Trevor. I came back from Beirut with my hand nearly blown apart. Did I see any authorities? No…I did not.

“I was kidnapped off the street in London and taken to Sir Brennan and there I am told about Ali and his underground operations. My wife is taken and ends up in a walled-up room…how then could I refuse to kill the man who caused such chaos in the world, a murderer. Yes, I know he was all these things, Uncle Trevor. I know what he was behind his mask. I now wonder how much was true and how much was for my benefit. The thing that I could never grasp was why he would kidnap Mandi. Mandi cared for him and he for her.”

“Blaine, he was a madman.  He’d become unhinged from whatever door that had kept him sane for all those years. He could no longer be the Ali you knew.”

“I know. That Ali was already gone. He was dead to me in the second blast. He had to die but…why…did it have to be me? Sir Brennan primed me and got me to the place where I was ready to kill and he sent me up the street knowing what I would do. Never mind what that might do to me, he had finally got his man. He could have used Fadi against Ali…but no…he used me in the worst possible way. Fadi is nowhere to be found in England because he has already been sent abroad.

“I, who could barely walk at the time, shot up with drugs so I could make it there on my feet. And then what does he do? He gives me another job…he sent me for you, knowing I could not refuse when I knew who it was I was going after.

“Where am I going with this? He wants me to rid him of Abby. Today he tells me the boy is a liar. He tried to pull me in again. I am onto his game, Uncle Trevor. He tells me about the fatwa…it is pubic knowledge now so if I die he will tell you how sorry he was that I refused his protection. You do not have to worry because I did not take his bait. If I had and ended up killing Abby then my life would become very short…very short indeed. Case of Ali Kazan closed, case of Renee Blevin…closed. Why do you think Fadi called you? Tell me why you think he called.”

“Well, if Sir Brennan had already told you…I…but I didn’t know you knew at that time.” Trevor looked at him a moment. “So I could protect you.”

“Yes…protect me from my protectors.” David got up and tossed his bottle in the trash bin. “I will tell you what I am going to do. I am going to put my solicitors in charge of Billy’s assault charge. I am going to tell them exactly what  groundwork I think is being laid down. I do not care who he is anymore. I will not be used this way…not ever again will I be anyone’s pawn.”

Trevor looked up at his nephew and slightly smiled. Here was the strength that David possessed. He was a damn intelligent man. How much of this was true and how much was the product of a fertile mind he didn’t know, but there was enough there…enough to make him a believer.

David was on his phone to Billy.

“I am at Uncle Trevor’s and will probably stay the night. I will be back tomorrow. Billy, once you suggested a home protection company. Call them and tell them we want a protective barrier installed over the house and property."

“What’s happened, Blaine?” Billy was immediately alarmed.

“I will tell you about it when I get home. There is no immediate danger and nothing for you to worry about today. Do get the people out there as soon as possible.”

Trevor went to the fridge, all thoughts of mucking out stables gone now. This new situation called for more beer.

Trevor slid a beer across the table to Blaine. “So the way I see it is this: Brennan became aware of you through Fadi. He checks around and finds out who you are and he sits on all this and waits. Meanwhile he makes two attempts to take out Ali. He probably keeps up with you through Cramer. He and Cramer are old friends. By the way, I think Cramer is a stand up guy. You’re married to two of Cramer’s people so there’s no problem knowing what’s going on with  you. He knows you’re shacked up with Ali when he’s in town. So what does he do? He throws Renee into the mix.”

“I cannot believe Renee would have anything to do with this.”

“I couldn’t believe what you’ve told me of Sir Brennan. If it’s all true then, yeah, he’d use Renee. He was a perfect foil. Renee already had the hots for you. It was a piece of cake. He told you he gave Renee a gun…why?”

“He hoped Renee would shoot him. That is what he said.”

“Rubbish! He probably gave it to him for his own protection. Kazan may have been sent there to kill him and thought better of it. He couldn’t kill you. The boy ain’t a killer.”

“Fadi is.”

“You think Fadi killed Renee?”

“I do not know for sure but if anyone could make it look like a suicide, he could.”

“Fadi…Fadi could have befriended Kazan. The boy needed a friend…yeah, I can see that.”

“Especially if he offered him protection from his uncle. I cannot…I cannot figure Fadi out.”

“Simple, you said it yourself; he’s a whore. He’ll do anything for money and, God knows, the Kazans have got plenty. He plays both sides of the fence when it suits him.  He probably helped set you up for Ali’s death. Like you said, kidnapping Mandi didn’t fit. Even if Ali was insane, why would he do that? Fadi could have convinced him that was the thing to do…the thing that would bring you to him. That’s what Brennan wanted. He finally had a fool proof weapon…you.”

“At the time he said to me that he did not know for certain that Ali was there. Still…now I wonder why he did not raid the place and find out.”

“Because legally he couldn’t do that or he didn’t have all his ducks in a row with another branch. He probably knew he was there.”

“I think he was working with Cramer. It was Cramer who came…afterwards.”

“Right…well, Mandi was Cramer’s protégé. You never hear anything about her?”

“No, not since she left her baby behind.”

“You sent her on her way, didn’t you?”

“More or less, I did, yes.”

“All right now that we have Brennan pegged as a class one bastard for his treatment of you, what do you plan to do about it…if anything?”

“I would like to know where Fadi fits into Renee’s murder. The second thing I want…is to get Abby out of their hands.” 

“Abby…out of their hands. If that were possible, why and for what purpose? Are you…I mean…are you attracted to him…you know?”

“Well, of course, I am. I will not lie to you but that is not the reason. He deserves a chance, I think…but only if he wants it.  I would like to talk to him away from everything and everyone. I want for him to finish his education at Cambridge and then he can do anything. He reminded me of Ali when I first met him. He was about the same age as Abby. He was so full of life and dreams. Who knows if he had been left alone what good he may have done in the world. His son deserves a chance to be himself and not be dragged down into family matters, palace intrigue, assassinations and missing persons.”

“Do you have to go home tomorrow? Think you could hang around for another day?”

“Um, yes, I can…why?”

“I’ve got an appointment with Mrs. Halstead about my retirement pay. I wanted it in one lump sum and so I have to go in and sign some papers. I’ll, uh, check around while I’m there.”

“You do not do anything to get you in trouble there.”

“Not me. I steer clear of trouble if I can.”

“I will call home and let them know."

Chapter 6

Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind (Midsummer Night’s Dream Act 1 Scene 1)

Blaine spent the morning working in the stables and then went in and bathed. He found things to make a sandwich and a cup of tea for his lunch. Later he walked down to the cottage. Trevor rang him while he was there and told him to stay put.

Blaine walked out onto the patio and lit a cigarette. He was on to his second one when he heard a car door slam and then a motor start up as he went around the cottage. Coming down the hill toward the cottage was Abby Kazan. He looked like a scared rabbit.

“Hello, Abby.”

“Blaine…how is this possible?”

“You have just met my uncle. Come inside. How are you? Any effects from the head wound?”

“I have headaches but nothing more. What is this place?”

“My grandmother’s farm. I wanted to talk to you away from everyone.”

“What…what did you want to talk to me about?”

“Mostly you. I want to know if all this went away, what would you be doing?”

“I would be at college. I might go down to the pub with my friends, listen to some music. We might play darts or cards, maybe discuss the state of the world. We are a mixed group…five or six. Boys and girls.”

“Is there someone special?”

“Always…whomever I am with is special.”

Blaine smiled.

“We follow the football games. Place bets and if played near enough, we go to the games. We watch films.”

“What was the last film you saw?”

“Hangover 2. Why are you asking me these questions?”

“I want to know who you are. You said you were not a soldier and I believe it. You are Ali’s son. He was about your age when I first met him. He was my tutor. I have never known anyone so full of passion and love. Your mother thinks I should die. Do you think so?”

“No. It is all so archaic. She lives in fear and that is all she knows. I have seen something of the world. I’ve lived in Switzerland and traveled with my father. Now I am here. He was not a good Muslim…neither am I.”

“What do you want to do with your life when you have finished school? What are you studying?”

“I’m at the new college and am studying computer programming. I play about designing computer games.”

“How do you know a man called Fadi?”

Abby’s breath caught in his throat. “We should not speak of him.”

“Oh, I think we should.”

“He came back with me.”

“From your visit with your uncle?”

“Yes.”

“Was he to make sure you carried out your orders?”

“He was to…yes, to assist me.”

“He led you to me?”

“Yes.”

“Did he send you to Renee Blevin?”

“Yes. I…I was supposed to…to…kill him. That would bring you to London.”

“Had you ever met this man, Fadi, before or seen him?”

“No, I never knew him.”

“He knew Ali. I hope you are being honest with me because I can help you out of this situation that you are in. I can take you away from Sir Brennan and Fadi and your mother. If you wish it I will make it so. I am not playing games with you, I am not a gamer, Abby. When is your birthday…your twenty-first?”

“The 26^th of this month.”

“Two weeks away. Your mother plans to take you back to Switzerland. Do you want to go?”

“No, I want to stay here.”

“Who is it that faked your father’s death in the second explosion?”

“I don’t know…I think it was my uncle, my mother’s oldest brother.  He lives in UAE. I do not think it was my father’s brother.”

“Your mother believed he died there?”

“Yes. I did too for awhile…until some things of his were sent to us, things that were supposed to be on his body, boxes of papers…letters.”

“Letters…my letters to Ali written when I was a young man not much older than you, written from Hong Kong. Why did you tell your mother about these letters? You already knew what your father was.”

“I did not tell her. She found the letters and showed them to me. I read them.”

“Your uncle sent you to kill me for what…vengeance? Or because I am gay.”

“Because you killed my father.”

“Do you know why?”

“He was a subversive. I knew this. That is why his brother wanted him dead.”

“It really does not make sense, does it? He wanted Ali dead and I killed him. Now he wants to avenge his death?”

“I think too many people knew, his close associates. He had to do something and so he sent for me. Blaine, I care nothing for my uncle. I care less for his politics and his methods. I had not seen him for many years. I was a child the last time I saw him. I did not want any of this. I had no choice.”

“Do you trust me, Abby?”

“I want to…I have no reason not to trust you. I think you tell me the truth.”

“Did you trust Fadi?”

“He tried to help me with what I had to do. He didn’t like my uncle either but he says it is too bad but you must do these things or your life will be worth nothing.”

“Do not trust him. He is a mercenary, a for hire killer or whatever it is you need doing. If you have enough money he will do it. Somebody paid him to accompany you and try and befriend you.”

Abby rested his head in his hands.

“Do you have a headache?”

“Yes.”

“Come, come with me up to the farmhouse. I will find you something for it.”

“Why are you doing this for me?”

“Because I loved your father. You read my letters and you know this is true. Come…let us walk.”

“Look on the second door to your right; should be some tablets up there.” Trevor turned back to Abby. “Want something to drink?”

“Yes, tea.”

Blaine brought him some tablets and a glass of water.

“Tell me, Uncle Trevor, how did you manage this?”

“I took care of my business there and asked to see Sir Brennan. I found out he was in London until tomorrow afternoon. So I decided to check your old room upstairs and, sure enough, there he was in your hospital room.”

“Please, it is not mine any longer.”

“I walked out with him. I’m sure a search party will be launched tomorrow when Sir Brennan gets back and discovers him gone. Security is not as tight as it is when he’s in residence.”

“That will not happen because I intend to take him back tonight.”

“You won’t get through the gates, David.”

“I know those gardens. I know where a secret gate is located. If it will not open he can climb over it. This is what I propose for you, Abby. You go back to Sir Brennan and you stay there until you have your twenty-first. If your mother talks of taking you back to Switzerland before then you must become ill, too ill to fly.   I do not think that will be a problem because Sir Brennan will not let you go anyway, not until you give him some information. Do not give him anything.

“Once you have reached your majority you are in charge of yourself. I am going to engage my legal staff on your behalf. He cannot hold you against your will. He has charged you with nothing. You are not even a British subject. He cannot by law hold a foreign national in such a fashion.  Your mother cannot force you to leave nor can anyone else.”

“If I do this, put myself in your hands, you will save me from Fadi?”

Trevor and Blaine exchanged looks. “Do you come into any money when you reach your majority?” Trevor asked.

“Yes, the inheritance from my father. Ah…I see,” he smiled. “I understand perfectly.”

“Just in case, you know, you have to buy your way out of it. He won’t shoot and run, he’ll try negotiating first. That’s the kind of animal he is. Useful sometimes, but he is an animal.”

“This is good to know.” Abby accepted the cup of tea.

“When you go back to the university it might be a good idea to talk with the security people there and let them know that you may be in danger.”

Blaine took him onto the property by a service road. Margret Langston had designed the gardens years ago and he’d seen the layout on paper in her book. He cut his lights and pulled up. The rooftops of the estate and hospital were in sight now. Blaine got out with him to find the gate. It had grown over with ivy and wouldn’t open.

“Can you climb it?”

“Yes, “ Abby turned to Blaine. “I am trying to say thank you for what you are doing for me. I’m not sure I have the words.”

Blaine hugged him. “You don’t need words. Take care of yourself and be strong.”

He stayed by the gate until he saw Abby on the other side running toward the hospital wing.

“You know you will be on the security tapes, Uncle Trevor.”

“I’m not worried about it. Nobody stopped us. If they had I’d have sent him back to his room. Just think, David, you could have walked out of there anytime.”

David leaned his head back. “It is a long walk to the village. I am not sure I could have made it.”

“I hope this all works out. He’s really a nice kid.”

“I know. I saw something in him the first time I met him. He was at the time trying to be a murderer and that chilled me. I think he could be formidable someday. I hope it is for a good cause. Now, I am going to bed. I have driven up and down motorways today until I am shattered.”

“Blaine,” Billy hugged him around the shoulders, “you scare me to death.”

“Not any more, Billy. I am home and I intend to stay here for awhile.”

“The security people will be out here tomorrow. We’ll get this place wired up tight.”

“I have some good news for you. I am dismissing Sir Brennan’s legal team and putting my own behind you. I have an idea in a couple of weeks the charges will be dismissed altogether.  You will be a free man again.”

“Am I free?”

“You are free to do as you wish. Once the charges are dropped you can go anywhere. Where is Willy?”

“Toomes put him down for a nap. She’s gone into the city for a hair appointment.”

Blaine dropped his eyes and put his hands on Billy’s waist, pulling him against him.

“Umm.”

Blaine looked up into his eyes and began kissing him.

“The, um, elevator.”

“Um hmm.” Blaine’s eyes sparkled.

Epilog

We have come to the farm for Lyssa’s sixth birthday. Billy and I concocted a cake. We bought her a pony and Uncle Trevor is teaching her to ride. It’s a lovely autumn day and perhaps the last Indian summer day of the year. I brought my sketch book along and have been sketching the views from the farm. It is a beautiful place here. Quiet and comforting.

I am comforted by my family. I am wrapped up in them, drowning in their love. I am happy. Life has settled down for me at last. Down below where I sit is the river. Abby and his friend Beth are down there. I have more or less adopted him until he outgrows me and he will someday. But for now he feels the need to ask my thoughts on things, to let me know where he is and whom he is with. More and more I see bits of Ali in him. His laugh is very familiar.

Billy is coming up from the river with Willy, who is walking now. Billy with his hair windblown and falling over his eyes. I love him and feel quite secure in that love. Still there are times I get restless and I have need of something else, something no one else can give me and that is Christine. I will never marry again but if I did it would be Christine. Marriage I think would spoil the thing we have together. It is the spontaneity and unexpected pleasures we share that would be lost if we saw each other daily. It’s always fresh and new when we come together and we do at least every other month. Billy knows about her and he is not threatened by her. She is mine and I am hers when we are together.

The peacefulness I am enjoying came with a price and I do not know who paid it. Abby’s Uncle Kazan was shot and killed as he crossed a street by an unknown assailant. I think I can do the math but I do not know whose purse paid the bill. I do not want to know. Abby is safe. The fatwa out on me is still out there but I do not think there are any takers , at least right now. I do not worry about it. Many people have passed through my life but the important ones, the ones who stay, are here with me today.

I have more important things in my life to think of. One comes now and is ready to jump on me and wallow me to the ground. A short fellow with a determined look in his eyes.

David Blaine

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