Asylum (Pride and Joy Book 2)

by Robert Winter

  Seated in the cockpit, Colin carefully but quickly completed his preflight inspection, and then called Jane and Sara to give an estimated time of arrival. Shortly after, they were underway. Due to prevailing winds, Colin explained, they departed to the south.

  The small plane climbed out of Teterboro and began a bank that would bring it around to head northeast. The Hudson River and Manhattan glistened out Hernán’s window. Early morning sun shone in a bright blue fall sky, casting shadows of the skyscrapers across Central Park and the Upper West Side. He put his fingers on the glass, eating up the New York landmarks and monuments with his eyes.

  “This view is amazing,” he whispered.

  “We’ll come back to see it from the ground together, one day soon,” Colin vowed through his headset.

  They ate their bagels as they soared over Long Island Sound and crossed into Connecticut. Colin explained their flight plan to Hernán using his iPad. It was clearly a gambit to distract Hernán but he went along with it.

  The app fascinated him, with aviation maps he could expand and contract with his fingertips. Hernán made a game out of it, calling out landmarks and points of interest he found on the screen to see if Colin could locate them in real life.

  They flew over Block Island, and then eventually fabled places like Newport, Rhode Island. Colin brought the plane low enough that the shape of huge mansions along the water showed clearly in the morning light.

  “We’ll have to go see those too, sometime,” Colin said. “The cottages from the Gilded Age are astonishing.”

  “They look smaller than your parents’ house,” Hernán said with a smile, praying all the while there would indeed be time for them to do things like that.

  Not long after, they flew over Narragansett Bay, and on into Massachusetts airspace. Then Cape Cod Bay opened before them. Its sapphire-blue waters, touched with whitecaps, brought Hernán’s heart into his throat.

  “It’s so beautiful,” he said.

  “Look there.” Colin pointed to the sweep of land along the horizon to the right of the plane’s track. “That’s all Cape Cod, wrapping around. And up ahead…” he gestured, “you can see the Pilgrim Monument. That’s Provincetown.”

  Colin brought the plane lower and lower as he prepared for landing, until Hernán could see the details of fishing boats trawling across the waves of the bay. A spiral of seagulls glinting in the morning sun caught his eye. He gasped when a whale breached the waves before submerging again with a flip of its broad tail.

  “Did you see that?” he said excitedly to Colin. “It was a minke whale. Rudy talked me into a whale watching cruise this summer, and we saw pods of them then.”

  “Maybe it’s a good omen.”

  Into his radio, Colin said, “Provincetown traffic, Seven Alpha Victor, three miles out on long final to runway seven.”

  The plane continued its descent, gliding toward a sandy beach and a runway that cut through the dunes. Hernán couldn’t help tensing as Colin brought the plane in, flying a few feet above the ground until he gently, gently touched down. The slightest squeal of rubber, the slightest lurch, and the plane slowed. It turned off of the runway in order to taxi to the parking area.

  “Provincetown traffic, Seven Alpha Victor, clear of the active runway seven,” Colin radioed. He turned to Hernán. “You looked nervous. Did I scare you?”

  “Oh no,” Hernán said quickly. “It’s just that sensation of waiting to connect with the earth again that made me feel funny.”

  “I hear you,” Colin said. “The winds are calm so we had an easy landing.”

  “Well, I’d still give Air Felton a perfect review on Yelp.”

  Colin brought the plane to an area where three others sat parked. Several large Ts had been painted on the ground, with coils of white rope at each point. Deftly, he positioned the plane over one of the Ts and shut everything down.

  Hernán helped Colin secure the plane. Together they ran the coils of rope through three wing eyelets, installed foam plugs in the cowling, and locked the doors. Beyond a gate leading from the tarmac, Jane waited for them next to a tan Lexus. Her white hair glinted in the strong morning sunshine. She pulled Hernán into a hug, and then kissed Colin’s cheek.

  “It’s good to see you both again,” Jane said. “David didn’t tell me what was up but he said you need to lay low here for a while. Did you have breakfast?”

  They assured her they had as they climbed into her car, Colin in the passenger seat and Hernán in the back. Jane drove out of the parking lot and into town along Race Point Road. “I’ll take you right to the house then. Are you able to tell me what’s up? Maybe I can help.”

  Hernán glanced at Colin before he responded, but he trusted Jane and Sara implicitly. They’d been nothing but kind to him and Rudy all summer. He said, “This has to stay between us and Sara, but I think I’m being hunted by members of the Cuernos del Diablo gang.”

  “Oh no,” Jane said worriedly. Her eyes met Hernán’s in the rearview mirror. “I’ve read such awful things about them. Why would they be after you?”

  “I’m not completely sure,” Hernán admitted. “I was stabbed when I was in El Salvador, and I spoke to the police at the time. It may be that some of them think I’ll come back to testify against them.”

  Colin spoke up. “Did you see that gossip item on us that went viral? Well, after that, two men apparently tried to get into my condo building. They had the Cuernos gang symbol tattooed on their faces.”

  Jane nodded slowly. “Is that why you came to stay in David and Brandon’s house? You’re unlikely to be followed here?”

  “Exactly,” Colin said. “My family has a place in Nantucket but I haven’t spent much time in P-town. There’s less reason to think anyone would look for us here.”

  “You know, I met your parents once. Your mother chaired a gala a few years back,” Jane said. “I didn’t realize you were related to Margaret when we met before. Anyway, it’s a good time to be here. The tourists are pretty much gone, though we still get a smattering on a nice weekend. Many of the part-time owners come out for Thanksgiving, but that’s weeks away. Hopefully this will all be resolved before then.”

  Hernán looked out the window. The truth was, he had no idea how the mess would get resolved. He and Colin couldn’t hide indefinitely. Colin had a life and a job he cared about. Family. Friends. It wasn’t like they could just run and run, a step ahead of Cuernos.

  “Sara picked up some groceries for you last night, after David called,” Jane was saying. “Many of the restaurants have closed down for the season already.” She looked in the mirror again at Hernán. “Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Rudy around. Did he go off-Cape for the winter?”

  Hernán shook his head. “No. Well, at least not yet. He told me he’s been over to Boston to look for work, but he hasn’t given up his place here.”

  Jane turned the SUV off Commercial and headed up Pleasant Street before pulling into a gravel drive next to a yellow house. Hernán had walked by that captain’s cottage many times. Its front garden in the summer was charming and inviting. Tall grasses surrounded a flag patio, on which stood a teak dining table and chairs. The butter-yellow of the house repeated in the picket fence that surrounded the property, while a shake-shingle roof gave a romantic feel to the cottage.

  Colin had obviously been there before, but Hernán looked over the house in wonder. He’d often thought about the homes he passed as he walked through town, and imagined what they were like inside. Other than Jane and Sara’s house and the ones he cleaned, he hadn’t actually been inside very many.

  Entering the cottage on Pleasant Street was a fantasy fulfilled in some ways. Wide plank floors, a ceiling with exposed wooden beams, a living room with a fireplace… Hernán followed Jane through with his head on a swivel to take in everything. It was all so different from the interior of a Salvadoran house. After the grandeur of the Feltons’ castle, it was also cozy and comforting.

  Colin said to Jane,
“Why don’t you give Hernán a tour? I’ll take our bags upstairs. Do you know where David wants us to sleep?”

  “He said you should take the master,” Jane replied. “David and Brandon aren’t planning to be up until Thanksgiving and he wants you to be comfortable. A cleaning service comes in to change the beds and all, so just settle in and relax.”

  Hernán watched Colin disappear up the staircase, and then followed Jane through the dining room and to the kitchen. She showed him a bathroom with shower, down a hall that led to a rear door opening on a patio. Evergreens surrounded a hot tub and created a private nook sheltered from street view.

  “I think Colin probably knows how to use that if you want to get in,” Jane commented. “I love getting in a hot tub on a clear, cold starry night and running back inside to a warm fire.” She put an arm around Hernán’s shoulder. “The last time I saw you two I thought you were just friends. It looks like something a little more has happened. Am I right?”

  Hernán blushed and nodded. “Yes, we’re together now. Colin is wonderful to me. I’ve never met anyone like him before.” He blinked at her. “I didn’t think you knew I was gay, though. I never admitted it to anyone but Rudy.”

  Jane smiled back kindly. “It’s in the eyes. I could see who you looked at. I figured you’d talk about it if you wanted to.” She laughed. “But now I owe my wife twenty dollars. Sara bet me there was something developing between the two of you.”

  Colin joined them in the kitchen. “All squared away. I’ll show you the upstairs if you want, Hernán.”

  Jane glanced at her watch. “I have to get going. I’m showing a few houses to a nice doctor and his boyfriend today.” She pulled a piece of paper from her pocket and set it on the counter. “These are the numbers for my cell and for Sara’s, and the password for the wifi. Let us know if you need anything. Sara wants you to come over for dinner tonight if that’s all right with you.”

  After sharing a glance with Colin, Hernán nodded.

  “Wonderful. Six o’clock, don’t bring anything. Oh, Colin, Brandon wants you to give him a call.”

  Colin sighed. “I figured that was coming. Okay, I’ll check in later.”

  Left alone, Colin took Hernán’s hand and guided him upstairs to show the three bedrooms and full bath. Their bags sat on the bed in the largest room. Through a window on one wall, Hernán glimpsed the harbor.

  “I feel a little funny using David and Brandon’s bed,” Colin said, “but it is the best room.”

  Hernán looked around the space. “It’s really cozy,” he said. “I like it.”

  Colin’s phone trilled in his pocket. He read the message, and then said, “The new security detail is on its way.” He typed a response. “There. I sent them the address. We should probably call David to check in.”

  Returning to the kitchen, they used the speaker function on Colin’s phone to talk to the lawyers. David reported the Post was killing the story about Colin and Hernán, though it was probably too late to do much good.

  Sofia said, “I just got comments back from David on the draft of your papers, Hernán. I’ll get these turned around this morning and I should have them for your review early this afternoon.”

  “Thank you,” Hernán said fervently. “I hate how this is taking up so much time for you both.”

  David said, “Please, don’t worry about that. We’re here for you.”

  Hernán sighed gratefully. “I can’t tell you how good that feels. I’m grateful I’m not alone in this.”

  Colin squeezed his shoulder.

  Chapter 30

  Hernán explored the cottage more while trying not to listen in on Colin’s conversation with Brandon.

  “I just didn’t want anyone to treat me differently, Brandon. That’s why I never talked about it. I guess Ethan must have figured it out though… I know, and I’m sorry… Yes, we’ll talk more when things calm down.”

  Colin disconnected with a sigh. “He thinks I lied to him, by keeping such a big part of my life hidden,” he said miserably to Hernán. “I didn’t mean to, but I see his point.”

  Hernán put a hand on his shoulder. “He’s your friend and he’ll forgive you. Your family ultimately won’t make a difference to him.”

  Colin nodded.

  Since neither man had slept well the night before, and there was nothing they could accomplish just then, they decided to nap. The short rest helped, and Hernán woke to find Colin pressed along his back, his arm over Hernán’s waist. The warmth and weight of his boyfriend stirred feelings of safety and love that muted, at least for a time, the fear he’d suffered since word of the gossip item hit. Was it really less than a day ago?

  When the security team arrived an hour later, they introduced themselves as Nick and Melody. Nick was African-American, with a shaved head and broad shoulders. He stood probably just under six feet, and seemed whipcord thin under his black ribbed sweater. Melody was Caucasian, not tall—perhaps five and a half feet—but her frank gaze and loose stance signaled she was not to be fucked with. She wore her dark blonde hair pulled back into a tight ponytail, and had on a body-hugging jacket with slim black pants.

  Colin showed Nick and Melody to the two guest rooms on the second floor and left them to get situated. Downstairs in the living room a little later, Hernán saw Melody moving around outside, eyes running over the front of the house. He guessed she was checking on ways in and out of the cottage.

  Nick joined them and sat on the edge of a long leather ottoman. “Okay, guys. We’ve had a briefing from New York about the publicity item and your concerns. I’d like Mel and me to remain pretty low-key so we don’t attract attention that could lead to the press finding you here,” he said. “Suits would stand out, given how quiet the town seems to be this time of year. If you agree, we’ll just wear casual clothes. When you go for a walk or out to eat, one of us will accompany you at a reasonable distance. We’ll be close enough we can get to you if anything happens, far enough away that it won’t be obvious you have security.”

  Hernán had no experience with any of the arrangements Nick described. Since Colin seemed satisfied with the plan, he nodded his agreement too.

  “Good,” Nick said. “We’ll stay out of your way as much as possible for the duration.”

  Colin asked, “How long do you think that might be?”

  Nick shrugged. “You have to tell us. How long do you expect you’ll need security?”

  Colin shared a look with Hernán. “I’m not sure yet,” he said reluctantly. “This all just blew up yesterday. We haven’t had time to think far enough ahead to come up with a solution.”

  “We’re here for you if you want to discuss any ideas. In the meantime, Mel is scoping out surveillance locations. I’ll work upstairs.”

  “Thanks, Nick,” Colin said. “We feel better with you here.”

  Nick gave a thumbs-up and left the room.

  Alone again with Colin, Hernán said, “I have no idea how to get out of this mess. I know we can’t stay here or hide forever.”

  Colin looked troubled, but he nodded agreement. “This is a stop-gap, sure. It gives us time to get your application wrapped up and on file. Once that happens, I understand the risk from removal by ICE at least will go down. Maybe then we can go to the police about a longer-term fix. Let’s raise that with David and Sofia on the next call.”

  Hernán had no better ideas. They self-consciously settled on the couch, aware of strangers moving around in the house, to watch a TV mounted over the fireplace.

  Still restless an hour later, the beautiful autumnal afternoon beckoned them outside. With Melody following at a short distance, they strolled down Pleasant Street together and turned onto Commercial. After a stop at Joe’s Coffee, they continued their walk toward the center of town.

  Through gaps in the buildings, Hernán could spy the calm waters of Provincetown Harbor. From conversations overheard in September, he suspected nearly all the boats were gone to winter storage or warmer climate
s. In any event, what he could see of the harbor looked empty.

  They passed only a few people. Many of the bars and restaurants had signs up thanking everyone for a good summer season and promising to open again in April or May. Blank windows and hand-lettered “closed” signs created an air that he and Colin had been left behind.

  After the vibrant and busy summer Hernán had spent living and working there, what remained seemed like an empty theater. The play had ended, the crowds were gone, and the lights had come up on an empty stage.

  “Nantucket gets like this too,” Colin said as they walked. “Maybe not as dramatic, but there’s a big shift when the season ends and the crowds go home.”

  “It’s very melancholy, isn’t it?” Hernán asked. “There are so many people crowding Commercial all summer that sometimes you can’t move. And now, poof, we can walk down the middle of the street. But I’d rather have the crowds back.”

  They walked as far as MacMillan Wharf and out to the end of it. Fishing boats still lined the pier but the pleasure crafts were mostly gone. Cormorants carpeted a narrow breakwater, before which a lone, green fishing boat bobbed in its protection.

  They finished their coffees, leaning shoulder to shoulder, lost in thought.

  When they finally turned to walk up the wharf, Melody was pretending to take photos of the harbor with her phone. They ignored her, as instructed, and drifted back to the house.

  Later, they sat with the two guards around the kitchen island. Colin had persuaded Hernán during their walk that complete disclosure was their best bet for soliciting advice, so he told the security team about some of what he’d been through, including his immigration status. They bandied about how to determine whether Hernán was at risk and what to do about it, but no clear ideas emerged.

  Sofia texted that she’d emailed the draft asylum papers to Colin’s email account. He opened David’s laptop, connected it to the printer and made a copy for Hernán to review. After offering to make tea, he left Hernán at a small desk to work through the document.