by Andrew Grey
Willy gasped, and Tony rolled his eyes.
“I knew. Please. Not that it matters to me, but your dad had to have gone through the roof. Reverend Gabriel’s son, gay.” Tony put his hand over his mouth dramatically and then fanned himself. “He’s held himself and the entire family up as this paragon of virtue and perfection for so long that his ears have to be ringing about now.” He looked around. “How are you holding up?”
Willy smiled. He loved Tony’s energy. “I’m okay. I was kinda prepared for this to happen, so when I told him, I just left. I didn’t stick around to see what he’d do or how he’d react.” He leaned closer. “I even managed to turn the tables on him a little and make the conversation about him and the kind of father he’s been.” Willy held up his hand, and Tony high-fived it. “I told him I wanted my dad back… and I do.” He steadied himself. “What have you heard?”
Tony glanced around again. “Well, let’s see. So far there isn’t a consensus. But I did hear that the sheriff has corrupted you.” He faked a gasp. Sometimes Willy wondered if Tony shouldn’t be the gay one. “I heard that from a friend of my mom, and I told her that was a bunch of crap. Gay or straight is who you are, not something you choose. She argued with me, and I told her to get over it and that you deserved to be treated fairly and not be the subject of gossip. Mom said the same thing, and that ended that topic.”
“Great. I suppose that’s as good as I can expect.”
“Well, actually, I don’t think most people really care. So you’re gay. There will be a few busybodies who talk and all that, but a lot of them just have to have something to talk about. These people have known you since you were a toddler. You’ve always been nice, treated your brother and sister with care.”
“They don’t hate me?” Willy asked as two ladies came inside. One looked at him and turned away. The other walked straight over to him with her mouth open, but seemed to think better of it and patted him lightly on the shoulder as she passed.
“See? People will think what they want, but fuck ’em. Most people are cool and pretty awesome.” Tony flashed a grin. “I’m here for a few more days and then I have to go back, but if you want to go….” He turned his attention out on the street. “Damn,” he whispered under his breath as Reggie strode by. “He’s enough to turn me on to men.” Tony slapped him on the back.
“But what if they go after him?” Willy voiced his deep-seated concern.
“That man can take care of himself, and I’m willing to bet half the gossips in town are upset about the fact that he’s gay and, therefore, out of the marriage pool, because I bet some ovaries went into overdrive every time he passed.”
Willy had to stop himself from laughing. “You’re bad.”
“I know. Maybe I should be a screenwriter rather than an actor. Maybe I could break into the movies that way.” Tony smirked, and Willy rolled his eyes.
“Don’t quit your day job.” They shared a laugh as Mr. Webster came out of the back. He waved, and Willy got his things to get ready to go.
“Is Reggie working?” Tony asked. “We could have dinner if you want.”
“I’d have to text him, but he probably is. There have been some troubles he’s been working on.” He sent the message, but Reggie responded that he would be late. Willy told him he was going to dinner with a friend and to meet them at the diner if he was able to.
They left through the back, and Willy drove to the diner and parked in the lot behind it. He was a little nervous about how people might react, but no one really seemed to pay them much attention. Sue greeted them, and they took a table.
“How are you doing, honey?” Cindy asked when she came to take their order. “Your dad could be all holier-than-thou just a little too much. So you stick to your guns.” She straightened up and took their drink orders.
“See? Lots of people don’t care, and even more will defend you.” Tony flashed a smile and flipped through the menu. “I’m going to get a salad. My dad has been cooking out and filling me so full of fried chicken and frozen meals that I need to watch my waist or no one is going to hire me.” He told Cindy what he wanted, and Willy ordered a BLT with a side of onion rings.
“Hey,” Willy said as Reggie approached and slid into the booth next to him. “You remember Tony.”
“Good to see you again.” They shook hands.
“How did it go at city hall?” Willy asked.
Reggie smirked. “They tried to give me some grief, but there isn’t anything they can do. Mayor Fullerton was supportive and said that it was completely immaterial. The man was what counted, not the person he fell in love with.” Reggie grinned and bumped his shoulder. “He’s really changed his tune.” Reggie waved Cindy over and gave her his order. “I only have a little while and then I’m going to need to go.”
“Is something happening?” Tony asked.
“I believe it’s possible, so I need to be watchful.” Reggie’s gaze met Willy’s. “When you get to the house, be sure to lock all the doors behind you.” It was a weird thing for Reggie to tell him. People didn’t always lock their doors here, so something truly must be happening.
“Of course I will.”
“Willy tells me that you’re an actor,” Reggie said as Cindy brought Tony’s salad and then returned with the rest of the food.
“I’m trying to be. It’s hard to break in and get noticed. Everyone comes to LA with huge dreams to somehow break into the movies. I thought it would be so easy to do.” Tony shrugged. “I learned pretty quickly that it’s a lot of hard work. But I’m giving it my best and I still have hope. I’ve done some good work, and I have a callback next week. I actually made it through the first round of cattle-call auditions for this part on a sitcom. When I came in, I did the role as pretty queeny, even though the guy is supposed to be straight, and my agent said they loved it. So who knows.” He grinned as he took a bite of salad. “How about you? Why law enforcement?”
“It was something I always wanted to do. Mom and Dad had different ideas, but this makes me happy and I’m good at it.” Reggie took big bites of his burger, practically swallowing the thing whole.
“Slow down. No one is going to take it from you.” It was pretty obvious that Reggie was wound up and anxious. Willy ate more slowly and slid out when Reggie was done.
“I have to get back.” Reggie squeezed his hand. “I’ll see you tonight, and remember what I told you.” He left more money than was necessary on the table and hurried out.
“You are one lucky guy,” Tony observed.
Willy leaned on the table. “I am, I agree. But why do you draw that conclusion?”
“He’s so intense. The last woman I dated who was like that… well, let’s just say that girl was freaky good and she blew my mind. She was up for anything, even some stuff that I would never have thought of. Holy cow, that was an awesome six weeks.”
“You broke it off with her?” Willy asked.
“No, her husband came home. I didn’t know she was married, but suddenly… well, you know. It’s hell being the boy toy.” Tony groaned for two seconds and then split into a grin. “It was fun while it lasted.”
“You’re awful.”
“Hey, I was the one being used. Apparently she thought me a lot of fun.” He shrugged. “Like I’m going to complain. It happened, it was fun, and now it’s over.”
“Do you date at all? Like, seriously?” Willy asked.
“I have, and there’s a woman I really like. I’ve seen her out a few times and she’s a lot of fun. I’ve talked to her a bit, but I don’t know if she’s interested. She works as a model and is really busy. I’d like to be able to spend some time with her and get to know her, but I’ve gotten this reputation, sort of, and I think she’s a little scared that I’m only after her for sex or for who she is… or something.” Tony set down his fork. “I just want to take her out.”
“Then ask her. But be clear that you want to get to know her. Ask her to dinner, or better yet, offer to cook for her. I
swear that’s what got Reggie’s attention. I cooked for him, and it worked.”
“You know I don’t cook,” Tony groused. “I can heat stuff up just fine, but cooking… I burn water.” He made a face, and Willy rolled his eyes.
“It’s about patience and taking your time. I can give you some easy recipes if that’s what you want to do. I could even talk you through the cooking.” Willy was excited for his friend. He finished his sandwich and bit an onion ring, then passed one to Tony when he saw him eyeing them ravenously. “If you get the date, I’ll have your back with the food.”
Willy turned toward one of the other tables when a commotion broke out. It settled down once more, and he looked back at Tony. “Are people watching me?”
“Maybe a little,” Tony said. “But they’ve pretty much returned to their own lives. When they see that you’re like everyone else and are just as boring and uninteresting as you always were, they’ll forget all about it.” He smirked, and Willy smacked his arm.
“That’s pretty mean, even if it is true. I have to be about the most boring person on earth.” Again, why would Reggie be interested in him long-term? Eventually he was going to find out that there was very little special about him and then that would be it.
“Stop it. I was teasing. I’ve known you a long time, and you are not boring. So stop worrying.” Tony scowled at him. “Just relax. That man thinks you hung the moon. It’s clear as day every time he looks at you.” He leaned over the table. “I’d give a lot to have someone look at me like that, so don’t think twice about it. Be happy and enjoy being in love.” He finished his salad and ate the onion ring, then snagged one more from Willy’s plate before they were all gone.
“Do you need me to take you anywhere?”
“No. I can walk back to where I parked my car.” Tony paid for his food, and Willy chucked in his share, making sure Cindy got a good tip, and then they left the diner. Willy said goodbye to Tony, sharing a quick hug. Tony walked down the sidewalk toward the other end of town, and Willy went the opposite way.
In his car, he pulled out and turned onto Sierra Drive. He turned left, heading out toward Reggie’s house. A white van passed him going the other way. Willy recognized it instantly. He stopped, made a turn, drove around the block, and then turned back on Sierra going the other way. The van was stopped at the only light in town. Willy grabbed his phone and called Reggie, but it went to voicemail.
“Reggie, I see the white van. I’m behind it on Sierra, and it’s heading north out of town. Please call me. I’m going to try to follow them for a little while.”
He hung up and drove slowly, not getting too close, merely taking the highway out of town. He kept the van in view around curves and caught sight of it on the hills. It pulled into the rest area, so Willy stopped on the side of the road. He called Reggie again, and the call went to voicemail again. He sent a text and waited a few minutes before pulling into the rest area. He parked next to the van and got out to use the restroom. This time when walking beside the van, he listened carefully. Whispers reached his ears, but he didn’t dare spend too much time in case he was being watched. He stepped away and went into the bathroom, which was deserted. He used the facilities, washed his hands, and got ready to leave.
This was completely stupid, and Reggie was going to give him major hell once he saw him. Willy was sure of that as he dried his hands and left the restroom, intending to go right back to his car. Men stood near the van, leaning against the hood. Willy purposely paid them no attention as he walked to his old car. He pulled open the driver’s door and was about to get inside when someone grabbed him from behind, yanking him away from the car.
“Settle down or I’ll break your fucking neck,” the man growled, pulling Willy back hard enough he almost fell.
“What do we do with him?” another man asked.
“Open the back door,” the man holding him demanded.
Before Willy could react, he was tossed inside, hitting his head on the floor of the van. His ears rang as the door slammed shut, and then it was quiet. His thinking muddled and his head aching, he tried not to pass out. Willy was afraid to open his eyes, but he had to see where he was.
Three sets of fearful eyes met his, all of them of Asian descent. The van smelled acrid, like terror in the close quarters. They said nothing and all backed away, looking at each other and pressing against the walls. Willy reached into his pocket to pull out his phone. The screen was cracked, and when he tried to unlock it, nothing happened. When the engine started, he knew he was in deep trouble.
“You stay where you are and don’t try anything, or we’ll dump you where no one will ever find you except the wolves and bears.”
The window closed to the cab, and the van started to move.
Chapter 12
REGGIE SWORE as he listened to the message, pressing the accelerator and flipping on his lights. He called back but got no response. He zoomed through the light in town as he spoke into the radio. “All units available, north on Sierra.” He described Willy’s car and then called directly into the switchboard. “Marie, get me through to the Reverend Gabriel.”
“Yes, sir,” she answered, and after a few seconds, the line rang and connected.
“Reverend, this is the sheriff and this is an official call. Has anyone in the family seen Willy in the last little while?” Reggie had to try to make sure he wasn’t back in town. It was a long shot, but he had to try.
“No. What’s happened?” Reverend Gabriel seemed truly concerned.
“I’m not sure. He left me a message about following a van that he’d seen before.” Reggie continued driving, speaking through the car’s phone connection, as his anxiety went supernova in seconds.
“Approaching the rest area,” Jasper said, answering his call.
“Hold on.” Reggie switched to the radio. “Check out the area. Report anything you find.” His stomach clenched, and he switched back to the phone as he flew through the light, heading north as fast as he dared.
“I’m doing my best. Make calls to be sure he isn’t with his friends.” Reggie rattled off his direct number. “Call if you find out anything. I’m trying to find him right now.”
Reverend Gabriel agreed, and Reggie hung up and switched back to the radio.
“Willy’s car is at the rest area. It’s empty, and the rest area is deserted. No sign of anyone.”
“Shit. Willy said he was following a white van headed north. We need to find it. They haven’t passed me. Take the back way to the county line, and we’ll set up a roadblock. I’m approaching the rest area now and will continue on the highway.”
“On it, Sheriff,” Jasper acknowledged.
Reggie flew past as Jasper got ready to pull out of the rest area. Every second counted, and Reggie hoped to hell they weren’t too far ahead. He went as fast as he dared, lights and sirens blazing, the car trembling as he took curves and damn near went airborne over bumps. Still, he didn’t dare slow down. He’d just found Willy, and he’d be damned if he was going to lose him. Reggie would trail them to the state line and beyond if necessary.
He caught sight of a flash of white approaching a curve about five miles later. “Jasper, where are you?”
“On Highlands, going as fast as I can. Maybe eight miles from the county line.”
“I have them in sight. Suspect van heading north. I am in pursuit,” Reggie called, concentrating on his driving. All Reggie had to do was stay with them. They weren’t going to get away from him.
“Will intercept,” Jasper answered.
The van slowed and made a turn on two wheels, nearly overturning. Reggie skidded, back wheels sliding around the corner before digging in, and he shot after them. He radioed his new position and pushed onward, keeping in constant contact as he continued pursuit.
The driver’s actions were becoming more erratic. Reggie could almost feel their anxiety, and that scared him even more. If he was hell-bent on getting away, the driver was going to make a mistake that
could cost everyone in the van their lives.
“I’m on River Road, heading your direction,” Sam added.
“Excellent. We’re approaching that intersection, maybe ninety seconds. Get there!” Reggie gripped the wheel as tightly as he could, slowing up a little. If Willy was in that van, Reggie hoped he was safe and that he got to him in time. He also hoped that giving the van some space would ease the tension on the driver and he’d be more careful. It wasn’t likely, but he had to try to keep everyone in the van as safe as possible.
“ETA sixty seconds,” Sam said, and Reggie breathed deeply as the van nearly took a curve too fast.
His phone rang and he answered it. “Sheriff,” he said, heart racing faster and faster, his reflexes growing sharper by the second as his heart rate continued to climb.
“Reverend Gabriel here. No one has seen Willy.” He sounded distraught. “I called everyone I can think of. He was at dinner with his friend Tony, who seems to be the last person to have seen him.” He sighed into the phone.
“We located his abandoned car at the rest area. We are in pursuit. I will call when I know anything. Thank you for checking. I will do everything I can to get him back.” Reggie wasn’t even sure if Willy was in the white van, but it was the only lead he had and he was going to pursue it with everything in him.
“What can I do?” Reverend Gabriel asked. “He’s my son and….”
Reggie hesitated as the van rocked hard from side to side over rough road, and he avoided the same spot as best he could. “Pray, please. I think we’ll all need it. I’ll call you as soon as I know anything more. Thank you for your help.” He ended the call and sped up, running on the edge of safety. If they lost the van, Willy and whoever else might be in there would have very little chance of survival.
He ended up slowing down as they approached the intersection. Sam’s car spanned the lanes and there was no place for the van to go. Reggie braked and pulled to a stop, with Jasper gliding up behind him a few seconds later. Clearly the rookie had been paying attention and adjusted his actions. Reggie flipped on his speaker. “Get out of the van and lie down flat on the pavement.”
