by Jake Biondi
“No,” Cole said. “I told him I’d think about it and then we’d talk.”
“Well, that’s up to you. Just let me know what you decide.”
“Okay, I need to run. Do me a favor -- come home early. We’ll go to the gym and grab dinner and get you to bed early, cool?”
Jesse smiled. “Cool.”
Cole winked at Jesse and left the office as Jesse returned to his work.
Aboard a Ciancio jet returning them from California to Chicago, Gino, Justin, and David were discussing business.
“And so, when we opened the back of the painting, we found this,” Gino told Justin, handing him a copy of the vineyard property agreement.
Justin perused it for a moment. “According to this, my father signed over the vineyards and winery to your mother.”
“That’s correct. My attorneys have verified the document; it’s authentic and binding.”
“My God,” Justin said.
“Don’t worry,” David stated. “Gino and I talked it over and we are going to sign the vineyards back over to you. In spite of what Camille thinks, we are doing whatever we can to keep the feud between our families dead and buried.”
“As soon as we get to Chicago, we can meet with Derek and Vince Provenzano and have the necessary paperwork drawn up to make things right again.”
“Our father must have really loved her to sign all that over to her,” David said.
“Don’t be so sure,” Justin declared. “It could have been more of a severance gift. I told you, he had a history of cheating. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gave her the vineyards to shut her up and send her on her way.”
“That’s pretty harsh,” David sighed.
“I loved our father,” Justin explained. “But I am very much aware of his lack of fidelity.”
“Regardless, David and I are in agreement that the vineyards on the document belong to your family.” Gino got up and walked over to the small bar in the cabin to pour himself another drink. Then he pulled an envelope from this suit coat pocket. “Now about this letter.”
“You still haven’t opened it?” Justin asked.
“What letter?”
Gino looked at David. “A letter arrived at the house a day or two before the plane crash. It’s addressed to my brother and me and it’s in our mother’s handwriting. With all that was going on, I wanted to wait before opening it. Now I think you should do the honors.”
“Me?”
Gino handed the letter to David. “You’re her son, too. Go ahead, open it.”
After seeking reassurance from Justin, who nodded in approval, David opened the envelope. He scanned the letter and then began to read it aloud.
“My dear sons, if you are reading this letter, then my sister Connie has already shared my diary with you and you have, hopefully, discovered the contents of my art collection. I asked Connie to send this letter to you after providing you with my diary because there is one last thing I want to share with you.” David looked up from the letter.
“Connie must have dropped this in the mail before she…died. Keep reading,” Gino instructed.
“Your father wears a piece of jewelry around his neck that I believe to be part of a key. Whenever I asked him about it, he simply replied that it was a reminder of his father; he cherished it and never took it off. I believe it is half of a key that opens something of significance. I don’t know where the other part of the key is -- or if there are more than two parts -- but you must find out. If it is important enough for your father to never remove from his neck, it is important enough for you to pursue. Be careful, but be successful. Mother.”
“She’s talking about that item your father gave you,” Justin said.
Gino unbuttoned his shirt revealing it hanging around his neck. “Yes, this.”
David walked over to Gino to examine it more closely. “She thinks it’s part of a key?”
“Apparently,” Gino said. “Father said that Marco would know what to do with it.”
“Well, it’s a bit difficult to rely on his help at the moment,” Justin said. “You may have to figure this one out on your own. We can help you.”
“Do I dare ask Camille about it? She may have information that we need.”
“Or the other part of the key,” David suggested.
“Do you think she can be trusted?” Justin asked. “I mean, you know her better than we do, but she seems to be a bit…hostile.”
“You’re right,” Gino agreed. “That’s why I hesitate to tell her anything. Let me think about this.”
“Seems like we need to be very careful with anything she’s involved in,” David added.
“For now, let’s just get home to Chicago safely,” Justin said. “Then we’ll deal with this.”
As the men prepared for their landing in Chicago, Mateo and Joyelle sat near the window of the St. Joseph Hospital cafeteria.
“It’s so good to have you back,” Mateo told her. “How did things go in California?”
“The service and burial were nice. Gino did a great job with everything.”
“Tyler will be missed here, but it’s very exciting to be honoring him with a new wellness center. When Gino called me about it, I was immediately supportive.”
Joyelle smiled. “It’s a wonderful way to honor him.”
“And how are you doing? I know how close you two were.”
“I’m okay. Seeing all his stuff around the apartment was tough. It sort of drove home the point that he’s really gone. But I’m dealing with it. Being back to work helps.”
“And you’re feeling healthy? You and the baby?”
Joyelle put her hand on her belly. “We’re good. My clothes are getting tighter every day.”
Mateo laughed. “That’s good. Listen, if you need anything at all, anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Joyelle took Mateo’s hand in hers as Rachel Carson entered the cafeteria. Upon seeing Joyelle and Mateo together, she approached the table.
“Thank you,” Joyelle said. “You have been amazingly supportive and I appreciate that.”
“Hello, you two,” Rachel said as she arrived at the table. “Am I interrupting?”
Mateo stood up to greet Rachel. “You’re back. How was your trip?”
“Hasn’t Joyelle told you? I was with her.”
“You were at the funeral?” Mateo asked. “Why?”
“I was engaged to Marco, remember? I wanted to offer my condolences in person.”
“And he’s still missing?”
“Unfortunately, yes,” Rachel replied.
“You’re completely devastated about that, I’m sure,” Joyelle added sarcastically.
“You’re not the only one entitled to mourn,” Rachel stated. “Marco and I were really close.”
Joyelle stood up. “If he were here, I doubt he’d characterize his feelings toward you in the same way.” She looked at Mateo. “Thanks for the coffee and the chat. I should get back to work.”
“Remember what I said. If you need anything at all, just ask.”
“Thank you,” Joyelle said, kissing Mateo on the cheek, then heading toward the elevator.
“She has been through a lot, you know,” Mateo told Rachel. “You could show a little sympathy.”
“She loves drama,” Rachel said, putting her hand on Mateo’s shoulder. “I’d rather focus on us.”
“I’m glad you’re back. Dinner tonight?”
Rachel smiled. “Sure. Why don’t we order in?”
“Sounds great to me,” Mateo stated. “I have to get back to work, but I’ll see you then.”
Rachel kissed Mateo on the cheek. “I look forward to it.”
Rachel watched as Mateo headed toward the elevators.
At the same time, Derek, Michael, and Max were meeting in Sam Provenzano’s office along with his brother Vincent.
“I’m glad you could all make it on such short notice,” Sam said. “I thought it would be a good idea for all of us to sit d
own and talk before we moved forward.”
“I asked Emmett to join us as well,” Max said. “I don’t know if he’s coming or not.”
“I’m not quite sure why you’re here, either,” Derek told Max.
“Max is here because he has hired me to defend Dustin,” Sam explained.
Derek looked at Max. “You did what?”
“He’s an employee and is entitled to a defense,” Max declared.
“I understand that,” Derek agreed. “I’m an attorney, too, remember? I’m just not sure why you’re the one hiring his defense attorney.”
“That’s a discussion for another time,” Vincent said.
“We wanted to talk to you because we think it would be in everyone’s best interest if we struck a deal with the state’s attorney. And that means you agreeing not to press charges against Dustin.”
“He tried to kill me,” Derek said. “He admitted it to Cole.”
“Derek, here’s what we are thinking,” Vincent said. “If you press charges and this goes to court, you’re exposing yourself and the company to all sorts of bad publicity. All of your past will be put on display for the general public. I don’t think you want that for yourself or for Mancini Enterprises.”
“No…”
“Instead, if you help to get Dustin the help he needs, you’ll be able to control the story, garner some great press, and move forward.”
“It’s a win-win,” Max said. “Dustin gets the help he needs and your private life remains private.”
Emmett entered the room and added, “And we all know how willing you are to protect Dustin, don’t we, Max?” Emmett took a seat next to Michael.
“What are you talking about?” Derek asked his brother.
“I’ll tell you later,” Emmett said. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“So what do you say?” Sam asked Derek. “Michael and I will talk to the state’s attorney and come to an agreement that Dustin be admitted to an in-patient mental health facility for counseling. He’ll be no more threat to you. He’ll get the help he needs and you’ll get some good press, too.”
Emmett looked at Derek. “I think it’s for the best. You really don’t want to open your personal life up to the public. No one needs that scrutiny.”
“Fine,” Derek said. “But I want to see Dustin and talk to him myself.”
“Only with some of us present and after he agrees to this deal,” Michael said.
“Talking to him is part of the deal as far as I’m concerned,” Derek declared.
“That’s fine,” Sam said. “We can make that happen, with some of us present as Michael said.”
“Then we are in agreement?” Max asked.
Emmett looked toward Derek. “I think it’s for the best.”
“Okay then,” Derek agreed. “I won’t press charges and you can work with the state’s attorney on a deal to get Dustin the help he needs -- and then I get to talk to him.”
“Great,” Sam said. “I’ll head over there right now.”
“I’ll join you,” Michael stated.
Before leaving the room, Sam added, “I don’t want anyone talking with my client until I return. Is that clear?”
Derek and Max both nodded as Michael followed Sam and Vincent out of the room.
“All right,” Derek said. “Now what the hell is going on with you two?”
“It’s not your business,” Max stated.
“The hell it isn’t,” Derek declared. “Anything that affects my little brother is my business.”
“Don’t worry, Derek. I can handle myself.”
“I want to know.” He turned to Max. “What did you do to him?”
“We’re just working through something, that’s all,” Max said.
Derek turned to Emmett. “Is that true?”
“I’ll tell you later,” Emmett said.
Derek lunged at Max, grabbed him by the shirt, and pinned him up against the wall.
“I swear to God, Max. If you hurt him in any way…”
Emmett tried to pull Derek away from Max. “Derek, don’t!”
“Get your hands off me,” Max ordered, pushing Derek backwards from him. “Emmett’s an adult; he doesn’t need his big brother to come to his rescue.”
“Really, Max? That’s what’s left of us?” Emmett asked, trying to hold back the tears. “Playground talk?”
“Of course not,” Max said, trying to calm down. “I just think we can work through this on our own. We don’t need to involve anyone else.”
“Apparently, you did,” Emmett said.
Max looked at Emmett and then Derek.
“Shit,” Derek said. “You cheated on him, didn’t you?” He looked at his brother. “He cheated on you with Dustin. Now this whole meeting makes sense. That’s why you’re defending the bastard who shot me -- you slept with him!”
Emmett tried to diffuse his brother. “Derek, please.”
Derek punched Max in the face. “You son of a bitch!”
Max staggered backward against the wall. “Fuck.”
Emmett jumped in between Max and Derek. “Stop it. Both of you.”
“You don’t deserve my brother.”
“Derek, stop it. Just stay out of it.”
Max stood back up and touched his cheek. “I’ll leave you two alone. We can talk later.”
“I’m sorry,” Emmett said.
“You’re not the one who needs to be apologizing,” Derek stated.
“We’ll talk later,” Emmett told Max, who nodded and left the office.
“How long have you known?”
“I just found out,” Emmett explained. “I overheard Dustin and him talking about it.”
Derek put his arm around his brother. “Are you okay?”
“What do you think? He broke my heart. But I really don’t need you going at him. I can take care of myself.”
“I don’t like people causing you pain.”
“And I appreciate that. But hitting him doesn’t help matters at all.”
“I want him out of my place. He’s no longer welcome.”
“Derek, I’ll take care of it, okay? Just take a breath. I know you want to help and be supportive, but please, just chill.”
“Okay, okay,” Derek agreed. “Just know I’m here for you, no matter what you need.”
Emmett hugged Derek. “I know. And thank you.”
Later that afternoon, David and Michael were having coffee at Boystown Blend. Seated at the counter in the window, they watched as Chicago Cubs fans heading to Wrigley Field passed by on the sidewalk.
“How are you doing?” Michael asked. “I’ve missed having my best friend around.”
“I’m okay. It’s good to be home, although I must admit that walking into the empty apartment earlier today was a little weird. Seeing all of Tyler’s things without him -- and knowing that I’ll have to go through them all.”
“That sucks. Do you think you’ll get another roommate eventually?”
“Actually, Max and Emmett say they have someone in mind already. A friend of Dustin’s, Adam Miranda. I’m supposed to meet him later.”
“I’ve met him. Seems like a nice guy.” Michael paused and then added, “You can always come live with me, too. You know I have a spare room.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that. We’ll see how things go when I meet Adam.”
“And how did the service for Tyler go?”
“It was nice. Gino was very gracious and took care of everything. Tyler would have been pleased.”
“I’m glad. You’ve been through a lot.” Michael sipped his coffee. “And you’re a Ciancio now.”
David smiled. “I am. It’s what Tyler wanted for us and I wanted to honor his wish.”
“Very cool.”
“And get this -- Gino is donating a huge addition to St. Joseph Hospital in Tyler’s honor. The Tyler Bennett Ciancio Wellness Center.”
“Damn. That’s huge.”
“I’m the point person for t
he project along with Joyelle and your brother. In fact, we’re meeting about it tonight.”
“I’m sure Mateo is thrilled. Having the hospital expand like that under his leadership will certainly look good for him.”
“Gino said he’s been a pleasure to work with,” David stated. “But enough about me. How are you doing?”
“I’m good. Just busy with work. The plane investigation is ongoing.”
“Any leads?”
“None I can speak publicly about…yet.”
“And how’s Keith?”
“Fine, I guess.”
“You guess? Haven’t you spoken to him lately?”
“Just here and there.”
“Michael, you love him. We both know that and I can see it in your eyes. Whatever caused you two to end things, can’t you talk it through?”
“It’s not that easy.”
“After what I’ve just been through -- the crash and losing my twin brother -- I have really come to understand what’s important in life. There’s nothing more important than love. Don’t miss out -- Keith and you had something special. I think you can again. I wish I had someone like that in my life.”
“So you’ve given up on Cole entirely?”
“Cole was never really with me. His heart was always with Derek and I’ve accepted that. I’m not sure I’m in the right frame of mind to be dating anyone now anyway. The timing’s off. But you…you have no excuse. Whatever Keith has done, try to forgive him and move forward.”
“I--”
“Promise me,” David insisted. “Promise me you’ll try.”
Michael laughed. “Okay, okay. I promise.” He finished his coffee. “Glad you’re home, my friend. You were missed.”
“Thanks.”
Michael stood up from his seat. “I have to head back to the station. Want me to drop you off at the hospital?”
“Sure, that’d be great,” David replied, standing up and pulling on his jacket.
David followed Michael out of the coffee shop and toward the corner.
“I’m parked in the alley out back,” Michael said, pointing in that direction.
When they reached the corner, they rounded it and walked to the alley. As they approached Michael’s car, they both stopped when they noticed graffiti on the driver’s side. In red paint were the words, DIE FAG COP.
