At some point, after Dane had been presented with a drink from a fan and his friend had ordered his own drink, they settled in to watch Bruno, as he neared the end of his first set. He made a point of cozying up to Dane. They were friendly competitors, and Bruno liked to show how good he was. Dane smiled and placed a tip in his g-string.
As Bruno moved away, the MC introduced Anton.
He’d decided to open with a decade-old song, “That Boy is Mine,” making me wonder what had happened to Brandy and Monica. Anton moved luxuriously to the dreamy sound of the harp which opened the piece. The patrons grew silent. Though Anton kept talking abut retiring, he could command attention like none of my other dancers. His body had a golden glow, enhanced by the spotlight. The delicate blond body hair, covering his legs and torso, added an almost eerie shimmer.
As the music beat its way gently through the onlookers, Anton tempted them to think he was theirs and theirs alone. I was just as enchanted as I’d been when I auditioned him.
Slowly the music segued into something with deep beats and a heart-thumping refrain that caused bodies to vibrate and rhythmically move. The chords and beats reached deep into the crowd, and Anton’s movements brought it all home. Jaws dropped, eyes widened, attention was paid.
Though he appeared the hardened sensual performer, Anton was really gentle, sweet, and vulnerable. For the patrons he was their fantasy for the night. Like all the other dancers they ogled.
Moving around on the bar top, Anton passed the g-string thief a couple of times, acknowledging him only as another of the many fans who’d come to see him dance. As the music heated up, so did Anton’s moves and the crowd responded. His muscular form and nearly bare ass elicited more than a few cheers and whistles.
His performance was deliberate and sensual. He moved as if he what he really wanted was to take everything off and revel in naked abandon. Giving his attention to everyone, he concentrated on those waving money to tip him. And there were lots of tips, bushels of them.
Anton had sprouted so many dollar bills in the band of his g-string, he had to remove them to continue. Gyrating gracefully, he pulled out the money and in a swift movement that did not break his routine, he handed them to the bartender. As he did this, the music melted into something slower, more sexy. Anton’s moves flowed naturally to the new rhythms and like a rippling sea creature, he moved to stand before the thief. Undulating his hips in the man’s face, he caressed the thief’s cheek with his hand.
The thief was mesmerized. Dane glanced at the guy with a smug expression on his face. He knew that Anton had hooked the man and was about to reel him in.
Anton turned his bare, glistening back to the thief, and ground his hips slowly as he lowered his ass to within inches of the man’s face. I almost felt sorry for him as I watched the man dissolve into a mass of helpless jelly. He seemed to have lost all sense of where he was as he focused intently on Anton’s body. Unhurried and remaining level with the man’s head, Anton twisted slowly around on his powerful legs until the full pouch of his g-string came tantalizingly close to the thief’s face.
The guy never took his eyes off Anton, content to live, even for a moment, as if he and Anton were the center of everything and all there was. He weakly stretched out his hand clutching a few dollar bills, indicating he wanted to tip Anton. Slowly Anton brought his crotch closer and closer to receive the dollar bills, all the while bumping his hips so that the pouch bounced up and down threatening to slip and reveal everything.
Anton extended a hand and stroked the thief’s face and I noticed the guy react with pleasant surprise. Even from a distance I could see light reflected off the beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He smiled, looking up expectantly. Anton gradually rose to a standing position, taking his crotch out of the guy’s face. The thief seemed confused until Anton made a slow and sexy turn allowing him to present his smooth ass with a slow tempting wiggle giving the guy a good look. Anton slid his hands temptingly over his ass cheeks as if to say, “See it. Feel it. It’s yours, if you know what to do.”
I pitied the guy. He had no hope of resisting as Anton worked his magic. When the man lifted his hand to offer another dollar bill, Anton took that hand and slapped it full onto his bare butt, allowing the guy one brief moment to feel the smooth, golden-pink flesh. The thief smiled so broadly I thought his face would crack. Suddenly he plastered his other hand on Anton’s other cheek and tried drawing Anton closer to his face.
Just as Anton’s butt was about to dock with the thief’s face, Anton made another gentle revolve. The thief’s hands left the surface of Anton’s ass as if they were parting with life itself. This time Anton bent at the waist to bring his face close to the thief’s. At this point, Anton could ask for anything. He knew it and I watched as he whispered something in the man’s ear. For emphasis, he brushed his lips with the thief’s.
The guy’s face lit up with the hopeful expression of a man long ignored or always disappointed. What Anton would eventually do with him wouldn’t change much for the poor sucker.
Anton did one more circuit around the bar, paying some attention to his regulars until his set ended.
I met Anton back in the dressing room.
“He’s going to talk with me. The bastard fell for it. I could barely keep from punching him in the face. But I wanted to do this for Kyle. I’ve gotta get dressed and meet the creep in a few minutes.” Anton was exhilarated by his success and filled with anger. This could be bad. Anton was good, but he was too close to this. I knew this would be the case, but I couldn’t stop him.
“Be careful.” I held him by his shoulders and looked into his eyes. I’m not sure what I saw there but it made me want to hold him and never let go. “Don’t take chances. If he’s the guy, there’s no telling—”
I was interrupted by a falsetto shriek and turned to see Caleb in the dressing room doorway, white as porcelain, holding a piece of paper.
“Caleb? What’s wrong?” Anton and I moved closer to him.
“Th-this note was— how did anybody get in? Who could have done it?”
“Slow down, Caleb and show me the paper.” I held out my hand and he passed the note to me.
It seemed hastily written and said, “You’re next, butt boy. Stop hurting people.” This threw a whole new light on things. The note used the term “hurting people” which was what had been said to Kyle. If this was the same perpetrator, then either Kyle’s family was after both of them for some reason, or they weren’t in this fight at all.
“Did you see anyone in here earlier?” I handed the note to Anton as I spoke. There wasn’t a full complement of dancers, this being Tuesday. It would have been easy for someone to slip in and out of the dressing room unnoticed.
“Could it have been the same creep?” Anton asked. “Did he leave Dane’s side before my set? Dane would know. If it’s him, we’ve really got the goods on him.”
“We all had eyes on the guy from the minute they stepped up to the bar. Hard to see how he did this. I can ask Dane if his friend was out of his sight before they came over to the bar.” I stared at the paper again. “Anything’s possible.”
“I’ve got to get out there to meet him.”
“Remember, stick to the script. Don’t take risks, Anton.”
Anton pecked me on the cheek and left. I knew Kevin would be keeping an eye on him but I wanted to be down there, too. Except I needed to calm Caleb, who was still a wreck over the note. I placed an arm around his shoulder, and he held onto me. We both stared at the floor in silence.
***
“The guy’s name is James and he says he’s never heard of you, Caleb.” Anton toyed with a French fry, swirling it in ketchup on his plate. At three in the morning the only thing I could stomach was hot tea.
The Midcity Diner was a late night haven for every character prowling the city at that hour. The so-so food was cheap, and the waitresses were tough, competent, and fun. The fragrance of greasy hamburgers and strong coffee was strange
ly comforting.
“He could be lying.” Caleb brought his Coke shakily to his lips.
“I don’t think so,” Anton said. “He answered every question I asked.”
“What did you have to give in return?” I asked, wiggling my eyebrows but feeling uncomfortable. Watching Anton being pawed when he danced at Bubbles was one thing. It was something else thinking about him in a private liaison with a customer. I never allowed my dancers to do anything remotely close to a lap dance or anything like it.
“I didn’t have to give anything like your dirty mind is imagining, Marco.” Anton winked. “And why do you care? You haven’t put a ring on my finger. Unless you’ve got one hidden in your pocket ready to propose?”
“What exactly did you get for whatever it is you gave?” I ignored his “ring” jab.
“James is the g-string thief. He admitted it. Said he took it.” Anton smirked.
Caleb gasped, his eyes trained on Anton.
“Lone operator or was he paid to do it?” I asked.
“Hired hand. But he swears he had nothing to do with hurting Kyle. Didn’t even know about it until I told him. That’s why I don’t think James knows anything about the note Caleb received.” Anton popped a fry into his mouth and munched. “James is kind of a sweet guy, in a way. Really sorry about bothering Kyle. He said he liked watching Kyle dance and almost didn’t want to steal the g-string. But he was afraid the thug’d kill him.”
“Anton! Your new best friend James harassed Kyle two or three times and may have beaten him nearly to death. Even if he claims he didn’t. How’s that add up to sweet?” I liked Anton. And probably his ability to see the good side of everyone was one reason I did. But this time he went a little too far.
“Well…” He looked down guiltily at his ketchup-smeared plate.
“Well, nothing. You’ve gotta be careful.” I was more worried that some time or other, in the middle of something potentially dangerous, he’d let down his guard and get hurt because he wanted to give someone the benefit of the doubt.
“I know.”
“Did he say who hired him?”
“Hey! You guys got a light?” A haggard-looking man in a tattered suit, had stumbled over to our table and saw no problem interrupting us.
“Nobody here smokes, pal.”
“Too good for smokin’? You fags are ruinin’ a good thing.” He burped loudly, turned around and, trailing a scent like three day old fish, staggered away.
“Did your new friend James say who hired him?” I asked again.
“Some thug. James doesn’t know him really. The thug gave James his orders,” Anton said. “James overheard this thug speaking to somebody on the phone. Whoever that was is the one behind it all.”
“Did you get the thug’s name?”
“James didn’t say and I didn’t wanna push. He was being pretty open. I was afraid if I pushed, he’d close down.”
“You did the right thing. If he’d given you just a little more, though...”
“He promises to come back in tomorrow night. I can get him to talk again.”
“But you’re not scheduled to dance.”
Anton squinted at me and the set of his jaw was firm. I knew that look. It meant he wouldn’t budge. “I’ve got to be scheduled. James wants me to dance just for him. Says he has big bucks and wants to shower some of it on me. Not gonna miss that kind of money.”
“If you believe him. What makes you so sure, Anton.”
“Just something about him. I’m not a bad judge of character,” he said. I knew he was right.
“If you think so…” I let my voice trail off. Was I worried about what the guy might do or did it bother me that Anton would be alone with him for another night?
“You’re such a nut, Marco. You really think it’s all about the money?”
I stared at him. “You’re interested in this guy?” I couldn’t hide my surprise.
“No! What’re you thinking?” Anton’s eyes narrowed. “I made him promise to get me the name of the thug who hired him. I told him that’d be the only way I’d dance for him again. Well, that and the money.” Anton smiled mischievously. I’d memorized that smile and everything else about his face.
“You really sure he’s not the one who left that note for me?” Caleb asked interrupting my thoughts. His voice was shaky. Without Kyle here protecting him, he must’ve felt lost. “If he got into our dressing room, maybe he could get to me at home? Maybe he knows where—”
“You can stay at my place tonight,” I offered. “That way you won’t have to worry about anything.”
“He won’t?” Anton shot me a glance.
“He can’t stay at his place all alone. Not after that note.” I looked at Anton and tried appearing as innocent as possible, which, for me, is not that easy.
“I can take him in for the night.” Anton said. “He’s comfortable with me.”
I didn’t like talking about the kid as if he were some wall hanging.
“Caleb, it’s up to you. You want to stay with Anton or me?”
“I’d feel better if you both stayed with me. You never know if that guy will have someone with him if he tries to… you know.”
“That’s a great idea!” Anton beamed.
The kid was brilliant. I’d have to reevaluate him. He managed to ensure that neither of us would have him all to ourselves and neither of us could complain. I had to hand it to him.
Anton led him out the door while I gave the cashier some money and the check. I followed and told them where I’d parked way down on Chestnut. There were still a few spots the valet-parking vultures hadn’t claimed.
We took my car, intending to make a few stops before ending up at my house. First to Anton’s apartment to pick up what he’d need, then to Caleb’s place which was also Kyle’s, in order to get his stuff.
We hadn’t gone two blocks when I noticed the other car. A dark old-model Chevy. He was a sloppy tail, which meant he wasn’t a professional. If he was this bad, I might be able to lose him. Except that there was no traffic at this hour and it wouldn’t be easy.
“Listen up, guys. I have to make some detours. We won’t be stopping anywhere just yet. Hold on.” I headed over Twelfth and, when I turned onto Sansom, it was a little faster than I’d intended and we nearly hit a post. I knew the neighborhood well enough to lose the guy, if I could stay in one piece.
“What’s going on, Marco?” Anton didn’t sound happy.
“We’ve got company. I need to lose him.” I swerved around another corner and was on 13th Street. Looking back, I spotted the Chevy rolling cautiously onto the street, too. In the middle of town it’d be difficult losing the joker. I turned back to Chestnut then onto Twelfth again and zipped down to Pine Street. I couldn’t see the other car but without much traffic, he’d catch up sooner or later. I headed toward the Old City section of town where there were back streets and tight turns and I might be able to do a better job of evading him. In the mirror, I saw the car way in the distance. A car or two had jumped between us and that helped. But he was there, and I didn’t like that.
“Who is it?” Caleb’s voice shook. “Who’s following us? Is it him?”
“Don’t know, Caleb.” I sped through a yellow light. “You have any ideas?”
“Me? Why would I?” he said and there was something curious in the way he responded.
“Why would Caleb know this guy?” Anton said. “Just get us out of here.”
As if I wasn’t trying to do just that.
Turning onto Third Street, I looked back and didn’t see our tail. I turned quickly onto Delancey, hoping that we’d lost the guy for good. From Delancey, I turned onto Fourth, nipped into a quiet street called Gaskill and cut the car’s lights. I pressed a finger to my lips and whispered, “We’ll wait here. Keep calm.”
Damned if I didn’t look down the street to see the old car zip past Gaskill and miss us completely. That was nice but it also meant that he’d kept up better than I liked. He�
��d realize soon he’d lost us. I had to act quickly.
With the lights still off, I started up and rolled the car out and back onto Third.
“Where’re we going?” Anton asked.
“Odds are he doesn’t know where you or I live.”
“Right.”
“He could know,” came a weak voice from the back seat. “He might know where you live Anton. He might know a lot,” Caleb said, his little kid voice hesitant, quavering.
I was headed toward for my place anyway, so I turned on the lights and hit the gas. We practically flew to Spring Garden and up to Nineteenth. My house was situated inside a new complex on the lower level of a set of piggy-back homes.
I doused the lights before I got to the gate leading to the courtyard. Pulling into a parking spot at the other end of the lot, away from my house, I got Anton and Caleb out of the car and onto the shadowed sidewalk. At four in the morning only the nosiest neighbors might be up and snooping. We moved quickly to the back door of my house.
As soon as we were inside, the telephone rang.
“We’re not home,” I said to Anton and Caleb. The phone kept ringing.
“Who’d call you at this time of night?” Anton said.
“I told you,” Caleb’s voice was softer than it had been. “He knows.”
“How could he know, Caleb? You’re not making sense.” I knew that one more ring would get the answering machine going. “Even if it is the guy, I don’t want him knowing we’re here.”
“Should I turn out that light?” Anton indicated a small lamp in the living room.
“No. I always leave that on. If he’s got an eye on the place, he’ll see it go out.”
The answering machine picked up on the next ring. After my outgoing announcement, there was no message left. Whoever called said nothing. The silence went on and on.
“He’ll get into the house. I know it.” Caleb said, sounding completely unnerved.
Crimes on Latimer: From the Early Cases of Marco Fontana Page 17
