“But what about the gun? I went there with a gun.”
“Bonner told the DA you didn’t pull the gun out until he attacked you. And that was when the gun went off.”
“But the DA, they didn’t care that I didn’t have a permit or anything?”
“That was the easy part. As a public figure, we informed them of the threat you had just received.”
“What threat?”
Tower smiled. “Don’t worry about the details, okay? The bottom line is you were under a lot of pressure from the divorce and custody proceedings and had been drinking too much. They agreed to drop the illegal possession charges pending completion of an outpatient rehab program.”
“I won’t have a record or anything?”
“It will all go away.”
“I can’t believe it. I mean, I shot Bonner. I can’t believe he changed his story.”
“I’m glad we were able to make him see the benefit of working with us.”
“You mean, keeping the money?”
He smiled. “Like I said, let me worry about the details.”
“I’m really grateful. If I can do anything for you, let me know.”
“Now that you mention it, you’re playing Madison Square Garden, aren’t you?”
“Oh yeah, it’s one of our biggest shows.”
“Good. I can use, say, a dozen tickets, up front.”
“You got it.”
“And backstage passes.”
“Okay, I’ll get them over to you.”
“You’re at Soldier Field in Chicago as well, right?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Get me another dozen for my boys out there.”
“Sure, okay.”
Tower’s phone vibrated. He answered it. “What’s going on?”
“There’s fifteen to twenty reporters outside the building.”
“Tell Franky to get his men and clear it. I don’t want anyone within twenty yards of Lupinski’s place.”
* * *
Tracy said, “We have a couple of things to tend to before we leave tomorrow. You have to sign off on the press statement the publicist just sent in. We’ll do it as soon as you’re done signing the T-shirts.”
Cory, Sharpie marker in hand, looked up. “My hand is cramping up.”
“Take a break. Here, read this, it’s short and sweet. If you’re good with it, sign it, and I’ll get it out.”
Cory read the statement: I was involved in an unfortunate misunderstanding that led to the unintentional discharge of a firearm. An official investigation confirmed my role was an act of self-defense, and I was released after a brief detainment. I’m grateful for the support you’ve given me during this incident and look forward to seeing all of you on the tour.
Cory signed the document. “Here you go.”
“I’ll get it out. You know the old saying, there is no such thing as bad publicity? Well, it’s true. Since this happened, ticket sales have substantially increased.”
“I know. Dave told me, and he said downloads exploded.”
“People want to hear what kind of music a gun-toting pop star makes.”
“It’d be funny if it weren’t true. My hand is killing me.”
“Hey, how about I call Carolyn for a quick massage before the photo shoot with the band?”
“Sure. Say, talking about the band. Can you do me a favor and call Donny? Feel him out on coming back.”
“But what about Kenshaw?”
“I don’t know, we’ll figure something out. But I feel bad. I shouldn’t have let Donny go. He was the only one there . . . and you, Tracy. Just want to say thanks again, for being there for me.”
“Anytime, Cory.”
“I appreciate it. What else do I have today?”
“Hairstylist, and you had the three-to-four hours blocked out for a doctor’s appointment.”
“Oh, I almost forgot about that.”
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, part of the agreement Tower worked out.”
“Oh, by the way, I scanned Tower’s bill over to Baffa. Tower’s good but expensive.”
“I know, he said it would run around a hundred thousand.”
“It was twice that.”
“Are you sure? Let me see it.”
Cory autographed a dozen shirts in the time it took Tracy to dig out the bill.
“Here it is.”
There were two line items on the invoice. The first, for one hundred thousand, was for legal service rendered. The second line, in the same amount, was described as specialized intervention services.
With the unexpected charge, Tower had soaked up almost half the money he got back from Bonner.
“See? He charged you double what he quoted. You want me to challenge it?”
“No. Forget it, he, uhm, did a lot better than I thought he would.”
Cory was troubled by Tower’s money grab, but he hadn’t expected to get any of the blackmail money back or to get away with shooting Bonner. Everyone liked to say people landed on their feet when they came out on the good side of a bad situation, but none of them walked away with fifty grand and a get-out-of-jail card.
Tracy said, “What are you smiling about?”
“Nothing, just happy for the first time in a long while.”
Cory’s phone vibrated. It was Tower. “Hello, Mr. Tower.”
“How are you enjoying your freedom?”
“Off the charts.”
“We need to talk.”
“Is something wrong?”
“Come up to the office as soon as you can. I’ll be here until seven.”
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Cory wanted to blow off the session with Dr. Bruno. The problem was he respected her, and after the way he treated Donny, he had to tell her in person that he was done with therapy. Tower’s office was only ten minutes away. He’d spend a few minutes with her and go see what Tower wanted to talk about.
Getting off the elevator, a woman in her twenties came out of the door to Bruno’s office. Seeing the red around her eyes took a bounce out of Cory’s step. Just days ago, he’d been so distressed that he had shot someone. Now, excepting the situation with his wife, he was back on top. Walking into Bruno’s office, he hoped the young lady would have the turnaround he’d had.
Bruno smiled. “I must say, considering everything that’s gone on, you look remarkably well.”
“Things really turned around, and I feel good, super good.”
“That’s wonderful. Would you like to talk about the events?”
“Nah, I’m good, really, I am.”
“It might be helpful. Many times, it reinforces things, talking them through.”
“I’m okay. It’s not necessary.”
“May I ask about your drinking?”
“Oh, it’s good. I really cut back on the partying, and this time it’s for real.”
“We never discussed the catalyst for the excessive drinking. We were making progress overcoming your reluctance to discuss it. It would be good to get it out.”
“It’s not necessary anymore. Everything is good, well, except with Linda, but I’m working on that as well.”
“I’m glad things are well, but there is enough research proving that, left unaddressed, the original underlying issues will surface again, especially when undergoing high levels of stress. I wouldn’t want you to experience a setback.”
“I understand, but I got this. I really feel like I can deal with things. I’m going to be fine.”
“Well, I’m proud of you, then.” She smiled. “Good for you.”
“Thanks. I guess this is going to be the last time coming here.”
“Don’t be egotistical about things. Whenever you feel the need to talk, don’t wait too long. The sooner you address what you’re feeling, the easier it is to find a solution.”
* * *
Before Brenda opened the door to Tower’s office, Cory smelled smoke. Ear to a phone and finger circled around a fat ciga
r, the lawyer nodded an acknowledgment and kept talking. Cory looked at a series of pictures on the wall. He’d missed the winner’s circle photos of Tower and his horses when he was here before.
His attorney finished the call with, “Just get it done. I got to go,” and hung up. Tower said, “You want a drink?”
“I, uh, I thought you didn’t drink.”
“I don’t, but I know how to take care of my clients. I had Brenda pick up a bottle of single malt.” Tower opened a drawer and took out a bottle and glass. “Aberlour. You know it?”
“Not really, I usually drink bourbon. But I’ll have some.”
Tower poured three fingers of the amber liquid and handed it to Cory. “Thanks.” Cory took a sip. “Pretty smooth.”
As the lawyer slid behind his desk, Cory took a gulp, relishing the heat it spread. “What did you want to talk about?”
“Retaining my firm’s services.”
“Retaining? What do you mean by that?”
“That we’re ready and available to address all of your legal needs.”
Cory sipped his drink. “But I don’t have any.”
“Everybody, especially a high-profile entertainer like you, needs someone to protect them.”
“My record label has a department full of lawyers. They handle all that stuff, like contracts and those things. I can tell them about you and recommend you.”
“It’s not the business aspect you should be concerned about. I’m referring to protecting you.”
“From what?”
Tower said, “Whatever comes your way.”
Cory put the glass to his lips. “I don’t know about that.”
“When you shot Mr. Bonner, did you heed my advice?”
“Sure, everything you said.”
“Did I get you out of the jam you were in?”
“Yeah, I still can’t believe it.”
“Well, my recommendation is for you to retain my firm.”
“If you think it’s a good idea. I mean, okay, sure.”
Tower smiled. “Excellent.” He slid a document across his desk. “This is the retainer agreement. Sign the fifth page.”
“I’m going to have to read this, run it by my manager. I’ll—”
“I’m your lawyer. You can sign it.” Tower flipped a page over. “You see right here, section Three B. It says you can terminate the agreement with thirty days’ notice.”
Cory read the clause. “Anytime?”
“That’s what it states. No penalties or costs. You change your mind, you terminate.”
“How much is this going to cost?”
“Twenty thousand dollars a month.”
“Twenty? That’s crazy. Why would I pay that much?”
“Why? Because the next time you get in trouble, if you want me to help, you sign it.”
“But I’m not going to do anything like that. I—”
Tower leaned closer. Cory felt the heat of his lawyer’s breath as he said, “I saved your ass!”
Cory put his drink down and took the pen Tower held out. “You did.”
“Now, go ahead and sign both copies, one is for you.”
Cory’s hand shook as he signed the agreement.
Tower said, “Good. You know, when issues arise that require my attention, the retainer will go a long way toward covering the costs.”
Cory finished his drink. “I got to go. We’re heading out tomorrow.”
“Make sure I get those tickets I asked for.”
Cory got up. “I will.”
Wondering what he had gotten himself into, Cory put the agreement on the car seat and made a call.
“Mr. Black, this is Cory Lupinski.”
“Hello, sir. What can I do for you?”
“You recommended Barney Tower to me.”
“Yes. He performed as expected.”
“I know, but he kind of forced me to do a retainer with him.”
Black hesitated before saying, “He’s got a reputation for being, shall we say, unconventional.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“He’ll use any means necessary to gets what he wants.”
“What?”
“I have another call and have to take it. Be careful.”
Chapter Fifty-Eight
The Staples Center audience was on their feet. As the band exited the stage, Tracy handed a towel to Cory. “Wow, that was the best show you’ve given. They ate you up out there.”
“Get someone down to the front where the kids from the Children’s Hospital are sitting. Get them backstage passes.”
“Sure.”
Cory turned to the band. “All right, guys, let’s get back out and do the encore. I want to give them two tonight.”
The crowd erupted as a jogging Cory led the band back onstage.
* * *
Cory came out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist. “What time we flying to Frisco?”
“Just before two. We have to be at LAX no later than one.”
“If we do it early enough, we’ll have time to make a stop at a hospital.”
“It’d be pushing it. You need to rest. Let’s wait until we get back to New York.”
“Squeeze it in.”
“What’s the rush?”
“Ava just sent me a text. A Facebook group of kids with cancer reached out to her. Look at this picture, it breaks my heart.”
Cory grabbed his phone and showed the image to Tracy. “It’s so sad. Let me check for a hospital on the way to the airport, or maybe something close to the hotel.”
“Good. And get somebody to pick up a dozen guitars, we’ll donate them.”
“Will do. I’ll get that girl from the LA Times to meet us there.”
“No, I don’t want any reporters.”
“You sure? It’ll make for nice publicity.”
“No. You can post a picture or two on social media. That’s enough. I don’t want to turn it into a circus; it’s not good for the kids.”
“Okay if you want, but I don’t think the children mind it. I actually think they like the attention.”
“Trust me, I’m a father who’s made a ton of mistakes. Kids know when you’re being genuine or not.”
* * *
In the living room of Cory’s Ritz-Carlton suite, Cory and Tracy joined the Zoom meeting. His agent, Dave, said, “Good morning, Cory. How are you enjoying Dallas?”
“All I’ve seen is the hotel and the American Airlines arena.”
“Next time we’ll build some downtime into the schedule. Hey, before we get underway, I wanted to tip you off. I just heard from Billboard, and ‘Tropical Storm’ is back on the charts at number twenty.”
“Wow, that’s a good way to start the morning.”
“We’re not done pushing it either. I’m expecting it to go higher.”
“That’d be nice.”
“It certainly would. Say, let’s get this call going. You all know Roger Ball. He’s the head of artist development for the label.”
“Hey, Roger.”
“Hi, Cory, I heard you had a hell of a show last night.”
“We got lucky again.” Cory laughed. “Things are going a little too well. It’s making me nervous.”
Dave said, “Roger has some analytical insights he’d like to share. Why don’t you take it from here?”
Roger said, “First off, like I said, you’re killing it out there. We couldn’t be happier the way the tour is going and the rebound we’ve seen in sales and streams. You’re doing wonderfully.”
“Thanks. I’m super happy it’s working out.”
“Now, there are some areas of concern. Sorry, let me rephrase that, opportunities to explore is a more accurate depiction.”
“What are we talking about?”
“As Dave mentioned, the sales and downloads are ahead of schedule. But a trend we see in the consumer demographic is a growing number of customers are younger than the pop genre’s average. This downward drift mirrors th
e census of the audiences at each of the stops on the tour.”
“Now that I think of it, maybe the audience is a little younger.”
“Basically, it’s the teenyboppers, on the younger side of the spectrum, that are the growing part of your fan base.”
“Why is this a problem?”
“Again, let’s not view it as a problem but an opportunity. The other factor to consider is that females make up a majority of buyers and attendees.”
“And the issue is?”
“A fan’s stickiness. The rate of change in preference and overall lack of allegiance in a younger demographic could impact your career longevity.”
Dave said, “Basically, they’re fickle. Love you one day and move on the next.”
Cory said, “I get it. But I’m not worried about it. I mean, they like what they like, and what could I do about it anyway?”
“Actually, we think you could mitigate the effect and increase the average age.”
“How’s that?”
“We polled each of the audiences, including last night. Oddly, the songs that resonate with them are the ones you made for your daughter and son. We feel if you were to stop or limit doing them live, it could have an impact.”
“They like them, so I should stop playing them?”
“I know it’s counterintuitive, but you have to keep in mind the older the fan, the more disposable income they have.”
Cory frowned but said nothing.
“It’s really up to you, Cory. You have the artistic freedom to express yourself any way you wish. We’re just trying to help build you a sustainable career.”
Cory was about to tell him what a load of bullshit that was but restrained himself. “I’ll keep it in mind. Thanks, be well, guys.”
Tracy ended the video call, saying, “It’s always the suits against the talent. Don’t let them get you down.”
“I’m not.” His phone rang. “Let me get this. It’s my attorney.”
“Things are going well, aren’t they?”
“Yeah, not bad.”
“You’re selling out everywhere. My guys said the lines were long at all the merchandise stands. I’m estimating you’ll exceed the five million you told me with the next show.”
“I’m really not sure. I’m leaving for a rehearsal. What did you call about?”
“Our agreement. It needs to be amended.”
Cory's Dilemma Page 20
