by Gerald Lopez
“You don’t seem overly concerned that people who work here might be stealing,” Bart said.
“Things always have a way of working out,” Simon said. “If not, then we find a way of dealing with the problems and making them disappear.”
“Are you guys ready to head out?” Julia said, from the main salon area.
“We’re ready,” Simon said.
“SO WHAT did you learn?” Simon said to Julia, once they were all back in the car and leaving the strip center.
“I’m not entirely sure,” Julia said. “I asked Charmaine if she thinks some of the stylists are taking products home for either themselves or side businesses, but she’s adamant that most of them wouldn’t do that.”
“Hmm,” Simon said. “What’s her theory, then?”
“She thinks someone’s stealing, but she’s not sure if it’s the crew that comes in to clean or one of the stylists,” Julia said.
“She’s only blaming the cleaning crew because they’re Mexican and not black,” Simon said.
“Maybe, but I’ll have Lorena talk to them next time she comes to Jacksonville,” Julia said. “Simon, can you find a drive-through so we can pick up something to drink?”
“Sure, as soon as we get off this back street and on the main thoroughfare,” Simon said, adjusting his rearview mirror.
“Is something wrong?” Bart said, seeing Simon look into the rear view mirror purposefully.
“It’s probably nothing, but that green car has been behind us since we left the salon,” Simon said.
Everyone, except Simon turned around and looked out the rear window.
“The car’s speeding up behind us,” Bart said.
“Maybe they just want to go around,” Reese said.
“Simon, they’re not slowing down,’ Julia said. “Oh my God! They’re gonna hit us!”
Everyone braced for impact but the car swerved around them, drove down the street, then made a quick turn back in their direction. The car parked diagonally and blocked the narrow two lane street in front of them.
“Back up, Simon!” Julia said.
“No,” Simon said. “They’ve probably got someone watching to come at us from behind. We need to deal with whatever this is.” He slowed down the car, but continued to drive forward until he stopped two car lengths from the parked vehicle and put his emergency brake on. “Leave the car running. Julia, you know where the gun is—don’t take it out unless it’s absolutely necessary. I’m going out there alone to see what these people want.”
A tall, and muscular black man got out of the parked car and stood in front of it facing Simon’s car.
“Everybody stay in here, no matter what,” Simon said, before he opened his door and walked to meet the man.
“Oh, God almighty this better not be one of Simon’s crazy deals,” Julia said. “Lord Jesus, keep him safe.”
Bart tied to hear what was being said between Simon and the other man but, they were too far away.
“Julia, do you know how to use a gun if it comes down to it?” Bart said.
“I’ve been shooting a gun almost since I was big enough to hold one,” Julia said. “My daddy and granddaddy used to hunt.”
“What is taking Simon so long?” Reese said.
“Here he comes,” Bart said, as he saw Simon heading back to the car while the other man headed back to his.
Simon got back in the driver’s seat, let out a deep breath, and started driving again once the other car had left. “Now, I really need a drink—a real one. It’s too bad I’m driving.”
“Simon, what happened?” Julia said. “This isn’t about one of your schemes, is it?”
“It’s area business,” Simon said.
“I’m not greasing any palms or paying some wannabe gangsters to do business here,” Julia said.
“It’s not about that,” Simon said. “I need to think on things. I’ll talk to you about it again in a day or two. We’ve got lots of things to discuss and finalize on the way home, but first let’s find a safe place to catch our breaths, sit down, and get something to eat and drink.”
Chapter 43
Lost in Thought
SIMON STOPPED at a Cracker Barrel restaurant, where the foursome safely enjoyed a meal and small talk. When they returned to Simon’s car and were on the road again, they discussed some of the details regarding their plans for Mr. Orion.
“The plan is almost diabolical,” Julia said. “Giving the man what he desires most in the world, then making sure the police are called in at just the right time.”
“I don’t get it,” Reese said. “Baby Face Mac is legal age, so why would the police be called in?”
“Because, Baby Face Mac can pass for younger,” Julia said.
“Wrong,” Simon said. “Should you explain it, Jeremy, or should I do the honors?”
“What Mr. Orion wants more than anything, is to be able to relive a situation he faced as a child and come out victorious,” Bart said. “We’re going to give him the opportunity to do just that.”
“Yes, but Mr. Orion was raped as a child,” Julia said. “For the child to be victorious, it would mean that Baby Face Mac would have to subdue Mr. Orion… since Mr. Orion would now be in the role of the would-be rapist.”
“Exactly,” Simon said. “That’s why Baby Face Mac will be carrying an unloaded gun, which he’ll pull on Mr. Orion.”
“And the police will be called, because there’s a gun in play,” Reese said.
“But what if Mr. Orion decides he doesn’t want to play this game after all?” Julia said. “What if he decides to save his present self and not some stranger pretending to be his younger self?”
“That’s exactly what we’re counting on,” Bart said. “Baby Face Mac will give him the opportunity to get the gun, and that’s when the police will move in.”
“Baby Face Mac will say Mr. Orion threatened him with the gun, and he was scared for his life,” Simon said. “Mr. Orion will probably get a slap on the wrists, and be asked to leave and never return to Maynard Shores.”
“Unless the police end up shooting him instead, when they see him with the gun,” Julia said.
“The boys in blue that show up will be in our pocket,” Simon said. “The deal’s already been made.”
“Well, it sounds like a complicated plan to me,” Julia said. “And one that can go wrong in many ways.”
“What if Mr. Orion doesn’t try to take the gun from Baby Face Mac?” Reese said.
“Don’t worry about that,” Simon said. ‘Baby Face Mac is a pro. He’ll make sure Mr. Orion’s holding the gun when the time is right. Have no doubt of that.”
“It all sounds very intense… and Julia’s right, it’s a complicated plan just to get rid of one wannabe child molester,” Reese said.
“The ‘wannabe’ part probably only applies here, Reese,” Julia said. “In his country, Mr. Orion was probably able to do whatever he wanted… with whomever he wanted.”
“That’s disgusting,” Reese said.
“It sure is,” Simon said.
“How about a change of subject?” Bart said. “Simon, Gabriel said that he didn’t know why his father had sent him to Maynard Shores, but do you think he could be planning to retire next to his brother? And that maybe he’s looking to start up a marijuana business.”
Simon laughed. “I think that is highly probable. As you know, he’s already set up shop in Miami and Palm Beach, but he’s a smart one. You won’t find him or his people dealing in the streets, they sell weed for medicinal purposes. They sell to people who have Glaucoma and the like. And you’d be surprised how many retirees with money have glaucoma.”
“But I didn’t think that was legal everywhere,” Bart said.
“It’s not, but people turn a blind eye to it, or are paid off to ignore things,” Simon said. “And Roberto Reyes is ready to set up actual brick and mortar shops as soon as it does become legal. That’s why they’re growing so much marijuana in his country, to
be ready to fill orders as soon as it becomes legal… which, from what he told me, should be soon. That guy’s got people everywhere, who keep him informed about such things.”
“His last name is Reyes, which means that’s Gabriel’s last name too,” Bart said.
“You didn’t think their last name was really Kristoff… did you?” Simon said. “Kristoff is hardly a Hispanic name.”
“I guess I never thought about it,” Bart said.
“Don’t feel stupid about not knowing that,” Simon said. “Marcus is smooth and smart. He changed his name, so as not to be connected to that mess in his country.”
Bart did feel stupid, though. If he hadn’t noticed something as simple as the name thing… what else had he missed? He was lost in thought as he looked out the window at the world passing quickly by.
AS THEY passed the entrance of the Maynard Shores Beachfront Resort, Reese pointed toward the lobby entrance.
“There’s Joe,” Reese said. “He should be home by now.”
Simon slowed down. “Should we see what he’s up to?”
“Stop and let me out,” Julia said. “I see Lorena making her way out of the lobby and I want to talk with her.”
Simon pulled to the side of the entrance and spoke as Julia opened her door. “Do you want me to wait for you?”
“No, that’s OK,” Julia said. “I’ll stay at mine and Rachel’s place tonight, and catch up with you tomorrow.”
“OK, goodnight, sweetheart,” Simon said.
“Thanks for your help with the boxes today,” Julia said to Bart and Reese.
“Thanks for paying for dinner,” Bart said.
“You’re welcome, and the show was free,” Julia said, as she turned and walked to the entrance.
“I could’ve done without the show,” Reese said to Simon and Bart. “It was scary when that car almost rear-ended us, then stopped in the road like that. I was afraid I’d need to change my shorts.”
“If I wore underwear, I would’ve been worried about soiling them too,” Simon said, before turning to Bart. “You probably don’t remember Lorena, Jeremy, take a gander at her real quick before we head on.”
Bart turned toward the entrance of the lobby and saw a shapely woman with long auburn hair walk up to Julia. “She is a beauty.”
“Y’up, and I don’t care what Julia says,” Simon said, driving toward their parking area. “I think Joe has eyes for her. This isn’t the first time he’s driven her home from work.”
“I thought she was supposed to be with her sick kid,” Bart said.
“Was being the key word in that statement,” Simon said. “George is home with the kid now, which leaves her free to check on things and people here.”
“George talks as if his family is his whole world, I hope you’re not right about what you’re thinking, Simon,” Bart said.
“I bet you didn’t think Lorena would look like that,” Simon said. “She’s got an amazing body for having had kids. Her tits and ass are something else. And she has a pretty face to boot.”
“It’s sad, if it’s true about Joe and her,” Reese said. “She and George used to seem so close.”
“They did seem close, but that could of been an act,” Simon said. “You can’t trust a woman with a body like that. And I can’t put my finger on it, but something changed between them.” He parked in his assigned space. “It could’ve been the trip to ‘Latin land’… or maybe she found out about George and Mr. Orion.”
“How would she have found out about that?” Reese said.
“People talk,” Simon said. “Everyone knows what goes on in this place. It’s just that nobody talks about it… until they want to, or have a good reason to blab. Time to get out, boys.”
The three of them exited the car and talked as they walked to the entrance of their complex. Bart had noticed how well Simon filled out his tight jeans earlier, but knowing he wasn’t wearing underwear made him look all the more.
“I hate that Julia shares rooms with Rachel,” Simon said. “I know she’s trying to keep an eye on the girl, but I worry about her sometimes.”
“Well, you’re just one floor below them,” Reese said.
“Even that doesn’t feel close enough sometimes,” Simon said. “Rachel’s gonna come to a bad end one day, and I just hope Julia’s not there when it happens.”
“You don’t think someone would murder her, do you?” Reese said, as they walked into the courtyard area.
“I wasn’t thinking that,” Simon said. “It’s more likely she’ll have a drug overdose at some point, and end up face down in the tub or something. That’s typically how people like her die, I would imagine.”
“That’s sad, but probably true,” Bart said.
“I’ll talk to you guys later,” Simon said. “I’ve got some calls to make.”
“Good night,” Bart said.
“Later, Simon,” Reese said.
Noticing that Reese looked nervous, Bart put his arm around him. “Hi, there.”
“Hi,” Reese said. “Can I stay with you… just for a while? Today left me sort of stressed.”
“Sure, you can stay all night, if you want,” Bart said, as they walked up the stairs to his apartment. “I do have to warn you, though, I have to get up early to make the rounds with James.”
“That’s OK,” Reese said. “I have the early shift at the pool.”
“I’ll make sure to walk by and admire you in your Speedos,” Bart said, then turned to open his door.
“Simon is nice to look at… and he never wears underwear,” Reese said.
“I prefer my Speedos wearing man any day,” Bart said, pulling Reese close and kissing him on the lips.
It didn’t take long for the two of them to strip and get into bed, where Bart managed to alleviate Reese’s stress. Later, as he lay in bed awake with his arms around a snoring Reese, Bart thought about their outing. He couldn’t figure Julia and Simon out. They weren’t squeaky clean, but they might not be evil, or even truly bad, either. Simon was definitely an opportunist, and would never deny it. Julia was ambitious like Reese had once told him. A lot had been said… and there was a lot for Bart to think about.
Chapter 44
Sunshine and Hope
FEELING SOMEONE nibbling the back of his neck, Bart opened his eyes and smiled.
“Good morning, sunshine,” Reese said, and kissed Bart. “Time to get up and face the world.”
“Not yet,” Bart said. “I’m not ready.”
“C’mon, lazybones, get stirring,” Reese said, before he turned and started tickling Bart’s sides.
“I give!” Bart said, laughing. “I give.”
Reese sat up, got out of bed, and put on his boxers. ‘I think there’s still cereal, and milk in the fridge.”
“Cereal and milk?” Bart said, scratching his head.
“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten last night,” Reese said. “I’m hurt.”
Bart thought for a moment, before a smile formed on his lips.
“So you do remember,” Reese said. “You woke me up late last night saying you were hungry and didn’t have anything you wanted to eat here.”
“And you went to your place and brought back Froot Loops and milk,” Bart said. “Then one of us mentioned how funny it was we were eating Froot Loops.”
“One of us, being you,” Reese said. “After which, you suggested a truly frootylicious adventure in the sack.”
“I wouldn’t have said that,” Bart said.
“You did, and it really was a ‘truly frootylicious adventure’,” Reese said. “Now, get up.” He gave Bart a hand out of bed and, after Bart slipped into his boxers, they both headed to the kitchen.
WHILE EATING cereal with Reese, Bart woke up completely and decided to ask some questions. “Reese, what kind of things will be delivered to Rachel’s room tomorrow night?”
“Bad things,” Reese said. “That’s all I know. Simon and Julia always refuse to let me be there for deliverie
s. I know Julia’s always nervous and scared about delivery days.”
“Why is she scared?” Bart said.
“Well, it’s all kinds of funky drugs and stuff,” Reese said. “Julia’s the one who usually has to take care of Rachel afterward.”
“I can’t decide whether Simon and Julia are good, bad, or neither. You’ve hinted before that you didn’t trust them completely, Reese. What’s your real opinion of them?”
“In one way, they look out for me and keep me from getting into real trouble,” Reese said. “But Simon’s definition of ‘real’ trouble and Julia’s definition of ‘real’ trouble can be very different. For example, Simon didn’t think anything about having sex for money in the past, but Julia’s put her foot down about all that lately. She’s hoping to tame Simon enough to marry him one day.”
“Is it possible to tame him that much?” Bart said, before eating a spoonful of cereal.
“I used to think it wasn’t,” Reese said. “But Simon’s love for Julia is the real thing. I’ve seen him change a lot for her. I shouldn’t say change, because he’s still the same guy, personality-wise. He’s just not doing some of the things he used to do.”
“He sure did talk about that marijuana a lot yesterday,” Bart said.
“Simon’s always reminded me of the high school kid, who thought it was cool to deal weed and make money from it,” Reese said. “He told me once that when he was young, he had a marijuana plant, until his parents found it. His dad spanked him until his butt was red and raw.”
“I’m not big on any kind of drugs, but marijuana seems more harmless than chupa,” Bart said. “I still don’t get why Simon would help Rachel in that business when he seems so worried about the stuff.”
“People may not always show it, but they’re afraid of Rachel because of who she is,” Reese said.
“And because she knows where their skeletons are, like Julia said,” Bart said.
“She does,” Reese said. “She’s always threatening to ruin Julia’s business, if she and Simon don’t do what she tells them. Those two would love to be free of Rachel.”
