PRECINCT BLUES: CHAPTER 16: THE UNTANGLING OF ENTANGLEMENTS Part 1

BRIGHT

Coming into the building, none other than Warden Shelia Montgomery greeted us. “Nice to see you both out of uniform,’” she said, snickering at her quip.

“Nice to be out of it,” Bennett responded. “Especially considering the company we've been keeping lately.”

“And how’s that going?”

“The jury’s still out on that, but we haven’t killed them yet. So that has to mean something, right?” Bennett shrugs. 

“The good thing is that while we are out here, both the Warden and Abrams are watching them. So far, Michigan J…” At their snickers, I had to catch myself from laughing as well. Clearing my throat, I continued, “I mean, his voice change still embarrasses Novotny, so he’s been quiet. But honestly, I’m not sure how long that will really last now, since we aren’t around to make sure it stays that way.”

“And you said that Rachel is still keeping an eye on things?”

“Yeah. Even when she isn’t there physically, she always knows what’s going on with the two of them, especially since there are some of Sapperstein’s key minions in there. There’s no telling just how involved they were with Novotny on the outside. Surely, it’s a possibility, since Sap wouldn’t have wanted to be seen with Novotny out in the open.”

“So, who are you guys here to see?”

“Just about the whole lot of them.”

“Ah, you’re in for a fun afternoon in that case.”

“How so?” Bennett asked, and I can’t help the feeling of dread that settled into my stomach at the look she gave us before responding.

“There have been a couple of developments.”

“What’s happened?”

“You know… let’s get you guys to my office before I answer that question. There are too many people pretending to be busy around here at the moment,” she said, looking specifically at a person we need to speak with. 

Although I’m sure that there wasn’t a way for Lindsay to hear us, it doesn’t mean she wasn’t standing there trying to glean all the information she could based on our body language. It’s something we’ve all learned to do over the years, courtesy of the toxic environment we grew up in. ‘Survival of the fittest’ wasn’t just a popular saying; it was a way of life on many levels. I’m sure that just as Marcus and I remember it, so does Lindsay. Speaking of which…

As we made our way into the office, I remembered the other information we were told by Jennifer, Charles, and Lori. “Hey, Shelia. Is there a way we could see the interview the Taylor-Kinneys and their attorney had with Peterson?”

“Sure, but why?”    

“It was something Jennifer said about Lindsay’s tells.” 

“Besides that, there’s something that’s been nagging at me since that meeting,” Marcus adds. 

“What is it?” I asked, because honestly, I thought he was still in shock at seeing Christian after so many years. He was entirely too quiet on the short drive over to Club Fed, and I thought it was best to leave him to whatever thoughts he was having. 

I should have known better.

Marcus clears his throat before answering. “I’ve been thinking about Jack Kinney’s supposed role in all of this.”

“The role of henchmen, per Idiot Man?”

“Yeah,” Marcus sighed, and I can tell what he’s about to say before it even comes out of his mouth. “I have a feeling there was more to Peterson’s intention of marrying Brian Kinney than anyone really knew about.”

“This time I have to ask, Agent Bennett, but what?” Shelia asked. “Considering what we already know about Peterson’s penchant for penis, are you suggesting that she may have screwed Jack Kinney as well?”

He nodded. “Honestly, would you put it past her? I mean, between him, Novotny, and Peterson, they all had a common goal. Even if hers was a little more in-depth in terms of money. But since she was always into making deals, using the only real currency she had beyond asking Mommy and Daddy for some serious dollar bills, it would stand to reason that she might have also made her own deal regarding Jack Kinney. We already know that she was going behind Novotny’s back and making her own agreements in case his own fell through. So what would have stopped her from making her own even before she met the little twerp?”

“She didn’t grow up with Novotny?”

“Not at all,” I answered. “Peterson’s family is from the same environment that we are, only within the Nouveau riche tier, whereas Marcus and I are from the old money sect. No doubt that’s what Peterson was really trying to figure out about our presence with you, if she remembers us at all. Admittedly, we look vastly different from what we did in high school.” 

“I’ll bet,” Shelia agrees. “But let’s get you guys up and running so you can see Justin Taylor-Kinney sting her ass good. Let’s just say that I received a first-rate education on how to deal with her.”

By the time we finished viewing the interview, Marc and I were near tears of laughter. Although Justin kept his voice even, his unmatchable snark was front and center, and Peterson felt every bit of that sting. The most amazing thing was hearing and seeing Jennifer and Charles’ influence, coupled with the biting sarcasm Brian was always known for. It’s like whatever time the two of them spent together made them even more dynamic than they already were. I almost can’t wait to see what will happen with that mixed sample Melanie spoke of, because she’s also a dangerous opponent in her own right. It was sheer joy and humor watching Lindsay Peterson get out-Wasped by people, and yes, that also included Brian. For some unfathomable reason, she’s always felt the three of them were inferior to her, and it taught her a very valuable lesson in the difference between being high-valued class and just a piece of overpriced ass.  

But more importantly, the entire episode gave us the valuable insight we needed to get the answers we want from the harridan. 

Yeah, again I have to congratulate Kinney on snatching Taylor up at long last. He did damn good!

*****

PALM SPRINGS

BRANDON

As we continue to process the scene, I make the connection of why Michael chose to  kill Cal Hobbs and the toddler, while remembering the conversation with Brian the other night. “While the motive on the surface would have been to leave no witnesses. I think it was more about making sure that the doses were right to ensure Gus would die… and so would Ben.”

“Ben?” Alex gasped. “But that would mean…”

“Exactly! And now we know just who Michael was really setting up, how and why. Debbie automatically would have blamed Ben for not protecting her ‘baby’ and marched over there to tell him so.”

“But that means Michael still would have been in Pittsburgh?”

I shrugged, knowing that I’m absolutely right in this. “Sure. He would have wanted proof that his plans were working out the way he wanted this time, and without interference on the back end from anyone. No doubt Debbie would have let herself into their house and started yelling for Ben… and just in time for the police to arrive, finding her with whatever evidence Novotny would have left behind, like…”

“A syringe with a microscopic GS?” Carl filled in, catching onto my way of thinking. “So by that reasoning, you think Michael would have arranged to have Brian transported here while he stayed behind to watch the fireworks?”

“That's exactly what I think. And who better to help him than the man he promised full unimpeded access to Kinney once he drugged him? The contention between Brian and the Sap is well known in our circles, as well as the true reason for it. Michael and Sap ultimately had the same problem.”

“They are on Brian's unfuckable list,” Alex said. “I was there the night Sap first tried. Brian wasn't much older than Justin was now. Maybe 21. He hadn't been in Babylon for some time since he was at Penn, completing his degrees. That was the night he brought Lindsay with him, even though Michael, as per usual, was tagging along and trying to monopolize Brian’s attention. I think even then Brian was trying to put distance between the three of them by showing them he wasn't ever going to be interested in either Michael or Lindsay.” 

“But why not just tell them? Why keep them around if they were always going to be on the outskirts of his life?” Carl asked. 

“He told them, but it’s obvious their ears didn’t work even then. Maybe Lindsay’s ultimate goal changed over time, but we won’t really know until Bennett and Bright report back. However, this place clearly tells us all that Michael’s intentions haven't,” Alex points out.

“With Deb in jail, and Lindsay well on her way once they found Gus’ body, that would have removed the last obstacles of Michael getting what he wanted with no one else available to stop him,” I add. 

“Such a devious little fucker!” Alex exclaimed. “If I could have…”

“We know,” I assure him. “But think about what would have happened to the case if we all turned down the opportunity to bring them all to justice. That team would have been flying totally blind, and possibly not even willing to listen to all of us. They would have missed all of this. Then where would Brian and Justin be?”

Alex shook his head and sighed. “I know you’re right. I also know I have to keep my professionalism throughout all of this. It’s just hard since every chance I got, I tried to warn Brian of this very scenario. Or something close to it without coming right out and saying Novotny was beyond help. By not trying to interfere in Brian’s life too closely…”

“No, you didn’t fail him, Doc. Hell, even Justin, who Brian trusts the most, didn't even know how to tell Brian what he had seen in Novotny’s office. Even though his association with Brian wasn’t as long as yours, it was a helluva lot more intimate. So if even he didn’t realize the lengths this asshole would go to have Brian just where he wanted him, well there’s no use blaming yourself for not saying anything. Hell, deep down, we all know that Brian wouldn’t have listened to you. Justin’s night of Pain Management in reverse should tell you that.”

“So, what do we do now?” Alex asked me and Carl.

“My suggestion is that we all wrap up for the day,” Daris said. “The Coroner is going to be here awhile, so we’re at a standstill until he clears the scene. In the meantime, Brian and Justin have to be told. Perhaps Justin can provide some insight on the situation with Cal Hobbs, since I suspect he knows even more than he’s told us about the evidence he turned over against Sapperstein and his high-powered cronies.”

“Yeah, and here I thought Brian was the king of secrets. Apparently, he has nothing on Justin,” Alex said.

“Growing up in the environment he did, he would have had to know how to protect himself. And that definitely would have included knowing just how and when to protect Brian. No one and nothing is as big a part of that man as Brian Kinney,” I said, leaving the office behind Daris.

“I also suspect that Brian knows more than he realizes about Gardner Vance’s involvement in all this,” he tells us.

“I wouldn’t doubt it.”