Darren called John into his office late in the afternoon.   John looked around the office, admiring the painting behind Darren's desk.  Justin could paint better than that.  Maybe I'll get him to paint me a piece and I can hang it in my office.  I'd be the talk of the office.   He sat in one of two steel blue chairs that Darren had opposite his chrome and glass desk.  Darren liked the modern look and felt it was cutting edge and matched the company's image. 

"John, I'd like to send you to Pittsburgh to meet with a prospective client.  The company is Organza and they specialize in compartmental furniture.  You did such a great job with our last account, I'd like you to help them design a new logo."  Darren picked up the file he printed from the company president and handed it to John, sharing the information.

John heard the ‘send you to Pittsburgh' and he envisioned a meeting with Justin. Maybe I can pose for his next piece.  I can see it now.  ‘John lay on this couch, leg this way- yes, that's it.'  He would smile his brilliant smile at me and I would be the subject of his next masterpiece.  Everyone would recognize me when they saw the painting.  As Darren called his name a second time, he finally brought his focus back to the meeting.

"I'd like you to leave next week.  All the information about their needs is in the email.  They have a very interesting company and I found their web site intriguing."   Darren looked across the desk, smiling a mischievous grin and said, "and this time, tell your sister, Kelly where you're going."

"That would be great and I'll let her know tonight."  Standing up to leave, he shook Darren's hand and smiled all the way to his office.  

He tried to concentrate on completing the shading in his new design, but he was too excited to work and decided to leave for the day.  Darren was not a clock watcher and wouldn't be checking on him.  He knew that if Darren came to his office, he'd just find him daydreaming. Shutting down his computer, he grabbed his phone and barely made it to the hallway before he called Peter.

 As usual, Peter was very busy at the office and it wasn't until he passed a billboard advertising a new exhibit at MOMA that he remembered the discussion he had with John on Monday.  He'd talked to John once during the week and he never mentioned his "friend" in Pittsburgh, and he hoped that maybe he'd been right and his fears were unfounded.

 "Peter, you'll never guess what just happened," John asked when his friend called him about 4:00.

Peter put down the report he was reading and glanced at his watch.  He usually did not like to take time away from work to talk, but John's voice was overly animated and he hoped it was good news. 

"Did you finally get that promotion you've been hinting at for so long?" He twirled a pen between his fingers as he clicked save on his computer.

"No.  This is way bigger.  Remember I told you about my new boyfriend. Well, he just called and told me he wants me to come back to Pittsburgh.  He, get this, wants me to pose for his next piece.  Isn't that exciting?"  John walked through the corridor of his building and stood by the elevator as he talked animatedly.

"It is."  Peter frowned at the news, again his inner voice expressed that something wasn't right.  "But didn't you just take a vacation?  Isn't it a little too soon to leave again?"  Peter said, the voice of reason responding to his friend.  

"Well, see there is an upside to this.  Darren wants me to go see a client in the area.  I can legitimately go."

"Sounds awesome.  I hate to cut this short, but I've got to finish this project before the end of the day."

"Ok.  I'll talk to you over the weekend.  Darren said he needs to finalize the meeting with Organza and I'll be leaving sometime next week."

Peter didn't trust John, something seemed off and he left work early the following day, going to the June Kelly gallery to see the artist's work.  While he didn't have the artful eye that John had, he'd attended enough gallery openings with him to recognize talent and enjoy looking at the artwork.  Walking into the gallery, he turned to the immediate right and looked at some smaller pieces.  The small spotlights shone on the pieces from above and he was mesmerized by the flecks of light that caught the brush strokes in the painting.  He moved to one side and then the other to catch the light's reflection on the painting and was fascinated by the dancing colors.  He glanced at the other side of the entrance and saw a picture of the artist and a small biography. 

Justin Taylor is a highly talented young man.  He attended the Pittsburgh Institute of Fine Arts.  He first exhibited when he was in high school where his work was shown at a young artist's collection.  From there he showed at many student exhibits and in his senior year was written up in the Art Forum for his innovative work.  He has exhibited in New York at Apex, Tamarind and in Pittsburgh at the Sidney Bloom Gallery and Space, one of the newest galleries in the City.  His work can also be seen in the comic book Rage which he co-created and has illustrated since its inception.  He currently lives in Pittsburgh.

Rage, that was the Gay comic book that all the guys in their circle were discussing a few years back. He remembered talking about it with Michael and picking up a copy of the comic when it was released.  He didn't know it was still being written, but he really didn't follow comics very much. He remembered the storyline was about a gay crusader saving a young kid who got bashed. Rumor was that parts of the story were real.  He wondered if the artist knew either of the characters. 

The picture was of a young blonde man with an enigmatic smile.  He could see how John was attracted to him.  As he walked to the side of the picture, it appeared that the young man's smile was directed at him.  He studied the bio for a few minutes and then left the entry to see the remainder of the exhibit.  It was later in the afternoon and he saw only a few people in the gallery.  He stopped at each painting, seeing the use of color and amazed to see that each picture evoked emotion in him.  He was in front of a large canvas with blurred strokes and when he looked at the picture, he could see they represented a couple, a gay couple entwined in each other's embrace.  He felt his mouth smile and felt a tug in his groin as he could almost feel the attraction between the two men.

"It's one of my favorites," a soft voice said, trying not to startle him.

Peter looked around for the owner of the voice and found a woman admiring the painting standing a few feet away.

"It is striking.  I haven't finished the exhibit but I must say I'm impressed with Mr. Taylor's work.  You appear to be familiar with the exhibit. Have you seen other work by the artist?"  Peter asked the woman as he smiled his own enigmatic smile.  Even though he was gay, he knew how to charm a woman and this one seemed very eager to talk about Mr. Taylor's work.

"I'm Carol Sing, his agent," she said as she stuck her hand out to shake Peter's hand.  "I've represented him for several years." She wore dark gray tailored pants and a white crisp shirt with a brightly colored scarf draped around her neck.  She wore a gold watch and a multi-colored 2-inch bracelet to add a few finishing touches to the outfit. 

Peter shook Carol's hand; fate was in his favor. The handshake was strong, conveying her in charge nature.

"Is that a recent picture?"  He pointed toward the easel with Justin's picture displayed.   "He seems so young to be exhibiting in such a large space.  It must take a lot of time to paint these masterpieces."

"Justin is young.  He's gone through a lot for someone his age; that is why his work is so poignant."

"Oh." Peter was hoping for a little more information, like how he could support himself while he painted, but knew that was very personal information and something his agent wouldn't disclose. 

Carol didn't like sharing personal information about her artists, considering it poor taste.  She hated nothing more than celebrities who used their ill fortune to increase their fame.  And with this new development of a stalker, she needed to be careful.  Glancing at the man in front of her, she felt a sense of ease, but also curiosity.  Her gut reaction told her that this man was important, maybe a key to the recent problems that Justin was experiencing.  She let her guard down a little and decided to be a bit more open than normal.

"I'm not one to share my artist's stories, but unfortunately the Internet shares everything, including what color underwear they wore to the store."

Peter laughed.  "How true.  I won't ask you to divulge any of Mr. Taylor's past, but could you tell me why he lives in Pittsburgh?  It seems odd that someone so young would choose to live so far removed from the art scene in New York.  I would think a neophyte would want to be close to the action, so to speak." He hoped his wording didn't sound trite, but he was really curious why a young artist who had obviously made it in the emerging art world in New York didn't live in the city that never sleeps." They stood in front of one of Justin's larger pieces as they talked, but no other patrons seemed to stop and listen to their conversation.

"That one is easy.  His partner lives there.  I don't feel I'm breaking any confidences on that one, Brian was here for the opening of the show and he comes to all of Justin's events."  Carol smiled as she remembered Brian's ever-present touch on Justin's body whenever he was near. She walked toward the left steering Peter towards the back of the exhibit.  It seemed important that he see some of the larger works toward the back.  A light flickered as if to warn of its impending demise, but then it winked and regained all its strength, shining on the next canvas.

"His partner," Peter's color drained from his face when he realized what Carol had just said.  John may have gone to Pittsburgh, but he definitely did not get asked by Justin.  He picked up his program again and looked at Justin's picture, staring at it for a few minutes, trying to place the face and then it hit him where he had seen him before.  He was fairly certain that Justin used to dance for the company Dancing Beauties.  But how did John hook up with Justin?  Did he hook up with Justin? Or was John living in a dreamland?  Shit!!! He needed more information and he needed it now.

Carol looked at the young man and watched as the color drained from his face.  There was something going on and she was going to trust her instincts. 

"Can I get you some water?  You don't look well." She asked as she led Peter to a chair by the wall. 

"Thanks.  I think that would be good."  He took several deep breaths as he formed a dozen questions in his mind.  He needed to get help and this woman seemed to know Justin.  She had to help him. 

Carol brought back the proffered water and sat down next to Peter.

"You look a little better now.  Can I call you a cab or do you need someone to pick you up?  It's almost closing time, but we can wait until someone can assist you."

Peter took several sips of water and looked at the picture on the cover again. The worse that could happen would be that Carol wouldn't answer him and the best, well the best would be that he confirmed that his longtime friend needed help. 

"Carol, this may seem out of the blue but I really need you to answer this question.  Did Justin ever dance, I mean exotic dancing-  you know the kind where he was hired for birthdays or events?"

This time Carol's face lost color.  Peter watched as she swallowed hard and nodded her head in acknowledgment. 

"Shit!" Peter said as he pinched his nose with his hand.  "Do you know how to reach him?  I mean this is really important."

The light was waning and it was almost dark outside.  Carol looked at her watch and saw that it was past closing time for the gallery.  Her instincts had always been good when it came to choosing artists and she made a decision to trust this man. 

"Let me close up and we'll talk in my office."  She pointed to a hallway in the back of the gallery.

Peter nodded his head in acceptance of her invitation and made his way to the back of the gallery.  He glanced at the paintings on the wall and admired Mr. Taylor's work.  A sense of sadness washed over him as he realized what he was about to do, the things he was going to share about his childhood friend, but he'd been the partner with a therapist long enough to know that John's thinking was delusional and he needed help.

Peter heard the door chime a few times, guessing that Carol was thanking guests for visiting and then he heard a light switch go off. The gallery was carpeted, but he heard the unmistakable flap of shoes on carpet.  Carol came back to the office a few minutes later and brought a pitcher of water and another glass.  She sat behind her desk, a large oak piece with an open desk calendar on the right side.  There were several files scattered on the surface and a file with pictures of paintings open on the desk. She moved the file away, careful not to spill water on the pages as she poured each of them a tall glass and placed one of the glasses in front of Peter.  She took several sips of her water and then took several deep breaths.

"Mr....., I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name." The sound of a clock in the hallway chimed six times.

"Peter Helio."  He stuck out his hand to shake Carol's a second time, appraising her and his next step. He placed her age about 40, but her immaculate attire and well-done makeup showed a very professional woman.  

"Good to meet you, Mr. Helio." She leaned over the desk and shook his hand and then sat back down.  She looked at his dark gray trousers with their pleated front and small cuff on the bottom.  He wore a traditional white buttoned-down business shirt, but no tie.  He smelled faintly of cologne, but she couldn't put her finger on the scent.  This man didn't seem like a stalker to her and her instincts told her to trust him.

"Call me Peter," he said.

"Okay Peter, then you can call me Carol," after he nodded in agreement, she continued, "that was a strange question you asked me in the gallery.  May I ask what prompted it?"

"I thought his face looked familiar."

Carol nodded in response, but she felt that this wasn't the entire truth.

"What aren't you telling me, Peter?  Your face drained of color out there when I said he used to be a dancer.  Familiarity wouldn't result in your response."

"It's complicated."

"Isn't everything?"  Carol said, remembering the many conversations she'd had with Justin and Brian.  It seemed that complicated described their lives and this was just one more complication.

"You said that Mr. Taylor lives in Pittsburgh?  Does his partner live there too?" Peter wanted to make certain he had all the facts, or at least as much as he could piece together from this short conversation.

"Yes.  I told you that.  Peter...."

"I don't normally come to galleries in the middle of the workday, Carol, but I was prompted by my friend to do so.  He recently visited Pittsburgh and told me that he was there at the invitation of Mr. Taylor."  Peter decided he needed to come out with the blunt truth.  Hopefully, Carol would be able to shed some light on the situation, but he didn't hold out much hope.

Carol gasped, her mouth dropped open and she felt her heart race. "What?  That is absurd.  Justin wouldn't do that.  He and Brian are in a very committed relationship."

"From what little I know, I think I agree with you.  My friend's been acting very strange in the last few weeks and today he told me that Mr. Taylor invited him to come back to Pittsburgh to be the subject of his next work.  I came here today to see if Mr. Taylor existed and to see if I could figure out what is going on."

"This is very disturbing. I need to tell Justin about your friend.  I think your friend needs help."  Carol said as she hoped that Peter would agree that something needed to be done. 

"I was hoping that you would feel that way.  My partner happens to be a therapist, I think I'll ask him what might be best to do."

"Peter, I don't usually share my artist's personal life with the public, but something told me that you needed to know.  I'm glad I trusted my instincts."  Carol got up to shake Peter's hand.

"Me too.  I took a long shot in asking you those questions.  I'm very worried about my friend."

"I would be worried too. Thankfully you have some resources at your disposal.  I'll let you go and please talk to your partner about your friend.  I don't want anyone to get hurt.  What is your friend's name?  It might be needed by the authorities if he approached Justin."

A cold chill ran through Peter's body as he thought of John approaching Mr. Taylor.  He seems so delusional now.  What if he tries to meet Justin or goes to his house?  I would hate to see Mr. Taylor be a victim, like John Lennon.

"His name is John Scott.  He's about 6 feet tall with light brown short hair.  He is lightly muscular, not a real gym guy but he keeps in shape.  Sorry, but there aren't any real discernible traits about him."

"Thank you for your time, but I better be calling Justin and his partner.  Will you let me know if anything new happens?"

"Of course. I plan on coming back later this weekend with my partner.  He would enjoy the exhibit.  Will you be working then?"

Carol reached into her drawer and pulled out two comp tickets.  "Here.  Enjoy another visit on me. Justin and I are in your debt."

Peter stood up, taking the tickets and tilted his head toward Carol. 

"Thank you.  I'll be in touch."

Carol walked Peter to the front of the gallery, turning on lights as they walked.  When Peter walked into the dark night, Carol walked back to the office, turning off the lights as she made her way.  Sitting at her desk, she grabbed her Rolodex and spun it to find Brian and Justin's number.

Finding the number, she rehashed the short meeting with Peter Helio and his information about his friend John.  She needed to tell them what she found out and hope that Peter would be able to take care of his friend.

Picking up the phone, she dialed, "Brian, It's Carol we need to talk."

TBC