Two Hours Later...

Chief Stockwell slammed the phone into the cradle with such force it was surprising to the enraged police chief that it didn't shatter. "Hell!" he snarled to no one in particular. He had been trying to reach the source of his stress by phone, knowing he couldn't leave his office during working hours to engage in what would be a fateful meeting for the defenseless young man. Justin Taylor. He should have had him killed from the start. This plot to incarcerate him had been faulty. Largely the plan's failure was due to the worthless men working with him; nonetheless, it had been a mistake. Now, he was forced to fix it.

He almost gasped in horror as he realized the mistake he had just made. "Sonofabitch!" he hissed. This blond-headed faggot had him so riled that he had made the biggest possible mistake - the one that could lead immediately to his own capture. Using his office phone to call Taylor. What the fuck! Thankfully, there had been no answer. As he thought about it, he realized even his cell phone would be off-limits as well. He knew he could use a payphone in the lobby, but that would draw suspicion too. Right now, his only choice was to wait for the day to end; then, he would be apprehending his victim; only this time, it wouldn't be to take him to prison. This time it would signal his death.

Scowling at the clock that displayed he still had hours before he could legitimately leave for the day, he almost jumped from his seat when his intercom buzzed. His hand was slightly trembling when he pressed the button. This needed to be over today. His loss of composure and distracted behavior were not traits of Jim Stockwell. It would be noticed should it linger much longer. "What is it, Connie?" he growled into the intercom.

"Sir, there's an agent here from Washington that insists on speaking with you. His credentials have been confirmed..." she stated professionally, her eyes firmly affixed to the Federal agent that had virtually demanded a meeting with her boss.

FBI? What the hell? Sweat began to break out on his brow. No! It couldn't be the Taylor mess. He had been so careful. However, a nagging thought remained. How cautious had Craig Taylor been? Knowing that stalling an FBI agent would equate to guilty behavior, he grudgingly complied, "Fine. Send him in."

Moments later, he stood to his feet as the agent stepped into his office. He was young, perhaps mid to late thirties; he had that cocky know-it-all look that he despised with all of his being. Whatever this agent wanted, this entire meeting would be filled with aggravation. If nothing else - he was certain of that. "Chief Jim Stockwell," he spoke cordially, extending his hand in greeting, a brow arching as the agent appeared reluctant to respond to the welcoming gesture.

Calvin's eyes slid over the repulsive man that he would deem it an honor to soon see incarcerated in federal prison. His paper trail was primarily circumstantial... but he was skilled in making the most cunning men spill their guts. As he noted the tension around the chief's mouth, Calvin decided this would be yet another simple coo. He motioned to the seat across from Stockwell's desk, his eyes firmly on the older man. His stance was unyielding, his gaze even more so. Stockwell would soon know his options were limited. If all went well, securing the Taylor boy had been unnecessary, but in light of all that he had already endured, Calvin had decided that a wise precaution. "Calvin Riggs, Federal Bureau of Investigations." Calvin took a seat, his eyes alert and watchful on this repellent man.

Clearing his throat anxiously, he took a seat behind his desk, the refusal of his welcoming handshake not going unnoticed. "What can I do for you, Agent Riggs?"

Arching a sardonic brow, Calvin asked, "Wouldn't you care to confirm my credentials first?"

"Not necessary, Sir. I'm aware that my secretary did that already." He cast a pointed look at his watch, determined to keep control of this meeting, while knowing the likelihood of that wasn't in his favor. "I still have a busy day, Agent Riggs... can we get on with whatever brings you to my city..."

"Certainly..." Calvin replied, his voice suddenly encased in ice. "You know, it's moments like these that make me proud to be an FBI agent. Although, I am saddened by how easily a corrupt man can achieve power."

Eyes widening in dread, he began to stammer, "C-corrupt? W-whatever do you mean, Agent?"

"I think you know exactly what I mean, Chief Stockwell." Calvin sneered at Jim Stockwell, immensely thankful that Brian had brought this matter to his attention. Reaching into his pocket, he retrieved a copy of both cell phone records, along with bank account statements for the past year. Stockwell's co-conspirators had been what sealed his fate. It was ironic that Stockwell found himself in this position. "Take a look at these... then, I would advise you to call your legal counsel before we speak further. Either choice works for me; the end result will be the same."

His shocked eyes looked over the offered documents. Fuck! Craig Taylor and Chris Hobbs had succeeded in ruining him. There was nothing he could do to stop the fallout now. He knew he could stall for time and decipher exactly how much evidence the agent had... but if he was here in his office displaying his hand, Stockwell knew that his nightmare was truly beginning.

"Okay, warden... you've surveyed the perimeter how many times now?" Justin crossed his arms across his chest as he stared expectantly at his once-again warden. "It took us over an hour to get here, and another hour has passed since then; not to mention - you've been outside most of that. I think the location is secure!"

Brian rolled his lips under, his head tilting to the side when he responded, "Aww. Did you miss me, Sunshine?"

"Sunshine?" Justin parroted. "Give me a break." A deeper scowl broke out on Justin's face when Brian began to smirk at him. "The time for games is over, Brian. I want to know what's going on!"

"Fine. Calm down." He motioned him toward the couch in the middle of the room; to his comfort - a piece of furniture that was far apart from any windows. As it was, he wasn't concerned right now. He had been alert during the entire drive here. They hadn't been followed by Stockwell, or anyone working for him. Brian thought that Stockwell was most likely going solo now. He wasn't about to take that risk. Ironically, it had been the ineptness of his partners in crime that would lead to his own capture. More than anything, Brian wished that Stockwell would be sentenced to his prison. However, that wouldn't be the case. Most likely he would get Hobbs, but in the case of Stockwell, he would be sent to a maximum-security federal prison. Seeing justice served would have to be enough. "I'll tell you everything. Just let me talk. Some of it won't be easy to hear... but you need to know it all."

Justin nodded, silently sinking into the couch, yet perched on the edge, somehow knowing this would be bad. "Okay, then. Let me have it..."

"Melanie did a bit of investigative work, which was dangerous at that." When Justin displayed a look of concern, Brian held his hand up. "She's fine. However, the questions she raised brought the heat down on you."

"Heat?" Justin couldn't stop himself from asking. "I haven't bothered anyone since I was released."

Brian sat next to Justin. He wasn't sure where to start; Brian only hoped when it came to the part about Justin's worthless father, he could show the sensitivity he knew Justin would need. Brian had no experience with that more tender emotion. His concern was in Justin freaking out at the unexpected, and gut-wrenching news. "It's nothing you've done, Justin. This is all about the plot to incarcerate you. The players have all been revealed. Chris Hobbs, you already knew about him, but there were two others."

Justin swallowed, a chill going down his spine. "I figured there were more. Chris couldn't do this on his own. I can't even believe he was smart enough to mastermind it."

"I'm sure he didn't. He was paid for his part in it. The leader paid the man who was in essence a courier. That same leader had the power to manipulate medical and police records." Brian watched as the shock appeared in Justin's eyes. He could understand that response. The sensitive and utterly giving man that defined Justin Taylor could never fathom how someone - in this case - multiple men could so relentlessly savage an innocent man's life. Fuck. How he wished he could rip Stockwell apart. And as for Justin's deceased father, that was the only factor that saved him from his total wrath - the future of his career be damned. "I have a good friend, actually an FBI agent, bringing the end to this man now as we speak. Hopefully, it can be resolved without any further threats toward you. However, we couldn't take that chance."

Nodding, Justin had no desire to refute Brian's assertion of his need for protection. Brian was obviously correct, and he owed him for that. "Thank you, Brian. I- I can't tell you how huge this is that you're being honest with me... and not forcing me to comply. We've come a long way."

Brian smiled. "We have. But don't credit me too much. If you had resisted, I would have forced the situation. In fact, if I hadn't, Calvin would have."

"Calvin? Your agent friend?" When Brian nodded in agreement, he asked the question that was burning on his mind. "The men involved. Who are they?"

"The leader is the Chief of Police - Jim Stockwell."

"But why, Brian? Why?" Justin shook his head as he tried to understand. He just didn't get it. Stockwell had been instrumental in his release, and yet, he had been behind his incarceration. It didn't make sense.

"Stockwell is the biggest homophobe in all of Pittsburgh. He has made a steady campaign harassing the gay community. You were his crowning achievement. Then, Hobbs returned from the dead. He had to save face. Pushing forward your release made him a hero in the same community he actively persecutes. Nothing could be more ironic." Brian's eyes glittered in rage as he spoke. He had never despised a man more than Stockwell. Brian doubted there would ever be one he loathed as much.

Justin couldn't believe it. This was just unreal. If Chris hadn't returned, and for once, did the right thing, he would have never been released; at least, not until his time was served. Justin didn't think Chris did it for any altruistic reasons, there had to be something that pushed him to return... but that didn't matter. "Well... I guess I can see why the FBI got involved. Police corruption at this level is really bad."

"Yeah, it is. Calvin will bring Stockwell down quickly. He doesn't play around with shit like this." Brian reached for Justin's hand, squeezing it tightly. He breathed in and out deeply, before speaking again. "That was the easy part to tell you. Now, I need to finish it."

"Finish it?" Justin asked, uncertain what could be worse than what Brian intended to tell him now.

"It's about the middle man. The go-between that handled the meetings and money exchanges. There's no easy way to say it, so I'll just tell you. It was your father." Brian sadly looked on as all color drained from Justin's face, although the angry flecks in Justin's eyes told him that acceptance may not have arrived yet. "In fact, Stockwell most likely killed him to keep him silent."

Justin shook his head, back and forth. "N-no. It can't be, Brian. I mean, I- I know my father hated me... but it couldn't have been to that degree." His lips quivered as he brokenly whispered, "He c-couldn't have done it, Brian."

"I'm sorry, Justin. We have bank statements. Money was exchanged from Stockwell to your father's account, and then, transferred to Hobbs. There are also cell phone records and other pieces of evidence that link him. I can show you copies of all of them - if you want to see them." Brian felt like his heart was being stabbed as he watched Justin's face transform from disbelief to heartbreaking acceptance. He pulled Justin into his arms, cradling his head against his chest. Brian whispered in the most tender voice in which he had ever spoken. "It's okay, Justin. If you want to cry - then cry. It's just the two of us. I'm here for you. I'll always be here for you."

His arms tightened around Brian as he sobbed into his chest. Justin felt like that sensitive boy that had been rejected and hated by his father so many years ago. It had never ended. And in his father's case, the hate had obviously festered and grown into this menacing plot. He was devastated that his own parent could sabotage him to such a degree. Justin cried for longer than he ever thought to be possible for him to cry, before he pulled back and looked into Brian's eyes, another shock assailing him when he viewed the tears in Brian's eyes. Tears? His authority yielding warden? Justin thought he knew what it meant, but he wasn't going to push for that now. In truth, this stunning revelation of his father's betrayal would be at the forefront of his mind for a while.

Brian knew he could spout venomous remarks about Justin's dead father, but he also realized that wasn't what Justin needed. He needed patience, care, and understanding. Brian was determined to give him those things that were so alien to him. Huskily, Brian spoke, "Everything will be fine, Justin. You are safe, and all those that foolishly threaten you will suffer for it. I swear to you, Justin... they will never hurt you again."

Justin nodded, his arms still entwined around Brian's waist. He moved closer, his head falling to Brian's shoulder. He sighed deeply, sadness and a feeling of loss overwhelming him. Today was a bad day, but Justin knew tomorrow would be better. He was safe and in the arms of the man he loved. Right now, that was the only thing he needed.

TBC