SIDEBAR CHAPTER 7: STOMPING WITH THE BIG DOGS Part 1: WHEN A PINSCHER BECOMES A POODLE

“All rise! The Honorables Lisa Lano and Jessup Montgomery are presiding,” the bailiff calls out after everyone involved along with Jennifer, Ted, Emmett, and Daphne enter the courtroom.

Brian and Justin have been strategically placed on the far side of the courtroom nearer to the Jury box. As Mel, Shavonne, Charles, and Lawrence file in, they each see what a wise move that was, since Craig Taylor and his attorney have taken the seats at the middle table, while Hobbs, his attorney and Chris have taken the furthest table to the left for themselves. Each of Justin and Brian’s lawyers notice the malevolent looks being aimed in their direction, trying to get Justin’s attention. No doubt they expected to see him somewhere off cowering in the corner. However, his ramrod straight posture and clear focused eyes tell a very different story. The fact that Brian still held onto his right hand and was gently massaging it was the only indication of the young man’s stress at being inside the closed space with all of his physical and emotional attackers.

“Be seated,” came the gravelly voice from the raised dais in the front of the room. Jessup Montgomery took a look at the expectant faces regarding him as he took his place at the bench. “Although this is an unusual circumstance, Judge Lano and I have decided to hear all of these cases on the same day. This is done primarily in respect for the plaintiff in this matter. We understand that Mr. Taylor has ongoing appointments and therapies that could drag these proceedings on for weeks and like him, we would prefer these matters be resolved as soon as possible.”

“This is unfair!” Craig shouted.

“It’s an outrage! What about my son and I? I am a very busy man!” Samuel Hobbs spoke up, anger dripping in his voice.

“Then you should also appreciate the expediency of how we’re handling this, Mr. Hobbs. Now sit down!” Judge Montgomery ordered. When the irate man still stood there belligerently, the Judge raised his gavel. “You can either do what you are told in my courtroom or you can continue to be insubordinate and sit in a jail cell for contempt of court. The choice is yours.” When Hobbs finally sat down, he said, “And let that be the last time either Judge Lano or I have to repeat ourselves. Let’s get this straight right now. None of you run things here! You would do well to remember that this is a court of law, not you private businesses or homes. The next time any of you see fit to try our collective patience, the result will be swift. Do you all understand?”

“Yes, your honor,” all of the occupants except for a select few agreed.

“Good. So the way this is going to go is that I will hear the Defamation of Character case against Craig Taylor first, especially since he was the first to speak out of turn. Judge Lano will sit in during the proceeding because although it will be transcribed for recording purposes, we will only have an hour recess between this case and the next extensive case of which she will be presiding over. The transcript from this hearing will only apply in reference to the Defamation of Character lawsuit portion of Justin Taylor’s case against Samuel Hobbs, Sr. and Christopher Mark Hobbs. I ask now that the court be cleared of all except those involved in the case of Brian Aiden Kinney and Justin Cole Taylor, plaintiffs against Rudyard Craig Taylor, otherwise known as Craig Taylor.

Shavonne snickered. “Since I first saw that, I thought he was aptly named, His ability to make up stories is almost just as legendary as Mr. Kipling’s.”

Mel snickered as well. “No wonder he prefers Craig.” she shook her head, thinking of how he must have been bullied in school. Then she thought back to Justin on the night Gus was born. She had wanted desperately to name him Abraham, but Justin had told her that he wouldn’t survive a day on the playground. Looking over at the two men who were her clients, she could see the smirks of amusement and the ‘I told you so’ looks within their eyes. It was very hard for her not to burst out laughing.

“While you, Mr. Palmer and the Misters Hobbs leave the courtroom, I would suggest that you all do not leave the premises. Although these proceedings can be lengthy, it would behoove you both to stay close at hand. Mr. Dunham, the former conference room is empty for the day so your clients should be well in there until they are due back in Courtroom A.”

“But… your honor, I have a business to run outside of this farce!” Samuel plaintively contested. “Perhaps I can go and see to it while this matter is taken care of.”

Judge Montgomery took a deep breath and began to let it out slowly. “Mr. Hobbs, although I understand your desire to go check on your business, my order stands. If necessary, I’m sure that your secretary and cell phone work just fine so whatever immediate business matters you have to attend to can be handled from inside the Conference room. We will see you soon.” Everyone within the courtroom could tell that the judge was in a completely implacable mood, but none other than Samuel Hobbs.

Admittedly, he had planned to reach out to Roy Russo to find out what he could about this heretofore unknown judge. He had spoken to the man last night, asking if he was able to find anything on Lano, and also to find out where things stood with his and Jim Stockwell’s cases. They also had a lengthy conversation about what to do about Craig Taylor’s ever-growing mess.

It was obvious that the man had lost control of his entire family, including the daughter whom he was given court-ordered visitation with. However, the young girl had refused to have anything to do with her father, even going so far as to request that the matter be brought before the judge who made the divorce decree and subsequent visitation order to be evaluated again. By Craig’s agreement, he was supposed to pump the little girl for information on her mother and brother, therefore giving them a heads up on any further legal trouble coming from that corner. But this is the result of what happens when girls and women are not sufficiently put in their places from the onset; when the educations that their fathers paid for, comes around to bite them in the ass, hard. If he had his way, the only class any of these young girls would ever take was etiquette classes to keep their education limited to fucking home and hearth.

He glared in disgust at the two female attorneys defending Justin Taylor’s right to be a faggot, then to the judge who would rule over the case involving him and his son. To his mind, the people who had cheered and lauded the Women’s Liberation Movement should have been shot dead! Stomping from Courtroom A, Samuel Hobbs vowed to get even with them all in some way. He wasn’t sure how, but he would!

After a brief recess to make sure all of the paperwork was in order, Judge Montgomery retook the bench, while Judge Lano occupied the recently vacated table of the Hobbs Family. The underlying tension within the hushed courtroom was palpable, but whether it was from high emotion or just due to the reason they were all there was anyone’s guess. As he was about to begin, two well-dressed figures walked into the courtroom. Mildly annoyed at having been interrupted again, he asked, “May I help you, ladies?”

“Sorry for the tardiness your honor, but we’re here as witnesses. We weren’t aware of the change of venue until we heard Samuel Hobbs yelling about the unfairness of it,” Cynthia answered, more than a little perturbed for the second time that morning.

“Also, your honor, we had a mild situation at the office. Our boss’ chronic condition has once again flared up, almost causing us not to be here at all,” Marcie said.

“Oh? What condition would have prevented from answering the summons?” Judge Montgomery was genuinely curious of the answer. Cynthia Moore and Marcia Hammond were among the first witnesses on the call list for the plaintiff.

“Forgive me in advance your honor, but Mr. Vance’s condition is called Assholitis. It happens when an asshole gets huffed up and puffed up with his own importance and believes that he’s so omnipotent that he threatens to fire two of his employees, who were ordered to appear in court today,” Marcie griped.

Judge Montgomery, along with the occupants on the side of Brian Kinney and Judge Lano, stifled their laugher, only barely. He could already tell that this would not be another run-of-the-mill case based on the circumstances, but judging from Marcia Hammond’s uncensored account of her boss, he couldn’t help but look forward to hearing more of her brand of brutal honesty. Clearing his throat, he said, “Your collective tardiness is forgiven. If you ladies would kindly take your seats, we can begin officially.

“Everything okay?” Brian whispered as Cynthia took her seat behind him.

“It will be. We’ll talk later,” she commented just as Marcie was called to the stand.

Charles approached the stand, having agreed with Mel that he would handle all the witnesses with the exception of Brian, Justin, and Jennifer. Since she handled the divorce case, it only seemed logical.

“Can you please state your full name for the judge and how you are acquainted with the plaintiff in this case?” Charles requested of the witness.

“Marcia Louise Hammond. My official job title is the Executive Secretary of the CEO of Ryder Advertising Agency, now Vanguard Agency, where Gardner Vance is CEO. I met Mr. Kinney while working for Martin Ryder- one of the partners in the former agency.”

“And how would you say that Mr. Kinney’s work and work ethic had been during that time and now?”

“Mr. Kinney was and continues to be the best at what he does. His drive and work ethic to be so is even more substantial than it was when he first began working for Ryder Agency.  From the onset, Brian has made it a point to prove himself; to expect no less of himself than he would those around him. It made Marty Ryder uncomfortable at times, whereas the other partners were reluctantly impressed, at first.”

“Reluctantly impressed? How so, or more accurately, why?”

“They knew that Brian was ambitious, and that if he ever decided that Ryder Agency was no longer the place for him, they would be in trouble. Mr. Kinney has proven himself to be an innovator time and time again, setting the trends instead of riding the currents of the here and now. It scared them, but they admired him for it.”

Charles nodded. “So basically, there was no reason to threaten the termination of his employment with the agency?”

“No, there wasn’t. That was done purely out of spite for Mr. Kinney’s personal life.”

“Objection!” Harrison jumped up. “That question calls for speculation and has nothing to do with this case.”

Charles was quick on the uptake. “Your honor, given a little more time to question this witness, I can prove how the two situations are indeed related.”

“Overruled. Get there quickly, Mr. Sands.”

“Yes, your honor. So Ms. Hammond, can you tell us exactly when Marty Ryder began questioning Brian Kinney’s employability?”

“We, meaning Marty, myself, his wife Belinda, and the Hobbs, were attending a function at the Belle Aire Country Club. Mr. Craig Taylor was in attendance with his former wife, Jennifer Taylor. Justin Taylor, the son of Craig and Jennifer, had recently announced his homosexuality and it was no secret that Mr. Taylor wasn’t happy, to say the least. Mitchell Perkins was also in attendance, as he was representing St. James Academy’s interests in the charity being held for underprivileged youth being given scholarships to attend the school. Each person was either there as an alumni, or as the parents of students who were attending the school.”

“So which were you?”

“I graduated St. James Academy class of 1982 and still financially support the academic program. I don’t mind telling you that the cause was and is a worthy one, even if some of the more pompous alumni disagree.”

“Thank you for that information. So how did the subject of Brian Kinney come up?”

“Mitchell Perkins had been present along with a few other faculty members when Justin arrived at the school the morning of September 20th in a Jeep with the word ‘FAGGOT’ written on its side. According to Dr. Perkins- who I understand was recently stripped of the title, but I’ll call him that in this context because he was headmaster of the school at the time- Justin Taylor arrived in the presence of two men, one of whom was Brian Kinney.”

“And how can you be so sure it was Brian?”

“I saw the jeep they described and secretly put in the order for repairs to it. Had Marty found out, since it was a company car that had been vandalized, Brian would have been fired, no matter that it wasn’t his fault. Marty was already looking for a reason to get rid of Brian since he couldn’t validly withhold the partnership offer given to him through other members of the Board of Directors within Ryder Advertising hierarchy. In fact, the only reason that Ryder was able to offload the company to Gardner Vance was that he sold the company to him and then split the profit from the sale with the other two gentlemen. Anyway, it didn’t take a genius to figure out whom Mr. Taylor, Mr. Ryder, Dr. Perkins, and Mr. Hobbs were speaking of, so I listened as they planned.”

“And what was it that they planned?”

“To force Justin Taylor to tow the line by stripping Brian Kinney of everything he held dear, beginning with his job. Mr. Taylor repeatedly referred to Mr. Kinney as a child molester, even knowing that the age of consent for young men in this state is sixteen years old whereas it is eighteen for a girl. It was a major source of contention among the denizens of the WASP community as more and more of their girls were rebelling against the decisions their parents were making for them in terms of arranged marriages, and it still is. Many of them were destroying the alliances their parents arranged for them by either intentionally losing their virginity to someone their parents would never consider suitable, or dating and then marrying their choice, therefore renouncing their families blood ties altogether. So the child molester comment, in and of itself, made Mr. Taylor’s repeated and oft publicized comments a falsehood meant to destroy the stellar business-related reputation of Brian Kinney.”

“And beyond that original impromptu meeting at the ‘Deserving Youth Enrollment Initiative,’ which is what I believe that fundraiser was called, how many other conversations had taken place about Mr. Kinney’s romantic involvement with Justin Taylor.”

“Approximately ten meetings on the appointment calendar when Mr. Kinney was scheduled to be out of the office and five meetings after hours.”

“Objection! Again, this is all hearsay, your honor.” Harrison once again stood up at the urging of his client.

“Contrary to what the opposing counsel believes, your honor, it isn’t. I would like to submit evidence A-D, which is the appointment book of Martin Ryder, and the tapes from those meetings, requested done by Martin Ryder, but submitted by Marcia Hammond in order to support her testimony. Would Mr. Dunham like a few minutes to review the tapes and appointment calendar for himself? I’m sure that since he’s only been Mr. Taylor’s attorney for a week and a half, he has not been fully briefed on the entire circumstances surrounding this case, of which I’m also sure that Mr. Taylor has not given full disclosure to his attorney.”

“That’s very generous of you, Counselor, given the circumstances. Court will recess for fifteen minutes. The witness is excused but will be recalled upon our return. Both plaintiff and defense counsel will adjourn to my office immediately.” Judge Montgomery intoned.

“Lawrence, you go in with Mel and Charles while I stay here with Brian and company. I dare not go in and leave them all here alone with the bastard, currently typing away on his phone. I don’t trust Taylor as far as I can throw him,” Shavonne said, looking over to the red-faced man. Clearly, he didn’t expect things to be going the way they were right now.

“I wonder who he’s texting that his fingers are jabbing that viciously at the keys,” Lawrence whispered back.

“I’ll make the call; you just get in there.”

Lawrence got up from his seat and followed Mel and Charles into judge’s chambers while Shavonne pulled out her cell phone. “Hey Rory, it’s me. Has the trace been put into place yet?”

“Right after last night’s intel. When I spoke to Agent Marrows this morning, he said that there wasn’t need to worry and the he would take care of Taylor’s records personally,” Rory answered.

“Good. Contact Marrows and tell him to pull the records for the past five minutes immediately and get them to me. I just have a feeling…”

“Yeah, me too. In the meantime, I’ll be on my way across town in about three minutes, right after I get off the phone with him. He’s already run me the transcripts on the new intel. This should be easier, because it’s already going to be typewritten.”

Shavonne disconnected the call just as Justin rose from his seat.

“It’s fine, Brian. I’m just going to the restroom and to grab a grape juice. It’s time for the med, in case you haven’t noticed,” Justin said softly.

Brian looked down at his watch, closing his eyes at the truth of Justin’s words. He had hoped that this would all be done and dusted by now, but the best laid plans… “Alright, but I’ll come with you. I don’t…”

“I know, but you have to talk to Shavonne and Cynthia about what happened this morning. No doubt Gardner is trying some other bullshit to keep you in line, or so he thinks. I’m glad that we agreed to start Kinnetik, even if we still have to be careful about announcing it for now.”

“Me too. And with PIFA and Carnegie…”

“I know. It’s going to be a challenge, but I’m looking forward to it. I just want to get back to normal,” Justin sighed wistfully.

“Not normal. We were never normal so let’s not start being that now. Let’s just be better… now hurry back, okay?”

Justin smiled at Brian as he moved to leave the courtroom, just as Brian’s cell phone rang. “Kinney. You’re here? Great! I’m glad you guys could make it. He’s…”

Justin couldn’t hear the rest of the conversation as the door behind him. Admittedly, he was nervous about even going to the restroom by himself, but he put those feelings behind him. He was in a building full of law enforcement, after all. To continue to be as skittish as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs was just plain stupid. As he reflected on what had happened between last night and this morning, he felt like he was finally getting some of the ‘old Justin’ back. Brian had not only been gentle but passionate and when the mood escalated, hot beyond Justin’s memory. He could still feel him every time he moved, much like the morning after they met. He had no idea where they were going to go in their relationship once everything calmed down, but they could negotiate everything later. What they had was enough- more than enough- for now.

Justin was so lost in his thoughts that he hadn’t heard anyone enter the men’s room behind him. It wasn’t until he alighted from the stall and adjusted his suit that he felt the most disturbing presence behind him. Looking up into the mirror as he washed his hands, he almost screamed when he saw the malevolent glare of Chris Hobbs. Shocked into silence, and then just fucking angry at being disturbed, Justin glared back, refusing to show his fear despite the heavy tremble he could feel infusing his bones.

“I should have fucking killed you,” Chris said through gritted teeth.

“Yeah, maybe then you would actually be rotting away in a fucking jail cell right now.”

“My father would just get me off again, while yours can’t even stand you,” Chris sneered in his face. “And as for your butt-fucking boyfriend, I hope he enjoys the unemployment line. Hey, maybe you and him could start a blowjob business,” he laughed evilly.

“Yeah sure, wanna join up? We both know that mouth you have should be good for something other than talking shit.” Justin tilted his head as if surveying Chris. “But then again, your little dick couldn’t even fill my hand so I doubt it will be fulfilling to someone looking for more than a toothful.”

“You fucking faggot!” Chris yelled and started to go for Justin, who had backed his way to the door as he hurled his last insult at Chris.

The sudden banging at the door startled both of them, but for different reasons. Justin because he hadn’t known the door was locked and Chris because once again he was about to be metaphorically caught with his pants down. He made to move to the line of enclosed stalls, but he was too late, as Justin, in a panic, had unlocked the door. The sudden surging of two very angry men into the men’s room halted Chris’ attempt at escape.

“Is there a problem, Mr. Taylor?”

“John, Isaac, what are you guys doing here?” Justin asked, shaken and bewildered. He personally knew the bouncers from Babylon and it gave him immense relief to see them.

“Mr. Kinney hired us for the day. He was concerned for you being in the same space as the others, even knowing there was law enforcement around. Honestly, all of our faiths have been shaken with the justice system. I can see that his caution had merit,” John answered as his eyes narrowed on Justin’s former attacker. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind that he would have attacked Justin again had they not arrived when they did.

Isaac walked up to the young man still standing shock-still near the stalls. He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly and adopting his most menacing look, whispered “Boo!” He watched with great satisfaction as Chris Hobbs scurried past Justin and John in his haste to get out of the bathroom. He laughed loud and long as the idiot ran nose first into the closed door, before righting himself and escaping. The satisfying crack was still reverberating through the air as Isaac leaned his head out of the doorway. “Before you go home to change your drawers, make sure daddy takes you to the courthouse infirmary to see about your busted nose, you fucking wuss! And don’t let me catch you around Justin Taylor again!”

John chuckled. “Well he can’t say he wasn’t warned, now can he?”

“No he can’t. He also won’t have a ready-made excuse for how he happened up in this bathroom when there is one of the same size on the other side of the courthouse where he is supposed to be.” Isaac's mirth died down as he looked at his charge. “You okay, Kid?”

Justin took out the anxiety med that he was overdue in taking thanks to the interruption of Chris Hobbs. “No, but I will be. Can you…”

“Yeah, I’ll take you to get your juice while John goes to inform Mr. Kinney and the judge of what just happened.”

“But I…”

“No, kid. You were strong and brave in the face of the adversary. You did nothing wrong then, and you didn’t now. No one in their right mind is going to blame you for once again defending yourself. Had the justice system done its job correctly, you wouldn’t have had to. Now come on, Justin. Let’s get you calmed and confident again.”

Brian looked down at his watch, wondering what was taking Justin so long. He fought the urge to go and look for him, realizing that after last night and this morning, Justin needed to reclaim some of his independence. It didn’t stop him from worrying though and just when the fuck had that started to happen? Granted, from the first night they met, Justin seemed to have earned a place in Brian’s heart. It was strange, but even Michael and Lindsay had to go through a series of tests before Brian would trust and believe a word they would say. But with Justin, it was different.

Sure Justin was quick to tell Brian that he loved him, but Brian never once doubted Justin’s sincerity in saying it; only his worthiness of such an affection. Over time, Brian could see that there were no hidden motives behind Justin’s love, no strings attached, no ultimatums given that would make him afraid of losing it- not like it had been with Michael, Lindsay, and even at times, Debbie. It had confused Brian in so many ways, but the more he was around Justin, the more he could live in Justin’s truth. Unlike Brian, Justin had actually known love and what is was like to love unconditionally. Despite that Craig’s was conditional, Jennifer’s, Molly’s, and Daphne’s never was.

He’d witnessed it first hand when Jennifer handed over Justin’s care to him without complaint, but simply because it was best for Justin. He witnessed Daphne’s stalwart friendship given freely, even if for a time things were weird between her and Justin due to the confusion of sex with romantic love. He saw it in the few times that Molly had come to visit Justin. The way they interacted and conversed made Brian wish that he’d had a sister, not the cheap, downtrodden imitation he’d had in Claire. So he could now accept that Justin really did love him, and with all that’s happened, that he was worthy of it.

Brian saw John hurriedly enter the courtroom and again looked at his watch. Where the fuck was Justin? Bypassing Brian, but signaling for him to join the others, the bodyguard made his way over to Shavonne. After succinctly explaining what had gone on in the mensroom and Justin’s response to it, Brian couldn’t help but be panicked, relieved, and proud all at the same time. His little fireball was coming back to himself, little by little, and he was damned happy about that.

“Where is he now?” Shavonne asked.

“He and Isaac should be on the way back in. He’d taken his anxiety med dry upon our arrival so they went to the cafe to get something to drink for him.”

Brian took out his cell phone in that instant. Beyond anything, he just needed to hear for himself that Justin was okay. The phone rang and for a moment of sheer panic, Brian didn’t think that Justin would pick up. He sighed in relief when he did. “Hey…”

“Hey, old man. Isaac and I are on the way back. Th- thank you for sending them, Brian.”

“John told us what happened. You okay?”

“Now I am, but…”

“Say no more, just hurry back in here, okay?”

“Yeah.”

As Brian hung up the phone, Jennifer laid her hand upon his arm. “You okay?”

“No. I never should have left him alone.”

“Yes, you should have.” At Brian’s incredulous look, she chuckled. “Brian, we both know how independent Justin is. Remember when he was in the hospital and you reminded me in that oh-so-gentle way you have, that if Justin wanted help he had to ask for it? Well the same rule applies here, Darling. You can’t hover over him, because you know as well as I do that he will lash out. There was no way on God’s green earth that any of us would have expected Christopher Hobbs to be that stupid!”

“He had help being that fucking dumb,” a new voice entered the conversation.

Brian’s eyebrow raised at the attractive, young woman coming up their side of the aisle. “And you are?”

“Charlene Winters, but you can call me Rory. I believe this is what you are expecting, Shavonne. Marrows was all too eager to print it out for you.”

“Hmm, I wonder why that was,” the ADA directed a smug grin to her blushing assistant.

Rory cleared her throat. “Anyway, you were right. They have been going against the order while also using others as intermediaries.”

“Others?”

“Their wives, sisters, and in-laws, while trying to cover their tracks. You’ll see when you go over the transcripts.”

“As I told Mel this morning, their collective arrogance will sink their already sinking ships. I wasn’t wrong.”

“All rise, the honorable Jessup Montgomery, presiding,” the bailiff called out, bringing the court to attention again.

“Be seated. Counselors are we ready to pick up where we left off?”

“We are, your honor,” Charles answered for the plaintiff side.

“I am, your honor,” Harrison affirmed although his voice was somewhat shaky. It didn’t go unnoticed by the other occupants within the courtroom.

“In that case, will Marcia Hammond please retake the stand?”

As Marcia walked up to the witness box, Brian leaned over. “Mel, what the hell took so long?”

“You just won your case. Now sit there, be quiet and go with the flow. When you get on the stand, remain calm. That goes for both of you.”

After settling back down in to the chair, Charles approached Marcie again. “A few more questions, Ms. Hammond. Were you there for the final sale meeting between Gardner Vance and Martin Ryder?”

“Yes. I was requested to take minutes for the meeting since I was part of the merger agreement, as was Brian Kinney.”

“What do you mean?”

“A certain few colleagues of mine were to remain employed for a trial period of one month to prove our worthiness. Well that is accurate except that Gardner was given three months to terminate Brian Kinney’s employment. Each man acknowledged that with Brian’s track record in the business, they would have to make firing him airtight and irrefutable in the eyes of their clients. Again, it boils down to Brian being a precious commodity to any firm he works for. Even if Brian was going to branch out on his own- which if he does I hope he takes me with him- they understood that he would be serious competition and losing him would be a huge detriment to their bottom line. They were planning to fix it so he would never be able to obtain another job in the Advertising and Marketing fields again.”

“And what would happen if Mr. Vance succeeded in his objective to fire Brian Kinney?”

“Marty would come back in and buy the company back from Gardner, or they would keep the business merged and Marty would come back on as co-CEO.”

“Thank you, Ms. Hammond for your candid testimony. No further questions for this witness and no need to recall. Your witness,” Charles said, turning to Harrison at the other table.

“No questions,” Harrison mumbled.

“What?! What do you mean no questions?!” Craig said loudly.

“Just what it means, Mr. Taylor! That evidence she produced said it all; there’s no way to refute it. Hence, No. Further. Questions,” Harrison said through gritted teeth.

“Uh, if you have finished explaining your reasoning sufficiently to your client, Mr. Dunham, Mr. Sands you may call your next witness,” Judge Montgomery said. Frankly he almost wished that Harrison Dunham had tried to refute what they’d heard on those recordings. It would have been entertaining.

“Next I call to the stand, as a character witness, Cynthia Moore.” Cynthia took her place and after being sworn in, nodded for Charles to begin his questions.

“Please state your full name for the record and your acquaintance with Brian Kinney.”

“Cynthia Kaia Moore and I have been Mr. Kinney’s personal assistant within Ryder Advertising, now named Vanguard Advertising, for the last ten years.”

“Thank you, Ms. Moore. When was it that you first heard the name Justin Taylor?”

“Honestly, the night after Brian’s son was born. I overheard Brian’s best friend urging Brian to ditch the young man. Apparently, he had a feeling that Justin would try to make his presence known to Brian again. When I asked Brian about it, he said that it was a young man that he’d met the previous night.”

“And how did you feel about that?”

“My first thought was, well how young is young? Again, I’ve known Brian for many years and consider him a friend. So naturally I was curious. Once Brian told me the story of how they met and spent their evening, I remember feeling sorry for both Brian and Justin. Justin because he had given Brian a soul-deep part of himself, and Brian because he didn’t feel that he deserved it.”

“Why do you feel like Brian felt he didn’t deserve it?”

“Because my friend has had a tumultuous life. I won’t go into the details of it since it is his story to tell, but suffice to say that there were and are a certain few around him that would have rather seen Brian alone for the rest of his life than happy with someone other than themselves.”

“And is Brian happy, in your opinion?”

“Objection! Calls for speculation,” Harrison said.

“I’ll allow it to assuage my own curiosity from an outsider’s point of view. So overruled. You may answer the question, Ms. Moore.”

“Thank you, your honor. I can honestly say that Brian is the happiest he’s ever been since meeting Justin Taylor. Somehow, they just click, despite their twelve year age difference. Justin is probably the most mature person out of all of the adults Brian shares close acquaintances with. None of them really know him, but Justin does… or at least the parts of him that Brian rarely allows any of us to see.”

“So you consider yourself one of the people on par with Justin?”

She nodded her head. “Michael Novotny and Lindsay Peterson may believe that based on their shared history with Brian Kinney, that they are his best friends, but they aren’t. It’s those certain few of us that aren’t afraid to call him on his sh- less than exemplary behavior; those of us who work behind the scenes to make sure that Brian is okay; those of us who continue to pour positivity into him even when he refuses to let anyone see how low he’s feeling, and those of us that put his needs before our own without being asked to. It’s those of us who aren’t afraid to defend him when he’s being wrongly accused or stand and fight with him when he’s under attack. And he doesn’t have to ask us to do it or trade parts of himself in payment for our loyalty. It’s just who and what we are; what we do. So yes, just as Justin sees Brian for who he truly is, so do I.”

“You mention working behind the scenes to make sure Brian is alright. Does that include the situation with Kip Thomas?”

“Yes.”

“And what did you do?”

“I just looked into his background, which was falsified in all but where he received his Liberal Arts education, instead of the Advertising degree he claimed. I also discovered the reason why he was so determined to destroy Brian Kinney and it had nothing to do with his reputation as a businessman. The vendetta was personal.”

“How so?”

“Howard Bellweather is the uncle of Kip Thomas. Brian had rejected the man’s advances numerous times, so between the two of them, they set out to get even and print falsehoods about his character in Mr. Bellweather’s recently released book, “The Gay Gauntlet.” Kip was sent there to dig up dirt on Brian, including within his business dealings. Outside of f- having sex with the rat twice- once during office hours and once afterwards, there was nothing else that Kip could find. So the two of them decided to ask Brian for a promotion that Kip wasn’t even remotely qualified for. When he was turned down for it, they chose to file a false sexual harassment suit against him.”

“How do you know it was false?”

“Outside of the fact that Brian is a beautiful man and would never have to beg for the favor to get laid, it’s just not Brian Kinney’s style. There are too many men, and so little time for him to be bothered to chase after one, unless he wants him. He chased after Justin. And comparing Justin to Kip is like comparing a shiny red apple to a fuzzy kiwi, both in size and brain capacity.”

Charles suppressed a chuckle at the imagery she painted. It didn’t take a genius to figure out what her size comment was about. Clearing his throat, he asked, “Are you aware of how the suit got dropped?”

“Yes, I am. But I made a promise never to disclose the details of it.”

“That’s fine, but all I want is the name. The witness will tell us what he did in his own words, but I think that this will give credence to some future testimony as well as what you have already disclosed.”

Cynthia sighed and then surreptitiously looked over to the corner. At the barest of nods, she took a deep breath before speaking. “Kip Thomas dropped the suit against Brian because of Justin Taylor.”