Should Old Acquaintance

Chapter 2

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The following day Brian and Bobby set about looking into the files that Edna had assembled for them. There were at least three new places where Edna seemed to have discovered some Kinney/Patrick artwork.

Amongst the papers was a page that Bobby immediately recognized as a page from Kinney's journal. It revealed something that they had not known before. It read:

I have been troubled lately by thoughts of my wife and children who I have abandoned for all intents and purposes. They are left alone in America while Patrick and I make our way here in Central America. I know they are well provided for, but I miss them and can't help wondering what the children have grown to be.

I long to hold a little one in my arms again. Patrick says we should try to adopt a baby here, or maybe one of us could father a child by a local woman. As much as I would love to have a child with us, I can't see either of those things happening. Patrick, however, is quite taken with the idea. We will have to have a long talk about this.

"What the fuck do you suppose this means?" Brian asked having read the passage aloud.

"Do you suppose there's a little Kinney or Patrick running around Panama somewhere?" Bobby asked in return.

"If there was a child we would be looking at someone a couple of generations later. Did you find any more references to a child anywhere?"

"Not yet."

"I can't believe that there might be some Kinney descendants down here."

"You Kinneys do get around, don't you?" Bobby laughed.

"Twat," Brian reacted. He wasn't at all sure how he felt about this unexpected turn of events. It didn't sound like Kinney was very eager to follow Patrick's suggestion, but Brian knew how persuasive blond boys could be. He turned his attention back to the documents to see if he could find any other references to a child.

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Meanwhile back at the cottage, Justin was getting Bree dressed after breakfast. John was doing the same for Patrick. Neither of them had had a very restful night. Sleeping without their partners did not lead to a peaceful sleep.

"Are you sure you want to keep both the kids today?" John asked.

"I'll be fine with them."

"But don't you need to paint?"

"I can do that when they're napping or when you come home tonight."

"I like the sound of coming home. I really want to get started on moving our cottage over here next to yours," John stated.

"Then why don't you set the wheels in motion while Brian and Bobby are away? Maybe we could surprise them with a fait accompli for when they return."

"I don't think they'll be gone that long, at least I hope they won't," John said with a frown. "But I could get the process started."

"Go for it," Justin said.

"Patwick," Bree said reaching out towards her cousin. "Pway."

"You're going to play nicely with Patrick, aren't you?" Justin asked.

Bree nodded her head. "Dolly?"

"Here's Dolly," Justin said handing her Raggedy Anne.

"Love Dolly," Bree gushed hugging Raggedy Anne close to her chest. "Down."

Justin set her down and she ran over to Patrick and took his hand.

"Play nice, Patrick," John admonished.

Bree tugged Patrick's hand and they ran to the sun porch to see what they could find in the toy chest that was kept in a spot out there.

"See, they'll be fine. Go to work," Justin said.

"Okay, and thanks for letting me stay here, Justin. I would have been so lonely at home. I mean … I'm still lonely without Bobby, but not as lonely as I would have been at our cottage without him. You know what I mean."

"I know," Justin smiled. "I miss Brian too."

John gave Justin a hug and called out goodbye to Patrick. He grabbed his briefcase and headed out the door. Justin watched him, wondering how he was going to last all the days until Brian came back. He missed him so much.

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"Miguel, are you feeling better?" Brian asked the elder Miguel. He and Bobby were worried about the gentleman who was suffering the loss of his longtime mistress and friend. The housekeeper, Marta, hovered closely, bringing him tea and making sure he ate regularly.

"I am good. I miss my Senora," Miguel said forlornly. Brian knelt closely and agreed.

"We miss her too. She was a wonderful person. So bold and so filled with love, all of us were proud to have known her and you and Marta. Edna was very fond of you both and she appreciated how you took care of her and her husband's chapel. That meant a lot to her."

"Gracias, Mr. Brian. Senora Edna love you. She called you her sons, she very proud of you and Mr. Justin. She wrote to all those you met here and found more paintings. She kept them safe, en banco," Miguel tried to explain to Brian.

"Miguel, are you well enough to take us to the bank?"

"Si, maybe Senor Perez will allow Miguelito to drive." The elder Miguel gave Brian a small smile.

Patting Miguel's knee, Brian went to find Bobby and the others for a road trip to Edna's bank and perhaps more Kinney's.

The younger Miguel drove Edna's car as the elder Miguel gave him the directions. Juan Perez who still was the bank manager of the First National Bank of Cartago, thought it best to accompany Brian and Bobby. Bobby had the necessary documents to prove Brian Kinney was the rightful heir to the Kinney legacy and the senior Miguel had a copy of Edna's will. The will clearly stated that any and all paintings, sketches, photos and/or documentation pertaining to JABKinney and Patrick Taylor, were to go to Brian Kinney or Justin Taylor or their emissaries.

Juan had made contact with the local bank manager who was also saddened when he learned of Edna Galloway's passing. She was one of the oldest and dearest customers of his bank. Edna spoke enthusiastically of the paintings she had found and left in his vault for safety. Esteban Sanchez was looking forward to meeting Juan Perez and Brian Kinney.

"Senor Sanchez, I am Juan Perez," Juan began his introductions. "This is Brian Kinney from America and his friend and lawyer Roberto Morrison. And this is Senor Miguel Colon," Juan indicated Edna's Miguel.

"Miguel and I are old friends. I am so sorry; we will miss Senora Edna. She was a very good lady." Mr. Sanchez shared a hug with Miguel. The younger Miguel cleared his throat.

"Oh, and this is my friend Miguel Cortez. He is my constant companion." Juan's Miguel beamed. Brian shifted his weight nervously back and forth on his feet. All this chitchat was giving him a headache. All he wanted was to see what Edna had found and get the hell out of Panama and back home to his family. Sensing Brian's impatience, Juan focused on the subject at hand.

"Mr. Sanchez, I do not wish to be rude but Mr. Kinney and Mr. Morrison have traveled a long way and miss their families. May we proceed with the transfer? I believe we have all the documents you require."

"Of course! Gentlemen, please follow me." They all followed Sanchez toward the vault. After copies of the will and Brian's passport were made Sanchez brought Brian and Bobby to the vault. There in a special cabinet were six paintings, three small sculptures and a carton filled with documents.

"Holy shit!" Bobby exclaimed.

"Well, fuck me!" Brian murmured. With Juan and the younger Miguel's assistance, the Kinney treasure was moved into Sanchez's office.

"I can't believe Edna found all this." Brian was astounded as he rifled through the papers and photos.

"Brian, how are we going to get all of this home? I can't see this stuff as carry-on luggage. It's hundreds of years old. I won't trust it on the plane."

"You're right. Mr. Sanchez, do you know a UPS store nearby?" Brian asked the banker.

"Brian?" Bobby wasn't quite sure what Brian had in mind.

"Bobby, we bring everything to UPS. They'll pack it and ship it."

"But..."

"No buts. I use UPS all the time. We'll watch them pack up everything and I'll be making a strategically timed phone call as we catalogue what we ship. And of course, we insure everything for millions," Brian stated smugly.

"Millions?" Bobby gaped at his brother-in-law.

"Yes, millions. I have no idea if these paintings are authentic. We'll leave that to Sidney, but I won't take any chances."

"Okay, lead on." Bobby stood back and watched the master at work. Soon they were thanking Mr. Sanchez for all his help, bidding him goodbye, loading the treasure into Edna's car and heading to the UPS store.

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"Hello?"

"Hi Justin, it's John."

"Hey, didn't you just leave here a little while ago?"

"Yeah, but I wanted to give you the heads up. I'm going ahead with the plans to move our cottage so I need to send a crew to your house to start the process. Gordon is going to head up this project since I'm spending a lot of time in Pittsburgh. Besides I need an objective opinion on this project."

"Okay, okay!" Justin laughed at the tone of John's voice. So much determination, just like Brian when he's hawking a pitch. "Thanks for the warning, John. See you later."

"Later, kid."

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Bobby knocked on the guest room door hoping that Brian was still awake.

"Come in," Brian called out. Seeing a worried Bobby, Brian waved him closer to the bed.

"Come here," Brian whispered softly as he patted the bed. "What's wrong?"

"I miss John and Patrick. I know it's silly. We've been separated by business before but at least we were in the same country. Brian can we go home tomorrow?" Bobby pleaded.

Brian gently nudged the red-head down onto the bed next to him then turned to face him.

"Sure, Big Red, I'll call the airline in the morning and try to get us on the first flight out." Brian swiped a lock of red hair away from Bobby's pretty sad eyes.

"You know that was quite a show you put on this afternoon," Bobby casually remarked as he gazed steadily into Brian's hazel eyes.

"I have no idea what you mean," Brian drawled.

"Yes you do. You were very, very..."

"Masterful?"

"You could put it that way. You barreled through and took charge."

"I'm a take charge kind of guy."

"I know. In other circumstances I would have found the whole episode a turn on."

"Really? I'm intrigued, a big bad top like you turned on by a little assertiveness. And you lawyer types, a very aggressive and assertive breed."

"And your brother's no wuss. He's rather a..."

"Bossy bottom?"

"Mmm, I see you know the type." Bobby chuckled warmly at Brian. Their little banter was beginning to relax him. Bobby wasn't feeling so lonely and homesick as before.

"Bobby, years ago I would have had you up on all fours while I pounded into you."

"Probably. And now?"

"And now, all I want is to hug one of my best friends while I try to get some sleep. I miss my family too. And my brother is one hell of a lucky man. Thank you for taking this journey with me. This delving into the past, gives me the creeps."

"I understand that but remember, delving into the past led you Claire and John. And now we have more Kinney papers to weed through, not to mention the art treasure trove. I bet Sidney was ecstatic on the phone."

"Yes, he was. He'll be counting down the minutes until the shipment arrives. I should have called Justin but then he would have wanted to fly right down."

"Then John would have been right behind him. Brian, can I sleep here with you?"

"Wh, what?"

"Please, Bri. I didn't sleep very well last night and I'm so tired. You almost..."

"Almost what?"

"You almost smell like John. I..."

"Shhh. Go to sleep. For a big bad lawyer, you do a good impression of a little boy."

"Something about you Kinney men, makes us blue-eyed types turn into goo."

"Sleep. We have a lot to do tomorrow."

"'K." Bobby murmured as Brian pulled the sheet over both of them and snuggled close. Brian soon heard Bobby's even breathing as he fell asleep.

"Sleep well, Red. I'll get us home as soon as I can. I promise. I miss my love too," Brian whispered into the soft red hair. With thoughts of Justin and his children filling his head, Brian went to sleep.

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"Brian?" Justin called out into the dark at the Brian shaped shadow near the sun porch door.

"Sorry, Justin, it's me, John," John answered back.

"Oh," Justin groaned as he punched a pillow.

"Sorry to wake you. I'm so tired but I just can't seem to sleep and I have to drive into Pittsburgh tomorrow."

"You want to sleep with me?" Justin couldn't see it but he thought he could almost hear that Kinney eyebrow arch up. "I meant sleep, nothing else, cause if I don't get any real sleep soon, I won't have the energy to look after the kids or do any painting. I don't need Sidney on my back."

John stood at the glass door for a few moments, nodded then slowly made his way into the bedroom Justin shared with his brother.

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Justin?" John said hesitantly.

"John, have you slept since they left?"

"Not really."

"Then get your ass in this bed."

"Yes, sir!" John eased his way onto the huge four poster. Justin edged closer so that he was at John's side. The last thing John heard as he slid into a peaceful sleep was a loud sigh emanating from Justin's side of the bed as he too went to sleep.

Patrick and Bree snuck into the sun porch. They had been awake for a while and Patrick had very kindly showed Bree how she could get herself out of her crib. The children made their way over to the big four poster and watched John and Justin sleep.

"Dada," Bree said softly.

"Sh," Patrick replied putting his finger to his lips.

Bree giggled but said no more. She couldn't help but grab her father's toe which was sticking out from under the sheet. Justin shifted and turned on his back when she touched him. He let out a small moan.

Patrick took Bree's hand and pulled her towards the bed. It was a long way up onto the bed but Patrick being taller climbed up first and helped Bree to squiggle up beside him. They sat at the end of the bed watching their fathers sleep.

Patrick whispered in Bree's ear. She giggled and nodded her head. And then they pounced. Justin felt a weight hit him in the chest and sat up abruptly tumbling a laughing Bree down onto his legs. Patrick hit his father's chest when he pounced, but having more experience with doing this, he held onto John's neck as his father bolted upright.

"What the…?" John sputtered and then started to laugh as Patrick kissed his face. "Where did you come from, little Red?"

"We were waiting for you to wake up?" Patrick replied. "Why are you sleeping with Uncle Justin?"

John and Justin shared a shocked look. That didn't sound good at all. Justin was pulling Bree up into his arms while the little girl giggled at the joke they had played on their fathers.

"You're in for it now, munchkin," Justin laughed as he blew raspberries on Bree's cheek. Bree giggled in delight. "I guess you guys are ready for breakfast, huh?"

Bree nodded and Patrick yelled, "Yes!"

John looked at the clock and realized that they had slept right through the alarm. It was the first good sleep either of them had had since their husbands left for Panama.