THE ENDS REQUIRE THE MEANS
 

Chapter 9 – The Set-up

Melanie had moved into action bright and early Monday morning. She knew that she couldn’t dismiss Brandon until after the sting was completed but in the interim, with confidentiality paramount, Melanie enlisted her colleague, Larry Jacobs to prepare the papers necessary for an equitable custody agreement between all three parties. The agreement would be prepared for immediate signature after a review and approval by Mr. Gabriel; but that couldn’t happen until after Brandon was dismissed. The fewer people involved the more likely this whole fiasco would come to a successful conclusion.

In addition, Melanie contacted her old friend who was now on the Executive Board, as part of the overseeing body of the Pennsylvania Bar. They discussed the procedure that was being put into place to get Brandon to sink his own career.

Melanie’s friend e-mailed her a list of issues that must be recorded for the bar to proceed in taking action, including instructions confirming that the police must be present continually to listen to the wire feed. Without their signed statements, it would appear as a vendetta between old rivals and the bar would set aside the entire case.

Brian contacted Brandon and arranged to meet him at Papagano’s at 2:30 on Wednesday afternoon. “I think it’s better if we have some element of privacy when we negotiate and the restaurant will have a significantly thinning crowd at that time,” Brian asserted.

“Wise move, Kinney. After all we wouldn’t want anyone to see us and think that we were discussing the case. That would be unethical and inappropriate.”

“Of course, and we wouldn’t want anyone to think that there were any improprieties involved now would we,” Brian snarled.

“Now, now, Brian, we could always rely on the courts to decide this but then I might actually have to bring your son into court and I wouldn’t want the lad to be emotionally damaged by the experience. It can be very difficult watching parents battle over custody.”

Brian wanted to kill Brandon, but knew that he needed to nail this guy where it hurt -- in his wallet, because he’d never practice law again if it was up to Brian.

On Wednesday morning Brian and Justin set out to meet with Carl, his associate in white collar crime investigations, and Melanie, in her office. Everyone agreed that Lindsay did not need to take part and should just focus on taking care of Gus after he was dismissed from school. Rather than have him go to his after school program, she was going to pick him up to avoid any unforeseen “side effects” of the afternoon’s activities.

As Brian and Justin drove to Melanie’s office they were quiet, trying not to focus on the critical and somewhat dangerous components of Brian’s lunch appointment.

“So, Brian, which one are you, Newman or Redford?”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

“Oh, come on, you’re up on all the film classics. Remember ‘The Sting’? We watched it together a couple of years ago.”

“I seem to recall that. I also seem to recall you spending a lot of time drooling over Robert Redford…and I am definitely him.”

Justin laughed, “How do you figure that?”

“Redford was the guy who kept meeting with the mark until they nailed him. That’s me, so I must be Redford.” Brian smirked.

Justin sat back in the seat, “Well, that’s good, because he looked hot even with fake blood pouring out of his mouth. And I only go for the hottest guy around.”

“You’ve got that right.” The rest of the ride neither man felt like chatting; each wrapped up in his own concerns.

When they arrived at Melanie’s office, Brian had been instructed to park at a lot two blocks away to avoid anyone seeing his car and associating it with Melanie or her law practice. The assumption had to be made that he could only get his kid in his life by succumbing to Brandon’s demands.

Melanie gave Brian the detailed instructions she’d received from her friend at the Bar Association. In addition, the police gave detailed instructions on words to use to confirm that he had finished his negotiation and they should move in. The plan was to arrest Brandon after he left the restaurant when all the incriminating evidence was recorded. There was no need to bring scandal to Papagano’s and possibly hurt their business.

“Okay, Brian, are you sure you remember everything? It’s not like you’ll be able to take out your notes and check that you’ve gotten all the information you need.”

“Yeah, Mel, that’s exactly what I was planning to do.” Brian was definitely getting edgy and being treated like a stupid asshole didn’t help the situation any.

“I know, I know, I’m just nervous and anxious. Just don’t fucking screw this up. We only have one chance.”

“I get it, I get it. Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to have a few minutes with Justin.”

Justin had remained fairly quiet throughout all the morning’s activities. Carl and his colleague had gone to grab a bite to eat and Justin was beginning to chew his thumbnail rather voraciously.

“Justin, Brian, you can have my office. I need to speak with Larry about another case right now anyway.” Melanie left her office and closed the door behind her.

Brian walked over to where Justin was standing. He appeared to be examining the law degrees on Melanie’s wall. When he touched Justin’s shoulder from behind Justin startled. Then he turned around and hugged Brian tightly, leaning heavily into him.

“I’m trying not to be a silly faggot. But I’m obviously failing miserably. I’m just so fucking worried about you.”

“Justin, listen to me. Are you listening?”

“Yes, I’m fucking listening.”

“I am going to be fine. Brandon would be truly out of his mind to pull anything dangerous or desperate. Besides, he’ll never know that I’m wired.”

“How do you know for sure? I mean this asshole is using his position as an officer of the court to get his fucking dick sucked and his ass fucked. How do you know he’s stable enough not to do something?”

“Because I’m fucking good at judging people. It’s my business and it’s my life. You are the only one I’ve ever loved and look how long it took me to get there. I know people.”

“Look how long it took you to figure us out,” Justin tried to smile. “After all, you’re getting on in years.”

“Hey, watch it, Sunshine.” Then Brian cupped Justin’s chin in his hand and gently tilted his face up to receive a deeply passionate kiss. Brian tried to pour all his love and reassurances into their embrace as they kissed in a way that recalled similar emotions to those when Justin left for New York over three years earlier.

The two lost track of time as they were swept away by a variety of emotions. A knock on the door interrupted their moments of blissful isolation.

Justin returned to his spot, observing Melanie’s law degree as he swiped his hands quickly across his eyes.

“Brian, Justin,” Carl’s deep voice came through the door. “It’s time to get set.”

Brian opened the door to everyone involved. The investigator brought in his wire expert and skillfully hid the wire underneath Brian’s clothing. Then Melanie joined as each person’s responsibilities were reviewed one more time. Just before Brian left to get in his car and head for Papagano’s, Justin grabbed him by the arm and pulled him in for a long and ardent kiss.

“Brian, do this and nail that mother-fucker. And don’t fuck it up, because I have big plans for our celebration tonight.” Justin tried to sound bold, but it came out almost as a plea.

“I have no intention of missing any of your plans tonight. I’m all yours.” Brian raised his eyebrow, turned and went on his way. It wouldn’t be long now and all this would be behind them.

The remaining five proceeded to get into the remote van and drove to a parking lot behind the store next door to the restaurant.

“This stuff is all in working order, isn’t it?” Justin’s nerves began to show again.

Carl spoke up as the wire specialist and the investigator began setting up for business. “Justin, you’ve clearly been watching too many crime dramas on TV. We check, double check and triple check the equipment before we move forward. There’s no room for mistakes, so we don’t make any. Just so you know, if I had any doubt that Brian would walk out of Papagano’s safe and sound, I would have killed this plan before it got started.”

Melanie touched Justin’s hand and he turned to her. The creases in his brow told the story, “Justin, I may think your partner is an asshole on so many levels, but he’s Gus’ father and a damn good one. We won’t let anything happen to him.” Melanie hugged Justin and somehow he was able to calm down enough to focus on the activity in the remote.

 

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