Lost in Flight (32 page)

“The cleaner – the Irish cleaner.  He was a legend in underground street fighting.  I always wondered what happened to him...  Man.  I can’t believe it.” 

Riley tried to steer Andy clear of the topic because Jed’s story wasn’t his to tell.  There were, however, shared business interests and when Riley put a professional proposition to Andy he was amenable.  Riley needed a PI he could trust and Andy fit the bill.

He also wanted to introduce Andy to Mason Glenn and when he said as much, Andy’s eyes went wide.  “Mason Glenn -
the
Mason Glenn?  Pimp daddy, the
porn
pirate
?” 

When Riley grinned, Andy shook his head.  “I’m not sure if I can.  I’ve investigated Mason Glenn for more people than he probably realizes.  There might be a conflict of interest.” 

Riley disagreed.  “I think that puts you in the perfect position.  Mason’s gone legit.  You can help keep him on the straight and narrow.” 

Andy was dubious.  Mason Glenn was notorious – even in the world that Andy inhabited.  A hacker turned host of porn and pirated material through a “file sharing” facility.  His new business, although legit, was a little kinky for Andy’s tastes.  Andy was surprised Riley was connected to him, but agreed to a conversation.

Riley found out Andy was a fountain of information about Dina that made him both sad and mad.  According to Andy, Dina had no social life to speak of in D.C., which pleased him, because she’d been working herself to the bone to accumulate time to be with Gabby.  Until Gabby’s assault, Dina had been the associate to watch.  Everyone was still watching, but wondering how long she’d be able to sustain the pace without crashing and burning. 

This didn’t please him and he promised he was going to try to do something about it.  He didn’t know what yet, but he’d think of something.  He’d never really thought about Dina’s working conditions before.  He’d resented that she’d chosen a career with the drones over a creative one and left him. 

Riley’s career path was markedly different.  He’d worked for people, but that wasn’t really a career.  He’d put up with the job until it was time to move on and he’d been in charge of his own business for so long now, he’d forgotten what it was like to be truly answerable to someone else.

He didn’t know if Andy should be telling him anything about Dina.  Maybe he thought Riley already knew, but he wanted to make sure.  “Andy, you know Christina and I are divorced right?  We’re not together
- together
.  We’re only just talking.” 

Andy gave him a look that pierced straight through him.  “I think you’re doing a bit more than that.”  When Riley went to say something, Andy said, “Christina is a private person, Riley, like I am.  She shares what she shares, but she’s selective.  She doesn’t talk about her personal life much – not her family, connections, or anyone else.  You have to pick things up through observation – like how she dropped
everything
to be here for her sister, while Bindmans is making redundancies.” 

Riley’s eyebrows went to the ceiling.  “Is her job in danger?” 

“
Everyone’s
job there is in danger,” Andy said.  “Christina’s brought in a lot of clients, which makes her valuable, but her time away is costing her professionally.”

Andy leaned back in his chair, but held eye contact with Riley.  “Your marriage and divorce are matters of public record – easy for someone like me to find, but her wariness of people?  That was harder to explain.  At first I thought it was about her brother being famous, but she copes with that easily.  I concluded a long time ago that something happened and she’d talk about it if she wanted to.  She doesn’t and I don’t ask.” 

Riley was becoming increasingly uncomfortable, but he remained sitting.  On the one hand, he was glad Christina hadn’t said anything and on the other a little insulted.  Andy smiled and said pointedly.  “My friendship with Christina means a lot to me and obviously, you mean something to Christina.  That’s good enough for me.” 

He didn’t know how to respond so he gave Andy a tight smile and they carried on drinking.  The guys called it quits about 1 a.m. and Riley crashed out to sleep, only to be woken by Andy James banging on his door around 6:30 a.m. Staggering out of bed and glaring, Andy insisted they go to the gym before breakfast.  Unlike Riley, Andy looked relaxed and ready to go.  Riley was the youngest in his family and the closest he got to a younger sibling was, Gabby.  Right now, he was grateful for that.

********************

Riley, Seattle, The Present, Wednesday 10 October 2012

They met up with Dina at the hospital after breakfast and Riley gave her back Andy’s envelopes with a hard stare.  He knew she’d read them and fret, but she had to have them.  Andy had made that clear. 

Before going to see Gabby, Dina had taken Andy aside saying, “You need to be gentle.  She’s been through a lot and I don’t want her to get upset, and worry.” 

Andy assured Christina that he would be, but she looked dubious.  Riley could tell that sensitivity might be an issue for Andy.  Even in the short time Riley knew him, Andy didn’t strike him as the sort of person that would back down on anything.  Persistent was the word that sprang to mind.

Gabby was sitting in her hospital bed when they got there with her headphones in.  She grinned widely when she saw them and was especially pleased to see Riley.  Dina introduced Andy to Gabby and she smiled at him saying, “Hello.” 

Andy James stood in the doorway of the room for a bit with his sunglasses parked on his head, his eyes wide with his lips pressed together staring at Gabby like she was the latest piece of technology.  He recovered himself and went over to her, but seemed at a loss.  He shook her hand and seemed a bit nervous.

Riley was watching Andy and Gabby with a smile on his face.  He hadn’t seen love at first sight for a long time, but he was pretty sure he was witnessing it now.  He caught Dina’s eye and wiggled his eyebrows, nodding his head toward Gabby and Andy. 

Christina turned to Riley and gave him a questioning look.  He motioned his head toward the young couple, that were giving each other shy looks, and Riley winked at Christina.  He almost laughed when he saw it dawn on Christina’s face and her mouth opened in an “OH.” 

Riley motioned to Christina and they left the room to give Andy, and Gabby some privacy.  As they passed Jed he was grinning and whispered.  “Look at that, Shrek has come for Princess Fiona.”  The two men shared a chuckle, but Christina was still in shock.

When they got outside the door, Christina kept trying to stare through the windows, so Riley pulled her away.  She looked at him and said, “I had no idea.  I honestly thought he was gay.”

Riley tried not to laugh and asked.  “Why would you think that?” 

She motioned for him to come closer so she could speak in his ear.  “I’ve never seen him with anyone, he dresses well, he’s educated, interested in art and can dance really,
really
well.” 

He whispered back.  “Being well dressed, a good dancer and not a man whore doesn’t equal gay.”

Dina was so close he couldn’t resist.  He dragged her around the corner out of sight of the others, pushed her back against a wall and kissed her.  He had his hands in her hair and hers were up under his arms pulling him closer.  He was looking for a stairwell, but couldn’t see one, so just kept kissing her.

They were oblivious to passers by until they heard an indiscreet:  “AHEM” from Jed.  They broke apart, but Riley grabbed her hand and looked at Jed. 

Jed’s eyes were twinkling.  “Keeping up with your first aid, I see.  Good for you, but the Bride of Frankenstein and Igor are finished.” 

Riley grabbed Dina’s hand and went back into the room.  They stayed talking to Gabby for another hour with Andy James hovering in the background.  He would come into the room and go, as if he was frightened to be too close or far way. 

After asking Gabby if she needed anything and her replying, “no,” they made their way to the car.  Christina stopped to tell Jed that Mandy was coming in tonight and would be staying at the townhouse – if it were okay with him.  When she said, “Mandy won’t take up any room, she usually sleeps with me,” the look on Jed’s face was worth a thousand words.  Riley could imagine Jed playing a slideshow of all the women he found unattractive in their bathing suits to block the images that were running free flow through his mind.  On the way passed, Riley gave a speechless Jed a pat on the shoulder. 

As soon they got out of the hospital doors, Andy James turned to him and Dina saying, “I’m going to get these pricks.”  The guy had it bad and Riley could relate.

********************

Riley took Andy back to the hotel, called Bonnie Howard and asked her to meet him.  Half an hour later, he was driving with Bonnie in her Porsche on the pretext of looking at properties, but he wanted to ask some questions. He knew this wasn’t going to be easy because Bonnie and Dina would stand in front of tanks for one another, but he wanted to help.  He needed Dina to let him and the best, possibly the only way through her defense mechanisms, was Bonnie. 

He recognized Bonnie’s car from the garage at the townhouse.  “Pretty brave of you to lend your car to Dina.” 

A smile crossed Bonnie’s face.  “It was an emergency.”  They shared a meaningful look and laughed. 

They walked around the property and Riley was impressed.  This would be his pick and when he said as much to Bonnie, she gave him a tight smile.  Bonnie folded her arms and looked away.  “Is anyone going to discuss this with Dina?” 

Riley nodded.  “I expect so.  Johnny gets into town soon and I’ll make sure they talk about this with her.” 

They didn’t say anything to each other for a while until Riley finally said, “Bonnie, I’ve heard things are pretty tough for Dina in D.C..” 

Bonnie turned to him and pierced him with a look.  “We’re way too sober for
that
talk and it’s too early to start drinking.  Just leave it, Riley.” 

He laughed and shook his head.  “No can do, Bonnie and as much as I agree with you on the drink, we’re going to have to do this sober.” 

Riley waited while Bonnie pressed her lips together and made her decision.  Sighing, she said, “Okay, but just to be clear – I won’t be bagging Dina or telling you state secrets.  I’m not breaking the girl code, but if we can talk around that, I think we should and if I find you want to play head games with her, I’ll come for you.” 

He automatically went to deny he played head games, but it died in the face of Bonnie’s glacial stare.  Nodding, he said, “Okay, but that’s not the reason I’m asking.  I want to help – if I can.  I know you’re close with her and if she was going to confide in anyone, it would be you.” 

Bonnie stared at him until it became uncomfortable, before nodding assent.  He listened as Bonnie told him that Christina was working herself to death in D.C. because of the time off for Gabby and to keep her job.  Riley asked.  “What does she need Bonnie?” 

She shrugged.  “I honestly don’t know.  More clients maybe?”  Then Bonnie groaned, “But that would just add to her workload.  Maybe she needs a client based in Shanwick or to win the Lottery?”  Bonnie laughed and Riley joined her.

Neither Bonnie nor Riley knew the ins and outs of a law firm, but he had an idea.  Dina would hate it, but it would kill two birds with one stone.  Still, if it was for her own wellbeing, he was prepared to do it anyway and face her wrath.  Actually, he could avoid that by putting plans in place when he went off-grid to finish his projects at the end of the month. 

Riley gave Bonnie a look out of the corner of his eye and said quietly, “When does she go back to D.C.?” 

“Next week,” Bonnie answered.  “She’s going to get Gabby settled in Shanwick and head back.”

Less than a week ago, he would have found some satisfaction in this account of Dina’s life.  He’d wanted her broken and miserable to pay her back for leaving him.  Now, it made him feel like a knife was twisting in his stomach. 

Then he heard Bonnie say, “It’s not equal,” but he didn’t know what she meant so he asked her to elaborate.  Bonnie repeated. “It’s not equal.  They all say they’re doing their bit, but they’re not.  Their father – where is he?  He sits in Gabby’s room playing the guitar trying to communicate his feelings and then leaves when it all gets too much for him.” 

Riley could picture it and laughed.  To his surprise, Bonnie joined in.  “I know.  It’s crazy – then Johnny arrives.  They joke around, he buys Gabby presents and then takes off when it suits him.” 

He tried to halt Bonnie saying, “Oh, come on, Bonnie, that’s not really fair.  They’re doing their best,” but she shut him up with a look.

“Fair?  You know what’s not fair?  Dina’s holding it all together – the emotional stuff, the medical stuff, and the legal stuff.  Gabby doesn’t call Johnny or their father when she’s down.  She calls Dina and Dina gets on a plane, and flies here to look after her, and she’s the one that can least afford the time or expense, but she does it.  So, puh-lease, don’t tell me what’s fair.”   

He’d always found Bonnie Howard equal parts admirable and intimidating, but he looked at her now with respect.  He said to Bonnie.  “It might get better when Gabby goes home?” 

Bonnie rolled her eyes.  “Oh sure, but it could take her years to heal properly –
years
.  Who do you think will be looking after Gabby?  Johnny?  Jack?  It’ll be Dina.” 

Riley raked his hands through his hair as Bonnie went on.  “She’ll give up her job to take care of Gabby and the others will just flit off like it’s no big deal.  She’ll wither up and die in that town, Riley.  She
hates
it.” 

He knew it was true, all of it.  It would fall to Dina, but he could at least ensure she had future options.  They shared some companionable silence for a bit and then he heard Bonnie say, “Riley, there’s something else you should know.”  Riley waited until she finally said, “This property purchase you’re all going in on, she’s worried.”