After the Fall

Epilogue

About a week after ‘the sting’, life was returning to normal. Instead of a lengthy trial at the taxpayers’ expense, Cole and his cousin pleaded guilty. The evidence was too damning. Lex had no prior arrest record, so his sentence was reduced somewhat, but because the theft involved a valuable Justin Taylor original, he had to do some prison time. Cole was found to have a prior arrest record in New York. Brian and Simon made Barbara Carter of the GLC aware of what happened. Several young men from the GLC came forward revealing that they too had been similarly cheated and duped by Cole. The cities of Pittsburgh and New York were currently in negotiations regarding the disposition of one Cole Adams.

The family rallied once more and descended upon Edna’s Treasures for one whopper of a barbecue. They had several things to celebrate. Patrick’s arm was well on the mend and he was able to go riding again with Bree and her friends. Gus appeared to have gotten over his ‘love affair’, and although still embarrassed, he was enjoying the rest of the summer and his time with Ray. They spent most of their afternoons together at the stream or exploring the woods surrounding the cottages. Gus made it a point to thank each of his vast family for their love and support during the ‘Cole’ incident.

Ted officially took over Wertshafter’s lock, stock and barrel making Schmidt’s Personal Accountants a reality.

Brian had the Tremont apartment house ‘fumigated’ as he put it. All locks, pass codes and a few doors were replaced or upgraded. He kept the security cameras and then decided to have John’s construction crew, one that was made up of Hunter’s kids from the Village project, come in to paint and spruce up the interior walls and halls.

Drew’s concern about the little white lie he told to Emmett was completely unwarranted. Once Emmett learned the truth of his involvement in the sting, he gushed and fawned over his brave hero.

All was right in the world again....so it seemed.

“Brian, what’s wrong? You look pre-occupied about something,” John observed. “Gus seems no worse for wear. The whole family is having one hell of a good time at the barbecue today and Carl said you’ll be getting your possessions back soon. What are you fretting about?”

“Fretting?” Brian arched his brow at John’s turn of phrase.

“You know what I mean. Now, spill.” John arched his own Kinney brow.

“It’s Justin, he’s got some bee up his ass about a new project and I can’t get him off the computer. He’s been on that thing day and night since he finished up the Seasons project.”

“When does Sidney launch the show?”

“Sometime in September. This is something new Justin’s been working on. I haven’t seen him this enthusiastic about a project in a long time.” John gave Brian an incredulous look. “This is different. I can’t explain it; he’s even more consumed than normal.”

“What’s the theme of the project?”

“Fractals.”

“Fractals, as in chaos theory?”

“Yup.”

“As if our lives aren’t chaotic enough,” John quipped.

“Welcome to my fractalized world!”

-TBC-
 

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